The divisiveness among Ravens fans regarding Joe Flacco is absolutely insane, and inevitably his play, style and results are compared to those of Lamar Jackson’s. Fair enough. I get it. But those who prefer Joe generally seem to have a selective memory. They’ll point out that Joe’s playoff record as a starter is better than Lamar’s and then they’ll erroneously compare their records as starters in the postseason as proof that Flacco is the superior quarterback.
What they leave out is the quality of receivers Joe had compared to Lamar. What they leave out is that Joe generally had a better offensive line. What they leave out is that Joe was supported by a defense that had All Pro’s (and at least 3 HOF’ers) at all 3 levels on defense, namely Haloti Ngata, Ray Lewis, Terrell Suggs and Ed Reed. I’ll go out on a limb here and suggest that those players had something to do with the Ravens winning during the postseason despite the play of their quarterback.
Yes, Joe Flacco struggled in the playoff – until he didn’t.
In an article that I posted yesterday, Fear Flacco, there were a few interesting comments so I thought to share them here to help make my point along with my replies to said comments (in italics).
Joe Flacco has the most passing yards and playoff wins, plus the Super Bowl win, then any other Ravens QB to date, not to mention he never really had great receivers, and he still going strong, He looks like he never aged. ~ Mary
Don’t you think that Derrick Mason, Anquan Boldin, Torrey Smith, Steve Smith, Sr., Mike Wallace, Todd Heap and Dennis Pitta compare favorably to what Lamar has had to work with? ~ Tony Lombardi
Harbaugh ruined what might have been a HOF career by relegating Flacco to a “check down” game manager until the game was on the line and he needed Joe to score, which he usually did, but too often led to Dean “Swiss” Pees squandering the lead! ~ Armchair QB
You honestly think that Harbaugh ruined Joe? Why would he do that? Do you think the unforgettable 4th-and-29 checkdown to Ray Rice was a designed play? That Harbaugh made him do that? Joe has even admitted that it was a mistake on his part that fortunately worked out, otherwise SB 47 probably doesn’t happen.
Furthermore, how might you explain Joe’s (3-14) record as a starter with the Broncos and Jets. Was that too the fault of the head coaches and/or coordinators? By the way, Joe’s yards/attempt were higher in Baltimore (6.7) than they were in Denver/NY (6.4).
Credit Joe for his recent run. It’s been a Disney-like story. But let’s not allow recency bias to paint a different picture of the past. The numbers don’t lie. ~ Tony Lombardi
How fast these so-called Ravens fans forget that [Joe Flacco] brought us how many playoffs wins and a Super Bowl???? ~ Mike
For the record, during Joe’s first 5 playoff games he posted totals of 57 completions on 120 attempts for 660 yards, 1 TD and 6 INTs for a passer rating of 46.5. During his first 7 playoff games Joe posted totals of 98 completions on 184 attempts for 1,050 yards, 4 TD’s and 7 INTs for a passer rating of 61.7.
So, it wasn’t ideal QB play from Joe, yet the Ravens won many of those games. Let’s be careful not to practice revisionist history. ~ Tony Lombardi
The “so-called Ravens fans”.
Wow!
The divisiveness is real. And if the Cleveland Browns, led by one Joseph Vincent Flacco do come to Baltimore in a divisional showdown, the divisiveness will expand. It might even get weird at The Bank. And then, if Joe actually beats the Lamar Jackson-led Baltimore Ravens, Lord help us! The ish will hit the fan and all media platforms both local and national.
And won’t that kick off a drama-filled offseason?
22 Responses
It will certainly be a fantasy football game if that happens let’s wait to see if that happens. I will be watching greatly and I think that we look at the two quarterbacks different styles but I do think the hype about Lamar as the MVP has gotten out of control he is a good quarterback not a great quarterback and let’s wait again to see when the playoffs happened what happens. Lamar on the sidelines many times looks distant I know he’s not but again his running keeps him relevant Joe Flacco’s arm keeps him relevant and yes he has played very well with a game plan that simplified for him I’m sure but also a team that has been racked with injuries so buckle up everyone let’s see what happens the playoffs are coming
It amazes me how people feel the need to denigrate Joe. You bring up the receivers. Mason was a good receiver. What ended up was him physically attacking Flacco during the road Carolina Panther game in 2010. Torrey Smith? Outside of his 2011 game against the Rams and the 2012 game against the Patriots, he did not do much. Torrey might be the most overrated Raven of all-time. Boldin was good as well, but Ozzie felt Michael Huff and Marcus Spears were money better well-spent. Steve Smith only played well against the NFC south. Mike Wallace would get 1,000 yard seasons with 600 of them coming in four games. Todd Heap was past his prime by the time Flacco got here (and boy was it wasted during the Billick years). Dennis Pitta was great at three-yard receptions. I’m surprised you didn’t throw in Jeremy Maclin and Michael Crabtree for kicks.
Tony, Joe never had receivers. Ozzie continually ignored the position and gave Flacco guys who were past their prime or were never going to overachieve. Harbaugh only cares about the run.
It’s pretty easy. Happy for Joe and will always be a fan of his because of what he accomplished with the Ravens. However when it’s time to go against him I will clap as he is introduced and then it’s game on. Go Ravens! I also love watching Lamar play. We’ve never had someone as electrifying as him on our offense. He keeps you on the edge of your seat. We are so lucky as a franchise to have had both represent the Ravens.
Hard agree. 👆
I really can’t understand why people seem to get so defensive if someone roots for Joe Flacco. No matter what his stats were you had the confidence that we would win in the playoffs with him as a QB. LJ and Flacco are too different styles. You don’t think that Lamar is benefiting from a great defense too. Ease up man. It is a good story of what he has been able to accomplish, so just enjoy it.
Flacco was the first QB to bring his team to within one game of the SB as a rookie! He was so good as a passer that they PROMISED to surround him with talent WRs and never did as Harbaugh was and still is all about defense! He made chicken salad out of chicken crap as evidenced by Marlon Brown catching 7 TD passes as a rookie in 2013 and he’s still doing it in Cleveland with TE Njoku, who an announcer commented during the Jets game that Flacco had made him into HOFer, Tony Gonzalez! No real comparison between a pure passer QB and a running QB! Incidentally, no running QB has ever won a SB, so Lamar could be the first!
I had 4 psl’s at M&T from Ravens beginning until 2012 when we moved. Joe was very good and we enjoyed his play. I didn’t like his dismissal and now I’m enjoying his performance with the Bengals. I’m glad to see both teams do well. We’ll see what happens.
Well said!
To paraphrase Winston Churchill:
The best argument against sports social media is a five minute conversation with the average football fan.
Some who are so quick to share their ‘opinions’ should only speak if spoken to . . .
As someone said when he signed in Cleveland, “at least he isn’t playing for Pittsburgh.”
Actually Joe’s now playing with the Browns. I am also glad Joe got the opportunity to play again especially with a good team. I’m going to root for him but just not against us.
Lame Arm Jackson has a way to go if he wants to catch up to Flacco’s accomplishments. He runs around with his ” you can’t catch me BS” and runs better like a RB, give him that though.
You’re DELUSIONAL to say the least. Maybe you should try watching the games with your eyes open and that 🌭 out of your mouth 🤡🤣🤣
Agree
Then you are a bigger idiot than OP
So 5tds and 300+ Yards and perfect 158.3 rating wasn’t Quarterbacky enough for you? You’re 1 of those types obviously
Try something new next week John.
Watch the game sober . . .
Most fans understand the game at a rudimentary level at best, and most takes are emotional. Tony you are 100% correct. Joe won multiple playoff games where he completed fewer than 15 passes. Why? Because if Mr. Lewis, Mr Reed and Mr. Suggs. Flacco was pretty much a passenger his rookie year and yet ended up in the AFC championship game. Those are facts. That’s not denigrating Flacco. I loved Flacco and we were lucky to have him.
The guy we have now hasn’t won yet, but he’s potentially a Hall of Famer. Think about that. And yet “fans” of the current team want to talk about what he can’t/doesn’t do. Who are these “fans?” Steve Smith was playing at a very high level when he was here. As was Boldin. Pitta was very good. Ray Rice was a 1300 yd back, and prior to him Mcgahee was a 1200 yd back, and Torrey Smith is as a high second round pick.
The idea that Flacco didn’t have weapons is laughable. He did not play well after the contract. That is a fact. He was also never widely considered a top 10 QB by most of those in the NFL. That’s also a fact. That’s not denigrating Flacco. I was a big fan. Now he plays for a very dangerous enemy. So I am not rooting for him.
I root for the guy we have. You know, a guy that most NFL experts consider to be a top 5 QB in the NFL. Let that sink in. The RAVENS have a top 5 QB. And people are complaining. Amazing
Go Ravens.
Tony, why are u cherry picking the stats while ignoring the good seasons flacco has not just the Superbowl season but also in 2014 where he amassed 27td 12 int passer rating 91 and led his team to AFC championship game beating Pittsburgh on road in process and losing to patriots as ravens defense gave up 35 points to 31 points by ravens offense. Bottom line both defense and offense need to shine to win games unless if you are Peyton Manning who single handedly led colts to SB, compare that to his brother whose team like ravens relied on defense first approach. Flacco doesn’t need anything to prove he has achieved a lot in his career and yes I’m rooting for flacco except when he plays against ravens. Lamar did well so far but still long way to go to reach flacco’s elite status. He will get there but fans need to patient and as does lamar himself, he seems to get impatient at times
It’s been 6 seasons with the Lamar show. And we have nothing to show for it.
Compare this with Joe’s first six seasons.
Also, remember the San Diego playoff game when Joe was warming up after the half and Hardhead didn’t put Joe in the game.
Lmao Joe is pretty good right now and he has a decent defense. I don’t really want to see a Ravens/Browns playoff game. The stress in this house will be too much. Ravens get the bye and the Browns lose 1st rnd. Js