Joe Flacco - interested?

[DJasper Probincrux III]

Joe Flacco is on the last year of his deal and an extension has not yet been signed with Baltimore. His agent has already been cited as saying that they are looking for top-tier QB money (think Brady money) http://nesn.com/2012/02/agent-thinks-joe-flacco-deserves-tom-brady-money/ Baltimore obviously disagrees or this deal would be done already. Flacco's play of late can't be helping matters either.

 

Clearly Baltimore won't let him walk for nothing but it's likely he'll end up Franchise tagged at the end of the year which would put him on a 1 year deal at about 14.5 million. I don't see Flacco signing that deal and he'll hold out for more money and more years with a nice payday up front. Assuming that the Ravens don't win the Super Bowl, it's reasonable to think that Baltimore will continue to balk at that and will listen to trade offers.

 

Here are Flacco's 3 year stats compared with Fitzpatrick

 

Flacco

2010 - 62.6% 25TDs 10INT Rating 93.6 QBR 60.4

2011 - 57.6% 20TDs 12INT Rating 80.9 QBR 59.7

2012 - 59.2% 15TDs 8INT Rating 85.0 QBR 50.8

 

Fitzpatrick

2010 - 57.8% 23TDs 15INT Rating 81.8 QBR 48.4

2011 - 62.0% 24TDs 23INT Rating 79.1 QBR 50.5

2012 - 61.1% 20TDs 12INT Rating 85.1 QBR 47.2

 

According to the stats Flacco and Fitzpatrick are having very similar years this year. Flacco's past was much better and Fitzpatrick's was about the same. Flacco is 27 years old, Fitzpatrick is 30.

 

Flacco has had 9 4th quarter comebacks and 14 game winning drives in his career, he's won 5 playoff games (understood that's a team stat), and played very well the last 2 playoff seasons and was a Lee Evans drop from the Super Bowl (on an excellent pass following a last minute drive)

 

Fitzpatrick has 5 4th quarter comebacks and 7 game winning drives.

 

Flacco's stats are not up to snuff with the Mannings and Brady's of the world - statistically he trails Tony Romo as well. Baltimore could easily part ways with him if he doesn't lower his asking price, which I don't think he will. Flacco has a history of acting on his own principles. He originally attended Pitt as a recruit of Walt Harris but trasnferred to 1-AA Delaware when he was stuck behind Tyler Palko. Apparently Matt Cavanagh made that call but he came with Wannstedt when Harris left so you could blame Wannstedt if you wish. He felt undervalued by Pitt and he left. I could see the same thing happening with Baltimore.

 

Is Flacco worth the 2 #1s to sign outright? If not what IS he worth to you, both in trade and in dollars?

 

I like the guy, I think he brings a lot of what we need to the table and is a much safer bet than ANY of the rookie QBs available this year.

[Matt in KC]

Does the transition tag (top 10 $ at position) still exist in the new CBA?

 

And on the topic of franchising... they have to adjust the rules so guards like Levitre don't get same pay as OTs if franchised....

[Buftex]

This kind of reminds me of how I felt that Sunday morning in 2002 when there was buzz that the Bills were pursuing a trade for Drew Bledsoe. It was not an option I had ever considered...and, honestly, as an opponent against the Bills, Bledsoe never really instilled a lot of fear in me... but once it happened, I was thrilled with the move. I guess Flacco isn't my dream QB for the Bills, but I wouldn't be upset, at all, if it happened. For some reason though, I just can't see Flacco running Chan Gailey's style of offense. Maybe it is just me...so, are we getting Flacco and ejecting Gailey?

 

The thing about Flacco, he can look really great some times...and only so-so other times. If you participate in fantasy football (I know, I know...) you become aware that Flacco plays much better at home than he does on the road. Not sure why that is, but it indicates some inconsistency.

 

What I do like about Flacco? Huge arm...seems to have football smarts. And, at 27, he still has a little upside, I think.

Edited December 4, 2012 by Buftex

[You herd it hear last]

why'd you leave out Fitz's playoff stats?

 

 

 

 

 

oh, that's right, I forgot

[Smiley Dear]

Flacco isnt going anywhere. It's all posturing.

[DJasper Probincrux III]

Does the transition tag (top 10 $ at position) still exist in the new CBA?

Yes it does - average of top 10 players at that position. Gives them the right to match but no compensation if they choose not to match.

 

Franchise is average of the top 5 salaries - right to match, get 2 #1s if they choose not to, or they can trade the player's rights which has happened several times for less than the 2 #1 price.

 

You can't use both tags in the same year but the Ravens don't have any other pending UFAs worth tagging.

[boyst]

Yes it does - average of top 10 players at that position. Gives them the right to match but no compensation if they choose not to match.

 

Franchise is average of the top 5 salaries - right to match, get 2 #1s if they choose not to, or they can trade the player's rights which has happened several times for less than the 2 #1 price.

 

You can't use both tags in the same year but the Ravens don't have any other pending UFAs worth tagging.

Not sure on this? Is this something you know? Can you cite it?! I remember looking last year.

[DJasper Probincrux III]

Flacco isnt going anywhere. It's all posturing.

It's certainly posturing but I easily see this getting to a Franchise tag situation, if only to extend the deadline in Baltimore's eyes. Once it get's to that someone could really put Baltimore in a bind if they throw Flacco an offer sheet that they don't want to match.

 

If Flacco gets to a tag SOMEBODY is going to throw him an offer sheet. I'd worry about the Jets and Cowboys (especially if Dallas flames out again with Romo).

 

Not sure on this? Is this something you know? Can you cite it?! I remember looking last year.

Here

 

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d8272422b/article/new-wrinkles-to-franchise-tag-salary-cap-happened-for-reason

[reddogblitz]

I'm interested

[Rico]

Highly unlikely that Joe Sucko gets a franchise tag, as there is no way in hell Ozzie Newsome pays him the average of the top-5 QBs. Just say NO to any more statues, even if they are only semi-brain dead like Joe.

[NoSaint]

It's certainly posturing but I easily see this getting to a Franchise tag situation, if only to extend the deadline in Baltimore's eyes. Once it get's to that someone could really put Baltimore in a bind if they throw Flacco an offer sheet that they don't want to match.

 

If Flacco gets to a tag SOMEBODY is going to throw him an offer sheet. I'd worry about the Jets and Cowboys (especially if Dallas flames out again with Romo).

 

 

Here

 

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d8272422b/article/new-wrinkles-to-franchise-tag-salary-cap-happened-for-reason

 

It'll be exclusive he won't get a single call.

[Rico]

Yes it does - average of top 10 players at that position. Gives them the right to match but no compensation if they choose not to match.

 

Franchise is average of the top 5 salaries - right to match, get 2 #1s if they choose not to, or they can trade the player's rights which has happened several times for less than the 2 #1 price.

 

You can't use both tags in the same year but the Ravens don't have any other pending UFAs worth tagging.

Sucko isn't worth the average $ of the Top 10 QBs either.

[NoSaint]

Sucko isn't worth the average $ of the Top 10 QBs either.

 

Doesn't matter - the drop off of losing him makes it impossible to let him walk

[DJasper Probincrux III]

And in the span of 2 posts the conflict is apprent. One person tells me that they'll give him an exlcusive franchise tag which is the most expensive tag and the next tells me he won't be tagged at all.

 

Fitz (30), Flacco (27), Sanchez (26), one of the rookies none of whom are RG3 or Luck, Alex Smith (28), maybe Tony Romo (32), possibly Phillip Rivers (30) but I seriously doubt it. That's about it for QBs you can have in 2013.

 

If the Ravens weren't coached by another Harbaugh I'd say Alex Smith could happen there. If they stick to their guns with Flacco they could go Romo

[Rico]

Doesn't matter - the drop off of losing him makes it impossible to let him walk

If he keeps having performances like the one he had last week, it'll be pretty easy. There's a good reason why Ozzie hasn't talked contract with him. Actually, I hope they do re-sign him though, I need all the ammo I can get being a Bills fan here in Baltimore. The fanbase is getting restless.

[CardinalScotts]

Dudes been living off their defense...now D not quite as good, and neither is he. Nope.

[NoSaint]

If he keeps having performances like the one he had last week, it'll be pretty easy. There's a good reason why Ozzie hasn't talked contract with him. Actually, I hope they do re-sign him though, I need all the ammo I can get being a Bills fan here in Baltimore. The fanbase is getting restless.

 

They are 9-3. With a real beat up defense.

 

As an offense they are pressing for an identity a little right now, but lets not over exaggerate the problems. There aren't guys on the street that replace him.

 

They tag him, he never plays a down at that salary, and signs a new deal by camp in the Schaub ballpark, not the Brady and Brees.

[KD in CA]

They are 9-3. With a real beat up defense.

 

As an offense they are pressing for an identity a little right now, but lets not over exaggerate the problems. There aren't guys on the street that replace him.

 

They tag him, he never plays a down at that salary, and signs a new deal by camp in the Schaub ballpark, not the Brady and Brees.

I think that's about right. I'm not a huge fan and he's obviusly not a top tier QB, but he's clearly better than Fitz-level.

 

The Ravens biggest problem (other than injuries on the D) is playcalling. Ray Rice gets 12 carries and Flacco throws 34 times in the loss to Pittsburgh. Ridiculous.

Edited December 5, 2012 by KD in CT

[Captain Hindsight]

Does he bring Ray Lewis with him?

[Rico]

Dudes been living off their defense...now D not quite as good, and neither is he. Nope.

I would have to agree with Vinny Cerrato on the Baltimore FAN today. Dude is not instinctive at all, he's not very good at making plays when things break down... also very slow with his reads. He compared him to Montana & Young who he had with the 49'ers (which was VERY unfair, I know ), but again, I just don't like statues who can't think for themselves. Also, his leadership intangibles hover just above zero, he is extremely lucky to have been drafted onto that team.