In Joe Flacco, Ravens have what Eagles are still looking for

CHIP KELLY saw Joe Flacco coming from 400 miles away.

In Newark, Del., on the last day of September 2006, Flacco threw for 315 yards and three touchdowns in a 52-49 home loss to New Hampshire, where Kelly was offensive coordinator.

"I knew how good Joe was going to be a long time ago," Kelly said yesterday.

That happened to be the turnaround game for Flacco, the one that secured for him the starting job with the Blue Hens as a junior who had transferred from Pitt.

Kelly, as is maddeningly usual, was right.

Kelly yesterday continued his chore of creating a competent Eagles quarterback for the third consecutive season. It was the second day of shared practice space with the Ravens, which afforded a strikingly contrasting view.

One team has a "stud," as Ravens coach John Harbaugh called his starter.

The other team . . . does not.

Among current NFL quarterbacks, only Aaron Rodgers' value surpasses Flacco's.

As Kelly mentioned, Flacco is huge and strong: 6-6, 245 pounds.

He's durable: He has never missed a start in his seven seasons or in six playoff runs.

He's improving: His 91.0 passer rating last season was his best since 2010, and came after the team lost featured back Ray Rice after Rice's domestic-violence incident.

"I think he's one of the elite quarterbacks in this league," Kelly said. "I think he's got a big-time arm. When you roll up on Joe, [you see] he's a big human being, so he's tough to bring down.

"He's also just so poised when he plays," Kelly continued. "You talk about when guys really get it, the game slows down for them. He's such a good decision-maker. He's an unbelievably clutch player. Nothing seems to rattle him."

Despite the $120 million price tag and despite the success, Flacco isn't mentioned along the likes of Rodgers, Brady and the Mannings. It's easy to forget:

Every franchise wants a Flacco.

The NFL is a business that promotes violence, rewards self-promotion and cannibalizes itself for the sake of a buck.

Flacco, an unassuming sort from Audubon, N.J., has little interest in any of this.

You might not know if Flacco's chicken parm tastes soooo good, or if his comedian alter ego dislikes his mother-in-law, but quarterback value isn't measured in Mannings per household.

It's measured in competence and impact.

Nearly 200 football players took the practice field at training camp yesterday. Flacco clearly was the best; the most polished; the biggest presence.

He didn't run the Ravens' offense; he commanded it. He made every throw: deep outs and deep posts, end-zone fades and soft crossing routes. Lots of those.

He threw effortlessly, his release quicker than you thought, his mechanics detailed and precise.

Flacco is 30, is a Super Bowl champion, and is what every head coach wants for Christmas - especially the Eagles.

Consider their situation over the past half-decade.

Since trading franchise quarterback Donovan McNabb just months after he went to his sixth Pro Bowl, the Eagles have tried to develop big, young Kevin Kolb; tried to resurrect Michael Vick; twice tried to create a Nick Foles mirage; refitted Mark Sanchez; and, now, are hoping the duct tape holds on Sam Bradford's knee.

On the other side of the shared practice field: stability.

Also, since trading McNabb, the Eagles have won zero playoff games.

The Ravens, meanwhile, have gone 7-3 in the postseason, with Flacco either managing things to allow the defense to perform or with Flacco charging ahead of the troops.

"It's a blessing. To have a guy here from the beginning . . . mature . . . it's great," Harbaugh said. "And I think he's just hitting his stride."

His teammates adore him. He is the unquestioned leader. He is beyond petty comparisons, beyond the need for validation.

"He's a huge influence, man," said Ravens running back Justin Forsett, now with his fifth team. "He's calm. He's cool. You don't really hear any [change of] inflection in his voice, whether it's good or bad."

Other passers might be more accomplished, or more talented, or have a different set of tools. Only Rodgers fits Flacco's profile: in the prime of his career and built to last.

Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and Drew Brees are 39, 38 and 36 years old. Tony Romo is 35 and, well, he's Tony Romo.

Philip Rivers, 33, is a brilliant talent but mediocre in the playoffs; 11 touchdowns, nine interceptions. Flacco has 25 and 10.

Eli? Gun-shy.

Ben Roethlisberger, also 33, has two rings but seems to be fading after years of punishment given and received. He hasn't won a playoff game since the 2010 season. Flacco is 6-2 with a Super Bowl win since 2010.

The best arguments belong to Andrew Luck, Matthew Stafford and Russell Wilson. Luck and Wilson are just entering their fourth seasons. It's not their fault they haven't been in the NFL long enough to prove they're as durable as Flacco, but there it is. Stafford is 0-2 in the playoffs.

None of this denigrates the potential of younger players, or diminishes the accomplishments of the fading stars.

It only underscores the underappreciated value of an understated star; value that Chip Kelly knew was there all along.

On Twitter: @inkstainedretch

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