Joe Flacco News: Pro Sports Daily

It's tricky to compare Ravens' Joe Cool, red-hot QBs

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February 7

Baltimore Sun

"The Super Bowl showdown between Peyton Manning and Drew Brees is a perfect illustration of the overarching importance of the dynamic quarterback in today's NFL landscape, and it is something else. It is also an opportunity for Ravens fans to watch two of the best in the business and ponder whether Joe Flacco has what it takes to be mentioned in the same conversation. Not that it would be a major stretch. Two years into his professional career, he already is a very good young quarterback who has had extraordinary success. Nobody could reasonably expect much more than he has accomplished - leading the Ravens to the AFC title game last season and to the divisional round of the playoffs this ..."

Next year is up to Flacco, Ravens say

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February 4

Baltimore Sun

"At the "State of the Ravens" news conference Wednesday, team officials acknowledged that they have to add a playmaker at wide receiver, decrease the penalties and ratchet up the pass rush. • But when asked what it will take to boost the Ravens from a playoff team to a Super Bowl one, owner Steve Bisciotti pointed squarely at quarterback Joe Flacco. "I think this next year, it's time for him to do the things that we know he's capable of doing," Bisciotti said in a 49-minute question-and-answer session with local media. Flacco's second NFL season featured some inconsistent moments, some of which could be attributed to a late-season hip injury. In Flacco's first 14 games this season, he ..."

Harbaugh: Flacco was playing hurt

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January 20

Baltimore Sun

"Ravens coach John Harbaugh acknowledged publicly for the first time that quarterback Joe Flacco played despite a painful bruised right hip and quad in the latter stages of the regular season and postseason. Previously, both Flacco and Harbaugh had dismissed questions about the injury, saying that it was not serious. And Flacco did not miss a game this season. But after appearing to be hobbled during pre-game warmups against the New England Patriots in the AFC wild-card game, Flacco was not listed on the team's injury report in the week leading up to the divisional playoff showdown with the Indianapolis Colts because Harbaugh had said that the quarterback no longer required treatment for ..."

Flacco's tough night

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January 17

Indianapolis Star

"When the education of second-year quarterback Joe Flacco continued Saturday night in Lucas Oil Stadium, the Baltimore Ravens were still missing the big plays that have dwindled -- and all but disappeared -- from the offense in the second half of the season. In a replay of the Nov. 22 loss at home, the Ravens offense sputtered against the Indianapolis Colts and never threatened after an opening series field goal in a 20-3 AFC divisional playoff loss. Flacco's much-debated hip injury did not appear to hamper him, at least not as much as the lack of a passing game in recent weeks may have. He moved well and had no limp. After the Colts jumped out front on a 44-yard field goal by former Raven ..."

Is Flacco hurting? He says no

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January 14

Baltimore Sun

"Only he and the training staff know just how candid he's being, but Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco said Wednesday that his hip is no longer bothering him and he doesn't think it will affect his ability to throw the ball against the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday night. "I feel great this week," Flacco said after Wednesday's practice. "I'm moving around really good. There is nothing really to it." Flacco has been studied from afar by the media this week, almost like a tropical storm, with everyone trying to gauge just how significantly he was limping or just how stiffly he was walking. Coach John Harbaugh got a bit ornery with reporters at his Monday news conference, sarcastically ..."

Healthy discussion on limping Flacco

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January 12

Baltimore Sun

"The Ravens' Super Bowl run continues to get bogged down by questions about a limping Joe Flacco. His 34 passing yards Sunday at New England tied an NFL record for the fewest in a playoff victory during the Super Bowl era (since 1966) and reinforced concerns that injuries are affecting the quarterback's performance. Fans are calling radio shows about it. Television reporters are talking about it. If you Googled "Joe Flacco and injury" Monday, 63 articles popped up. A day after the Ravens' jubilant 33-14 win, the persistent inquiries about Flacco's hip-quadriceps injury finally struck a nerve with the Ravens' head coach. "He is very much healthy enough to play and to play well," John ..."

Ravens, Flacco say injury didn't limit QB

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January 11

Baltimore Sun

"All last week, Joe Flacco limped around the Ravens' training facility in Owings Mills with obvious discomfort in his right leg. And before Sunday's AFC wild-card game against the New England Patriots, television reporters spoke of a quadriceps injury that would limit Flacco's mobility. But in the wake of a 33-14 win over the Patriots, the second-year quarterback insisted he was not hampered by the hip/thigh injury he has dealt with for at least the past month. Even though his offensive coordinator concurred, Flacco's performance at Gillette Stadium left some doubt about his health for Saturday night's divisional-round game in Indianapolis against the Colts. Flacco threw just 10 passes - ..."

A sophomore struggle, but Flacco plays it cool

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January 10

Philadelphia Inquirer

"Joe Flacco's second NFL season has been more struggle than coronation, more roller-coaster ride than straight-line ascension. Flacco ended the Ravens' agonizing search for a franchise quarterback in 2008. In 2009, he was under scrutiny for costly interceptions, a rash of sacks, his ability to pick up blitzes, and a reluctance to throw over the middle. There it was, in full throat, the C-word. Criticism. Gee, this guy is still making mistakes, both reporters and chat rooms complained. Through it all, Flacco was impervious and resolute, mindful only of the next game, which in this case is today's AFC wild-card rendezvous in New England against the Patriots. "He's still Joe," quarterbacks ..."

Young Joe Flacco undaunted

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January 10

Boston Herald

"This is what it's like to be a young quarterback in the 21st-century National Football League: You walk into a room to talk about your team's upcoming playoff game and, inevitably, somebody will ask you about Tom Brady. And so it was the other day for Joe Flacco, who will quarterback the Baltimore Ravens in their AFC wild card playoff game against Brady's Patriots [team stats] this afternoon at Gillette Stadium. Standing in a corner of the team's indoor practice facility, Flacco touched on a variety of topics - the Ravens' running game, whether wind will be a factor today, the Pats defense and so on. Then he was hit with the obligatory Brady question: What makes him so special? "He's done ..."

Flacco is poised for next step

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January 7

Boston Globe

"Joe Flacco was standing on the sideline at the Ravens' indoor practice facility yesterday, talking with a few reporters about his comfort level in the playoffs and how "every regular-season game is just as important'' as Sunday's wild-card matchup against the Patriots at Gillette Stadium, when the conversation was interrupted by teammate Trevor Pryce. "Yeah, but can Joe Flacco do this?'' said the hulking defensive end, who took a football and launched a spiral at the goal posts that bounced off the crossbar, hitting it squarely in the middle. Flacco smiled, shook his head, and chuckled. "How lucky is that?'' he said."

Now is when Flacco needs to step up

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January 5

Baltimore Sun

columnist Mike Preston

"The postseason is when quarterback legends are born. The good ones become great, and the great ones win Super Bowls. Right now, Ravens second-year quarterback Joe Flacco is trying to get a second wind. He had a good first half of the season and struggled in the second. Headed into the playoffs Sunday against the New England Patriots, Flacco has to play better. The NFL is a quarterback-driven league, and for the second straight season Flacco is about to compete with Carson Palmer, Tom Brady, Peyton Manning and Philip Rivers. The two youngsters among the six AFC teams are New York Jets rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez and Flacco. "The more you experience it, the better you can prepare ..."

Flacco set to break QB marks

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January 3

Camden Courier-Post

columnist Geoff Mosher

"For almost their entire existence, the Baltimore Ravens have sought stability and longevity at the game's most important position, but that search is finally over. Joe Flacco, the Audubon High School graduate and team's 2008 first-round pick who led Baltimore to the conference championship as a rookie, wasn't plagued by the sophomore slump that historically affects players. Flacco can break several team passing records today against Oakland -- although some may argue that the term "Ravens passing records" is an oxymoron -- and can become the club's first quarterback in franchise history to lead the team into the postseason in consecutive seasons. Flacco has the team's highest single-season ..."

There's big upside to keeping Flacco upright

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December 26

Baltimore Sun

"Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco has yet to flinch in four career games against the Pittsburgh Steelers - and they have given him plenty of cause. In three losses to the Steelers last season, Flacco was sacked 10 times, threw five interceptions and lost a critical fumble that became a quick seven points for Pittsburgh. Less than a month ago, the Steelers again pounded Flacco - for five more sacks - though he achieved payback in a 20-17 overtime victory. With 289 passing yards and no turnovers, it was easily the best of his four games against the Ravens' biggest rival. All of which sets the stage for Sunday's semi-epic encounter at Heinz Field, where the Steelers try to avoid playoff ..."

Flacco has a fun day Sunday

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December 22

Baltimore Sun

"Like a few other quarterbacks before him, Joe Flacco enjoyed a career day against the Chicago Bears. The Ravens quarterback tossed a career-high four touchdowns and set a career high with a passer rating of 135.6 in Sunday's 31-7 rout of the Bears, who have made a habit of surrendering either a boatload of touchdowns (five each to the Cincinnati Bengals' Carson Palmer and the Arizona Cardinals' Kurt Warner) or an alarming number of yards (392 to the Minnesota Vikings' Brett Favre). Flacco's rating was the second highest in franchise history. Paired with his rating of 120.8 in the 48-3 thrashing of the Detroit Lions on Dec. 13, Sunday's performance marked the first time he had posted ..."

Ravens emerge in wild card race

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December 21

Washington Examiner

"Out of the AFC's muddle of mediocrity -- where six playoff hopefuls have 7-7 records -- the Baltimore Ravens (8-6) have emerged, under the radar, as the most worthy contender for a wild card berth. Sunday's 31-7 romp over Chicago was evidence that the Ravens are ready to go to the playoffs for the sixth time this decade. Quarterback Joe Flacco completed 21-of-29 passes for 234 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions. The Ravens defense forced six turnovers, including two interceptions by homegrown Domonique Foxworth, who played at nearby Western Tech High. Chicago's lone score came on a punt return. It was the second straight week that the Baltimore defense didn't surrender a ..."

After strong start, Flacco facing sophomore struggles

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December 10

Baltimore Sun

"At this point last season, Joe Flacco looked like a veteran quarterback in leading the Ravens to an improbable playoff run. Now, 31 games into his NFL career, Flacco resembles a young quarterback struggling through some difficult growing pains in the Ravens' 6-6 season. Have NFL defenses seen enough film to catch up to him? Are injuries slowing him down? Or has the Ravens' supporting cast let him down? Judging by most of the Ravens' answers, it seems like you can check all of the above. "I think there are a lot of explanations," coach John Harbaugh said. "There are a lot of little things that go play by play. The bottom line is Joe can play better and we can play better around Joe in the ..."

With the game on the line, Flacco stumbles

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December 8

Baltimore Sun

"In his brief career in Baltimore, Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco has played pretty well. But every now and then, he breaks down and shows that he is still only in his second year. Flacco showed it Monday night. On a night when the rest of the offense was inept, at a time when the quarterback is supposed to carry his team, Flacco showed his inexperience in crunch time, throwing three interceptions and helping Green Bay pull out a victory that the Packers tried to give away. Baltimore fans want so much to have a big-name quarterback like Tom Brady or Peyton Manning, and it's doubtful that Flacco will ever reach that level. Few quarterbacks do, but he can still become as good as a Philip ..."

Beautiful kind of ugly

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December 8

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

"Through the avalanche of penalties, the flood of dropped passes and the uncharacteristic three turnovers, one unit stood strong as an oak tree Monday night at Lambeau Field. That was the league-leading defense of the Green Bay Packers, which was able to overcome the flaws and foibles of the offense and special teams and pave the way for a 27-14 victory over the Baltimore Ravens. Dom Capers' unit harassed quarterback Joe Flacco into a passer rating of 27.2, limited wide receiver Derrick Mason to two receptions for 13 yards and took away the big-play bursts of running back Ray Rice, holding him to just 71 yards from scrimmage. Winning for the fourth straight time, the Packers improved to ..."

Baltimore Ravens' pass-first strategy doesn't help QB Joe Flacco

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December 3

Green Bay Press Gazette

columnist Pete Dougherty

"Joe Flacco's passing statistics are up in every meaningful category. So, what's the problem in Baltimore? Why are the Ravens, a year after the rookie Flacco led them to an 11-5 record and appearance in the AFC championship game, only 6-5 and in a fight for a wild-card playoff berth? Maybe Flacco's numbers don't tell the whole story. Maybe he's experiencing troubles common for second-year starting quarterbacks in the NFL. Only in this case, it's not Flacco trying to do too much, but the Ravens asking too much from him a season after he defied NFL history with a solid rookie performance. The Ravens and offensive coordinator Cam Cameron dramatically have changed their offensive philosophy ..."

Harbaugh: Flacco's ankle is not a major injury

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December 1

Baltimore Sun

"Joe Flacco's sprained ankle is "not a major injury," coach John Harbaugh said Monday. Flacco, who first injured his ankle Oct. 18 at Minnesota, said he "re-rolled" the ankle in the beginning of the second half of the 20-17 overtime win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. He noticeably limped through the remainder of the game. In the second half, Flacco was 14-for-23 for 153 yards and was sacked five times. Harbaugh said it's hard to quantify how much the injury is affecting Flacco. "I'm sure it's bothersome for a quarterback to have that foot a little bit sore," Harbaugh said. "Joe is a courageous guy. You see him standing in there and throwing in the face of some pressure and taking some hits. ..."

Ravens QB Joe Flacco vs. Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau

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November 29

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"Ravens QB Joe Flacco vs. Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeauIf he could, Joe Flacco probably would transfer out of the AFC North after playing the Steelers. In a season in which he became the first rookie in National Football League history to win two playoff games, Flacco looked more flustered than fantastic in two of his three meetings against the Steelers. And it just happened to be in two of the Ravens' biggest games of the season. After throwing for 192 yards and a touchdown in his first game against the Steelers at Heinz Field, Flacco had a significantly more troublesome time against Dick LeBeau's defense in the next two meetings. He completed just 11 of 28 passes for 115 ..."

Despite sophomore struggles, Flacco confident

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November 27

Baltimore Sun

"In a city with a history of offensive futility, the Ravens once again are courting a shortfall. The offense hasn't scored a first-half touchdown in a month of Sundays and has just two touchdowns in the past 12 quarters - a drought that threatens to knock the team out of playoff contention. And now, with an almost biblical sense of timing, come the Pittsburgh Steelers, who blighted Joe Flacco's rookie season like a swarm of locusts. In three meetings last season, they sacked him 10 times, intercepted him five and beat him all three, including the AFC championship game. Flacco's passer rating plummeted with each loss: from a solid 81.7 in overtime in September to a shaky 22.2 in December to ..."

Win over Steelers missing from Baltimore quarterback Flacco's resume

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November 27

Pittsburgh Tribune Review

"During a season in which he earned NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors, Joe Flacco did just about everything except beat the Steelers. Despite going 0-3 against the eventual Super Bowl champions in 2008, Flacco won many admirers on a team that doesn't exactly care for the Ravens. "He was actually one of the guys I voted for the Pro Bowl last year," Steelers free safety Ryan Clark said. "I was very impressed with his poise, impressed with what he did. This year, he's only gotten better." The Ravens haven't, at least in the win-loss column, which is why they will play with a sense of desperation when the Steelers visit Baltimore Sunday for an 8:20 p.m. game. The Ravens (5-5) badly need a ..."

Flacco banged up inside and out after loss to Colts

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November 24

Baltimore Sun

"Joe Flacco looked like he had just been in a street fight. This was minutes after the Ravens' 17-15 loss to the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, with M"

Flacco banged up inside and out after loss to Colts

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November 23

Baltimore Sun

"Joe Flacco looked like he had just been in a street fight. This was minutes after the Ravens' 17-15 loss to the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, with M&T Bank Stadium emptying the way a funeral service empties. Flacco had a nasty cut on one forearm and a dark knot forming on his forehead. But as he addressed the media, you sensed that most of the pain the Ravens quarterback felt was internal. "It's a game that we thought we could have won," he said softly. "When you come down to the end like that and you come up short, and it was because I made a dumb play and threw an interception in a tight situation. ..." The Ravens made a few dumb plays in this one - mostly in the fourth quarter. And the ..."

Offense improves, but sputters lately

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November 20

Indianapolis Star

"The buzz about Baltimore at the beginning of the NFL season centered on how these Ravens could score. They opened with three consecutive games of 30-plus points and have had two more since. Always associated with defense, the Ravens have bumped up their scoring to a 24.7-point average. The team's 24.1 average in 2008 was the second highest in its 14-year history. Much of that is attributed to a franchise in the second year of what has been a most successful transition -- coach John Harbaugh arrived last year, as did quarterback Joe Flacco and running back Ray Rice. The Ravens made it to the AFC title game. Flacco is building off that. His completion numbers are up 5 percent from his rookie ..."

Flacco flying high for Ravens

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October 9

Cincinnati Enquirer

"Some guys got it, some guys don't. Your browser does not support JavaScript, therefore the poll can not be rendered.Vovici Online Survey Software What else can you say about Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco, who sat on the bench at the University of Pittsburgh, transferred to the lower profile University of Delaware and now is one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL? Says Bengals defensive tackle Tank Johnson of the Flacco-led Ravens: "It's an offense where you really have to be on your toes. It's an offense that can run for 300 yards. If you're not careful, they can pass for 300 yards. You have to prepare for the whole offense." Sound scary? That's because it is. Much of it is because of ..."

Ravens: Live by the pass, die by the pass

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October 5

Baltimore Sun

"Despite the loss to the New England Patriots on Sunday, the Ravens still made a statement. They might end up being the best team in the NFL when the season is over. But they have to learn how to run the football to overcome their own mistakes, give their defense a rest and keep the other team's top offensive players off the field. It's great to have one of the highest-scoring offenses in the league, and it's exciting to put up a record number of points. But right now, the Ravens don't know when to turn it on and off. And when you play a quality team like New England, you had better have this timing thing down. Isn't that right, Cam Cameron? In case you didn't know, Cameron is the Ravens' ..."

Joe Flacco & Co. prove Ravens more than defense

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October 1

Boston Herald

"The numbers that have been posted through three games look like they could belong to Tom Brady [stats]'s offense. They could also fit into Peyton Manning's portfolio, or fall in with the amazing offensive statistics Drew Brees has piled up. They're just so un-Raven-like. From points scored (103), to points per game (34.3), to yards per game (430.3), to first downs (82), to touchdowns (13), to third down conversions (46 percent), to touchdowns scored in the red zone (10, on 14 possessions), the numbers speak of an incredibly potent offense. That's why the 3-0 Ravens, who visit Gillette Stadium Sunday, figure to pose an even greater challenge not only to the Pats, but to every other team in ..."

Rapid rise of QB Joe Flacco makes Ravens a far more dangerous flock: Tony Grossi's Scouting Report

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September 23

Baltimore Sun

"The Baltimore Ravens have made the playoffs in five of Ozzie Newsome's 12 seasons as general manager. They won the Super Bowl following the 2000 season. In that time, Newsome collected a veritable hall of fame of defensive players via shrewd drafting. But never has he had what the team has now. "I've come to find out the toughest position to fix is the quarterback position," the Hall of Fame Browns tight end said from his office Tuesday. "When you can get someone that's a competent player with an upside, then getting the other pieces ..." He didn't say the other pieces are the easy part, but you get the idea. "We've demonstrated our ability to get the other pieces of the puzzle," ..."

Ravens have big puzzle piece in place with passer Flacco

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September 23

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"The Baltimore Ravens have made the playoffs in five of Ozzie Newsome's 12 seasons as general manager. They won the Super Bowl following the 2000 season. In that time, Newsome collected a veritable hall of fame of defensive players via shrewd drafting. But never has he had what the team has now. "I've come to find out the toughest position to fix is the quarterback position," the Hall of Fame Browns tight end said from his office Tuesday. "When you can get someone that's a competent player with an upside, then getting the other pieces . . ." He didn't say the other pieces are the easy part, but you get the idea. "We've demonstrated our ability to get the other pieces of the puzzle," ..."

Ravens pass Chiefs' test through the air

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September 14

Baltimore Sun

"In a regular season that began with unexpected adversity, the Ravens ultimately passed the initial test. Joe Flacco threw for a career-high 307 yards and three touchdowns in lifting the Ravens to a season-opening 38-24 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs before an announced 71,099 at M"

Ravens open it up in opening win

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September 14

Baltimore Sun

"Apparently, the Ravens' preseason emphasis on throwing the ball in just about every possible situation was not just a passing fancy. Joe Flacco came out flinging on Sunday, and the Ravens rang up their biggest offensive performance - in terms of total yardage - since the franchise moved to Baltimore. Flacco set career highs in passing attempts (43), passing yardage (307) and touchdown passes (3). The Ravens piled up 501 yards and put up 38 points. I suppose you have to consider the competition, but the Kansas City Chiefs came to play and simply ran into a Ravens offense that had too many ways to move the ball. Cam Cameron had hinted at this with his wide-open offensive attack in the ..."

Flacco gets talkative

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September 11

Kansas City Star

"A comment from Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco wasn't particularly inflammatory — as these things go — but someone thought enough of it to post it in the Chiefs' locker room. The quote, lifted from the Ravens' Web site, baltimoreravens.com, was apparently in response to a question from Baltimore reporters on what kind of challenge the Chiefs face opening the season with a new coach, a new quarterback and playing on the road. Flacco responded, in part: "I don't think it's a good way to begin it. We're going to come in here and play well, and I don't think they're really going to want to play us by the end of the game." On the Ravens' Web site, but not quoted in the Chiefs' locker room, his ..."

Flacco gets talkative

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September 11

Baltimore Sun

"A comment from Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco wasn't particularly inflammatory - as these things go - but someone thought enough of it to post it in the Chiefs' locker room. The quote, lifted from the Ravens' Web site, baltimoreravens.com, was apparently in response to a question from Baltimore reporters on what kind of challenge the Chiefs face opening the season with a new coach, a new quarterback and playing on the road. Flacco responded, in part: "I don't think it's a good way to begin it. We're going to come in here and play well, and I don't think they're really going to want to play us by the end of the game." On the Ravens' Web site, but not quoted in the Chiefs' locker room, his ..."

He won't be a Tom Brady or Peyton Manning, but if he improves, watch out for the Ravens

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September 11

Baltimore Sun

"The Ravens are among the usual contenders in the AFC along with the Indianapolis Colts, Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots. Those teams have established quarterbacks while the Ravens have a work in progress, second-year player Joe Flacco. Two of the major issues in 2009 are whether Flacco can raise his game enough to carry the Ravens to the Super Bowl and whether he can become a dominating quarterback like New England's Tom Brady, Indianapolis' Peyton Manning and Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger. "That's all going to be up to Joe, but we'd like him to be at some point," said Eric DeCosta, the Ravens' director of player personnel. "He is going to continue to work hard. He is the ..."

Notebook: Former Rutgers star Ray Rice and Audubon native Joe Flacco use trick play for TD to fool NY Jets

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August 25

Newark Star-Ledger

"On a night the Jets' starters were embarrassed and beaten in nearly every phase, a pair of familiar faces to New Jerseyans provided the most memorable moment. Audubon native Joe Flacco's no-look, behind the back hand-off to former Rutgers star Ray Rice for a three-yard touchdown highlighted a forgettable primetime meltdown by the Jets' starters. Rice had eight carries for 29 yards and that touchdown in the first half. He added one catch for three yards. Flacco completed 8 of 18 passes for 120 yards. On third-and-goal from the 3, Flacco pump-faked before dusting off the Statue of Liberty play. He handed off to Rice, who powered up the middle to give the Ravens a 14-0 lead in the first ..."

Ravens QB Flacco had the fans at hello

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May 29

Baltimore Sun

"One of the more highly anticipated debuts by a Baltimore athlete recently was that of Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco, a first-round draft choice of the team. Rushed into being the starting quarterback just five months after being drafted, Flacco instantly became a fan favorite. He ran 38 yards into the end zone off an audible and had the key block on the Ravens' other touchdown in a season-opening 17-10 win over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 7. In the first half, fans waved purple placards that read: "Wacko 4 Flacco." In the second half, the crowd chanted, "Let's go Flacco," something none of the previous 15 starting quarterbacks in Ravens history had ever inspired."

Ryan, Flacco show that rookie QBs don't have to watch and wait

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May 1

Tampa Tribune

"The instant success of Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco in 2008 may have altered the traditional NFL approach of making rookie quarterbacks sit and watch for one or two seasons. New Buccaneers head coach Raheem Morris isn't ruling out the possibility of starting 21-year-old rookie Josh Freeman in Tampa Bay's regular-season opener against the Dallas Cowboys. Freeman would have to beat out Luke McCown and Byron Leftwich in training camp and prove to the coaching staff that he gives the Bucs the best chance to win. The issue of when to play young quarterbacks is a hot-button topic around the league. A rookie QB "can pass all your tests,'' Tennessee Titans coach Jeff Fisher said recently, "but ..."

ROOKIE REPEAT?

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April 13

New Orleans Times-Picayune

"NFL teams are smart enough to know that the success of Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco was an anomaly last year. They are the only two quarterbacks since the merger in 1970 who started as rookies and took their teams from last place in their division to the playoffs. "That's a tough act to follow right there," Saints Coach Sean Payton said of Ryan, who was drafted third overall by the Atlanta Falcons last year, and Flacco, who was drafted 18th by the Baltimore Ravens. "I mean, shoot, Peyton Manning was a starter his first year, and they got beat up and he got beat up -- and they lost a lot of games (13)." Nevertheless, the allure of finding that type of quarterback, whether he takes one or two ..."

Ravens' Flacco wins NFL rookie honor

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January 30

Baltimore Sun

"After not receiving a vote from sportswriters for the Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year award, Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco proved more popular among fans. Flacco was named the Diet Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year yesterday after becoming the first rookie quarterback in league history to win two playoff games. More than 1 million fan votes were submitted for the award on the NFL's official Web site and Sprint wireless service. "I would like to thank all the fans because this is a fan award," Flacco said after being given the trophy at the Super Bowl media room. "They've been voting every week and throughout the playoffs, which I'm sure helped a lot. It was a great year, and I ..."

Ravens' Flacco earns rookie honor

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January 29

Baltimore Sun

"Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco was named the 2008 Diet Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year, Diet Pepsi and the league announced today in Tampa, Fla., site of Super Bowl XLIII. The Ravens' first-round draft choice in 2008, Flacco led the team to the AFC championship game and an 11-5 regular-season record. He threw for 2,971 yards, completing 257 of 428 passing attempts and scoring 16 total touchdowns (14 passing, two rushing). In the season's final 11 games, Ravens went 9-2. Flacco tossed at least one touchdown pass in each of the Ravens' last six road games, recording a 101.8 passer rating during that time. Flacco, who attended the University of Delaware, was nominated for 10 Diet Pepsi NFL Rookie ..."

Joe Cool melts down in Pittsburgh

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January 20

Baltimore Examiner

"It took nearly five months, but Joe Flacco finally played like a rookie. The quarterback displayed the poise of a seasoned veteran as he led the Ravens to the AFC Championship Game, becoming the first rookie to win two playoff games. But the 18th overall pick out of Delaware was unable to maintain his record pace on Sunday, as he played his worst game on the biggest stage of his career during a 23-14 loss to Pittsburgh. Flacco completed just 13-of-30 passes for 141 yards with three interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown with about four minutes remaining to seal his team's fate. "I'm not going to sit here and say Joe played a certain way," Coach John Harbaugh said. "Joe went ..."

Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger makes Ravens' Joe Flacco look like a rookie

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January 19

New York Daily News

"On the eve of Sunday night's AFC Championship Game, Ben Roethlisberger recalled that his first conference title game four years ago was a nightmare. "I remember my first championship game, throwing six or seven picks it seemed and losing the game. It's not easy," Roethlisberger said. Actually, Roethlisberger, who was a rookie that season, threw three interceptions - one was returned 87 yards for a TD - and the Steelers lost to New England, 41-27. He redeemed himself the next year, leading the Steelers to a 34-17 victory over Denver in the AFC title game and helping Pittsburgh defeat Seattle, 21-10, in Super Bowl XL to become the youngest quarterback to win an NFL crown. Sunday night, ..."

Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger makes Ravens' Joe Flacco look like a rookie

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January 19

New York Daily News

columnist Tim Smith

"On the eve of Sunday night's AFC Championship Game, Ben Roethlisberger recalled that his first conference title game four years ago was a nightmare. "I remember my first championship game, throwing six or seven picks it seemed and losing the game. It's not easy," Roethlisberger said. Actually, Roethlisberger, who was a rookie that season, threw three interceptions - one was returned 87 yards for a TD - and the Steelers lost to New England, 41-27. He redeemed himself the next year, leading the Steelers to a 34-17 victory over Denver in the AFC title game and helping Pittsburgh defeat Seattle, 21-10, in Super Bowl XL to become the youngest quarterback to win an NFL crown. Sunday night, ..."

On his biggest stage, rookie quarterback acts his age

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January 19

Baltimore Sun

columnist David Steele

"With 4 1/2 minutes left in the first AFC championship game of his brief career, Joe Flacco was going to be either the hero for the Ravens or the goat. Bring out the horns. Wear them well, youngster. You did the best you could, but you earned them. It's not that it was Flacco's fault that the Ravens now have to watch the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Super Bowl - it isn't any single Raven's fault, because last night at snowy Heinz Field, the Steelers just straight-up beat them, in a 23-14 final that was closer than that. It's just that at the moment the Ravens needed Flacco to be the commander, marching the Ravens toward the winning points (or, at minimum, the most critical third-down ..."

Legend of 'Joe Cool' growing

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January 18

Camden Courier-Post

"There are several reasons why Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco has been dubbed "Joe Cool" by his coaches and teammates. The most obvious is that Flacco never appears to become flustered, despite unexpectedly being thrust into a starting role in his rookie season in the NFL. And Flacco's humble, even-keeled approach has spread through the Ravens' locker room, as a once brash, in-your-face bunch of players has mellowed into a team-first thinking unit. The unflappable Flacco and the Ravens will travel to Heinz Field to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC championship game at 6:30 tonight, and Flacco seems as unassuming as ever. "How much more fun does it get?" said Flacco, the ..."

Ravens GM Newsome still right guy for job

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January 16

Baltimore Sun

columnist Mike Preston

"In August, critics of Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome were flooding radio talk shows wondering why he had not been fired when head coach Brian Billick was let go. They were a team, so they should have been dismissed at the same time. That was their logic back then. Now? Oops, we haven't heard a peep from them since the Ravens lost three in a row earlier this season. They've gone underground. Back then, Newsome declined to defend himself. He never said a word. Now, with his team within one game of playing in a second Super Bowl, Newsome still won't give an interview. That's just his style. He is the quiet force of the Ravens, the architect of a team that almost everyone thought would ..."

Steelers practiced in facing a Ravens-style formation

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January 16

Baltimore Sun

"The Ravens' unbalanced offensive formation featuring the tackle-eligible might have been an unusual wrinkle for a number of their opponents, but for the Steelers, it's nothing new. This will be the seventh time Pittsburgh faces a team that uses an unbalanced formation, including the Cleveland Browns (twice in the regular season), San Diego Chargers (once in the regular season and again in the playoffs) and now the Ravens for the third time. What makes the Ravens' version a little different is the tonnage they bring when they use it. Baltimore substitutes 330-pound tackle Adam Terry for a tightend and loads its backfield with 255-pound fullback Lorenzo Neal and 260-pound ball carrier ..."

Roethlisberger, Flacco stand tall

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January 16

Baltimore Sun

"They share uncommon rookie success, powerful right arms and a proclivity for staying cool in the most intense moments. Joe Flacco has taken the January journey that made Ben Roethlisberger famous as a rookie in 2004, turning heads and defenses along the way. Heading into Sunday's AFC championship game in Pittsburgh, some have even portrayed Flacco, the Ravens' quarterbacking prodigy, as the second coming of Roethlisberger, the pulse of the Steelers' offense and their unquestioned leader. Does the comparison fit? Not really. They might be kindred spirits, but they are not Xerox copies. Any similarity is based on first-year success, not freeze-frame replication. Roethlisberger, 26 and nearly ..."