52decleetzu
05-25-2009, 07:53 PM
Only his older brother would let the "Melonhead" cat out of the bag....LOL
http://www.baltimoreravens.com/News/Articles/2009/05/The_Other_Flacco_Sounds_Off.aspx
In an effort to provide a fresh – and perhaps amusing – perspective of No. 5, I talked with Mike this week and asked him some questions. After all, there aren’t many people who know Joe better than Mike does. So here’s what he had to say about his older brother/roommate, who also just happens to be the Ravens’ starting quarterback.
You play baseball and you were a quarterback in high school. So, what’s harder? Hitting a wicked curveball or completing a pass as the pocket collapses?
“They are both really hard, and obviously, for certain people, one is easier than the other. But, for the average person, I’d say hitting a ball is harder than standing in the pocket.”
When it came to baseball, were you always better than Joe?
“I was always better.” (laughing)
OK, so how would your brother do if he filled in for you in a game at Catonsville?
“At third base, I think he’d be pretty rough. If you stuck him in the outfield, I think he’d be fine though. Joe never really played in the infield. Actually, he would drop balls that hit him right in the glove in the outfield. (laughing) I don’t think he’d field a ground ball too nicely now.
“You can’t really play catch with him… He’s got a strong arm, but he’s all over the place. I don’t think he could hit the first baseman if he had to.” (laughing)
So Joe has no control with a baseball?
“When he throws it hard, he’s got decent control. But if you just try to play catch with him, he can’t hit you. You’ve got to bring 10 balls.”
So Joe’s arm strength transfers over to baseball?
“Oh yeah. He could throw 87, 89 [miles per hour] off the mound. He just never could get it over 90.”
How would you do if you stepped in for a series against the Steelers?
“I think I’d be scared. I’d feel like a skinny-mini person out there, even though I’m 6-5, 215 pounds. I’d feel like I’d get broken in half. I’d look at James Harrison and just freeze.”
If I asked Joe what your shining moment has been in sports so far, what would he say?
“He’d probably say in Little League, during my 12-year-old season, when I hit 13 home runs in 16 games.”
Now, what would you consider the highlight of your brother’s career?
“Getting to the AFC Championship game last year.”
Was there a point you realized your brother could succeed in the NFL?
“Growing up, it was just always expected that we were going to be in the NFL or in Major League Baseball. At one point, I was convinced I was going to play baseball, basketball and football at the pro level. It was just always expected.
“Over the last couple years, we began to realize just how hard it is to get to that point and how good you have to be. Just knowing Joe, and how good he was, I always assumed he’d be at the pro level. But, it’s crazy how it happened so fast and how it came together last year.”
Does your family ever sit back and realize just how amazing 2008 was for you all?
“There have been certain times when we just look at each other, when we’re eating dinner, and think, ‘Did that really just happen?’ It’s pretty awesome.”
What’s the one play from Joe’s rookie season when you had that “wow” factor?
“The first play was on that reverse to Mark Clayton against Cincinnati. Joe actually made a block out in front of Mark and they scored a touchdown. And then, when Joe scored his first touchdown off that 40-yard run against the Bengals… That will probably be the longest run of his career. That all was pretty crazy.”
What’s the greatest piece of advice Joe has given you?
“He obviously has the talent to play in the NFL. So, I think the biggest lesson he taught me was that when things don’t go your way for stupid reasons you can’t control – like when he was at Pittsburgh and he had to transfer to Delaware – if you just put your hard work in, somebody will see you. That’s what he did, and it worked out for him.
“Now, I’m in a similar situation here at Catonsville. I’m an old kid, baseball-wise. I hadn’t played in a couple years, and I’m now just looking to get a shot.”
Explain what your brother is like a night or two before a game. How much do you guys talk about the opponent or how he is feeling?
“He usually talks to our dad about the game and what’s going on that week. In the apartment, he’s actually just his normal self. He’s laidback. We always go out to dinner, come back and just watch some TV shows. It’s actually pretty boring.”
Can you explain what it was like when you – including your dad and brothers – were all running routes for Joe at home as he prepared for the 2008 draft?
“At times, it was pretty funny because our dad is always thinking he can do [athletic] stuff. It was funny seeing him, a lot older than us, trying to run routes and trying to catch balls. (laughing)
“Joe actually hurt my shoulder, though. He jammed it back with one of the balls he threw. I caught the ball in front of me, and it jammed my shoulder.”
Has there ever been something you pointed out to Joe about football, and he said, “You know what, Mike? You’re actually right.”
“Joe is obviously a lot better than I am at playing quarterback, so I don’t try to give him any advice. Usually, I just make fun of him for his running ability. (laughing) That’s what I stick to… I just make fun of him and his lack of moves. I always had at least a little bit of moves growing up. He’s pretty fast when running straight ahead, but I’m definitely a better runner overall.”
So who wins in a 100-meter dash?
“Right now, I’d say me. He would definitely claim himself, so we’d have to race to decide. But I know I would win.”
Was there a moment you recall when your big brother stood up for you and/or another sibling?
“Joe always stood up for us. He included me in everything. There isn’t a specific incident, but he has always included me with his friends and in anything he did.”
Joe has been able to make it to the NFL because of…
“Mom and Dad. They supported him all the way up and always believed in him.”
The best decision Joe has ever made is…
“Transferring to Delaware.”
Joe can’t say no to…
“Giving a kid an autograph. He has given so many of them, and he is always willing to do it.”
Joes owes me big for…
“Keeping him company this year in Baltimore.”
Most people don’t know that Joe…
“Falls asleep on the couch at 9:30 every night during the season.”
At home, it drives Joe crazy when I do…
“Pretty much anything. (laughing) But mostly, it’s just leaving dirty clothes and dishes around the house. The house is a mess because of me. He’s not a neat freak, but I am pretty messy.”
The nickname Joe had as a kid was…
“‘Melonhead.’ There was a short time there in junior high when he was called that. There was also a time when our dad called him ‘Shaggy,’ because he never wanted to get a haircut. He always just let it grow.”
Growing up, we teased Joe the most about…
“Not hitting any home runs in Little League. I hit the 13 in that one season, and Joe hit none his whole Little League career. One of the other things they made fun of him for in high school was that his right arm was huge and his left was really skinny. There was a pretty big, noticeable difference.”
Joe and I just don’t agree on…
“Not that we ever talk about this or I’d make him try to do it, but that he should buy me a new car. Right now, I drive an old ‘92 Volvo. It starts up sometimes, and it doesn’t start up sometimes. I guess he does buy me nice dinners every night, though. Plus, I’ve been able to live in this good apartment.”
I saw Joe the most excited last season when…
“He scored that rushing touchdown against the Dolphins in the playoffs. That sealed the game, and I could tell just how pumped he was. You could see the emotion then.”
Joe will be a great NFL player because…
“He’s determined to be successful. He’s also laidback. I think one of his biggest strengths is that he doesn’t get too high and he doesn’t get too low. There’s a lot to be said for that.”
http://www.baltimoreravens.com/News/Articles/2009/05/The_Other_Flacco_Sounds_Off.aspx
In an effort to provide a fresh – and perhaps amusing – perspective of No. 5, I talked with Mike this week and asked him some questions. After all, there aren’t many people who know Joe better than Mike does. So here’s what he had to say about his older brother/roommate, who also just happens to be the Ravens’ starting quarterback.
You play baseball and you were a quarterback in high school. So, what’s harder? Hitting a wicked curveball or completing a pass as the pocket collapses?
“They are both really hard, and obviously, for certain people, one is easier than the other. But, for the average person, I’d say hitting a ball is harder than standing in the pocket.”
When it came to baseball, were you always better than Joe?
“I was always better.” (laughing)
OK, so how would your brother do if he filled in for you in a game at Catonsville?
“At third base, I think he’d be pretty rough. If you stuck him in the outfield, I think he’d be fine though. Joe never really played in the infield. Actually, he would drop balls that hit him right in the glove in the outfield. (laughing) I don’t think he’d field a ground ball too nicely now.
“You can’t really play catch with him… He’s got a strong arm, but he’s all over the place. I don’t think he could hit the first baseman if he had to.” (laughing)
So Joe has no control with a baseball?
“When he throws it hard, he’s got decent control. But if you just try to play catch with him, he can’t hit you. You’ve got to bring 10 balls.”
So Joe’s arm strength transfers over to baseball?
“Oh yeah. He could throw 87, 89 [miles per hour] off the mound. He just never could get it over 90.”
How would you do if you stepped in for a series against the Steelers?
“I think I’d be scared. I’d feel like a skinny-mini person out there, even though I’m 6-5, 215 pounds. I’d feel like I’d get broken in half. I’d look at James Harrison and just freeze.”
If I asked Joe what your shining moment has been in sports so far, what would he say?
“He’d probably say in Little League, during my 12-year-old season, when I hit 13 home runs in 16 games.”
Now, what would you consider the highlight of your brother’s career?
“Getting to the AFC Championship game last year.”
Was there a point you realized your brother could succeed in the NFL?
“Growing up, it was just always expected that we were going to be in the NFL or in Major League Baseball. At one point, I was convinced I was going to play baseball, basketball and football at the pro level. It was just always expected.
“Over the last couple years, we began to realize just how hard it is to get to that point and how good you have to be. Just knowing Joe, and how good he was, I always assumed he’d be at the pro level. But, it’s crazy how it happened so fast and how it came together last year.”
Does your family ever sit back and realize just how amazing 2008 was for you all?
“There have been certain times when we just look at each other, when we’re eating dinner, and think, ‘Did that really just happen?’ It’s pretty awesome.”
What’s the one play from Joe’s rookie season when you had that “wow” factor?
“The first play was on that reverse to Mark Clayton against Cincinnati. Joe actually made a block out in front of Mark and they scored a touchdown. And then, when Joe scored his first touchdown off that 40-yard run against the Bengals… That will probably be the longest run of his career. That all was pretty crazy.”
What’s the greatest piece of advice Joe has given you?
“He obviously has the talent to play in the NFL. So, I think the biggest lesson he taught me was that when things don’t go your way for stupid reasons you can’t control – like when he was at Pittsburgh and he had to transfer to Delaware – if you just put your hard work in, somebody will see you. That’s what he did, and it worked out for him.
“Now, I’m in a similar situation here at Catonsville. I’m an old kid, baseball-wise. I hadn’t played in a couple years, and I’m now just looking to get a shot.”
Explain what your brother is like a night or two before a game. How much do you guys talk about the opponent or how he is feeling?
“He usually talks to our dad about the game and what’s going on that week. In the apartment, he’s actually just his normal self. He’s laidback. We always go out to dinner, come back and just watch some TV shows. It’s actually pretty boring.”
Can you explain what it was like when you – including your dad and brothers – were all running routes for Joe at home as he prepared for the 2008 draft?
“At times, it was pretty funny because our dad is always thinking he can do [athletic] stuff. It was funny seeing him, a lot older than us, trying to run routes and trying to catch balls. (laughing)
“Joe actually hurt my shoulder, though. He jammed it back with one of the balls he threw. I caught the ball in front of me, and it jammed my shoulder.”
Has there ever been something you pointed out to Joe about football, and he said, “You know what, Mike? You’re actually right.”
“Joe is obviously a lot better than I am at playing quarterback, so I don’t try to give him any advice. Usually, I just make fun of him for his running ability. (laughing) That’s what I stick to… I just make fun of him and his lack of moves. I always had at least a little bit of moves growing up. He’s pretty fast when running straight ahead, but I’m definitely a better runner overall.”
So who wins in a 100-meter dash?
“Right now, I’d say me. He would definitely claim himself, so we’d have to race to decide. But I know I would win.”
Was there a moment you recall when your big brother stood up for you and/or another sibling?
“Joe always stood up for us. He included me in everything. There isn’t a specific incident, but he has always included me with his friends and in anything he did.”
Joe has been able to make it to the NFL because of…
“Mom and Dad. They supported him all the way up and always believed in him.”
The best decision Joe has ever made is…
“Transferring to Delaware.”
Joe can’t say no to…
“Giving a kid an autograph. He has given so many of them, and he is always willing to do it.”
Joes owes me big for…
“Keeping him company this year in Baltimore.”
Most people don’t know that Joe…
“Falls asleep on the couch at 9:30 every night during the season.”
At home, it drives Joe crazy when I do…
“Pretty much anything. (laughing) But mostly, it’s just leaving dirty clothes and dishes around the house. The house is a mess because of me. He’s not a neat freak, but I am pretty messy.”
The nickname Joe had as a kid was…
“‘Melonhead.’ There was a short time there in junior high when he was called that. There was also a time when our dad called him ‘Shaggy,’ because he never wanted to get a haircut. He always just let it grow.”
Growing up, we teased Joe the most about…
“Not hitting any home runs in Little League. I hit the 13 in that one season, and Joe hit none his whole Little League career. One of the other things they made fun of him for in high school was that his right arm was huge and his left was really skinny. There was a pretty big, noticeable difference.”
Joe and I just don’t agree on…
“Not that we ever talk about this or I’d make him try to do it, but that he should buy me a new car. Right now, I drive an old ‘92 Volvo. It starts up sometimes, and it doesn’t start up sometimes. I guess he does buy me nice dinners every night, though. Plus, I’ve been able to live in this good apartment.”
I saw Joe the most excited last season when…
“He scored that rushing touchdown against the Dolphins in the playoffs. That sealed the game, and I could tell just how pumped he was. You could see the emotion then.”
Joe will be a great NFL player because…
“He’s determined to be successful. He’s also laidback. I think one of his biggest strengths is that he doesn’t get too high and he doesn’t get too low. There’s a lot to be said for that.”