{"id":45945,"date":"2022-08-15T12:35:47","date_gmt":"2022-08-15T12:35:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/joe-flacco-can-give-jets-a-zach-wilson-injury-silver-lining\/"},"modified":"2022-08-15T12:35:47","modified_gmt":"2022-08-15T12:35:47","slug":"joe-flacco-can-give-jets-a-zach-wilson-injury-silver-lining","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/joe-flacco-can-give-jets-a-zach-wilson-injury-silver-lining\/","title":{"rendered":"Joe Flacco can give Jets a Zach Wilson injury silver lining"},"content":{"rendered":"<div>\n<aside class=\"single__inline-module alignleft\">\n<div class=\"inline-module inline-module--columnist inline-module--author\">\n<div class=\"inline-module--author__img\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>With Zach Wilson on a plane to Los Angeles for Tuesday surgery on his injured right knee, 37-year-old Joe Flacco was taking reps behind center with the Jets first-team offense in Sunday&#8217;s practice. <\/p>\n<p>Barring a miracle for Wilson or some unforeseen circumstances (like a trade for Jimmy Garoppolo or Joe Namath coming out of retirement), under center with the starters is where Flacco will be for the Jets in their Sept.  11 seasons opener at MetLife Stadium. <\/p>\n<p>Against the Ravens, his former team.  Because of course. <\/p>\n<p>No one \u2014 not even Flacco, who&#8217;s certain he can still play at a high level \u2014 wants to see Wilson injured and headed for surgery.  But there can be a silver lining to this for the Jets. <\/p>\n<p>There&#8217;s at least a chance that Flacco taking first-team reps for a few weeks and beginning the season as the starter turns out to be a blessing in disguise \u2014 if, of course, he plays well. <\/p>\n<p>And don&#8217;t rule that out. <\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s possible that Flacco gives the Jets a better chance to win right now than Wilson, who made two egregious errors in his nine plays from scrimmage Friday night in Philadelphia: a telegraphed pass that was picked off on his first series and his decision not to run out of bounds to avoid the unnecessary injury that KO&#8217;d him in his second series. <\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/08\/081422JetsBK04.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Joe Flacco throws as the Jets' new starter as training camp on Sunday.\" class=\"wp-image-23458230\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/08\/081422JetsBK04.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=2048 2048w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/08\/081422JetsBK04.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1536 1536w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/08\/081422JetsBK04.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all 1024w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/08\/081422JetsBK04.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=512 512w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\"\/><figcaption>Joe Flacco throws as the Jets&#8217; new starter as training camp on Sunday. <\/figcaption><figcaption><span class=\"credit\">Bill Kostroun\/New York Post<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Don&#8217;t rule out Flacco playing well enough in the first week or two of the season to create a question about whether he should be replaced whenever Wilson is healthy.  What if Flacco helps lead the Jets to wins in their first two games \u2014 Week 1 at home against the Ravens and Week 2 against the Deshaun Watson-less Browns in Cleveland? <\/p>\n<p>Then what? <\/p>\n<aside class=\"single__inline-module alignright\">\n\t<\/aside>\n<p>That, of course, would be a champagne problem for Jets coach Robert Saleh.  It, too, is putting the cart before the horse with Wilson&#8217;s status so uncertain. <\/p>\n<p>Saleh said the Jets are \u201coptimistic&#8221; about Wilson being out no more than a month, but added that he&#8217;s \u201cnot out of the woods until [doctors] get in there&#8221; and see what needs to be fixed. <\/p>\n<p>When we last saw Flacco start, he looked more than competent, completing 24 of 39 (61.5 percent) for 291 yards with two TD passes in a 24-17 loss to the Dolphins in Week 11 last season.  He has n&#8217;t won a game he started since 2019 when he was playing in Denver and is 0-5 in two seasons with the Jets, though his statistics are n&#8217;t poor (9 TDs and 3 INTs). <\/p>\n<p>The biggest question mark with Flacco playing is whether his lack of mobility compared to that of the athletic Wilson will hinder the motion-rich system that Jets offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur runs. <\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/08\/Jets-Eagles-Football-2.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Zach Wilson exits the Jets' first preseason game with a knee injury.\" class=\"wp-image-23458232\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/08\/Jets-Eagles-Football-2.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=2048 2048w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/08\/Jets-Eagles-Football-2.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1536 1536w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/08\/Jets-Eagles-Football-2.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all 1024w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/08\/Jets-Eagles-Football-2.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=512 512w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\"\/><figcaption>Zach Wilson exits the Jets&#8217; first preseason game with a knee injury. <\/figcaption><figcaption><span class=\"credit\">AP<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The delicious scenario of Flacco \u2014 who played 11 seasons for the Ravens, leading them to the playoffs six times and winning a Super Bowl \u2014 playing against his former team in the season opener isn&#8217;t lost on him. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cObviously, people are going to bring it up to me and you think about that,\u201d Flacco said.  \u201cI&#8217;ve been in a bunch of games where guys have played their old teams and coaches have played their past teams and usually the emotions are definitely crazy.  I mean guys try to act like they&#8217;re so cool during the week and it doesn&#8217;t mean anything, so I know. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cI&#8217;ve probably thought about it a tiny bit, but it&#8217;s so far away.  I know deep down I&#8217;m going to try to make sure it&#8217;s not the biggest deal in the world, but at the same time I&#8217;ve been through it enough, I&#8217;ve seen guys go through it.&#8221; <\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/08\/081422JetsBK74.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Joe Flacco speaks to reporters at Jets training camp on Sunday. \" class=\"wp-image-23458231\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/08\/081422JetsBK74.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=2048 2048w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/08\/081422JetsBK74.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1536 1536w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/08\/081422JetsBK74.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all 1024w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/08\/081422JetsBK74.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=512 512w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\"\/><figcaption>Joe Flacco speaks to reporters at Jets training camp on Sunday. <\/figcaption><figcaption><span class=\"credit\">Bill Kostroun\/New York Post<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>One player Flacco saw go through that gauntlet was receiver Steve Smith Sr., who after playing 13 years with Carolina went to Baltimore and, in his emotional fourth game with the Ravens played against the Panthers.  Smith, after downplaying the meaning of facing his former team the week leading up to the game, caught seven passes for 139 yards and two touchdowns in a 38-10 Baltimore win. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt&#8217;s comical looking back on it that he was trying to act like he was all cool about it,\u201d Flacco said.  \u201cHe was already super emotional and next level and intense when it comes to gameday, but I&#8217;ll never forget that day.  He was on another planet, and it worked out good for him.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>This scenario has a chance to work out well for Flacco and the Jets <\/p>\n<p>Saleh is \u2014 and has been \u2014 bullish on Flacco. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cHe&#8217;s a pro, he&#8217;s a veteran, he&#8217;s been there, he&#8217;s done that,\u201d Saleh said.  \u201cHe&#8217;s a Super Bowl MVP, he&#8217;s a world champion, he&#8217;s gotten the big contracts, he&#8217;s pretty much checked every box you can check.  He knows how to play the game.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>This is why Flacco is still playing.  Because he still views himself as a starter.  Now we&#8217;ll likely get to find out if he&#8217;s right.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>    .<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>With Zach Wilson on a plane to Los Angeles for Tuesday surgery on his injured right knee, 37-year-old Joe Flacco was taking reps behind center with the Jets first-team offense in Sunday&#8217;s practice. Barring a miracle for Wilson or some unforeseen circumstances (like a trade for Jimmy Garoppolo or Joe Namath coming out of retirement), &hellip;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"> <a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/joe-flacco-can-give-jets-a-zach-wilson-injury-silver-lining\/\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Joe Flacco can give Jets a Zach Wilson injury silver lining<\/span> Read More &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","spay_email":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true},"categories":[6],"tags":[13403,3944,423,307,11875],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":45553,"url":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/zach-wilsons-injury-timing-terrible\/","url_meta":{"origin":45945,"position":0},"title":"Zach Wilson&#8217;s injury timing &#8216;terrible&#8217;","date":"August 15, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"For all the attention paid to how many games injured Jets quarterback Zach Wilson will or won't miss, Robert Saleh can't help but think about all the lost practice reps. Whether Wilson's recovery from a bone bruise and meniscus tear in his right knee falls in the optimistic 2-4 week\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sports&quot;","img":{"alt_text":"Jets coach Robert Saleh speaks to the media after practice at training camp in Florham Park, NJ","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/08\/081422JetsBK61-e1660518159792.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":44574,"url":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/latest-on-jets-qb-zach-wilsons-knee-injury\/","url_meta":{"origin":45945,"position":1},"title":"Latest On Jets QB Zach Wilson&#8217;s Knee Injury","date":"August 13, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"3:59pm: With Wilson expected to be out for two to four weeks, many have wondered if the Jets might need to make a move at quarterback, in case his knee injury ends up taking longer to heal than expected. thigh the Jets have confidence in backup veteran quarterback Joe Flacco\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sports&quot;","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cdn.profootballrumors.com\/files\/2021\/10\/USATSI_16929142-200x300.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":47329,"url":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/new-york-jets-quarterback-zach-wilsons-right-knee-surgery-deemed-a-success-sources-say\/","url_meta":{"origin":45945,"position":2},"title":"New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson&#8217;s right knee surgery deemed a success, sources say","date":"August 16, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"FLORHAM PARK, NJ -- The New York Jets can exhale.Quarterback Zach Wilson's arthroscopic knee surgery Tuesday was deemed a success, with no surprises from the original diagnosis, sources told ESPN.Wilson was diagnosed with meniscus tear and a bone bruise after a non-contact injury last Friday night against the Philadelphia Eagles,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sports&quot;","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":49404,"url":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/new-york-jets-coach-robert-saleh-not-ready-to-rule-out-zach-wilson-for-week-1-after-qbs-knee-surgery\/","url_meta":{"origin":45945,"position":3},"title":"New York Jets coach Robert Saleh not ready to rule out Zach Wilson for Week 1 after QB&#8217;s knee surgery","date":"August 18, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"FLORHAM PARK, NJ -- Even though all signs point to Joe Flacco as the New York Jets' season-opening quarterback, coach Robert Saleh refused to rule out Zach Wilson, who underwent arthroscopic knee surgery Tuesday in Los Angeles.\"I don't know if I have an opinion on that one,\" Saleh said Thursday,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sports&quot;","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":43821,"url":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/jets-qb-zach-wilson-exits-preseason-opener-with-right-knee-injury\/","url_meta":{"origin":45945,"position":4},"title":"Jets QB Zach Wilson exits preseason opener with right knee injury","date":"August 13, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"PHILADELPHIA - The New York Jets' preseason began in the worst possible fashion, as quarterback Zach Wilson injured his right knee on the second series and limped immediately to the locker room Friday night at Lincoln Financial Field.Wilson's knee appeared to buckle on a non-contact injury as he scrambled out\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sports&quot;","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":45362,"url":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/robert-saleh-new-york-jets-not-out-of-the-woods-until-outcome-of-zach-wilsons-knee-scope\/","url_meta":{"origin":45945,"position":5},"title":"Robert Saleh &#8211; New York Jets &#8216;not out of the woods&#8217; until outcome of Zach Wilson&#8217;s knee scope","date":"August 14, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"FLORHAM PARK, NJ -- The New York Jets were noncommittal on a timetable for injured quarterback Zach Wilson, saying it depends on the outcome of arthroscopic knee surgery Tuesday in Los Angeles.\"We're optimistic, but he's not out of the woods until they get in there and make the decision [on\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sports&quot;","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/08\/newspress-collage-23458204-1660532405629.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&1660518136&w=1024","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45945"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=45945"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45945\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=45945"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=45945"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=45945"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}