Sports
The Cleveland Browns have finished their offseason workout program without resolving the question of who will be the starting quarterback, a question that has lingered since the NFL draft finished. Due to his experience and youth, Kenny Pickett currently has a slight edge to start in Week 1 against the Cincinnati Bengals. However, don’t count out the rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders as both are refusing to back down, with Sanders reportedly stealing the show according to team insiders.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski faces a tricky decision that he’s likely to delay until the preseason matchups in August. Amid the chaos, Joe Flacco remains a calm presence, heading to his 18th NFL season, he trails only Aaron Rodgers (21) in active years. However, his role seems more akin to that of an extra coach than a contender for the top spot.
A Veteran’s Grace Under Pressure
With rookies Sanders and Gabriel eager for their chance, Flacco has taken a backseat without complaint. He’s not clamoring for attention or fighting for extra reps-he’s just showing the kind of veteran poise he’s displayed throughout his storied career. “They don’t need to hand me every snap now. They know I’m ready when it counts,” he said earlier this offseason. His last full season as a starter was in 2017 with the Baltimore Ravens. They finished 9-7, but missed the postseason with a career-low 3,141 passing yards.
The following year, he was replaced by Lamar Jackson, closing out his Ravens tenure. That run was highlighted by a Super Bowl XLVII victory in 2013, when Flacco earned MVP honors with 287 yards and three touchdowns. In 2023, Flacco proved his worth with the Browns. He stepped in late and won four of his five starts. He clinched a playoff berth, won Comeback Player of the Year, and led the team to the postseason, where they fell to Houston.
Flacco’s Career Goes From Star to Steady Backup
Flacco’s sacrifice hasn’t answered the Browns’ biggest question, but it has kept the locker room steady. If the young players falter, he’s proven that he can still deliver, just don’t expect him to make a fuss about it. Since being benched in 2018, Flacco has emerged as one of the NFL’s premier backups. After playing for the Baltimore Ravens, he spent one year with the Denver Broncos, then played for three seasons with the New York Jets, one with theCleveland Browns, and another with the Indianapolis Colts.
He is now back with the Browns. Once known for slinging deep passes-his Super Bowl win was fueled by those long bombs-he has adapted to a supporting role. His career numbers are impressive: He has thrown for 45,697 yards, 257 touchdowns, and 162 interceptions across 191 starts, not to mention that Super Bowl ring.
For the Browns, who have cycled through 40 starting quarterbacks since 1999, with only two lasting a full season, Flacco’s experience is a safety net. While his willingness to step aside might not settle the Week 1 debate, it’s a selfless move that could shape the future if either Sanders or Gabriel emerges as the answer.
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
Seth Curry waived by Warriors, but is expected to return to team early in NBA season
Nearly three weeks after signing him to a one-year deal, the Golden State Warriors have waived guard Seth Curry.[Yahoo Sports TV is here! Watch live shows and highlights 24/7]The 35-year-old journeyman, and brother of Stephen, isn't expected to be gone too long from the Bay Area. According to ESPN's Anthony Slater, there is an expectation that Curry will be back with the Warriors at some point early in the NBA season.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementCurry was waived due to the Warriors' lack of flexibility with their salary cap. They have $206.3 million committed to their roster, just below the second apron of $207.8 million and cannot fit Curry's veteran minimum contract.That means the 15th spot on the Golden State roster will be empty to start the season.During the preseason, Curry practiced with the team and traveled with them on their only road trip, but […]
Georgia’s new way of winning? How the Bulldogs rallied past Ole Miss for crucial SEC win
ATHENS, Ga. — Just call them the Heartbreakers.They’ve broken hearts in Knoxville, Auburn and, now, Oxford.The Georgia Bulldogs are no longer dominant enough defensively to pulverize you, to pound you into the turf physically, to dash your dreams in the first quarter. The new Georgia Bulldogs let you have a taste of success, perhaps a whiff of victory, a glimpse of hope.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAnd then they leave you broken-hearted.That success? Gone. That victory? Absent. Your hopes? Dashed.Tennessee and Auburn experienced it earlier this season. On Saturday, amidst a sold-out crowd at Sanford Stadium, Ole Miss got its chance to witness the Heartbreakers at work in a 43-35 result that Kirby Smart summed up like this: “I don’t know that I’ve ever been a part of one like that.”This is what New Georgia does, not so glitzy, glamorous or talented as Old Georgia, […]
Lionel Messi wraps up MLS Golden Boot, MVP race with hat trick during Inter Miami’s win over Nashville
Lionel Messi locked up a second straight MLS MVP honor and his first Golden Boot after recording a hat trick during Inter Miami's 5-2 victory over Nashville SC on Saturday. It was his 10th multi-goal game of the season.The match was the regular-season finale for both teams with Inter Miami securing the third seed in the Eastern Conference and Nashville settling for the sixth seed. The two teams will meet in the best-of-three Round 1 series beginning next weekend in Miami.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement[Yahoo Sports TV is here! Watch live shows and highlights 24/7]Messi opened the scoring in the 35th minute with a curling effort from outside of the Nashville penalty box.Nashville would take the lead just before halftime after goals from Sam Surridge and Jacob Shaffelburg.But Inter Miami found the equalizer in the 63rd minute via Messi's first penalty kick of the […]
Packers’ team plane delayed by more than 5 hours due to mechanical issues en route to Arizona
After a big win last week, the Green Bay Packers have a great chance to keep the momentum going against the Arizona Cardinals — if they can get to Glendale.The Packers' flight to Arizona was reportedly delayed by several hours due to mechanical issues with the team plane, per multiple reports. The team's departure was delayed by more than five hours before the players and coaches switched to a different plane, with the plane sitting on the tarmac prior to that point.Green Bay posted a photo of the players arriving at the airport about two and a half hours before the first report about the mechanical issue from NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, who at the time reported that the delay was approaching its fifth hour. The team has yet to make any announcements about the delay.The Packers' game against the […]
4 Takeaways from No. 9 Georgia’s Statement Win Over No. 5 Ole Miss
Down go the Rebels! No. 9 Georgia (6-1) outlasted No. 5 Ole Miss (6-1), 43-35, on Saturday to hand the SEC rival its first loss in an instant classic in Athens.The back-and-forth battle between two top-10 teams saw points aplenty from both sides. But in the end, the Bulldogs managed to hang on because of a few timely defensive stops and, arguably, their best offensive showing led by a locked-in Gunner Stockton.Here are four takeaways from Saturday's game:1. Bulldogs prevail behind quarterback Gunner Stockton's best gameAll eyes were on Stockton and his weapons, and they didn't disappoint. The redshirt junior guided Georgia within one point of its season-high total, including a 23-point second half, en route to finishing an efficient 26-of-31 for 289 yards and four touchdowns. He also logged 10 carries for 59 yards, highlighted by a 22-yard touchdown.Tight […]
Arizona State survives late charge by No. 7 Texas Tech to win Big 12 thriller
TEMPE, Ariz. — The Big 12’s defending champions are not ready to relinquish the crown just yet.And with a healthy Sam Leavitt at quarterback, Arizona State might just be in position to keep it for another year.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIn a performance that showcased just how much Leavitt means to this program, the 20-year-old redshirt sophomore did something Saturday nobody else in has managed yet this season. In a 26-22 victory over previously unbeaten Texas Tech, Leavitt dissected the Red Raiders’ highly paid and much-ballyhooed defense to put the Sun Devils right back in the thick of the Big 12 title and College Football Playoff races.He also showed the playoff committee just how much the Sun Devils were missing in last week’s 42-10 loss at Utah when Leavitt couldn’t play due to a foot injury.Despite heavy pressure from Texas Tech’s elite defensive front, […]
Related
Seth Curry waived by Warriors, but is expected to return to team early in NBA season
Nearly three weeks after signing him to a one-year deal, the Golden State Warriors have waived guard Seth Curry.[Yahoo Sports TV is here! Watch live shows and highlights 24/7]The 35-year-old journeyman, and brother of Stephen, isn't expected to be gone too long from the Bay Area. According to ESPN's Anthony Slater, there is an expectation that Curry will be back with the Warriors at some point early in the NBA season.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementCurry was waived due to the Warriors' lack of flexibility with their salary cap. They have $206.3 million committed to their roster, just below the second apron of $207.8 million and cannot fit Curry's veteran minimum contract.That means the 15th spot on the Golden State roster will be empty to start the season.During the preseason, Curry practiced with the team and traveled with them on their only road trip, but […]
Georgia’s new way of winning? How the Bulldogs rallied past Ole Miss for crucial SEC win
ATHENS, Ga. — Just call them the Heartbreakers.They’ve broken hearts in Knoxville, Auburn and, now, Oxford.The Georgia Bulldogs are no longer dominant enough defensively to pulverize you, to pound you into the turf physically, to dash your dreams in the first quarter. The new Georgia Bulldogs let you have a taste of success, perhaps a whiff of victory, a glimpse of hope.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAnd then they leave you broken-hearted.That success? Gone. That victory? Absent. Your hopes? Dashed.Tennessee and Auburn experienced it earlier this season. On Saturday, amidst a sold-out crowd at Sanford Stadium, Ole Miss got its chance to witness the Heartbreakers at work in a 43-35 result that Kirby Smart summed up like this: “I don’t know that I’ve ever been a part of one like that.”This is what New Georgia does, not so glitzy, glamorous or talented as Old Georgia, […]
Lionel Messi wraps up MLS Golden Boot, MVP race with hat trick during Inter Miami’s win over Nashville
Lionel Messi locked up a second straight MLS MVP honor and his first Golden Boot after recording a hat trick during Inter Miami's 5-2 victory over Nashville SC on Saturday. It was his 10th multi-goal game of the season.The match was the regular-season finale for both teams with Inter Miami securing the third seed in the Eastern Conference and Nashville settling for the sixth seed. The two teams will meet in the best-of-three Round 1 series beginning next weekend in Miami.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement[Yahoo Sports TV is here! Watch live shows and highlights 24/7]Messi opened the scoring in the 35th minute with a curling effort from outside of the Nashville penalty box.Nashville would take the lead just before halftime after goals from Sam Surridge and Jacob Shaffelburg.But Inter Miami found the equalizer in the 63rd minute via Messi's first penalty kick of the […]
Packers’ team plane delayed by more than 5 hours due to mechanical issues en route to Arizona
After a big win last week, the Green Bay Packers have a great chance to keep the momentum going against the Arizona Cardinals — if they can get to Glendale.The Packers' flight to Arizona was reportedly delayed by several hours due to mechanical issues with the team plane, per multiple reports. The team's departure was delayed by more than five hours before the players and coaches switched to a different plane, with the plane sitting on the tarmac prior to that point.Green Bay posted a photo of the players arriving at the airport about two and a half hours before the first report about the mechanical issue from NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, who at the time reported that the delay was approaching its fifth hour. The team has yet to make any announcements about the delay.The Packers' game against the […]
4 Takeaways from No. 9 Georgia’s Statement Win Over No. 5 Ole Miss
Down go the Rebels! No. 9 Georgia (6-1) outlasted No. 5 Ole Miss (6-1), 43-35, on Saturday to hand the SEC rival its first loss in an instant classic in Athens.The back-and-forth battle between two top-10 teams saw points aplenty from both sides. But in the end, the Bulldogs managed to hang on because of a few timely defensive stops and, arguably, their best offensive showing led by a locked-in Gunner Stockton.Here are four takeaways from Saturday's game:1. Bulldogs prevail behind quarterback Gunner Stockton's best gameAll eyes were on Stockton and his weapons, and they didn't disappoint. The redshirt junior guided Georgia within one point of its season-high total, including a 23-point second half, en route to finishing an efficient 26-of-31 for 289 yards and four touchdowns. He also logged 10 carries for 59 yards, highlighted by a 22-yard touchdown.Tight […]
Arizona State survives late charge by No. 7 Texas Tech to win Big 12 thriller
TEMPE, Ariz. — The Big 12’s defending champions are not ready to relinquish the crown just yet.And with a healthy Sam Leavitt at quarterback, Arizona State might just be in position to keep it for another year.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIn a performance that showcased just how much Leavitt means to this program, the 20-year-old redshirt sophomore did something Saturday nobody else in has managed yet this season. In a 26-22 victory over previously unbeaten Texas Tech, Leavitt dissected the Red Raiders’ highly paid and much-ballyhooed defense to put the Sun Devils right back in the thick of the Big 12 title and College Football Playoff races.He also showed the playoff committee just how much the Sun Devils were missing in last week’s 42-10 loss at Utah when Leavitt couldn’t play due to a foot injury.Despite heavy pressure from Texas Tech’s elite defensive front, […]
Be the first to leave a comment