Joe Flacco wants to push tempo with more no-huddle offense

[papasmurfbell]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/08/14/joe-flacco-wants-to-push-tempo-with-more-no-huddle-offense/

 

Just what people have been saying about him for about 2 yrs now. Maybe Cam will let go.

[Robjr83]

More like....Maybe Cam will "be" let go

[papasmurfbell]

They are not going to fire now. It would have been done this winter.

[yagersports]

I hope this is true because Joe seems so comfortable with that role. It should also help the deficiencies of the offensive line. I'm still not overly worried about them. I think the group will get their stuff together.

[Robjr83]

Just wishful thinking Papa. I like the quicker tempo but like yager said unless the line improves we'll just have quicker 3 and outs.

[papasmurfbell]

With Joe not having to dropback he will have an extra 1.5 secs or so. Quick passes with the ball coming out in 2.5-3 secs the OL shouldn't be a big issue. The ball would be gone before the D could get to Joe.

[Robjr83]

The D got to Joe a lot in ATL. I think most of that was on Williams and Gino. With Birk coming back I think the gaps wont be so bad.

[papasmurfbell]

Well I have little faith in Birk doe to his age. But if the ball is gobe quickly it should not matter to much.

[yagersports]

Birk was very good the 1st half of last year. He should be good for half of this year as well. That should be long enough to get Gino up and running.

[papasmurfbell]

So you are planning on a line change midseason to get to the promise land. Fantastic concept.

[yagersports]

It happens all the time in the NFL. Injuries occur, guys have to step up. It's about the only way a rookie center gets playing time. Gino is athletically capable and Birk will wear down. The Super Bowl is always paved with overcoming adversity. You wouldn't know much about that, so I won't bother you with the details.

[papasmurfbell]

Actually I can not think of a rookie center starting except an elite one their first yr. Please furnish me with examples.

[Robjr83]

I don't think he's saying Gino's starting from day 1. Only if Birk gets injured or obviously cant physically handle it anymore.

[yagersports]

I don't think he's saying Gino's starting from day 1. Only if Birk gets injured or obviously cant physically handle it anymore.

 

Exactly, he only reads what he wants to read. I wouldn't advocate starting Gino from Day 1. My hope is that he can improve his knowledge of the position so that he can takeover by mid-season or so. I think Gino has the athleticism and smarts to do it. Only time will tell. Perhaps if we get some blowouts this year he can get some reps with Taylor.

[papasmurfbell]

No I get you saying Gino not starting day 1. I am looking for an example of a rookie that is not highly drafted being a starter in his rookie yr. I can't think of any. I can think of rookie guards and tackles starting that were drafted in the 4th or later. OC with the line calls I just can't think of any.

[Robjr83]

So if Birk gets hurt (say week 9 or so) and Gino is the only other center on the roster what do they do. Go get a FA and have him start on less than a weeks notice?

[papasmurfbell]

They also have Borun. He is not as good an athlete but he has been in the system since last yr. They could go out for a FA. They might make due as well as they can until that guy is ready.

[cravnravn]

Actually I can not think of a rookie center starting except an elite one their first yr. Please furnish me with examples.

 

Pouncey. And hes far from elite

[varaven45]

Wanting and doing are 2 different things. If the FO wants joe to push tempo they better unleash Bazooka Joe now !

[yagersports]

So if Birk gets hurt (say week 9 or so) and Gino is the only other center on the roster what do they do. Go get a FA and have him start on less than a weeks notice?

 

Exactly, unless they have zero faith in Gino and he's just absorbed nothing I don't see the Ravens doing anything like that. Gino is expected to be the man here one day. Who knows, if Evans catches that pass Birk is snapping in the Super Bowl. Maybe Gino can just give him a few games off so he can stay fresh. I'm sure the coaching staff is considering all those angles. Can't do something like that if the teams we are facing provide huge mismatches etc.

 

But, if things go well maybe we'll have some favorable matches that Gino can handle. In any case, this team is going to be good......very, very good.

[papasmurfbell]

Pouncey. And hes far from elite

 

He was drafted in the 1st round and was hands down the best center in that draft.

 

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d82921d5e/article/young-guns-top-10-nfl-players-under-the-age-of-25

 

He is also on this list.

[cravnravn]

Sorry hes mot elite. Hasnt played a full season..injury proned

[papasmurfbell]

OK. You would be in the minority that think that.

[cravnravn]

U and stealer fans are the only ones that think it..watch how many times jen gets sacked.

[papasmurfbell]

And most generally objective NFL observers.