The quarterback affectionately nicknamed “Joe Cool” almost cracked a smile during the Baltimore Ravens’ offensive assault last week.
Joe Flacco, known for his low-key demeanour and steady dependability, tossed five touchdown scores in the first 16 minutes of the Ravens’ 48-17 dismantling of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last Sunday.
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Many quarterbacks have thrown five touchdowns in an NFL game, but none have ever done it faster than Flacco. He could have tossed a few more, but he took a seat on the sideline early in the second half with the game well in hand.
An early offensive explosion like that would bring joy to even the most hardened players. But Flacco, who has been in the league for seven years, seems to have a good idea how quarterbacks are measured in the NFL.
“Five touchdown passes – who knows? That can just happen to anybody at any point,” he said.
Ever since the Ravens drafted Flacco in the first round out of the University of Delaware, it was already assumed he would be their starting quarterback.
It has been an impressive run so far as Flacco is the only starting quarterback since the 1970 merger to win a play-off game in each of his first five seasons.
More importantly, the man is indestructible. Flacco has not missed a start since his debut season in 2008. He will make his 119th consecutive start on Sunday when Baltimore (4-2) host the Atlanta Falcons (2-4).
Flacco started in the NFL about the same time coach John Harbaugh took over in Baltimore, and together they have advanced to three AFC Championships and won a Super Bowl.
“It’s pretty amazing to have your quarterback take every single rep since he got here,” Harbaugh said. “It’s a credit to Joe, how hard he works, how tough he is. He’s a special guy.”
Flacco was the MVP of that Super Bowl – a 34-31 win over the favoured San Francisco 49ers in 2012 – but when analysts ponder the question of who is the best quarterback in the league, Flacco’s name is rarely in the conversation.
Games like last Sunday will forever leave his name among Ravens’ lore. He is already the franchise leader in career yards (23,141), touchdown throws (133), completions (2,009) and 300-yard games (19).
Only another Super Bowl ring will put him up there with Peyton Manning and Tom Brady, but he is 29 years old so he has plenty of time to catch them.
The key for Flacco is just to keep doing what he is doing – and always keep his cool.
agray@thenational.ae
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