Joe Flacco has yet to play a down in the NFL. In fact, he has yet to see an NFL defense in a live full-speed practice where linebackers can outrun the swiftest collegiate safeties.
All the perfect throws during passing camps amount to absolutely nothing if Flacco can’t get it done when it counts.
Take a little tour around the Ravens’ locker room and ask a few of the players both on and off the record what they think of the team’s No. 1 pick in 2008 and the reviews are unanimous. Everyone is predicting a very successful NFL career for the player soon to be labeled Bazooka Joe.
And boy, can this guy fling it!
Joe Flacco can make all of the throws. He lofts a deep sideline pass with enough trajectory to hit a receiver in stride, but not so much as to enable the safety rolling over to make a play on the ball.
He scans the field and knows where to go with the football when the primary, secondary and tertiary options are covered. I think he even knows what tertiary means, too.
Besides a powerful and accurate arm that loses no zip regardless of his arm angle, the lights are actually on upstairs and apparently someone is home.
No wonder the players are excited. Samari Rolle compared Flacco to Carson Palmer!
But slow down!
Is he really that good, or are the players so used to incompetent play at quarterback that relatively speaking, Flacco does look like Palmer?
The yearning for a good quarterback is so strong here in Baltimore. From the owner right on down to the guy who cleans up the dirty discarded adhesive strips in the locker room after practice, everyone connected to the Ravens wants the team to find a franchise signal caller.
After all, we are talking about an organization whose fans think that either Trent Dilfer or Vinny Testaverde is the best QB in franchise history. How bad is that?
Players know players, and they can usually spot talent. When enough players say the same thing, it starts to shape you into a believer. Remember, though, this is Baltimore, where we think that good QB play is only true in fairy tales and even then for some other team, not ours.
With this Flacco guy, Ozzie & Co. might be on to something good.
But let’s wait until Sundays in the fall before we get as happy as a sailor on Bourbon Street.
Tony Lombardi covers the Baltimore Ravens for ProFootball24x7.com
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2 months ago
Flacco couldn't even win the starting job at Pitt! Before you start believing all of the hype, let's see what the kid does against an NFL caliber defense. Better yet, let's wait and see how he handle's all those blitz packages from the "father of the zone blitz" in "Blitzburgh" before we get our hopes up.
from 2 months ago
I guess you don't read or follow college sports. If he were given (as stated by everyone at Pitt)the chance by the most unsuccessful coach in NFL history, Wannstedt, he would have been the starter. Also, he is the calmest QB you will ever see! Even compared to Joe Montana or other greats. The smartest decision the kid has made was to get out of Pitt, look at their records the past few seasons with Wanny.
from 2 months ago
He's calm because he has the IQ of a rock. Have you heard him speak? Hmmm...should be a star in the NFL.
2 months ago
It's amazing that Troy Smith just keeps getting overlooked and overlooked. He went through this at OSU behind Justin Zwick until he bullied his way into the starting QB position. It is going to take every bit of skill and determination for Flacco to get Smith out of that start position. Just an opinion...but minus the MNC game against Florida, Flacco couldnt hold Smith's jock in terms of performance as a passer. I know the pros are different from college, but they arent that different.
2 months ago
You can show me youtubes all day. Flacco was a great passer at....Delaware...not at a D1 Big time school in a big time conference. Flacco has done nothing in a pro uniform. At least Smith has shown you something in the starter role, he can compete...he can make all of the throws on the field. He just had to learn the offense. I guess all that I am saying is that people have been dogging Smith every year in High School and College about being a good QB, and he has proven everyone wrong at each level. Just dont be too surprised if it happens again.
from 2 months ago
Don't bust on UD there fella. It's a great program for it's size and conference. I'm not going to dawg your school.
from 2 months ago
I'm not dogging the school...and the competition that Flacco faed each week is nothing compared to the BCS schools. You cant argue this...even on your best day.
2 months ago
Flacco will not start it will b troy smith starting in week 1 from week 17 and beyond
about 1 month ago
Flacco is a joke. I can't believe he even got drafted.
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