Player Spotlight: Joe Flacco (1 Viewer)

2009 Player Spotlight Series

One of Footballguys best assets is our message board community. The Shark Pool is, in our view, the best place on the internet to discuss, debate and analyze all things fantasy football. In what's become an annual tradition, the Player Spotlight series is a key part of the preseason efforts. As many of you know, we consider the Player Spotlight threads the permanent record for analyzing the fantasy prospects of the player in question. Last year, we published more than 120 offensive spotlights covering the vast majority of expected skill position starters. This year will be no different.

Each week we will post a list of players to be discussed. Those threads will remain open for the entire preseason, and should be a central point to discussion expectations for the player in question. Importantly, analysis done in the first week of posting will be part of the permanent record in two ways. 1) At the end of the week, we will tally the projections into a consensus. 2) We will select a number of pull quotes from forum contributors who make a compelling statement or observation. Both the projections and pull quotes will be part of a published article on the main website.

Thread Topic: Joe Flacco, QB, Baltimore Ravens

Player Page Link: Joe Flacco Player Page

Each article will include:

Detailed viewpoint from a Footballguys staff member
Highlighted member commentary from the message board threads
FBG Projections
Consensus Member ProjectionsThe Rules

In order for this thread to provide maximum value, we ask that you follow a few simple guidelines:

Focus commentary on the player in question, and your expectations for said player
Back up your expectations in whatever manner you deem appropriate; avoid posts that simply say "I hate him" or "He's the best"
To be included in the final synopsis and consensus outlook, you MUST provide projections for the playerProjections should include (at a minimum):

For QBs: Attempts, Completions, Passing Yards, Passing TDs, Ints, Rush Yards, Rush TDs
For RBs: Rushes, Rushing Yards, Rush TDs, Receptions, Receiving Yards, Receiving TDs
For WRs & TEs: Receptions, Receiving Yards, Receiving TDsNow let's get on with the conversation! We look forward to your contributions and let me offer a personal thanks in anticipation of the great debate and analysis.

Joe Flacco was one of the most successful rookie QBs in the NFL in quite a while. Unfortunately for him, he fell a little below the performance standard of Matt Ryan. At his current ADP of QB21 and 136, you could do worse than selecting a QB1 that has a good home and away schedule sync with Flacco.

Flacco's steady possession receiver recently announced his retirement, so if you have any summer drafts before camp opens, his ADP should be lower than current, but either Mason will return or the Ravens will add somebody so that they will have a few weapons for the young QB that should increase his confidence and productivity over his first campaign.

Joe Flacco 270 completions 440 attempts 61.4% 3036 yards 6.8 ypa 20 TDs 12 ints

Unless your league awards points for handing off, I don't see any reason to consider him as anything other than a pretty "meh" 2nd QB. His stats will probably be eerily similar to last season's, with perhaps a small uptick in TD passes and INTs:

Let's say around 3,050-3,100 yards, 17 TDs(probably with a couple from downtown, if you get extra points for that, but good luck predicting them) with 15 picks. I don't see him pulling it down for 50 rush attempt again, so I expect his rushing yards/TDs will be negligible.

This is a team that is almost completely predicated on the run, and I don't see that changing a lot given their current options at WR and the multiple options they have at RB. Joe's schedule isn't exactly terrible outside of a few games, neither is it great, but it has a couple really rough patches. Chicago/Pittsburgh weeks 15 and 16 are particularly a drag if you wind up needing him late in the year.

There is no reason not to expect more of the same next season as far as the playcalling is concerned. Expect BAL to run the ball 55% of the time, limiting Flacco's pass attempts to hover around 450 for 2009. Coupled with an anticipated YPA <7 and no real downfield threats, it looks like more of the same (numbers wise for Flacco). Even if he develops more this offseason, it is offset by the loss of their best WR.

270-450-18-13