Joe Flacco vs the Steel Curtain.

Joe Flacco has accomplished a lot of neat things in just a short NFL career.  He recently became one of only four quarterbacks to lead his team to the playoffs in all of his first three seasons (he has a 5-3 record in the post-season).

The one thing that Joe Flacco has not been able to figure out so far, is how to solve the Steel Curtain.  For the second time in three seasons, Baltimore's Super Bowl hopes have been ended at the hands of the rival Pittsburgh Steelers.  In their most recent matchup, the Ravens lost 31-24 after going leading 21-7 at half time.

In his rookie season, Flacco played a key role in helping the Ravens get to the AFC Championship.  In a close affair vs Pittsburgh, he was intercepted 3 times; the second of which was returned for the game clinching touchdown by Troy Polamalu.  In that game, you could have chalked it up to his inexperience.  You could have said that maybe the whole situation was a little more than he could handle.

Flacco was sacked 5 times by Pittsburgh

Rarely does Baltimore ever give up a 14 point lead, or any lead for that matter.  What happened however, was a classic "second half collapse" in the playoffs.  Pittsburgh turned up the heat in the second half, while the Ravens just faded away.

Flacco overthrew teammate Todd Heap, only to be picked off by Pittsburgh's Ryan Clark.  Later on, a botched exchanged between Flacco and center Matt Birk resulted in a fumble that was recovered by the Steelers, resulting in another score. 

Granted, it really wasn't all on Flacco.  Anquan Boldin dropped a sure touchdown pass that would have put the Ravens up 28-24, and T.J. Houshmandzadeh dropped a perfectly thrown pass on "4th & 19" that would have kept a possible game-tying drive alive.

Flacco, in his days as a Fighting Blue Hen

What's ironic here, is that this is the same field where Joe Flacco's collegiate career began.  As a Pittsburgh Panther, he redshirted in 2003 and saw limited action in 2004.  Looking for more playing time, he transferred to Delaware, a 1-AA school that has produced NFL quarterbacks such as Jeff Komlo and Rich Gannon (2002 NFL MVP).  At Delaware, he set several school records and led the Fighting Blue Hens to a runner-up finish in the 2007 1-AA playoffs.

Joe Flacco has more than filled Baltimore's search for a franchise quarterback.  In the team's short existence, mostly journeymen have filled the position; Vinny Testaverde, Jim Harbaugh, Tony Banks, Trent Dilfer (I know what you're thinking), Elvis Grbac, Anthony Wright, Steve McNair. 

In 2003, the Ravens drafted Kyle Boller, hoping that he would be the franchise quarterback, but he never panned out.  During his time at Baltimore, he was on two playoff teams (2003, 2006), but he NEVER really led them to the playoffs.  Anthony Wright supplanted Boller in 2003, while in 2006, he was Steve McNair's backup.

For his career, Joe Flacco is 2-6 all-time against Pittsburgh (0-2 in the playoffs).  When all is said and done, he will have rewritten any and every franchise record at Baltimore.  However, until he can figure out how beat Pittsburgh in the playoffs, Trent Dilfer will most likely remain the best quarterback to have played for the Ravens (I can't even say that with a straight face!!).

If it's any consolation, it was once thought that the only way Peyton Manning would EVER win a Super Bowl, was if he could beat New England in the playoffs.

A little bit of defense, a whole lotta Luck!!

 

Stanford made every minute of the 3,000 mile trip to the Orange Bowl count in their beatdown of a resurgent Virginia Tech team.  As the game wore on, the talk became less about the game and more about whether Andrew Luck would declare for the NFL draft.  This in addition to speculation that Jim Harbaugh was coaching his last game for the Cardinal.

First things first, I've got to give Virginia Tech their due credit.  Following losses to Boise State and James Madison (a 1-AA team), they put together an 11 game win streak to earn their 3rd ACC crown in 4 years, largely behind the performances of running back Ryan Williams, quarterback Tyrod Taylor and a dominant defense.  With Williams nursing an injury going into the Orange Bowl, the Hokies offense lacked the edge they needed to compete against a physical Stanford defense.


 Plunkett & Elway were both drafted #1 overall

Behind a power run game and multiple tight-end sets, Andrew Luck was able to showcase his talents to NFL scouts, who have him locked in as the #1 overall pick, should he decide to make the jump to the next level.  That will see him join the elite company of former Stanford greats Jim Plunkett and John Elway, who were both drafted #1 overall in their respective drafts and won Super Bowls during their outstanding NFL careers.  Plunkett and Elway were also in attendance.  It wasn't only the scouts who were drooling over Andrew Luck, but also analysts John Gruden and Ron Jaworski as well, who couldn't seem to run out of words to describe this kid's greatness; as if we didn't know already.


The last hurrah?  

I'll tip my hat off to the Cardinal defense.  They harassed Tyrod Taylor and shut down Hokies running game.  What was more impressive was that they pitched a second half shutout against a team that had always found a way to get back up after getting knocked down.  It goes to show that their meltdown in against Oregon - a game in which they led 21-3 at one point only to lose 52-31 - was a one time thing.  Linebacker Shayne Skov put on quite a defensive show and Owen Marecic a.k.a "The modern day 60 minute man", helped himself to a score on offense and a quarterback sack.  Marecic also delivered a key block that paved the way for the game's opening score; a 60 yard touchdown run by Jeremy Stewart.

After the dust had settled, questions came in left and right as to whether this was indeed the last game for both Luck and Harbaugh.  Both did everything they could to deflect the questions which will only keep coming in the days ahead.  Jim Harbaugh seems destined to coach in the pro ranks, just like his brother, John, who has had some success with the Baltimore Ravens.  It may be that both Luck and Harbaugh are waiting to see what the other will do; more like a "I'll stay if you stay" kind of a deal.

With NFL jobs opening up like a Starbucks drive-thru lane after a morning rush, Harbaugh is definitely spoilt for choice.  One place that he won't end up however is Michigan, where he once starred as a quarterback.  The story goes that he was at one time interested in the quarterbacks coach job, but the Wolverines took a pass on him (no pun intended).  He's never forgotten that slight by his alma mater, and will likely turn the down the head coaching job if and when it's offered to him.

Andrew Luck on the other hand is most likely to be the next great quarterback out of Stanford since John Elway.  Having led Stanford to its best season in school history and first bowl win since the 1996 Sun Bowl, there really isn't anything else left for him to prove.  Should his draft stock go any higher, it will probably hit the stratosphere.

I have every reason to believe that in the days to come, both Luck and Harbaugh will be preparing to take their talents elsewhere.  As it is, the Carolina Panthers, who just recently fired John Fox, hold the #1 pick in next year's draft.  Could it be that maybe both teacher and disciple will re-unite in Charlotte, NC?