Joe Flacco was born in South Jersey. But in many ways, he came to embody the city that was his NFL home for 11 seasons and the franchise he quarterbacked to new heights.



He was stoic, tough and resilient. He had his flaws, but he also possessed an unflappable belief in himself and an indifference to how he was perceived by outsiders. He was neither impressed nor intimidated by more celebrated counterparts. And when the spotlight shone brightest, Flacco was typically at his best.



Critics wanted him to show more emotion, to be more charismatic, to devote more of himself to his craft. But from the day he arrived in Baltimore as a newly-minted first-round pick to his final moment as a Raven, Flacco was always himself. For the Ravens, who had previously stumbled in their quest to find a franchise quarterback to pair with their star-studded defense, that was plenty good enough.



The news that Flacco will be reportedly traded to the Broncos when the new league year...