Flacco To Call Audibles In 2011

by Bruce Raffel on May 8, 2011 6:00 PM EDT

Baltimore Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome says that in 2011, QB Joe Flacco will have more freedom to change the play called when he gets to the line of scrimmage. Reportedly, in 2010, Flacco was stuck with the play called in his helmet by offensive coordinator Cam Cameron, at times leading to disastrous results. Without the ability to check out of the play called, the Ravens offense was too predictable at times, as opposing teams repeatedly said they knew the play the Ravens were going with almost as soon as they broke the huddle last year.

From a story by Aaron Wilson in the Carroll County Times, Newsome said:

"As we move forward this year, this will become Joe's offense. It won't be Cam's offense, it will be Joe's offense. Cam may call the plays, but I think Joe's going to have more of an opportunity to change some things. This has to be Joe's offense."

This comes as welcome news for Ravens fans, who felt that Flacco needed more control of the offense after three years as a full-time starter, not missing a single start in his NFL career. It's about time he gets the same freedom to manage and lead the Ravens offense as Atlanta Falcons QB Matt Ryan has over his play-calling. Ryan showed his leadership skills in the Falcons last minute comeback win over the Ravens in 2010. Often compared to Ryan, Flacco should now be able to prove his worth to the team with the control to change the call at the line of scrimmage if he reads the defense and feels that another play would have a better chance to succeed.

Taking that ultimate last-second control would give Flacco the chance to show the team and fans that he is indeed able to lead the Ravens to victory against the tougher teams, especially the Pittsburgh Steelers, by reading defenses and changing the call on the fly.

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Comments

Joe Flacco was allowed to audible last year and he did audible at times last year. some people think since he

wasn’t standing up throwing his hands up every where like Peyton Manning it means he wasn’t allowed to audible.

by jazz20 on May 8, 2011 6:18 PM EDT reply actions

Very infrequently

and there were comments made by both Harbs and Cam that they did NOT want Joe changing the plays, so his opportunities and options were limited by the coaches.

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on May 8, 2011 11:22 PM EDT up reply actions

I hope your info is right

If Joe was making more decisions than we think, maybe he should then re-think some of his decisions.

by TheShadow on May 9, 2011 6:53 AM EDT up reply actions

You think?

by MrPoopyPants on May 9, 2011 8:44 AM EDT up reply actions

Re-think his decisions? I am guessing you mean he turned it over too much? False!

"No disrespect to Patrick Peterson and Prince Amukamara, but I just think I have better cover skills. They get tested a lot, and that’s for a reason. The other team sees something in their game that they want to attack, and me playing in the same league as Prince, we played the same teams and they didn’t attack me the same. So why does that happen?" - CB Jimmy Smith

by Mr MaLoR on May 9, 2011 9:48 AM EDT up reply actions

He wasn’t making those decisions. There isn’t always the opportunity for you to shit on him.

by JoshuaStein on May 9, 2011 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpWpdcR63ms

by TheShadow on May 9, 2011 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Yea, YOU!

by Mr MaLoR on May 9, 2011 6:19 PM EDT up reply actions

It wasn't meant for you

But by that response, you also fit the profile

by TheShadow on May 9, 2011 6:29 PM EDT up reply actions

I guess that was meant for me. You’re pretty tough over the internet. And if I’m an asshole, it takes one to know one.

by JoshuaStein on May 9, 2011 6:42 PM EDT up reply actions

It was meant for whom ever thinks it was meant for

You just happened to be the first to admit it

by TheShadow on May 9, 2011 7:04 PM EDT up reply actions

I didn’t admit anything. You read what I said wrong, which really is no surprise.

by JoshuaStein on May 9, 2011 7:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Joe Flacco did make some decision that was clearly dumb at times like

throwing the ball to a double covered t.j housmanzadeh with a clearly wideopen Anquan Boldin for some reason he didnt see and etc. people may say that Joe Flacco wasn’t allow to audible or make decision on his own because the coaches wouldnt allow it but Joe Flacco overall just needs to take charge of the offense.

I can’t see the coaches allow him to run the offense if he not showing the leadership to run it. I would say that Joe Flacco was still riding the offense on training wheels last year and right now he going to have to prove to the coaches he ready to ride this offense with out the training wheels. Cam Cameron is a good offensive coordinator and its going to be times when his play calling just doesn’t fit the situation the offense is in and instead of Joe Flacco saying ok Cam I will do it he should say Cam I dont like that call Im going to go with this play call because I got a feeling their going to blitz or etc.

by jazz20 on May 9, 2011 10:41 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree 100%

I found when I was learning how to play pinochle or pitch, I learned more watching an experienced player play my hand. An inexperienced player will make the same mistakes over and over and the opposition comes to expect it. When my oldest daughter went out for the roller derby here there is a reason they were called fresh meat before they were picked up by a team.

by TheShadow on May 10, 2011 3:13 AM EDT up reply actions

Pinochle and roller derby are way less complex to football. Card games don’t take physical skill too. Learning from the sidelines can only get you so much knowledge in Football.

I’ve never heard from any talented QB that they would rather have sat out a year, than be on the field.

Flacco made a lot of errors his rookie year. I remember he threw across his body and got picked a couple times in the Tennesse game. I never saw him make those throws again.

by MrPoopyPants on May 10, 2011 7:54 AM EDT up reply actions

Pinochle, pitch & roller derby?

Wow, you live on the edge!

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on May 10, 2011 9:28 AM EDT up reply actions

Your analogies are just so dead on…

by JoshuaStein on May 10, 2011 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Excellent news

And long overdue. I can see this being the difference between a Super Bowl appearance and another early playoff exit, if Joe proves that he can thrive as a complete field general.

This offense needs to be as adaptable as possible with Pittsburgh on the calendar twice/thrice a year.

Shawn Camp earned my dog several beatings back in 2007

by wtbudlight on Aug 30, 2010 5:54 PM PDT

by IntrepidX on May 9, 2011 5:05 AM EDT reply actions

Agreed, he will never be able to take the next step in progression until he is given full control. I really think Flacco shocks some people this year.

by AV23 on May 9, 2011 6:24 AM EDT up reply actions

I’m happy they’re finally giving Flacco more leeway, but why wasn’t this done earliar? The only way you get better at something is to try it. Flacco would be further along is development if we had trusted him more.

by MrPoopyPants on May 9, 2011 8:47 AM EDT reply actions