Billick names Boller Starter. Who should start?

[Tony-OH]

As expected, the inflexible one named Kyle Boller his starter next week against the Seahawks despite the fact that everyone (well probably besides the arrogant Billick) know that Boller is not a long term answer as a starter. Well, Troy Smith may not be either, but everyone (besides the blinded, pig-headed head coach) saw that the team actually had a spark while Troy Smith was in the game at the end of the Dolphins game.

So, who should start against the Seahawks next week?

[Mackus]

I think its hard to argue that Smith gives us a better chance to win than Boller, which is Billick's main goal for each week of the rest of the season.

At the same time, I think its equally hard to argue that Boller could show or prove anything in the next two weeks to make us think he could be a reliable starter for next season, whereas Smith could at the very least show us things to make us consider him a reliable starter at some point in the future (although I don't think he should even be remotely considered as a starter for 2008).

I'd start Smith, but I don't care at all whether we win the final two games or not. In fact I'd almost prefer to lose, unless of course beating the Steelers would keep them out of the playoffs.

[BaltimoreTerp]

Boller is the starter for next year unless one of three things happen:

1) The Ravens draft a QB early and make him the starter immediately (a.k.a. the stupid option)

2) The Ravens sign Donovan McNair-I mean McNabb to a big contract (a.k.a. the REALLY stupid option)

3) Smith or someone brought in wins the job in camp (a.k.a. the extraordinarily unlikely option)

Because of this, if he can play he'll play.

Remember, they don't do things like this to placate the fans, but to win football games.

[ccbird]

Boller is the starter for next year unless one of three things happen:

1) The Ravens draft a QB early and make him the starter immediately (a.k.a. the stupid option)

2) The Ravens sign Donovan McNair-I mean McNabb to a big contract (a.k.a. the REALLY stupid option)

3) Smith or someone brought in wins the job in camp (a.k.a. the extraordinarily unlikely option)

Because of this, if he can play he'll play.

Remember, they don't do things like this to placate the fans, but to win football games.

Which isn't going to happen too often with Boller as the starter.


However, Boller probably begins the year as the starter with plans of getting the rookie QB some playing time at some point. Though it wouldn't completely shock me if there is an open competition between Boller, Smith and the rook in training camp. This all assumes we draft a Qb in 1st or 2nd round which I think is highly likely.

[NewMarketSean]

I don't know what their plan is with Boller. I would be very worried with him as a starter going into the next season, even in a rebuilding year. The players don't believe in him, he's still not grasping basic parts of the QB position and Troy Smith deserves a shot.

I think this just proves that Billick is still married to Boller and cannot admit that he was wrong to pick him in the draft and go with him so soon.

[Tony-OH]

Remember, they don't do things like this to placate the fans, but to win football games.

The one thing that is becoming abundantly clear is you are right on this one, the Ravens are showing they could care less about their fans.

[Sports Guy]

I think Smith should start just to see how he plays.

The Ravens don't really know what they have in him right now as they haven't seen much of him in game action.

At this point, what does it hurt.

[Mackus]

The one thing that is becoming abundantly clear is you are right on this one, the Ravens are showing they could care less about their fans.Should they care? At least when if comes to personnel decisions and not things like stadium amenities. When teams start making moves just to placate the fans bloodlust, thats when coaches and GMs start getting fired. Because, as a group/mob, the fans are idiots.

Theres really no win for Billick in terms of who starts this week. If he starts Smith, it hurts for next year because Boller won't be looked at as a reliable starter, and he may have to be the starter next year. If he starts Boller, it hurts for next year because you don't know if Smith can be a reliable starter (although I think its unlikely). He's gonna get criticized either way, which is to be expected when you go from a 13-win season to a 4-win season. I just can't wait for this season to be over.

[Old#5fan]

Boller is the starter for next year unless one of three things happen:

1) The Ravens draft a QB early and make him the starter immediately (a.k.a. the stupid option)

2) The Ravens sign Donovan McNair-I mean McNabb to a big contract (a.k.a. the REALLY stupid option)

3) Smith or someone brought in wins the job in camp (a.k.a. the extraordinarily unlikely option)

Because of this, if he can play he'll play.

Remember, they don't do things like this to placate the fans, but to win football games.

If you are right and Boller is the starter next year I predict they won't win a game until he is replaced. I cannot believe Billick would be that clueless. Anybody but Boller would be better. This is the exact opposite of what they should be doing if they truly want to win. They won't do it with Boller. Just look how atrocious he has been this year other than the NE game which I believe was a one in a million fluke performance that he will not likely ever repeat.

[Old#5fan]

Should they care? At least when if comes to personnel decisions and not things like stadium amenities. When teams start making moves just to placate the fans bloodlust, thats when coaches and GMs start getting fired. Because, as a group/mob, the fans are idiots.

Theres really no win for Billick in terms of who starts this week. If he starts Smith, it hurts for next year because Boller won't be looked at as a reliable starter, and he may have to be the starter next year. If he starts Boller, it hurts for next year because you don't know if Smith can be a reliable starter (although I think its unlikely). He's gonna get criticized either way, which is to be expected when you go from a 13-win season to a 4-win season. I just can't wait for this season to be over.

I will trump you on your wish. If Boller is to be the starter next season I wish next season was already over!:eek: :(

[BaltimoreTerp]

I wonder if Troy Smith is this guy (http://the-replacements.warnerbros.com/img/reeves.jpg)?

[The Wedge]

He read blitz.

[Objectivity]

Boller is the starter for next year unless one of three things happen:

1) The Ravens draft a QB early and make him the starter immediately (a.k.a. the stupid option)

2) The Ravens sign Donovan McNair-I mean McNabb to a big contract (a.k.a. the REALLY stupid option)

3) Smith or someone brought in wins the job in camp (a.k.a. the extraordinarily unlikely option)

Because of this, if he can play he'll play.

Remember, they don't do things like this to placate the fans, but to win football games.


At this point in the season, why try to win? Have people play for their jobs. Answer your questions and put yourself in a better position for next year, both on the field and through the draft.

If Smith can't hold onto the ball and not knowing the playbook doesn't make him a better quarterback, we know he's not an option. As it stands right now, we don't know what he is.

[Miller192]

On Billick's radio show tonight he said that Smith will absolutely be here next year and probably for the next 5 years as is his contract. He also said Boller will be here too.

I think this spells the end for McNair because they certainly aren't going to carry 4 QBs. However, the NFL is looking into the possibility of adding an additonal spot to rosters only to be used by a 4th QB. If that doesn't happen, than I'm sure Steve is gone. He was very non-commital on McNair coming back next year.

[BaltimoreTerp]

At this point in the season, why try to win? Have people play for their jobs. Answer your questions and put yourself in a better position for next year, both on the field and through the draft.

If Smith can't hold onto the ball and not knowing the playbook doesn't make him a better quarterback, we know he's not an option. As it stands right now, we don't know what he is.

You "try to win" because that is your job as a coach. Unless orders come from above (which from the deafening silence there hasn't) you play to win.

Personally, I would prefer them to play for next year. I started a thread on the subject a couple weeks ago with what I would do, and got torn to shreds for daring to suggest we not play Ogden full-time so other players could get playing time.

Besides, if Boller is the starter for next year he needs to get all the playing time he can with the players who will be around next year. I want to see Smith more then anyone, but it is just this side of impossible that he'll win a starting job next year with all of the variables both within and outside his control.

[Miller192]

You "try to win" because that is your job as a coach. Unless orders come from above (which from the deafening silence there hasn't) you play to win.

Personally, I would prefer them to play for next year. I started a thread on the subject a couple weeks ago with what I would do, and got torn to shreds for daring to suggest we not play Ogden full-time so other players could get playing time.

Besides, if Boller is the starter for next year he needs to get all the playing time he can with the players who will be around next year. I want to see Smith more then anyone, but it is just this side of impossible that he'll win a starting job next year with all of the variables both within and outside his control.

I don't think it's impossible at all for a couple of reasons:

A) Billick will be on the hot seat, he can't afford to have a long leash on Boller for too long. He'll probably make a move to another QB by weeks 4 or 5 if Boller regresses. He can't tie his fate to Kyle for much longer.

B) Smith will likely progress with more passing camps and another training camp. Billick and Co. will be much more comfortable turning over the keys to him once they feel he can grasp what they are trying to do. The Ravens don't buy the lack of height argument with Smith at all. He would be a Cleveland Brown if they did.

C) Don't be surprised to see another QB competition. Billick regretted doing that with Redman and Boller for the simple reason that Boller was a rookie and was thrown into the fire too soon. 08' is Boller's last season here. He won't be offered another extension. If you go on the assumption that Boller is here for just one year, than I'm sure we could find a better QB for a 1 year stint. Like Steve McNair who they are paying much more to. Kyle is not good enough to play the "mercenary" role and it's counter effective to have a lame duck QB while you are trying to win and build for the future.

The organization has faith in Troy Smith and so do his teammates. His opportunity is just months ahead.

What's the caveat to all of this? We could very well have a new offensive system and that will probably extend Smith's learning curve. However, working in his favor is the notion that Steve McNair is probably not going to put the time and effort into learning a new system.

[Old#5fan]

At this point in the season, why try to win? Have people play for their jobs. Answer your questions and put yourself in a better position for next year, both on the field and through the draft.

If Smith can't hold onto the ball and not knowing the playbook doesn't make him a better quarterback, we know he's not an option. As it stands right now, we don't know what he is.

Totally agree, and if Billick truly believes the nonsense he spouts about Boller needing more time to grow, the man must have flipped his gourd so to speak. After five years Boller has played a handful of truly good games and the rest he has shown major issues. This has not changed and more time on the field is not the cure.

[66-70-83-??]

Totally agree, and if Billick truly believes the nonsense he spouts about Boller needing more time to grow, the man must have flipped his gourd so to speak. After five years Boller has played a handful of truly good games and the rest he has shown major issues. This has not changed and more time on the field is not the cure.

One of Billick's faults is his extreme loyalty to his players.

That is also one of his strengths- he never throws any players under the bus.

Look how he allowed McNair to save face with a convenient injury after he was benched.

Do you really expect him or even want him to trash his player(s) publicly ?

[Old#5fan]

One of Billick's faults is his extreme loyalty to his players.

That is also one of his strengths- he never throws any players under the bus.

Look how he allowed McNair to save face with a convenient injury after he was benched.

Do you really expect him or even want him to trash his player(s) publicly ?

I understand loyalty but not at the expense of losing games. This team is mired in its worst losing streak in history and to continue to trot Boller out there espousing that it gives his team the best chance to win is nonsense. To me it is time to throw caution to the wind and do like George Costanza did on the old Seinfield show where his life was a mess so he decided to do the opposite of what he would do in the past. Billick is sticking with the same losing formula for no valid reason and either in denial or just being recalcitrant because that is his nature. Either way it appears to be crazy!

[66-70-83-??]

I understand loyalty but not at the expense of losing games. This team is mired in its worst losing streak in history and to continue to trot Boller out there espousing that it gives his team the best chance to win is nonsense. To me it is time to throw caution to the wind and do like George Costanza did on the old Seinfield show where his life was a mess so he decided to do the opposite of what he would do in the past. Billick is sticking with the same losing formula for no valid reason and either in denial or just being recalcitrant because that is his nature. Either way it appears to be crazy!

I didn't make myself clear.

I want Smith to start, not Boller.

Perhaps Billick does too- but he is NOT going to throw Boller under the bus.

"Boller will start, I support Boller" etc..... is for public consumption.

But, like he did with McNair, Billick will give BOller a way out gracefully (ie "ya know that injury is still lingering so Kyle can't start").

That is one of the reasons that players like and respect Billick. He takes the bullets for them in public.

Isn't that a good thing ?

[BaltimoreTerp]

I didn't make myself clear.

I want Smith to start, not Boller.

Perhaps Billick does too- but he is NOT going to throw Boller under the bus.

"Boller will start, I support Boller" etc..... is for public consumption.

But, like he did with McNair, Billick will give BOller a way out gracefully (ie "ya know that injury is still lingering so Kyle can't start").

That is one of the reasons that players like and respect Billick. He takes the bullets for them in public.

Isn't that a good thing ?

He'll answer once he and Tony are done reloading ;)

[Art Wing]

How many starts do we have to give Boller before everyone comes to the logical conclusion that he cannot be a consistently good starting quarterback in the NFL. He's had his chance. Give Smith a shot.

P.S. I'm so over football already.

[RShack]

It makes no difference who starts the game. It matters who plays in the game. What matters is how much PT each guy gets. If it was me, I'd let each of them play half the game. Don't care how, just so they both play about half. You don't need to say a word about it being a competition between them. Not a word. The situation says that if you play each of them half the time.

If you play each of them half the time, you don't need to publicly embarrass Boller by naming the other guy the starter. That accomplishes less-than-zero. That accomplishes negative-value. That makes some things worse and zero things better. Just start Boller, and play'em both.

[Old#5fan]

It makes no difference who starts the game. It matters who plays in the game. What matters is how much PT each guy gets. If it was me, I'd let each of them play half the game. Don't care how, just so they both play about half. You don't need to say a word about it being a competition between them. Not a word. The situation says that if you play each of them half the time.

If you play each of them half the time, you don't need to publicly embarrass Boller by naming the other guy the starter. That accomplishes less-than-zero. That accomplishes negative-value. That makes some things worse and zero things better. Just start Boller, and play'em both.

Boller publicly embarasses himself practically every game he starts, especially a road game so why should anyone care? Do you think that the Bears were worried about publicly embarassing Rex Grossman when they benched him? How about the Broncos when they benched and then traded Plummer for Cutler? Your sentiment that this is something that is a concern is really no concern at all nor should it be in professional sports. These guys are getting paid huge money and if they fail they should be embarrassed. None of them earn the right not to be benched for bad performance in any sport. Furthermore do you think any employer is going to concern themselves by demoting or replacing an underachieving employee or one who is just not cutting it? Boller is an employee and is not cutting it. Football is a business, so maybe you need to look at it for what it is.:confused: