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Joe Flacco focused on 'improvements I need to make' instead of 'what I improved on'
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- Joe Flacco focused on 'improvements I need to make' instead of 'what I improved on'
BEREA — Joe Flacco knew the film study was going to be rough for his performance against the Jacksonville Jaguars . However, the Browns quarterback also knew he just had to sit there and take some of the criticisms.
That is, after all, what a dad has to do. So that's exactly what Flacco did as his five children broke down what they saw from his second game with the Browns.
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"I got through it," Flacco said Wednesday. "It was tough, but I got though."
What exactly was the biggest criticism levied at him by his children? There weren't too many specifics that he would truly share.
However, one thing just jumped off the screen.
"Yeah, my oldest son, the first thing he said was," Flacco said, "where were you throwing that one ball? Who were you throwing to (on) the pick?"
Browns quarterback Joe Flacco signals during the first half against Jacksonville, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023, in Cleveland.
The exact kind of comments one might expect an 11-year-old son to give his 38-year-old dad.
Flacco was much more nuanced in his own assessment of the Browns' first 300-plus-yard passing day since Week 11 of last season. He acknowledged the good, which included the 311 yards and three touchdown passes, while pointing out much of the bad was tied up into his technique.
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"Well, I think some of the things that I talked about in terms of being able to get out of the pocket when I needed to and just, not that it was a ton, but I still think there were some similarities that showed up in some of the other things," Flacco said. "The thing I was disappointed in on a few plays were just my feet and the routes and I threw a couple bad balls that I'm not used to throwing just because I don't feel like my feet were tied in with my eyes and all that stuff. So more just conscious of still the improvements I need to make as opposed to what I improved on."
Flacco has thrown for 565 yards and five touchdowns in two games since taking over the starting quarterback job in Week 13 at the Los Angeles Rams . He's done that two weeks after he had essentially looked at the possibility of having no 2023 stats.
Much has been made of the 16-year pro coming off the couch to help save the Browns offense. That late start is something even Flacco believes could have a benefit that's showing in his early performance.
"Yeah, I'm sure at this point, that I ultimately feel a little bit more fresh than most guys do," Flacco said. "When you've been through a whole long season, even though your body kind of gets used to the wear and tear, you're dealing with something. So at this point, to be able to come in healthy, even though I haven't dealt with getting hit and all that, you're always healthier and more fresh in the beginning and that's kind of what this is for me."
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The more Flacco has been around the Browns, though, the more familiar he has gotten with the receivers. Specifically, it's younger receivers like David Bell and Cedric Tillman .
Flacco had a clear connection with Elijah Moore when he arrived from their days together with the New York Jets . While Amari Cooper 's been battling injuries the last few weeks, the two veterans have found a quick connection as well.
However, the connections developing with Bell and Tillman are what leads to plays such as the 41-yard touchdown to Bell this past Sunday. It's in those moments, also, which Flacco has found a lot of joy.
"It's a lot of fun after the fact," Flacco said. "I mean, during the game you're just trying to throw the ball to the right guy and find the open guy. But I don't know if you guys saw it, when he was running into the end zone, the big smile he had on his face. At the end of the day, that's really what it's all about. It's about going out there and having fun and competing and enjoying the process of it all. So definitely really cool to see that."
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A commentary that certainly did not come up during Flacco Family Film Session.
Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on Twitter at @ceasterlingABJ
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Joe Flacco focused on making improvements as Browns starting QB
