ianv2008
09-11-2008, 02:28 AM
didnt see this posted
Is Flacco taking same path as Big Ben?
September 10, 2008 12:30 PM
James Lang/US Presswire
Joe Flacco's poise in the Ravens' 17-10 victory over the Bengals in Week 1 has some observers likening the rookie QB to Ben Roethlisberger.
Posted by ESPN.com's James Walker
BALTIMORE -- Four years ago, a small-school rookie quarterback burst upon the AFC North scene.
He was inexperienced but owned a strong arm and a veteran's cool. Supported by a veteran defense, the rookie managed his offense and won his starting debut. He also ignited hopes of stirring a run to the postseason.
Sound familiar?
In 2004, that signal-caller was Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. The former Miami (Ohio) star was asked to start in a pinch while leading a veteran team.
In 2008, Baltimore Ravens rookie quarterback Joe Flacco is in a similar position.
No one expects the former Delaware standout to lead his team to 14 consecutive regular-season wins in his first year, as Roethlisberger did as a rookie. Still, Flacco's performance in Week 1 during a 17-10 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals has the Ravens and their fans hoping they've finally found the missing link.
Since the team's 1996 inception, Baltimore usually has lacked quality quarterback play.
"He's given this city great optimism and a sense of what this team can be with him at the helm," Ravens receiver Derrick Mason said. "We can be as good as we want to be, definitely, and it all depends on what we do at that position and how our guys around the quarterback go out and produce. If we can produce as skill guys, then it makes it all better."
No one is anointing Flacco as the second coming of Big Ben, especially after only one performance. Still, there are several similarities.
Roethlisberger was the No. 11 overall pick in 2004 out of Miami (Ohio) in the Mid-American Conference. Despite Roethlisberger's solid production and having all the physical attributes, there were questions about whether he could handle the jump in competition early.
In that spring's draft, Ole Miss' Eli Manning and North Carolina State's Philip Rivers were selected ahead of Roethlisberger.
Coming out of Delaware, Flacco also had questions marks concerning whether he was ready for the NFL game. At 6-foot-6, 230 pounds and with a strong arm, Flacco looked the part. But he fell to No. 18 overall, where the Ravens snagged him. He was the second quarterback selected, 15 slots behind Atlanta's tabbing of Boston College's Matt Ryan.
In 2004, Roethlisberger didn't win the job in training camp. Former Steelers quarterback Tommy Maddox was the starter until an injury allowed Roethlisberger to step in and take over the reins. But as the season unfolded, Roethlisberger kept winning. He took care of the football, and the job was permanently his.
Flacco was the Ravens' third quarterback for most of training camp this summer. But he moved up the depth chart, thanks in part to a season-ending shoulder injury suffered by Kyle Boller and an unexpected viral infection that sidelined Troy Smith.
Against the Bengals on Sunday, Flacco showed flashes of being the type of quarterback who could inspire the Ravens' faithful. His passing statistics were pedestrian: Flacco completed 15 of 29 attempts for 129 yards. But he avoided interceptions.
Flacco's 38-yard touchdown run demonstrated remarkable agility, put the Ravens up 17-3 in the third quarter and rocked the M&T Stadium crowd.
Now Flacco is 1-0 and working to secure the job long term, despite being a rookie.
"I don't pay attention to that," Flacco said of his first-year status. "I've got a great team around me, and I've got 52 other guys that are behind me and behind everybody else on the team. When you have a team like that, it gives you a lot of (confidence)."
There is a certain calmness about Flacco that this situation isn't too big. After calling his route to being a starter in Week 1 "kind of crazy," Flacco spent many late nights watching film and preparing like a veteran, according to his coaches.
Flacco's rapid improvement was noticeable. Many of the mistakes he made in the preseason diminished by the time he took the field on Sunday. His decision-making was crisp and he didn't commit any turnovers against Cincinnati.
"He's just a regular Joe, that's how he approaches the game," Ravens rookie tailback Ray Rice said. "That's how he approaches everything, but he's a quick learner. He never gets too high, because he has to stay at an even keel. So I guess his name fits him, "Regular Joe.'"
Flacco has been the talk of Baltimore this week. Many of the Ravens veterans on Monday made sure Flacco didn't get a big head and stayed focused on the task at hand.
"In true NFL and Ravens fashion, he was brought down to earth by the players on a regular basis," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said smiling without elaborating.
That shouldn't be a problem for the even-keeled Flacco. Although Flacco doesn't know where his Week 1 performance will lead him this season, it appears he will continue to take this situation all in stride.
"Once you get on the field and you're around your guys, it's just football," Flacco said. "It's the same thing we've been doing for the last 20 years."
Is Flacco taking same path as Big Ben?
September 10, 2008 12:30 PM
James Lang/US Presswire
Joe Flacco's poise in the Ravens' 17-10 victory over the Bengals in Week 1 has some observers likening the rookie QB to Ben Roethlisberger.
Posted by ESPN.com's James Walker
BALTIMORE -- Four years ago, a small-school rookie quarterback burst upon the AFC North scene.
He was inexperienced but owned a strong arm and a veteran's cool. Supported by a veteran defense, the rookie managed his offense and won his starting debut. He also ignited hopes of stirring a run to the postseason.
Sound familiar?
In 2004, that signal-caller was Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. The former Miami (Ohio) star was asked to start in a pinch while leading a veteran team.
In 2008, Baltimore Ravens rookie quarterback Joe Flacco is in a similar position.
No one expects the former Delaware standout to lead his team to 14 consecutive regular-season wins in his first year, as Roethlisberger did as a rookie. Still, Flacco's performance in Week 1 during a 17-10 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals has the Ravens and their fans hoping they've finally found the missing link.
Since the team's 1996 inception, Baltimore usually has lacked quality quarterback play.
"He's given this city great optimism and a sense of what this team can be with him at the helm," Ravens receiver Derrick Mason said. "We can be as good as we want to be, definitely, and it all depends on what we do at that position and how our guys around the quarterback go out and produce. If we can produce as skill guys, then it makes it all better."
No one is anointing Flacco as the second coming of Big Ben, especially after only one performance. Still, there are several similarities.
Roethlisberger was the No. 11 overall pick in 2004 out of Miami (Ohio) in the Mid-American Conference. Despite Roethlisberger's solid production and having all the physical attributes, there were questions about whether he could handle the jump in competition early.
In that spring's draft, Ole Miss' Eli Manning and North Carolina State's Philip Rivers were selected ahead of Roethlisberger.
Coming out of Delaware, Flacco also had questions marks concerning whether he was ready for the NFL game. At 6-foot-6, 230 pounds and with a strong arm, Flacco looked the part. But he fell to No. 18 overall, where the Ravens snagged him. He was the second quarterback selected, 15 slots behind Atlanta's tabbing of Boston College's Matt Ryan.
In 2004, Roethlisberger didn't win the job in training camp. Former Steelers quarterback Tommy Maddox was the starter until an injury allowed Roethlisberger to step in and take over the reins. But as the season unfolded, Roethlisberger kept winning. He took care of the football, and the job was permanently his.
Flacco was the Ravens' third quarterback for most of training camp this summer. But he moved up the depth chart, thanks in part to a season-ending shoulder injury suffered by Kyle Boller and an unexpected viral infection that sidelined Troy Smith.
Against the Bengals on Sunday, Flacco showed flashes of being the type of quarterback who could inspire the Ravens' faithful. His passing statistics were pedestrian: Flacco completed 15 of 29 attempts for 129 yards. But he avoided interceptions.
Flacco's 38-yard touchdown run demonstrated remarkable agility, put the Ravens up 17-3 in the third quarter and rocked the M&T Stadium crowd.
Now Flacco is 1-0 and working to secure the job long term, despite being a rookie.
"I don't pay attention to that," Flacco said of his first-year status. "I've got a great team around me, and I've got 52 other guys that are behind me and behind everybody else on the team. When you have a team like that, it gives you a lot of (confidence)."
There is a certain calmness about Flacco that this situation isn't too big. After calling his route to being a starter in Week 1 "kind of crazy," Flacco spent many late nights watching film and preparing like a veteran, according to his coaches.
Flacco's rapid improvement was noticeable. Many of the mistakes he made in the preseason diminished by the time he took the field on Sunday. His decision-making was crisp and he didn't commit any turnovers against Cincinnati.
"He's just a regular Joe, that's how he approaches the game," Ravens rookie tailback Ray Rice said. "That's how he approaches everything, but he's a quick learner. He never gets too high, because he has to stay at an even keel. So I guess his name fits him, "Regular Joe.'"
Flacco has been the talk of Baltimore this week. Many of the Ravens veterans on Monday made sure Flacco didn't get a big head and stayed focused on the task at hand.
"In true NFL and Ravens fashion, he was brought down to earth by the players on a regular basis," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said smiling without elaborating.
That shouldn't be a problem for the even-keeled Flacco. Although Flacco doesn't know where his Week 1 performance will lead him this season, it appears he will continue to take this situation all in stride.
"Once you get on the field and you're around your guys, it's just football," Flacco said. "It's the same thing we've been doing for the last 20 years."