Domination Station

Joe Flacco
By Ryan Frisco

Photo Cred www.imageslides.com

I remember it clearly – I was a young Sports Editor on staff at the Quad, the West Chester University school newspaper.  It was early 2007, and the WCU Golden Rams were opening their season against the Delaware Blue Hens.  Remember who was quarterbacking the Blue Hens that day?  Joe Flacco.

West Chester lost the game 35-0.  But it wasn’t about the win.  This game didn’t matter to us, it didn’t affect our conference record or playoff hopes.  It was cool for us to watch, because we knew that we were witnessing something, someONE, special.  We knew Flacco was destined for greatness.  Just how great was left to be determined.

Joe was drafted by the Ravens in 2008 under rookie coach John Harbaugh.  That first season, the Ravens made the playoffs with an 11-5 record.  2009, 9-7, playoffs.  2010, 12-4, playoffs.  2011, 12-4, playoffs.  2012, 10-6, playoffs, Super Bowl. 

Photo Cred sportsillustrated.cnn.com

Joe Flacco has five complete seasons under his belt. He has made the playoffs in all five, culminating last week in an incredible 34-31 Super Bowl victory over the San Francisco 49ers.  How can we categorize Joe Flacco as anything but dominant?

We know his career record has been impressive.  When you look at those stats, Flacco looks like a shoe in for the title of elite quarterback.  But, that’s the one thing he has been unable to obtain.  No matter how many years he makes playoffs in a row, Joe still seems to catch so much flak from the critics (I wonder if it’s because his last name is Flacco?). They critique his effectiveness as leader and quarterback, and blame the team’s success on the defense or the running back, or something else. 

I believe, as it looks like others do too, that Joe Flacco has firmly established himself as one of the elite quarterbacks in the league.  I’m not basing this off of his play in the Super Bowl alone.  He did play a great game there, and earned his MVP award.  I’m basing this off of his entire four game postseason, specifically three games against arguably the league’s three best teams that were heavily favored.

Let’s let his stats speak for themselves.

Photo Cred www.nydailynews.com

Wild Card Playoff: Indianapolis – 24-9 win.  282 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT.

Divisional Playoff: Denver – 38-35 OT win.  331 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT.

AFC Championship: New England 28-13 win.  240 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT.

Super Bowl: San Francisco – 34-31 win. 287 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT.

That’s over 1,000 yards, 14 touchdowns and 0 interceptions.  That is elite.  That is domination.  I dare you to disagree.