"A lot of the players prefer Troy Smith"

That speaks volumes to me.

but Boller was more consistent and made less mistakes.

that speaks volumes to me.

who the players prefer is one thing. but who gives us the best chance to win is the other. and I think that was clear with the way boller moved the offense.

Eric- What exactly does it speak volumes? That he is black as most of the other players? That he has got more attitude (swagger if you want top call it) than Boller? That his name is not Kyle Boller? I assume that "players" refers in many ways to Ray Lewis and others on defense- let them mind their own business and play. The fact that they prefer a guy who has looked far worse in camp does speak volumes- to how irrelevant their opinions truly are...

Mike,

Didn't the Ravens cut Prescott Burgess yesterday??? He isn't on the roster anymore ...

Yeah, it speaks volumes. It says they're smart enough to know Boller is a disaster waiting to happen in every game and can not be trusted. Smith is unproven, but that beats proven loser (Boller). If you're trying to infer this a race issue vis a vis the player's "preference", you're another blind Boller enabler.

"A lot of players prefer Troy Smith"

In the Billick era where a few players ran the show, maybe he would be the starter by now. However under the new coach, the best option will be under center.

Sadly our choice at QB is about as good as our choice at president. No matter who is there they will take a beating, make a lot of mistakes, and none of the two (Boller or Smith) will be here in four years.

We have seen what Boller can do. He's gone next year. Lets move ahead with the future. Smith to start, Flacco with a clipboard studying. Then hand over the reins.... Early if it gets ugly.

Kyle Boller should not see the field this year as far as Im concerned.( baring major injuries)

The VOLUME isn't that high. He needs to prove it in Preseason now. Boller has looked better so go figure.

I said this on another blog , but i will say it again, Some of the veterans on this team not all showed Harbaugh in there on little way that they weren't buying into his hard 2 a day workouts. I am not saying that all these injuries were faked , but you can believe now that they are moving to Owings Mills alot more of them will be back next week for the less physical practices. I admire ray Lewis because not once did you here anything negative coming from his mouth, But i will bet anybody that Todd Wonder Boy Heap will be back, and suggs will report as well. This was just there little way i telling them that we played for cupcake billick for 9 years and he treated us like men , and you weren't going to start treating us like we were in college again. WE will see if i am right

I have been hearing different reports from different analysts as to whom the "players prefer" at quarterback. ie. Ken Weinman said the "best kept secret in the locker room is that the players have no confidence in troy smith." does anyone have a reliable source on the player's collective confidence?

I prefer Smith, too, particularly with this offensive line - we'll need a QB who is mobile enough to avoid a pass rush and Smith is the only one of the three who has that ability!

what about matt willis heard good things about him in the beginning not much since and i likes the way he went over the middle

Trade McGahee for some offensive line depth.

Kyle Boller made less mistakes and was more consistent. The players prefer Smith? I prefer to win. I don't care who the players like you have to play the person who puts you in the best chance of winning. Kyle practices hard and Troy is a "gamer". Lazy practice doesn't make an NFL quarterback.

I've heard Harper's name mentioned several times regarding touchdown catches he's made during camp. We might have something here.

I guess the verdict is in. Chester sucks and will only make the team becuase of his experience. Ozzie should have drafed a center.

Do a lot of the players prefer to lose. Play the quarterback that makes the least mistakes and is more consistent. You can party with the other one after the game.

I'm with Ned... this is a no brainer... You take production over popularity... since when does being popular amongst your teammates win you football games??!?! I've said allllll along, while kyle wouldn't be a number 1 on the majority of teams, he is by far our best QB... You Troy Smith supporters are delusional

dont let the word "consistent" fool you. Even in practice boller is afraid to take risks and all he does is throw dump off passes, too many dump off passes. Even in practice he lacks the courage to stand up and try and thread the needle. Smith shows this courage and completes some and doesn't complete some. I'd rather have a QB with courage and the players back then a scared little boy who can only complete lateral passes.

Boller is clearly the best choice , having said that , they wouldn't have drafted Flacco if they really though Kyle or Troy could get the job done , case closed , I hope,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Troy has three more preseason games to prove himself. Training camp is "practice"; preseason games are the only real test he has to prove that he truly has "it". People can swagger all they want... prove it on the field on game day. He knew that he is going to start on Saturday, and had a bad week of practice; nerves or consequence? Time will tell... IF he lights it up, great... he starts against the Bengals. IF he can't handle the pressure of game day... Boller gets another chance... with the new coaching staff.

Garr,

When Gene Garber wouldn't give Pete Rose a pitch to hit, he called him a coward. Never mind that a pitcher's job is to get you out not challenge you.

QB's are professional athletes and have a job to do. Whether you think they are courageous in terms of how they go about it or not is irrelevant.

When Boller shows the "courage" and confidence in his arm to throw into double coverage and it gets intercepted you all call him a moron. When Smith does the same thing you call him "courageous". When Boller is stripped because he doesn't put the ball away because he is still trying to make something happen, you call him an idiot. When the same thing happens to Smith you call him a "fearless mobile QB". Lets see how courageous Smith is on Saturday.

Mike Preston, posted his "Closing thoughts on training camp" today and stated "if the Ravens had to choose a quarterback from what happened in camp, Kyle Boller clearly was the winner." This is a fair and insightful conclusion for a number of reasons.

First, it is impossible to evaluate quarterbacks given the Ravens offensive line problems, receiver problems, past offensive schemes, and the bias of a few outspoken players who appear to pick troy over Kyle because of "personal" rather than "performance" biases.

Second, it is amazing Kyle has performed as well as he has given the line problems. No QB in the NFL could perform under these conditions that Kyle has faced. Remember the last Super Bowl when Tom Brady was incapable of maintaining his poise, fumbled, was intercepted, and looked worse than Boller when the Patriots offensive line caved in. If Boller was backup to Brady at New Egland and Brady was injured Boller given the weapons Brady has could no doubt perform admirably.

The other problem in Baltimore is the lack of Raven Fan insight and football IQ. They think that a QB change can overcome the systemic problems with the offensive line and receivers. Generally, the QB fumbles and INTs should be charged to the offensive line and the receivers. Receivers have to seoarate from defenders and come to the ball (preventing defenders from jumping in) and the line has to prevent fumbles by giving Kyle the same time to throw that most other QBs in the NFL get.

If the fans and commentators can't grasp these fundamental concepts, please trade Kyle so he can have the opportunity to have the support of a fan base that most other QBs receive. How does Kyle put up with Baltimore? Maybe this is why the Colts left Baltimore.

Bernard A.

I go along with Bernard A. but let me add this- Mike preston hasnt got a clue about what the players prefer. All other accounts Ive read [and Ive read a lot ] indicate the players are so tight lipped over who they prefer on ANY position that they wouldnt pick one QB over another. This team is all about team. and I believe you will see the receivers are a lot better in this offence than in the last.

I'm surprised that you said nothing much was happening with the wide receivers. I thought rookie Marcus Smith has looked fantastic, catching nearly everything thrown his way.

I guessing it was an over site on your part, or maybe you haven't been paying attention.

"A lot of the players prefer Troy Smith"

I have yet to hear this from any player, just the media saying so.

Marcus Smith has been a bigger standout then receiver Justin Harper. Harper was very immature at camp. The coaching staff even came down on him more then a few times.

I think it is unfair to name Boller an starter before Troy start his first game against the Vikings. Boller and Smith both worked hard within the system, but no one stood out. I'll save my comment until both player start of game with the 1st string in the preseason. Joe flacco should still start the third preseason, but he is not ready to start .

Prescott Burgess is on the Injured Reserve at this time, he cleared waivers.

all i have to say is that boller sucks and we all know that he sucks. so why not give troy smith a chance. he was a winner in college and i think that he can be a winner in the nfl.

Just a few thoughts on what I saw at the last day of training camp today in the afternoon. First of all, Flacco looked like exactly what he is, a rookie. He never tried to throw deep and he only could complete the short passes. Troy Smith looked considrably better as he threw crisp passes but he couldn't seem to complete the long passes. There really wasn't anything else going on at the training camp as they cut it short. Also, I respect how Edgar Jones and Dawan Landry stuck around and signed autographs for the kids while the other Ravens rushed back to their hotel room.
Thanks, ScoozziLou

Hey OHNO, funny, but that's exactly what I said after I read your post. I don't ever recall seeing Smith get the ball stripped while trying to make something happen, or recall any INTs during the games he started last year. When Boller can run around without carrying the ball like a loaf of bread, or when he can drop back from the snap without tripping over his own feet or fumbling that said snap, come talk to me (check the tapes). In football, turning over the ball is the worst thing a QB can do, and it erases any and every good thing he has done prior to that, i.e. last week when Boller threw a pick into quadruple coverage. I had to rewind the DVR 3 times just to make sure I wasn't seeing things; it was ridiculous! THAT'S why he shouldn't be the starter. He's had his chance, move along!

You Troy Smith supporters are idiots!!! Can nobody see that kyle has all the tools to be a productive QB?!?!?! Did we all forget that kyle made great strides last year??? go review the games, he played exceptional for the most part....I very-much question his decision making, but other than that the kid is a physical specimen... You Smith supporters think it can't get any worse? I PROMISE you that it can, give the ball to that 5'8 running back playing out of position and he'll show you how bad it can get.... Smith's accuracy is LAUGHABLE!!!! it's HORRENDOUS!!!! It's been the knock on him since being drafted... oh yea, besides him being shorter than every linemen in the league, hey geniuses, he has to throw over those linemen!!! are you gonna have him bootleg out of the pocket every play?!?!?! GIVE ME A BREAK, you Troy Smith supporters know nothing!!! Just because he's not Kyle Boller, doesn't mean he's our best option

I'm with you, David Gordy. Boller has proven that he is a backup, whereas Smith is somewhat of an unknown who is more mobile. Smith may be worse; he may be better. And regardless of who the Ravens choose, it's unlikely they'll be competing for the SB, so why not choose the unpredictable variable Troy Smith.

Just b/c Boller made fewer mistakes doesn't make him the better QB. Boller completed more than 60% of his passes last year, but the offense didn't move when he played.

I'll take more turnovers if it means the ball moves down the field more often.

We've seen Boller's ceiling and basement. Let's see Smith's. At three games played he is a blank page and has proven nothing, good or bad. Give him the ball.

Hey listen the players will only respond to the QB that gets them into the endzone consistantly. Can you blame them, really Piitsburgh had the same problem with Cordell Stewart it wasn't always pretty but he got the job done. Everyone who is writing about Boller, and Smith being bad and not the right QB for the Ravens and so on could care less about the preseason if one of those two QB's takes the Ravens to a 14-2 season they will catch a case of selective amnesia.

To David Gordy:

He was a winner in college just like Ty Detmer, Andre Ware,Danny Wuerffel, Eric Crouch and the ever popular Ryan Leaf! Just because he was successful in college does not mean he will be a good NFL QB.

-J

look, its like this...too many people are putting too much stock into comments, observations, and people that plain just don't matter when it comes to the game of football, it seems that those who are rejecting the voice of reason are those who have never played organized football or any organized sport for that matter...' YOU PLAY THE GAME TO WIN' ( ala coach Edwards) and thats all that matters, the past that involves boller,baltimore and inconsistancies in a billick offense does not exist because there is a new coach and new offense in place....we all saw the game flacco is noy ready ( stop trying to rush'em) troy
(who is Randel el just different school)...not gonna say good or bad but it wasn't better than bollers day which was about a C+ day, its on tape and so will the next 3 games which will prove who deserves the starting position let them play and stop being so influenced by things that dont matter that you cant see what is in plain site

Smith a winner in College , did you see his final Bowl game ?
He choked big time..........

DO you guys think McGahee will have a big season, with his knee and o line woes and the rookie pushing?? I need to know wether to keep him or ernest graham...

Bernard - "No QB in the NFL could perform under these conditions that Kyle has faced."

Really? I seem to remember a guy named Steve McNair who led the Ravens to a 13-3 record when he was healthy. Kyle, who you defend so passionately, had similar conditions to McNair in '05 and in 0'7, and he faltered.

The fact is that Kyle Boller is not a suitable starter in the NFL.. He is adept at making 5-10 yard passes and is prone to turning the ball over. He has had years to prove himself, yet every year there's another excuse - the o-line, the injuries, the coaching staff, etc. The bottom line is that there will always be some sort of problem, and Boller has not been able to overcome any of the problems that he has faced thus far. He is a 5-year veteran who can't distance himself from two players that, when combined, have less than 5% of his experience in this league.

A huge part of success in life is owning your mistakes, and if you want others to be successful you need to encourage them to own their mistakes. So I encourage you to stop making excuses for Boller and challenge him to step up and succeed, regardless of the situation.

I am not a big believer in Troy Smith, but I back him by default. I don't think it's wise to rush Flacco, and I know what we'll get with Boller - mediocrity. Let Troy start a handful of games. If he's less than mediocre, bring Boller in. If not, we've succeeded in improving our team.

If Kyle Blunderboy Boller is your most consistent performing QB in camp you know your team is in big, BIG trouble. He cannot read a defense, handle the slightest pressure make big plays with his feet. He is the most inaccurate deep passer in the NFL with as many games starting under his belt as he has on his resume. Nothing is going to change this including all the wishful thinking in the world.

Troy Smith was a winner in college except when it counted and then we saw the deer in the headlight look. He is a choker just ask Joe Paterno PSU OSU 2005 with 110000 people watching live and millions on national TV. Ohio State Passing
C/ATT YDS AVG TD INT
Troy Smith 13/25 139 5.6 0 1
Team 13/25 139 4.6 -- --
Don't forget that memorable BCS Championship game in 2006 vs Florida again with millions watching on national TV Ohio State Passing
C/ATT YDS TD INT
T. Smith 4/14 35 0 1
He is an always will be a choker

Can Oz now finally give up now on the Stoops/Sooner pipeline?

smith or boller? Who cares both are not the answers at qb. For the folks who say let's look to the future with smith I say if he's the future, the future's bleak.

No offensive line, no receivers, an all pro tight end who lives on the IR and who we have NO back-up for. Stop beating up kyle and start looking at the real problem. Ozzie and decosta. We can draft defensive studs, which may just be a credit to rex's defense, but our offensive picks are very offensive.

Troy Smith is a waste. He was a waste when we drafted him. He played on a dominate team in college, which ruled a weak conference, and what happened the first time he faced a fast defense ? Six completions the entire game for the National Championship !!!!
Last year fans got excited about his performace at the end of the year. Why?? He barely completed 50% of his passes, and the only game we won (barely) was against a PIT team that mailed it in preparing for the playoffs. He will be out of the league in 3 years, GUARANTEED

i have been a tood heap fan ,since he has been here, but i think it is time to trade him while we can still get something for him.f

I agree with bernard A, great post I could not have said it as well . Boller has done well considering his supporting cast .people are quick to say that boller is inconsistent while not admitting that he has not had a decent ol or 1st class receivers. he was the best looking qb in camp last year and we started Mcnair how well did that work . after the next 2 preseason games let the best qb start. go ravens

Smith will have his chance tomorrow night. We obviously need game conditions to determine who will be the starter. Lets hope someone can separate themselves in the next 2 preseason games.

The fact still remains that any quarterback can only be as good as the lineman in front of him and his core of receivers. So far the Ravens have not been able to get that through their thick skulls, for some reason and unfortunately we cannot get a grasp on which quarterback qualifies as "the best" until that happens. I'm afraid that until they do get that straight that we are in for another boring offensive year.

I just don't understand why some people forget that TS is a 2nd yr guy.. .to me if there is really no difference in him and KB at this point then I think that speaks volumes for TS. . .If Aaron Rogers won 8 games this yr they would say not bad for a guy who hasn't had a NFL start. . .I think our expectation for TS is too high, consider 2nd yr player, new offence, new line (with everyone playing a new position) . . so to me if he is a little bit behind KB that is good for a 2nd yr 5th rnd draft pick.

Anita Marks prefers Troy Smith...i cant listen to her talk anymore

TRADE BOLLER FOR SOME OFFENSIVE LINE STRENGTH OR A DRAFT PICK. HE HAD HIS CHANCE & HE IS STILL TURNING THE BALL OVER.
THE RAVENS CAN ONLY WIN WITH A GREAT D & A QB THAT DOES NOT MAKE TURNOVERS.
GET RID OF BOLLER & GIVE TROY SMITH A CHANCE...IF HE CANNOT HANDLE IT, THEN I GUESS IT COULD BE TIME TO GIVE FLACCO SOME EXPERIENCE...BUT GIVE TROY 8 GAMES TO SHOW WHAT HE CAN DO.

For those that say that Troy Smith supporters are dillusional, I only ask you to support that comment. He never fumbles, he never has balls batted down at the line, he makes very few errors with where he throws the ball, and he makes yards with his feet when others would lose five yards. He might not complete more than 55 percent of his passes but he will make at least two plays a game of over 40 yards. And being a gamer does not mean that he doesn't practice hard or doesn't show up. He wears a patch on his shoulder honoring him for showing up for offseason workouts. Being a gamer means stepping up when the lights are on. The people saying to start Boller will be the same guys in the stands booing Harbough for keeping him in. I'm sorry, but i think we wasted a first round pick on Flacco that could have gone to our O line. If you draft a quarterback in the first round, you better be sure he is gonna be a pro bowler. Look at the best quarterbacks in the game right now and tell me how many are first rounders. Manning bro's are the only ones that come to mind. Smith is taller than Drew Bree's so i don't want to here about him being too short. And race has nothing to do with anything in sports among teamates, they want the guy that can win

Winston,

Last year Smith had 3 fumbles and lost 2 of them, which is about 60%. Boller's career stats are 36 fumbles with 19 lost, which is about 53%. Neither is particularly great. Other posters here suggest that Smith deserves 8 games to prove whether he can start or not since we all "know" what Kyle can do.

This is the NFL, not some developmental league, and no coach, let alone a rookie like Harbaugh can afford to field a developmental team for 8 games, especially in a year when 10-9 wins might win the AFC North. Plus, why are you wasting 8 games developing Smith when you already have the $30 million dollar future sitting on the bench? By the time Smith develops some consistency, Flacco should be starting to figure things out.

Are any of you willing to say that Smith has better long term potential than Flacco? So we know the Ravens will do everything in their power to have Flacco beat out Smith.

Over the next 8 games, a rehabilitated Boller is a safer bet than a developing Smith. Smith is basically a rookie which explains why he is inconsistent. When you have a new offense the last thing you need is an inconsistent QB. I'd rather have Favre here but the Ravens will make do with what they have and that means a more consistent Boller. But unless Smith turns in an All Pro night tomorrow these debates will continue all season.

why is everyone beating on troy smith like he comitting a crime for trying to be the starting QB for the ravens. everyone talkin aqbout the national championship he choked at least he took the team there and the whole thing is the team was off for about 2 months and the team went back the the national championship game last year and lost was that smith's fault too. Troy smith was a 5th round pick not the 1st pick in the draft. Now let me ask a question should a 2nd yr QB be beating 5th year QB? the point is some people are beating on him like smith been around for as long as boller.

Real Simple. Get rid of HEAP. Time to tell Mr. Namby Pamby to get lost!

Jamie,

I mentioned Smith's awful performance in the National Championship game because Smith supporters constantly go on about how he has been in bigger games than Boller or Flacco. Well, okay but he lost the biggest game he has ever been in and played badly. He let the Buckeyes down badly when they most needed him.

Smith's draft status is irrelevant in regards to his battle with Boller. They aren't grading on a curve here. He either beats him out this year or he doesn't.

Well now, the Viking game (fiasco) is over. Back to square one as is appears all the above comments were made irrelevent. My hope - as it looked to me that the only QB dressed in Raven purple that showed any passing ability was Joe Flacco, when he had a little time - is that maybe Harbaugh will give the kid a chance with the 1st team in the next game. The Vikes 3rd down conversion rate raised great concern about our depth on the D line and 2ndary. Even the blitz packages produced no pressure.

Harbaugh definitely has to give Flacco a chance with the first team o-line and receivers. Flacco showed that with a little protection from his o-line and some time to make a pass, he will make something happen. Yes, he overthrew Harper in the end zone, but at least he was able to get the team down to the 4 yard line. In the little bit of playing time he got on Saturday, he looked OK (except for the fumble, which was probably not his fault).