Maybe if we signed Dilfer we could break the "Dilfer Curse." Oh, who am I kidding? If there's a curse on the Ravens it's the Ozzie Newsome "I couldn't locate a decent QB or WR with a guide dog" curse. It killed Billick's tenure here.

Peter- Are you getting a funny feeling that fate is playing a role in this QB situation? Like, Flacco improved more in that 1 start then Boller did in 5 seasons. Smith was solid last year too but, I wonder if some of the offensive woes of the Raven's may be looking at a plateau. Maybe the Cabrera injury is the same sort of thing. It may force the front office's hands to give Bergeson a well deserved shot. Hernandez too. That k's per 9 of his is amazing. Nearly 14.

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Pete's reply: This might be an odd time to talk about destiny, but I like the way you think.

Peter- 1 more thing. Boldin wants out of Arizona. Suggs wants to go there. Why not make it happen? They would get what they have tried to get many a time with Owens, Taylor, Clayton, etc. Boldin is signed through 2012 at about 5 mill a year. Suggs is gonna get about 10, so that would free up about 5 in cap space. We are deep at LB. And if it a problem, then we can go after Laurenitus in the 09 draft. Or, what/how many draft picks would it take to acquire Boldin? 09's #1? He would be Flacco's Marvin Harrison, Brady's Randy Moss, Romo's TO, Bulger's Holt. He catches everything, and no one can cover him.

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Pete's reply: Interesting. I'll bounce it off Jamison on the radio show this weekend.

what about leftwich?

I know you said someone like Dilfer but I just wanted to say that if anyone has seen Trent on ESPN you know he is not coming back. He looks to be in terrible shape becaue he picked up a beer belly in the offseason. That takes hard work to get a good beer belly in 6 or 7 months.

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Pete's reply: I know he's not in football shape. Thought it made for a good headline, though.

Maybe the Ravens should sign Sam Hollenbach, from the UofM a couple of years back, to be their back-up, back-up quarterback. From my perspective, he can't be any worse than Boller and the Ravens need healthy bodies.

What about Byron Leftwich?

Dilfer? That may be the worst idea since the square wheel!

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Pete's reply: A square wheel? Hmmmm. Sounds like a plan.

Dilfer? That may be the worst idea since the square wheel!

For all those suggesting Leftwich....he signed with Pittsburgh a few weeks ago.

Might this be a repeat of the Johnny U opportunity, where injury thrust an uproven rookie quarterback into the limelight?

Stranger things have happened, as New England can attest.

Your proposal makes perfect sense to me in every possible way. I also like the poster's suggestion about Suggs for Boldin. I would do it in a heartbeat.

What about Favre? Oh wait......

There were how many months between draft day and now to deal with this issue?! Drafting Smith late in the draft two years ago was taking a flyer on a guy who isn't the prototype QB, but "what the heck, he's a great athlete". Drafting Flacco was a concession that neither Boller nor Smith is "the guy" and we need a prototypical NFL passer.

None of this information is new. Why are we pushing the panic button now?

Were we really expecting Boller to be someone else under a new coach? Were we expecting Smith to be taller pocket passer with a stronger more accurate arm? Were we expecing a rookie to come in and take the job?

Unless Boller is *injured*, random changes of plan - just to say you're doing something - is a sure fire way to go nowhere. This is a rebuilding year. Develop your young talent base. Embrace the horror.

Leftwhich is the backup to Big Ben in Pittsburgh!

Don't forget Vinny!

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Pete's reply: I could never forget Vinny...and I'll never get over macho grande! (Obscure reference for the day)

How about Jim Horrible? I mean Harbaugh. He may just have an "in" with the coach.

All of Leftwich's injuries are starting to catch up with him....and he was also signed by the Steelers two weeks ago when they lost Charlie Batch.

Say what you want about Dilfer but he was the best QB we ever had. He wasn't "high profile" but he didn't make many mistakes and protected the ball.

Could always dust off the ol' Testeverde. It would be like a 10 year Raven's reunion.

Leftwich is injury prone and immobile, just want we need behind a HORRIBLE offensive line. He'd last a play, if that.

Plus he's the back-up in Pittsburgh, why would he come here?

I like the Suggs for Boldin idea, but I think Boldin's ability is being a bit overplayed, he had less than 1,000 yards last season and has only played 16 games in a season twice in his 5 year career. He is very tough for a wide out though and would be a great fit next to Mason, allowing Clayton to move to the slot.

What about going after a Billy Volek or a Charlie Frye or a JP Losman, someone who could start but has been passed over for a younger gun. Or even trying to tap into the QB surplus in Cleveland, I'd love to have DA back. I knew he was special when I saw him get his 10 snaps in the preseason a few years ago... I guess Ozzie didn't see that drive?

Uh...Leftwich has already signed with the Steelers!

Ryan, Boldin wants out of Arizona BECAUSE he's only making 5 mil a year. Do you think he's going to come here and all of a sudden be happy with his contract????

leftwich signed with the steelers three weeks ago.

Leftwich is a Steeler. He is not available.
I said all along that Ozzie should have made a play for Brett Favre.

Peter,

You are funny. If Ozzie doesn't get confused. That would never happen would it????? Or would it??? Did you get confused when he drafted Troy Smith last year? One may think so. Otherwise why would you pick up another QB in this years draft?????

Hey Pete, How about we find an huge available young fullback and use him as a quarterback. He could give Flacco and Smith a break and make a great lead blocker for Rice and what's his name.

Leftwich isn't an option - he's a Steeler. Culpepper isn't much better then Boller - but if Kyle does go on IR then he's an option....and in regards to the Suggs for Bolden trade - I'd do it in a heart beat. Suggs wants out and he proved last year that he needs help to be a successful pass rusher (how many sacks did he have after Pryce went down?). Besides, I think a good LB/DE is easier to find then a good WR. And Bolden is a beast; he would really open up the passing game for Flacco. Peter, do what you can to plant this bug in Ozzie's ear. He needs to do this.

Peter, you get paid to write about the NFL so please keep up with it. Leftwich is with Pittsburgh, was signed when Batch went down. And by the way, I think Ozzie would rather add to his stable of DE/LB hybrids before doing anything for the offense. For him to allow any potential starter to be protected by those scrubs he drafts in the 4th qtr of a preseason game should cost him his job.

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Pete's reply: I didn't mention Leftwich in my entry. I think that was a post.

Byron Leftwich is currently the back up in Pittsburgh (he was signed shortly after Charlie Batch broke is collar bone).

If we asked nice we could probably get Chris Redman from the Falcons. It's really fun to watch him psychologically crumble under pressure.

Dilfer? Why not, what do we have to lose?

Peter,
I don't know if you just heard, but a breaking news story on ESPN says the Ravens just traded two low round draft picks in 2009 and 2010 for Marques Douglas. That's interesting. Also, they saying Boller is definately done for the year. I think picking up Daunte Culpepper is a great option, but how will he be with Cam Cameron? I know that with a solid offense around him he can still be a very good QB. I think it's the best option at this point and who knows, maybe he can come back to form.

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Pete's reply: Thanks for the heads up. Been reading all your mail.

Why wouldn't Daunte be interested in tutoring a green QB? Other words on the street are that Pittsburgh lied about how Daunte wanted to compete with Big Ben for the starting job there. I think he'd work great in Cam's system and would also fit in well with the players. The Raven's may be his last chance to have a position other than couch potato next Sunday.

Why do we only bring in former Ravens?? Marques Douglas??? Trent Dilfer?? Duante Culpepper could solidfy this offense in a crunch. We just need a bridge for this year. Till Flacco is ready to role. It will not take a lot of time for him to become a great signal caller. He has the brains and the arm and he is tough.

Leftwich is with the Steelers

Absolutely they should consider getting a veteran QB; in fact, they should have done it in the off season, rather than depend on a guy who has proven to be a "bust" as a first round draft pick 5 years ago! But Dilfer.....that's more than a stretch at this point!

I like the Beck idea. I think the Phins drafted him in round 2 last year & the new Parcells regime want to go w/ their own guy. Beck has some talent, it was reported that he was high on other teams boards. Beck puts another youngster in the fold who can push Flacco. All that and Heap would have a teammate to go to temple with....its a win win !!

Good lord no! Please let the dilfer fantasy go. People remember him as a tough, gritty , everyman that helped us get a title. People forget that he was an awful QB. He actually has quite a high opinion of himself so, NO.

The list is thin if Boller is out. The Fins are hopeful of a trade for Beck before they are forced to cut him. Speaking of high opinions, Culpepper won't sign anyway.

"What about Byron Leftwich?"

He is with the Squealers

Bring back Randall Cunningham!

leftwich is on the steelers

As a person who has been to Ravens games since the Marchibroda days there has NEVER been a solid QB here. I think the only solution is to just go with a two QB system and not worry about bring in a Dante Culpepper or a Byron Leftwich who would want to start right away or a John Beck who is no more proven then what we already have. Just face it we are going to be bad for atleast few more years with an aging offense and a defense well past its prime and injury prone.

I am all for the Suggs - Boldin trade by the way....why has this not happend already.

Between one writers thought on fate, and another with Arizona/Suggs, maybe there's another scenario playing out. Since Boller's injury and MRI (which is readily available when taken), is there some possibility that Boller will go on the IR and Ozzie will look to bring in adjustment players, if available. Seems mighty peculiar about potential timing of a decision on Boller.

Culpepper is who should we go after. If Kyle is to miss the season, we're gonna have to start Troy, but having a Veteran like Culpepper won't hurt. PLEASE DO NOT START FLACCO. We need him to learn first cuz he looks like our QB of the future! GOD WILLING

Ryan, I love Suggs as much as Ray but they way you broke it down, that's a no brainer.

ATTN: OZZY NEWSOME - Chris Simms (might cost a late draft pick if he isn't cut) is your guy. Also, can someone get Ozzy Jake Plummer's home phone number????

The curse of Dilfer.I know it sounds stupid but, I've actually used that phrase too

with all this Dilfer and Testaverde reunion talk, why not just sign Tom Matte?

Leftwich? Hello...the Steelers signed him 2 weeks ago after Charlie Batch got hurt.

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Pete's reply: I believe that's been established.

We should get get Hill from San Fran or Beck from Miami. I'm shocked there's not more cry's for a trade to get newly demoted Chris Redman.

For all of you that keep saying that Leftwhich is with the Steelers - please read before you post - someone answered that in like the 10th post or something - we don't need to keep hearing about it.

Well I like Culpepper - sure they say his hands are too small, but he was good once and with the right coaching he could be just what we need until God grants us a miracle and we come up with an offence that may actually be NFL worthy. I mean, he can’t be any worse than Boller (whom I loathe) or McNair (who I said we should have gotten rid of last season before anyone else woke up, thank you very much).

But I’ll tell you something for nothing – our players are too old – we need to start some major drafting for depth and go with lots of younger guys or we’ll end up losing to Miami again and again and again – now won’t that be embarrassing.

/rant over – thanks.

Anybody know who Leftwich is playing for? I can't find any information.

hey mr pete. this is the guy from frederick who called you and jamison about a month ago concerning favre(yeah, the guy with one breath and lousy choice of women,lol) still believe favre was logical answer. after the past moves including trading picks for douglas i am convinced Ozzie has lost touch with reality.
Hire Mel kiper and Ron Wolf as a team or get Acorsi out of retirement.
Also,Arizona is not trading as they hold ALL of the cards in this one. He will remain a Cardinal.

ESPN is NOT reporting that Boller is done for the season, they're only quoting local newspapers that say the initial MRI was not favorable and that the Ravens will wait until Friday when the test results are back.

IF he is out (and I really hope not) we won't have a choice but to go and get a scrub and start Flacco.

Pete, Nice Airplane! reference, How about Chris Simms? he seems to be finished in Tampa

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Pete's Reply: Great catch on the Airplane ref. Don't know how the Ravens feel about Simms. Don't know if they know at the moment.

How about someone like Chris Simms? Ravens showed they can work with the Bucs...

Bruce

I hear Elvis Grbac is available.

Some fans are just unbeliveable, I said before and I will continue to say it. It was reported over and over again that Newsome didn't want Boller, Billick went over his head to Modell to get him. So if anybody sabotaged Billick it was him. Get over this crap!

Whoever said Dilfer was the best QB in Ravens history really told the story. Dilfer was AWFUL, and yet he probably was our best to date outside of maybe Vinny Testa-turnover. When two former Tampa FLOPS are your best QB's in history, you REALLY suck at selecting QB's.

Peter,

Last year:
Redman 10 TDs 5 Ints 90.4 rating 7 games with 4 starts
Boller 9 TDs 10 Ints 75.2 rating 12 games with 8 starts

Surprised?
Dan

dilfer - u kidding me?? he was horrible 5 years ago.

Chris Simms is the guy.

You sign Dilfer, i sell my PSL.

To Sean Q;

It takes a willing partner to make a trade and the Cardinals have shown absolutely no willingness to trade Boldin. As was pointed out by another poster, the whole reason he wants out of AZ is because of his $5 million salary, If he were traded here, he would want a blockbuster new contract. Plus, Ozzie isn't bright enough to make a good trade. He only opens the vault for the Willis McGahees of the world.

Absolutely go with a vet! Otherwise, we are facing a disaster serason of biblical proportions, like 1-15 to 3-13 range. Troy Smith has had ample time to show that he's not another Heisman bust in the NFL: he is. 47% completion rate? Gimme a break. Flacco is at least 3 months from ready to take the field. Getting a young scrub would add nothing to the equation.

I would take any of Culpepper, Simms, Harrington, even Redman to hopefully win a few ballgames. Comparisons to Boller? Absolutely irrelevant. The comparison is to Smith, who has shown us all why he was bypassed in the draft by 31 other GMs five times.

I don't think its gonna happen

I just wanted to say that Leftwich is with the Steelers.

/loving the new meme

Dont be so harsh on Trent super bowl ring and all ...But you are right better golfer than qb these days...there is never a tom matte around when you need one anymore.....Chris sims would be the second coming of John Stark....I like the Johnny U scenario

I hear that Stoney Case is looking for a job.

your best bet is the guy they are bringing in and that's Casey Bramlet. Casey knows Cam Cameron's offense. If you saw Casey win the NFL Europa Bowl against J.T. O'Sullivan, who know who is a better quarterback. All said is you have a diamond in the rough.

I'll Just say this.. no matter who QB'S the Ravens they will still lose 12 to 14 games.... no offenseive line and the defensive line looks even worse...
but if your gonna replace Boller then get Simms... you might add 1 or 2 games to those wins but i dought it!

Hope we get lucky with Casey Bramlet (although 6 teams in 4 years doesn't bode well) but if not then we should follow Pete's suggestion and sign Byron Leftwich.

/Mark bait

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Pete's reply: Stop it. I never suggested Leftwich, who signed with the Steelers a few weeks ago.

hey, what about Tim Couch? i hear he's not doing anything, AND i think he's 2-1 at Raven's Stadium.

Okay, I'm slow. I didn't catch the Airplane! reference. Can you enlighten us (I know, it's like having to explain a joke, but I'm curious.)?

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Pete's reply: One of the stupidest jokes in the sequel to Airplane (Airplane II). Witness is testifying, and prosecutor asks where an incident happened. "Over Macho Grande?" he asks, and the witness replies, "No, I don't think I'll ever get over Macho Grande." I hope you now feel as enriched as I do by this high-brow conversation.

How about Casey Bramlet? Big, strong arm. Played for Cam last year

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Pete's reply: Yes, I believe they signed him last night.

How about Brett Ratliff? Would he be available?

Quin Gray or Josh Betts?

Pete, How come this thing takes so long to update?

Might want to keep an eye on what the Steelers do with Leftwich, once Batch returns. It doesn't appear they want to risk losing rookie QB Dennis Dixon, so they probably won't carry both Leftwich and Batch.

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Pete's reply: I have to approve the comments and I'm not at my computer 24 hours a day. I try to do it as much as possible throughout the day, but when I'm at O's until after midnight, there's going to be a gap in the morning sometimes while I catch up on my ZZZs.

You know, maybe we could get a QB from the Canadian league or someone from Arena Fotball?

it wouldn't cost us much and we would still have just as good a chance than if Boller was still QB1.

/comments?

Casey Bramlet is a good QB. He has not had a fair shot i the NFL. I feel that he will do good. I am not saying he will start but will be a good back up. I mean come on he was MVP in the NFLE, and the reison why he did what he did there was that he got a chance to play. GOOD LUCK CASEY!!