Mike,

Thanks for getting us the real scoop on this - I'm frankly horrified that we're considering signing either of them!

Thanks, Mike, for clarification and plz tell us why Simms is not being considered.
He seems the most viable and with the most upside

What QB signing could we make right now that would not have you write the season off? (Availible FA, not a dream scenerio) They all are dropped by other teams......none are very good or helpful.

Boy-o-boy, ever since the hiring of Andy MacPhail and the firing of Brian Billick, the Orioles seem to be more like the Ravens and the Ravens more like the Orioles.

And yet they are passing each other like two ships in the night.

I know it's only for the back-up role on a suspect offense while one (two?) others are on the mend but really, could this process be more opaque?

Is Simms out of the running because he pulled his name from contention? Is his spleen injury from two years ago a factor? Surely, his 2005 with a then-suspect TB offense is more impressive than Harrington who actually had some talent around him at times. And Bouman who, who, who, why do we want Bouman again?

Cripey days, at his age (they're all veterans so don't give me that) the Ravens should have induced Testaverde out of retirement. At least his work ethic would have been invaluable to Flacco if called upon, and useful experience useful if not.

Even Redman would have been a better choice.

But then again with cloak and mystery surrounding everything at the Mirage Mahal lately, who knows who is choosing whom.

By the way, will Ed Reed wear a red don't-touch-me jersey against Cincinnati -- either time the Ravens play them?

Harrington is a decent QB who got stuck on some bad teams. He is far better suited to stand in and perform than the no-name guy trying to get every NFL team on his resume.

Why is Daunte Culpepper not being worked out and considered? He seems that he would be the best available option.

What about Caulpepper? He's got to be better than the other QBs that they are considering to add to the team.

What about Dante Culpepper and Byron Leftwich?? I know they've both had problems staying healthy the past few seasons, but either one seems to be a much more viable option at QB than Harrington or Bouman. Besides, the last thing we need is to have another rookie quarterback thrust into the starting role too early without any veteran leadership on the sideline to help bring him along a la Kyle Boller.......and we ALL know how that's worked out so far.

Interesting how the
"faint of heart" and "fair weather fans" are already writing off a season before the first game has been played! We have Brian Billick to blame for much of the mess we're in for, a.) drafting an inept QB in Boller, b.) starting him as a rookie when he never had the innate instincts for the job and, c.) failing to acknowledge that the Boller "experiment" was a bust!!! In doing so, he squandered years of talent and opportunities, which we are just now starting to correct!

Simms looked terrible. That's why he's no longer in consideration.

Come on guys! I don't think the Ravens planned to have two quarterbacks go down in ten days. They have no spare cap money and unless you want to see Clayton under center you had better accept the fact that this late in the game you can't find first line talent. If you want to send some one your complaints, send them to Steve McNair for putting the team in this situration to start with. He grabbed the fast cash to come to Baltimore and when Harbaugh came and he thought it was going to be a tough camp he left town like the Irsay's - "without any notice."

What about Dante Culpepper and Byron Leftwich??
Posted by: Anthony | September 2, 2008 5:22 P

Leftwich was signed by the Steelers about two weeks ago.

Culpepper, until it became real obvious that no one was going to sign him, wanted big starter money and frankly has been pretty average the last two years.

Simms will want to complete with Flacco for the permanent job and frankly would be better off in Chicago.

Harrington would be a good choice because he knows Cameron's system but he is probably more expensive than Bouman and will want to compete with Flacco for the permanent starter postion.

Bouman may be the best solution because he will fit under the cap, and will likely be okay with how crazy the QB situation is likely to be the next few weeks and months.

For everyone screaming for Culpepper, he thinks he should be a starter and wants to be paid like one. And for the one person that's screaming for Leftwich, he's been playing for the Steelers since after the first pre-season game! Get your heads out of where the sun don't shine and realize these are the best options, meaning Harrington, Simms, and Bouman.

Byron Leftwich plays for the Steelers.

Simms may have the biggest upside, but we aren't looking for an upside at this points. We are chock full of upside with Troy Smith and Joe Flacco. The issue is week 1, and having a backup who is ready to play immediately if need be. Harrington and Bauman have experience is several offensive systems, so they are more likely to be able to pick up (or already know) the language of Cam Cameron's offensive play calls.

I dont want Harrington. He may have been on bad teams but the teams seem
to have played better without him.

bouman...?bowman...? oh BOWZER?
didn't he sing for sha na na!

PLEASE GET STEVE MCNAIR BACK!!!

Don't understand why we don't just save more money and activate Bramlet from the practice squad. He is basically familiar with the offense due to previous time with Cam. Instead, this guy with at least a bit more upside than Bouman, Harrington, and Simms is sitting on the practice squad while we go for old (Bouman), disgruntled (Simms) and quarterbacks who are actually worse than the ones we have right now (Harrington). I love you Ozzie, you really are the best.

Smith is supposedly going to be back for week 3 anyway, so why not just activate Bramlet and use him instead of ging through all this extra trouble for a TEMPORARY backup.

i want steve mcnair back too.

Argueably the most important player on the field........the field general and we are nickle and diming. Come On ! Harrington played for nothing but terrible teams. Boller played for decent and good teams and was short of terrible but that experiment should have left with Billick. Wise up and do not put Flacco in the same situation. Sign Simms or Harrington.

looks like McNair is gonna have to UNRETIRE and play for the Ravens. if he does, ill be soooo HAPPY.

Mike, what's the story on Culpepper and having NFL teams including Baltimore not consider him. Is he being blackballed?

Baltimore "fans" suck. Quick to rip into the best athletes they've got, never satisfied unless they're going to the big one. I remember EVERYONE was a Ravens fan when it was fashionable, wearing purple this and purple that. You couldn't say a bad word about a Raven in this town, no sir. That didn't last long, though. You'd think we were below .500 every year since we brought home the Lombardi or something.

It's one thing to be realistic and make observations about the state of the team, but you guys are worse than Philly fans. You take turns ripping Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, even Ogden! These guys are literally three of the best Ravens, if not the best Ravens of all time. You probably have to add Jamal Lewis to that list as well. No one is immune to the BS you morons vomit on these forums. Go become Browns fans since so many of you love Phil Savage so much. Or better yet, become Steelers fans. I support the team through thick and thin. Part of the reason Boller makes me so mad is because I defended him for so long, from draft day! You guys are happier complaining then you are supporting your team, and that stinks. You should all stick with freaking Arena football. We don't need you. The Golden Arm would be ashamed.

Who is "better" at QB?? FACTS: Joey Harrington beat out Culpepper 2 years ago in Miami - and was better than Daunte last year too, check the numbers... He was clearly better than Leftwich last year, the fans chanted "Joey Joey" as Byron got booed off the field in Atlanta.

Matter of FACT, Joey Harrington had a QB rating last year in the top third - (after 4 games), threw for over 360 yards in a game - despite playing in a very bad bad situation for the Falcons. He put up over 400 yards in a Dolphin game the year before, and tossed 3 TDs at Soldier Field beating the Bears their super bowl season.

Mike, could you have a sit-down with the entire group that write (or who put words down) for the Sun and provide some in-service training. Although I don't always agree with your perspective, you give an honest assessment of the Ravens.
P.S I agree with Ron

TO TED..I THOUGHT BOWMAN WAS THE HOST OF PINBUSTERS. SEEMS ODD HAVING A FORMER TV HOST PLAY Q.B. BUT THE RAVENS ALWAYS HAVE QB TROUBLE.

Bouman has good upside in that he has performed well while with the Vikings and Bucs. He looked poised and in command most of the time and was able to drive the field with about the same talent that we have now ! He will not be a complete bust ! I just believe Simms experience under pressure and there will be pressure applied on regular, would provide a shorter learning curve to a well rounded Flacco. To prevent the happy feet syndrome we have witnessed from Kyle ! The most perplexing ? is why didn't they go after Pennington, they have Suggs and he wants money and why need a double indemnity insurance policy for the quarterback position. Troy is a big gamble that hasn't produced a savings bond yet !

I think Bolt (above) has a loose nut...

Pinbusters! Memories. I had a roomie go on that show. yeah,he choked like, hmmmmm, mcNair on that last fateful drive. Both John Bowmans too.
And used to be a decent restaurant in Carney.

Where is Scott Mitchell?

U know, ol Johnnie U is just shaking his head

Mike,
Whats the deal with the rash of injuries this year? Are there really that many injuries or does it have something to do with the reduced roster sizes? I heard one of the talking heads mention that the smaller roster sizes means the coaching staffs are puttign the vets on the PUP list sooner to get a better look at the young guys...
Any info would be appreciated!

Out of all the prospects, who in the world is Todd Bauman? I have never even seen this guy play before. Joey Harrington would be the best out of all three. .

Culpepper is already on the downside of his career but still the Ravens should at least talk to him. He'd certainly be better than Todd Bouman, whoever the heck that is.

I don't care who the ravens choose i support them and the orioles Flacco will be fine weather starts now or later remember he has a lot of weapons around him to help out RELAX PEOPLE! RELAX