*For the latest edition of Inside Answers, where we've taken questions from fans and brought them to a top performer in the Ravens' most-recent game. *
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Here's quarterback Joe Flacco with his answers to your questions about Baltimore's win over the Chiefs and the upcoming season.
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[Ed. note: Questions may have been edited for clarity.]
Chris Kothe, Baltimore: Hey Joe congrats on a career high game. You've shown us fans and the whole NFL that your the real deal in such a short time. What NFL quarterback did you look up to as you were growing up? thanks!
Flacco: "I always looked up to Joe Montana. He won a lot of games, but I thought he was a great quarterback. I liked the 49ers for the longest time when I was growing up."
Josh Hastings, Salisbury Md.: What is the latest with your brother playing baseball and how do you feel about his success and talent? I heard he was signed with our local team- the Delmarva Shorebirds... You and your brother are always welcome on the Eastern Shore!
Flacco: "This weekend he's heading down to Sarasota because they're done with their season. He's going down to Sarasota for an instructional league. They've probably got about 14 or 15 games, and then they practice the rest of the time."
Jacob Blom, Baltimore:Why did you choose the number 5? I would think 6 would be a good number for you since you are 6'6". Obviously, Hauschka has that number now so it doesn't matter. I was just curious.
Flacco:"I haven't always wanted to be No. 5. I always wanted to be No. 16 because of Joe Montana, and when I went out for the high school football team as a freshman, they only had No. 8 and 5 left for me, so I picked No. 5. It's just stuck since then."
Carol Davis, Pasadena, Md.: How old were you or what grade were you in when you first starting playing football? You are AWESOME, you are just what the Ravens needed and we think you're going all the way this year. We hope one day we get to meet you in person. My son has your signed football, your Jersey, posters of you, Ray Lewis, Ed Reed and the cheerleaders all over his bedroom.
We Love you all, keep up the great job your doing :)
Flacco:"I didn't start playing organized football until I was in the seventh grade. I don't know if I ever didn't think I could make it to the NFL. It was always a dream of mine, and I don't know if I ever didn't think I could. I don't know if there was that time where I was like, 'Oh yeah, I can do it now.'"* *
Ken Schreiber, Baltimore: hey joe how do you feel about this years schedule? especially going up against teams like the patriots,the colts and green bay...(cold) do you think this years offense is stronger than last years ?
Flacco:"It's too hard to look ahead in the schedule when you've got teams every week that are going to be tough games. San Diego has been a proven team for the last couple of years, so it's tough to look past them."
Chris Underwood, Pasadena, Md.: Where can we hang out with you after a game? Do you ever go downtown?
Flacco:"When we have home games, all my family comes in. We usually go get a quiet meal, and after they head home, then I usually get some rest."
