Joe Flacco, franchise QB?

[Guiness]

One of the mysteries to me from last year is why Flacco has been annointed the prestigious title of Franchise Quarterback by so many writers. There is another article at Sportsline today referring to him as such, and there have been others at the major sports rags.

What gives? Guy was a rookie, threw 14/12 TD/INT, and under 3000 yards. The Ravens did win 2 playoff games, but he threw for 296yds, and 1 td...combined!

Maybe I'm missing something, but sure seems much ado about nothing.

[Partial]

No, not even close. I don't think he was overly impressive. He was surprising for a rookie from a small school though.

[cpk1994]

Re: Joe Flacco, franchise QB?

One of the mysteries to me from last year is why Flacco has been annointed the prestigious title of Franchise Quarterback by so many writers. There is another article at Sportsline today referring to him as such, and there have been others at the major sports rags.

What gives? Guy was a rookie, threw 14/12 TD/INT, and under 3000 yards. The Ravens did win 2 playoff games, but he threw for 296yds, and 1 td...combined!

Maybe I'm missing something, but sure seems much ado about nothing.

You answered your own question. "2 playoff wins" and a trip to the AFC title game. That is what gets him annoited as franchise QB.

[KYPack]

I know what you mean, G.

I just watched the Tenn-Raven game from last year.

Flacco tossed a rookie pick to sink the Ravens in that one.

But I really do think he's a big thing. I was just talking to some guys on Sunday. Ryan and Flacco are probably the best pair of rookie QB's in league history. They both have control of their teams and should have long star careers. You look at most rookie starts, they are pathetic. Those two guys are really playing at a high level right from the jump.

[rbaloha1]

Flacco is on the verge of becoming a franchise qb.

Big and strong armed with good leadership skills. May rise to Rothlesberger (sp?) level. Well liked and respected by teammates.

[3irty1]

Now there's an offense nobody can accuse of being vanilla.

[Cheesehead Craig]

I'm not sold on Flacco really. He made a few nice plays but overall he's kinda underwhelming.

[Dylan McKay]

He gave the Baltimore Ravens consistency at QB. He showed up for 19 games, which is a far cry from the last couple of seasons. He has room to improve, but he won some ball games and kept his team competing on a high level for the entire season.

At this point I would put my faith in him if I was a Ravens fan.

[cheesner]

Playing QB at the NFL level is a very difficult thing. For a rookie to come in and have some success it is really impressive. It is tough to look at just some statistics and determine if a QB is going to be great or not. I only saw 1 complete game and parts of several others and what jumped out at me was the way Flacco carried himself. He has leadership skills. The stats will come later, he has the tools, and appears to have the mentality. This doesn't guarantee success, but he has made it to a level where most draft picks don't.

[Partial]

I'm not sold on Flacco really. He made a few nice plays but overall he's kinda underwhelming.

Agreed. Ryan looked leaps and bounds better imo.

[KYPack]

I'm not sold on Flacco really. He made a few nice plays but overall he's kinda underwhelming.

Agreed. Ryan looked leaps and bounds better imo.

Flacco is a damned good rookie QB.

Ryan might be the best rookie QB of all time.

That last minute pass he made to sink the Bears was a big time NFL throw. He's a top flight QB, of any age.

[packers11]

I'm not sold on Flacco really. He made a few nice plays but overall he's kinda underwhelming.

Agreed. Ryan looked leaps and bounds better imo.

Flacco is a damned good rookie QB.

Ryan might be the best rookie QB of all time.

That last minute pass he made to sink the Bears was a big time NFL throw. He's a top flight QB, of any age.

I'd beg to differ...

"Manning was selected first overall in the 1998 draft by the Indianapolis Colts.[2] In his rookie season, he passed for 3,739 yards with 26 touchdowns, set five different NFL rookie records, including most touchdown passes in a season, and was named to the NFL All-Rookie First Team."

[Partial]

Was just talking about how studly Peyton looked early. I agree that he set a new standard for Rookie QBs. Ryan is a close 2nd, though. Dude was phenomenal.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Manning also threw 28 interceptions, completed just 56% of his passes, and his team went 3-13 his rookie year. So, he wasn't that studly.

[Joemailman]

Although he only started 9 games, I'd say Dan Marino was the best rookie QB ever.