Flacco to start on SNF?

[Caactorvike]

I Don’t think our problems on D all have to do with Bflo’s schemes. We are also missing Cashman who has been playing great football all season. His absence is a big reason offenses have been able to exploit the middle of the field. We need the pride of Eden Prairie back in the lineup too.

[StickierBuns]

The fact that fans are wringing their hands over Joe Flacco shows how unserious this team’s championship aspirations are this year. The unexpected fast start seems to have given some fans an inflated perception of the team.

They’re essentially surrounding the young core with 22 rent-a-players this season fully well knowing they have 60+ million in cap space next year to set this team on the right path with ACTUAL talented players.

Of course they have to try to win, but any and all wins they get from here on out are strictly gravy

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This has less to do with KOC’s play calling off script and more Darnold’s ability to execute off script. He locks onto his #1 option too often and seems to have little confidence when going through his progressions. 

He’s good when he’s told what to do and who to throw to. In fact I don’t think I recall seeing one audible called this season so far.

I've seen KOC visibly irritated with Darnold on the sidelines, frustrated with missed opportunities off script. But probably can be said for 85% of the QBs playing.

[1VikesFan]

Not surprised at all they're going with Flacco. Richardson is a hot mess, he needs to sit and learn. Another young qb thrown to the wolves way to soon.

[MaroonBells]

The fact that fans are wringing their hands over Joe Flacco shows how unserious this team’s championship aspirations are this year. The unexpected fast start seems to have given some fans an inflated perception of the team.

They’re essentially surrounding the young core with 22 rent-a-players this season fully well knowing they have 60+ million in cap space next year to set this team on the right path with ACTUAL talented players.

Of course they have to try to win, but any and all wins they get from here on out are strictly gravy

---

This has less to do with KOC’s play calling off script and more Darnold’s ability to execute off script. He locks onto his #1 option too often and seems to have little confidence when going through his progressions. 

He’s good when he’s told what to do and who to throw to. In fact I don’t think I recall seeing one audible called this season so far.

I've seen him audible several times. And one of the things that has impressed me most about Darnold is his ability and willingness to go through progressions. I actually think he's been better at that than even Cousins was. Both of Oliver's TDs were 4th reads. The pass to Jefferson that set up Oliver's TD was at least a 3rd read. 

And what do fans wringing their hands over Joe Flacco have to do with the team's championship aspirations? Did we suddenly get control of the franchise? If so I got dibs on the draft room.

[purplefaithful]

One day after news broke that Anthony Richardson, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 draft, would be benched in favor of 39-year-old Joe Flacco, Steichen made his first public comments and acknowledged he made the decision for one reason, committing to Flacco for the foreseeable future.

''It's my obligation to 53 guys in this organization to win football games,'' he said. ''Right now, Joe Flacco gives us the best chance.''

The 22-year-old Richardson has struggled with his performance and his health.

His completion rate, 44.4%, is the worst in the NFL this season and he's thrown four touchdown passes and seven interceptions. His nine total turnovers are tied for third most in the NFL despite sitting out two games with an injured right hip.

Missing games is not a new phenomenon for Richardson, either. He's sat out 15 of 25 career games and finished just five of his 10 career starts because of an assortment of injuries, including season-ending surgery on his throwing shoulder last October.

Then came Sunday.

Houston (6-2) picked off one of Richardson's poor throws deep in Colts territory in the final minute of the first half and quickly converted it into a touchdown. The Texans won 23-20 to take a two-game lead in the AFC South and sweep the season series from Indy (4-4).

Worse yet, Richardson briefly left the game in the second half after tapping his helmet to signal he was ''tired.''

Though he returned on Indy's next series, he drew heavy criticism and met with both Steichen and teammates between Sunday and Monday.

''We had a conversation about it and I think he knows it's not the standard he needs to play up to and the rest of the team holds him to,'' Pro Bowl center Ryan Kelly said.
''I'll kind of leave the conversation we had at that, but I'm sure he's going to take criticism for that, rightfully so, right? I mean, that's a tough, tough look, but he's out there giving it all for his team, right?''

Richardson and Flacco were both scheduled to speak with reporters later Wednesday.

So Indy is benching one of the youngest, least experienced quarterbacks in favor of one of the league's oldest.

The 39-year-old Flacco, last year's AP NFL Comeback Player of the Year and the Super Bowl 47 MVP, already has made two starts and is 2-1 in the three games he's played with the Colts.

Flacco has completed 71 of 108 throws (65.7%) with 716 yards, seven TDs and one interception and he's quick decision-making has helped the Colts keep drives moving more consistently.

And with Indy in the playoff race, Flacco certainly appears capable of making a postseason run — just as he did with the Cleveland Browns last season.

''I just feel that's where our team is at, I feel Joe gives us the best chance to win right now," Steichen said. ''I'm responsible for the offense, the defense and the special teams and we're trying to win games.''

Source: Startribune