USA Today on Flacco: "Joe Cool appears even cooler"

[TL24x7]

Here's an excerpt:


But now look at Flacco. Joe Cool appears even cooler, and presumably better, as his sophomore season approaches.

Instead of Cameron telling Flacco which plays to run, Flacco is the unquestioned offensive leader, lining up teammates as he did before rolling to his right and gunning a 25-yard touchdown pass to newly signed wideout Kelley Washington during a late May passing camp.

More HERE (http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/ravens/2009-06-04-sw-flacco_N.htm)

[ravenjoe]

Good post, TL! I just have a good feeling about this team - the always strong D, with an Improved secondary; a really nice, young O-line that will only get better; a smash-mouth mentality on O, with everything you want in a QB; hopefully, an improved corp of receivers; and a Coaching Staff that is as Good As It Gets, IMHO! So, bring it on, the road ahead is exciting!

[Dragz]

I can't wait til the season starts. I really wanna see how much Flacco has improved.

[Mikerobe]

I'm sure all of us can relate to the struggles and worries when taking a new job. At first it can seem mind boggling, but slowly we adapt and things start to become much easier. The same is true for Joe Flacco, familiarity breeds success.

Just hearing about how he's taking charge on the field leads me to believe that your going to see a much better quarterback this season. With his cool demeanor Flacco can bring leadership without being cocky, and his team mates will follow him into battle knowing that he's ready to be their leader.

Damn, I love the Summer, but Fall can't get here soon enough!

[AWhitt1]

I still feel like it's all a dream. There is no way we have a franchise quarterback that will be a stud in this league for another decade. There's no way!! I have been waiting essentially my entire life for a guy like this, who would've thought we would make drafting a QB look so easy? I know in my heart Flacco is a stud and will only get better, but I always have that feeling like it is too good to be true. Man I can't wait to see what he (and this team) is trully capable of this season.

[RavenTD]

Joe Cool appears even cooler

Darn he must be deep in an iceberg. That guy was so laid back for a rookie QB it was unreal. We have a special QB in the making in Baltimore.Enjoy every moment of it.:happyanim

[Mista T]

I still feel like it's all a dream. There is no way we have a franchise quarterback that will be a stud in this league for another decade. There's no way!! I have been waiting essentially my entire life for a guy like this, who would've thought we would make drafting a QB look so easy? I know in my heart Flacco is a stud and will only get better, but I always have that feeling like it is too good to be true. Man I can't wait to see what he (and this team) is trully capable of this season.


Kick back and enjoy the ride. We have had just two outstanding franchise QBs in the 60-odd years since Baltimore's pro football history began with the AAFC Colts. Unitas and Jones could win games with their arms and savvy.

If "Joe Cool" can ascend to that level of play, and our defense continues to be among the NFL's elite, we could have a powerhouse team that is an annual Super Bowl contender.

[wickedsolo]

It's great news.

I hope that with a year under Cam and Hue's tutelage he will be able to utilize the entire offense and not just the vanilla portion.

[Stealthbirds80]

I still feel like it's all a dream. There is no way we have a franchise quarterback that will be a stud in this league for another decade. There's no way!! I have been waiting essentially my entire life for a guy like this, who would've thought we would make drafting a QB look so easy? I know in my heart Flacco is a stud and will only get better, but I always have that feeling like it is too good to be true. Man I can't wait to see what he (and this team) is trully capable of this season.

I'm so there with you man. Year after year, other teams would get there guy while we're there pondering what could have been. It wasn't to long ago when alot of Ravens fans were ripping the organization for the "supremely talented" Derek Anderson being let go and became a flash in the pan QB. With Flacco we have a chance to be in contention every year for as long as he plays. No team without a franchise QB can say the same and our long search has finally ended. I see no reason for this kid to fail and I'm the first one looking for holes in his game which I don't see, albeit I'm not a pro talent evaluator. He will only get better and I'm talking during this year also. From the first to the last game. Enjoy it. I can say that I may be telling my grandkids about Bazooka Joe in the far future when we were winning multiple superbowls off of that bazooka of a right arm. He is a star in the making.

[Dave Lap]

I'm also really excited about the upcoming season. I can't wait to see how this team looks with Oher at RT, a beefed up Rice catching passes out of the backfield, a healthy D Will, Kelly Gregg, Dawan Landry, etc. etc.

It will be interesting to see Tavares Gooden, LJ Smith, Davon Drew and Ladarius Webb as well.

On the subject of Flacco, I want to see progress in the following areas:

Throwing while rolling out to the right and on the move in general.

Short intermediates passes. Hitting the guy in stride, on the money. He had a tendency to throw high last year on the few shorties he tried. Rice isn't a tall target either.

Quicker reads and going through his progressions more quickly.

I think he'll accomplish all the above and if he does, watch out.

[Lee Van Cleef]

I want to see improvement in his passing over the middle of the field. Passing to the sideline a lot is going to be easy to defend, he needs to open up the whole of the field to make the passing game harder to defend against.

[srobert96]

One of the underrated stories of the off season was Hue Jackson not leaving. Having Hue back as his position coach should help his progress immensely. That along with better protection from the Oline should lead to a big step forward. Now if we can only get Dwill to say healthy.

Remember going into last year the entire Oline was a huge question mark. This year the only question is whether Oher can step up at the RT spot.