November 7, 2024

Guess who is hoping new Browns QB Joe Flacco fails?

This portion of the season involves getting help from other clubs

When new Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco took the field last Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams, many had their opinions of what to expect from the 38-year-old signal caller.

Would he have rust? After all, he hadn’t played in an actual game since Week 17 of the 2022 season for the New York Jets.

How would he play as a 38-year-old playing a young man’s game? That is an honest question, which was answered in the game as Flacco played well, and except for a horrible interception, he was more than a game manager who would hand the ball off 40 times a game.

Did he still have arm strength? Maybe a bit too much as he sailed the ball over receiver’s heads seven times in the contest. Of course, two were on purpose to save getting a sack, but the others just took off and were wild. But his arm strength is no longer a question. Even his passes have a great spin with a tight spiral.

Cleveland Browns v Los Angeles RamsPhoto by Ric Tapia/Getty Images

Does Flacco have any mobility left? What he proved is that he wasn’t going to gain valuable real estate with his legs, but he did come out of the pocket numerous times when flushed and was able to remain focused downfield. He had several good reads on his scrambles and was able to find an open receiver here and there including the “butt catch.”

Since Flacco remains a practice squad member and is considered the emergency QB3, could the Browns expect a full season out of him? Against the Rams, he showed calmness and the ability to go through his progressions and able to sustain drives.

And after the game, did he receive any adulation from Browns’ fans? Before the game, a good percentage of fans were sold on having rookie QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson (DTR) taking the reins for the remainder of the year. But now? Currently, DTR remains in concussion protocol. It is unclear if and when he will be cleared to play, but even if he is, there is a split camp on whether he should be inserted or go with the seasoned veteran for the rest of 2023.

But against the Rams, Flacco had one deterrent who made no qualms about his desire for him to fail: Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh.

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