When Joe Flacco lines up under center this week at training camp, the Ravens quarterback will be staring at something bigger than a blitzing Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker.
It'll be the mounting expectations from fans, news media, coaches and teammates.
He is no longer the small-school rookie who continually surprised everyone on the big stage. He is perhaps the most critical piece on a team that sees itself as a Super Bowl contender.
But the increased heat doesn't seem to faze Joe Cool.
"If you're not motivated by yourself at this level, you are not going to be successful," said Flacco, who will report to his second training camp Monday at McDaniel College in Westminster. "I don't need coaches or the media to motivate me. I don't need anybody. I already have the highest expectations you can have for yourself."
Last year, Flacco recorded one of the most memorable seasons for a rookie quarterback, becoming the first in NFL history to win two playoff games.
That same NFL history suggests Flacco will have a successful encore. Of the six previous rookie quarterbacks who led NFL teams to the postseason since 1970, four of them advanced to the playoffs in their second season. Two of them (Dan Marino and Ben Roethlisberger) guided their teams to the Super Bowl.
If Flacco could follow this same path, the 24-year-old would further validate himself as one of the top quarterbacks in the league.
"He has a burning desire to prove last year wasn't a fluke," quarterbacks coach Hue Jackson said. "He wants to be better than he was last year. We need him to be better than he was last year. I think he understands that and respects that."
Flacco is ahead of the curve because he shouldn't have started most of last season. An injury to Kyle Boller and an illness to Troy Smith allowed Flacco to leapfrog from the No. 3 quarterback to starter just weeks before the season opener.
It was a rough start for the former University of Delaware star, who threw one touchdown pass and seven interceptions in his first five games. Then Flacco found his rhythm and confidence in the last 11 regular-season games, passing for 13 touchdowns and five interceptions for a 90.2 rating.
The Ravens are banking that this strong finish carries over into this season. Their offense would be dangerous if Flacco could control a game with his arm.
"The greatest improvement is from Year 1 to Year 2," veteran defensive end Trevor Pryce said. "Not one to four or two to six. I think he will make a big improvement."
