Starter For The Last Preseason Game

[foreversunny23]

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/footbal...0,6314503.story

Any separation between Boller and Smith and Flacco is pretty much gone or is shrinking.

[smashmouth]

I think I've seen enough of Joe Flacco to know I dont want to see him anymore. If the Ravens start Joe Flacco they will essentially be telling Ray Lewis, Chris McAllister, Samari Rolle, Kelly Gregg, Trevor Price, and Derrick Mason that we have givin up on the season. And if those guys arent motivated, we have no chance at going to the playoffs. I've read over and over again that the team has a lot of faith in Troy Smith due to his leadership and what WE ALL SAW him do at Ohio State. Kyle Boller is very capable although at the same time very erratic. No one in that locker room wants to see Joe Flacco at all this season. Maybe I'm hard on him, its not his fault the Ravens drafted a second or maybe even third round talent in the middle of the 1st round.

Ray Lewis Has said in not ONE, not only TWO, BUT THREE diffrent interviews that He LOVES Flacco, the way He plays and the way He's picked up this offense. He' said Hopefully He gets a longer chance to learn before He's thrown in the fire.. which means maybe HALF the season if our current QB isnt playing good, Which anyone with sense KNOWS for a fact that they will suck it up, especcially that 4th stringer Troy Smith.

Troy might have leadership.. but thats not squat when you cant throw the ball. Funny how Flacco was a 2nd, or 3rd round QB when Not ONE bit TWO other teams was looking at Him in the first, Thats why we NABBED him because Cam and the others liked this guy and was there #2 QB on the board.

[smashmouth]

The Steelers didn't do half-bad when Ben Rothlisberger started as a rookie for them. That said, I'm not saying Joe should start in anyway. I'd much rather him sit on the bench and learn than be thrown into the fire. You just have to keep an open mind on the season and the personnel we have on the team.

Didnt do half bad? He won 15 striaght games, Granted they had Alot better talant around them, Flacco's not ready ATM dont start em, but If He looks ready so many weeks into the season and our QB thats starting is doing bad then Flacco should be thrown in.

[I*Bleed*Purple]

Troy might have leadership.. but thats not squat when you cant throw the ball.

Funny, that's what I've been saying all along

[I*Bleed*Purple]

Didnt do half bad? He won 15 striaght games, Granted they had Alot better talant around them, Flacco's not ready ATM dont start em, but If He looks ready so many weeks into the season and our QB thats starting is doing bad then Flacco should be thrown in.

I agree. I joke about Flacco starting, though it wouldn't hurt my feelings if he did. But in all honesty I'm looking for him around week 9 or 10.

[berad]

Didnt do half bad? He won 15 striaght games, Granted they had Alot better talant around them, Flacco's not ready ATM dont start em, but If He looks ready so many weeks into the season and our QB thats starting is doing bad then Flacco should be thrown in.

I was going for an understatement, but you seemed to sniff it out pretty well.

[Raven07]

seeing how Harbaugh has already said before this past game/week how they already know about Kyle and knows how he performs and what not, they pretty much know how Flacco is at this point in time (rookie season) so Harbaugh said "we need to see more of Troy" meaning that the Team needs to see more of him in order to make a better aquisation about whom to start at the beginning of the season.

we've only seen what maybe 4-5 games total of Troy, thats not nearly enough to make a FULL evaluated assumption on whom to start the regular season. Sure there is kinda a sense of urgency here with this situation (even though they might not say it out loud, actions speak louder than words and people are talking).....The Team is bound to look more into play execution, poise, leadership, drive, determination, willingness to drive the ball down field, good decision making, accuracy, good vision.......all that and then some.

Now all that might not come about and make themselves present in one game, but thats what teams have the Practices for right? and its been more than clear/obvious that we all need to take a long look at Troy first and foremost, his Teammates and coaches have stated and/or Continually backed Troy time and time again because of the attributes he brings onto the football field. there is alot more in the decision making process as to whom starts and who doesnt, than just "ok this week......Your starting" type deal, its a detailed Team evaluation complete with (im sure) teammate interviews as well as film room recognition (coaches watching Practice Film of a guy from Practice and college, and furthering their evaluation process) so its all a matter of breaking things down to the core and picking it apart bit by bit for further evaluation processing.

[smashmouth]

I was going for an understatement, but you seemed to sniff it out pretty well.

Ahh, figured that but just wanted to make sure it was known.

[Mahatma_Sloth]

we all know kyle was the better QB during the preseason and if this qb competiton is fair he would win. but it is not.

lol????????????????????????

TROY SMITH

[I*Bleed*Purple]

lol????????????????????????

TROY SMITH

Wow, talk about a filler post Not that I am without any myself. Like THIS ONE

[Jesse Conroy]

yeah, maybe they should throw the ball to M. Smith less, since he only catches the ball, once ever four times it hits his hands.

That shouldnt have a comma, lol.. I had to read it twice to understand... but yes I completely understand what you mean.

Escpecially that 4th and 5 play where he dropped the ball, that PISSED me off.

[I*Bleed*Purple]

That shouldnt have a comma, lol.. I had to read it twice to understand... but yes I completely understand what you mean.

Escpecially that 4th and 5 play where he dropped the ball, that PISSED me off.

I listened to the game on the internet and watched the first half and the first drive of the second on NFL Replay so I didn't get to see his drops. Wasn't one of them a 4th and 4? That's not gonna help your chances of making the roster.

[T-Sizzle55]

I am beginning to wish Kyle was not Kyle if you know what I mean. He's like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Who's gonna show up? The good, the bad, or the plain ugly? "New OC, new QBs coach, new system this could finally be a breakout year for Boller. He did surprisingly well against the NE Patriots." That's what my heart is saying. My head says, "This is Kyle Boller who couldn't do anything against the worst defenses in the league (Bills, 49ers, Miami, etc.) and threw 3 picks against the Colts and led THEM to 3 scoring drives 23-0 in the 1st quarter." Boller has a good arm, but has bad mechanics, gets rattled, forces passes, and cannot carry a struggling offense on his shoulders. He shows brilliant play at times 3 TDs for almost 300 yards one week then barely breaks 100 yards and throws for 3 INTs. He makes Ray Lewis cry and for that he should not start. (I'm obviously joking Ray Lewis wasn't built with tear ducts lol.)

I know this isn't college. More importantly Troy knows this too. He might have been drafted in the 5th round and only be in his 2nd year, but he's far better than Boller already. He doesn't make the same mistakes, he can sense defenders around him and when the pocket is closing, he can make good decisions, and he can make plays with his feet. Troy is not Michael Vick in the sense he is not going to try to run on almost every play. Troy runs to buy receivers time. He might run to pick up that first down, but he'll do it as a last resort. Do you remember his 30 yard pass to Darnerien McCants in the first preseason game? That's the Epitome of his game. He is very accurate and makes smart decisions. He likes to throw long and can still be accurate with tacklers right in his face. Maybe his percentage is so low because no one can get open and since our line doesn't give him all day he has to throw it away (something Boller didn't learn to do until 2006). Some passes are bad but he doesn't jeopardize turning the ball over. He is a good leader, can sustain long drives and let the defense rest.

The more I think about it the more I smile when I think about Joe Flacco's play. From D-1AA to starting in a pre-season game against NFL starters. He's such a sharp guy and improves with every touch of the ball. I don't think he had too many reps with the starting receivers and they said Troy got the majority of snaps in practice. Flacco will improve I can just feel it. I can see us having a great QB in a year or 2. He is not like Boller and if he does start, I feel he can handle it, he won't get rattled or get down on himself.

[I*Bleed*Purple]

I am beginning to wish Kyle was not Kyle if you know what I mean. He's like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Who's gonna show up? The good, the bad, or the plain ugly? "New OC, new QBs coach, new system this could finally be a breakout year for Boller. He did surprisingly well against the NE Patriots." That's what my heart is saying. My head says, "This is Kyle Boller who couldn't do anything against the worst defenses in the league (Bills, 49ers, Miami, etc.) and threw 3 picks against the Colts and led THEM to 3 scoring drives 23-0 in the 1st quarter." Boller has a good arm, but has bad mechanics, gets rattled, forces passes, and cannot carry a struggling offense on his shoulders. He shows brilliant play at times 3 TDs for almost 300 yards one week then barely breaks 100 yards and throws for 3 INTs. He makes Ray Lewis cry and for that he should not start. (I'm obviously joking Ray Lewis wasn't built with tear ducts lol.)

I know this isn't college. More importantly Troy knows this too. He might have been drafted in the 5th round and only be in his 2nd year, but he's far better than Boller already. He doesn't make the same mistakes, he can sense defenders around him and when the pocket is closing, he can make good decisions, and he can make plays with his feet. Troy is not Michael Vick in the sense he is not going to try to run on almost every play. Troy runs to buy receivers time. He might run to pick up that first down, but he'll do it as a last resort. Do you remember his 30 yard pass to Darnerien McCants in the first preseason game? That's the Epitome of his game. He is very accurate and makes smart decisions. He likes to throw long and can still be accurate with tacklers right in his face. Maybe his percentage is so low because no one can get open and since our line doesn't give him all day he has to throw it away (something Boller didn't learn to do until 2006). Some passes are bad but he doesn't jeopardize turning the ball over. He is a good leader, can sustain long drives and let the defense rest.

The more I think about it the more I smile when I think about Joe Flacco's play. From D-1AA to starting in a pre-season game against NFL starters. He's such a sharp guy and improves with every touch of the ball. I don't think he had too many reps with the starting receivers and they said Troy got the majority of snaps in practice. Flacco will improve I can just feel it. I can see us having a great QB in a year or 2. He is not like Boller and if he does start, I feel he can handle it, he won't get rattled or get down on himself.

Wow. I couldn't agree and disagree more all in one post lol

The first paragraph is dead on. The second-not so much. Troy has yet to prove any of that, minus the McCants pass. Third paragraph, right on. You're getting there. Keep it up

[BAL_Hawk]

I listened to the game on the internet and watched the first half and the first drive of the second on NFL Replay so I didn't get to see his drops. Wasn't one of them a 4th and 4? That's not gonna help your chances of making the roster.

He's still a rookie. He may have dropped twice as many passes as the other rookies, but he gets open three times as much. A receiver can learn to concentrate and catch the ball, but the ability to get open is hard to coach and has alot to do with physical skill-set.

From what I understand, he's been catching everything in camp. I think that the jitters will wear off, and he will be a solid WR in the future. I'm interested to see what he can do if he has to fill in for Williams early in the season.

[smashmouth]

He's still a rookie. He may have dropped twice as many passes as the other rookies, but he gets open three times as much. A receiver can learn to concentrate and catch the ball, but the ability to get open is hard to coach and has alot to do with physical skill-set.

From what I understand, he's been catching everything in camp. I think that the jitters will wear off, and he will be a solid WR in the future. I'm interested to see what he can do if he has to fill in for Williams early in the season.

Learning to concentrate and catch the ball is something that is STiRICLY on the reciever, The ability to get open has to do with reading defenses and PRECISE route running, something that Is taught by the coach going over the game film and pointing it out.. catching and route running has to do with Natural ability, Learning NFL defenses is something that is learned over time, and or, alot of film study on your upcoming Foe.

[BAL_Hawk]

Learning to concentrate and catch the ball is something that is STiRICLY on the reciever, The ability to get open has to do with reading defenses and PRECISE route running, something that Is taught by the coach going over the game film and pointing it out.. catching and route running has to do with Natural ability, Learning NFL defenses is something that is learned over time, and or, alot of film study on your upcoming Foe.

From what I understand, dropped passes infer a lack of concentration by the receiver. Since most rookies struggle with concentration and awareness issues and usually get better in time, one could conclude that dropped passes would decrease over time for most receivers.

However, the natural ability to separate from defenders cannot be coached. Receivers can learn to run better routes, and coaches can game play based on defenders, but no matter how hard the player works or how well he is coached, you cannot make just any player elite. For example, Demetrius Williams will never be on the same level as Randy Moss or Terrell Owens, no matter how hard he works or how well he is coached.

That is a drastic example, but it works. My original point was as follows: In my opinion, Marcus Smith is more physically talented than all of our current rookie receivers, and although he struggles with concentration issues right now, I believe that he has a very high upside and will progress quickly.

[CorvusCorax]

Flacco was 18/37 for 152 yards. He had his moments and is clearly progressing, but I don't think he is ready to start.

I too would like Smith and Boller to split a half. The problem is that the Falcons will not be playing their starters for long. So it would be impossible to compare performances.

Very true. I hope to see both Smith and Boller split a half. Worst case, Flacco taking up the last few min of the 4th. I'll be there to see it so I hope it'll be exciting to watch.

[Redreed]

Learning to concentrate and catch the ball is something that is STiRICLY on the reciever, The ability to get open has to do with reading defenses and PRECISE route running, something that Is taught by the coach going over the game film and pointing it out.. catching and route running has to do with Natural ability, Learning NFL defenses is something that is learned over time, and or, alot of film study on your upcoming Foe.

So which is it? I agree with Ballhawk, you can learn every aspect of the game but athleticism. He's also one of our biggest receivers, and we need bigger guys, mismatch guys, physical guys. I wish all the bashing would stop. Any Ravens fan should be excited about Smith and Harper coming in to give us different tools at WR, Lord knows we need them.