Kyle Boller started the Ravens' first preseason game last night, and for the most part, he fared well. He completed 11 of 15 passes for 102 yards, but it was his inability to minimize mistakes that overshadowed an otherwise solid effort.
During Baltimore's second possession, Boller fumbled while scrambling out of the pocket, and then, late in the first half, he threw an interception because he didn't see Patriots linebacker Shawn Crable as he stepped in front of Ravens tight end Adam Bergen.
Turnovers were the main reason Boller failed to hold on to the starting job under former coach Brian Billick. Some wondered whether Boller would find success under new coach John Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Cam Cameron, but the sixth-year quarterback couldn't shake his old problems tonight.It's these sorts of lapses that could land Boller on the bench, even though backup Troy Smith is entering his second season.
First-year head coach John Harbaugh admitted that Boller "did some really good things," but at some point, the six-year veteran will need to put it all together if he doesn't want to add his name to a list that includes such luminaries as Tony Banks, Elvis Grbac and Chris Redman.
He'll have to wait for his next chance, however; Smith will start the Ravens' next game. And the longer Boller waits, the less likely he'll be anything more than a backup. First-round pick Joe Flacco is the club's future, and while he wasn't particularly impressive last night (and, really, who would expect him to be), he'll be given a chance at the starting gig sooner rather than later.
