About last night, dear
For Ravens fans, what will happen in the weeks and months ahead is much more important than what happened yesterday.
Over the next month or so, while the posteason theater unfolds in other NFL cities, here in Baltimore, the attention will be on the search for a new offensive coordinator, free agency and the NFL draft.
Did what happened yesterday in that 27-21 win over listless Pittsburgh have any bearing on what the Ravens decide to do down the road regarding players? Probably not. It was good to see that rookie quarterback Troy Smith could perform efficiently given some reasonable circumstances, as opposed to that debacle in Seattle. But it doesn't project him as a starting quarterback, either.
Offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden's photo session with his family near the end of the game seemed to speak volumes about his intentions but remember, it seemed that way last year with Brett Favre following the Packers' last game. And look what happened there. But Ogden is a pretty introspective guy and now players are much more conscious about what prolonged NFL service can mean in terms of long-term health. Considering Ogden lives in Las Vegas, let's put the chances of his return in those terms. I'd say, don't bet on it.
You do wonder, though, whether yesterday's outcome has any bearing on Brian Billick's return. My sense of the situation is that he does come back with the obvious conditions about re-engineering the offense under the new offensive coordinator. I'm not sure anyone has a clear read on what's going through owner Steve Bisciotti's mind but I'll venture this -- if the Ravens had been embarrassed by Pittsburgh's second-stringers, it wouldn't have done Billick any good. All things considered -- the injuries, Billick's contract extension, the 13-3 record in 2006 -- as far as the coach's return is concerned, I'd say this: Don't bet against it.
Comments
Bill- if you had to bet your house on the Ravens winning one game, who would you want to start Boller or Smith? (I can see you smiling and saying "Smith"!). This guy is sooo much better than Boller. Does everyone realize Boller's been in the league 5 years!!??! It's over, he is who he is.
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Matt,
I'll probably disappoint you. But if we're talking the one-game situation, I'd start Boller but use a quick hook if the offense struggled. I'm glad that Troy Smith had a good experience yesterday because Seattle was so miserable. Frankly, my most favorable impression of him was the field goal drive at the end of regulation against Miami. That was quite imprerssive. Yesterday gets an asterisk because the Steelers were playing it like a preseason game. No one questions Smith's tools. You don't win the Heisman unless you are a great football player. But I said earlier this year that Boller should get another season. I'll amend that to say that unless the Ravens make an upgrade at the position in the offseason, training camp should be a fair fight and the winner should get the job.
-- Bill O.
Posted by: Sugarbear | December 31, 2007 9:38 AM