Joe Flacco Has Earned Elite Status as an NFL Quarterback

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco has had his share of detractors during his career, but his performance in leading the team to victory in Super Bowl XVII should finally quiet the naysayers.  Flacco completed 22 of 33 passes for 287 yards and three touchdowns in Baltimore’s 34-31 victory over the San Francisco 49ers February 3rd.  In four post season games this year, Flacco threw 11 touchdown passes with no interceptions.  Along the way, Flacco led the Ravens to wins over elite quarterbacks Peyton Manning and Tom Brady.  His performance in the Super Bowl earned him the game’s Most Valuable Player Award. 

In other words, he did everything he could to bring the championship home to Baltimore, and succeeded.  The bottom line in the NFL is winning, and he did that.  He reminds us of the situation with the New York Giants’ Eli Manning a few years ago.  Manning was often trashed in the media until silencing the critics by beating the undefeated New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII.  For good measure, he led the Giants to another championship in Super Bowl XLVI.

Flacco’s performance will prove to be a financial windfall.  His contract is up, and there is talk that he could earn $20 million per season in his next deal.  We’re thinking the Ravens will avoid a public relations disaster and sign him to a long term deal.