Originally posted on http://5goldenrings.net

He might be good someday and he might have a good career but right now he’s barely better than Trent Dilfer (who most Ravens fans would claim that they won in 2000 “in spite” of Dilfer and the non-existent offense). But, people are beginning to talk like Flacco is the best rookie QB ever. The proof? Well, he’s won 2 playoff games; no other rookie QB has done that. FYI - Roethlisberger didn’t have the “luxury” of playing a wild card game in 2004 since he led his team to a #1 seed and a first round bye.

Roethlisberger      Cmp/Att     %     YDS      AVG      TD      INT     RATE
2004 Reg. Season -   196/295    |    66.4    |    2,621    |    8.9    |    17    |    11    |    98.1
2004 Playoffs         -     31/54       |    57.4    |      407     |    7.5    |     3      |     5    |    61.3

Flacco                          Cmp/Att     %     YDS      AVG      TD      INT     RATE
2008 Reg. Season -   257/428   |    60.0   |    2,971    |     6.9    |    14   |    12   |   80.3  
2008 Playoffs         -      20/45     |    44.4   |       296     |     6.6    |     1     |     0    |   73.9

Dilfer*                    Cmp/Att     %     YDS      AVG      TD      INT     RATE
2000 Reg. Season -   284/500  |    56.8    |    3,080   |     6.2    |    20   |    19   |   72.6
2000 Playoffs **   -      14/31      |    45.2    |       247    |     8.2    |      1     |     0    |    83.7
*Tony Banks stats were added for the regular season to reflect the Ravens QB of 2000 since Dilfer didn’t become the starter until week 9 of that season. **1st two playoff games

What do we learn? Roethlisberger 2004 was MUCH better than Flacco 2008 in EVERY way in the Regular Season. Except for the accumulation of stats because the Ravens threw much more this season than the ‘04 Steelers.

• In over 100 less attempts Roethlisberger threw 3 more TD’s and only 350 less yards
• Roethlisberger was 14-0 in that regular season, Flacco was 11-5
• Flacco was barely better than the Banks/Dilfer combo of 2000…everyone rips the anemic Dilfer led offense; Flacco is much closer to the second coming of Dilfer in a very similar offense than the 2nd coming of Jesus.
• Besides Roethlisberger’s 5 playoff picks (which are in excusable and the 3 in the AFC title game probably cost us the game), his stats…particularly Comp%…dwarf Flacco’s
• Dilfer wasn’t a rookie in 2000 but his playoff stats are eerily similar.

The reason I point out Dilfer’s stats against Flacco’s is because while Dilfer was often criticized for his “managing” style of play, Flacco is being touted as a game changer and a play maker. He is not. If anything, his inefficiency and inability to complete more than 45% of his passes is holding his team back. The Ravens are winning inspite of Flacco.

Another point, it is silly and pointless to make a huge negative comparison after two playoff games…such a small sample set skews the data. If you wan to compare, use the larger sample set of the just completed regular season. That is a much better indicator of the likely performance.

Since the Defenses are virtually a wash…this game will likely come down to QB play against the said D’s. Probably the QB that is most efficient and protects the ball will directly contribute to his team’s victory. So, another comparison (though the sample set is small, it is a good indicator based on the head to head nature within the current season):

Roethlisberger      Cmp/Att     %      YDS    AVG    TD    INT   RATE
vs Ravens; week 4   -     14/24    |    58.3   |   191   |   8.0   |    1    |    1    |    80.4
vs Ravens; week 15 -     22/40   |    55.0   |   246  |   6.1    |    1    |    0   |    81.9
TOTAL                          -     36/64   |    56.3    |   437  |   6.8   |    2    |    1    |    81.3

Flacco                          Cmp/Att      %      YDS     AVG    TD    INT   RATE
vs Steelers; wk 4      -     16/31    |    51.6   |    192   |   6.2    |    1     |   0    |   81.7   
vs Steelers; wk 15    -     11/28    |    39.3  |     115   |   4.1    |    0    |    2    |   22.2
TOTAL                          -    27/59    |    45.8  |    307  |   5.2    |    1     |    2    |   53.4

What do you say? Flacco is NOT as good as the public perception or the occasional deep ball he throws.