USA Today — Last August, when Baltimore Ravens brass met with Joe Flacco’s agent to briefly discuss a contract extension for the quarterback one year before his rookie deal expired, they were very close to an agreement. Just how close? Only $1 million separated the sides, according to a person with knowledge of the negotiations who spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity because the team has not discussed the specifics of last year’s talks. That’s $1 million in total value over the course of a six-year offer that would have paid Flacco in the neighborhood of $35 million in guarantees. Instead, he played out his contract, won the Super Bowl and last week signed a six-year deal with $52 million guaranteed and up to $120.6 million in total.

Whoopsee. Crab cakes, football, and and terrible negotiating. That’s what Marlyand does. Just goes to show how much faith the Ravens front office had in Flacco before last season. Squabblin’ over $170k a year like they’re haggling with a gypsy over some fruit. Just laughing and watching interviews of him saying he’s the best QB in the league while perusing the next draft class and free agent pool. Now you gotta pay him off with some ludicrous contract like he’s actually an elite quarterback. Gotta give Flacco credit. Sometimes being delusional and betting big pays off. Like hitting on a dime at the bar and finding out she just quit smoking, broke up with her boyfriend, and likes it when bathroom attendants watch.