Surely noboby was surprised by Kyle Boller's mostly-effective-save-two-turnovers performance against the Pats in the preseason opener last week. Boller's been in the league since 2003 and that's his M.O. Two years ago, it got him benched -- the Ravens were finally able to a) admit they had some shortcomings at the position, and b) do something about it by trading for Steve McNair.
McNair "retired" this offseason, Baltimore drafted Joe Flacco, and while he matures into an NFL superstar, Boller and second-year player Troy Smith are battling for the job. Boller was 11 of 15 for 102 yards and an interception on Thursday night; Smith was 5 of 12 for 74 yards. But according to the Boston Globe's Mike Reiss, Smith's the locker room favorite.
One of the undercurrents felt from the Ravens' visit to Gillette Stadium was the support in the team's locker room for Troy Smith to be the team's starting quarterback on opening day. Linebacker Ray Lewis, in particular, is privately lobbying for Smith - the former Heisman Trophy winner from Ohio State - to take the reins over Kyle Boller and 2008 first-round draft choice Joe Flacco.Has Ray Lewis ever done anything "privately?" I think not. Whatever, it seems many fans are in agreement, and since we all know what Boller can do, giving Smith a shot doesn't seems like such a bad idea. Not sure if it'll happen, but if it does, no one would be complaining. Particularly those who play for the Ravens.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
8-11-2008 @ 12:17AM
George B Vieto said...
Give Troy Smith a chance since Kyle Boller has not produced in his short period of time in Baltimrore.
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8-11-2008 @ 1:04AM
Phil Dirt said...
Not all Ravens fans want Smith at QB. I'd like to see what Boller could do with an offense designed for him (not one inherited that was planned for someone else) by someone with a little more imagination than Billick had. I don't think they have ever given him a plan that was built around his assets with a complete lineup that suits his game. Give Boller the ball one more time.
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8-11-2008 @ 1:27AM
Tyler said...
dont get me wrong phil, i like boller. hes one of my favorite players even though he doesnt put up great numbers. the problem with your suggestion is that it takes alot more time and energy to redesign an offense to fit a quarterback rather than get a quarterback that fits the offense. boller has a big arm without a ton of precision and that just doesnt fit our possession offense with a young, injured, inexperienced offenseive line. i believe that smith is the way to go for now. i also believe that boller will go somewhere in the offseason with good receivers, maybe detroit, maybe minnesota, and he will succeed. i wish him the best wherever he goes but i dont think his skill-set is the right fit for the ravens at this point
8-11-2008 @ 8:31AM
Dave said...
Thats the problem, players had too much voice & higher up's ears last season and look where it got Brian. Smith just threw 3 picks in 8 passes in practice Saturday, alongwith a not so good performance vs NE.
I agree Boller is not the choice and this team would be better if they shipped him out and brought in a good vet so both Troy & Joe could learn. Troy may give us our best chance to win with his ability to make plays with his feet.
Bottom line it should be a coaches choice not the players. Coach Harbaugh will be moving in the same direction as the last man in charge if he gives them too big a voice on TEAM operations.
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9-23-2008 @ 1:54PM
NFLCzar said...
Am looking at Ravens/Pats replay (NFLN), I must say, that Smith HAS to start for this team. Is he phenomenal? No. He is able to do something Boller can't, put the ball on the money. The guy is really accurate. Plus he can run effectively.....Had the Bears picked this guy they'd be sitting pretty right now.
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