Let's get this out of the way right now--Flacco has either got to drop one of those "c's" from his last name or have Figurs give up No. 16, if he is going to reprise the Keanu Reeves role in "The Replacements", and lead the Ravens to redemption and a Super Bowl.
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You know how many times I've almost written Falco.
-- Bill O.

You know I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who does that. But if the presence of a Flaco or a Flacco leads to cheerleaders like in "The Replacements" then who really cares how it's spelled.

I've watched Flacco for two seasons and you're going to love him. I can only imagine what his numbers at UD would have been if he had receivers fast enough to reach his bombs and with hands sturdy enough to hang on to his laser strikes.

You write about "how it happened they got Flunko?" Easy, once again the Ravens panicked, just like when they moved to #19 for Boller. Then they draft a midget running back in the second round. What a joke.

It has been said that Troy Smith had difficult picking up the offense last season and did not look certain in the huddle. Derrick Mason, a veteran, has already admitted that it has been difficult picking up Cameron's offense. The intelligence that is mentioned here could really benefit Flacco as he attempts to learn the offense in Baltimore.

I hope that many will keep in mind that there is no need to rush him into the starting lineup. Kyle Boller, I believe, will earn the starting job at the beginning of the year, because I feel that he will be better able to pick up the offense than Smith. Also, keep in mind that Flacco not starting his rookie season is more of a good thing than a bad thing and for multiple reasons.

1. Left Tackle, the second most important decision on offense, is still up in the air. There is no need to throw Flacco if the line will not block for him. Otherwise, it will be Boller all over again. Let the offensive line show their face as far as their pass protection and then consider the move.

2. If Boller earns the starting job over Smith, which I predict will happen, Flacco coming in mid-season would mean that Boller has struggled(barring injury). That would most likely mean that we are not having a great season. If Flacco is not asked to start this year, it would most likely mean that we are having a winning season, thus, there is no need to interrupt the good chemistry.

3. There's just no point in putting him in there until he has Cameron's offense downpack enough. Otherwise, Flacco is being set up for failure.

Yes, the defense is getting old, but Newsome has done a great job of plugging in guys on defense. Suggs, Reed, Landry and Ngata were all drafted and now starting. As long as the development of that youth continues, the defense should maintain its quality productivity. There should not be a "We have to go for the championship now or never sense". Patience will be very important. We have a new head coach, offensive coordinator and new quarterback(soon enough). Just be patient.

Flacco is another Boller. Best arm in the draft, wont be a bust but wont be a star either. They certainly misread the QB market in this years draft and probably could have had him in the second round. But in Rice they got a great pick.

May have overpaid for Flacco at pick 18, but if they didn;t like Henne at 26 & were nervous if only Brohm was left at 44, the did great...3 3rds & 3 4ths tomorrow will make or break this thing...hopefully then can bundle 2 for 1 & get some of the big names left... Dan Connor, one or two of the plethora of 2nd tier corners, manningham or Douglas at WR, one more O Line body, and a DT...

Nobody wants to take a shot at Colt Brennan, the top QB in the draft and the next Brett Farve.

With 3 picks in the thrid round, get a CB, OL, and Brennan. Drop Troy Smith in training camp.

Boller completion % at cal 48%
Falco % at Delawhere 63%
small difference? I think not

Im usually an Ozzie fan and I think he does a great job in the draft...however I wasnt too happy with the way he handled the draft today...

1) They got too little in return from Jacksonville. According to the trade value chart...the #8 pick is worth 1400 points, however what they got in return was only 1127 points. Clear mismatch! Ozzie should have at least gotten the Jags 2nd round pick. Also I think they shouldnt have moved up to 18, they prob could have gotten Flacco at 26 (but thats just speculation).

2) I didnt like the Ravens trading down in the 2nd round and end up with a RB (Ray Rice)..while I believe he'll be solid, I think they could have easily gotten a backup RB in a later round or they could have traded with Oakland to get Bush, Jordan (MD alum), or Rhodes for a low round pick. I think there are more important holes that could have been filled and they could have taken a CB like Tracy Porter.

While I think Ozzies picks will become solid pros, I dont think they were great for where they were picked.

Uh.....you guys mean "Shane Falco", don't you? Try watching the movie again, if you're going to bother referencing it.

And no, Flacco is not "another Boller". Kyle Boller, had he been drafted by a better passing offensive team, likely would be viewed as a solid QB in the NFL right now. I keep hearing about a couple of big games Flacco had in college, and how he set school records his last year. Well guess what, Boller had a GREAT last year of college, and set records at Cal, a bigger school in a better division. Records that still stand.

And the difference is, Boller has MOBILITY, and when he has protection, he's become a really solid passer. You can't hold our failings last year against him. Look at the Patriots game, where the offense actually TRIED. The line held, Wilcox was healthy.

Just wait till Boller has a solid line to stand behind, Todd Heap to throw to, a healthy Mason, Clayton and Williams to throw to. He's going to thrive in Cam's new offense, he's going to win the starting job this season, and he's going to turn alot of heads and wind up getting a new contract from the Ravens. Joe Flacco is going to sit on the bench for the next couple seasons, before being traded away.

nuff said,with 3 #3 picks ,I see a cb, 2 offensive linemen and by the 4th round a lb. This will be called ozzies greatest draft.

As long as Flacco is not rushed. Let him build confidence as Boller shows him WHAT NOT TO DO.

flacco may have been available to the ravens in rd 2 at pick 40- definitely seemed like a reach at the time. However, there's no doubt he's a much more talented player than Boller coming out of college. Boller's career completion percentage at Cal was 48%. That's terrible, and his inaccuracy has obviously translated to the pro game. Flacco completed over 63% of his throws in college. That means he's accurate, which is what makes having a big arm valuable.

Ungh.
An accounting major.
'Laser strikes.' 'Fast enough to reach his deep bombs' ...
This tells me nothing. There's no need to throw as hard as to break someone's fingers. The man tried. Had better eye-to-hand coordination than anybody here. I've seen some footage that offers hope, but 18th? No,no,no.

Unless there is a miracle taking place Boller will not be extended but will be gone, and we will go into camp in 2009 after having HAD to see some of Flacco to size him up.
Whatever. Bye,Kyle. See ya.
I am more interested in Fabian Washington, Walker, Zbikowski and Rolle & McAllister showing up. Our secondary looks good on paper. Like Flacco. I'm not getting fooled into Spring Football Camp mood again.
Lets be patient.