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Joe Flacco's NFL trip
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Ravens rookie quarterback Joe Flacco
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Dec. 19, 2002: Joe Flacco, a 6-foot-6, 220-pound quarterback from Audubon, N.J., makes a verbal commitment to Walt Harris and Pitt. Flacco makes his decision, even though freshman Tyler Palko has been anointed the heir apparent.
Aug. 31, 2004: Luke Getsy announces he will transfer, elevating Flacco, a redshirt freshman, to Pitt backup QB behind Tyler Palko.
Sept. 18, 2004: Makes what turns out to be his final appearance of three in a Pitt uniform, completing one pass in a 24-17 loss to Nebraska.
September 2005: Transfers to NCAA Div. I-AA Delaware, but Pitt refuses to release him from his scholarship, forcing him to sit out the season.
Sept. 9, 2006: Makes his Delaware debut, completing 9 of 18 passes for 110 yards and two TDs in a 30-7 victory vs. West Chester. Continually improves and throws for 300 yards in a game four times, including 341 and four TDs in a 49-35 loss to Towson.
Oct. 27, 2007: Enjoys a career day in a 59-52 victory vs. Navy, completing 30 of 41 passes for 434 yards and four touchdowns.
Dec. 14, 2007: Passes for 334 yards and a touchdown, but the Blue Hens fall to Appalachian State in the NCAA Div. I-AA final, 49-21. He finishes the season with 4,263 yards passing and 23 TD passes and catches the eye of NFL scouts, who are impressed by his size and strong arm. He also leaves with 20 school passing records.
Jan. 26, 2008: A solid showing at the Senior Bowl leaves many NFL scouts and draft experts convinced he will be gone by the end of the second round.
April 26, 2008: Becomes only the second Division I-AA QB selected in the first round of the NFL draft when the Baltimore Ravens take him 18th overall.
July 16, 2008: Signs a five-year, $30 million contract with the Ravens.
Sept. 7, 2008: With expected starter Kyle Boller out for the season and Troy Smith unable to catch up because of illness, he is named the Ravens' starting QB. The Ravens beat the Bengals, 17-10.
Sept. 29, 2008: Returns to Heinz Field where he could not start as a collegian and helps the Ravens take the Steelers to OT before losing, 23-20. He passes for 192 yards and one TD, but fumbles on a sack by James Harrison that allows LaMarr Woodley to score a third-quarter TD and swing momentum. Still, "he didn't get rattled," teammate Derrick Mason says. "He showed poise out there, and that's all you can ask your young quarterback to do."
Nov. 2, 2008: Named AFC offensive player of the week as he helps the Ravens score 24 unanswered points in the second half to stun Cleveland, 37-27. Finishes 17 of 29 for 248 yards and two TDs.
Dec. 14, 2008: Starts his 14th NFL game with a chance to move his team -- a team that went 5-11 in 2007 and missed the playoffs -- into a tie with the Steelers atop the AFC North.
First Published December 14, 2008 12:00 am
