Ravens should fire Cam and franchise Joe.

[TigerBlood]

The only option I see the Ravens having with the way Flacco is playing is to franchise him. Fire Cam after the season if not sooner and draft a QB in the 4th round or higher next draft. Give Flacco next year to show improvement with a new coordinator and new offense. If he still can't get it, then cut bait and groom the new guy. I wish there were better options but I don't see them right now.

[Andy in Hagerstown]

If the Ravens are going to improve they can't afford to pay Flacco $16 million next season and all of that counts against the cap.

[ckferg]

If the Ravens are going to improve they can't afford to pay Flacco $16 million next season and all of that counts against the cap.

Nor can they afford to give an inconsistent QB a long term contract that will pay him like a top 5 QB. They're between a rock and a hard place.

[TigerBlood]

If the Ravens are going to improve they can't afford to pay Flacco $16 million next season and all of that counts against the cap.

I don't see any other option? You let him walk you aren't getting better next year. You sign him long term and if he doesn't get better under a new coach you set the franchise back for several more years. Franchising him is making the best of a bad situation. Yes, you have cap issues so you can't add much talent, but if you get a new coach and Flacco turns into an elite QB, it's worth it. If he still is inconsistent, you only have one year invested in the guy and you can draft and groom another guy.

None of the options are great, but I don't see a better way to do it with how he is playing now and with nobody knowing if it's Cam that is holding him back or not.

[SugarRay52]

I don't see any other option? You let him walk you aren't getting better next year. You sign him long term and if he doesn't get better under a new coach you set the franchise back for several more years. Franchising him is making the best of a bad situation. Yes, you have cap issues so you can't add much talent, but if you get a new coach and Flacco turns into an elite QB, it's worth it. If he still is inconsistent, you only have one year invested in the guy and you can draft and groom another guy.

None of the options are great, but I don't see a better way to do it with how he is playing now and with nobody knowing if it's Cam that is holding him back or not.

I agree that franchising him at this point makes the most sense. They can't just plug anybody in at QB, they have a terrible QB history. Can they easily find another QB who is durable, tough, can handle playing in the AFC North. Get rid of Cameron and see what Joe can do.

[OriginalColtsFan]

Harbaugh should:

1. Fire Cameron
2. Fire Pees
3. Fire Rossburg
4. Fire Moeller
5. Then fall on his sword, and fire himself.

Discuss.

[Andy in Hagerstown]

Joe Flacco is an average QB. Some average QBs are steady average and others are streaky average. Joe is streaky. His 1st half and 2nd half are a microcosim of his career. I would offer Joe average money not the $100 million that has been thrown around.

The Ravens can't afford to franchise him. It would set back the entire team years perhaps. The offenseive line needs to be revamped. Perhaps even the DL and don't forget the cornerback situation with Cary Williams. If you are the Ravens do you dare let him walk considering what we have seen from Jimmy Smith and Asa Jackson?

I've heard several of the radio guys say that $16 million for Joe cripples the Ravens from doing anything unless they purge on a major level. What's major? Lewis, Reed, Boldin would have to be gone to even make room for the Ravens to sign their picks not to mention any FAs they'd be interested in.

The Ravens are in a pickle of their own making with Joe. But you can't overpay a guy just because you aren't sure who his replacement would be. What's is the saying at the castle, right player right price. I'd like to keep Flacco (right player) but wrong price IMO.

[OriginalColtsFan]

Joe Flacco is an average QB. Some average QBs are steady average and others are streaky average. Joe is streaky. His 1st half and 2nd half are a microcosim of his career. I would offer Joe average money not the $100 million that has been thrown around.

The Ravens can't afford to franchise him. It would set back the entire team years perhaps. The offenseive line needs to be revamped. Perhaps even the DL and don't forget the cornerback situation with Cary Williams. If you are the Ravens do you dare let him walk considering what we have seen from Jimmy Smith and Asa Jackson?

I've heard several of the radio guys say that $16 million for Joe cripples the Ravens from doing anything unless they purge on a major level. What's major? Lewis, Reed, Boldin would have to be gone to even make room for the Ravens to sign their picks not to mention any FAs they'd be interested in.

The Ravens are in a pickle of their own making with Joe. But you can't overpay a guy just because you aren't sure who his replacement would be. What's is the saying at the castle, right player right price. I'd like to keep Flacco (right player) but wrong price IMO.

I couldn't disagree more. Joe is an above average QB on an average team (O-line/WRs) with a below average OC and HC.

[cprenegade]

I agree that franchising him at this point makes the most sense. They can't just plug anybody in at QB, they have a terrible QB history. Can they easily find another QB who is durable, tough, can handle playing in the AFC North. Get rid of Cameron and see what Joe can do.

I agree that this makes the most sense. Flacco has flaws, but his OC doesn't help at all because he keeps trying to drive the car like a Mazzerati when it is only a Corrolla. Bring in another OC and see if he can build an offense around the teams strengths. If you give up on Flacco now, you might as well just dismantle the whole thing and start over.

[TDL]

I couldn't disagree more. Joe is an above average QB on an average team (O-line/WRs) with a below average OC and HC.

Joe's pocket presence,instincts for the game and decision making certainly aren't above average.Mediocre at best.Unless the team has a great OL,great RB's and great WR's Flacco will never be consistent from game to game or from half to half for that matter.

He has above average physical tools and below average mental ones as they relate to the game and his decision making ability.

[OriginalColtsFan]

Joe's pocket presence,instincts for the game and decision making certainly aren't above average.Mediocre at best.Unless the team has a great OL,great RB's and great WR's Flacco will never be consistent from game to game or from half to half for that matter.

He has above average physical tools and below average mental ones as they relate to the game and his decision making ability.

We'll agree to disagree. As I've stated several times before, in order to have pocket awareness, there actually has to BE a pocket in the first place. Joe put up a 121 QB rating, and he's being ragged on? LOL. That's just comical.

[44Defense]

Like I said in my post. The Ravens are in trouble!!!

[SugarRay52]

We'll agree to disagree. As I've stated several times before, in order to have pocket awareness, there actually has to BE a pocket in the first place. Joe put up a 121 QB rating, and he's being ragged on? LOL. That's just comical.

It's like people want to ignore everything else that is wrong with this team. I'm actually at point where I kind of hope that they don't franchise Joe so that he can go to a place where he is appreciated. My choice would be to fire Harbaugh and Cameron (the players really don't like either one of them). Get some real coaching and better drafting from Ozzie (I'm mad at him too) and things will look a lot better with Joe at QB.

[Andy in Hagerstown]

Joe statistically is an average QB the facts don't lie. Could he be better with a better OL, better WRs and a better coordinator? Probably but you could say that about any QB. The wins are nice but that is a team stat. When you look at his career stats as in QB rating, yards, completion percentage, TD's he is statistically average and in some stats slightly below average. I like Joe, I'd like him to be our QB because if nothing else he is tough as nails reliable. But you give him $16 million next year or $100+ you'll regret it.

[AVATAR]

Alex Smith anyone. I'd take him and Vick off there hands in a New York minute.
Flacco is just good. Not great. Not elite. Not the future. He doesn't have the proper awareness to get through a season of real uncertainty.

[SugarRay52]

Alex Smith anyone. I'd take him and Vick off there hands in a New York minute.
Flacco is just good. Not great. Not elite. Not the future. He doesn't have the proper awareness to get through a season of real uncertainty.

So if Alex Smith comes here is he bringing the better Harbaugh coach and defense with him. If the Ravens can replace John with Jim and switch defenses then maybe Alex Smith might due but then again Flacco would have a real coach who can actually get the best out of him. You are one of the knuckleheads who think everything else with the Ravens is fine and Joe is the only problem, dumb dumb dumb. It's also foolish to think that Michael Vick can survive playing in the AFC North. Vick hasn't even come close to taking any team to a Superbowl so he would be fine here and Cameron will make him great? HELL NO

[OriginalColtsFan]

Joe statistically is an average QB the facts don't lie.

Statistics are not facts. Statistics DO lie.

[OriginalColtsFan]

It's like people want to ignore everything else that is wrong with this team. I'm actually at point where I kind of hope that they don't franchise Joe so that he can go to a place where he is appreciated. My choice would be to fire Harbaugh and Cameron (the players really don't like either one of them). Get some real coaching and better drafting from Ozzie (I'm mad at him too) and things will look a lot better with Joe at QB.

I've BEEN at that point, Sugar. Some people think the Ravens can do better than Joe? Personally, I think Joe can do better than the Ravens.

[SugarRay52]

Joe statistically is an average QB the facts don't lie. Could he be better with a better OL, better WRs and a better coordinator? Probably but you could say that about any QB. The wins are nice but that is a team stat. When you look at his career stats as in QB rating, yards, completion percentage, TD's he is statistically average and in some stats slightly below average. I like Joe, I'd like him to be our QB because if nothing else he is tough as nails reliable. But you give him $16 million next year or $100+ you'll regret it.

Unless Joe is willing to come down off his contract demands (which is still very possible) then they will franchise him or let him go. Ozzie doesn't truly want to start over at QB, it would take an RGIII clone being available to them in the draft in order for him to cut bait with Joe. Peyton Manning was right there for them and they didn't even sniff him so they did this to themselves. The free agent QB market is expected to be weak and if Joe hits the open market he will be one of the top QBs available. A weak market leads to overspending just like in baseball (Zack Greinke).

[SugarRay52]

I've BEEN at that point, Sugar. Some people think the Ravens can do better than Joe? Personally, I think Joe can do better than the Ravens.

Please explain this to AVATAR, this dude just suggested Alex Smith and Michael Vick for the Ravens, anyone have a drug test available? LOL I want the Ravens to let Joe go just to prove how truly valuable he is and to complete the Ravens fall from grace. As a true Ravens fan I don't want them to fall apart but that is out of my control.