Joe Flacco: Front and Center in Top Plays

A team’s football season is remembered more for its dramatic plays than for its specific wins or losses. 

Fans cannot recall the score or opponent of most games, but they will remember with pleasure and pride the time their coach called that trick play, catching the opponents off guard to score that breath-taking touchdown. These are the moments that make a season memorable. 

For Baltimore fans, 2008 had many such moments, plays that captivated because of both their meaning and their effectiveness.

The first of such plays was from the second-to-last game of 2008 when Willis McGahee left a dagger in the heart of Dallas. 

On a night that the Dallas Cowboys would close out Texas Stadium, their home for 38 years, the Ravens running back would leave the Baltimore fans remembering his late-night gallop to the end zone instead of his season of injuries. 

When the Ravens broke huddle in the fourth quarter and lined up in an unbalanced single-back run formation that featured three offensive tackles, both teams could still qualify for the playoffs.

McGahee broke into the secondary, through a defensive line that piled itself close in anticipation of a run, and 72 yards later, stood flexing in the end zone with the Ravens a bit closer to the playoffs. 

For McGahee, it would salvage an otherwise disappointing season; for Ravens fans, it meant a thrilling effort from one of their premier players on a national stage. It was also a distinct example of the Ravens doing what they take pride in—running the football. 

The play would be topped on the Raven's next possession by teammate Ron McClain, but for Baltimore fans, it's McGahee's black visor and trot across midfield over the Dallas Star that remains the image of that prime-time performance against America's Team.

Another successful play was the very first touchdown in the first game of the season.  Cam Cameron had been brought to Baltimore with a promise that the offensive woes would end with the Brian Billick era. New staff, new offense. 

Not to disappoint, Cameron took advantage of the athleticism of Mark Clayton, his young wide receiver, with a double reverse hand-off that went for 42 yards and a score.

The play began from shotgun as Joe Flacco handed the ball to his running back, who then handed it to Derrick Mason, who then flipped it to fellow receiver Clayton.

Clayton, following a block from Flacco, ended the play looking back at his teammates from the end zone. 

The play was a nod from Cameron that he would not fear to employ all his creativity and that the reality in Baltimore had changed.

The Ravens offensive coordinator had been a position of shame for so long and Cameron was obviously determined to reverse the trend.

Not every team has a Heisman Trophy winner as their backup quarterback. Troy Smith may be shorter than your average NFL quarterback, but the former Buckeye represents excitement and flexibility at a central position.

He has the arm to make a tight throw and the speed to break out of the quarterback's pocket. 

In Week Eight, when Baltimore welcomed the Oakland Raiders to town, Flacco handed Smith the ball out of a trick formation known as the wildbird and the defense froze, expecting either a pass or a quarterback sneak.

What they didn't expect was to see Flacco racing down the sideline and a neatly spiraled football sailing into his arms. 

The play was a hit with fans, further solidifying their intrigue with Smith and their adoration for Flacco.

The two embraced after the play, elated and surprised. The play falls under the category of the Suggs Package—a two-quarterback offense—and fans anticipate its return in 2009.

For the Ravens, a playoff appearance was well earned, but defeating the first seed Tennessee Titans was unexpected.

It was only possible because of a late effort by Joe Flacco who found Todd Heap on a 3rd-and-2 down the middle for a 23-yard gain and a first down to set up kicker Matt Stover's game winning field goal. 

As Flacco sat in the shotgun, the play clock seemed to run out, but the center hiked the ball anyway and the rookie placed it perfectly in between two defenders and into the capable hands of Heap, bare-headed after his helmet came rolling off.

The result was a jaw-dropping completion that set up the Ravens for a win. Not just any win, but a win over rival Tennessee to earn a trip to Pittsburgh for a division title game. 

Pundits and analysts alike praised Flacco, giving Baltimore fans another chance to take pride in their playoff quarterback. 

The most meaningful and memorable of the bunch came in the first week of the season on a quarterback sneak, when the rookie with the big-time arm became the ball carrier after a fake hand off to his running back.

Upon seeing the Cincinnati blitz coming up the middle, the young quarterback called an audible that would keep the ball in his hands, turning a strong side run into a sneak.

With the capacity crowd at M&T Bank Stadium not sure what to expect from Flacco, they exploded with jubilation when they saw him take off down the right sideline, not quite sprinting but moving better than expected.

Following blocks from center Jason Brown and Clayton, Flacco evaded defenders for 38 yards and finally lunged forward into the end zone to put the Ravens on top of the Bengals for good, late in the third quarter. 

It was a hello from Flacco to Ravens fans, as if the rookie was saying—this could be fun. If Joe Flacco becomes the quarterback everyone now expects, the video of that touchdown will be replayed in Baltimore until the end of time. 

Fans wouldn't mind seeing that play again next season, although they prefer to keep their franchise quarterback in the pocket—where he's safe.