Is Joe Flacco elite?

[Dutchrudder]

I don't think he's elite, but I do think he's borderline Tier 2/3 of QBs. Still quite a few QBs I would take over him though, but he sure did make himself some money this year. I expect the Ravens to franchise tag him, and make him prove it again next year (or at least that's what I would do).

[cdollaz]

He is too inconsistent thruout the season to be elite.

He is like Eli Manning in that he is riding a hot streak and may very well win a Super Bowl while riding it. If that happens, we will then see if he elevates his game to a consistent elite level. But, Eli got the same hype after his SB wins and didn't build on it, reverting to his inconsistent self the next season. Roethlisberger may fall into this category as well.

[Texecutioner]

Originally Posted by AJ-80

I think a good argument could be made for him.

This is a joke.


He had a great playoff run. That doesn't make him elite even in the slightest bit. He is improving, but boy some of you guys sling the "elite" word around really loosely. Reminds me of the guys that started calling Eli elite when he never even led a top offense in this league. Elite QB's lead top offenses every year or at least lead several clutch drives in SB victories. Eli has at least done that twice, but going back and breaking INT records and imploding the very next season hasn't helped his case either.

[Double Barrel]

I don't know about Flacco's elite status, but hearing that he's got more road playoff wins than any QB in NFL history is pretty impressive. They said he has more road playoff wins than 19 teams in the league.

Joe Flacco records record road win

[thunderkyss]

Originally Posted by AJ-80

I think a good argument could be made for him.

I also think he's developing along the same lines as Tom Brady. Early in his career, he had success because of a great defense. Now, he's stepping up & rising to the challenge. He does have a better supporting cast at the skill position than Brady ever had (in their totality) so it's kinda hard to say.

But he's definitely a better QB than he was just last year.

[Playoffs]

It appears to me that Flacco was better than Cam Cameron was allowing him to be.

Going back to 2008, ProFootballFocus rated Flacco at 21st/37, 8th/40, 14th/37, 29th/38, and just 20th/38 this year.

Flacco has never rated higher than Matt Schaub, which emphasizes -- to me, anyway -- that other factors were holding him back.

But there are still a number of QBs I'd rather have at the helm than Joe.

[Goatcheese]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97du1N7Znb0

[IlliniJen]

Two games does not an elite player make. He's been inconsistent at best and there's been a lot of talk about over the years if he's the QB the Ravens need. I think he's another Eli. Wonky in the regular season and can turn it on in the post season. Let's see what he does in two weeks.

I wish folks would stop making snap judgements about players based on an aberration with an otherwise middling track record. People's opinions about "eliteness" are like a fart in a windstorm. Base it on a whole body of work, not just 2 games. Weren't Ravens fans bemoaning his performances just a few short months ago?

C'mon man!

[Vinny]

everyone wants a label. All I know is that Flacco sure looks good when the Ravens spread out and he handcuffs are off of him. Just look at the first half when they ran the ball in conventional sets on first down almost exclusively and then in the second half when they ran more of a spread offense.

[Texecutioner]

Originally Posted by IlliniJen

Two games does not an elite player make. He's been inconsistent at best and there's been a lot of talk about over the years if he's the QB the Ravens need. I think he's another Eli. Wonky in the regular season and can turn it on in the post season. Let's see what he does in two weeks.

I wish folks would stop making snap judgements about players based on an aberration with an otherwise middling track record. People's opinions about "eliteness" are like a fart in a windstorm. Base it on a whole body of work, not just 2 games. Weren't Ravens fans bemoaning his performances just a few short months ago?

C'mon man!

I wish they would stop doing that about random QB's and more importantly about this team and our QB. One minute Flacco sucks, then people are questioning if he is elite or not. One minute Schaub is really good, and then he is totally worthless. It's all this knee jerk stuff that shows when certain people don't really know what they're talking about. I visited a Patriots board earlier and I see a ton of fans acting like Brady needs to be replaced and that Welker needs to go. Certain fans just don't have the stable mentality to analyze a sport to well. I wonder sometimes how they handle their finances when things don't go right.

[htownfan32]

I don't know about Flacco, but that man's cannon of an arm certainly is elite, just judging by the bombs he throws. I'd love to see him drop 50 yarders into Andre's hands, but I wouldn't want him as a Texan. Something about him makes me dislike him, maybe it's the arrogance I see...

[gary]

A QB does not have to be elite just win which would help him become elite.

[thunderkyss]

Originally Posted by gary

A QB does not have to be elite just win which would help him become elite.

I still think Schaub is putting together a nice resume towards that status. A lot of people have written him off, but if he has another season like the last two & win in the play-offs, he'll be in that conversation.

[toronto]

There is a massive difference between very good and elite.

He's done a good job getting himself to the very good category. Elite? Got Avery long way to go.

Add me to the list of people that is getting tired of over-labelling athletes.

[Double Barrel]

Originally Posted by gary

A QB does not have to be elite just win which would help him become elite.

yep. If Flacco has a couple more playoff runs like he did this year, a solid case could be made for him.

8 TDs and 0 INTS is impressive for three playoff games against top tier teams.