Refuses To Watch His Own Amazing Commercial
Of course Joe Flacco won't watch his own hilariously amazing commercial.
Refusing to do so fits in too perfectly with his cool personality, always immune to the chatter surrounding him, good or bad.
"I'm like the only person [who hasn't seen it]," Flacco said.
"I could have watched it, who knows how long ago. Probably not a week after we made it, my mom sent me the email they sent me, and I'm like, 'Cool, I'm not watching it.' But my wife was happy that she got to see it, and all these guys [liked it]."
I could see Joe not wanting to watch some of his early commercials when he first entered the league, but he's upped his game since then. The ad of him clay pigeon shooting with his cannon arm was excellent, and this new "football party fail" commercial is the best one yet.
In it, the Super Bowl XLVII MVP is awkwardly horrible at hosting football parties. He dips his elbow in an ice-filled soda cooler, he asks if he can keep second- and third-string party guests in the garage to help "win" the party, and he has a bad habit of treating guests like his center and calls a play when one bends over to pick something up off the floor.
Head Coach John Harbaugh also hadn't seen the commercial as of yesterday, but when our Ryan Mink brought it to his attention, Harbaugh (with a smile) said he would not only have to check it out, but would have to show it at the start of the next team meeting.
The ad has gone viral and is getting high praise. The laughs Flacco elicits are up there with some of the other comedic commercials starring quarterbacks like Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers and Eli Manning.
"Flacco has long been labeled boring, and it didn't help that his own father described him as 'dull' at the Super Bowl a couple of years ago," wrote ESPN's Jamison Hensley. "But this commercial will show what many teammates have said for years – that Flacco has a funny side."
Oh, Flacco knows that the commercial is receiving rave reviews. He just doesn't care.
"I don't think I'm getting too bad of a reception, but I'm still not going to watch it," Flacco said.
Ravens Show Faith In Hill, But Allow For Flexibility
The Ravens and Will Hill agreed to a new two-year deal Thursday, after the hard-hitting safety cleaned up his act off the field and became one of the most impressive defensive players on it.
The Baltimore Sun's Jeff Zrebiec called the move the "greatest show of faith [in Hill] yet."
Hill originally joined the Ravens in July 2014 following his release from the New York Giants and facing the third NFL suspension of his young career. He missed the first six games of the season, but then provided a major boost to the secondary when he was plugged into the defense.
With a year under his belt in Defensive Coordinator Dean Pees' system, Hill has taken even another step up. Both sides invested considerable time in helping his get his personal life in order, too.
"Last year, when Ozzie Newsome took a chance on Will Hill, it was a little bit of a head-scratcher," wrote Ryan Jones of Russell Street Report (RSR). "The team was dealing with a huge off field distraction with the Ray Rice situation, and in the midst of that the Ravens took on another troubled player who wouldn't be able to contribute until week 7. Now, a little over a year later that gamble has appeared to pay off for the Ravens and Hill. He has been one of the best defensive players on the field for the Ravens and has gotten his career back on track.
"Kudos to Ozzie Newsome and the Ravens for giving Hill the opportunity and environment he needed to thrive. But even bigger kudos to Hill for recognizing he was in a great situation, staying out of trouble, and making the most of it. It's a win-win all the way around."
The terms of the deal have not yet been disclosed. Hill was previously under a signed restricted free agent tender worth $1.54 million. He was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2015 season, but his new contract will keep him in Baltimore through 2016.
The Ravens were reportedly $8.23 million under that salary cap before the signing, and RSR's Brian McFarland expects that number to go down once Hill's contract terms are released. His cap hit will likely be higher.
After his six-game suspension for a violating the league's substance abuse and performance enhancing drug policy last season, the next level of punishment if Hill were to violate it again could be a 10-game suspension or even a year-long ban, similar to what Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon is serving now.
With safety Matt Elam nursing a potential season-ending biceps tear, Baltimore is counting on Hill not to slip up again.
And while the Ravens are showing a level of trust in Hill after he moved to Owings Mills and reported to the practice facility nearly every day during the offseason, they're also not so deeply invested that they would be handcuffed in finding reinforcements if something were to happen.
"Looks like a stop-gap deal that allows Hill to prove his past transgressions are behind him, while providing the Ravens with a little stability going into 2016. If Hill proves his worth, I would expect them to explore a longer term arrangement prior to the 2016 season," wrote McFarland.
Added RSR's Tyler Lombardi: "This is good news for a team that has to deal with the expiration of the contracts of Justin Tucker, Kelechi Osemele, and Marshal Yanda next offseason. I feel more comfortable with the Ravens' safety situation for at least one more year."
Hensley: Don't Expect Perriman For Rest Of Preseason
Head Coach John Harbaugh said there is no longer a timetable for wide receiver Breshad Perriman's return from a sprained knee.
But Hensley is taking a shot at one.
"It's looking like Perriman will miss the entire preseason of his rookie year," he wrote.
With Perriman and second-year receiver Michael Campanaro (soft-tissue issue) nursing injuries, Hensley says the top 3 receivers are Steve Smith Sr., Kamar Aiken and Marlon Brown. The Ravens first-round draft pick is still expected to contribute in a big way this season once he returns, but some of the* *development he would have made during training camp will now need to happen during the season.
"The question with Perriman is how long it'll take for him to get up to speed when he is cleared to come back. His game is based on stretching the field," wrote Hensley. "He ran the 40-yard dash at his pro day in 4.24 seconds, which is faster than anyone at this year's combine."
RGIII Has Been Cleared To Play vs. Baltimore
It was unclear whether the Ravens would face Washington starting quarterback Robert Griffin III Saturday night when the Redskins travel north for the Battle of the Beltways.
He suffered a concussion in the Redskins' preseason Week 2 matchup against the Detroit Lions, but he has been cleared to play against the Ravens.
Let's hope the young star doesn't suffer any more blows to the head as concussions are a serious injury.
Steelers WR Bryant May Miss Ravens Matchup
The Ravens may not have to match up against Steelers wide receiver Martavis Bryant when they travel to Pittsburgh in Week 4 of the regular season.
That's because Bryant has been suspended for four games for violating the league's substance abuse policy, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Bryant will reportedly appeal the suspension, but if it is upheld he will miss the AFC North showdown. His absence could have a major impact on the game, as Bryant put up a five-catch, two-touchdown performance against the Ravens in November.
"If the ban stands, the Steelers begin the season missing at least three key offensive players," wrote CSNBaltimore.com's Clifton Brown. "Pro Bowl running back Le'Veon Bell will miss the first two games due to a suspension, and center Maurkice Pouncey will miss most of the season, if not all of the season with a dislocated ankle."
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