At least 1 person thinks Joe Flacco should start for Cleveland

Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski has yet to name a starting quarterback for Cleveland’s upcoming game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. With Deshaun Watson sidelined for the season, the Browns have started three different signal-callers — rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson, journeyman backup P.J. Walker, and, most recently, 38-year-old Joe Flacco — in his absence.

As Cleveland’s QB carousel continues to spin, one longtime NFL veteran has planted his flag in Flacco’s camp. Longtime NFL assistant Al Saunders to call into 92.3 The Fan’s The Ken Carman Show with Anthony Lima Thursday to stump for the former Ravens quarterback. Saunders previously coached Flacco as Baltimore’s senior offensive assistant.

“I had to pull over and stop at a rest stop to call you guys,” Saunders said. “There is no decision here. I coached Joe Flacco in Baltimore. When the Browns signed Joe, I sent [Browns GM] Andrew Berry and the coaching staff [a text] and said what a great move that was. Because the time to win for Cleveland is now.”

“At 7-5 and you’re going into the stretch run of the season, [quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson] is a great young prospect and you can’t teach experience. And Joe Flacco, his personality, his demeanor, his ability to run an offense in that short period of time was incredible. He’s the perfect guy for the Cleveland Browns to capitalize on where they are in a playoff hunt.”

While Flacco couldn’t secure a win against the Los Angeles Rams, he put up arguably the best effort of any Browns quarterback this season. Flacco’s 240 passing yards were second-most on the year behind Watson’s 263 in a Week 3 outing against the Titans. His -0.17 EPA/Play in the Week 13 outing was actually one of the best outings by a non-Watson Browns starter this season, second only to P.J. Walker’s Week 8 game against Seattle.