This year, Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco have completely changed their respective team's seasons. Last year, Ryan's Falcons and Flacco's Ravens went a combined 8-24. This year, they are a combined 20-10, much due to the play of the rookies.
Flacco has led the Ravens to 10-5 and has drawn many comparisons to Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in the way that he can, while not making it look pretty, get it done. He has thrown for 2,674 yards and 14 touchdowns and has turned the team around. But not 360 degrees. In a win over the Dallas Cowboys Saturday night on NFL Network, Flacco was 17-for-25 passing with 149 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions.
For weeks, I have tried and tried and tried to have something negative to say about Ryan so that I can make it so Flacco deserves Rookie of the Year more. But I just can't do it anymore. The Massachusetts native makes it look pretty and wins. He has 3,280 yards and 15 touchdowns with the same record as Flacco, 10-5. He has led his team to a bigger turnaround, from 3-13 to 10-5.
Yahoo! Sports NFL writer Michael Silver has often referred to Flacco as the "poor man's Ben Roethlisberger." When I sit back and think about it, he's right.
Roethlisberger, like Flacco, didn't put up sexy numbers as a rookie (2621 yards, 17 touchdowns, 11 interceptions), but led his team to a whopping 15-1 record, and 13-0 when he started.
Flacco isn't 13-0, but is 10-5 and, much like Big Ben, doesn't have the most jaw-dropping numbers. He has 2,674 yards and a very mediocre 7:6 touchdown to interception ratio, but his TD-INT ratio the last 10 games is 13:5.
Matt Ryan reminds me a lot of Tom Brady. He has the arm, mind and poise to become comparable to him in years. As a rookie, Brady was 1-for-3 with six yards. In his first full year as a starter, 2001, he was 11-3 with 2,843 yards, 18 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
Not very close to Ryan's rookie numbers, I know. But Ryan brings back memories of Brady when he was younger and could become the Tom Brady of ten years from now.
Flacco also reminds me of Roethlisberger because he won't have to do quite as much as Ryan because of the defense he has around him and could be considered more "playoff-ready" than Ryan. Roethlisberger has that, too. He has a first-ranked defense—in rushing, passing, overall, and sacks. So Roethlisberger doesn't have to put up incredible numbers to take his team deep in the playoffs.
What the Ravens have done so well is setting Flacco up to be successful with a three-headed monster in the backfield, a still-dominant defense, and some occasional expected plays from Flacco.
Flacco also reminds me of Big Ben with his poise in the pocket. He is able to have people rushing at him and stay cool. He has earned the nickname "Joe Cool." Flacco even has two rushing touchdowns and 43 receiving yards!
Their sizes are similar, as well. Flacco stands 6'6" and weighs 236 pounds. Roethlisberger stands 6'4" and weighs 240 pounds.
Flacco and Roethlisberger have met—twice. The Steelers came out twice, much due to the fact that Big Ben has the ability to execute the two minute drill, being that he has been in the NFL for five seasons and Flacco is closing his first. But for Flacco, there will be more battles. Many more chances.
12 comments Last one added 5 months ago — Leave a Comment
Brad James 6 months ago
There is no doubt in my mind that Ryan and Flacco are going to be among the greats at signal-caller within the next few seasons. It should probably be Matt Ryan + Joe Flacco=Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. I take nothing away from Roethlisberger but Manning doesn't hold onto the ball too long and as such really helps his O-line out by rewarding their excellent blocking. Of course, Big Ben has no line so perhpas that's it. Excellent article!
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Isaac Barrow 6 months ago
Thanks for reading and commenting Brad. I think Flacco won't be Manning because he doesn't have the receivers around him to put up numbers Manning has and DOES. Until we get a top receiver, Flacco will be Ben Roethlisberger. Not really a bad thing. LOL.
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Lawrence Barreca 6 months ago
Actually, if anything, I see a direct comparison between Flacco and Big Ben as well as Ryan with Brady. Flacco and Roethlisberger both have big arms and love to hold on to the ball until the last minute. They can both pick up the yardage on the ground, and most of all, they are flat-out playmakers. Matt Ryan and Brady are more of the decision-makers, who scan the field and can find the open receiver with ease. I think that both Flacco and Ryan will be in the elite class of QB's some time in the next few seasons.
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chad lamasa 6 months ago
Great work as always Isaac. These are great comparisons. They are both on their way to great careers barring injuries.
You're right with Flacco and Ben, just as Ben improved with Ward improving, if Clayton can keep building on his recent success, then that will only make Flacco better.
I hope they both improve next season and avoid the dreaded sophomore slump.
Did you see that Flacco just received a bonus for taking 80% of the Ravens snaps this year? He also will have $750,000 added to his base salary over the remaining four years of his contract. Not to mention the possibility $200k per playoff victory for this season.
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Lawrence Barreca 6 months ago
Ya, I heard about the payraise. Good for him too. He deserves every penny. He's giving something that no quarterback has ever given this team: an offense. lol I'll admit that I'm Wacko for Flacco!!!
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Isaac Barrow 6 months ago
Even if he doesn't win the playoff game, he deserves a raise. I can't put it into words how much he's done for us.
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James Williamson 6 months ago
Flacco, I think, will be better than Roethlisberger. Matt Ryan is too soon to tell really. Good ideas though.
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Larry Carroll 6 months ago
First i would like to say that this comparison is way to early to be discussed, but if we're going to make the call i would say that there is no way that either of them will compare to Brady or Manning.I do think it is sensible to say that flacco and ryan are talented and stepped in early to contribute to their teams.But Manning is goinging to be the best QB ever as far as stats are concerned.And for them to be as successful as Brady they would have to be part of a "Dynasty" and that is NOT going to happen.
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Isaac Barrow 6 months ago
If it's too early to say it is true, then isn't it too early to say it's not?
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Dan Parzych 6 months ago
I can see the comparison of Flacco to Big Ben. That only means his numbers will go up each year.
Honestly, I think these two guys both have a great future in the NFL. A lot of teams have been spoiled over the last couple of years with these "rookie" qb's developing a lot quicker than expected. Ryan and Flacco will have even stronger relationships with their receivers next season and will be even better. Great comparison here.
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joe rogers 5 months ago
The Big Ben-Flacco comparison is a good one, but I highly disagree with the Brady-Ryan comparison. No one deserves to be compared to Tom Brady unless they have won 2 or more Super Bowls. Until then, Ryan is just another QB looking to win his first; which will be a while since the way I have seen him perform under pressure. Peyton-Ryan is a more viable comparison, they will put up some solid numbers, but they will be lucky to win Super Bowl. Clutch is the word I am looking for and from what I have seen, Ryan doesn't really have it. Although, I see it in Flacco; he won 2 playoff games and knocked out the #1 seed! The Flacco-Big Ben comparison is the only one that is more true than anything.
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Isaac Barrow 5 months ago
Thanks for that Joe. I know it was bold for me to compare Ryan to Brady, but he has the hype and has lived up to it. I mean what Flacco has done has exceptional. No rookie QB wins tow playoff games, especially not over the 1 and 3 seed - on the road! Ryan did a good job of keeping his team in it.
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