Joe Flacco

Joseph Vincent "Joe" Flacco (born January 16, 1985) is the starting quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens. He played college football for the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Delaware. He was the 18th overall pick by the Ravens in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft.

In his rookie year, he threw for 2,971 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions while starting all 16 regular season games to become only the eighth rookie quarterback in NFL history to start a playoff game. By leading the Ravens to two road wins in the 2008-09 NFL Playoffs, he became the first rookie quarterback in league history to win two playoff games. In his second season, Flacco improved to 3,613 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions, and set single season franchise records for completion percentage (63.1) and quarterback rating (88.9). In his third year in the NFL, Flacco is ranked first all time in Ravens history for passing yards (10,081) and passing touchdowns (60). By starting in two playoff games in 2009, Flacco earned the record for most starts by a quarterback in the first two seasons in NFL history (37). Flacco became just the fourth quarterback to bring his team to the playoffs in his first three seasons, and is the first to win a game in each.

Early years
Flacco comes from a tight-knit Italian-American family. He played football at Audubon High School in Audubon, New Jersey, and was the starting quarterback for the Green Wave. The Flacco family is originally from Haddon Township, New Jersey, where his parents live today. Regarded as a three-star recruit by Rivals.com, Flacco was listed as No. 39 among quarterback prospects in the class of 2003.

Pittsburgh
In 2003, Flacco was redshirted as a freshman for a team that went 8-5.

In 2004, he was the backup quarterback finding limited playing time behind starter Tyler Palko. He only saw action in three games against Ohio University, University of Nebraska, and the University of South Florida. He finished the season with one completion for 11 yards.

Delaware
After the 2004 season, Flacco transferred to the University of Delaware. He was not awarded the one-time transfer exception from the University of Pittsburgh, so he was not eligible to receive a scholarship and participate in Delaware's 2005 season.

Flacco saw his first full-time action during the 2006 season. He put up good numbers for the Fightin' Blue Hens with nearly 3,000 yards, and 18 touchdowns with 10 interceptions. Delaware struggled to a 5–6 record, and failed to qualify for the FCS playoffs.

In the 2007 season, Flacco led his team to an 8–3 regular season record while compiling over 3,300 yards, 18 touchdowns and only 5 interceptions. He was considered one of college football's most accurate passers in 2007. Arguably his best game came against Division 1-A Navy where he threw for 434 yards and four touchdowns. Flacco showed another solid performance in the first-ever meeting against the Delaware State Hornets in the first round of the playoffs. Behind Omar Cuff's record-setting day, Flacco threw efficiently for 189 yards and a touchdown, leading the Blue Hens to an easy 44–7 victory. Flacco continued Delaware's playoff run by upsetting the Northern Iowa Panthers 39–27 in the FCS quarterfinals and upsetting the Southern Illinois Salukis 20–17 the next weekend in the semifinals. Flacco threw for over 200 yards and two touchdowns against both the Panthers and Salukis, but went on to lose in the championship game to the Appalachian State Mountaineers 49–21.

Flacco set 20 school records during his career at Delaware.

In early September 2009, a 20- by 30-foot poster of Flacco was added to the facade of Delaware Stadium.

2008 NFL Draft
With a solid showing at the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine, Flacco solidified himself as a top five quarterback in the 2008 NFL Draft. Most experts agreed that he would be off the board before the end of the second round. Flacco also won the long distance throw competition in ESPN's State Farm College Football All-Star Challenge with a 74 yard throw. He beat out Matt Ryan, Colt Brennan, Chad Henne, and John David Booty, then won the Taco Bell Quarterback Scramble with a time of 15.72 seconds. In addition, he scored a 27 on the Wonderlic exam.

Flacco was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens 18th overall in the 2008 NFL Draft, becoming the highest drafted player ever from the University of Delaware. He was also the first Division 1 FCS (formerly 1-AA) quarterback selected in the first round of the draft since Steve McNair went third overall to the Houston Oilers in the 1995 NFL Draft.

Baltimore Ravens
On July 16, he signed a five-year contract with a maximum value of around $30 million and $8.75 million guaranteed.

Regular season
Due to a season-ending injury to incumbent starter Kyle Boller and an illness to former Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith, Flacco became the starting quarterback in the 2008 season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals. Flacco completed 15 of 29 passes for 129 yards, his longest pass being a 15-yard play to Derrick Mason. He threw no touchdowns and no interceptions in his debut, but he had a 38-yard rushing touchdown, which was the longest rushing touchdown by a quarterback in Ravens' franchise history. Flacco's touchdown put the Ravens up 17–3, and the team eventually won the game 17–10.

Flacco then led the Ravens to a 28–10 week 3 win over the Cleveland Browns (the week 2 game with the Texans was postponed due to Hurricane Ike).

In a week 4 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Flacco played his first road game, his first Monday Night Football game and also threw his first professional touchdown pass on a three yard corner to tight end Daniel Wilcox.

In a week 7 victory over the Miami Dolphins, Flacco earned his first career road victory, throwing for over 230 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions. Through week 7, Flacco also maintained a completion percentage of 64.2, the tenth best in the NFL.

In a week 8 win over the Oakland Raiders, Flacco not only passed for a touchdown but also ran for one. Flacco also caught a 43 yard pass in a trick formation deemed the "Wildcat". Many analysts viewed this and the last game as the potential launching point into a career of success. After the week 8 win, head coach John Harbaugh announced that the "Suggs package", a two quarterback offense using Flacco and Troy Smith, would be part of the offense the rest of the season.

In a week 13 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, he threw for 280 yards and two touchdowns, for the Ravens' sixth win in their previous seven games. In that seven game stretch, he compiled a passer rating of 99.1, the best of any quarterbacks in that span.

In a week 16 win over the Dallas Cowboys, he was 17-for-25 throwing 149 yards, one touchdown, and a passer rating of 96.9. In winning the game, he became the last quarterback to win at Texas Stadium as this was the last game ever played at Texas Stadium. This would also make him the second rookie quarterback ever to win at Texas Stadium, behind Ben Roethlisberger.

In week 17, Flacco had a new personal best, 297 yards. He was 17-of-23 for a quarterback rating of 115.8 as the Baltimore Ravens routed the Jacksonville Jaguars 27–7.

In his first season, Flacco was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week, NFL Rookie of the week, the NFLPA Rookie of the week, and NFL Rookie of the Month for November.

Playoffs
In the wild card round of the 2008–09 NFL playoffs, Flacco became only the third rookie quarterback in NFL history to win his first post-season start, and the first to do it on the road, when his Ravens defeated the Dolphins, 27–9. Flacco completed 9-of-23 attempted passes, accumulating 135 yards without throwing a touchdown or interception. He also scored the victory-sealing rushing touchdown on a quarterback draw in the 4th quarter. Shaun King and Ben Roethlisberger were previously the only other rookie quarterbacks to ever win their debut playoff game.

He then won his second game versus the Tennessee Titans. Flacco led the Ravens to a 13–10 win in the divisional playoff round. Flacco made tight-window throws to Todd Heap and Mark Clayton on the go ahead scoring drive in the 4th quarter to set up a game winning field goal from Matt Stover. On the day Flacco was 11-of-22 for 148 yards and a touchdown, without turning the ball over for the second straight game. He is the first rookie quarterback to win two playoff games.

Flacco made 13 of 30 pass attempts for 141 yards passing, was sacked three times, and intercepted three times in the 2009 AFC Championship Game versus the Pittsburgh Steelers. Flacco was awarded as the Diet Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year on January 29, 2009.

Regular season
In the season opening game in Baltimore against the Kansas City Chiefs, Joe Flacco led the Ravens to their first win of the season. He threw for 307 yards and three touchdowns, both career highs. He also threw one interception and had a quarterback rating of 95.8. During this game, the Ravens broke the franchise record for most offensive yards in a game with a total of 501.

In week 3 against the Cleveland Browns, Flacco threw for a career-high 342 yards and accumulated a quarterback rating of 111.8 He also threw for one touchdown.

He then surpassed his own career high of 342 in week 6 against the Minnesota Vikings, with 385 passing yards, though Baltimore lost the game by two points.

In week 15 against the Chicago Bears, Flacco broke his personal record for most touchdowns thrown in a game with four, while notching 234 passing yards and completing 72 percent of his passes, earning him a career-high passer rating of 135.6. The Ravens would go on to win the game 31-7.

With 3,613 yards and 21 touchdowns, Flacco became the first Ravens quarterback since Vinny Testaverde to throw for over 3,000 yards and over 20 touchdowns in a single season.

After the season, Flacco was named to USA Today's annual "All-Joe" team for his quality play and lack of fanfare.

Playoffs
Flacco's injury limited his performance Wild Card Weekend against the Patriots. The Ravens routed the Patriots 33-14 despite Flacco throwing 4-10 for just 34 yards with one interception. The following week against the Colts, Flacco again performed poorly; thus, the Ravens lost 20-3.

Regular season
In season opener, Flacco and the Ravens opened New Meadowlands Stadium against the New York Jets. Flacco threw for 248-yards while completing 52.6% of his passes, and throwing one interception. In a defensive contest, the Ravens came away with the 10-9 win over their former defensive coordinator Rex Ryan.

In week two at the Cincinnati Bengals, Flacco had arguably his worst NFL start of his young career, throwing for 154-yards while completing just 43.6% of his passes and throwing a career high 4 interceptions, while throwing one touchdown and accumulating a passer rating of 23.8.

Coming off of the worst start of his career, Flacco and the Ravens had their home opener against the Cleveland Browns. Flacco bounced back from his week 3 loss to the Bengals and had his best game of the young season, throwing for 262-yards and completing 71% of his passes. He then hooked up with prized offseason acquisition wide receiver Anquan Boldin for 3 touchdowns, while throwing no interceptions and accumulating a passer rating of 128.7. The Ravens would win the contest 24-17.

Going into week 4, Flacco had never won against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, and Pittsburgh was 3-0 boasting the leagues best defense but without franchise Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger due to suspension. Late in the game on a fourth and 1 play, the Ravens called a fade pass to Boldin in the endzone but the pass was overthrown. The Steelers got the ball back with two minutes and forty seconds left but were not able to keep possession for the rest of the game. The Ravens got the ball back and Joe Flacco embarked on the greatest drive of his young career. With a minute and 8 seconds left on the game clock, down 14-10, Flacco drove the Ravens 40 yards down the field and threw the game winning 18-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh. Flacco threw for 256-yards and a touchdown, while completing 65% of his passes and achieving a passer rating of 82.7 in the victory.

In a 2009 playoff rematch, the Ravens traveled to Foxborough to take on the New England Patriots. Flacco had a relatively good game throwing for 285-yards and 2 touchdowns while completing 77.1% of his passes and a passer rating of 119.3, but in a losing effort as the Patriots came back from losing 20-10 to win the game in overtime 23-20. After the game, the Ravens' offensive play calling was criticized for too many check down passes to Pro Bowl Running Back Ray Rice and for being too conservative.

In week 7 the Ravens played the Buffalo Bills at home. To start the game, the Bills unexpectedly scored 2 touchdowns, putting the Ravens in a 14-0 hole. But Flacco responded by throwing for 250-yards and 3 touchdowns, and the Ravens eventually won the game 37-34 in overtime. In this game, Flacco tallied over 8,000 passing yards for his career.

In week 9 coming off a much needed bye week, Flacco and the Ravens took on the Miami Dolphins in Baltimore. The Dolphins were an undefeated 4-0 on the road that season and the Ravens were 3-0 at home. Flacco threw for 266-yards and 2 touchdowns and a passer rating of 129.6, posting his third straight 100 point passer rating of the season and fourth overall. The Ravens won the game 26-10.

In week 12 at home against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Flacco threw his 53rd career touchdown pass, becoming the Ravens all time leader in passing touchdowns.

On December 26, 2010, with a win against the Cleveland Browns, Flacco became one of only four NFL quarterbacks to lead his team to the playoffs in all three of his first three seasons. During this game, Flacco threw for over 10,000 career passing yards.

Ending the season, Flacco set season highs in passing yards (3,622), passing touchdowns (25), passer rating (93.6), and a season low in interceptions (10).

Playoffs
In defeating the Kansas City Chiefs (30-7) in the wildcard round of the 2010–11 NFL playoffs, Flacco completed 25 of 34 passes for 265 yards and two touchdowns, with no interceptions, for a post-season-high passer rating of 115.4. With the win, Flacco became the first quarterback in NFL history to start and win a playoff game in each of his first three seasons, and tied Len Dawson, Roger Staubach, Jake Delhomme, and Mark Sanchez for most career post-season road wins by a quarterback.

In the divisional round, Flacco and the Ravens would once again head to Pittsburgh to play their arch-rival Steelers. The difference this time would be the season was on the line. The Ravens got out to an early 21-7 lead after a 12-yard rush by running back Ray Rice, a fumble recovery run back for a touchdown by defensive end Cory Redding, and a four-yard touchdown pass from Flacco to tight end Todd Heap. But in the third quarter, which the Ravens had been dominant in all of the regular season, Baltimore fell apart. The Ravens turned the ball over 3 times in their own territory with a uncharacteristic fumble by Rice, an interception by Flacco, and a fumbled snap by Center Matt Birk, and with those the Steelers took a 31-24 lead. But even after all of the Ravens miscues and errors, the Ravens still had a shot to win it at the end when Flacco threw a dart to Houshmandzadeh, but it was dropped. Flacco finished the game 16 of 30 for 125-yards, one touchdown and one interception.

Offseason
Shortly after the end of the 2010 season, the Ravens fired quarterbacks coach Jim Zorn, to Flacco's dismay. This was just the start of the drastic changes that would be made in the 2011 offseason. On July 28, 2011, Flacco's leading receiver over his three professional years Derrick Mason was cut to clear cap space. Additionally, 2010 #3 and #4 receivers T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Donté Stallworth were not re-signed, and longtime Ravens tight end Todd Heap was cut and signed by the Arizona Cardinals. Flacco was left with Anquan Boldin and recently drafted rookies Torrey Smith and Tandon Doss sitting atop the wide receiver depth chart until the Ravens traded for Lee Evans, a speedy target to take advantage of Flacco's arm strength. Second-year tight ends Ed Dickson and Dennis Pitta stepped in to replace the former Pro-Bowler Heap. Of the ten Ravens with a reception in the 2010-2011 season, only four returned for the 2011-2012 season, leaving Flacco with many new targets.

Regular season
In the season opener, Flacco threw for 224 yards and three touchdowns while the Ravens beat the Steelers 35-7.

In week 2, Flacco threw for 192 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions in the Ravens first loss of the season against the Tennessee Titans.

In week 3, Flacco completed 27 of 48 in passing attempts while he threw for three touchdowns to wide receiver Torrey Smith all in the first quarter against the St. Louis Rams. The Ravens won 37-7.

In week 9 on Sunday night, Flacco was 28 of 47 in passing attempts while he threw for one touchdown and finished with 300 yards passing. Flacco drove 98 yards down the field and threw the game-winning 26-yard touchdown pass to Torrey Smith to sweep the season series against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Playoffs
In the divisional round, Flacco was 14 of 27 and threw for two touchdowns while the Ravens beat the Houston Texans 20-13. The Ravens advanced to the AFC Championship Game for the first time since 2008 (Flacco's rookie season).

In the AFC Championship Game, although Flacco completed 22 out of his 36 attempts while throwing for two touchdowns and one interception along with 306 yards passing, the Ravens lost 23-20.

NFL records

 * First rookie quarterback to start all sixteen games and make the playoffs (along with Matt Ryan)
 * First rookie quarterback to win two playoff games
 * Most starts by a quarterback in first season: 19
 * Most starts by a quarterback in first two seasons: 37
 * Most starts by a quarterback in first three seasons: 55
 * Most wins by a quarterback in first 60 consecutive starts: 40
 * First quarterback to start and win a playoff game in each of his first three seasons
 * Most combined regular and postseason wins in first three years as a quarterback: 36 (tied with Dan Marino)
 * First quarterback to start and win a playoff game in each of his first four seasons
 * Most regular season wins by a quarterback in his first four seasons: 44

Ravens franchise records

 * Most career passing yards (13,817)
 * Most Pass Completions (1,190)
 * Most career passing touchdowns (80)
 * Most Times Sacked in a career for Starting QB (139)
 * Highest quarterback rating (86.0)
 * Most regular season wins (44)
 * Most postseason wins (5)
 * Best record for starting QB (44-20)
 * Most 300+ Passing yard games in career by a starting QB — (6)
 * Highest single season quarterback rating — 93.6 (2010)
 * Most times sacked in a single season - 40 (2010)
 * Highest completion percentage in a single season - 63.1 (2009) (in 16 starts)
 * Most game winning drives in a single season - 4 (2010) (Tied with Elvis Grbac)
 * Fewest interceptions in a regular season by starting QB — 10 (2010) (16 starts)
 * Most career 4th quarter comeback wins (6)
 * Most career game winning drives (11)

Endorsements
Flacco signed a three-year contract with Reebok as a rookie in 2008. Flacco also is working with Pizza Hut, which sells a product called "Flacco's Favorites".

Personal
Flacco's brother, Mike Flacco, was selected in the 31st round of the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft by the Baltimore Orioles, and is currently the starting 1st Baseman for the Frederick Keys. He hit for a .250 average, with 5 hr's and 22 rbi's in 50 games with the Keys. The Keys went on to win the 2011 Carolina League championship. Another brother, John, is a walk-on receiver with the Stanford Cardinal. Joe married his high school sweetheart Dana Grady on June 25, 2011. He is expecting his first child June 17, 2012.