Make your list.

[LukeDaniel]

Luke one thing i pick out of what you say is, "no thanks. Too injury prone"

Yet Matthew Stafford in three years will only have completed one full season, and he was even injured and had a horrible stretch throughout that injury this year IIRC. Do you think he could survive in the AFCN, barring in mind how much hits flacco takes and he has started every game in his career. Also he has Calvin Johnson, i would like to see him play a season with out before i trade a small fortune for him, but granted, hes playing better, i just think a lot of that can be put down to CJ.

I understand your point. It's not as much of a slam dunk as with Newton or Rodgers, but I think I'd trade for Stafford for Flacco if the Lions would be dumb enough to offer up that trade. I would think that any GM in football would make that trade.

Some thoughts on that subject:

1) Even though Stafford is in his 3rd year and Flacco his fourth, Stafford is 3 years younger than Joe. Stafford was starting in the NFL at age 21. You can't find too many QBs in NFL history who could ever make that claim.

2) As far as injuries, I'm less worried about injury history to a player like Stafford (age 23) than I am someone like Vick (age 31) or Roethlisberger (age 29).

3) Also relating to injuries, Stafford did start 10 games as a rookie before missing the final six. If you remember the circumstances of his injury his rookie year, he got creamed on the final drive of the game against Cleveland, stayed in the game despite injury (shoulder I believe) and threw the winning TD (His 5th of the game) as time expired. The injury was so severe that he missed the rest of the season, but I don't think you can doubt his toughness.

4) He had no injury problems at UG.

5) His Oline has been a lot better in 2011 and he has shown that, when protected well, he can indeed stay healthy.


The Lions and Ravens could very well wind up with the same record this year. Anyone think the Lions are an 11-5 or 10-6 team with Flacco as their QB? Anyone think that the Ravens aren't stting at 13-2 with the division wrapped up if Stafford is their QB this year? I'm far from a Flacco basher. I think my endorsement of him above proves that, but I think right now in 2011, Stafford is better than Flacco and I think the odds are that, Stafford at age 23, will maintain that lead over Joe heading into the future. The only reason you'd want to keep Joe over Stafford is if you think Stafford will never stay healthy, but I think his healthy 2011 makes me less concerned about this.

[DtotheUtotheG]

Whats our record with Calvin Johnson ? Joe could throw jump balls to him in the red zone all day. we'd be undefeated.

Hypothetically.

Sent from my iPad using Forum Runner

[arnie_uk]

I just want to see another fit full season, with them numbers before i crown him, same with newton, lets see what he does next year, the next year is always the hardest, as someone else said a few posts ago, just look at Freeman and Bradford. If Stafford does it again next year, im all for saying hes going to be elite with brees, brady and Rodgers... From what i have seen of him i think hes going to be, but i would like to see him fit for another full season... but as the post above me states, could flacco put them numbers up with Calvin Johnson? Maybe Floyd falls in the draft and we find out, because he could be a great weapon for joe.

I think in this system, where a 6'5ish reciever with good hands away from being a very good offense. We have great TEs, fast speedy recievers as in evans and smith to blow the top of defenses, a man in boldin who is great across the middle, a great run game and and of course rice out of the backfield. I just think this system is crying out for a calvin or a Vincent jackson like rivers has, then we wouldnt be having these conversations

[LukeDaniel]

I just want to see another fit full season, with them numbers before i crown him, same with newton, lets see what he does next year, the next year is always the hardest, as someone else said a few posts ago, just look at Freeman and Bradford. If Stafford does it again next year, im all for saying hes going to be elite with brees, brady and Rodgers... From what i have seen of him i think hes going to be, but i would like to see him fit for another full season... but as the post above me states, could flacco put them numbers up with Calvin Johnson? Maybe Floyd falls in the draft and we find out, because he could be a great weapon for joe.

I think in this system, where a 6'5ish reciever with good hands away from being a very good offense. We have great TEs, fast speedy recievers as in evans and smith to blow the top of defenses, a man in boldin who is great across the middle, a great run game and and of course rice out of the backfield. I just think this system is crying out for a calvin or a Vincent jackson like rivers has, then we wouldnt be having these conversations

1- Newton's shown me enough in 15 games to make me convinced that I'd trade for him even up for Flacco. He's more of a slam dunk than Stafford because a) he's done what's done with less offensive firepower and b) he doesn't have to ever develop into a superb passer to reach an elite level because his ability to run. Quick...without looking....who is the Panther's #2 wide receiver? Kudos if you know, but most don't. That's an indication of how much Newton has energized that offense. Last year, they were one of the worst offensive teams in NFL history and this year they are hanging huge amounts of points on virtually everyone they play despite having no real names at the WR position other than Steve Smith. Even Smith looks like a new man catching passes from Newton.

2- You mentioned needing to see another year from Stafford before you crown him elite. I actually agree with you there. However, my original statement wasn't about Stafford being elite. It was about whether I think he's better than Flacco right now, and I think he is.

3- I totally agree with you about Floyd. I'd cream my pants if we got him. That way, we can end the Lee Evans expirament next year and use a rotation of Quan/Floyd/Smith for 2012 and, after that, we'd have a Floyd/Torrey/Doss or Laquan rotation under contract on the cheap for two years. There will be good LBs in the 2nd round when we pick. LBs who can come in and start right away. Floyd has a chance to be special and I think it's a no brainer to draft him if he's there in the 1st round, even with having just committed picks to Torrey and Tandon in this past draft.

[DvlsAdvc8]

I just don't know that you can make these comparisons so easily... nor that its worthwhile. Different casts on different teams with different coaches and systems. Once upon a time I would have said McNabb was a top QB... then he left the Eagles and totally vanished. Someone already mentioned how good Matt Cassel looked in New England, and then he went to the Chiefs and looks mediocre.

There are only a handful of qbs that are a clear cut above the rest, and then you have to consider age as well. Peyton Manning is great, but he's nearing the end.

The only QBs I see blowing up the world every single week are

Rodgers
Brees
Brady
P. Manning (injury aside)

[DvlsAdvc8]

I agree with you Luke, Newton is the guy I would probably pick if I had this pool to choose from. The combination of passing ability, mobility, and youth.

[arnie_uk]

well tbh i dont know his 2nd options name to spell, but its an unbelivably weird name... Naanee, Legedu after looking it up... he undoubtidly has a weaker support class and he has been great.. i just want to see it one more year, much like stafford, who is in his first full year. I just picture people saying Bradford and Freeman would be "it" after last year. So i want to hold judgement.

On floyd i would argue that he is better than blackmon, although i havent seen much of either, mainly highlights, which is always the good and not the bad.. Were so closeeee this year, then next year, god, birk could go, grubbs, reed and ray retire, gurode may go for one last pay day.. we could be hugely set back... obviously thats a worst case scenario

[52decleetzu]

I just don't know that you can make these comparisons so easily... nor that its worthwhile. Different casts on different teams with different coaches and systems)

Exactly.

The Ravens are one of only a few teams in the NFL that has a running game that takes precedence over the passing game. You really can't compare them with hardly anyone else especially the Lions. That is about as apples and oranges if you can get.

Ray Rice is such a dynamic back he (and the fans) demand touches and attention that hardly any other back gets. That affects the passing game tremendously.

We run so many power formations, 1 or 2 WR sets it isn't even funny. We are run first all the way most of the time, unless we are down big and that isn't often. Onlytime we are running multiple WR sets is on 3rd and long. And again when you focus on the run game 1st/2nd down those situations are few and far between.

[arnie_uk]

I just don't know that you can make these comparisons so easily... nor that its worthwhile. Different casts on different teams with different coaches and systems.

I said this in a post earlier... TBH at this moment in time, with our system you have could really only take the man with the best medium - long and deep balls in the game, becuase i think thats what most of our passes our.. (maybe someone has stats to back this up or knock it down) so taking that into consideration, im not sure who i would take over joe

Who has a better Medium - long range throw and deep 30+ yards throw than joe atm? brees and Brady are mainly around 5-20 yards (from games i saw) but they can do them all, i just wonder could they do it as much as our play calling would need them to. Obv Rodgers has a great deep ball, but who else? Rivers, but hes an ass...

[LukeDaniel]

Man, if you don't want to draft Michael Floyd after that catch he just made, you never will!

[arnie_uk]

ive seen enough, get me michael floyd, i have never in all my years seen a WR/TE in baltimore history jump up and fight for a ball and come down with it like floyd just had... that reminds me of stafford to johnson.. thats the kind of target joe flacco needs

edit haha beat me to it luke

[ballhawk]

rodgers
roethlisberger
brady
brees

they are the only guys that could come to the ravens, with the team we have now, and play at a higher level than flacco. IMO

[Durango46]

Assuming, age, injury and future prospects are not taken into account

No-brainer:
Brees
Rodgers
Brady
P.Manning

Noticeably Better:
Rivers
BigBen

Slightly better:
E.Manning
Romo
Schaub

Too close to call / Same / need more sample:
Stafford
Ryan
Vick
Cutler
Newton
Dalton

Slightly worse:

Alex Smith
Fitzpatrick
Matt Moore (though possibly in Same category, small sample size thusfar)
Sanchez

Rest are significantly worse (possibly bordering on slightly worse): Hasselbeck, Freeman, Bradford, McCoy, Orton, Ponder, Grossman, Jackson, etc

Tebow is impossible to judge, barely plays real QB, but overall I would put him in Slightly worse to significantly worse.

(reserve right to Edit)

excellent list ! I concur

[BleedPurple92]

Assuming, age, injury and future prospects are not taken into account

No-brainer:
Brees
Rodgers
Brady
P.Manning

Noticeably Better:
Rivers
BigBen

Slightly better:
E.Manning
Romo
Schaub

Too close to call / Same / need more sample:
Stafford
Ryan
Vick
Cutler
Newton
Dalton

Slightly worse:

Alex Smith
Fitzpatrick
Matt Moore (though possibly in Same category, small sample size thusfar)
Sanchez

Rest are significantly worse (possibly bordering on slightly worse): Hasselbeck, Freeman, Bradford, McCoy, Orton, Ponder, Grossman, Jackson, etc

Tebow is impossible to judge, barely plays real QB, but overall I would put him in Slightly worse to significantly worse.

(reserve right to Edit)

Spot on. Although i think give Sam Bradford some Weapons and he could be special.

[darb72]

Brees
Brady
Manning (either)
Rodgers
Rapistburger (I don't care if we'd win a Superbowl every year with him, I don't want him near the Ravens.)
Rivers

Now, there are a lot of young guys who might be better or worse. Newton, Dalton, Sanchez, Stafford, and Matty Ice are right there with Flacco at the moment. It'll take a couple of years before we can really tell which one of them is the best of the group.

[The Excellector]

Would anyone else like to make their list? Please, list the quarterbacks that you feel are better than Joe Flacco and give your detailed reasoning and your criteria. It could be statistics, wins, losses, clutch play, playoff performance, etc. or a combination thereof.