Even Trent Dilfer Knows Flacco Is Not Trent Dilfer

by Bruce Raffel on Jan 20, 2012 3:00 PM EST

SI.com senior writer Don Banks spoke with Trent Dilfer today, as no one in the world probably has a greater grasp for what Baltimore Ravens QB Joe Flacco is going through leading into this weekend’s AFC Championship Game than the former NFL QB. "I think Joe in his heart of hearts probably wants to be anything but me,'' Dilfer, the former Super Bowl-winning Ravens quarterback turned ESPN analyst, said Wednesday, in a typical burst of candor.

Here is an excerpt from the Sports Illustrated story:

For much of Dilfer’s 11-year career, he was always distinguished under the term "game-manager", one of the more back handed comments an NFL QB can be called. He guided the 2000 Baltimore Ravens to a Super Bowl victory but that team will always be known as a great defensive team who’s offense didn’t make mistakes to cost them the game. One piece of advice Dilfer would give Flacco is that you can’t change what people think, you just have to stay within yourself and play to the best of you ability. Dilfer said, "You can't change people's perceptions, it's impossible. Not by talking, and even sometimes not by playing. It can take years to change it. I understand his frustrations. It's much harder to be a quarterback in a ball-control offense, because you have less opportunities, so any failure is magnified. If you're throwing the ball 45 times a game, and you dirt a couple, throw a pick, and miss a couple reads, but you still have 32-33 other really good plays, that's okay. But if you have 24 attempts, and you have four or five mistakes, that's all anybody remembers. It's just the nature of ball-control versus a pass-first offense."

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Dilfer was just happy to be there…thank gosh the bogus holding call negated the Giants pic 6 of Dilfer in the SB…lol. Dilfer did make that killer 10 yard pass that Sharpe had to take 80 more yards for the TD….and lets not forget the nice pass Dilfer made to Ray Lewis for the winner in Tenn- oh wait, that was McNaire to Eddie to Ray…Dilfer, hmmmm, I remember that guy.

by raven on Jan 20, 2012 3:12 PM EST reply actions

I’d be fine with Joe being Trent Dilfer for the next 3 weeks, as long as our D does their best impression of the ’00 D as well.

by StuckInUtah on Jan 20, 2012 3:47 PM EST via mobile reply actions

For all those people bashing Flacco for his performance versus the Texans, read what Phil Simms (who I think is football smart) has to say…

When asked: “Do [the Ravens] have a chance Sunday, Phil?” The former quarterback did not hesitate: “Are you kidding? You match up well against the Patriots. Chance? I think it has a chance to be a great game.”

“All these experts talking about the way you beat the Texans. Come on! That’s one mean, good defense you just played. They’re good, really good, and they played well against you.”

“And, don’t get me started on Joe Flacco,” Simms continued. “Did the experts watch the game? Joe didn’t miss a throw, not one. I watched every play. Every time he had the opportunity, he hit the guy. And, he made some moves so he could complete other throws. Are these people watching? What was Joe supposed to do with Texans in his face? Throw it up and hope? Sometimes a sack is a good thing. The object is to win the game. You did.”

“I’m not saying Joe played great against Houston, but he did play very well. I’ve watched and done many Ravens games. When people are open, and Joe is protected, he delivers. He is accurate. He is tough. He’s one of the main reasons you guys keep going to the playoffs and win. Those who say Joe didn’t play well against the Texans didn’t watch the film. Has anyone talked about how well the Texans’ defense played?”

Good stuff.

Follow @mfrazie

by BAL_Hawk on Jan 20, 2012 4:27 PM EST reply actions

by Raven_all_day on Jan 20, 2012 4:54 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Of All

The former NFL’ers turned announcers, I think I like Phil the best. He knows his stuff, and doesn’t get too excited, and stays pretty neutral between teams.

"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

by vlad755 on Jan 20, 2012 5:40 PM EST up reply actions

Mike Mayock does a pretty good job in that regard as well.

by Raven_all_day on Jan 20, 2012 6:01 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Billick too, and surprisingly, Mangini. Mangini is great (although he is possibly the most inept tellustrator user since John Madden).

I love it knowing that there are a handful of Ravens fans in this area who despise the fact that Joe will be our QB for the next 10 years. --Mr. MaLoR

by jackmca on Jan 21, 2012 1:12 PM EST up reply actions

I’m kind of surprised to hear that. The only thing I ever heard about Simms is that he’s an idiot and seems to know very little. I’m not saying that he isn’t right about what he says about Flacco’s performance, but I’ve never heard positive words about Simms analysis

Can I get some hot sauce for my doughnut?

by FrankWyt on Jan 20, 2012 7:19 PM EST up reply actions

You just heard some positive words.

by Evan Skev on Jan 20, 2012 7:26 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

YES! another thoughtful and insightful post. Thank you!

Can I get some hot sauce for my doughnut?

by FrankWyt on Jan 20, 2012 7:30 PM EST up reply actions

Your thinly-veiled trolling fools no one. You’re fortunate that there are plenty if gentlemen on this blog… and they kindly humor you

by Evan Skev on Jan 20, 2012 7:37 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Lol. the troll calling someone a troll. Now that’s funny. You are correct, there are plenty of gentlemen here, you’re not one of them.
You should educate yourself as to what trolling is. I responded to your smart ass comment with a smart ass comment. But hey, why bother with obvious truth, right?

Can I get some hot sauce for my doughnut?

by FrankWyt on Jan 20, 2012 7:42 PM EST up reply actions

Whit ya rootin for on Sunday

by Evan Skev on Jan 20, 2012 8:47 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

I’m not sure whit ya rootin for. I speak English.

Can I get some hot sauce for my doughnut?

by FrankWyt on Jan 20, 2012 9:50 PM EST up reply actions

Painful

by Evan Skev on Jan 20, 2012 11:20 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

hmmmmm…simms didn’t see him miss a pass? uhhh, okay.

by raven on Jan 20, 2012 8:44 PM EST up reply actions

awesome

I’m about to re-post this rampantly all over facebook.

I love it knowing that there are a handful of Ravens fans in this area who despise the fact that Joe will be our QB for the next 10 years. --Mr. MaLoR

by jackmca on Jan 21, 2012 1:07 PM EST up reply actions

link?

I love it knowing that there are a handful of Ravens fans in this area who despise the fact that Joe will be our QB for the next 10 years. --Mr. MaLoR

by jackmca on Jan 21, 2012 1:08 PM EST up reply actions