Jan 3, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) throws the ball as Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker James Harrison (92) defends in the second quarter during the 2014 AFC Wild Card playoff football game at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
In preparation for the 2015 NFL season, we are continuing to look at some profiles of the most important players on the Baltimore Ravens current roster. Today it’s the turn of ‘Mr Cool’ himself, quarterback Joe Flacco.
No. 5
Full Name: Joseph Vincent Flacco
Birthdate: January 16, 1985 (Age 30)
Place of Birth: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Height: 6ft 6in (1.98 m)
Weight: 245 Lbs
Professional Career Highlights:
Super Bowl Champion (XLVII)
Super Bowl MVP (XLVII)
AFC Champion (2012)
Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year (2008)
Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week (Week 8, 2008)
2x AFC Offensive Player of the Week (week 1, 2012, Week 6, 2014)
4x FedEx Air NFL Player of the Week (Week 3, 2011, Week 3, Week 10, 2012, Week 6, 2014)
Ranked in the NFL’s top 100 Players (2011-2015)
NFL Records:
First rookie quarterback to win two playoff games
Most wins by a quarterback in first six seasons: 62 (Regular season only)
2nd most combined regular and postseason wins in first three years as a quarterback: 36 (Tied with Dan Marino)
Only quarterback to start and win a playoff game in each of his first five seasons
Most touchdowns in a postseason: 11 (Tied with Joe Montana and Kurt Warner)
Most touchdowns without an interception in a postseason: 11 (Tied with Joe Montana)
First quarterback to have a passer rating over 100 in all four games of a single postseason
Most consecutive playoff games with at least two passing touchdowns: 8
Most consecutive playoff games with at least three passing touchdowns: 3 (Tied with Bernie Kosar, Kurt Warner and Aaron Rodgers)
Most consecutive road playoff games with at least one passing touchdown: 7 (Tied with Donavan McNabb and Brett Favre)
Most consecutive road playoff games with at least two passing touchdowns: 5
Fastest quarterback to record 5 touchdowns in a game: 16:03
Most road playoff wins for a quarterback: 7
Ravens Franchise Records:
Most career passing yards: 25,531
Most career pass completions: 2,213
Most career passing touchdowns: 148
Most regular season wins: 72
Most postseason wins: 10
Most consecutive pass completions: 14 vs Denver Broncos (November 1, 2009)
Most passing yards in a playoff game: 331 in 2013 vs Denver Broncos
Most 300+ passing yard games in career by a starting quarterback: 16
Highest completion percentage in a single season: 63.1% (2009) (16 starts)
Highest quarterback rating, Career: 84.8
Highest single season quarterback rating: 93.6 (2010)
Most times sacked in a career for starting quarterback: 241
Fewest interceptions in a regular season by starting quarterback: 4 (2012) (16 starts)
Most career 4th quarter comeback wins: 14
Most career game winning drives: 21
Most game winning drives in a single season: 4 (2010) (Tied with Elvis Grbac)
NFL Career Statistics (As of week 17, 2014)
Pass attempts: 3,668
Pass completions: 2,212
Pass percentage: 60.5%
TD-INT: 148-90
Passing yards: 25,531
Passer rating: 84.8
Jul 30, 2015; Owings Mills, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) drops back to pass during day one of training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
How did Joe Flacco become a Raven?
Joe Flacco’s college career started off at the University of Pittsburgh in 2003. After redshirting his first year and finding limited playing time as a backup in his second year, Flacco decided to transfer to the University of Delaware.
It wasn’t until the 2006 season that Flacco became the first string quarterback. In his first season as a starter at Delaware he threw for 2,783 yards and 18 touchdowns with 10 interceptions. Delaware struggled to a 5–6 record and failed to qualify for the FCS playoffs.
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In his senior year, he led his team to an 8-3 regular season record. Flacco racked up 4,263 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, and threw five interceptions. His best game came against Navy, where he bombarded them through the air with 434 passing yards and four touchdowns.
Also In 2007, Flacco was named the ECAC Player of the Year, the CAA Co-Offensive player, a CAA First Team, and an All-American 3rd team selection. During his career at Delaware, Flacco also set 20 school records.
Flacco was drafted by the Ravens 18th overall in the 2008 NFL Draft. He is the highest drafted player ever to come out of the University of Delaware. He was also the first Division 1 FCS quarterback selected in the first round of the draft since Steve McNair in 1995.
2014 Stats
The 2014 season was a career best for Joe Flacco. He threw for 3,986 yards, 27 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions with a passer rating of 91.0. Flacco was 12th in the league in passing yards and touchdowns.
Jul 30, 2015; Owings Mills, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) throws to wide receiver Breshad Perriman (18) during day one of training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Overall
Joe Flacco has a cannon for an arm and can make any throw on the field. He is the leader of the Ravens’ offense and is the reason why their pass offense has improved so much over the past seven seasons. With limited talent, Flacco has taken the Ravens passing offense from 23rd best in the league (2007) to 13th in the league (2014).
The “is Joe Flacco elite” argument has gone on and on this offseason. For me Flacco is as good as any quarterback in this league on his day. His postseason record speaks for itself, as Flacco currently sits at number 10 in NFL history for most playoff wins by a quarterback and also holds several postseason NFL records.
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Flacco has played on a predominately run first offense for most of his NFL career and has still put up good numbers. If Flacco was playing for the Detroit Lions, Atlanta Falcons or New Orleans Saints I guarantee he’s over 4,500 passing yards every year of his career.
Look for Flacco’s numbers to improve again in 2015 under new offensive coordinator Marc Trestman. Flacco is still only 30 and is just entering his prime, and by the time it’s said and done I know he will become a multiple Super Bowl winner and wind up in the NFL Hall of Fame.
Call Flacco what you like, but this man wins year in year out. You can put up as many yards and score as many touchdowns as you want to but if you can’t win games, reach the playoffs, or win a Super Bowl, what’s the point?
He is our quarterback and will be for years to come. He is the man I want leading the Ravens. Flacco is a winner and that’s what makes him “elite.”
Next: Can the Ravens survive December?
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