Nov 1, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) celebrates with his teammates after scoring a fourth quarter touchdown against the San Diego Chargers at M&T Bank Stadium. Baltimore Ravens defeated San Diego Chargers 29-26. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Joe Flacco is the most controversial player in the Ravens history, and that includes Ray Lewis. If you don’t know what I am talking about than you have successfully tuned out the loud minority of Ravens fans who cannot stand good old number five. Too much of Ravens Nation has taken for granted their franchise quarterback which is mind boggling when you consider that Flacco’s predecessors were awful. So I thought I would list out the five reasons we should appreciate our Super Bowl MVP, franchise quarterback.
Before somebody gets into the “he bankrupted the team” mantra that the loud minority loves to spew, let me shoot this idea down. Flacco’s yearly cap figures haven’t hindered the Ravens at all. He got his market value. Flacco’s contract will be restructured in the offseason as his cap figure is huge for the first time. He did not just get the $120.6 million in one transaction. He is highly paid because franchise quarterbacks are highly paid, especially those who have won a Super Bowl in the passing age of football. This is life with a quarterback worth keeping in the NFL.
Now that that argument is rendered ridiculous we can have an intelligent conversation about Flacco. I would also like to say that this conversation will be free of the label elite. I don’t care what tier you place Flacco in. The entire point of this discussion is informing you why Flacco should be appreciated for what he is. Flacco is a franchise quarterback who gives the Ravens a chance at Super Bowl glory.
Next: The Ravens Rivals Fear Him
Jan 3, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) talks to Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) after their 2014 AFC Wild Card playoff football game at Heinz Field. The Ravens won 30-17. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Reason 1: The Ravens Rivals Fear Him
There was a time when Joe Flacco couldn’t beat the Steelers. There was a time when he would unravel in the big moments against the Steelers. Flacco grew into a leader the moment he marched 92 yards in Pittsburgh to silence the crowd and take control of the division. Since that moment in 2011 the rivals of the Ravens have feared what Flacco could do when the stakes are high. There is a reason that the Ravens have won 8 of the last 11 games against the Steelers. Flacco marched the Ravens right past their demons against the Steelers.
Related: Baltimore Ravens Greatest Moments: 92 Yards In Pittsburgh
Most quarterbacks have trouble against the Patriots on the road. Flacco walks into Gillette Stadium with confidence knowing that he can outduel Tom Brady. The Ravens beat the Patriots twice as the visiting team in the playoffs. If Lee Evans catches a masterful last second pass in 2011, the Ravens would have walked away with that victory as well. So often the Patriots and Steelers stand in the Ravens way. So often Flacco doesn’t flinch at all and gets the Ravens past them.
You know that seen in “Die Hard” where John McClain’s wife knows he is alive because the bad guys are losing it. She was wrong, Flacco can make you more frustrated than anybody. He isn’t perfect. You can argue that he is not “elite” if you want to go down that road. At the end of the day he has won more road playoff games than any quarterback in NFL history and he gives the Ravens a chance. Do you think his status among his peers matters when he is leading a game winning drive? Do you think Mike Tomlin isn’t nervous when Flacco has the ball? I know he is because he has seen firsthand what he can do.
Next: He's Done A Lot With A Little
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.
Next: He Is A Great Leader In His Way
Nov 30, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) runs the offense against the San Diego Chargers at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
Reason 3: He Is a Great Leader in His Way
Joe Flacco is unique and he leads in his own way. Flacco isn’t a motivational speaker or a guy who is going to lead with emotions. Flacco is a quiet person but when he speaks his words carry weight. He is tough as nails, he takes responsibility for his own actions and he is about as honest of a man as you will find. His teammates love him and it is obvious.
Flacco doesn’t blame his teammates when things go badly. When he is visibly in pain he doesn’t milk it. He goes about his business and he doesn’t blame being banged up for poor performance. I was at the Patriots game in 2013. It was week 16 and if the Ravens won their last two games they would make the postseason. Flacco was obviously hurt, he could barely move. There was a play where he missed a wide open receiver and it seemed like it was because he couldn’t turn his hip to see him. After the game, Flacco downplayed his ailment and talked about his lack of execution.
This is the kind of leader that Flacco is. He holds people accountable but he doesn’t see the need for a pep talk. He holds himself accountable and he gives himself no excuses. In his own way Flacco is a leader.
Next: We Won A Super Bowl Because Of Him
Jan 29, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; General view of Super Bowl XLVII championship ring to commemorate the Baltimore Ravens 34-31 victory over the San Francisco 49ers on February 3, 2013 on display at the NFL Experience at the Phoenix Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sport
Reason 4: We Won A Super Bowl Because Of Him
The Ravens won a Super Bowl because Flacco had one of the most unbelievable playoff runs in NFL history. He was the Super Bowl MVP for a reason. Flacco tied a record held by the great Joe Montana and Kurt Warner, throwing 11 touchdowns and no interceptions in the 2012 postseason. The Ravens have always been known for defense but in 2012, it wasn’t the reason they won.
The throw in Denver is one of the most incredible throws anyone will ever see. Rahim Moore may have epically screwed up to let Jacoby Jones get behind him, but Joe still had to deliver an amazing deep bomb with pin point accuracy. It may have been the greatest pass I have seen in football. Then in the second half of the AFC Championship, Flacco torched the Patriots. In the Super Bowl he was red hot from start to finish.
The Ravens wouldn’t have won their second Super Bowl if Flacco hadn’t played so well in 2012. That year we got a glimpse of what Flacco is capable of when he is at his best. One thing is for sure it was pretty exciting quarterback play.
Next: What We Had Before Him
Nov 16, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; ESPN broadcaster Trent Dilfer on the Monday Night Football Set at Paul Brown Stadium. The Texans won 10-6. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Reason 5: What We Had Before Him
Tony Banks, Trent Dilfer, Elvis Grbac, Chris Redman, Kyle Boller, Anthony Wright… stop me when I mention a solution at the quarterback position. Before Joe Flacco the best Ravens quarterback was an almost finished Steve McNair. Before McNair the best Ravens quarterback was a toss up between Trent Dilfer and Vinny Testeverde in the years when he was seemingly color blind yet prolific. This is not a knock on Dilfer, who is rightfully beloved by Ravens fans, but he really wasn’t the answer at the quarterback position.
The Ravens faithful have endured such horrific quarterback play in their twenty year history that Flacco must never be taken for granted. Flacco is by far the greatest quarterback the purple and black have ever had and it isn’t even close. It is not something that can be debated, it is a fact.
Next: Baltimore Ravens Greatest Moments: 92 Yards In Pittsburgh
The Ravens have a franchise quarterback. They have a quarterback that they can win with. This is a fact that Baltimore should never forget. Flacco may not be perfect but he is the perfect quarterback for the Ravens. In Joe we trust.