Joe Flacco wants his money and rumors have it that he is asking for $20 million a season. Ozzie Newton, the Baltimore Ravens' general manager said during Media Day, that Flacco was going to be back with team for sure in 2013 and beyond.
He didn't know the exact price the Ravens would pay for Flacco, but he was super confident, while chatting with Deion Sanders in the Mercedes Benz Super Dome during Media Day, that Flacco would be a Raven.
Newton pointed out that the Ravens had done a great job keeping Ray Lewis a Raven forever and bragged about how well the Ravens handled negotiations with their star running back Ray Rice. The one thing the GM didn't specify was how much Flacco would get payed.
Flacco took the Ravens to their fifth consecutive NFL playoff appearance meaning Flacco has been in the playoffs ever since entering the league back in 2008. He has never had a losing season. Flacco's worse record in the pros is 9-7 posted back in 2009.
Flacco isn't the fastest or most agile quarterback in the league, but he's started all 80 games this season proving he's a durable winner in a league where many stars in his position get injured. Look at Robert Griffin III, his aggressive style of play landed him on the bench in the most pivotal game of the season. Flacco is aggressive, but he doesn't put his body in the line of fire in a reckless manner.
When the Ravens need a big play, Flacco uses his accuracy and big arm to win ball games. Just ask the Denver Broncos who were eliminated in the Divisional game as Flacco burned them for game-tying touchdown with just seconds remaining.
The Ravens are one game away from being crowned champions and though the defense has stepped up tremendously, the offense has chipped in with the points on the board.
Rice, the Ravens' running back, was signed for five years worth $40 million over the summer. He came into the league the same year as Flacco and has rushed for 1,000 yards or more in four consecutive seasons.
Flacco seems to be seeking more than just $8 million a year. Not that he doesn't deserve a big payday, but $20 million a year might seem like quite a chunk of change for a quarterback who averages jaround 3,500 passing yards, 20 touchdown and 10 interceptions a season.
The Ravens will have to negotiate with Flacco as many teams around the league could use a quarterback with his talents, but $20 million sounds a little over the top.
The Ravens get set to play the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII on Sunday, Feb. 3 at 6:30 p.m. ET.
