Targeted for criticism by a frequent nemesis on the field, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco acknowledged that he was aggravated by Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker LaMarr Woodley recently saying the Ravens will never win a Super Bowl in this lifetime.
"He obviously doesn’t know what he’s talking about," Flacco told WBAL radio. "At some level, I don’t care because what does that really mean? But there is another level where it does kind of piss you off a little bit."
The Ravens’ season has been halted in the playoffs in two of Flacco’s first three seasons, and the fourth-year quarterback has been plagued by turnovers in each of those defeats.
The Ravens surrendered a 21-7 halftime lead to the Steelers in the AFC divisional playoffs last season, melting down in the third quarter.
"We just need to come up a little bigger than we have while playing those guys a couple of times," said Flacco. "I mean, come on. What does he think? That they’re going to do it every year? .. I think we are going to have a lot more years in Baltimore where we’re going to have a good chance [to win it all], but we realize we have a really good chance right now and we just want to go ahead and win it. .. Believe me, when I hear that kind of stuff, it definitely sparks a little something in me."
Meanwhile, Flacco addressed again the firing of quarterbacks coach Jim Zorn. The dismissal angered Flacco and he memorably spoke out against the move at the Polar Bear Plunge this winter.
"I’m mad and I was mad that they fired my quarterback coach, and there was not a lot of good communication on everybody’s part," Flacco said.
Flacco also addressed his oft-scrutinized relationship with offensive coordinator Cam Cameron. They have clashed on occasion in the past over the direction of the offense and specific plays.
"Can me and Cam work on our relationship? Yes, definitely." Flacco said. "But it all stems from the fact that I thought we had a pretty good quarterback coach, and I don’t have him anymore."
Flacco also expressed confidence that the owners and players will resolve their labor dispute and get in a full season.
"I’ve been optimistic the whole time that we won’t miss any time, but then you talk to other people and you don’t always get the same sense," Flacco said. "So, I’m optimistic, and plan on playing football just like the rest of our team is."
