Marc Bulger: The Newest Raven

[berad]

Years in the future..

"When I was your age, people actually questioned Ozzie Newsome"

[berad]

[quote name='Alexir' date='23 June 2010 - 11:37 PM' timestamp='1277350670' post='425510']
In Typical Ravens fan fashion we throw a player under the bus because it looks like his days with us are numbered by a new signing.

Yes, lets bash troy smith now.[img]http://boards.baltimoreravens.com/public/style_emoticons/default/34853_shakehead.GIF[/img]

Classy guys, real classy.

[img]http://boards.baltimoreravens.com/public/style_emoticons/default/baltimore-ravens.gif[/img]
[/quote]

I didn't see much, if any, Smith-bashing.

[BuckWilds]

[quote name='Alexir' date='23 June 2010 - 11:37 PM' timestamp='1277350670' post='425510']
In Typical Ravens fan fashion we throw a player under the bus because it looks like his days with us are numbered by a new signing.

Yes, lets bash troy smith now.[img]http://boards.baltimoreravens.com/public/style_emoticons/default/34853_shakehead.GIF[/img]

Classy guys, real classy.

[img]http://boards.baltimoreravens.com/public/style_emoticons/default/baltimore-ravens.gif[/img]
[/quote]

Nobody's saying 'good riddance, Troy!'... or at least I don't think they are. I might need to go back and read some more. We're just speculating about his future, which seems in doubt considering the F.O. just signed a QB for the mid $3mm category (with options over $5mm).

It might be that they release Beck tomorrow. If he does go, will people mourn his departure? I doubt many will, but would that be similarly classless by your definition?

[Milton145]

Ravens are beast! If Flacco goes down we still got experience that can step in. And he'll have great weapons in Boldin, Stallworth, and Mason with a great 4th option in Clayton ALONG with a great running game AND a good defense to take pressure off.

We're beast

[flynismo]

I'm sure it's already been said, but I think we just picked up Bulger for his experience and to act as a mentor to Flacco..
I doubt that Bulger is as bad as he has looked the last couple years, playing in STL wont do any QB any favors (quick..who are their starting recievers? Who is their TE? Can you name at least 3 of their linemen?). If we had to play him for whatever reason, I think he'd be serviceable.

I wonder how Troy Smith feels about this. Poor guy just cant catch a break.

[Dan The Man Ravens #1 Fan]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' date='23 June 2010 - 11:28 PM' timestamp='1277350110' post='425507']
Even with an element of surprise, why not just run a standard play with less risk? Better question, why not run a play the team practices more and has a higher chance of gaining positive yardage due to the familiarity?

The best offenses in the league rarely run trick plays, why should the Ravens? Is Troy Smith [i]that[/i] explosive of an athlete?
[/quote]

Its not that you even have to run trick plays. If the other team knows you will then they need to spend time planning to try and stop the play. Its just that much more that we can throw at them. Trust me, I could care less about trick plays. I dont know the stats but im sure they work less often then they actually do. Its all about keeping the other team guessing.

[Milton145]

I'm not concerned about how Smith feels. He just needs to perform well and maybe he can maintain his spot. Even if he doesn't, it's not like he'll get into any meaningful games even if we didn't sign Bulger. He only has to wait a year more. He's been waiting his whole career...it's nothing new...

[Bltravens]

Really this comes down to one thing with me, who would I rather have backing up Flacco, and helping him read defenses, Troy Smith or Marc Bulger....should really be as simple as that. No Troy Smith is not as explosive as many people on this board seem to think, and yes Bulger is light years ahead of Smith running an offense and playing well at an NFL level.

[BuckWilds]

[quote name='flynismo' date='23 June 2010 - 11:50 PM' timestamp='1277351417' post='425522']
I'm sure it's already been said, but I think we just picked up Bulger for his experience and to act as a mentor to Flacco..
I doubt that Bulger is as bad as he has looked the last couple years, playing in STL wont do any QB any favors (quick..who are their starting recievers? Who is their TE? Can you name at least 3 of their linemen?). If we had to play him for whatever reason, I think he'd be serviceable.

[b]I wonder how Troy Smith feels about this. Poor guy just cant catch a break.[/b]
[/quote]

It's got to be frustrating. You can't have the job without having some experience, and you can't get experience without having the job. Poor guy would have been better than Jamarcus Russell.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='Dan The Man Ravens #1 Fan' date='23 June 2010 - 11:52 PM' timestamp='1277351555' post='425524']
Its not that you even have to run trick plays. If the other team knows you will then they need to spend time planning to try and stop the play. Its just that much more that we can throw at them. Trust me, I could care less about trick plays. I dont know the stats but im sure they work less often then they actually do. Its all about keeping the other team guessing.
[/quote]

I think opposing teams will be left guessing without the addition of trick plays but time will tell.

[justifythegame]

That makes it 2/3. That is the Ravens aquiring 2 outta 3 of my fav QBs: Kurt Warner, Steve McNair, Marc Bulger. This is pretty awesome. Should Joe get hurt, i feel confident Bulger can come in and keep us going. He had the worst pass protection i have ever seen in football the last couple years. It might've been even worse than David Carr's pass protection. The Rams offensive line is a joke, Kurt Warner, Marc Bulger, and any other back up QB gets injured standing in that pocket. And Bradford is going to get killed as a rookie next year.
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqXLa42mWZU[/media]

[MiselisM]

Checked out a few Steelers forums. Most are in denial, believing that the front office sees the " downslide" of Joe Flacco's career. Also, they said they are going to kill us this year. This year can't come any faster!

[theFRANCHISE]

I'll say that, despite his decline in productivity and his recent injury history, I'm sure that a decent majority of the fan base (not just the fans on this message board) would say that they're more comfortable with Marc Bulger immediately stepping in to relieve Flacco due to injury rather than Troy Smith.

I mean, I'd almost like to think that Bulger's résumé speaks for itself.

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='Dan The Man Ravens #1 Fan' date='23 June 2010 - 10:46 PM' timestamp='1277347561' post='425472']
The way I see it is, last year Cam started the year out with a few "Suggs packages". Once Flacco started getting banged up we really couldnt chance putting Smith on the field in one of those packages for fear of loosing our best second qb. Smith was definately our second best player at the qb position. Now with Bulger as a solid backup, we can crank the playbook wide open knowing that we have a capable qb backup. Bulgers stats and performances declined over the last few years but it was not all his fault. Look what he had to play with.
God forbid Flacco go down but if he did I strongly feel Bulger could step in and at least keep the wheels from falling off. We have the best offense he will ever have played for including those years when he was a probowler.
Not really knowing how this will pan out, here is what I would like to see.
1. Flacco starting----16 games injury free
2. Smith being our third string qb but used to the fullest extent in the Suggs packages!
3. Bulger 2nd string, Teaching, guiding, inspiring, removing all stress and pressure from Flaccos mind about "I Have To Or We Will Fail Mentality." Then in the worse case scenario jog out onto the field, help Flacco to the sideline due to his minor injury, and the jog back out onto the field and continue the *** whoopin Flacco already started.
This signing makes all the sense in the world to me. It just shows the determination and commitment to get to the final dance. Not sure what happens with beck though? hmmmmm.
[/quote]


The Suggs package is not that important to our offense. The reason i say that is because if Smith is the 3rd string QB, he will be an emergency QB only. I don't see the Ravens wasting a game day roster spot just to allow Smith to run 3-5 plays out of the Suggs package.

As for the whole Beck being the odd man out, i wouldn't be so sure. As surprising as the Bulger signing is to most of us, i think Troy Smith resigning with the Ravens would be an even bigger shock. Smith would be nothing more then a 3rd string QB and would probably not see the field unless both Flacco and Bulger went down. As i said above, i can't see the Ravens wasting a gameday roster spot just for 3-5 wildcat plays, when they could have an extra ST player, or DB. So if Smith will probably leave for FA next season, and he probably won't see the field much as an 3rd string QB this year anyway, why waste the time with him?

From Beck's stand point you, he'll probably be nothing more then a career backup. The Ravens could keep him around and continue to have him develop under Cam and Zorn, and possibly turn him into a reliable backup. Just like Troy, if Beck is kept on as the 3rd string QB, he will not see any game action unless both Flacco and Bulger goes down. However unlike Troy Smith, Beck doesn't seem so eager to get out of Baltimore, so it's very much possible that he could resign after this season.

I don't think at this point it really matters who's the better QB between Smith and Beck, because if the Ravens have to rely on either guy, we'll probably be calling Kurt Warner and begging him to come out of retirement. Just lookin at the situation, it really just makes more sense for the Ravens to hold onto Beck instead of Smith, because Smith is likely gone after this season anyway.

I could easily see the Ravens parting ways with Troy Smith during the first round of cuts, or maybe even trading him. Yes i know most people think he is worthless in a trade, but i think if you know he is leaving after the season anyway, the Ravens would be happy with a 7th rounder for him.

[Purple Punishment]

Trade Troy Smith for a washing machine like Woody Harelsons character in the movie Semi Pro

[Ravensfan23]

As for the actual signing of Bulger, i love it. The reason i love it so much, is not just because it's Bulger, but because of the mindset the Ravens seemingly have. The Ravens appear to be making all the moves of a team that thinks they have a really good change at not only making it deep into the playoffs, but winning the Superbowl. Adding Bulger says to me...Hey, if Flacco is forced to miss a game or two, we have a guy that we truely believe can step in and win us a big game. A guy that veteran players on this team can look to and say, ok, this guy has been there before, we don't have to wonder about this guy, we know that he is capable of getting it done. Not just hope the team is in good hands because a guy has swagger.

The Ravens have seemed to push all the right buttons this offseason. Most people will look to a team like the Jets with all the big names that they added and view them as a team that had a great offseason, and they very well may have had one. However when you look at the pieces the Ravens have added and the players that represent those pieces, you have to be excited if you're a Ravens fan.

The guys we've added aren't huge names, but they are players that could very well help the Ravens big time this season. Just think of guys like Justin Bannan and Jimmy Leonard. Who knew these guys when they played in Buffalo?

Look at a guy like Travis Fisher. He's never had a real breakout season in the NFL, but he's had a few decent seasons when surrounded by good talent. The Ravens shouldn't be depending on Fisher to be a standout performer, just a guy that can perform well in nickle and dime until everyone starts to get healthy in the secondary.

Ken Hamlin is another guy that we won't rely on to be a huge part of the defense, but he'll be a guy that can add another starting caliber Safety to the back end on nickle and dime packages. He's a guy that still has talent and could make one or two big plays in tight games this year that could make his signing well worth it.

Then you have Cory Redding, he's a guy that's battled some injuries the last few season and has a lot to prove. He probably won't start for us, but he will provide great depth to our defensive line.

That's not even mentioning Stallworth and Boldin.

I feel like the Ravens are putting themselves in position to win right now, and they are doing it in a smart way. They aren't making big trades that could backfire in a few years, they aren't throwing money at big named free agents. Right now it's hard to say what this Ravens team will do, but as a fan i'm feeling good about the season and can't wait for it to start.

[CorvusCorax]

[quote name='Alexir' date='23 June 2010 - 11:37 PM' timestamp='1277350670' post='425510']
In Typical Ravens fan fashion we throw a player under the bus because it looks like his days with us are numbered by a new signing.

Yes, lets bash troy smith now.[img]http://boards.baltimoreravens.com/public/style_emoticons/default/34853_shakehead.GIF[/img]

Classy guys, real classy.

[img]http://boards.baltimoreravens.com/public/style_emoticons/default/baltimore-ravens.gif[/img]
[/quote]

Whoa easy there tiger.

Remember it was Smith that was interested in going elsewhere.

With that said:

Welcome to Baltimore Marc Bulger!

I think this provides us with an excellent backup.

As for the Smith debate, this could be the opportunity he's been waiting for. If releasing him gets him another opportunity to go elsewhere, good for him then.

I see this move as an opportunity for the Ravens to still be competitive should go suffer an injury and/or give Joe time to heal (like his foot/ankle injury last season) and have a competitive QB on the field. The Ravens are taking every opportunity to make a deep playoff run.

Concerning Smith/Beck, if they do indeed fight for a 3rd string spot, I think Beck has a better advantage of possibly staying here.

1. We are no longer reliant on gimmick plays given our offensive talent. We'll see more Jumbo packages than Suggs packages.

2. We have other players available for trick plays.

3. Beck about the same experience than Smith and seems better poised in the pocket imo.

4. Beck has been under Cam's system from back in Miami.

5. Beck has been quiet (and probably more understanding) unlike Smith.

[AwakenTheDemon]

[quote name='CorvusCorax' date='24 June 2010 - 01:14 AM' timestamp='1277360059' post='425576']
Whoa easy there tiger.

Remember it was Smith that was interested in going elsewhere.

With that said:

Welcome to Baltimore Marc Bulger!

I think this provides us with an excellent backup.

As for the Smith debate, this could be the opportunity he's been waiting for. If releasing him gets him another opportunity to go elsewhere, good for him then.

I see this move as an opportunity for the Ravens to still be competitive should go suffer an injury and/or give Joe time to heal (like his foot/ankle injury last season) and have a competitive QB on the field. The Ravens are taking every opportunity to make a deep playoff run.

Concerning Smith/Beck, if they do indeed fight for a 3rd string spot, I think Beck has a better advantage of possibly staying here.

1. We are no longer reliant on gimmick plays given our offensive talent. We'll see more Jumbo packages than Suggs packages.

2. We have other players available for trick plays.

3. [b]Beck has more experience than Smith[/b] and seems better poised in the pocket imo.

4. Beck has been under Cam's system from back in Miami.

5. Beck has been quiet (and probably more understanding) unlike Smith.
[/quote]

Uh... what? They've both been in the league for the same amount of time, while Smith has played in 10 games, as opposed to Beck's 4.

[CorvusCorax]

[quote name='AwakenTheDemon' date='24 June 2010 - 02:50 AM' timestamp='1277362201' post='425584']
Uh... what? They've both been in the league for the same amount of time, while Smith has played in 10 games, as opposed to Beck's 4.
[/quote]

Uh... okay my bad. I thought he played an entire season. Forgive me for not following every single player in the NFL.

Fixed. Happy now?

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

I like it, not only because he's a reliable back up but for competition reasons. Before this, Flacco was hands down starter. Not saying he's not now, but he's gotta keep Bulger in his rear view mirror now. With a good line, a running game, and some receivers Bulger can still play. So I think it's a great signging bc as mentioned we get a solid backup who in case of injury can keep us winning. He puts competition on Flacco to make sure he's got pressure in camp to perform (not that he doesnt already hold himself to a high standard) and hopefully can drop some knowledge on all three young QBs.


As everyone else has said, this seemed really sudden and out of place. I don't know about this but one of the first things that popped into my head (before reading all these posts which make me feel more like the deal is just straight up) but could this be for a trade? Maybe snatch up Bulger before another QB needy team can, give him a contract he's happy with and then trade for a player of need like a CB (from the Bills who need a QB)? Just by playing the middle man we could pick up a player of need, Bulger's happy bc the team who needs him can't lowball his contract bc it's been set up by the Raven's, and whatever team gets the QB they need...

No idea if it could even work that way, but it was just so out of place and sudden that my instinct was that there was something tricky behind it. But again, after reading the posts and thinking about what you all have said, especially that its a sign the FO is serious about winning this year... and my trade thought is probably just crazy talk from me looking too far into things.

[Purple Punishment]

Bold, theres nothing farfatched about it. It sounds like it could be viable to me. However I think we are keeping Bulger. My question is, is he going to make more than Joe this season?

[J-man]

[quote name='Purple Punishment' date='24 June 2010 - 01:02 AM' timestamp='1277355749' post='425555']
Trade Troy Smith for a washing machine like Woody Harelsons character in the movie Semi Pro
[/quote]

It;s amazing how people's view on Troy Smith's trade value changed. Earlier in the offseason some of you were saying we could trade him for Brandon Marshall

[RayZ27]

pretty good move

[Rav'n Maniac]

[quote name='1/28/01' date='23 June 2010 - 05:23 PM' timestamp='1277331812' post='425274']
for what? a loaf of bread and a 6 pack?
[/quote]
Love It! Funny As Hell!

[Runnin Raven]

This also blew my mind yesterday when I read it. After some thought though it just strikes me as an extremely shrewd move. Having a veteran 2-time Pro Bowl QB as a backup and mentor is a pretty great situation for Flacco. They're really setting him up to succeed. We're going to keep one of the other guys anyway, so I won't get my panties in a bunch crying for Troy or Beck. Its called competition and may the best man win. Ray said it best "its a business" and damn if Bisciotti isn't a good businessman. I like it. A lot.

[PurpleChaos]

I like the move Only thing I'm uneasy about is Flacco's angle on the guy behind him making more money. Don't really see Joe as being the sorta guy to stir things up but I'm just saying if he did I couldn't really blame him.

[Corvus]

Bulger brings a lot of experience as a backup and IF he gets onto the field this season (I think we all hope he doesn't) he'll actually have a line that will keep him off his back most of the time, which became his main problem in St. Louis.

The only thing I even question with this is 3.8 million for ONE season to be a BACKUP. Bulger sat there in free agency after being released since, what, March? No one else, as far as we know anyway, had shown any interest in him. Surely we could have gotten him for less. Hell, he is probably making as much, if not more, than Joe! Oh well, Biscotti's money, not mine, haha...

[Rav'n Maniac]

I'm with most of you guys! I feel this is a great signing. Way to go Oz! As I have said before, I'll take experience & leadership over crawling off to Cleveland any day! I can't blame the kid for wanting an opportunity but, I didn't care for the way he went about it. With this signing, I expect he'll want to go even more now. Maybe even request to be released.

Should that be the case, I say let him go and take Gaither with him! This [b]"team"[/b] doesn't need T.O. crybabies here disrupting what we're trying to build. It is a distraction, plain & simple. I hate seeing players with abilities, such as these two, placing their desires before the teams' need. Are we a better team with them than without them? Yes we are but, not at the cost of self indulgence.

Now if this is bashing, so be it! I can't help but saying what I feel.

[1/28/01]

[quote name='J-man' date='24 June 2010 - 08:15 AM' timestamp='1277381746' post='425606']
It;s amazing how people's view on Troy Smith's trade value changed. Earlier in the offseason some of you were saying we could trade him for Brandon Marshall
[/quote]
There are is an elite group here that does not possess basic football knowledge.....I love it!

[MsMarvel73]

My first thought upon receiving the ESPN mobile alert yesterday was precisely this:

'Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaat??? Shouldn't we be signing a [i]corner[/i]back and not a [i]quarter[/i]back?'

But after reading a few posts in the threads yesterday [size="1"](Thank you Franny for being a voice of reason)[/size], I realized it's not such a bad thing after all. Having Bulger around will only help Joe.