Other than the occasional remark about his contract or another national poll that disrespects or underrates him, it’s interesting how little has been written about the progression of Joe Flacco this offseason.
In 2015, he is working with his fourth offensive coordinator in as many years yet the transition to Marc Trestman seems to be working just fine. Insiders say that the QB and coordinator have a very good relationship and clearly they appear to be on the same page. Flacco has never looked more comfortable and seems to be effortlessly advancing through his progressions during “live” scrimmaging.
A case in point, during Wednesday’s practice session Flacco looked to go vertical down the left sideline but saw nothing that invited a throw. With that clock ticking in his head and with pressure beginning to bear down on him, Flacco quickly rolled his head towards the right to hit Jeremy Butler in stride on a delayed right-to-left crosser. Butler’s YAC took him towards the area vacated by the vertical routes on the left to produce a substantive gain of 20+ yards.
This is just one example of the understated swagger and confidence that Flacco now possesses and if some of his younger weapons like Breshad Perriman, Maxx Williams or Buck Allen produce, there’s little reason to doubt that 2015 will be a record-setting year for the big gunslinger.
Oh and don’t be surprised to see Flacco use his legs as a weapon this season. Naked boots and a willingness to tuck it in and take what the defense allows could be part of Joe’s repertoire. Should that prove to be something for opponents to defend, it could open up more vertical opportunities.
Back to that younger talent, it’s a bit unsettling that Perriman remains MIA. It’s one thing to study in the classroom. It’s another to do it on the field and until he does, Perriman won’t play to the speed that attracted the Ravens to him.
“[Breshad] Perriman is going to be a couple days, I think,” John Harbaugh shared after the conclusion of practice.
“It’s just how he gets the range of movement going in there with the bruise and everything like that. I want him out here right now; he wants to be out here, but they’re holding him back. It’s probably smart. [The training staff is] smarter than Breshad and I are about it; I know that.”
Reading between the lines, this is more than a bruise and the trainers must be concerned about the knee’s stability, without which it could lead to a more serious injury.
OTHER NOTES & OBSERVATIONS
National pundits have expressed concerns about Justin Forsett’s ability to repeat his 2014 season – concerns that are directly tied to his age. Those worries are completely overstated. Forsett looks as spry as he did during 2014’s camp only this time with a bit more confidence. He has worked hard to perfect his craft as a pass catcher and those efforts have produced results.
During red zone scrimmaging Forsett torched Arthur Brown on a wheel route down the left sideline that produced a 20-yard TD. It’s the second time in as many practices that Brown has been embarrassed on a pass play. Maxx Williams torched him during the practice session at M&T Bank Stadium on Monday night. Those results raise concerns over whether that added weight Brown packed on this offseason to help him absorb and shed blocks will cost him as a cover backer.
Behind Forsett is an emerging battle between Lorenzo Taliaferro and Buck Allen. Taliaferro is noticeably quicker to the hole but Allen seems to be a more natural fit for the Ravens stretch plays and zone blocking. The rookie shows patience and a burst and looks like a bigger, younger version of his mentor Forsett.
It was nice to see Brian Billick at camp yesterday. His presence and John Harbaugh’s invitation to allow Billick to address the team after practice is indicative of the strength and character of the Baltimore Ravens’ organization. Not many (if any) organizations are secure enough to invite a Super Bowl winning head coach with swagger and moxie, fired after completing just one season of a five-year contract and sent packing in dramatic style while leaving a (5-11) season and a broken locker room behind.
Yet there he was, front and center for what seemed like 15 minutes, enjoying every second in a demonstrative way. He looked to be storming into the lion’s den screaming like a banshee…
Here’s a look at a segment of Billick’s talk with the team courtesy of BaltimoreRavens.com.
