The late comic, Rodney Dangerfield, made a successful career out of characterizing himself as someone who got no respect. Here in Baltimore, the Ravens’ Joe Flacco, despite enjoying meteoric and, in some instances, record breaking success, is professional football’s version of Rodney Dangerfield’s comic persona!
Consider the fact that he’s the first QB in the history of the NFL to win playoff games in each of his first five years in the league, during which time he took his team to three AFC Championship games and the Super Bowl.
Flacco’s detractors were sure that he’d never win a Super Bowl, but not only did he win it, he was nearly perfect, tying Joe Montana’s record of 11 TD passes and no INTs for a 117.2 rating while being honored as MVP!
One would think that would be enough to convince his greatest detractors! On the contrary, many who thought he’d never win a Super Bowl, are now critical of the “Franchise QB’s” big pay day following that achievement last year! Joe Flacco may never get the respect he deserves because he’s not Tom Brady, or Drew Brees, or Peyton Manning, etc.. But, none of them can claim as much success as Flacco over the same time frame.
Since being named head coach six years ago, John Harbaugh has earned respect because of his winning record. But, considering the fact that Flacco arrived at the same time and was literally thrust into the starting position from game one of his rookie year, their success is so inextricably linked that it’s virtually impossible to evaluate one without the other!
However, for those given to speculation, it’s easier to argue that Flacco would have been just as successful WITHOUT Harbaugh, while arguing that Harbaugh would not have enjoyed the same degree of success without his franchise QB! Imagine, if you will, how many regular season and postseason games Harbaugh’s Ravens would have won with……Kyle Boller or Troy Smith!
And for all his accomplishments, Joe Flacco still gets no respect!
He is the Rodney Dangerfield of professional football!
Just one fan’s opinion…….
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Submitted by Jerry Brotman
