Baltimore Ravens: 5 Reasons To Appreciate Joe Flacco

Jan 10, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) celebrates after the Ravens

Reason 2: He’s Done A Lot With A Little

First there was an aging Derrick Mason and Todd Heap out of his prime. Then there was an aging Anquan Boldin and Torrey Smith. Joe Flacco has never had a true number one receiver. Flacco has had decent players to throw the football to but never a true number one. A number one receiver is somebody that the defense has to use two or more defenders just to slow down. Meanwhile Matt Ryan got to throw to Julio Jones, Tony Gonzales and Roddy White for most of his career. Brady has Gronkowski. Roethlisberger has Antonio Brown. Heck even Peyton Manning’s little brother has had Plaxico Burress in his prime, Victor Cruz and Odell Beckham Jr. to throw to. It would be nice to see Flacco get that kind of help at the receiver position.

Flacco has also had an inconsistent offensive line in his tenure as the Ravens quarterback. Even in the Super Bowl season of 2012, the line didn’t get its act together until Bryant McKinney was put into the lineup before the playoffs. Flacco has been beat up and bruised yet he always delivered. James Hurst essentially delivered his first major injury of his career.

Flacco has been the rock of the Ravens ever since the day he was drafted. He has become part of the team’s identity. The Ravens have had good teams but let’s not pretend Flacco is a spoiled quarterback. Just imagine what he could do with a great receiving corps and an awesome offensive line.

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