When the Baltimore Ravens drafted this kid, I immediately said, "We'll either be building statues of him, or trying our best to forget him."
Joe Flacco has all of the physical tools to be great—the cannon arm, he's 6'6", weighs in at 230, and the mobility to extend plays. But what we fans didn't know, heck what NOBODY knew, was if he had the "intangibles".
You know, the difference between say, Kyle Boller and Tom Brady. On paper, Boller is the better quarterback because he's got about the same accuracy and a stronger arm, but it's what Tom Brady does with those tools he has. He makes the right throws, he doesn't get flustered by pressure from the defense or a game situation, and he leaves his mistakes from the last drive behind him. Kyle Boller...doesn't. He, and quarterbacks like him (ahem Tavaris Jackson, Vince Young, Alex Smith, Ryan Leaf, David Carr, you get the idea), doesn't ever make the connect from physical ability to game ability.
The Ravens have found a quarterback who has that game ability. He hasn't put up the most gaudy stats in the world, although last week's 16/31 192yd 1 TD performance is respectable, especially against the Pittsburgh Steeler's defense, but what he does is keep drives alive.
He finds the open man and keeps the chains moving. He's not challenging the Brady touchdown record, but he's only a rookie, what is important is that he's shown Brady's poise in the pocket, and Donavan McNabb's poise outside of it. What is important was the fourth quarter drive from his own 24 yard line: he drove his team down the field, going three-for-three for 60 yards, setting up a Leron McLain touchdown (impressively bulled his way in too) to tie up the game.
Oh yeah, and this was a little after he had fumbled on a sack, about the time most rookie quarterbacks would've folded up and called it a night.
Of course Flacco has also shown his big play ability. In week one, he scored his first NFL touchdown by running 38 yards for a touchdown, which ended up being the game winner. Last week against the Steelers, Joe played reminiscent of Donovan McNabb, he was forced out of the pocket to the left sideline, and just when you thought he was going to throw it to the cheerleaders, he cutback, leaving three pursuing Steelers behind. From the RIGHT sideline he hit Wide Receiver Derrick Mason down the field. And as Ron Jaworski pointed out during the broadcast, during the entire scramble his eyes were always upfield looking for a play to make—the sign of a mature quarterback.
There were some before the season and to this day who think that Troy Smith is the man for the job. I count myself amongst the people that thought Smith deserved a shot at the job after he showed flashes of potential last season, the Ravens were a team desperate for a long-term solution at quarterback, and he seemed like he could have the stuff after watching Steve McNair for a part of the season.
But what Joe Flacco has shown with NO experience at the pro level, not even watching McNair, far surpasses anything that Smith showed last season, or looked even capable of during the pre-season.
Smith looks like he could end up as an effective journeyman quarterback, but Flacco looks like he could be a franchise quarterback, the very thing that every franchise wants and salivates over.
Smith's stats, like Flacco's, aren't gaudy, but passable. Smith shows some flashes of big play potential and a decent amount of composure. This is the man who won a Heisman, so he's a capable leader. But what he lacks is physical ability on the level of Flacco. Smith can't make "all the throws". He stands at only 6'0", there's not a chance that he can see over those big offensive lineman of his, much less the big defensive end trying to get in his way.
He has potential to be a good quarterback, but not great. And certainly not the kind of quarterback that you can build your team around.
The Ravens look like they have finally found their man in Flacco. A quarterback who combines great physical abilities with intangibles. One who has composure and can lead his team on a game winning drive. Ever since their move from Cleveland in the '95-96 season, the Ravens have been looking for a franchise quarterback. 12 years later, it looks like they've drafted the right man. At long, long last.
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2 months ago
I agree though I don't think Boller is in Tom Brady's zip code as far as accuracy is concerned. Even in college he wasn't accurate. But overall, great column. Go Flacco!
from 2 months ago
Yeah, I know, the point was that he was much more highly touted coming out of college for his physical gifts than Brady was when he came out of school. Thanks for the comment though
about 1 month ago
There's nothing like a rookie quarterback who doesn't embarrass himself. That makes him the real deal right there.
29 days ago
His numbers are not outstanding, but, the key, which I think is huge because he's a rookie, he has not really hurt the Ravens. That is huge for a rookie to do and has the Ravens only 1 game behind the Steelers. Whereas, you have someone like Ryan Leaf, who, when he imploded, he took the whole team with him.
from 29 days ago
That is very telling in itself, but I think the most promising sign is that every week he looks like he's taken a significant step forward. As a Ravens fan, it is truly something to see our offense looking energized, and most of all, dangerous. What a weird season in the NFL.
14 days ago
Brennan Brenna baby one of the most accurate to step on the Combine field you will see he will be The Best coming out of this draft if he ever gets his CHANCE
from 14 days ago
you mean colt brennan? yeah I'm curious what he'll look like as a pro
14 days ago
yes colt brennan he is a beast once he gets his chance
from 14 days ago
we'll see I suppose, I hope he does do well, the league can always use an infusion of talent at the position
14 days ago
yes get Jason Campbell the hell outa there
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