Joe Flacco (1 Viewer)

[Deuce'sWild]

Anyone who watched the Ravens vs NYJ preseason game last week saw that the Ravens actually opened up the playbook a little and during Flacco's time in the game they actually threw way more than they ran. I don't expect this to be the norm, but the coaches probably feel more comfortable with Flacco this year and with Rice at RB they might open up the playbook. He has a favorable schedule.

Anyone thinking he could be a decent QB2?

Comparing him to S. Hill, Pennington, and other guys in his draft range, do you like his value compared to theirs?

 

[jsharlan]

I like him better than Hill or Pennington as they both have backups nipping at their heels, where Troy Smith is no threat to take Flacco's job. I use him in a QBBC on one of my teams.

 

[Deuce'sWild]

Bump for the afternoon crowd. Surely someone thinks this guy has value. He has a live arm and an easy schedule.

 

[Sabertooth]

I really didn't see a lot of difference between what he did and what Matt Ryan did last season. He took his team way further into the playoffs and played well. I don't see why he doesn't grow a bit this season. He doesn't have great weapons but what are Shaun Hill and Chad Pennington's weapons? Are they really much better? Plus he's got a defense that will give them the ball in scoring position, which is always nice.

 

[Tanner9919]

I think the training wheels come off of the Joe Flacco bicycle this season, and he performs at a high level..

his passing stats, in particular the passing TDs and TDs of 40+ yards, should greatly increase..and I think Ray Rice will be a BIG part of that...

 

[Masked Vigilante]

I think he's the perfect QB2 to have especially if you've taken Brees or Brady early.

Week 5 (Brees' Bye) - CIN @ BAL

Week 8 (Brady's Bye) - DEN @ BAL (Ravens coming off a bye week which is a bonus)

Best of all, he can probably be had very late in the draft.

 

[wombat104]

I thnk he is primed for a big year, partially because I am forced to. QB's went crazy early in my draft (example Garrard in the 6th round), teams were taking backup QB's before completing their starting RB's and WR's. Right now my plan is to roll with a 3 headed QB attack, Flacco, Hasselback and Hill.

I think Flacco takes a step forward and like another poster said, the training wheels come off.

 

[Addai's Adidas]

Mason. Love him still.

 

[thriftyrocker]

I think Flacco has 4000 yard potential. I think he will continue his 2nd half success last year (11 of his 14 TDs in weeks 9-17). Is surprisingly mobile too. But I think Harbaugh realizes with their defense he can Big Ben the guy into a lot of wins, which will limit his fantasy value. When it gets possibly interesting is next year after they finally acquire Edwards or Marshall and now he has a legit weapon.

 

[MAC_32]

Like Big Ben, I think his ceiling is limited by his scheme, but he could be the real deal. Last season he was limited to down field, sideline, and screen passes. This season they're supposedly opening things up for him. We'll find out how good this kid really is this season, probably can't buy him in dynasty's both if you can he's worth it imho.

Better potential real QB than potential fantasy QB. I have him listed along side Shaun Hill and Brady Quinn

 

[Deuce'sWild]

These thoughts mirror what I am thinking, just wanted to make sure I wasn't on an island. He seems like a prime sleeper candidate to me. He has decent weapons, but nothing flashy. Nobody expects the Ravens to open it up this year, but with a year of experience I think the coaches are much more comfortable with him and realize that they may have throw to win in the playoffs. The defense is stellar, but is getting a little long in the tooth and they lost one of their best LBs (Bart Scott).

I think he has a realistic shot at 3600 yds and 20 tds and another 200 yds on the ground with 2 tds.

Not bad for a guy not even getting drafted in some drafts.

 

[Sabertooth]

Like Big Ben, I think his ceiling is limited by his scheme, but he could be the real deal. Last season he was limited to down field, sideline, and screen passes. This season they're supposedly opening things up for him. We'll find out how good this kid really is this season, probably can't buy him in dynasty's both if you can he's worth it imho.Better potential real QB than potential fantasy QB. I have him listed along side Shaun Hill and Brady Quinn

I think you homerism is clouding your judgment a little bit. And I don't mean that sarcastically. I think we found out that he's at least NFL caliber last season. He's played well in the preseason. I think he's got a very bright future in the NFL.

 

[treat88]

He's far more Derek Anderson than Ben Rothlisberger.

Throws a a nice deep ball with good arm strength, but lacks short and intermediate accuracy and has zero escapability. He really struggles to move beyond his first read.

I definitely don't see him adding to last season's numbers and if I had to project, I wouldn't be surprised if he regresses markedly.

Honestly Anderson isn't a bad comparison.

 

[tdmills]

He's far more Derek Anderson than Ben Rothlisberger.Throws a a nice deep ball with good arm strength, but lacks short and intermediate accuracy and has zero escapability. He really struggles to move beyond his first read.I definitely don't see him adding to last season's numbers and if I had to project, I wouldn't be surprised if he regresses markedly.Honestly Anderson isn't a bad comparison.

While I don't disagree with you, I believe Flacco has a better pedigree than Anderson. Anderson showed in college that he was prone to INT's....but also produced big #'s. Thats exactly what he is.However, Flacco was a 1st round pick....and performed well for a rookie in high pressure situations...just like Ryan....but he isn't getting the "love" from the board.They say players make the biggest jump between their rookie and 2nd years in the NFL...so we will see with Flacco. I think he will have a better career than most think...especially b/c the Ravens organization knows how to evaluate talent.

 

[a_troll00]

You gotta love his fantasy commercial, good stuff.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PiUY9bhpN4

 

[treat88]

For the record, I do think the Ravens D and running game will keep Flacco from absolutely imploding ala Anderson.

Pedigree's aside, I just see very similar players when I compare Anderson and Flacco. Strong armed, immobile, one-read QB's.

But, you are right, this will be a very telling year for him.

I may have been very wrong by next spring.

 

[Deuce'sWild]

I don't think Flacco is by any means immobile. He had 180 yds and 2 tds last year and moves well in the pocket. Anderson, in comparison has had 70 and 55 yds.

 

[FUBAR]

I love this kid, but he has a lot of similarities to Big Ben. He's my QB2 (start 2) in a 16 team dynasty and I'm happy to have him as I think he'll fall in line with the Troy Aikman's, Ben, etc. Of being a very good / great QB who won't lose his job, will perform around 10-20 for the next 10 years and be pretty consistent. I don't see the huge upside right now but team philosophies can change and if they became Arizona Northeast, he could be a great FF QB as well.

 

[simey]

I don't think Flacco is by any means immobile. He had 180 yds and 2 tds last year and moves well in the pocket. Anderson, in comparison has had 70 and 55 yds.

I think Gruden even commented on Flacco's mobility during the Jets game Monday, when he escaped some tackles and made a nice run.

 

[bcr8f]

I think the training wheels come off of the Joe Flacco bicycle this season, and he performs at a high level..his passing stats, in particular the passing TDs and TDs of 40+ yards, should greatly increase..and I think Ray Rice will be a BIG part of that...

I agree. They said they will open up the offense for him this season. Hope Justin Harper steps up more too.

 

[FUBAR]

For the record, I do think the Ravens D and running game will keep Flacco from absolutely imploding ala Anderson.Pedigree's aside, I just see very similar players when I compare Anderson and Flacco. Strong armed, immobile, one-read QB's.But, you are right, this will be a very telling year for him.I may have been very wrong by next spring.

The one-read stuff can be attributed to a learning curve, Delaware is far from Baltimore. IMO he'll make the throws and progress well in the NFL, there aren't many QBs who come into the NFL and succeed like he did. FWIW, although he threw 100 times less, Flacco had a better completion %, INT %, TD/INT ratio, AY/A, Y/C, rating, rushing yards and rushing TDs than another big-armed immobile QB as a rookie, Peyton Manning. He didn't do that much worse than Tom Brady his first year starting.

 

[Deuce'sWild]

16 of 19 for 196 yds and 1 td in 1st half so far.

Anyone else starting to think maybe I'm on to something here?

 

[Ray_T]

Anyone who watched the Ravens vs NYJ preseason game last week saw that the Ravens actually opened up the playbook a little and during Flacco's time in the game they actually threw way more than they ran. I don't expect this to be the norm, but the coaches probably feel more comfortable with Flacco this year and with Rice at RB they might open up the playbook. He has a favorable schedule.Anyone thinking he could be a decent QB2?Comparing him to S. Hill, Pennington, and other guys in his draft range, do you like his value compared to theirs?

or they just wanted to get him more work in the hope it would aid his development as a player. It is exhibition and probably a good time to do such things.and Yes, I think he'd be a reasonably decent QB2, but dont expect 300 yard passing games too often. This is still a run based offense and his yardage totals will still be Mediocre.

 

[Ray_T]

I love this kid, but he has a lot of similarities to Big Ben. He's my QB2 (start 2) in a 16 team dynasty and I'm happy to have him as I think he'll fall in line with the Troy Aikman's, Ben, etc. Of being a very good / great QB who won't lose his job, will perform around 10-20 for the next 10 years and be pretty consistent. I don't see the huge upside right now but team philosophies can change and if they became Arizona Northeast, he could be a great FF QB as well.

well, there are definitely a lot of similarities in terms of how they are developing him. of course Ben had better WR's to work with, but overall the process has been the same.

 

[bcr8f]

16 of 19 for 196 yds and 1 td in 1st half so far.Anyone else starting to think maybe I'm on to something here?

I thought so last year when I took him at 1.16 in the rookie draft. He has getting hyped a lot back then and I had to take him earlier than I wanted.In another league he went in the 3rd.

 

[bcr8f]

Anyone who watched the Ravens vs NYJ preseason game last week saw that the Ravens actually opened up the playbook a little and during Flacco's time in the game they actually threw way more than they ran. I don't expect this to be the norm, but the coaches probably feel more comfortable with Flacco this year and with Rice at RB they might open up the playbook. He has a favorable schedule.Anyone thinking he could be a decent QB2?Comparing him to S. Hill, Pennington, and other guys in his draft range, do you like his value compared to theirs?

or they just wanted to get him more work in the hope it would aid his development as a player. It is exhibition and probably a good time to do such things.and Yes, I think he'd be a reasonably decent QB2, but dont expect 300 yard passing games too often. This is still a run based offense and his yardage totals will still be Mediocre.

No Cameron said after last year they would open the playbook for him. You missed that but still talk like you know what the Ravens will do?Let me ask you this then how many QB's average 300 yards a game?

 

[Oh Yes!]

Anyone who watched the Ravens vs NYJ preseason game last week saw that the Ravens actually opened up the playbook a little and during Flacco's time in the game they actually threw way more than they ran. I don't expect this to be the norm, but the coaches probably feel more comfortable with Flacco this year and with Rice at RB they might open up the playbook. He has a favorable schedule.Anyone thinking he could be a decent QB2?Comparing him to S. Hill, Pennington, and other guys in his draft range, do you like his value compared to theirs?

or they just wanted to get him more work in the hope it would aid his development as a player. It is exhibition and probably a good time to do such things.and Yes, I think he'd be a reasonably decent QB2, but dont expect 300 yard passing games too often. This is still a run based offense and his yardage totals will still be Mediocre.

No Cameron said after last year they would open the playbook for him. You missed that but still talk like you know what the Ravens will do?Let me ask you this then how many QB's average 300 yards a game?

:meow:

 

[Deuce'sWild]

23 of 28 for 247 1 td 0 int tonight.

 

[moleculo]

so consensus is Flacco is for real?

 

[stronger88]

I just want to drool when I look at this guys upcoming schedule @SD, CLE, @NE, CIN, @MIN, BYE, DEN, @CIN, @CLE. I'm stuck with Palmer and Cutler as my QB's and I'm thinking about offering up Palmer and Royal for Flacco.

 

[meatwad1]

I think he is for real. He has flown under the radar because Matt Ryan was such an unexpected sensation and the fact that everybody automatically attribtes all ravens success to their defense. I took him in one of my leagues, and hesitated in the other and am now regretting it...although I am trying to get him off of waivers. My feeling is that he might last one more week as a player who possibly is undrafted and still not on a roster(talking about ten team leagues) many people are always looking for rb and wr pickups early because usually everyone has a qb who they think is good/is going to be good.

Just looking at the Ravens team, I am thinking that he is going to be a top 8 guy, a top 3 guy with a little luck. There is no reason this kid can't throw for 25 tds.

 

[Sabertooth]

so consensus is Flacco is for real?

He's for real.

 

[moleculo]

so consensus is Flacco is for real?

He's for real.

that's what I thought. He's a dude that really wasn't on my radar that a Stiller buddy of mine raves about, putting up a big game in week one, on my WW. I dug a little bit, found this thread, and it seems that his week 1 performance was called a couple of weeks ago....makes me think he should be on my team right now.Any dissenting opinions?

 

[gdub]

I am mulling over picking this guy up and letting Garrard take a hike. Any Baltimore homers have any insight on this guy going forward? With Mason, Heap, Clayton and Rice catching balls out of the backfield, there are some decent options for him to throw to. Has there been a slight change in philosophy because Flacco is in his 2nd year and they may open up the playbook a little?

FYI...Those who have Carson as their QB1 and have Flacco still available should look into QBBC with these two guys. Quickly looking at the schedule there are games where Palmer is a risky start....

Wk 3 Pitt

Wk 5 @balt

wk 8 bye

Wk 9 balt

wk 10 @Pitt

Wk 14 @minny

Wk 17 @Jets

In those same weeks Flacco has the following matchups...Cle,Cin,Den,@Cin,@Cle,Det,@Oak

I know its early to predict safe matchups because defenses are always changing from year to year and injuries do happen, but I think the Flacco/Palmer combined schedule is appealing at this point in time. This week you would have to decide between GB or Diego, but week 3 on looks like this...

Cle,@Cle,Cin,Hou,Chi,Den,@Cin,@Cle,@Oak,Cle,Det,Det,(Chi or @SD),KC,@Oak

 

[Mr. Fusion]

I am mulling over picking this guy up and letting Garrard take a hike. Any Baltimore homers have any insight on this guy going forward? With Mason, Heap, Clayton and Rice catching balls out of the backfield, there are some decent options for him to throw to. Has there been a slight change in philosophy because Flacco is in his 2nd year and they may open up the playbook a little?FYI...Those who have Carson as their QB1 and have Flacco still available should look into QBBC with these two guys. Quickly looking at the schedule there are games where Palmer is a risky start....Wk 3 PittWk 5 @baltwk 8 byeWk 9 baltwk 10 @PittWk 14 @minnyWk 17 @JetsIn those same weeks Flacco has the following matchups...Cle,Cin,Den,@Cin,@Cle,Det,@OakI know its early to predict safe matchups because defenses are always changing from year to year and injuries do happen, but I think the Flacco/Palmer combined schedule is appealing at this point in time. This week you would have to decide between GB or Diego, but week 3 on looks like this...Cle,@Cle,Cin,Hou,Chi,Den,@Cin,@Cle,@Oak,Cle,Det,Det,(Chi or @SD),KC,@Oak

Great analysis, thank you.Flacco is rostered in my money league, but I am considering trying to pry him from his owner (who also has P Manning) because I have the Schaub/Garrard combo along with Palmer (he was on the board where I thought he had value). I may try to unload Schaub and something else to get Flacco and cut bait with Garrard.

 

[Sabertooth]

I think he is for real. He has flown under the radar because Matt Ryan was such an unexpected sensation and the fact that everybody automatically attribtes all ravens success to their defense. I took him in one of my leagues, and hesitated in the other and am now regretting it...although I am trying to get him off of waivers. My feeling is that he might last one more week as a player who possibly is undrafted and still not on a roster(talking about ten team leagues) many people are always looking for rb and wr pickups early because usually everyone has a qb who they think is good/is going to be good. Just looking at the Ravens team, I am thinking that he is going to be a top 8 guy, a top 3 guy with a little luck. There is no reason this kid can't throw for 25 tds.

I don't know that the Ravens have the weapons for him to be top 8, let alone top 3. I think he's a good young, big bodied guy who is a good bet to start 16 games this season. I think if he does that, he's probably in the Top 12. He's got talent, but his supporting cast isn't on par with Rodgers, Brady, Brees, Warner, or Peyton. That will limit his upside.

 

[Rhino802]

For Flacco to truly develop he needs to learn to move beyond Mason. It really seemed like Cam's game plan against KC was for Joe to develop a rapport with a target not named Mason. Result was that he threw the ball around - iirc Mason's target ration was about 20%, which is well below last year.

Going forward for him to take the next step, you have to believe that he is going to need to start targeting Heap more often. Another consideration is that the OL has improved considerably, which means majority of PAs will not involve max protect schemes.

 

[abe froman]

Looks like Im not the only guy that noticed a great SOS split with Palmer/Flacco.. In my keeper I had Mcnabb who I planned on trading at some point; grabbed Palmer as my backup and Flacco shortly after. Was really hoping to see Boldin or B.Marshall go to BAL..

 

[ultimatefootballnetwork]

I think he is for real. He has flown under the radar because Matt Ryan was such an unexpected sensation and the fact that everybody automatically attribtes all ravens success to their defense. I took him in one of my leagues, and hesitated in the other and am now regretting it...although I am trying to get him off of waivers. My feeling is that he might last one more week as a player who possibly is undrafted and still not on a roster(talking about ten team leagues) many people are always looking for rb and wr pickups early because usually everyone has a qb who they think is good/is going to be good. Just looking at the Ravens team, I am thinking that he is going to be a top 8 guy, a top 3 guy with a little luck. There is no reason this kid can't throw for 25 tds.

I don't know that the Ravens have the weapons for him to be top 8, let alone top 3. I think he's a good young, big bodied guy who is a good bet to start 16 games this season. I think if he does that, he's probably in the Top 12. He's got talent, but his supporting cast isn't on par with Rodgers, Brady, Brees, Warner, or Peyton. That will limit his upside.

While I agree that the Ravens do not have a good number of weapons on offense, I think the bigger point may be that the Ravens have put together an awesome offensive line. With Ray Rice, who is a perfect dual-threat playmaker behind a line like that you can put together a lot of long drives. Granted it was the Chiefs, but Rice and Magahee were eating up chunks of yardage and Flacco had all day to throw. I think the Ravens are for real on offense and will put up big numbers even without talent at WR. I think Flacco ends up a top 10 QB.

 

[roadkill1292]

I don't know if he's a Top Ten guy yet but, if not, he won't be far out of it. The Ratbirds seem to have made a commitment to opening up the offense this year and Joe appears up for the new responsibilities. His blitz read on the game winner to Clayton Sunday was a nice piece of work.

Yeah, they're still a little short at WR, though Kelly Washington looks as though he's gonna be a nice pickup for them. When they went four wide against the Chiefs, Troy Smith was working the slot, which forces defenses to be wary of something gimmicky coming. The big beneficiary this year may be Heap, who worked a lot of mismatches and has finally become a valid alternative for Joe to look at. The improvement along the line (Michael Oher is gonna be a monster) frees Heap up to get out in the patterns, where LBs just can't keep up.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Roadkill pretty much nailed it, but I did want to chime in on the Ravens' supposed lack of talent at WR. Mason, Clayton, & Washington are a solid threesome (& if Demetrius Williams ever plays, it'll be a nice foursome). Sure, it's not Arizona's cast of uber-studs or uber-stud-wannabes, but start going through each team's roster & I think you'll see that - as a group - the Birds aren't nearly as woeful as some would have you believe. Add to that the fact that Heap can finally get into the middle of the field where he works best (instead of blocking) & that Cam is letting Flacco throw the ball there, and the fact that it appears the RBs will be catching more passes - I'm just not that concerned about the receivers as they're constituted today. Flacco hit 7 different receivers at least twice each on Sunday.

Did anyone else hear Mason's response to Keyshawn's & Cris Carter's dissing of the Ravens' WRs? Keyshawn supposedly called the Ravens' WRs "bums". Mason's response, printed in yesterday's Sun:

"Keyshawn Johnson is the bum, that's why he's in the analyst seat. He tried to come back to football, but no one would sign him. He was never that good a player. He got lucky and signed with TB and won a Super Bowl because they had great defense. Just look at the two people doing the criticizing, that's all I'm saying. Keyshawn was overrated & Carter is in the same boat I'm in. He doesn't have a SB ring either. He's in the analyst seat without a ring. At least I'm playing. He still wants to play, but can't anymore. We're the bums? That's why you're in the analyst seat. Just be quiet and keep dreaming you could still play".

 

[Deuce'sWild]

I'm loving Flacco, even more so than I did earlier in the preseason when I started this thread. I was really hoping to see the Ravens open up the passing game during the regular season, when it counts....and they did.

He's a great pickup, if you can still get him.

 

[loose circuits]

he looked great on Sunday. Kid has matured tremendously and is seeing the entire field. Only thing holding him back is the weapons. Hopefully, Kelly Washington can breakout at age 30. He's always had the size/speed combo and seems to be playing well as the WR3.

 

[moleculo]

It's pretty ironic - Brian Billick set offensive records as a coordinator with the vikings and got the job with the Ravens, presumably to bring some offensive pop to the team. While there, he had a never ending search for a QB while bringing in lots of guys who were supposed to be either the "next big thing" or a highly touted vet: Banks, Grbac, Cunningham, Boller, McNair. As soon as the offensive genius is gone, the Ravens strike gold in Flacco.