Joe Flacco: 2023 Comeback POY

[2 For The Brew]

Thanks to Joe for getting us to the wildcard round, which would not have happened without him showing up and showing out.

Having said that, I said from the start that Flacco is a mixed bag at best. Great throws mixed in with horrific, game changing interceptions.

Even though our defense sucked, I thought we had a chance to fight our way back into it until the first pick 6, then the second one drove the spikes into the coffin. Those were totally demoralizing to a team whose confidence was already wavering badly.

Both those throws were really, really, really bad decisions and bad throws. Not one redeeming thing to say about them. Pressure or no pressure, you just can't make those mistakes and overcome it.

It was a nice story while it lasted.

It’s eerie how close this season is to 1988. That was the one season out of four where we didn’t lose the AFC Championship Game to Denver. Bernie and our two backups went down and we signed Don Strock to bail us out. In the final regular season game we needed a win to make the playoffs but Strock threw three picks in the first half and we were losing. He then led us to a come from behind victory. Unfortunately we lost to Houston in the wild card game at home with Patel at QB.

Strock did a good job for us but he was done after that.

 

[bushwick_bill]

 

[Randolphkeys]

It’s eerie how close this season is to 1988. That was the one season out of four where we didn’t lose the AFC Championship Game to Denver. Bernie and our two backups went down and we signed Don Strock to bail us out. In the final regular season game we needed a win to make the playoffs but Strock threw three picks in the first half and we were losing. He then led us to a come from behind victory. Unfortunately we lost to Houston in the wild card game at home with Patel at QB.

Strock did a good job for us but he was done after that.

Thanks for bringing 1988 up - didn't you mention Don Strock is your father's drinking buddy in Florida now? The Flacco and Strock parallels have played out perfectly from beginning to end. Sometimes, you just have to enjoy an unlikely "one last ride" story for what it is, don't put unrealistic expectations on it.

 

[2 For The Brew]

Thanks for bringing 1988 up - didn't you mention Don Strock is your father's drinking buddy in Florida now? The Flacco and Strock parallels have played out perfectly from beginning to end. Sometimes, you just have to enjoy an unlikely "one last ride" story for what it is, don't put unrealistic expectations on it.

He was his drinking buddy while Don was playing for the Browns and for several years after. Sadly their golf club (Calusa), like my dad, is no longer with us.

Don told him that after he threw the three interceptions in the first half he sat by himself in the locker room, really upset with himself. He then resolved “I’m not going to go out like this!” Went out and led us to victory and the playoffs.

 

[BigJ0526]

in my mind, joe can be our backup. the team he had with him was the worst version of the team he will likely get. do we honestly think behind a healthy oline and with chubb running the ball its the same game?

We couldnt run block, we couldnt pass block. the interceptions are on him, but are a symptom, not the cause.

hope he doesnt get a deal to be a starter somewhere, bring him back as the backup, and hope 2024 you get a much better year in terms of health

 

[The Wizard of Moz]

in my mind, joe can be our backup. the team he had with him was the worst version of the team he will likely get. do we honestly think behind a healthy oline and with chubb running the ball its the same game?

We couldnt run block, we couldnt pass block. the interceptions are on him, but are a symptom, not the cause.

hope he doesnt get a deal to be a starter somewhere, bring him back as the backup, and hope 2024 you get a much better year in terms of health

I really think your mind is in fantasy optimistic land

There’s just no reason at all for Joe to sign up for that when he can play the mercenary role again

Why would Joe Flacco sign up to be a backup? It just makes no sense at all. Browns fans are the ONLY fans who think this is a realistic outcome

 

[Benway]

I really think your mind is in fantasy optimistic land

There’s just no reason at all for Joe to sign up for that when he can play the mercenary role again

Why would Joe Flacco sign up to be a backup? It just makes no sense at all. Browns fans are the ONLY fans who think this is a realistic outcome

No doubt. Joe can legit "retire" while hanging out his soldier of fortune shingle and live his best life in '24.
I wish him nothing but the best!

 

[PIP]

Just turned 39. Fresh and ready to go

 

[Malacogary]

It’s eerie how close this season is to 1988. That was the one season out of four where we didn’t lose the AFC Championship Game to Denver. Bernie and our two backups went down and we signed Don Strock to bail us out. In the final regular season game we needed a win to make the playoffs but Strock threw three picks in the first half and we were losing. He then led us to a come from behind victory. Unfortunately we lost to Houston in the wild card game at home with Patel at QB.

Strock did a good job for us but he was done after that.

Strock actually started that WC game too but went out hurt on the second series of the game with Mike Pagel relieving him. Middle-aged people generally looked older back then but I remember Don Strock resembling an escapee from a Florida retirement community. He looked (and moved) like he was coated in yacht varnish.

 

[2 For The Brew]

Strock actually started that WC game too but went out hurt on the second series of the game with Mike Pagel relieving him. Middle-aged people generally looked older back then but I remember Don Strock resembling an escapee from a Florida retirement community. He looked (and moved) like he was coated in yacht varnish.

He had the George Hamilton look & lived in Miami-Dade County forever. Of course he looked varnished but he did a nice job for us. Just an awful injury season which was unfortunate as we lost a year where we had a contending team and Modell impatiently fired Schottenheimer and replaced him with Bud Carson, the DC whose Jets blew a ten point fourth quarter lead in the double OT playoff win in Cleveland.

 

[Malacogary]

He had the George Hamilton look & lived in Miami-Dade County forever. Of course he looked varnished but he did a nice job for us. Just an awful injury season which was unfortunate as we lost a year where we had a contending team and Modell impatiently fired Schottenheimer and replaced him with Bud Carson, the DC whose Jets blew a ten point fourth quarter lead in the double OT playoff win in Cleveland.

Agree on all counts. '88 seemed like the beginning of the end.

 

[buzzdog]

Agree on all counts. '88 seemed like the beginning of the end.

Hell, '65 was the beginning of the end.

 

[DirtyDan]

It was impressive that Joe could still perform like he did this season. There was still glaring issues in his performance that would make me feel okay about letting him go. I have a sneaking suspicion that either he or another veteran QB would be available late into next season if injuries at QB are significant like this year and DTR does not improve if he is even still here.

It's kind of hard for the Browns to justify keeping three QBs on the roster, especially when they have one on a cost controlled deal in DTR and Watson being paid like a top 10 QB. It also may be foolish to believe Flacco could replicate what he did this season into the future when the Browns faced a significantly easier schedule down the stretch and Flacco would face better quality defenses who will be prepared to attack his weaknesses.

 

[Mr. Orange]

If I were Flacco I’d retire. Very unlikely to have a better ending than this. This season honestly changed his entire narrative. Just exit stage left as a Cleveland mini legend.

 

[6.19.2016]

Interesting thoughts on "Bert's" connection with Watson.

Not one comment from a quick search about the chest bump in the Jets game? It's lies by omission like that that make r/browns basically turn into r/nfl sometimes. They're making it seem like this was like Josh McCown/Hoyer trying to babysit j*hnny.