Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson spoke highly of Joe Flacco ahead of the Week 2 matchup that will reunite the Cleveland Browns veteran with his former team.
Flacco, the No. 18 overall pick by the Ravens in 2008, made more than 160 starts in Baltimore, highlighted by a Super Bowl run in 2013, where he earned MVP honors.
Jackson eventually replaced Flacco in 2018 and has since collected two league MVP awards, cementing himself as one of the league’s most dynamic playmakers. Still, Jackson hasn’t forgotten those early days with his veteran mentor and continues to speak of Flacco with admiration.
“Just him being in the meeting room — how cool he was with the things he’d say, how funny he was,” Jackson said. “I don’t know if people know, but (Flacco’s) funny … He used to have me rollling as a rookie. I’d be like, ‘Man, this man just say stuff so nonchalant.’”
Browns QB Joe Flacco Calls Return to Baltimore ‘Big Deal’
Sunday’s matchup will mark the first time Flacco will be a visitor in Baltimore. Flacco’s tenure with the Ravens did not end with any animosity. However, he admitted that this week’s matchup will mean a little more to him.
“We were on good terms when I left,” Flacco said. “But at the same time, you know, it’s natural to feel a certain way when you’re going against a team that you’re not playing for anymore. I’ve been a part of other players that do that and you kind of try to act normal, but it is a big deal. You do want to go beat them, and it’s a little bit of a difference.”
The always stoic Flacco doesn’t have any concerns about his emotions getting the best of him.
“Listen, I’ve been criticized my whole career for not being able to show any emotion,” Flacco said. “So I think that’s the last thing you have to worry about with me.”
Joe Flacco Has Made Impact With Browns
Flacco, 40, is nearing the end of his career, but he won the starting job with the Browns during training camp. He has been clear that he doesn’t see himself as a “mentor” in Cleveland, at least in the traditional sense. He still feels like he can play at a high level.
But Browns rookie Shedeur Sanders has provided some insight on Flacco and how he interacts in the QB room.
“I’ve learned a lot from the vets in the room,” Sanders said. “I’ll see Joe do something, and I’m like, ‘Alright, bro, I’m gonna try that.’ Then I do it, and it’s cool ’cause I’m like, ‘Hey, bruh, I did this ’cause I seen you do it.’ And he’ll be smiling like a proud dad.”
The Browns lost in Week 1, falling to the Bengals 17-16. But Flacco played well in the loss, completing 69% of his passes with a touchdown and two interceptions. Both interceptions were hard to blame on Flacco, with the ball bouncing off his receivers’ hands on both occasions.
Flacco and Cleveland are a hefty 12.5-point underdog against the Ravens.
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