Fansided

Joe Flacco wants to air it out on offense

By John Buhler

Sep 13, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) throws the ball in the fourth quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos won 19-13. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 13, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) throws the ball in the fourth quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos won 19-13. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Joe Flacco wants his Ravens offense to stretch the field vertically more often.

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco has already won a Super Bowl with the team and throws one of the better deep balls in the NFL. After Wednesday’s practice at San Jose State University leading up to Baltimore’s game against the Oakland Raiders, Flacco told ESPN’s Jamison Hensley that he wants his Ravens’ offense to air it out more.

Flacco stated, “We need to take our shots. If nothing else, at least it lets teams know that we’re going to do that.”

This is a little surprising since Flacco’s new offensive coordinator Marc Trestman has a history of being a quarterback guru. Even with Trestman’s shortcomings as the head coach of the Chicago Bears the last two seasons, Chicago had one of the better aerial attacks in the NFL. It was the defensive collapse of the Bears that did Trestman in.

Flacco is at his best when he is able to connect on the deep ball. He is especially lethal at stretching the field vertically in the AFC Playoffs (i.e, The Rocky Mountain Rainbow). However, Flacco may not have the vertical threats that he once had in Baltimore. Steve Smith, Sr. is in the twilight of his career and Marlon Brown does have a history of injuries while at the University of Georgia.

More from Baltimore Ravens

While Joe Flacco seemed upset with Trestman’s play-calling in Week 1, perhaps it is because Trestman wanted to attack Denver in a completely different manner than what Kubiak likely prepared to face. Denver’s new head coach Gary Kubiak was the offensive coordinator of the Baltimore Ravens last season, so that may account for the conservative passing game plan of the Ravens in Week 1.

Joe Flacco and Marc Trestman may need some time to adjust to each others tendencies as both quarterback and offensive coordinator. However, both men have had a great deal of success carving up NFL secondaries in their careers, so look for Baltimore to become a more vertical passing team this season. Even if the Ravens don’t have the vertical threats they once did, look for Flacco and Trestman to grow together in this new offensive system.

More from Baltimore Ravens

Home/Baltimore Ravens