OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) -Baltimore’s Joe Flacco is quickly maturing as an NFL quarterback, a growth spurt reflected by his numbers.
After four games he’s 95 for 151 for 1,103 yards with eight TDs and three interceptions. Over the same span last season as a rookie, Flacco was 62 for 106 for 603 yards with one touchdown and four interceptions.
The difference is startling. Yet those statistics don’t fully explain just how rapidly Flacco has developed.
The biggest change is evident only to those who play with him.
“I think the main thing has been his leadership,” Ravens wide receiver Derrick Mason said Tuesday. “He’s being more assertive in the huddle as a quarterback. I think all the great quarterbacks have been leaders, and Joe is lining himself up to be one of the great quarterbacks.”
e Boller and an illness forced Troy Smith into the hospital, and now Flacco is guiding a suddenly potent offense that ranks third in the NFL in total yardage.
Flacco is the 10th ranked quarterback in the league and fourth-best in the fourth quarter.
“I don’t know how much a better quarterback I am. I’m more comfortable and have improved on things,” Flacco said. “I think that’s just being in the offense for a second year.”
A year ago, the Ravens made it easy for Flacco by simplifying their offense and relying heavily on the run. This year, they’ve put the training wheels into the shed and unveiled a shiny new attack that has taken some of the pressure off a defense that has long been counted upon to carry the load.
“When your offense has 70 plays, or your offense keeps the ball for eight minutes on a drive, it’s great,” Ravens defensive end Trevor Pryce said. “Your best defense is the one sitting on the sideline. So, we don’t mind at all.”
In Baltimore’s season-opening 38-24 win over the Kansas City Chiefs, the Ravens held the ball for nearly 40 minutes and amassed a franchise-record 501 yards. That was first of three straight wins for the Ravens, who fell last week in New England but can regain sole possession of first place in the AFC North with a win over Cincinnati on Sunday.
Before facing the Ravens, Bengals coach Marvin Lewis usually spends most of his time trying to devise a plan to dent the Baltimore defense. Now he’s working to foil Flacco.
“Joe Flacco is doing a great job of delivering the football to open receivers, and they’re pushing the ball downfield,” Lewis said. “It’s a well-rounded offense.”
There’s no telling whether Flacco will hand the ball off, throw it short of loft it long. Anything goes in this offense, and it all begins at quarterback.
“All the things he was doing last year he’s doing this year, only better,” coach John Harbaugh said. “Across the board, we’re able to attack people in more ways than we did at any time last year and that’s because Joe is executing more things well.”
After signing as a free agent during the offseason, center Matt Birk didn’t need much time to learn Flacco was the man in charge inside the Baltimore huddle.
“From the day I got here, he’s been in command. He’s in command of the offense, he’s in command of the huddle and everything else,” Birk said. “I really credit his preparation. A quarterback needs to know what everyone’s doing on every play, and he knows that.”
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