Derrick Mason talks about Flacco
On his initial impressions of rookie QB Joe Flacco: “He can throw the ball, he can throw the ball. Of course, there are a lot of other things that he needs to learn about playing at this level, but for one thing, the guy can throw the ball, and I’m pretty sure that’s the reason they brought him here. That’s one reason why they brought him here, and that he was a very smart young man in college in his decision-making and everything, so hopefully he can transfer over to this league. And he’s got some good guys in front of him that he’s able to learn from in Troy [Smith] and Kyle [Boller], so I know those guys will help him out and [quarterbacks coach Hue Jackson] will be helping him out a lot as will [offensive coordinator Cam Cameron]. So he has a great surrounding cast around him for whatever he needs to find out.”
On what impressed him with Flacco: “Of course his arm strength. The one pass he threw to [wide receiver Mark Clayton], I think was about 50 yards down the field in the air on target. The way he commanded the huddle with the team that was in there with him [also impressed me]. I think that speaks volumes of him, and he’s just got to continue to do that, and I think the more and more he’s out there and the more and more he’s around the guys, he’ll get used to everybody and feel more confident. But, getting everybody in the huddle and getting going [was impressive].”
On if Flacco has a quiet personality: “He seems quiet. I haven’t really gotten the opportunity to [get to know him yet]. From one day, I can’t tell you all about his personality, but he seems like a pretty quiet guy. But I’m pretty sure once he gets used to everybody else, he’ll be the same guy that he was at Delaware . He’ll open up, and he’ll start to laugh and chuckle it up with everybody else. So right now he’s just like any other rookie, he’s trying to feel his way through. But once he really gets in there and starts throwing the ball and starts hanging out with guys, he’ll open up.”
On if Flacco was both strong and accurate in practice: “He’s doing good out there, and what he needs to do now is each and every day step out there, just like everybody else, each and every day, we step out there to get better. And I’m pretty sure he probably told you there are some things he needs to get used to, [including] the speed of the game. But from first glance, the guy is what they thought he was going to be. He’s a big guy, he can throw the ball, and he can put it on target.”
Comments
How is the LT position looking so far in camp? Gaither And Terry looking up to the challenge?
Posted by: Nelson | May 11, 2008 4:42 PM
I hope he works out
Posted by: Stevers | May 11, 2008 6:47 PM
I am glad Flacco has a strong arm, but can he drop to one knee and throw it through the uprights from the 50 like Boller? I know that has really helped his career a lot.
Posted by: frox | May 11, 2008 10:32 PM
Positive comments are great to hear , I know Cameron is the master of the 15/20 yard pass route , can the O-line give the Q-back five seconds to throw them?
Posted by: Jim from Dundalk | May 12, 2008 10:23 AM
I think Smith has earned the right to start with a clean deck after showing such poise and leadership last year.
The Boller experiment should be coming to permanent close as far Kyle competing as a starter. Like Chris Redmon before him, it just isn't there.
Flacco is question mark and nothing more at this point.
Posted by: Miiiike | May 13, 2008 8:48 AM
Give the kid time and he will be fine. He has the potential to be great and if given the proper coaching he will excell in the NFL. Smith should start this year while Flacco continues to learn and mature.
Posted by: cfanel | May 15, 2008 12:20 AM
to sit this kid would be a crime.
there is not the slightst doubt in my mind he will be the best player in the draft. parcels picked a slow footed offenseive lineman and an arena football qb. he is an way over the hill jerk now no belacheck walsh or paul brown thats for sure. flacco may not be tom brady but nobody ever was a t've seen every qb starting with sid luckman but he will be close.
Posted by: john i know evrything manders | May 19, 2008 9:58 AM
Someone on the forum said Tim Couch had "it" Uh, obviously you have no idea what "it" is. "It" doesnt mean success itself, rather, "it" is the willpower to dominate others and the refusal to submit under pressure. "It" is the "baller" instinct. That is what Ray Lewis is. Pure alpha male. So is Troy Smith. And im not saying this because a couple of games in the nfl. Troy Smith has always been a baller. The question is how much will his height and only slightly above nfl average arm strength will hurt him. But the guy without doubt has "it" He is a true football player. And to all those comparing Boller and Flacco: You are all uninformed blowhards. Watch tape of him in college. He is clutch. And to all those who say he played against easy competition: Poor defensive backs plus poor receivers= the same amount of seperation and window to throw the ball as in the top division. His wideouts werent exactly spectacular.
Boller: Strong arm, no accurracy and no football instincts or toughness.
Flacco: Strong arm, accurrate and a gritty competitor who delivers in clutch situations.
The only real question about him was his footwork. Well, he beat Dixons time in the cone drill at the combine (agility drill), so he is obviously agile enough to move around the pocket effectively. He also ran the 40 in 4.7. Half a second faster than Tom Brady. Thats 0.5 faster for all my friends in Dundalk. Seriously, can we please stop comparing the two. And to all those suggesting Boller might improve under Cam, well, DUh! Who wouldnt improve from Billicks horrible play calling and young line with a whole year of experience together? (BEN GRUBBS IS REDICULOUSLY TALENTED AND NASTY!) But to suggest he could actually be the starting QB of the future? HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAH?? I mean COMMON? HAve you watched they guy? Yeah, he doesnt have a lot of time to throw the ball but did any of you consider that is just his fault as the o-lines? Manning and Brady have more time to throw because their olines are good, sure, buts an enormous part of that equation is that teams respect their downfield passing ability and shift the coverage deeper. Boller cant consistantly deliver so teams stack and blitz us to death and the Boy QB (Young man QB now? I dunno) cant make the reads and release it quickly with touch. Would a game breaking receiver make things easier? Sure, but true gamebreakers are a lot rarer than people think. Heap mason clayton williams smith wilcox isnt a horrible squad either though. Anyways im rambling. Boller sucks, end of story.
Posted by: responder | May 25, 2008 5:58 PM