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Joe Flacco made some practice throws last week with the Browns' scout team. With rookie starter Dorian Thompson-Robinson still in concussion protocol and having missed this week's first two practices, Flacco is being prepped to start for the Browns on Sunday vs. the Rams.
That means there's been an accelerated learning process for Flacco, who just signed to the Browns' practice squad Nov. 20. And this week he's been in front of the huddle and trying to develop a feel for his pass-catchers while shaking off his own rust. Flacco was not in a training camp and last played for the Jets in the 2022 season finale.
Flacco still has plenty of arm strength, and though Amari Cooper has only been a limited participant in practice this week, the Browns' top wide receiver likes what he sees from Flacco, who's on his way to becoming the Browns' fourth starting quarterback this season.
"He throws a very pretty ball," Cooper said. "I don’t know if it’s intentional or what, but when he drops back and he lets it go, the whole motion is like poetry in motion. It looks good.”
Browns offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt said Flacco still has "elite" arm strength, which Van Pelt said he would deem a 5 "on a scale of 1 to 5." The Browns are spending the whole week in Southern California, so Flacco has had time at the team hotel to get to know his new teammates and coaches and get further acquainted with the Browns' offensive terminology.
Until two weeks ago, Flacco said he was just throwing "two or three times a week" with one of his brothers in case this kind of opportunity arose. He'll likely still be on the practice squad Sunday when he gets to show off that arm -- and try to unlock a Browns' offense that has struggled to create much in the downfield passing game all season.
“My arm feels good," Flacco said. "I think I did a decent job of keeping it in shape. I think no matter what, when you come back here and you have a little bit of nerves, and because of those nerves, you’re pushing a little bit extra hard and you want to leave a good first impression, you always press a little bit. So there’s always that extra little level.
"I think that you've got to get your arm ready to go. That’s hard to do when you’re on your own. But honestly, I don’t think about – my arm feels good. Besides that, I don’t think about the strength of it and all that. I’m just trying to make the throws. I’m trying to make the throws with touch, make the throws that I need to put in there. I’m trying to put them in there. I’m worried about being on time, in rhythm and those things more than I am about how strong the ball is getting.”
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