Joe Flacco's Completion Percentage
by Bruce Raffel on Nov 17, 2011 12:01 PM EST
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PrintEarlier this season, the concern was that Baltimore Ravens QB Joe Flacco's completion percentage was below 49%, which was among the lowest of any starter in the NFL. Over the past few weeks, it's risen a bit and now stands at 54.8% for the season. At the same time, Flacco is way ahead of the pace to throw more passes than he has in any of his previous three years in his career. The scary stat is not only is this far behind his past years percentage, it is currently the lowest completion percentage of any QB in the entire league who has started for their team since the beginning of the season.
Interestingly, only one QB in the NFL has attempted more passes than Flacco and that is the New England Patriots' Tom Brady. Brady has only thrown one more pass than Flacco, but has completed 40 more passes (66%). Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger has attempted seven fewer passes than his AFC North counterpart, but has 26 more completions to show for it (63%). With a 54.8% completion rate, Joe has completed only 198 of his 361 attempts.
In comparison to other quarterback on winning teams, Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers (73%) and New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees (71%) join both Brady and Roethlisberger far ahead of Flacco. To show you how poor of a completion rate this is, Indianapolis QB Curtis Painter is right behind Flacco with a 54.7% rate for the winless (0-10) Colts.
Flacco's completion percentage for his first three years in the league were 60% (2008), 63% (2009) and 62% (2010). If Flacco was completing passes at the same rate of his rookie year, which was his previous low, that would equal 217 completions in this year's 361 attempts. That comes out to 19 more completions this year. Had he even only matched his best season so far (2009), he would have proportionately completed 227 passes at this point, a whopping 29 more passes that he has so far in 2011.
With anywhere from 19 to 29 more completions, that could easily have been the difference between winning and losing and certainly could have resulted in at least two more victories this season. The loss to the Tennessee Titans was so complete that I doubt Flacco's improvement in completion percentage would have still made a difference in the outcome. However, a few more completions in either of the losses to the Jacksonville Jaguars and most recently the Seattle Seahawks, would have definitely put the Ravens in position to win both games which were losses by less than a touchdown.
Realizing that this is pure speculation, it is still a major concern and cause for worry going forward. A continuing increase in completion percentage over the remaining seven regular season games would go a long way to putting the Ravens either comfortably ahead in these close games or well within position to win every game on their schedule. Two to three more completions per game could result in critical first downs to keep drives alive and lead to points on the scoreboard. It also extends drives for the offense and turns the time of possession battles in the Ravens favor by keeping the opponents offenses on the sidelines.
A good time to put this "speculation" to the test would be this Sunday when Baltimore hosts the Cincinnati Bengals, with the lead in the AFC North on the line, at least for the Ravens. What do you say, Joe?
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Like I said in another post, we are 4th in the league in drops with 19. Had our WR not dropped the ball so much, Joe’s completion % goes up to above 60% and we are not having these conversations.
Also heard a crazy stat today, Joe is on pace right now to have the 6th most pass attempts in LEAGUE history with 621. That is insane. I am definitely ready for a 16 pass attempt game from Joe.
Flacco has to trust his receivers to make catches, but shouldn’t throw towards coverage. He needs to attack deep more often, but shouldn’t hold onto the ball so long. He needs to show more awareness in the pocket and move to extend plays, but nothing good comes of him leaving the pocket. He should run with the ball if nobody’s open, but he definitely can’t run with the ball.
Flacco should have the awareness of Roethlisberger, the elusiveness of Vick, the control of the offense of Manning, the leadership of Brady, the accuracy of Brees, and the arm strength of … Flacco? - Ampallang
ProFootballFocus, actually has a “signature stat” this year that has an “Accuracy %” that eliminates dropped passes, throw aways, and spikes from the calculation. Joe Flacco ranks 25th at 62.2%. Rodgers is first with an insane 82.4%.
"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
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by John Stephens on Nov 17, 2011 1:40 PM EST up reply actions
Even though it ranks Joe that low without the drops, I would still be very happy with 62%, which is what he has been around for his career and what most QB’s finish with each season…….unless you’re Rodgers, that guy isn’t human.
Flacco has to trust his receivers to make catches, but shouldn’t throw towards coverage. He needs to attack deep more often, but shouldn’t hold onto the ball so long. He needs to show more awareness in the pocket and move to extend plays, but nothing good comes of him leaving the pocket. He should run with the ball if nobody’s open, but he definitely can’t run with the ball.
Flacco should have the awareness of Roethlisberger, the elusiveness of Vick, the control of the offense of Manning, the leadership of Brady, the accuracy of Brees, and the arm strength of … Flacco? - Ampallang
I wouldn’t worry about it. Ben ranked 18th or so. Comp% isn’t everything.
"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
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by John Stephens on Nov 17, 2011 2:26 PM EST up reply actions
that’s why I think some people are freaking out too much over it. They think Joe should hit every deep bomb to smith, but it just don’t happen. I’m sure you have seen Ben over throw Wallace when Wallace has a step or more on the guy and that’s one of the top deep ball combos in the league.
On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu
Yeah, it happens a lot. There was a game earlier this season where Ben overthrew 5 deep balls where the WR was wide open (Jacksonville maybe?). It’s hard to hit a guy that is moving that fast on the money.
"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
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by John Stephens on Nov 17, 2011 3:08 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah that’s what I would wish some people would understand. Ben to Wallace imo is the best deep ball threat in the league and even Ben misses him like that and they have been together 2 and a half seasons. Flacco and Torrey have only been together half a season.
On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu
quite simply
Its a low percentage pass attempt. A guy who constantly jacks up 3s will have a lower percentage as well.
TO BILL BRASKY!!!
by jackmca on Nov 17, 2011 5:41 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Comp% isn’t everything.
Seems like the only thing your fellow Steeler fans want to talk about though.
Flacco has to trust his receivers to make catches, but shouldn’t throw towards coverage. He needs to attack deep more often, but shouldn’t hold onto the ball so long. He needs to show more awareness in the pocket and move to extend plays, but nothing good comes of him leaving the pocket. He should run with the ball if nobody’s open, but he definitely can’t run with the ball.
Flacco should have the awareness of Roethlisberger, the elusiveness of Vick, the control of the offense of Manning, the leadership of Brady, the accuracy of Brees, and the arm strength of … Flacco? - Ampallang
It’s not like comp% is strongly correlated to winning, but I’m sure they will bring up whatever they can to maintain that Flacco is actually Kyle Boller part 2.
"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
Follow me on Twitter
by John Stephens on Nov 17, 2011 3:32 PM EST up reply actions
why do you put
the entire Steeler fan base on one person (malaki)…’sup with that?
This message will self destruct
GIMME FOOD GIMME FRIES GIMME SAMMICH ON THE SIDE - James Hetfield
cuz i canz
Flacco has to trust his receivers to make catches, but shouldn’t throw towards coverage. He needs to attack deep more often, but shouldn’t hold onto the ball so long. He needs to show more awareness in the pocket and move to extend plays, but nothing good comes of him leaving the pocket. He should run with the ball if nobody’s open, but he definitely can’t run with the ball.
Flacco should have the awareness of Roethlisberger, the elusiveness of Vick, the control of the offense of Manning, the leadership of Brady, the accuracy of Brees, and the arm strength of … Flacco? - Ampallang
his yards per attempt are way down. it's joes worst year
by davver on Nov 17, 2011 12:21 PM EST via iPhone app reply actions
I have always said getting rid of the safety blankets like Todd Heap and Derrick Mason would provide some kind of negative outcome and we all see the negative now.
Its going to take time for Joe to actually jell with his offense weapons but the most postive part is he has some very talented/explosive weapons and once they get on track they can beat any defense
Todd Heap I definitely don’t see any drop off there. Dickson is basically already having a better season in 9 games than Todd did all of last year. Add on top of that how well Pitta has been playing, we have definitely upgraded the TE position in my opinion.
Where there is somewhat of a drop off is at WR for sure, mainly with catching the ball. Mason didn’t bring much as far as routes and getting YAC like Torrey and Laquan can, but he rarely dropped the ball. However, I don’t think that our offense performance and/or Joe’s numbers would be THAT much greater if we had Mason here still.
Flacco has to trust his receivers to make catches, but shouldn’t throw towards coverage. He needs to attack deep more often, but shouldn’t hold onto the ball so long. He needs to show more awareness in the pocket and move to extend plays, but nothing good comes of him leaving the pocket. He should run with the ball if nobody’s open, but he definitely can’t run with the ball.
Flacco should have the awareness of Roethlisberger, the elusiveness of Vick, the control of the offense of Manning, the leadership of Brady, the accuracy of Brees, and the arm strength of … Flacco? - Ampallang
agreed and honestly I don’t think we win that pitt game with Mason and Heap or make any of the comebacks we have had this year. Yes the WR’s and TE’s have had more drops than we are accustomed too, but they have also added bigger plays as well and are threats the defense has to worry about.Nobody worried about Mason beating them deep.
On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu
Todd Heap I definitely don’t see any drop off there. Dickson is basically already having a better season in 9 games than Todd did all of last year. Add on top of that how well Pitta has been playing, we have definitely upgraded the TE position in my opinion.
I believe the tight ends are a upgrade over heap but they do drop passes that we all know Heap would had caught. The same with the wideouts they all drop passes that Mason would had caught .
Yes the tights/wideouts are more exposive/speed than Heap and Mason but you have to be more than just explosive/fast. The wideouts can’t even beat press coverage at times and to my knowledge I dont think Mason had much problems being physical with a cornerback and still make a catch. The offense now is much better than years past but that chemistry is not there like it was in years past but we will see how things will develop
I still think if Ozzie could go back he still cuts Mason and Heap.
On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu
even with the drops I think both TE’s and Torrey have exceeded expectations.
On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu
Exactly
Those 3 have combined for almost 100 receptions and 7 TD’s in only 9 games. I honestly would have been happy with 30 rec from each of them throughout the entire season.
Flacco has to trust his receivers to make catches, but shouldn’t throw towards coverage. He needs to attack deep more often, but shouldn’t hold onto the ball so long. He needs to show more awareness in the pocket and move to extend plays, but nothing good comes of him leaving the pocket. He should run with the ball if nobody’s open, but he definitely can’t run with the ball.
Flacco should have the awareness of Roethlisberger, the elusiveness of Vick, the control of the offense of Manning, the leadership of Brady, the accuracy of Brees, and the arm strength of … Flacco? - Ampallang
yeah I personally would have been thrilled. I just think many of us thought the run game would have been going a lot more than it has at this point.
On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu
Our team is more dangerous despite the drops.
Joe has already made more long pass attempts this year than he did all last year. I’m okay with a little less completion percentage but this is way too much, meaning as I wrote in the story, his overthrows and just plain misses on basic throws have cost us dearly, if not wins.
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Nov 17, 2011 8:04 PM EST up reply actions
no doubt
Blame is to be shared, joe included.
But in all fairness, I think there’s a few wins this year that we owe largely to him (I.e. both Pitt games) whereas in years past we didn’t rely on him as heavily.
TO BILL BRASKY!!!
by jackmca on Nov 17, 2011 8:34 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Definitely give big credit to him for the 2nd Steeler game
butgame but the first was a total team effort, if not a great defensive showing.
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Nov 17, 2011 11:47 PM EST up reply actions
Also you have to take into account how many more deep balls Joe has thrown this year. I believe he’s right up there if not the top on passes attempted over 20+ I believe. Those aren’t high percentage throws and will cause that percentage to dip some as well. Joe definitely has been a little off, but that percentage doesn’t tell the whole story.
On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu
This
And the too many drops, that is a 5 – 6 percent hit right there.
"A little learning is a dangerous thing; Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring."
"The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug."
"God's whiskers! Your face is as hideous as the demon's in my storybook!"
"I never expected to see the day when girls would get sunburned in the places they do today."
"It's big for a reason."
For Pittsburgh fans, that's Pope, Twain, Rostand, Rogers and Megamind
Pagano on jimmy
"He’ll see a considerable amount of time," Defensive Coordinator Chuck Pagano told reporters on Thursday. "We’ve got to get him out there and get him going, so yeah he’s ready."
by Raven_all_day on Nov 17, 2011 1:40 PM EST via mobile reply actions
So now we will see what he can do.
by Raven_all_day on Nov 17, 2011 1:40 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Green may not play. Green had no catches on Jimmy when they played against each other in college, even though they did line him up on the other CB, Jalil Brown, most of the time.
Flacco has to trust his receivers to make catches, but shouldn’t throw towards coverage. He needs to attack deep more often, but shouldn’t hold onto the ball so long. He needs to show more awareness in the pocket and move to extend plays, but nothing good comes of him leaving the pocket. He should run with the ball if nobody’s open, but he definitely can’t run with the ball.
Flacco should have the awareness of Roethlisberger, the elusiveness of Vick, the control of the offense of Manning, the leadership of Brady, the accuracy of Brees, and the arm strength of … Flacco? - Ampallang
im actually a student a cu boulder, the school smith went to
And i remember last year aj green had one of his best college games against colorado. He had literally one of the nicest one handed grabs in the endzone ive ever seen. Not sure if smith was on green that game, but you have to assume the best cb would be on the best receiver.
I had classes with some players on the team last year and we were talking about how baller aj green is all class that week
by blitzzburgh on Nov 17, 2011 4:32 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
but you have to assume the best cb would be on the best receiver.
Yea, but Smith was not on him. They moved Green to the left side, and Smith played right CB all of last year. I watched those highlights after both Smith and Green came to this division, and Green did not have one catch against Smith.
Flacco has to trust his receivers to make catches, but shouldn’t throw towards coverage. He needs to attack deep more often, but shouldn’t hold onto the ball so long. He needs to show more awareness in the pocket and move to extend plays, but nothing good comes of him leaving the pocket. He should run with the ball if nobody’s open, but he definitely can’t run with the ball.
Flacco should have the awareness of Roethlisberger, the elusiveness of Vick, the control of the offense of Manning, the leadership of Brady, the accuracy of Brees, and the arm strength of … Flacco? - Ampallang
word
Didnt know that i wasnt paying too much attention to who green was lining up against at the game. I really wanted the steelers to take smith in the draft. He has all the physical tools and i think he could turn out to be a pro bowler down the road. Cant ask for better defensive mentors than ed reed and lewis
by blitzzburgh on Nov 17, 2011 4:59 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Do you recall seeing green’s one handed grab against colorado? It was a beauty
by blitzzburgh on Nov 17, 2011 5:00 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Yea, the guy is a monster.
Flacco has to trust his receivers to make catches, but shouldn’t throw towards coverage. He needs to attack deep more often, but shouldn’t hold onto the ball so long. He needs to show more awareness in the pocket and move to extend plays, but nothing good comes of him leaving the pocket. He should run with the ball if nobody’s open, but he definitely can’t run with the ball.
Flacco should have the awareness of Roethlisberger, the elusiveness of Vick, the control of the offense of Manning, the leadership of Brady, the accuracy of Brees, and the arm strength of … Flacco? - Ampallang
I read somewhere
that Smith was targeted something like 14 times all of his last year. QBs were just throwing to anyone lese that he wasn’t covering.
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Nov 17, 2011 8:05 PM EST up reply actions
Smith allowed 11 completions on 20 target all of last year. Incredible number.
Flacco has to trust his receivers to make catches, but shouldn’t throw towards coverage. He needs to attack deep more often, but shouldn’t hold onto the ball so long. He needs to show more awareness in the pocket and move to extend plays, but nothing good comes of him leaving the pocket. He should run with the ball if nobody’s open, but he definitely can’t run with the ball.
Flacco should have the awareness of Roethlisberger, the elusiveness of Vick, the control of the offense of Manning, the leadership of Brady, the accuracy of Brees, and the arm strength of … Flacco? - Ampallang
That's what Nnamdi does,
albeit on an entirely different level (I don’t imagine there are many Peyton Mannings in the Big-12).
You come at the king, you best not miss.
by organizedchaos52 on Nov 18, 2011 12:43 PM EST up reply actions
Yup. QB’s are taught not to throw the ball at covered WR, and that is exactly what Jimmy did in college.
Flacco has to trust his receivers to make catches, but shouldn’t throw towards coverage. He needs to attack deep more often, but shouldn’t hold onto the ball so long. He needs to show more awareness in the pocket and move to extend plays, but nothing good comes of him leaving the pocket. He should run with the ball if nobody’s open, but he definitely can’t run with the ball.
Flacco should have the awareness of Roethlisberger, the elusiveness of Vick, the control of the offense of Manning, the leadership of Brady, the accuracy of Brees, and the arm strength of … Flacco? - Ampallang
yeah if I remember correctly I believe I saw Green was thrown at 4 times against Jimmy and no completions. There was a sweet play when Green got behind Jimmy for what looked like a TD, but Jimmy showed great recovery speed and those long arms and batted it away.
On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu
Breaking news: David Reed is not returning kicks this week
and Baltimore can now breathe again…. until it is announced Torrey Smith will be taking his place.
Don’t do it Harbs!
you remember that play, from that game, on that day. sweet, right?... right...
why don’t we try Doss? He returned in college and while he doesn’t have the same speed, he doesn’t dance and just gets up field, plus I would imagine he’s more secure with the ball. Also he doesn’t play a vital role on our team.
On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu
I'd lock Flacco into a contract this year
We would get a discount. His performance will revert back up to the mean
by davver on Nov 17, 2011 3:17 PM EST via iPhone app reply actions
Maybe that is why they are only giving Rice 5 carries in some games. Keep the #’s down, keep the $$$ down….
Flacco has to trust his receivers to make catches, but shouldn’t throw towards coverage. He needs to attack deep more often, but shouldn’t hold onto the ball so long. He needs to show more awareness in the pocket and move to extend plays, but nothing good comes of him leaving the pocket. He should run with the ball if nobody’s open, but he definitely can’t run with the ball.
Flacco should have the awareness of Roethlisberger, the elusiveness of Vick, the control of the offense of Manning, the leadership of Brady, the accuracy of Brees, and the arm strength of … Flacco? - Ampallang
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