Trade Smith Or Beck

[T-ray]

Guys, I think we do this:

Smith for Aso and 1st rounder
Beck for Revis
Flacco for JMarcus Russell

OKAY, OKaY, maybe not the last one, but what do you all think about the first two??? I mean, they're just fishing for QB's, especially the Raiders.

[1/28/01]

okay, this topic is done....... [size="1"](please mods!)[/size]

[T-ray]

Yeah, this topic is pretty much done for after getting Walt Harris, other than having a few laughs. Then again, did it really even start.

[reediddy]

trade Kelly Talavou for Ndamukong Suh!

[T-ray]

[quote name='reediddy' date='24 June 2010 - 05:42 PM' timestamp='1277419368' post='426034']


trade Kelly Talavou for Ndamukong Suh!
[/quote]

Or we could trade Paul Kruger for Mario Williams!!

[BirdWatcher]

[quote name='1/28/01' date='24 June 2010 - 04:16 PM' timestamp='1277410603' post='425942']
okay, this topic is done....... [size="1"](please mods!)[/size]
[/quote]

Stop posting in it and it will go away all by itself.

[BuckWilds]

[quote name='Moderator 3' date='24 June 2010 - 06:45 PM' timestamp='1277419542' post='426039']
Stop posting in it and it will go away all by itself.
[/quote]

That's like when Gozer the Gozarian told the Ghostbusters to "[i]Choose the form of the Destructor[/i]"... Ray couldn't resist thinking of the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man. "[i]I couldn't help it. It just popped in there...[/i]" And so these posts also just pop in there. We can't help it. [u]It's an itch that must be scratched![/u] Giggity!

This thread has been Gozer'ed (switched it to one that doesn't include an S-bomb).

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EbY0vuNt-Q[/media]

[b]Oh, and to stay on topic, let the best quarterback win. They're all Ravens right now, so I support them all. [/b]

[1/28/01]

[quote name='Moderator 3' date='24 June 2010 - 06:45 PM' timestamp='1277419542' post='426039']
Stop posting in it and it will go away all by itself.
[/quote]
Okay...damnit, I did it again

[Rav'n Maniac]

I truly don't see the Ravens keeping 4 QBs, one most likely will go. Since Troy is not a conventional pocket passer I suspect it will be him. With there being virtually no trade value for either, I hate the idea of just cutting one loose. The Ravens do see some ability in both, especially Troy or they wouldn't have kept him this long.

We've all seen him operate in the Ravens form of the wildcat. Why not take it a step further and line him up in the backfield behind Joe. Use him in a quick pitch option that he could either run or pass out of. That would give other teams something else they have to worry about.

Most of you guys will probably scoff at that idea, but I thought I'd throw it out there anyway. Don't beat me up too bad!

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='Rav'n Maniac' date='25 June 2010 - 12:11 PM' timestamp='1277482296' post='426340']
I truly don't see the Ravens keeping 4 QBs, one most likely will go. Since Troy is not a conventional pocket passer I suspect it will be him. With there being virtually no trade value for either, I hate the idea of just cutting one loose. The Ravens do see some ability in both, especially Troy or they wouldn't have kept him this long.

[b]We've all seen him operate in the Ravens form of the wildcat. Why not take it a step further and line him up in the backfield behind Joe. Use him in a quick pitch option that he could either run or pass out of. That would give other teams something else they have to worry about.[/b]

Most of you guys will probably scoff at that idea, but I thought I'd throw it out there anyway. Don't beat me up too bad!
[/quote]

The biggest problem with that idea is Troy Smith himself. Troy seems to be unhappy with being a gimmick option and wants to be more of a traditional QB and a starting one.

For the Ravens to utilize Troy Smith in those trick plays that everyone seems to think is his only value to the team(or should i say I think), they would need to change his position title. The reason for that is, because Troy will be listed as the 3rd QB, on gamedays your 3rd QB is only allowed to come into a game in emergency situations. Once your 3 QB enters the game, your backup QB is no longer eligible to enter the game(or it may even be the starting QB)not sure on the offical ruling.

Now, if the Ravens did want to continue to use Troy in those Wildcat type plays, they could move Bulger to the 3rd QB and allow him to enter the game in only emergency situation. But even at 3.8 Million i don't think thats what Bulger had in mind, or the Ravens for that matter.

So now that Troy will seemingly be the 3rd QB, if the Ravens keep him, using Troy would really equal a wasted roster spot. Because as i said before he would have to have another title other then QB to be able to legally enter games without it costing the Ravens a player.

Then if the Ravens were actually willing to take it that far with the whole position change, what player do you leave off the gameday roster to allow Troy Smith to come in and run 3-5 misdirection or trick plays a game?


Would you play Troy over a guy like Edgar Jones who plays special teams well, but can also help on defense and offense?

Would you play Troy over a any guy that could help out on specail teams, in the secondary, at WR, or Defensive line? I don't think so.

So then imo the question becomes, how valuable is Troy Smith and how important is he to the success or lack thereof of the Ravens offense? Add all of this to the fact that Troy will happy crawl away from baltimnore next offseason. I just can't see where the value in keeping him around for one more season is.

[1/28/01]

[quote name='Rav'n Maniac' date='25 June 2010 - 12:11 PM' timestamp='1277482296' post='426340']
I truly don't see the Ravens keeping 4 QBs, one most likely will go. Since Troy is not a conventional pocket passer I suspect it will be him. With there being virtually no trade value for either, I hate the idea of just cutting one loose. The Ravens do see some ability in both, especially Troy or they wouldn't have kept him this long.

We've all seen him operate in the Ravens form of the wildcat. [b][u]Why not take it a step further and line him up in the backfield behind Joe. Use him in a quick pitch option that he could either run or pass out of.[/u][/b] That would give other teams something else they have to worry about.

Most of you guys will probably scoff at that idea, but I thought I'd throw it out there anyway. Don't beat me up too bad!
[/quote]
Clayton

[JEEPercreepermd]

[quote name='Rav'n Maniac' date='25 June 2010 - 12:11 PM' timestamp='1277482296' post='426340']
I truly don't see the Ravens keeping 4 QBs, one most likely will go. Since Troy is not a conventional pocket passer I suspect it will be him. With there being virtually no trade value for either, I hate the idea of just cutting one loose. The Ravens do see some ability in both, especially Troy or they wouldn't have kept him this long.

We've all seen him operate in the Ravens form of the wildcat. Why not take it a step further and line him up in the backfield behind Joe. Use him in a quick pitch option that he could either run or pass out of. That would give other teams something else they have to worry about.

Most of you guys will probably scoff at that idea, but I thought I'd throw it out there anyway. Don't beat me up too bad!
[/quote]
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRlhAX9FL-A[/media]

[ClintLB8]

I feel like the Ravens will trade Beck before Smith. I know that Cam Cameron drafted Beck when he was with the Dolphins, but the guy has been a major bust thus far. Smith has talent and if he can be kept then its simple-- keep him. If we wanted to get fancy we could even come up with some new plays for just Smith. The guy runs in the 4.6 range and is pretty stocky.. You never know what you could get out of him. With Beck, you know what you are going to get.. An average to lower scale quarterback. I say that they should at least hang on to Smith for at least one more year to see if he can become Flacco's backup after Bulger retires.

[BuckWilds]

[quote name='ClintLB8' date='25 June 2010 - 04:13 PM' timestamp='1277496804' post='426476']
I feel like the Ravens will trade Beck before Smith. I know that Cam Cameron drafted Beck when he was with the Dolphins, but the guy has been a major bust thus far. Smith has talent and if he can be kept then its simple-- keep him. If we wanted to get fancy we could even come up with some new plays for just Smith. The guy runs in the 4.6 range and is pretty stocky.. You never know what you could get out of him. With Beck, you know what you are going to get.. An average to lower scale quarterback. I say that they should at least hang on to Smith for at least one more year to see if he can become Flacco's backup after Bulger retires.
[/quote]

Smith wants to start and the conversation is now about the #3 QB position now that Bulger is on the scene. There is no need to be fancy anymore. With Beck they get a #3 QB for a #3 price and #3 attention/hassle. I'm not sure there is such thing as a bust at the #2 or #3 QB position, which Beck will always be.

I agree that attention should be paid to the 2011 season, but what the coaches and F.O. will decide is whether or not the #3 spot should be filled by Troy or Beck this year.

[Milton145]

I think we are too hard on Smith. People may say: "No one wants him. He isn't good enough. Blah blah." Of course he isn't good enough. He hasn't gotten that game experience, yet. Smith would be our starting QB right now had he not gotten sick and we'd be talking about Troy taking the next step to the Superbowl. Not Flacco.

I think we are hard on him just because he doesn't want to play a backup on our team. Flacco would probably do the same thing because (please correct me if I'm wrong) didn't Flacco transfer colleges just so he could get a better chance to start? Can't be down on the kid for wanting to start.

If he actually gets some game time experience, with his athletic ability, he could be molded into a great talent in a few years most likely. He just wants the right opportunity on the right team that is willing to give him a chance (a QB needy team)

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='Milton145' date='25 June 2010 - 11:31 PM' timestamp='1277523061' post='426637']
I think we are too hard on Smith. People may say: "No one wants him. He isn't good enough. Blah blah." Of course he isn't good enough. He hasn't gotten that game experience, yet. Smith would be our starting QB right now had he not gotten sick and [b]we'd be talking about Troy taking the next step to the Superbowl. Not Flacco.[/b]

I think we are hard on him just because he doesn't want to play a backup on our team. Flacco would probably do the same thing because (please correct me if I'm wrong) didn't Flacco transfer colleges just so he could get a better chance to start? Can't be down on the kid for wanting to start.

[b]If he actually gets some game time experience, with his athletic ability, he could be molded into a great talent in a few years most likely.[/b] He just wants the right opportunity on the right team that is willing to give him a chance (a QB needy team)
[/quote]

What facts do you have to back-up those claims?

To your first point, Joe was drafted in the first round. I highly doubt Smith would have played well enough the past two seasons to keep Joe riding the pine had he not got sick.

To yout second point, athleticism aside, what tools does Troy have to make you think he could molded into a "great talent"?

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='Milton145' date='25 June 2010 - 11:31 PM' timestamp='1277523061' post='426637']
I think we are too hard on Smith. People may say: "No one wants him. He isn't good enough. Blah blah." Of course he isn't good enough. He hasn't gotten that game experience, yet. Smith would be our starting QB right now had he not gotten sick and we'd be talking about Troy taking the next step to the Superbowl. Not Flacco.

I think we are hard on him just because he doesn't want to play a backup on our team. Flacco would probably do the same thing because (please correct me if I'm wrong) didn't Flacco transfer colleges just so he could get a better chance to start? Can't be down on the kid for wanting to start.

If he actually gets some game time experience, with his athletic ability, he could be molded into a great talent in a few years most likely. He just wants the right opportunity on the right team that is willing to give him a chance (a QB needy team)
[/quote]

first off, lets clear up one of the biggest misconceptions about Troy Smith. Troy Smith was never in line to be the Ravens long term QB. Everyone in Baltimore and the NFL for that matter knew Joe Flacco would be the starting QB for the Baltimore Ravens much sooner then later. The only reason Smith was in line to become the starter that season was because the Ravens didn't want to make the same mistake with Flacco that we did with Boller and just throw him to the wolves too soon.

The next thing is, Troy Smith was never handed the Starting QB position, he was just gonna be given the [b]OPPORTUNITY[/b] to prove in the 3rd game of the preseason that he could handle being our starter for the year.

Troy Smith did nothing to earn the starting QB job that year, to be honest, all he had to do was beat out a QB in Boller whose time in Baltimore was clearly over, and Troy struggled to do that during the preseason.

So this whole thing about how a injury prevented the Troy Smith era in Baltimore is just rediculous.

The next thing about your post is the fact of Troy just wanting to be a starter. I can understand him wanting to be a starter or atleast having the opportunity, however, you don't beg for a trade while your team is in the middle of a playoff push. You wait to the offseason. In the case of Flacco he didn't just transfer to get more playing time, he transfered because the coaching staff told him he wouldn't even be given the chance to ever compete for playing time at QB.

Finally, if Troy Smith was as valuable as a lot of Ravens fans seem to think, then there would be atleast one NFL franchise out there that would be willing to give him a shot to compete. You can say Troy didn't have a chance to showcase, but i disagree. As a backup you showcase your talent in preseason, which Troy has never really done. You also showcase yourself by what you do in practice. Look at guys like Schaub and Whitehurst as an example of backup QBs that other teams wanted.

Now this is not to bash or trash Smith, as i've said many times, i'm a big Troy Smith fan. I want to see him succeed as a starting NFL QB, however at some people you have to lay out the facts of the situation and live with them no matter if they're good or bad.

[ClintLB8]

[quote name='Ravensfan23' date='26 June 2010 - 12:11 AM' timestamp='1277529093' post='426652']
first off, lets clear up one of the biggest misconceptions about Troy Smith. Troy Smith was never in line to be the Ravens long term QB. Everyone in Baltimore and the NFL for that matter knew Joe Flacco would be the starting QB for the Baltimore Ravens much sooner then later. The only reason Smith was in line to become the starter that season was because the Ravens didn't want to make the same mistake with Flacco that we did with Boller and just throw him to the wolves too soon.

The next thing is, Troy Smith was never handed the Starting QB position, he was just gonna be given the [b]OPPORTUNITY[/b] to prove in the 3rd game of the preseason that he could handle being our starter for the year.

Troy Smith did nothing to earn the starting QB job that year, to be honest, all he had to do was beat out a QB in Boller whose time in Baltimore was clearly over, and Troy struggled to do that during the preseason.

So this whole thing about how a injury prevented the Troy Smith era in Baltimore is just rediculous.

The next thing about your post is the fact of Troy just wanting to be a starter. I can understand him wanting to be a starter or atleast having the opportunity, however, you don't beg for a trade while your team is in the middle of a playoff push. You wait to the offseason. In the case of Flacco he didn't just transfer to get more playing time, he transfered because the coaching staff told him he wouldn't even be given the chance to ever compete for playing time at QB.

Finally, if Troy Smith was as valuable as a lot of Ravens fans seem to think, then there would be atleast one NFL franchise out there that would be willing to give him a shot to compete. You can say Troy didn't have a chance to showcase, but i disagree. As a backup you showcase your talent in preseason, which Troy has never really done. You also showcase yourself by what you do in practice. Look at guys like Schaub and Whitehurst as an example of backup QBs that other teams wanted.

Now this is not to bash or trash Smith, as i've said many times, i'm a big Troy Smith fan. I want to see him succeed as a starting NFL QB, however at some people you have to lay out the facts of the situation and live with them no matter if they're good or bad.
[/quote]


Hey.. maybe Smith wasn't ready. Look.. the guy didn't win the Heisman for no reason. He obviously has talent. Did Florida expose some of his weaknesses in the national championship that year? The most certainly did.. BUT... look at people like Dree Brees. He was told that he was terrible and could never be more than a backup and all this.. and that Phillip Rivers (who I know very well because he is from my hometown and his little brother is my high school's starting quarterback right now) was going to take his spot. Well, he came out and had a great year for the Chargers and gave himself a chance to become the starter for another team (because the Chargers had invested a lot of money in Rivers). Experience is key and if Troy can get some experience under his belt like Brees did.. then I say he becomes a great starting quarterback in the NFL. With that said.. he will never get that shot in Baltimore. I just wish he would hang around because we need a solid guy like him for when Bulger retires and we need an insuranc policy for Flacco.

[ClintLB8]

[quote name='ClintLB8' date='26 June 2010 - 01:02 AM' timestamp='1277532174' post='426659']
Hey.. maybe Smith wasn't ready. Look.. the guy didn't win the Heisman for no reason. He obviously has talent. Did Florida expose some of his weaknesses in the national championship that year? The most certainly did.. BUT... look at people like Dree Brees. He was told that he was terrible and could never be more than a backup and all this.. and that Phillip Rivers (who I know very well because he is from my hometown and his little brother is my high school's starting quarterback right now) was going to take his spot. Well, he came out and had a great year for the Chargers and gave himself a chance to become the starter for another team (because the Chargers had invested a lot of money in Rivers). Experience is key and if Troy can get some experience under his belt like Brees did.. then I say he becomes a great starting quarterback in the NFL. With that said.. he will never get that shot in Baltimore. I just wish he would hang around because we need a solid guy like him for when Bulger retires and we need an insuranc policy for Flacco.
[/quote]


Thing about Beck is that he had that shot. He started for the Dolphins for quite awhile and proved that he is nothing special. That is why the Ravens need to keep Smith and not Beck.

[BuckWilds]

[quote name='ClintLB8' date='26 June 2010 - 02:02 AM' timestamp='1277532174' post='426659']
Hey.. maybe Smith wasn't ready. Look.. the guy didn't win the Heisman for no reason.
[/quote]

Danny Wuerffel. Eric Crouch. Gino Toretta. Andre Ware. Jason White. Chris Weinke. The Heisman Trophy is almost a mark of doom.

Not including those QB's who are just getting their careers started, Carson Palmer and Vinny Testaverde are a couple of the best Heisman QB's until you get back to the Roger Staubach era.

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='ClintLB8' date='26 June 2010 - 02:04 AM' timestamp='1277532282' post='426660']
Thing about Beck is that he had that shot. He started for the Dolphins for quite awhile and proved that he is nothing special. That is why the Ravens need to keep Smith and not Beck.
[/quote]

Once again the legend of Troy Smith is larger then the reality of Troy Smith. What he did in college really has nothing to do with what he's capable of doing in the NFL. Name one Heisman trophy winning QB other then Carson Palmer to have success on the NFL level.......You'll have to go back a ways.

The most important thing about Troy Smith is He Doesn't Want To Be Here!!!!

As far as Beck getting his shot. Beck has exactly 2 more NFL starts then Troy Smith. Beck played in 5 games for the Dolphins and started 4 of them, Smith has played in 14 games and started 2. Beck's thrown a total of 107 NFL passes to Troy's 89. So how exactly has Beck gotten his shot to show what he can do and Troy hasn't.

Now don't get this confused with a Jon Beck is the better of the two, or Troy Smith sucks. No, as i've said before, i'm a big Troy Smith fan, and i think he is actually the better of the two QBs, because of what he can do with his legs, however, Troy doesn't want to be here, so why keep him.

Beck was #3 last season so i can't see him beefing over that status again this season.

If you really look closely they are both the same level of QB. Troy just has a bit more natural ability then Beck. But the preception that Smith is far and away the better QB is crazy.

[BuckWilds]

[quote name='Ravensfan23' date='26 June 2010 - 03:41 AM' timestamp='1277538096' post='426665']
Once again the legend of Troy Smith is larger then the reality of Troy Smith. What he did in college really has nothing to do with what he's capable of doing in the NFL. Name one Heisman trophy winning QB other then Carson Palmer to have success on the NFL level.......You'll have to go back a ways.

The most important thing about Troy Smith is He Doesn't Want To Be Here!!!!

As far as Beck getting his shot. Beck has exactly 2 more NFL starts then Troy Smith. Beck played in 5 games for the Dolphins and started 4 of them, Smith has played in 14 games and started 2. Beck's thrown a total of 107 NFL passes to Troy's 89. So how exactly has Beck gotten his shot to show what he can do and Troy hasn't.

Now don't get this confused with a Jon Beck is the better of the two, or Troy Smith sucks. No, as i've said before, i'm a big Troy Smith fan, and i think he is actually the better of the two QBs, because of what he can do with his legs, however, Troy doesn't want to be here, so why keep him.

Beck was #3 last season so i can't see him beefing over that status again this season.

If you really look closely they are both the same level of QB. Troy just has a bit more natural ability then Beck. But the preception that Smith is far and away the better QB is crazy.
[/quote]

[b]
Here's another idea that may have been mentioned but deserves another mention: [/b]Perhaps the organization just thinks it's time to remove the distractions associated with a back-up QB that openly expresses he wants to be #1. Maybe Coach Harbaugh wasn't pleased with the 'I want to be traded' deal last year. Maybe Coach Zorn thinks it's time to focus on just Joe. Maybe Coach Cameron thinks Flacco/Bulger/Beck is still one of the best #1,2,3 combos in the league.

All of that being speculation, of course. I do wonder, however, what the thought process is going into camp, which is just a month away.

[flynismo]

[quote name='Ravensfan23' date='26 June 2010 - 03:41 AM' timestamp='1277538096' post='426665']
But the preception that Smith is far and away the better QB is crazy.
[/quote]

Yes, it is extremely foolish. Personally, I believe Smith has a higher ceiling of the two....and I think that is probably what most people mean when they say Smith is better...but to say outright one is better than the other, well, how could we possibly know?

[flynismo]

[quote name='Ravensfan23' date='26 June 2010 - 01:11 AM' timestamp='1277529093' post='426652']
first off, lets clear up one of the biggest misconceptions about Troy Smith. Troy Smith was never in line to be the Ravens long term QB. Everyone in Baltimore and the NFL for that matter knew Joe Flacco would be the starting QB for the Baltimore Ravens much sooner then later. The only reason Smith was in line to become the starter that season was because the Ravens didn't want to make the same mistake with Flacco that we did with Boller and just throw him to the wolves too soon.


So this whole thing about how a injury prevented the Troy Smith era in Baltimore is just rediculous.

[/quote]


2 for 2 tonight

It is tiring hearing about how the only reason Smith isn't our starter is because Flacco lucked his way into a starting spot due to injury.
Common sense would seem to dictate that if we were so confident in Smith, we would not have burned the 18th overall pick on another QB.
Thankfully, the people who hold that belief are in the underwhelming minority...

[Moderator 2]

I know people are sick of hearing about Troy Smith's height, but I sit in the endzone where you can see the plays develop and he really has to drop back to see the field and pass over the line. What I think is telling on the coaching staffs part, the three game stretch of da Bears, Lions and Raiders Flacco was hurt BUT they did not sit him until after the second half. I think if there was more confidence in the backups they would have.

[BirdWatcher]

How many threads are you going to post this [b]rumor[/b] in? Until someone reputable reports it and cites a source, I wouldn't believe it. Frankly, people flat-out lie about stuff like this just to get attention.

[ClintLB8]

[quote name='Ravensfan23' date='26 June 2010 - 02:41 AM' timestamp='1277538096' post='426665']
Once again the legend of Troy Smith is larger then the reality of Troy Smith. What he did in college really has nothing to do with what he's capable of doing in the NFL. Name one Heisman trophy winning QB other then Carson Palmer to have success on the NFL level.......You'll have to go back a ways.

The most important thing about Troy Smith is He Doesn't Want To Be Here!!!!

As far as Beck getting his shot. Beck has exactly 2 more NFL starts then Troy Smith. Beck played in 5 games for the Dolphins and started 4 of them, Smith has played in 14 games and started 2. Beck's thrown a total of 107 NFL passes to Troy's 89. So how exactly has Beck gotten his shot to show what he can do and Troy hasn't.

Now don't get this confused with a Jon Beck is the better of the two, or Troy Smith sucks. No, as i've said before, i'm a big Troy Smith fan, and i think he is actually the better of the two QBs, because of what he can do with his legs, however, Troy doesn't want to be here, so why keep him.

Beck was #3 last season so i can't see him beefing over that status again this season.

If you really look closely they are both the same level of QB. Troy just has a bit more natural ability then Beck. But the preception that Smith is far and away the better QB is crazy.
[/quote]



Im not saying he is a far and away better quarterback than Beck.. but hey.. just look at Coach Harbaugh.. he obviously agrees with me that Smith is better than Beck because guess who was #2 QB last year? Oh yeah.. Smith. He has a lot more upside than Beck does. Now I do agree with you that if Smith doesn't want to be here then that makes Beck the logical choice to hang on to, but as far as talent and upside Smith wins... but not neccessarily by much.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='ClintLB8' date='26 June 2010 - 10:06 AM' timestamp='1277561172' post='426716']
Im not saying he is a far and away better quarterback than Beck.. but hey.. just look at Coach Harbaugh.. he obviously agrees with me that Smith is better than Beck because guess who was #2 QB last year? Oh yeah.. Smith. He has a lot more upside than Beck does. Now I do agree with you that if Smith doesn't want to be here then that makes Beck the logical choice to hang on to, but as far as talent and upside Smith wins... but not neccessarily by much.
[/quote]

You contradicted yourself...

[RAYvenFan20]

the ravens just need to call denver n offer them troy smith for their next 3 first round picks

[darklight1216]

[quote name='Moderator 2' date='26 June 2010 - 05:23 AM' timestamp='1277544194' post='426673']
I know people are sick of hearing about Troy Smith's height, but I sit in the endzone where you can see the plays develop and he really has to drop back to see the field and pass over the line. [b]What I think is telling on the coaching staffs part, the three game stretch of da Bears, Lions and Raiders Flacco was hurt BUT they did not sit him until after the second half. I think if there was more confidence in the backups they would have.[/b]
[/quote]
That's something to consider. It's possible that they kept Flacco in the game for so long simply because those were must win games, but that would still suggest that they didn't have enough confidence in Smith to trust him in three quarters against those teams.