Cincinnati Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase said his new teammate is “one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play” ahead of quarterback Joe Flacco‘s expected start in the team’s NFL Week 6 game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.
“Everybody knows who he is, one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play,” Chase said. “But good to get him out there. We had some good reps in the day. … He calls the plays a little fast (in the huddle), so that was something new just hearing. But other than that he’s pretty smooth, you know. I mean he knows the ins and outs.”
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Chase was asked how he learned about the trade for Flacco.
“I didn’t see (anything),” Chase said. “Tee (Higgins) called me first. And I was like, ‘You’re BSing me. For real.’ But I didn’t really know what was going on, I thought Tee was just playing with me. And then an hour later, Zac called me and told me what was going on. So I mean it was just a lot going on. But I’m enjoying it. I appreciate the organization trying to make this work. So, gotta make it work.”
Chase was asked whether it will be difficult to get used to how hard Flacco throws passes.
“I don’t think he throws that hard,” Chase said. “I don’t think he throws that hard, for me. For me, I don’t really think he throws that hard.”
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“Extra work after practice is always the key,” Chase added. “You know, you always want to build chemistry with a new quarterback. We haven’t today yet. Right now we’re just throwing ourselves out there and just getting it done at the end of the day.”
Chase was asked what the move for Flacco signals about the organization.
“They just see that we’ve got a chance,” Chase replied. “Defense is doing good, good enough job for us to help us out. (Offense) has got to make plays in space. That’s what they want us to keep doing. They’re just giving us an opportunity to make more of those plays happen.”
Flacco led the Browns to a win against the Packers in Week 3, Cleveland’s only win this season and Flacco’s only win in four starts before he was replaced by Dillon Gabriel.
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“He’s an older dude,” Chase said. “He knows the ins and outs. He’s seen every coverage. He knows what to adjust to. And that’s the biggest thing about a veteran quarterback. … He’s seen everything. Just coming in and stepping up and making a big impact on his offense is what we need him to do.”
Chase acknowledged that he didn’t grow up as a huge Flacco admirer.
“I don’t want to say I’m not a Flacco fan, but I didn’t really watch him like that growing up,” Chase said. “I was always a Drew Brees guy. I mean, nothing wrong with Joe Flacco. Watched him a little bit with Baltimore but that was it. … First time getting a QB like this. He’s still got an arm to me. I mean, he’s still getting it out there. We’re gonna see more when game time comes.”
Chase added that he’s impressed that Flacco is still playing at 40.
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“Unbelievable, if I’m being honest,” Chase said. “A lot of people don’t see themselves playing that long, besides quarterbacks. Just watching him come in every day. He comes in every day smiling, happy to be here. Loves talking to the guys. He talks to everybody, to be honest, and that’s good to see. He comes in regular. … He comes in just as normal as everybody else. … Good confidence. He walks with confidence. He talks with confidence. That’s what you need in a quarterback.”
Flacco, acquired Oct. 7 in a trade with the Cleveland Browns, practiced Oct. 9 for the second time with the team.
Flacco is set to replace Jake Browning as the Bengals’ starter. Browning said Oct. 8 that he’s “obviously pissed” and “it sucks,” but that he intends to handle adversity the right way.
Running back Chase Brown said Oct. 8 of Flacco’s arrival that “new faces always come with new energy.”
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Bengals head coach Zac Taylor told reporters earlier in the week that the team spoke with Flacco on the phone as he and his wife were driven from Cleveland to Cincinnati after the trade.
The Bengals shared video of the No. 16 jersey Flacco will wear.
Flacco started at quarterback when the Bengals defeated the Browns in Week 1. The two teams are scheduled to meet again in Week 18 at Paycor Stadium.
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Ja’Marr Chase says Joe Flacco is confident, one of greatest QBs ever