Wait...did you call Kyle Boller a smart QB ?? Seriously?? Why all of a sudden is he a smart QB?

What about the fumbles & INT's?
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JD,
I said he is developing into too smart a QB to play himslef out of a job in these preseason games, meaning that he won't do something so stupid in his one quarter of playing time to foul up his shot at starting. If there is a choice between forcing a pass and a check down, he'll take the check down.
-- Bill O.

And there is always the possibility that Boller could play himself out of a job but I don't think so -- he's developing into too smart a QB to do that'

Because multiple turnover games won't do that, right?

I gotta give it to the sun though, they spent the first half of Camp, minus day 1, talking about how Troy looked to be the man, then spent the second half saying Boller looked to be the man. It's a brilliant way to stir up discussion.
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Eric,
It's my opinion that Boller, in his one quarter or so, won't do outrageously stupid things. If it's a choice between a tight throw and a check down, I think he's going to take the easy completion.
-- Bill O.

"And there is always the possibility that Boller could play himself out of a job but I don't think so -- he's developing into too smart a QB to do that"

This is the funniest thing I have ever heard regarding the Ravens
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Josh,
I'm taking a lot of heat for that line but I'll repeat what I've said to other folks who have written. My point is that in the quarter that he'll play, I think he will do the smart things with the football. Given a choice between a tight throw and a chech down, I think he'll take the sure thing.
-- Bill O.

Bill: I wish all three of these young men health and success, but the reality in the NFL is injuries, especially at the QB position. We fans are used to seeing at least veteran (journeyman) QB on the roster. Do you feel confident that Ozzie have a
strategy for the "hope" of success this 2008 season, or that this is a similar strategy as the Orioles to "let see what the kids can do?"
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Chuck,
This is definitely a transition year for the Ravens. It's not necessarily a rebuilding year because the Ravens don't have to blow up the roster, especially on defense. But they are definitely going to be feeling their way on offense. My thoughts on what they believe deep down are that they are hoping to be competitive while putting in place the pieces, especially at QB and OT, to be a contender next year.
-- Bill O.

Bill: I wish all three of these young men health and success, but the reality in the NFL is injuries, especially at the QB position. We fans are used to seeing at least veteran (journeyman) QB on the roster. Do you feel confident that Ozzie has a
strategy for the "hope" of success this 2008 season, or that this is a similar strategy as the Orioles to "let see what the kids can do?"
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Chuck,
While not calling this a rebuilding year, it is clearly a transition year. Because the defense is still good, the organization doesn't want to concede the playoffs but with the problems at OT and the unsettled situation at QB, you have to believe that this is a team with its eyes on a more distant horizon.
-- Bill O.

Here is what Coach Harbaugh NEEDS to know.You do what the Sun writers say as far as who to play and what to do or they begin a vendetta against you and your staff that doesn't end. Ask Coach Billick if you doubt this. Never start a fight with someone who buys ink by the tanker!
Mike Preston for coach, he already believes he is the best football mind in town.

Keep both rookies and Leonhard. They will absolutely produce.

Bill,
I appreciate your courage to call it as you see it with the Q-back situation. We may know better after tomorrow night but just as 20/20 hindsight works perfectly, I am with you in looking to the future.

PLEASE, WE HAVE HAD ENOUGH BOLLER. SO WHAT IF HE IS GOOD IN PRACTICE. WHAT HE DOES IN THE GAMES IS THE IMPORTANT THING...AND WHAT DID HE DO---
2 TURNOVERS!!! THAT IS ENOUGH OF BOLLER. CAN WE TRADE BOLLER FOR SOME O LINE HELP?
TROY HAS ONLY HAD 2 GAMES COMPARED TO BOLLERS 40+...
SURELY TROY DESERVES A FEW MORE GAMES TO SEE WHAT HE CAN DO!
IF TROY CANNOT LEAD THIS TEAM TO VICTROY, THEN GIVE FLACCO SOME EXPERIENCE NOW.
HE HAS TO LEARN SOME TIME.
IF FLACCO STARTS 8 GAMES THIS YEAR, HE SHOULD BE READY TO BE THE STARTER NEXT YEAR, HOPEFULLY! (IT SURELY IS GOING TO TAKE HIM AT LEAST 8 GAMES TO ADJUST TO THE SPEED OF THE GAME).
GO TROY SMITH! (SOMEONE MENTIONED SOMETHING ABOUT THE RACE OF THE QB'S. I DO NOT THINK THAT HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH IT. I AM WHITE AND I AM SICK OF BOLLER & HIS TURNOVERS.)
EX-BIRDMAN

Bill, in your opinion, what exactly is a "knockout performance" in a quarter or two of a preseason game?
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Jared,
I am answering your question after the game. My answer would have been the same. Say, 7-for-10 to 8-for-12 for 120 yards and maybe a TD. If he had done that, I think he would have been the leader for the job. As I write this, I don't believe Harbaugh has named a starter for the third game which will be a big deal since that is considered the most important one. Smith got off just five passes and completed three for 25 yards and an interception and got of three runs ... scrambles and the boot ... for 35 more. You can slice that a couple of different ways. You can look at the scrambling as a plus or you can fault him for not finding receivers to throw to. It added up to seven points mainly because of Rice.
-- Bill O.

Boller is becoming a smart qb. I totally agree with you, he does make much better decisions with the ball. If the name on the back of his jersey wasn't boller, that preseason game last week would verge on people having a celebration. every player in this league makes mistakes and people need to give this guy a break. I'm so sick of the bashing of one player like he is the sole reason for all this team's problems.

If they thought Kyle or Troy could do it they wouldn't have drafted Joe,,,,,,,,,,,,,Lets face it , Troy is 5'11" and chokes , Kyle is Kyle but give us the best chance to win,,,,,,,,,,that's not saying much but "it is what it is"( Billick).

I hope to see Troy Smith as our starter for the majority of the year, not because I think he is the best quarterback we have on the roster, but because I believe he is the only one that has a fighting chance to escape without getting broken in half when the O-line leaves the flood gates open. Of course, that is assuming that the line will be even more incompetent than it was last year after being significantly downgraded over the course of the off-season.
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Dan,
Your gloomy projection may not be far off the mark.
-- Bill O.

Any Credability you've ever had is gone....... your Boller worship is surpased only by hensley and your delusion only by Steels senility.....Bollers big chance 6 years and counting....... Smith;s big chance 1 preseason game.......When did Boller get smart since he threw the intereption to Crable who was the only one who could have possibly caught the pass.....
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Rob,
Come on, David Steele isn't that old.
-- Bill O.

People are, understandably, giving up on this team way too soon. In many ways this Ravens team could be the Bears of 2 years ago, potentially great defense, potentially great special teams and an offense with potential to be mediocre. If the team plays up to potential, things could be very interesting. After all the Bears made the Super Bowl with Grossman, (the other most maligned QB in the league) and Griese at QB.

We are told that it may be possible to win the AFC North with 10 to 9 wins. So, even with new coaches, the formula and situation is the same as always; just make sure the offense does not screw this up and scores enough to win.

The only real difference is that if the Ravens can get off to a good start, the potential is there for the offense to really get very good IF the injured (Heap, MacGahee, D. Williams, the tackles,) return and perform to expectations. And if Cameron is the offensive genius we all expect him to be.

I’m not convinced even a lights out performance by Smith will seal the deal for him. I have seen descriptions of Boller as Christmas past, Flacco as Christmas future and Smith as Christmas present. However, the truth is Smith is barely past being a rookie and all the swagger, leadership, and mobility in the world can’t hide the fact that he needs time and that inconsistency is to be expected.

From all the descriptions in the press, and after watching the New England game, it seems Boller is more poised than ever.

I think Smith will play well and then Kyle will play well in the next game. Kyle will probably start the new season but both will probably play a lot and both will be on a short leash. Eventually one of them will get hurt and the other one will finish up the season. Regardless, I hope one of them sees little playing time because, barring injury, it will mean the offense is playing well.
The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Maybe the Ravens can trade for Colt Brennan? Wait, thats right, they could have drafted him.
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Capt.,
He is looking good.
-- Bill O.