Goodbye Boller

[DRayRaven]

You'd rather have a rookie in that spot instead of someone who's been in the system for going on 4 years?

Clayton can make plays on balls that bounce fifteen feet in the air no matter who is behind center.

Honestly, I don't think it matters much. If McNair goes down for a significant amount of time, the Ravens will be in trouble either way.

[charliebrown]

Kyle has had little to work with in his time here in Baltimore. A subpar offensive coordinator, another disgruntled because he wanted to be a head coach and not so consistent weapons, not too mention a porous offensive line. He hs missed much of each season and when he did get to play all 16, one year he was a rookie with the weight of the world on him, telling him; just don't screw up.

His high motor and short attention span because of his late maturation as a person lead to several players deciding he was not good enough and then a majority of the fans turned on him as well. He was never given a real chance to succeed, thrust into the line up under the guise of a great defense, strong running game, hiding the Johnny Unitas - franchise quarterback hero worship from the fans and players.

When the fans cheered his injury, when the players and local media begged for Anthony Wright, the front office knew that was the end for Kyle here. No matter what he did, he was going to be viewed as a prince waiting to turn into the frog.

When the front office fails to resign him next year, they will make another costly mistake at the quarterback position, just one area they have totaly sucked at evaluating over the past 12 years. Ozzie said it him self, Kyle has one chance to save his career in Baltimore and that is when Steve gets hurt. If Kyle doesn't get more than two games and doesn't perform very well in each game, he is gone. Frankly, the way some of the team has treated him, most of the fans, I hope he lights it up and walks away at the end of the season.

Maybe, just maybe, with all the new faces on offense, maybe he can regain some trust, some confidence from his new teammates. It's just my opinion, but he can make it in the NFL, he has all the tools, all he needed was to mature as a person, let the helter skelter in his head pass.

That's my 2 cents, for what it is worth.

[Tiz]

Throwing Drew Olson to the curb already.....????

I didn't like the pick of Troy Smith because I like Drew Olson alot. While i still hold out hope that Kyle will settle down and develop as a starting QB I just didn't see the need for Troy but hey it's in the 5th round and why not give him time to develop along with Drew. Plus I have alot of faith in our scouting department even if they do have a couple bad decisions.

[theFRANCHISE]

At the very least, we're not losing much by taking a chance on Troy Smith being on the roster.

It's only a 5th round pick. We've done well with late-round gems, and if Smith ends up being a bust, then we still have Olson and (maybe, but not likely) Boller around when McNair retires.

Plus, by the time Smith will get his chance, he'll have had time to absorb the offense, which will give him one less excuse to fail. That, in effect, will eliminate the necessity for patience that we was the case with Boller, who was given all the opportunities in the world and has yet to live up to his potential.

[DeathOnWings]

well first we'll have to see if Troy makes the team, if he does i'd put him in on 2, based on his work ethic though...only way to REALLY get experience is PLAY in games & learn from your mistakes, ..... the future is now, if Steve goes down throw in Troy for some experience points, and maybe he has a good season & wins alot of games, of course with our defense he can afford making a couple mistakes...

[RavensQB]

Now that we got quite a steal that all the other 31 NFL teams were dumb enough to not select Troy Smith lets hope they release Boller and McNair helps Smith grow as a QB in the NFL and is our 2nd String QB I see an awesome future with this kid down the road for the Ravens, for once we might actually have picked a fresh QB outta college that will make history and have other teams drooling over him and were lucky enough to have him as a Raven, time to go out asap when the Jersey is released and pickup my Troy Smith Jersey and when I get money get my McGahee.

What was Kyle's stats in his last um 6-8 games played????

[J-man]

I know the Ravens will make the right decision at QB. McNair has like 2 more years under his belt(including this one coming). Troy Smith is very small to be a QB, that is why he drops down to the 5th round last pick. Just because he is a Heisman Trophy winner means he will be in the HOF. I researched the Heisman Trophy winners, that where QB, and made it into the HOF. THe total....ONE. Roger Staubach, he was 6-3, and weighted 197.

[DRayRaven]

I know the Ravens will make the right decision at QB. McNair has like 2 more years under his belt(including this one coming). Troy Smith is very small to be a QB, that is why he drops down to the 5th round last pick. Just because he is a Heisman Trophy winner means he will be in the HOF. I researched the Heisman Trophy winners, that where QB, and made it into the HOF. THe total....ONE. Roger Staubach, he was 6-3, and weighted 197.

Troy Smith is the same height as Drew Brees, and what previous Heisman winners did or didn't do doesn't mean jack. We've watched Boller for four years, and we're supposed to give him the benefit of the doubt but dismiss Troy Smith before he even suits up for a game?

Everyone knows (or should know) Boller's time here is limited. He'll most likely be here this year, but after that he'll either be backup or third string for another team. If the coaches are happy with Smith's progress, he'll take Boller's place as McNair's backup.

[Tiz]

Troy Smith is the same height as Drew Brees, and what previous Heisman winners did or didn't do doesn't mean jack. We've watched Boller for four years, and we're supposed to give him the benefit of the doubt but dismiss Troy Smith before he even suits up for a game?

Everyone knows (or should know) Boller's time here is limited. He'll most likely be here this year, but after that he'll either be backup or third string for another team. If the coaches are happy with Smith's progress, he'll take Boller's place as McNair's backup.

Flutie is another productive "short" QB. As I said before tho I still have faith in Boller but really am a Drew Olson guy myself.

[chevy_boggerZ71]

Has anyone thought about trading K.Boller to a team who's wanting to get rid of their players? Like for example, Lance Briggs from the Chicago Bears has been wanting to be traded ever since they lost the Super Bowl. We lost A.Thomas because the Pats offered him alot of money. This is just a idea. Every Baltimore fan knows that Boller really hasnt done much for the team besides take sacks and throw INT's throughout seasons. If we are wanting to get farther than we did last year by loosing to the Colts, then we need to keep upgrading. I have to say, i think trading for McGahee was very smart and selecting T Smith in the 5th round of the draft was just a steal. Plus we all get the feeling that New England is major threat to us because of the moves they've made throughout the off season

[theFRANCHISE]

Honestly, as good of an idea as it may be to trade Boller NOW, I don't think there's any team that's currently interested in acquiring him when they can simply wait it out another year and grab him in free agency, if they really want him that badly...

Plus, there's no team that comes to mind that has a real QB need anymore...maybe a couple that might need a solid back-up, but not one that would give up a draft pick or a player for Boller...

[Edward]

I'm with you TIZ

[Matt from Etown]

Has anyone thought about trading K.Boller to a team who's wanting to get rid of their players? Like for example, Lance Briggs from the Chicago Bears has been wanting to be traded ever since they lost the Super Bowl. We lost A.Thomas because the Pats offered him alot of money.

Why in the world would you trade Boller to CHicago for Briggs. Briggs wants a huge pay day which we are not in any position to give to him. If that was the case, they simply would of just re-signed AD. The Pats may have given him alot of money but believe me, Briggs wants more.

Can this Kyle Boller bashing please stop. I agree his time has probably run out here, but he wasn't nearly as bad as everyone says he was. He was hurt for half of two seasons, thrown into the fire, and didn't have much to work with as far as recievers and a line. Once he got healthy at the end of 05', and with new weapons like Mason and Clayton, he started to play REALLY well.

[Ravenfire]

Drew Olsen is only an average backup at best, hes doing OK in NFLE he has 1/1 ratio for TD to INT and only around 53% in passing. He's not lighting it up over there. Theres a reason why he wasnt drafted despite how he was at UCLA. We also need to give boller a chance, its tough for a kid to be thrown under center straight from the get-go. Some people can handle it, and some can not. If your wide recievers were frank sanders and clarence moore how would anyone fare. Lets see how he does behind a revamped o-line with actual recievers. He wont have to stare anyone down because he will believe in his receivers. Maybe he will even find a new spark with his contract in jeopardy.

[Guest Birdfan]

Maybe he will even find a new spark with his contract in jeopardy.

I can't imagine that Kyle would even WANT to re-sign here after what the fans have put him through. The young man has been absolutely vilified by some of the more vocal fans, not to mention having some people cheer when he got injured.

Nope, if I'm Kyle, I'm getting out of here at the end of the year.

[Drkraven]

I totally agree with Birdfan, I would love Kyle to stay, but I can't see him wanting to. He has done nothing but what he has been asked to do.

[theFRANCHISE]

^^^ Wholeheartedly agree with the last two posts. Couldn't have said it better myself.

The kind of verbal abuse that Boller has had to endure throughout his career probably hasn't been good for his psyche or his confidence. Granted, he's shown toughness and has swallowed his pride and handled everything respectfully. But I think this is all doing more damage to him than we may ever know...

[DRayRaven]

I'm not too worried about Boller's psyche. The fans are the ones who suffered...suffered through three years of awful play at the QB position when the rest of the team was geared toward playoff contention. That's where the anger toward Boller comes from. I'll admit it was misdirected toward Boller himself...and also toward the fans on message boards who wanted to keep him in the starter's role despite glaring ineptitude. As much as I love Ozzie and Billick, they really screwed the pooch on that one. They're the ones who made Boller the starter from Day One.

As bad as Anthony Wright was, do you really think he couldn't have beaten Boller out for the starting job when he first arrived? I think he would have - if there had been an honest competition. Better yet, maybe they should have signed someone else to take over for a year or two while Boller developed.

[52StingRay]

As much as I love Ozzie and Billick, they're the ones who started Boller from day 1.

________________________________________________________________

Sorry but it was the owner who started Boller. No coach in his right mind would throw a rookie QB to the wolves on the road and in Pukesburgh no less. He couldn't have $10M sitting on the bench.

Other teams followed suit. Leftwich started his first yr after sitting out a couple of games and others and he suffered the same fate as Boller. Chris Palmer is one of the only ones who had the luxary of sitting for a year.

[DRayRaven]

From everything I've read about Modell and Bisciotti, I very much doubt it.

[Tiz]

Drew Olsen is only an average backup at best, hes doing OK in NFLE he has 1/1 ratio for TD to INT and only around 53% in passing. He's not lighting it up over there. Theres a reason why he wasnt drafted despite how he was at UCLA. We also need to give boller a chance, its tough for a kid to be thrown under center straight from the get-go. Some people can handle it, and some can not. If your wide recievers were frank sanders and clarence moore how would anyone fare. Lets see how he does behind a revamped o-line with actual recievers. He wont have to stare anyone down because he will believe in his receivers. Maybe he will even find a new spark with his contract in jeopardy.

Doesn't mean he can't develop with Coaching. Some people swear that you have to be drafted or drafted high just to succeed. Others, they know their history and know that there are plenty of players that have had solid careers that were drafted in later rounds even some that were drafted in rounds that aren't even part of the Draft today.

[CARavensFan]

Doesn't mean he can't develop with Coaching. Some people swear that you have to be drafted or drafted high just to succeed. Others, they know their history and know that there are plenty of players that have had solid careers that were drafted in later rounds even some that were drafted in rounds that aren't even part of the Draft today.

You don't have to look very far to see that come true for a QB...Tom Brady anyone?

Then go outside QB, Bart Scott, Adalius Thomas and many others have become powerhouse players without being drafted, if I remember right I think Clinton Portis wasn't drafted either (could be wrong on that though).

I say let Boller ride out his contract and give him a chance, at least in the preseaon, to give it another go. If nothing else it give the Ravens an experienced back-up for McNair (he showed he can effectively back up last season) and will let Troy have two mentors to grow behind while not being place under any immediate pressure until he's adapted to the Ravens' offense. I don't know about the rest of you, but I would not want to see what happened to Boller happen to Troy.

[52StingRay]

From everything I've read about Modell and Bisciotti, I very much doubt it.

Boller came in 2003 when Art was still the owner. He had nothing but financial problems and didn't want to see $10M sitting on the bench. Like I said, no coach in his right mind would start a rookie in Pukesburgh.

[berad]

Boller came in 2003 when Art was still the owner. He had nothing but financial problems and didn't want to see $10M sitting on the bench. Like I said, no coach in his right mind would start a rookie in Pukesburgh.

He had nothing but financial problems 3 years after winning the SuperBowl?

Bisciotti was already a minority owner at that point.

Modell had all his money sorted out.

[52StingRay]

He had nothing but financial problems 3 years after winning the SuperBowl?

Bisciotti was already a minority owner at that point.

Modell had all his money sorted out.

Most of that $$ went to pay off his huge debt which amounted to about $25M pr yr in interest payments alone or something like that. Art was still majority owner and didn't get the balance of around $600M, which amounted to around $300M until Biscuit took over. Art wasn't rolling in $$ til then. Someone near to OM told me it was the owner who wanted to play him. Maybe I'm wrong, maybe not.

[DRayRaven]

If that money hadn't been tied up in Boller, it would have been tied up in someone else. That's the way the NFL works, especially under the salary cap.

You will have to show me something that specifically says Modell called Billick and told him to start Boller. Otherwise, this is just guesswork on your part...especially since Billick continued to stick with him after Modell sold out to Bisciotti.

One last thing: the Ravens didn't give Boller $10 million. His total contract was worth $7 million over four years, and the cap hit was only $1 million in his first year. In the grand scheme of player contracts, Boller didn't really get that much...not nearly enough for Modell to care whether he started or not. For comparison, take a look at what Ogden and Ray Lewis are earning.

[52StingRay]

If that money hadn't been tied up in Boller, it would have been tied up in someone else. That's the way the NFL works, especially under the salary cap.

You will have to show me something that specifically says Modell called Billick and told him to start Boller. Otherwise, this is just guesswork on your part...especially since Billick continued to stick with him after Modell sold out to Bisciotti.

One last thing: the Ravens didn't give Boller $10 million. His total contract was worth $7 million over four years, and the cap hit was only $1 million in his first year. In the grand scheme of player contracts, Boller didn't really get that much...not nearly enough for Modell to care whether he started or not. For comparison, take a look at what Ogden and Ray Lewis are earning.

That's precisely my point. Look what Ray and Ogden are making and they started their first yr - JO at LG. You can't have that much $$ sitting on the bench and #1s are supposed to be impact players. Boller obviously didn't impact but if you're going to argue over $3M, that's chump change at that level except to Art. That's why Ravens always went cheap on the O-line across the middle for guys like Muli, Mitchell and Flyn. Except, for JO and Zeus and Searcy before him, Art hated paying for o-lineman. Goes back to his Cleve days. Again, look at Ngata got last yr. I think he got the $10M and he started as a rookie and I assure you Grubbs will too, maybe not the first game but soon afterwards.

Even last year Vince Young started his rookie year after a game or two instead of sitting on the bench. Of course he had better results than Boller but we'll see how he does the second time around the the Ds have the book on him. I wish him well, except vs us, because he could revolutionize the game.

That's just my humble freaking opinion. BTW, great discussion w/o all the name calling like on the other board.

[berad]

Most of that $$ went to pay off his huge debt which amounted to about $25M pr yr in interest payments alone or something like that. Art was still majority owner and didn't get the balance of around $600M, which amounted to around $300M until Biscuit took over. Art wasn't rolling in $$ til then. Someone near to OM told me it was the owner who wanted to play him. Maybe I'm wrong, maybe not.

they already had the deal worked out before the 03 season.

So Modell wouldn't care about the extra income from Boller

The coaches put who they thought was the best player on the field.

Boller

[52StingRay]

Eric Decosta spoke to Nest 1 tonight and I asked him, who's decision was it to start Boller in his first game - Billick's or the owner. He paused for a moment and said that's a good question. I really don't know.

So if a high ranking officer doesn't know, and he was there at the time, than we don't know. Maybe he just didn't want to say but the look in his eyes said he doesn't know.

That makes this entire argument moot.

You guys can believe what you want and I can believe what I want but nobody knows for sure, not even the Director of Personnel.

[berad]

Decosta is the Director of College Scouting

how would he know who starts Boller?

talk to Ozzie, Kokinis, Billick, or Boller himself if you want to know