Of course he's inconsistent. As he proved at the end of last season he's capable of playing like one the best in the league, but he certainly doesn't play that way most of the time.
The big problem is that Flacco is under the illusion that he should be paid like a top-5 QB. That's insane. He's a decent to above-average quarterback and should be paid as such. Use the cap space you save to beef up other areas of the team.
Flacco’s 1st half stats vs the Chargers were 8-18 (below 50%), 44 yards.
His 1st half stats vs the Broncos were 8-18, 77 yards (below 50%), 1 fumble, i int.
game stats vs Cheifs were 13-27 (below 50%) for 187, 1 int.
Vs Texans 21-43 (below 50%) for 147, 2 ints (one a pick 6) and one sack for a saftey
vs Steelers in Balt 16-34, 188 yds, 1 int, 1 fumble
The Raven victories vs the Steelers, Chargers, and Cowboys were due to 3 fluke plays, a punt return, a 4th and 29 conversion, and a kick return. These were not won due to magnificent play of the QB.
The Steelers, Redskins, and Broncos losses can each be attributed to huge game changing errors by Flacco...3 fumbles, 3 ints with a pick 6.
I conclude: Flacco is a 2nd string QB on all the other NFL playoff teams.
I get a chuckle out of this. Wish the Ravens no good fortune but this young man Flacco has put a resume on tape since he started that is the envy of most quarterbacks in the League.
He will certainly have many bad games, most quarterbacks do but that is normal.
Be careful what you wish for. The Steelers have the best record in the NFL since the merger and most of that is because they have had two Franchise Quarterbacks.
They did not do as well in the eighties with Bubby Brister, Kent Graham, and sundry others and then Neil O'donnell decided to throw passes to the Cowboy's DB's in the Super Bowl.
Kordell Stewart and company won games but not the big one.
I tend to agree with much of this. Having a solid OLine cures a lot of ails. Obviously it makes the QB look that much better but by doing that it trickles down and also gives the other skill players a boost. I'd expect your FO to make OLs a premium priority come draft day.
Now as to the main topic I wouldn't necessarily call him inconsistent. He is what he is which is an average to above average QB that has shown flickers of greatness over the years. Again I don't like to harp on this but I really think your former OC was at least somewhat responsible for his up and down performances. When he was given a smart and diverse game plan he carried it out almost flawlessly more often than not (see opening night this year). When he wasn't it was a different story. Give him a full year with a new OC and new ideas and then we can say for sure. Unfortunately for you that means it's looking like you'll have to tag him which could really hurt your cap.
Is he inconsistent? No... not at all.
He's been making the same dumb decisions and stupid interceptions, for going on 7 years now.... To me, he's very consistent.
Don't people realize that there's a business side to the situation? All of these guys want as much money as they can get. Flacco would have substantial value on the open market. So he (and don't forget... HIS AGENT) know they have the leverage to ask for the moon. Linta will do his "market survey" and have a good idea what they can get on the open market. The Ravens will do the same. At some point they decide how much is worth it and how much is not. His resume is very compelling. He'll get a big deal from someone in free agency if he gets there. He'll get a big deal here if he winds up staying.
I've just gone well beyond the dreamy idea that guys are going to, or even less, we should expect them to, give anybody a "hometown discount". Teams will cut players at their own discretion, and players have the right to fight for as much as they can get. Sometimes the team is taking a risk in signing the deal, sometimes the player is taking a risk by not signing a deal. It's all part of the off-field game. Whatever each side decides is on them. Who gives a rats' behind what a guy thinks he's worth in a contract negotiation? Whatever he signs for is what matters.
If you walk in to a room to discuss a job, you know you are pretty good at it, and you know they want you... you're not going to say "Eh, tell me what you think I'm worth, don't insult me, and I'll sign the offer letter"
Well, you could, but you can rest assured you WON'T be making what you COULD be making.
Wow so lets ignore the fact that Dilfer while effective had one of the greatest defenses ever, EVER backing him up. Did it ever occur to you or did your brain process the fact that maybe just maybe the Ravens and Joe could end up agreeing to a cap friendly deal where Joe gets a nice signing bonus. Did it also occur to you that Joe Linta's job as an agent is to start high in negotiations and eventually come somewhere in the middle. Dilfer wouldn't survive on this team, do I have to remind you of the Dilfer in Tampa Bay? or the one after he left the Ravens.
For people to suggest that Flacoo should simply be resigned because "there is no one else" is thinking from a myopic stance.
The ravens are in a tough spot from an organization standpoint, in the sense they are almost forced to franchise him, which would cripple their already current tight cap situation.
You dont want to have a Jets situation on your hands where you pay a guy guaranteed dough and find out 2 years later you've made a major financial blunder
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