Baltimore Sun columnist Mike Preston wrote a piece about fixing the Ravens next season and part of his solution involved an open competition between starter Joe Flacco and backup Marc Bulger.
Re-sign backup quarterback Marc Bulger. The Ravens should have an open competition between Bulger and Flacco at training camp. Clearly at this time, Bulger is the better quarterback even though the Ravens would be embarrassed to admit it. After three years, Flacco still hasn’t proven he is the answer at quarterback. Bulger gives the Ravens another option, and the competition might bring out the best in Flacco. There are certain snap shots of things Flacco did this season which makes you wonder if he’ll ever be a top-notch quarterback.
While I generally agree with Preston’s critical assessments of the Ravens, I think his point here is incorrect. Teams that make that dramatic of a shift on their offense can’t expect to pick up the pieces and improve. Bulger may be the better option at QB, but he’s not the longterm answer.
While I’ve been incredibly critical of Cam Cameron this week, I still think the better option is a play caller that is more geared for the weapons the Ravens have on offense. Understanding that Cam Cameron didn’t drop a fourth down pass or fumble a ball in the second half, or drop a snap, he did make the predictable play calls that gassed the Ravens defense all season and allowed defenses to feast on this talent.
A quarterback competition doesn’t solve anything. Joe Flacco didn’t do anything to show that he isn’t on the right path and I don’t think a competition pushes him any faster.
I don't think a QB competition is the answer either. Shoring up the offensive line needs to happen, looking at replacements for older defensive players should be a priority. Getting someone like Plexiglass Burris who can stretch the field for Flacco should be a priority. Joe should get one or two more years to prove himself, if he can't do it in that timeframe, then look elsewhere.
I agree with your assessment of Joe, but I'm still critical of Cam. I think getting Plexico won't really do anything. They had a guy that could stretch the field this year, Stallworth, and the did nothing with him.
I don't think a QB competition is needed. Look at Joe Statistic Numbers in all categories including TDs, he has improved. He need more time prove himself
His numbers are improving for sure, I would like to see a few of the intangible things improved upon next season. I want to see more receivers hit in stride and more awareness inside a collapsing pocket.
Joe's accuracy in passing made a huge improvement this year. Huge. We didn't see Mason twisting all over the place to catch the pass thrown behind him. We didn't see Heap stretched full out up the middle every time. And we saw lots of hitting guys in stride and bullets through tight coverage along with subtle passes landing where only the intended receiver could get it. I think that's the single greatest improvement Joe made this year. In addition, his awareness of the defense and moving around to extend the play really started to show the latter 1/3 of the year. I really believe he's making much better progress than most people give him credit for. He can't make up for receivers who can't get separation and he can't do much when the o-line isn't protecting him or creating openings for the run. Joe's effective when the run is established and the defense doesn't get to predict that every play is a pass. Sure up the o-line and get a speedy receiver in there and it'll cook.
Blaming the line is reasonable, but blaming the receivers…maybe in the Pittsburgh game but not all year. Speedy receiver, they had one his name was Donte Stallworth, he caught two passes all year and was the "end around specialist."
I'm not sure if we watched the same guy this year, but I saw a ton of under thrown passes and Houston's defense gave him trouble (that was in the last 1/3 of the year). Even Joe said that he runs the plays that are called and doesn't audible.
If you blame to receivers for this year the Joe has no hope. These guys are stars and if they're not open enough for Joe then he's never gonna have guys that are open enough.
I agree with the analysis. I've watched the playoff games, and it seems Joe Flacco has alot of talent around him, and many dumpoff passes he'll throw go's for more than 10 yards. And it's obvious qb winning ratios on the Ravens is pointless to discuss. Most backups would accumulate playoff appearances on that team.
The issue is his clinch performances, and they're poor. Mark Sanchez is inaccurate passing, but he delivers for his team in the clinch. Add that and the fact he has balls(takes shots deep and will force throws when neccessary), and I would gladly accept Sanchez over Flacco.
I'm right there with you Moon, only I think it's just a tad too early to start the Sanchez/Flacco debate. Although maybe just a couple days too early.
If Sanchez can take the Jets to the Super Bowl I think you're right on.
Sanchez backed into the playoffs the past 2 post-seasons. In 2009, the Colts sat Peyton so the Jets made the wildcard. This year, they lost their last game.
Sanchez's stats in this year's games are horrible. Those wins say a lot about the Team.
I'm not sold on Sanchez either. Jets were losing in Indy when they were depending on his arm (first half). When they went to predominently run offense is when the Jets took the lead. Sanchez nor Flacco take games over and put the team on their shoulders. I think Flacco is missing the "I'm gonna win the game for us" attitude that Ben, Peyton, and Brady have. He's a solid QB but hasn't taken his team to the promised land. Give him a couple more years and see if he can.
I'm not blaming Joe for Stallworth's lack of playing time. I'm not blaming Joe at all. What I am saying is don't blame the receivers. I completely disagree that these guys didn't get open. I think that Joe isn't comfortable enough to throw into coverage. These guys are top tier, but they won't be wide open every play. No one will.
In my opinion, Joe isn't comfortable enough to throw to a guy with even a little coverage and I don't think he can throw the deep pass.
That doesn't mean that I don't think he improved this season…I absolutely think he did and I don't believe in a competition or wanna run the guy out of town.
Not comfortable throwing to a guy even with a little coverage? You must not have been paying attention at all. He constantly threw into tight coverage with very accurate passes this year – for the first time. And you can't throw deep when no one goes deep. He's got the arm. But no one can go down there.
He might have the arm, but so did Kyle Boller. Hit a receiver in stride. I saw that happen maybe twice this season. All I'm saying is that if you're blaming the receivers there's no argument. These guys are top tier.
If you're listening to 105.7 this second (11:51 AM Eastern Standard Time) the topic is Joe Flacco's ability to throw down field. Both hosts say he can chuck the ball, but constantly overthrew guys this year.
I’m a Niner fan, and as such I hate Alex Smith.
Then there’s Flacco, and he seems similar despite his better performances.
If there’s no QB competition between Flacco and Bulger, then Bulger needs to go. He’s unassumingly becoming a distraction.
Bulger…are you people serious? Bulger without Issac Bruce and Tory Holt is horrible. Get a grip. Zach you obviously don’t watch much football. Watched football for over 31 years and played it as well and once you even slightly compare Flacco to Boller your opinion means absolutley NOTHING!
You actually can blame the wideouts, they drop sure TD’s and easy first down receptions and you say we can’t blame them? Get a clue! You also need to blame the front office for signing the same reciever over and over again. Mason, Q and Housh are pretty the same player, or at least have the same skill set. Made no sense to sign TJ, none at all. Once Stallworth was healthy he should have been the number three wideout.
Watch some of the shows on ESPN or NFL network that use coaches film and you can plainly see that most times the Ravens wideouts don’t get open, it’s a fact of life. Joe had to throw into incredibly tight coverage all season and did it pretty darn well I might add.
I guess if Joe was any good he’d throw for 5,000 yards and 45 td’s every year, but since he’s a bumb he’s only pretty much top 10 in everything this past season… #7 QB rating, #11 yards, #10 Td passes, #11 fewest ints (225 att or more), #11 comp pct, #11 yards per pass att…yeah, he sucks and Bulger should have a chance to compete for his job. Preston is a tool!