Joe Flacco Nearly Beat My Pats

by Middlesex on Jan 23, 2012 12:05 AM EST

Of the Flacco Question, there was a clear answer in the team's defeat at New England. In spite of losing, he clearly showed that he's a good QB.

This game went right down to the end and should have gone into overtime.

Consider that his team's run-game was being completely shutout. His team rushed Ray Rice 21 times and he couldn't do better than 3.2 yards per attempt. Ricky Williams rushed 6 times for a mere 22 yards. Was it Joe Flacco's fault that Vince Wilfork decided today was the day to have the hands-down best game of his career? Despite all that, Flacco did not fumble the ball and scrambled to avoid losing yardage; in the process of scrambling he out-performed both Rice and Williams in the ground game, making 4 runs for 27 clutch yards.

His one interception? A freakish one-handed catch by sophmore MLB Brandon Spikes, who the Ravens probably had limited tape of from this season in the pass-game as he was injured more-often than not and often used predominately on running-downs.

I heard some commentors talking about Flacco's completion rate; 22-36. That's not bad. Brady had the same, except Flacco had 2 TDs whereas Brady had only a rush TD.

The game should have gone into overtime. As a fan of the sport, I was almost disappointed that it didn't. As a Pats fan I couldn't be disappointed because Flacco clearly showed up to play. He had a great game and anyone saying otherwise doesn't know what they're talking about.

I'm sure I'll see you guys next year.

The opinions posted here are those of the administrator of this blog and his loyal readers. They are in no way official comments from the team, and should not be misconstued as such, even though he thinks he could do just as well or even a better job!

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Thanks for the consolation props

but Ravens know that this was our game to win, or lose and while the Pats won and are a very good team, even Pats fans know they were lucky to win and that Baltimore played better and should have won this game.

As Tom Hanks said just before he passed in ‘Saving Private Ryan,’ I can only repeat to you:

“Earn this.”

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Jan 23, 2012 10:01 AM EST reply actions

If that's the case,

We didn’t earn the win. We made many more turnovers, stalled in the red zone, brady in his own words “sucked”, our D let Flacco lead the Ravens on an epic comeback. One more second of ball possession, and we’d be talking about how great Flacco is and the Ravens D right now.

Lakers and Patriots forever.

by D.S.T. on Jan 23, 2012 10:03 AM EST up reply actions

And that's what hurts.

I’m thinking draft when I feel like I should be talking about the Super Bowl.

Just imagine what Flacco will do next year with a real coordinator and some fewer drops from his receivers. I really think this offense can be elite. The offensive line remains questionable however.

"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."

by jackmca on Jan 24, 2012 11:30 AM EST up reply actions

Yeah O line will be the key. They had some games where they didn’t just look bad, but got completely dominated. If we re-sign Grubbs we are set at G. Birk will retire, but I feel Gurode can step in if we re-sign him while we develop a C. We didn’t get to see Gurode in too much action, but I saw more push from him in the running game than I did from Birk so he may actually be able to help improve that aspect. Oher is a big question mark. You just don’t know what Oher will show up. Hopefully a full year at the same position and having a full off-season to work more on it will help, but who knows. Mckinnie was off and on as well, but still rather have him over there more than Oher. The line will be huge on how much we can progress.

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

by AV23 on Jan 24, 2012 11:57 AM EST up reply actions

We are clearly in the market for C and a LT. Oher can be a solution at RT I believe but I think we all know he’s probably never going to be the LT we drafted him to be.

by jackmca on Jan 25, 2012 12:00 PM EST up reply actions

I thought we drafted him as a RT? Wasn’t Gaither supposed to be our long term LT?

daytime commentator. night time ninja.

by El.Dude on Jan 25, 2012 12:14 PM EST up reply actions

You don’t really take RTs in the first round.

by jackmca on Jan 26, 2012 1:38 PM EST up reply actions

With our revolving door at RT, I think we did. We took Grubbs, right around the same pick, two years before. RT is more important than G.

daytime commentator. night time ninja.

by El.Dude on Jan 26, 2012 2:23 PM EST up reply actions

the cowboys did lol

by jazz20 on Jan 26, 2012 5:48 PM EST up reply actions

oh yeah? what if you have a left handed QB?

Can I get some hot sauce for my doughnut?

by FrankWyt on Jan 27, 2012 1:03 AM EST up reply actions

Then you're already fucked.

You come at the king, you best not miss.

by organizedchaos52 on Jan 27, 2012 11:34 AM EST up reply actions

then i’ll punch your face

by jackmca on Jan 29, 2012 11:16 AM EST up reply actions

I know this could spark a debate, but wonder if there would be any consideration on bringing back Gaither?

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

by AV23 on Jan 25, 2012 1:32 PM EST up reply actions

Anything is Possible

But I think that bridge has not only been burned, but the ashes sent hither and yon never to be gathered again…

Sometimes, a player needs a change of scenery, a second chance, and they can “start over” again. KC wasn’t it for Gaither, and maybe his body was not completely healed when he first arrived in KC. Right now he seems to have found a home and a good situation in San Diego -good for him. Also, I do not see San Diego letting him go anytime soon.

"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 25, 2012 1:40 PM EST up reply actions

Who knows, San Deigo doesn’t have great relationships with all of their guys.

Gaither, also, was pretty much the only player in recent memory to have a less-than-amicable departure from Owings Mills.

So you never know. But I doubt he comes back to Baltimore.

by jackmca on Jan 26, 2012 1:39 PM EST up reply actions

I hope the world has realized now why we have supported Flacco as much as some of us have. I think last night proved that he has been every bit of the reason why we have had as much success as we have had these last 4 seasons.

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

by Mr MaLoR on Jan 23, 2012 11:39 AM EST reply actions

Agreed Middlesex

A terrific football game… exhausting but, entertaining as hell.

How crazy is this game we love -

Flacco outplays Brady – Pats rushing game does more damage than the Ravens – a nose tackle is the standout player on the field – the single biggest defensive play of the game comes from New England, not Baltimore ! How do you figure…

We were all trying to figure out how the OT was going to unfold – the new rules and all – who would win the coin flip – which team would step-up — when much to everyone’s surprise, the pressure of the moment got to the Ravens kicker and he missed a gimmie field-goal. Game over, Pats go to the Super Bowl…. again.

by profootballfan on Jan 23, 2012 11:41 AM EST reply actions

Flacco was superb. His performance should shut up the hometown haters.

It won’t, of course. Delusional nitwits will never get it, no matter what.

"How can an idiot be a policeman? Answer me that!"
-Chief Inspector Dreyfus

by FreedomRide on Jan 23, 2012 7:38 PM EST reply actions

I wouldn't say Flacco was "superb"

He left a lot of throws on the field (he at least had torrey smith wide open down field 3 times). Neither QB was “superb” that day, but Flacco did have the better game

Rex Ryan: "There’s no way that we’re looking to replace Mark Sanchez"
Patriots Nation: "Thank God"
Giants Fans: "FOUR MORE YEARS!! FOUR MORE YEARS!!"

by Chris Kole on Jan 27, 2012 10:33 PM EST up reply actions