2010年8月20日星期五

Joe Flacco's good display in Ravens offense

"I'm more prepared," Flacco said of his third training camp. "(I) just know what to expect and can come out and worry about the things that you have to worry about, which is getting better as an offense. You can calm yourself down and get more work

What's apparent so far is Flacco's comfort zone — the combination of his easygoing demeanor and satisfaction that comes from reaching a level of success when many quarterbacks are still developing. That he has even more to learn is a bigger upside.

In working three days with rookies and players returning from injuries, cheap Flacco jerseys also wants to make sure everyone knows what he's thinking. While Bulger's presence adds depth, he's there to advise Flacco on things when asked.

Flacco's eagerness to pick the new veterans' brains could help provide insight and perspective toward that end. For sure, he's not taking consecutive playoff berths for granted. Flacco is striving this season to win the AFC North division and use that to earn Baltimore's first Super Bowl berth in 11 seasons.

Ravens coach John Harbaugh added, "He's really getting to the point (that) the whole offense becomes his offense so he can do more things, run more things, make more adjustments at the line of scrimmage (and) execute under fire a little bit when he's got to play fast. … Obviously, you have to score points and score them in the red zone, and we need to better. That'll be something I think he'll take the next step on."

"I'm just looking for growth. I'm looking for consistent performance in practice, and meetings and normally the game takes care of itself. His talent level and drive will get him where we want him to be."

"Most quarterbacks don't get the luxury — and I don't know if it's a luxury — they don't have the opportunity to come in the league and learn how to win," said Cameron, also in his third year with Baltimore. "Joe has learned how to win football games, and now it's just a matter of winning more football games and playing. You know, tightening up any details that maybe he didn't understand the last couple of years. But that's normal.

Cameron's confidence that Flacco will grow stems from Flacco's two years of seasoning and a belief he is primed to take that next developmental step like many third-year players. That he's already part of an elite group demonstrates his mastery of the hardest challenge facing young quarterbacks — winning games.

At times Flacco struggled in the red zone, throwing four interceptions inside the 20. That's one weakness he has addressed in the offseason, working with offensive coordinator Cam Cameron and new quarterbacks coach Jim Zorn.

Flacco's 315 completions in 499 attempts for 3,613 yards and 21 touchdowns were all improvements on his first year — as was his 88.9 passer rating — while his 12 interceptions held steady with his rookie season. There was a five-game lull, a midseason stretch during which the University of Delaware product threw for two scores with six interceptions and went three consecutive starts without a touchdown.

How Flacco meshes with his beefed-up receiving corps remains to be seen, but his first two seasons leave no doubt he can get them the ball. He's coming off his second consecutive playoff appearance — joining Ben Roethlisberger, Dan Marino and Bernie Kosar as the only quarterbacks to reach the postseason in their first two years — and boosted all the important statistics.

"As a quarterback it has to be your offense," Flacco said after practice at McDaniel College. "I want to be able to go out there and just run the show and go up and down the field, blow out points on the board and come out successful. That's what it's all about."

PHOTOS: NFL cheerleaders on the sidelines

But the biggest sign that this is Flacco's offense was Marc Bulger's understanding upon signing this spring that his sole role would be as a backup quarterback for a team many consider a serious Super Bowl contender.

And while Flacco laughs at the ownership label, he fully claims it, especially with all the options the Ravens provided him in the offseason. Baltimore's biggest acquisitions were Pro Bowler Anquan Boldin via trade from the Arizona Cardinals jerseysand Donte' Stallworth via free agency, giving him two more deep threats along with veteran Derrick Mason. The Ravens also drafted tight ends Ed Dickson (Oregon) and Dennis Pitta (Brigham Young).

Taking title of the wholesale Baltimore Ravens jerseys' offense was inevitable for quarterback Joe Flacco, given how well he has driven it in his first two seasons.


没有评论:

发表评论