Joe Flacco.
He was an early winter phenomenon. From the sandlots of South Jersey to center stage at Cleveland Browns Stadium, Flacco lit up the stat sheets, propelled a team into the playoffs and then sent expectations skyrocketing for Ohioans. The Browns faithful soaked it up. They bathed in waters anointed by January Joe, who they believed would rekindle his playoff magic for their benefit.
Clevelanders purchased the Flacco jersey in droves. They chanted his name. Joe’s family plunged into the same waters. The love affair was real. To a man they believed that this Browns team would be different. No longer, they thought, was this “the same old Browns”.
But in the end, the Browns were the same old Browns. The Flacco-Cleveland love affair was short-lived. The stolen valor from Baltimore of Flacco’s past heroics aside, the Browns and their fans bought into the media hype. And in the end, that’s all it really was. Hype.
And now fans are wondering what they’re going to do with their brand new Flacco jerseys. In all likelihood, his will be just another name on that long list of Browns quarterbacks since the new Browns inception in 1999. But it was a good story while it lasted. Mercifully, it’s over.
Some Ravens fans have playfully reasoned that Joe was a double agent on a mission sanctioned by the Ravens. The plan they’ve jested, was clear. Joe’s assignment was to:
1. Make Browns fans adore him;
2. Let them believe that he still carried that playoff magic in that lightning bolt arm;
3. And then when it matters most, after all those fans spend thousands to travel to Houston, flip the switch and soil the bed in the postseason like nobody’s business.
Joe Flacco today, the double agent#RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/TPQkpEIrep
— Alex Gardner (@Alex_Gardner25) January 14, 2024
And for that, Joe should be introduced as the Legend of The Game before the Divisional Playoff Game this coming weekend. I’m not totally kidding either…
But give the Browns fans credit. They pulled some fun out of a season that looked for a while, like it would circle the drain as so many others before. But shoving nine people into a Port-a-Potty?
Cleveland #Browns fans bored waiting for the orange tailgate to open so they have a better new personal record 9 fans in a porta potty
We are on the the training side, or train station side of the stadium – come join us – woof woof 🐶 pic.twitter.com/Nxo9C76BtF
— Paul Brown 🇬🇧 Browns fan🏈 London News 🎥Vlogger (@PaulBrown_UK) January 13, 2024
Browns fans arrived in great numbers in Houston to support their team. Hopes were high and the visitors wanted to make their collective presence felt.
just passing through… pic.twitter.com/1u8RP4IQup
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) January 12, 2024
But hopes were dashed. The joy was short-lived. Group visits to the Port-a-Potty were deemed a very bad idea. And then Texans fans returned the favor as Browns fans exited to Cleveland.
safe travels back to cLeveland https://t.co/Xw1kPSgSSZ pic.twitter.com/ZFIjwYInjO
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) January 14, 2024
More Sobering News for Cleveland
Will Joe Flacco return to the Browns next season? His presence may make it difficult for the Browns from a PR perspective. Flacco won the hearts of Browns fans. The Browns need Watson to play to the level of his pay but if Flacco is on the roster, it could trigger problems, particularly if Watson doesn’t start fast in 2024. And then there’s this:
I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Browns try to find some sort of behavioral clause in Watson’s contract to leverage as a reason to break said contract. Wouldn’t that set off a sh*tstorm?
Wouldn’t that be such a Browns thing?
My friend, a Browns fan: “The awesome part is that as soon as they are done kicking our asses, we will also give them another first round draft pick”
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) January 13, 2024
Ravens News & Notes
BK, Have it Your Way!
This video below caused quite a stir this weekend, leaving Ravens fans wondering if Justin Madubuike had signed a contract extension with the team. I’m hearing that IS NOT the case. This video is nothing more than BK’s teammates heaping well-deserved accolades upon him for being named second-team All Pro, which in turn will pay dividends in the form of a very healthy contract. Besides, if an extension had been agreed upon, why wouldn’t such news be plastered across the worldwide web, sports outlets and social media.
Justin Madubuike new deal?? 👀 #RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/Lc4irPT7Vw
— Maryland Sports Blog (@MDSportsblog) January 13, 2024
YOU RULE!
Sack Pack
Remember when many thought the Ravens would struggle to generate pressure on opposing QB’s? Fortunately it didn’t work out that way.
Alllll 60 sacks by the Ravens defense 😤
More highlights https://t.co/BR753EVtZA pic.twitter.com/1VBIM8egrV
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) January 14, 2024
On this day 23 years ago…
Looking back, this video is bittersweet. It not only represents a thrilling trip down memory lane but it’s also a somber reminder of those men who are now gone but contributed so much. Here’s to the memories of Art Modell and Tony Siragusa.
23 years ago today, the Ravens punched their ticket to the first Super Bowl in franchise history, defeating the Raiders 16-3
Baltimore’s defense forced five turnovers while Shannon Sharpe had a 96-yard touchdown to take down Oakland in The Black Hole pic.twitter.com/rTwdIuk1gB
— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) January 14, 2024
Pilfering The Ravens
A lot of talk these days about the Ravens losing assistants and front office personnel to teams looking to pilfer the team’s think-talent. At the top of the list is defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald. There are coaching vacancies in Tennessee, Las Vegas, LA Chargers, Washington, Atlanta, Carolina and Seattle.
Tennessee isn’t all that desirable given the meddlesome ownership. Vegas is probably going with Antonio Pierce. The Chargers, a team that has some serious cap issues, could make Jim Harbaugh their guy. Carolina is a mess with a lack of draft capital and their owner David Tepper a certifiable narcissist at worst, a screwball at best. That leaves Washington, Atlanta and Seattle as decent landing spots. Washington appears to be leaning towards Ben Johnson while the Seahawks have ties to Dan Quinn. That brings us to Atlanta and word is, there’s mutual interest between the Falcons and Bill Belichick.
Most Baltimore fans feel like it’s a foregone conclusion that Macdonald is as good as gone. I’m not so sure. Not because he isn’t coveted, but because he may decide that these opportunities don’t check off all the boxes. Macdonald will be a head coach one day. I’m not convinced it will be during the 2024 season.
Ravens VP of Football Administration Nick Matteo also part of the Panthers interview process for their open GM job.
That's 7 members of the Ravens organization (execs, coordinators, coaches) who have been requested for interviews elsewhere. https://t.co/roO0qRqmgf— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) January 13, 2024
[Related Article: Wildcard Weekend Predictions]
In Other News
I’ve read where Bills fans are upset about their wildcard game being rescheduled to Monday and Steelers fans are equally upset. Both sides claim that the rescheduled game gives the other side an advantage.
Josh Allen’s arm was designed for this. pic.twitter.com/OVOOmWyvj1
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) January 14, 2024
So typical. https://t.co/rkbJhrX1FW
— Tony Lombardi (@RSRLombardi) January 13, 2024
At the end of the day, I must side with the Steelers’ fans. Slightly better conditions favor the better offense and that belongs to the Bills. The Bills will roll the Steelers!
Peacock Blues
Fans across America hate the fact that they had to watch the Dolphins at Chiefs on Peacock, an app that prior to the game, only 9% of the country had. It will be interesting to see what that number bumps up to and then how far it drops again when fans cancel the app prior to the first billing cycle.
Look, this isn’t about the cost of the app which goes for about the same price as a premium draft at your favorite watering hole. It’s about principle.
Not sure about you, but I had some viewing issues (I’ve had the app for awhile). The screen froze a time or two and at other times, the play-by-play was about 3 seconds behind the play on the field.
Peacock paid $100 million to broadcast that game. I’d love to see how those economics work out. Did the ad revenue plus new sign-ups justify the price – a price that represents 45% of the cost to build M&T Bank Stadium during the late 90’s.
Do you guys agree with John Daly regarding tonight’s Chiefs vs. Dolphins game? pic.twitter.com/S9LEZoQp2r
— Tour Golf (@PGATUOR) January 13, 2024
Oz The Mentalist
Oz Pearlman is an American mentalist, magician, and athlete who lives and works in the United States. He performs as a mentalist under the name “Oz the Mentalist”, and has successfully appeared on America’s Got Talent, winning third-place in Season 10, per Wikipedia.
Pearlman has visited several teams including the Ravens. Here he tantalizes the Green Bay Packers.
https://t.co/7YbUFbEJzP Oz the Mentalist SHOCKS Matt LaFleur & the Green Bay Packers 😮 | Monday Night Countdown https://t.co/TFMhJUHAOy https://t.co/tId2RKqRTj
— Jamaal Al-Din (227's YouTube Chili'🌶 Walmart Mix) (@Spicy_NBA_Chili) December 12, 2023
The Mahomes Preferential Treatment
The Vicis Helmet is newer helmet concept, and is one of the top in all lab concussion tests.
One of the key features is the proprietary paint that is part of the protection mechanism.
Idk if it was ever tested in -4 degree weather!pic.twitter.com/K0SwT8OMq7
— Sam Schwartzstein (@schwartzsteins) January 14, 2024
If this were Patrick Mahomes and not Joe Flacco, the defender would be arrested and given the gas chamber. #Browns #Texans #CLEvsHOU pic.twitter.com/W2S0fm8o1V
— Scott Barrett (@ByScottBarrett) January 13, 2024
🚨First Time in NFL History🚨
Patrick Mahomes’ changing equipment between snaps is the first time in NFL history…
Changing equipment requires a timeout, and a failure to do so results in a flag. Kansas City and Pat Mahomes get away with one here
— Fantasy Fanatics (@FFB_Fanatics) January 14, 2024
Patrick Mahomes is the NFL darling. He gets calls that others don’t. He whines like a petulant child when in the rare instance a call doesn’t go the way of the Chiefs. When Mahomes’ helmet busted open, he initiated the contact. Then when the game officials said that his helmet needed to be replaced, it should have forced Mahomes to the sideline for a play or the Chiefs should have been required to use a timeout. But of course, as it does so often, special treatment was extended to little Pat.
Mahomes to the refs after getting lightly shoved. pic.twitter.com/6cvM9CXMOO
— Thomas Carrieri (@Thomas_Carrieri) January 14, 2024
Andy Reid Tonight pic.twitter.com/jC7VmGW71X
— HARD FACTOR (@HardFactorNews) January 14, 2024
Andy Reid frozen mustache update: pic.twitter.com/ipkzpwKcoo
— NFL (@NFL) January 14, 2024
So how does a mustache freeze? Frozen condensation? Frozen snot?
And why not like maybe, uh, wipe it off?
Tua
Most observers expected the Dolphins to struggle in the elements of Kansas City. But the predictability of the offense was staggering. Head coach Mike McDaniels relied almost exclusively on in-routes, bubble screens and power tosses. Tua Tagovailoa was a one point during the season considered to be an MVP candidate. Looking at that performance yesterday, you have to question if his job in 2024 is in trouble.
“Tua looking for the big play!” pic.twitter.com/oehz6jby1g
— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) January 14, 2024
And that’s how the world turns in the National Football League.
Enjoy the remaining four wildcard games.
I’ve got the Packers losing but covering the 7 points; Rams win outright; Bills cover the 10 points; while the Eagles outpace the Bucs by a touchdown, covering the 3 points.
11 Responses
I’m not an apologist for Flacco. The Browns schedule since he took over wasn’t that hard. The Browns O-line didn’t do much to help him either. As for the interceptions, I saw plenty of them when he was in Baltimore. I didn’t tell them to get excited by his 4 good games. He still has an arm.
As for people upset about the game change and who has the advantage, neither does, because the winner will have a short turn around to next weekends game.
Leave it to some over-bloviating heap shot artists Tony Lombardi to show total dis-respect to a guy who took us to a super-bowl win and how many playoff victories Baltimore wow!!!
Age is affecting this man for sure !
You took that as a shot at Joe? If anything it was a shot at the bloated level of expectation from Browns fans. Nowhere have I disrespected Joe’s accomplishments in 2013. But it’s 2024 and he’s a Brown and that franchise is fair game. They’ve earned it.
Bum flacco stunk. 2 pick-sixes. Awful. Lamar is 10 times the qb he will ever be
Yes, Joe gave up two pick sixes, but he’s been throw picks every game since his return. In the Houston game one was a ball he never should have thrown and the other was to a defender who correctly jumped the route. But he didn’t cost the Browns the game. The #1 ranked defense in the NFL gave up 31 points to a rookie quarterback.
Think about that.
Bingo! All the Browns had to do was protect him and play defense! They weren’t able to do either!
Enough about Flacco and the Browns flop. Give some credit to Stroud and the Texans for a good game. I didn’t expect the outcome.
Let’s be honest. Two teams play and one team wins. Like the experts, I’ve been incorrect on most games so far. I didn’t expect the Texans, the Packers, or the Lions to win. Damn the only game I did get right was the Chiefs game.
So far I’m 1-3. It seems the underdogs are winning. What’s next. I have the Bills and Bucs winning. If things continue going this course, the Eagles and/or the Steelers will win.
Once the playoffs come along, anything’s possible. That’s why they play the game.
Mediocre league with mediocre teams creates unpredictable results on any given game!
You’ve gotta be kidding me. You don’t know Browns fans at all!!! Saturday was a horrible, garbage of a game and no one to blame but the players led by Flacco snd the poor coaching decisions. But that’s not our whole story. I will be forever thankful for Flacco taking our broken, injured team and giving us one hell of a second half of a season. I haven’t had that much fun being a Browns fan since the days of Kosar. I was at the game. I saw the embarrassment first hand — but don’t pigeon hole the best damn fans out there. We’re the first to admit our franchise has sorely lacked, but a fair weathered fan is the greatest embarrassment of all, and fair weathered we are not.
Fair enough. You seem to be among the more reasonable of Browns’ fans. But let’s be honest, Browns fans have threatened children wearing colors other than their own. That’s rather despicable. I’m willing to concede that such reprehensible behavior is the exception to the norm. But to label Browns fans, “the best damn fans out there”, that’s an EXTREME stretch. That’s like saying that Lake Erie is a wonderful getaway locale for those looking to escape the wrath of winter.
If you subtract the 14 points Browns still lose. Browns and Stillers are out. Ravens win it all