Interview with Ravens QB Joe Flacco

When the good folks at Reebok read Yardbarker's coverage of the 2008 NFL Draft, and saw that I have ties to Baltimore, they thought it would be a good idea for me to get on the horn with Joe Flacco, the newly minted face of Baltimore football. And a good idea it was, hon.

[Note to Joe: Start saying "hon" all the time. People in Baltimore will love you for it.]

Joe was in New York City when we spoke.

Prior to Flacco's selection (#18 overall) in this past weekend's NFL Draft, nearly all Ravens fans agreed that Baltimore needed a QB. A few of us like what we've seen in Troy Smith, but by no means is he a sure thing. Or even a safe bet. Also, Troy Smith never says "hon," so that's a black mark on his resume, definitely. A lot of fans wanted Matt Ryan. Not me. I think Matt Ryan is overrated. Frankly, I'm not sure who I wanted (or want) behind center. Baltimore's history of mediocrity at the QB position has made me skeptical and cynical of most every available option. Flacco is going to have to earn my support. No more unconditional love for Charm City QBs. At least not from me.

This year marks only the second time in franchise history that the Ravens have selected a QB in the first round. The first was Kyle Boller, who the team drafted only after a failed attempt to trade-up and select Byron Leftwich. This year was similar, because Flacco reportedly was second on Baltimore's list, behind Boston College QB Matt Ryan.

I asked Flacco if being second fiddle to Ryan is something that he's discussed with either Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome or anyone else in the organization. Not at all, he said. "They wanted me."

I went fishing, but Flacco wouldn't take the bait. Smart guy. And it's not like the Ravens didn't like Flacco. Far from it. Ozzie Newsome & Co. liked only two QBs this year: Ryan and Flacco. They weren't going to select Brohm, Henne, Booty, Woodson, Ainge, Josh Johnson or any of the other guys in this year's crop. It was Ryan, Flacco or bust.

The former Delaware QB has never been shy in his belief that he was the best gunslinger available this year. Better than Ryan. Better than Brohm. Better than Henne. And that was the first thing about which we spoke, just as soon as I finished welcoming him to Baltimore, and congratulating him for inking a deal with Reebok. Hey, dude's gotta eat.

What separates Joe from Matt Ryan? He believes it's his accuracy and decision-making. He also pointed out that he stays accurate under pressure. "I react well to pressure," he said.

Flacco wants the ball in his hands. So does Matt Ryan, but the difference is that Ryan too often puts the ball in the other team's hands. Eighteen (18) interceptions is far too many for a QB in his senior season. By comparison, Flacco had only 15 interceptions... during his entire career. Fans of Ryan frequently cite the fact that Ryan played with below-average wide receivers at Boston College; however, without ever having watched Delaware football -- at least not since my days at Villanova, back in the Brian Westbrook era -- I feel comfortable saying that Ryan's receivers were probably better than the Blue Hens at Delaware.

What impressed Ozzie? The Ravens sent Flacco a copy of the playbook, giving him only 24 hours to digest it. Run and pass protections. Formations. And so on. Flacco approached it calmy. "You can't act like it's overwhelming," he said. "They don't expect you to know it all in 24 hours. You need to have a basic understanding and be confident." Flacco aced his test. Ozzie and his crackpot staff of scouts also fell in love with the QB's size and arm strength. "I'm a big, strong kid," he said.

AFC North: "Ridiculous competition." he says. "Cincy is on the verge of being a good team, and of course Pittsburgh is there every year. Cleveland just missed the playoffs last year."

Advice for Ravens fans? Flacco suggests picking up a new Ravens jersey for this season, but even though #5 Flacco jerseys are already available for sale, he suggests buying one for a player "cooler" than him. Personally, I won't ever buy another Ravens jersey until Ray Ray retires. It's sacrilegious. But if Flacco pans out and Ray gets put out to pasture in a few years, I'd happily rock the jersey of a franchise quarterback. In the meantime, I'm sure we'll see plenty of white, purple and black #5 jerseys next season in Baltimore, all of which I'm sure will look excellent with purple camo.