Harbaugh names Flacco starting quarterback for remainder of season

But Harbaugh said yesterday that Smith would remain the No.3 quarterback this week and would be able to vie this season only for the backup job, which is held by Todd Bouman .

[Josh]

thats great news for a guy who has thrown 4ints and only 1td with a qb rating of 50% hardbaugh is a joke

[pinbuoy]

Jamison/Ed: Did Harbough really say as much? the first report I heard, I didn't here the word "only". Check these statements below, you take out the word only and a whole different connotation emerges. Even with the word "only" in there, it sounds like you're reading into it...Sorry, Mike

But Harbaugh said yesterday that Smith would remain the No.3 quarterback this week and would be able to vie this season only for the backup job, which is held by Todd Bouman.

"That'll be [Smith's] role this year - possibly into a role where he can contribute playing quarterback for us down the road," Harbaugh said.

[DEK]

I'm glad that we can put this quarterback issue behind us for now. It's also good to see the coach show his support for Flacco. I have nothing personal against Troy, but I'm not 100% sure that he gives us any better chance to win than Flacco. As of right now, Flacco has more career starts than Smith anyway. It would only be a matter of time before the same people who are calling for smith will be calling for his head if he starts and the Ravens take a step backwards.

[Rich]

I am surprised at the naming of Flacco as starter for the season. Maybe Troy just isn't ready to compete. I'm happy for Flacco. He deserves it. If he doesn't learn from last weeks most terrible performance, he'll never learn. We will know this week. Go Ravens! Go into Indy and beat he hell out of them. At this point you have nothing to lose. So go in there and whip them. There just waiting for the taking. Ravens 32 - Kolts 19. That's what I think.

[veedub]

Once Flacco started week 1, he was the starter for the long haul barring injury.

The fact that Harbaugh said this 3 days after Flacco's worst start by far only emphasizes the fact that there was never a doubt.

Ravens fans who are clamoring for Troy Smith need to face the reality that he's nothing more than backup.

[Wow]

Mike Preston is gonna be pi$$ed...

[jpp]

Josh wrote:

thats great news for a guy who has thrown 4ints and only 1td with a qb rating of 50% hardbaugh is a joke

I guess you don't like Joe.
You got any better ideas Josh.
And to call Harbaugh a joke after 4 games is a little nuts. We were predicted to bring up the rear of our division this year. We have a rookie coach and a rookie QB, I think we're doing pretty well. We should have beat the Squeelers and the Titans- two very good teams. But we only lost by 3 pts. in each of those games. I'd say that's pretty damn good. I like what I see in this kid.
Now if we could get another wide receiver to compliment Mason.

[BigdaddyRaven]

I understand why he did it, I just don't like coaches teling a player that they have the job the rest of the season.

[Teapot]

Yea it's nice to put the QB thing behind us and I'm happy for Flacco now listen up Flacco, THROW THE DAMN BALL AWAY, repeat after me, THROW THE DAMN BALL AWAY if you don't see an open man. We want to see your TD's increase vs. INT. Also if you need help take a look in the achieves for "Trent Dilfer" tapes on "how to manage a game".

Go RAVENS!

[Christopher]

I think this is a great move by Harbaugh. There's no sense in starting anyone other than Flacco at this point, barring injury. We'll sink or swim with Joe, and we'll be better off in the long run because of it. This season is more about growth and experience; the playoffs would be icing on the cake.

[FireTrembley]

5-11 here we come. It's done. I predict the final line for Flacco at:

2400 yards passing
7 passing TD's
28 INT's
QB rating of 50 to 55.

[Big Mike]

How could anyone say that Troy smith is just another backup, the only thing that Flacco did was throw one touchdown in his brief NFL career. He as only thrown the long ball less then about five times and yet people are ready to make him something he is not (a proven QB). Troy Smith deserves a shot because last year even Flacco would look like crap in the offense under Brian B system. Hell veteran QBs look like crap in Brian B. system. Unless the ravens start going down field soon the defense will be in for another long season and the defense will suffer. Just becasue you have the #1 defense in the league doesn't mean you will get a championship. Lets face it you gave the rookie a chance and he cost you two games with turnovers give troy a chance to get those two games back. Harbaugh basically told Smith that he will never be a starter here.

[Big Mike]

BigdaddyRaven wrote:

I understand why he did it, I just don't like coaches teling a player that they have the job the rest of the season.

I agree with you on that, and then if something happens to Flacco in the season and you have to ask this man to come out and lead a team that he doesn't trust him to start for how would you react? He should just take it week by week because Flacco isn't finished making mistakes for the season.

[Big Mike]

BigdaddyRaven wrote:

I understand why he did it, I just don't like coaches teling a player that they have the job the rest of the season.

Roy Williams from the lions will be available next year and Bart Scott and Ray lewis will be free agents next year? Could there be a move in the mix?

[FireTrembley]

Big Mike wrote:

<quoted text>
I agree with you on that, and then if something happens to Flacco in the season and you have to ask this man to come out and lead a team that he doesn't trust him to start for how would you react? He should just take it week by week because Flacco isn't finished making mistakes for the season.

Yeah...why would you want your rookie QB to feel relaxed and that his job is secure. I'm guessing that you feel slighted because Flacco is white and Smith is black.

[GoRavens]

Man once again we are in trouble due to injuries.

[DEK]

FireTrembley wrote:

5-11 here we come. It's done. I predict the final line for Flacco at:
2400 yards passing
7 passing TD's
28 INT's
QB rating of 50 to 55.

That would put him on pace with some of the best quartebacks in history. Many of them had horrible stats their first year.

[DEK]

Big Mike wrote:

<quoted text>
Roy Williams from the lions will be available next year and Bart Scott and Ray lewis will be free agents next year? Could there be a move in the mix?

Now that is funny, ray lewis to the Lions....that won't happen.

[FireTrembley]

Big Mike wrote:

<quoted text>
Roy Williams from the lions will be available next year and Bart Scott and Ray lewis will be free agents next year? Could there be a move in the mix?

Terrible, terrible, terrible scenario...I'd prefer not to give up the core of defense in order to bring in one second tier receiver. Are you high...or just stupid?

[GoRavens]

Why would Ray Lewis leave if Roy Williams is a free agent? He would stay because we would finally have a great WR to complement Mason.