How Joe Flacco fits the Browns offense, and what might have to change: Film Review

CLEVELAND, Ohio — With the playoffs still firmly within reach, the Browns will most likely turn to former Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco to run the offense as early as Sunday against the Rams.

Flacco has 3,881 completions for 42,320 yards with 232 touchdown passes in his career. His experience, huddle control, and poise would be a huge asset to the struggling offensive of the Browns. He also brings a championship pedigree of football desperately needed if Cleveland plans to make a run in December and January. Though he may not be the Joe Flacco of 10 years ago, a solid Flacco who does not make mistakes may just be enough.

Two benefits Flacco immediately brings to the Browns offense include:

1. Pocket passing

Flacco’s ability to throw from the pocket is very important for the offensive line. A non-mobile quarterback like Flacco will usually not improvise, Instead, he will throw the football away when his progressions are covered. This lack of movement means Flacco will be where he is designed to be and will get rid of the football on time. Pass protection is always better if the offensive line knows where the quarterback will set.

2. Progression reads and accuracy

Much has been said about what is left in the tank for Flacco and if he has the arm strength needed to compete in the NFL. However, Flacco’s last two stops in Denver and New York required a much different quarterback than what the Browns require.

Last season with the Jets, Flacco threw deep outs, verticals, deep over routes, and all other required routes from that scheme. With the Browns, Flacco needs to be efficient and solid, but does not need to carry the offense. He needs to make a few key throws, run the huddle, play with poise and leadership, and always protect the football.

Look for the Browns and Kevin Stefanski to use 13 personnel (1 running back, 3 tight ends, 1 receiver) more than they have most of this season. With 13 personnel, they can dictate what defensive personnel they would like to attack. If a defense plays base, tight ends David Njoku, Harrison Bryant and Jordan Akins can get into spread or empty sets and use their speed against bigger, slower linebackers. If a team plays nickel, those same tight ends can get into power run sets and run the football at the smaller defensive backs.

Though not flashy, below is a look at what Flacco will bring to the Browns offense.

Before the play starts, Flacco will see the six-man blitz from the Bengals and will slide his pass protection to the left. With the running back going to the right, he should be protected, but the left tackle gets beat inside for a big hit on Flacco.

Because he read blitz, Flacco was able to get the football to Elijah Moore on a hitch route for an easy 5-yard gain, even though he knew a hit was coming. Garrett Wilson was also open on the seam route, but Flacco took the high percentage hot read to Moore. This is exactly what the Browns need. Get the offense into a good play with a quick read to make it second-and-5.

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On the other hand, Flacco could be a tough fit in the Browns offense.

1. Scheme fit

On film, the major concern with Flacco would be the current scheme the Browns have implemented with Deshaun Watson and Dorian Thompson-Robinson. The ability to use the quick feet and athletic ability of those two quarterbacks will not be possible for Flacco.

The read-run game, designed quarterback runs, and the off-script, improvised extended plays Watson has made famous, are no longer available. Stefanski will need to add more pass protection and work more of his pocket concepts that have also been successful for him in the past with previous non-mobile quarterbacks,

2. Lack of mobility

Being a pocket passer is not only a strength of Flacco, but also his biggest weakness. Flacco’s lack of mobility means he will have the same launch point on just about every pass. Without the threat of scrambling and making plays outside the pocket, the defense can design blitzes knowing the quarterback will be in the same spot. If pressure is an issue, Cleveland will have to get rid of the football quickly to protect Flacco, who is a sitting target.

What we learned

The Browns have been riddled with injury on the offensive side of the football. They have lost their franchise quarterback, franchise running back, both starting tackles, and their best receiver currently has sore ribs. All that, and they still finds themselves in the thick of the playoff push with possibly their fourth starting quarterback of the season.

Good thing for the Browns is that fourth quarterback a former Super Bowl MVP. With the strength of Jim Schwartz’s defense, Flacco does not need to be great, he just needs to be solid.

Lance Reisland is the former coach at Garfield Heights High School, where he spent 18 seasons as an assistant for his father, Chuck, and four as head coach, from 2014 to 2018. In 2018, his team finished 11-1 and appeared in the OHSAA Division II regional semifinals. That team went 10-0 and made history as the first Garfield Heights team in 41 years to have an undefeated regular season along with beating Warren G. Harding for the first playoff win in school history.