On his initial impressions of rookie QB Joe Flacco: “He can throw the ball, he can throw the ball. Of course, there are a lot of other things that he needs to learn about playing at this level, but for one thing, the guy can throw the ball, and I’m pretty sure that’s the reason they brought him here. That’s one reason why they brought him here, and that he was a very smart young man in college in his decision-making and everything, so hopefully he can transfer over to this league. And he’s got some good guys in front of him that he’s able to learn from in Troy Smith and Kyle [Boller], so I know those guys will help him out and [quarterbacks coach Hue Jackson] will be helping him out a lot as will [offensive coordinator Cam Cameron]. So he has a great surrounding cast around him for whatever he needs to find out.”
On what impressed him with Flacco: “Of course his arm strength. The one pass he threw to [wide receiver Mark Clayton], I think was about 50 yards down the field in the air on target. The way he commanded the huddle with the team that was in there with him [also impressed me]. I think that speaks volumes of him, and he’s just got to continue to do that, and I think the more and more he’s out there and the more and more he’s around the guys, he’ll get used to everybody and feel more confident. But, getting everybody in the huddle and getting going [was impressive].”
On if Flacco has a quiet personality: “He seems quiet. I haven’t really gotten the opportunity to [get to know him yet]. From one day, I can’t tell you all about his personality, but he seems like a pretty quiet guy. But I’m pretty sure once he gets used to everybody else, he’ll be the same guy that he was at Delaware . He’ll open up, and he’ll start to laugh and chuckle it up with everybody else. So right now he’s just like any other rookie, he’s trying to feel his way through. But once he really gets in there and starts throwing the ball and starts hanging out with guys, he’ll open up.”
On if Flacco was both strong and accurate in practice: “He’s doing good out there, and what he needs to do now is each and every day step out there, just like everybody else, each and every day, we step out there to get better. And I’m pretty sure he probably told you there are some things he needs to get used to, [including] the speed of the game. But from first glance, the guy is what they thought he was going to be. He’s a big guy, he can throw the ball, and he can put it on target.”
