The Solution To Our Quarterback Situation!

[Ravenator]

Simply Put:

PUT IN TROY SMITH!!! I don't know how any football team can draft a player of his status and NOT PLAY HIM AT ALL. Just take a look at these stats:

College Football Player of the Year (2006)

Heisman Trophy (2006)

Fiesta Bowl MVP (2006)

Walter Camp Award (2006)

Davey O'Brien Award (2006)

Associated Press Player of the Year (2006)

Troy Smith is a young and fresh quarterback; somthing the Ravens have been looking to aquire since the very beginning!

It is unbelievable that the Ravens have not put this amazing asset to use. Come on Baltimore, open your eyes and realize that we are passing up a great opportunity to solve one our biggest problems! Whose with me?!

[BrownsFan]

I would think if a QB change is made for you all it would be to Boller before Smith. Throwing the 5th round draft pick rookie in to the wolves is not the brightest of ideas IMO.

And while college awards are great and all (and trust me, I am a big Troy Smith fan being a *huge* OSU fan), now is not the time to put him in.

[Ravenator]

I'm not saying to start Troy Smith. I'm saying 4 years have gone by that Boller hasn't been able to "learn the game." McNair was a GREAT gain to our offense. If we were to just put Smith as second string and let him play under a highly respectable vet. like McNair....good things will come.

[BrownsFan]

Sorry let me clarify.. "putting in Troy Smith" is a bad idea IMO. Whether it be starting or putting him in during a game right now is not the solution. The solution is stable QB play and while Boller isn't the best you all got, right now.. anything is better than McNair.

[tweety]

I don't think Troy Smith is the answer this year, he may turn out rookie great like Rothlesberger (watever).

[Ravenator]

That's a matter of personal opinion. A person that has watched the Ravens since '96 (not saying you haven't) should really know that Boller is not the key to turning the season around, let alone finishing it out. There is not a better opportunity to let Troy see what professional football is all about under than none other than Steve McNair. Boller should not be part of this situation unless deemed necessary. If you don't agree with that, then I ask...what do you think Boller brings to the field that Troy Smith can't do under McNair's guidance?

[Stover4Prez]

I think Boller needs to play the rest of the season. Maybe Troy can get some snaps if we end up winning something by a big margin, but I don't think we need to kill him this soon. As for McNair, I don't think he has anything left to offer the team except salary cap room. He needs to go. End of story. He can't move in the pocket, he can't throw the ball more than 10 yards, and he fumbles every game. He is a has been. Kyle isn't the greatest, but he has learned how to not make the big mistakes and he is not afraid to throw it down the field. He just looks like a quarter back. McNair looks hungover.

Billick can join McNair on the bus out of town too....

[BrownsFan]

I haven't watched them since '96 no so your opinion will be better on these matters I'm sure.

To answer your question no, I don't think Boller is the key to turning your season around. But consider this:

1.) Can Boller manage a game and not lose it for you however? I think the answer is yes.

2.) Does Boller have more game experience than Smith? Yes.

3.) What is your record? 4-4. .500.. and still in good standing overall within the AFC halfway through the season.

While I think Smith may pan out down the road (and lightly do I think this), putting him in now is just an extreme situation that to me would just create more problems. So you've looked crappy overall and you're still 4-4, that's nothing to be horribly ashamed about. Your focus (as a team) should be winning your next two highly important divisional games... and putting Smith in to make his first two career starts in that spot.. or just putting him in period... is just really way too extreme IMO.

[Stover4Prez]

I completely agree smith is not the answer and needs to stay on the bench. My argument is Boller has developed into a QB like Dilfer was in the Super Bowl. He is not spectacular. He is not going to put up Brady like numbers, but he knows how to NOT make mistakes. He has gotten a lot smarter in the past few games and I think has the skill to keep the Offense on the field longer, get a couple scores here and there and let the D rest for more than 18 seconds so they can do what they do best. Ray and the D can't stop ANYONE if they never rest and are on the field starting at their own 30 yard line every time. The first 3 times they were out there, Pittsburgh was already in Raven territory. The D is GREAT, but it cannot play 50 out of 60 minutes.

[BrownsFan]

This is how I feel for you all. If Boller can drive you all down the field, get you some first downs and the occasional points... that means your defense is rested and WILL play as well as they're known to play. I don't care how good your defense is, if you are constantly on the field because your offense gets you "3 and outs" over and over, you are going to play like crap.

Ravens fans above anyone else should know you don't need 21 points to win a game if you can manage it effectively.

[Ravenator]

You're right, Boller does have more experience than Troy. All I'm saying is that the Raven's have aquired one of their best assests and have only dwelled on how poor their other qb's are.

[BrownsFan]

Which is true.. McNair has played poorly overall. Maybe you put Smith in later in the year if your season isn't going anywhere... but right now is without a doubt the wrong time. Don't get me wrong, Boller isn't your savior but right now he's the best you got and should be playing.

[itlstl7]

Boller played so poorly in his first couple of seasons because we just "threw" him in there and he was no where close to being ready. Why would we do this with Troy Smith? Not putting in Smith is about the only smart thing Billick has done so far... Please be realistic... just because he had a good college career does not mean that he can come into the nfl on a struggling team with no reps with the starting offense and be successful. Especially with our upcoming schedule...

[#1 D]

Boller played so poorly in his first couple of seasons because we just "threw" him in there and he was no where close to being ready. Why would we do this with Troy Smith? Not putting in Smith is about the only smart thing Billick has done so far... Please be realistic... just because he had a good college career does not mean that he can come into the nfl on a struggling team with no reps with the starting offense and be successful. Especially with our upcoming schedule...

Yeah youre right dont feed him to the dogs...He's still an underrated talent, lets not screw this up like we did with Kyle.

[MKRavens20]

i agree that you cant just throw him in there, but you can at least work him in a blowout game like the one last night

[abysseyez2]

I'm tired of always reading the bashing of Boller. Everyone talked about McNair and honestly he has done little to nothing to improve our offense except pass on his knowledge to Boller.

Yes we threw Boller to the wolves in the past, he had an offensive line that had no pass protection ability at all, he had no WRs only a TE who could hold onto the ball and was being double covered, coaching staff that kept calling short pass plays when you are known for your running game and have 9 defenders in the box.

Even this season Boller came in and threw a touchdown that was called back for a phony call on Heap, and then had Heap drop a rocket that hit him in the numbers that should have been a touchdown. No Boller isn't the greatest QB to play the game but how many QBs can throw 50 yards from their knees? As far as Smith, he is the future I think but Boller should be the here and now and maybe the next 2-3 years.

The Ravens need to open the offense up and do more down field, they need to use all three backs and not forget about Anderson. When you have three possible star backs why not always keep fresh legs in the backfield? I mean they all are capable of running and coming out of the backfield for passes, use them!!! Do the trick play every once in a while, that pass play to Boller was a great idea and almost worked and even if they don't work it makes the other team think...

The offensive line is still a weak spot but if you use all the things you have a blitz isn't a safe option when a team spreads the field out like we could if we used everything we had on the bench... Billick just needs to get balls and let the offense go, we have nothing to lose...

[theFRANCHISE]

Yeah youre right dont feed him to the dogs...He's still an underrated talent, lets not screw this up like we did with Kyle.

Exactly.

If the coaching staff is able to do anything to prove to our most stubborn fans that they're doing SOMETHING right, at least keep Troy Smith waiting in the wings until the time is right. Don't throw him in the fire like Kyle Boller and mess up his psyche and development as a QB.

[baltsacku]

well i love my team but i think this season is pretty much over. i think that this will be a good chance for troy smith to show what he have, and have mcnair as second qb so he can teach the kid what he knows but with practice no with theory, there is no better think in sports than practice, and also we get ready for next year, give steve one more chance at home, but if we lose against cinci well i think we are done, and also there is no way our defense can hold the opp. all the freaking game, they get tired and frustrated, like every human been, so c'on guys we love this team we all suffer with it, the team need our support i live in ct, but the guys that go to the stadium bring the we believe, or maybe instead of d-fense, bring the off-fense we have to cheer our team up, go ravens

[Twist of Lemon]

I think late season is the time for Troy Smith, right now we still have some hard games to play.

Bengals

Cleveland

At San Diego

Indy

If we lose those then I'd say put in Troy Smith but those are games I wouldn't want a Rookie QB in the game for. Even more so against Shawne Merriman and Freeney

[khalil]

I think late season is the time for Troy Smith, right now we still have some hard games to play.

Bengals

Cleveland

At San Diego

Indy

If we lose those then I'd say put in Troy Smith but those are games I wouldn't want a Rookie QB in the game for. Even more so against Shawne Merriman and Freeney

I'd say start him against the Dolphins. Were gonna need to see what we got for next year

[futurerRaven]

definatly steve is a has been he has knowledge to pass on and thats great but we also have to try to save the season even if its just to go 8-8 at least .500 is better than a losing record i say start boller who has looked better than steve in every game hes played so far and start gaither, yanda chester and grubbs they didnt let up a sack in 3 games u look at it this way theyre older guys are playing old and theyre younger guys are playing vetern ball true troyy shouldnt be fed to the dogs but dont let him waste away on the bench i think all three should get snaps in practice that way troy will have some type of relationship with his offense

[austrianravensfan]

you're absolutely right.

Smith is the only sulution at QB and if he doesn't get to play he'll might go smoewhere else.

but don't put him in before miami.

[Raven07]

so your saying if he doesnt play his rookie season, he'll leave???? i highly doubt that, There have been more than a fair share of quarterbacks in the NFL that sat out their rookie season to gain more poise, timing, vision and all around skill...and turned out to be great....why "throw him to the wolves" now and bring his confidence down?????? Smith will play for us when he is ready, besides the fact that he'll be around here for a few years cuz he signed a 3 year deal. therefore any thoughts you guys have of him going elsewhere can go out the window

[Conrad The Crazed]

Guys guys guys....did anyone aside from me actually WATCH the national title game last year? You know, the one where Troy Smith completely melted down under a REAL pass-rush?

Again...and please pay attention folks...there is a REASON NO ONE TOOK TROY SMITH until we did late in the draft. Wake up guys, smell the Billickness of this whole thing.

None of the guys we have on the roster are solid prospects (sure, Smith MIGHT develop in a few years). Billick, in his eternally damned lunacy, let both Derek Anderson and Drew Olsen go in order to hold on to his love interest Kyle Boller. Already Derek Anderson...in ONE season as a starter...with the CLEVELAND FRIKKIN BROWNS...looks better than Kyle Boller EVER HAS. Admit it people...we need to start from scratch.

First step...clear roster space by releasing McNair, Boller, Rolle, and all other paycheck-collectors who produce little to nothing. Next, and MASSIVELY IMPORTANT....FIRE BRIAN BILLICK ASAP. If this is not done at the end of this season, well...we all know what next season will look like. The man is a catastrophe as a head coach, and has singularly WASTED a pro-bowl defense year after year after year. Before you Billick-homers get your panties in a wad, have the stones to admit the Ravens successes over the last several season had nothing...repeat, NOTHING...to do with anything remotely related to Braindead Billick. It was all the defense carrying the load. You know it...I know it...the rest of the NFL universe knows it.

Bring in Marty Schottenheimer (seriously, our team is BUILT for Martyball, for crying out loud). The man has a record of success that cant be ignored. Sign a solid veteran QB (maybe Jeff Garcia? yeah I know he sounds queer but the guy is a player), and pick up a SOLID QB draft prospect (not some kid with impressive stats who played in Conference USA or something).

Oh yeah...where the HELL is Mike Anderson? I guess that 5 yards per carry simply didn't fit into Braindead's 'scheme'.

Being a fan can be a trying experience at times, can it not?

GO RAVENS!!!

[RayLewisIsGod]

I would think if a QB change is made for you all it would be to Boller before Smith. Throwing the 5th round draft pick rookie in to the wolves is not the brightest of ideas IMO.

And while college awards are great and all (and trust me, I am a big Troy Smith fan being a *huge* OSU fan), now is not the time to put him in.

Ohio State = big name football. Legends are born in colleges such as this, and he won the Heisman and Davy O'brien? Don't put him in?? Okay like I suggested in another post, get rid of steve mcnair and boller, permanently...put Troy at 2nd and find another QB to start, if he doesnt produce preseason, put in troy. make changes til it works. right now we're beating a dead horse, mcnair and boller aren't doing anything.

[ravenpride]

lets take things one step at a time. first we need a entirely new offensive play book. tom brady would look like garbage if he were running billick's plays. these plays are designed for baby steps. This is the problem. change the plays to open up the offense so they can at least have a chance to dominate...they don't have a chance. can anyone refute this? I mean how the F can u win games throwing the ball 75% of the time to your runningback in the flat without even the play being a screen? Quaterback? not just yet, lets see a play book that makes it possible for the ones we have now to show what they can do.

[futurerRaven]

its true the play book sucks but then again have u looked at mcnair on both monday night football games he has multiple fumbles im not saying kill troy by putting him out on the field in game time decisions but let him get practice snaps with the starters let him get the reps he needs if he is the future and no hes not perfect but every one has defined him by a game where his oline couldnt stop the pass rush ours can and it has he has a chance to be great hes got talent and he maybe isnt this years solution but get him ready for next year

[Twist of Lemon]

I'd say start him against the Dolphins. Were gonna need to see what we got for next year

I wouldn't disagree with that, if Troy has polished up his passing skills and happy feet I'd love to have him at QB during that game to see what he can do.

[LookLikeLavender]

Simply Put:

PUT IN TROY SMITH!!! I don't know how any football team can draft a player of his status and NOT PLAY HIM AT ALL. Just take a look at these stats:

College Football Player of the Year (2006)

Heisman Trophy (2006)

Fiesta Bowl MVP (2006)

Walter Camp Award (2006)

Davey O'Brien Award (2006)

Associated Press Player of the Year (2006)

Troy Smith is a young and fresh quarterback; somthing the Ravens have been looking to aquire since the very beginning!

It is unbelievable that the Ravens have not put this amazing asset to use. Come on Baltimore, open your eyes and realize that we are passing up a great opportunity to solve one our biggest problems! Whose with me?!

I'm not sure throwing him to the dogs is the best thing for a rookie. You guys have some pretty good defenses coming up. I would put him in against the division since he is going to have to face them no matter what but I would not throw him to Indy, NE or SD.

[MKRavens20]

Its not like the browns and the bengals have amazing defenses, they can work troy smith in for a couple of drives and see what he can do. if he does good they leave him in, if he does bad, then they sit him back down.