Smith's first start not beginning of something different

This might say it all about Troy Smith : After one NFL start, he has virtually the same quarterback rating this season as the two players who preceded him, Steve McNair and Kyle Boller .

[tony]

this wasnt troys fault this was a bad o line and recevers never got open when they did troy hit them

[Jacob]

It was Smith's first start. He did ok. Nobody should have expected him to lead the Ravens on multiple scoring drives. He's rookie 5th round pick (almost 6th round, since he was the 5th round's last pick), he played in one of the NFL's most difficult venues, he played behind shoddy line play, etc.

For the most part, he was accurate. His WRs didn't help him out by dropping a few passes, and even when Smith missed his WRs, his throws were still close to the target. I know close doesn't count, but it shows promise.

He was also calm in the pocket, despite constant pressure. He never left the pocket prematurely or forced any throws.

I hope TS gets the start against Pittsburgh too. Let him get some experience. At the very least, he deserves to be on the active rooster next year, even if the Ravens draft Matt Ryan or Brian Brohm.

Here's a big positive about Troy Smith: He definitely performed better than JaMarcus Russell, the first overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, did in his first extended playing time (7 of 23 for 83 yrds, 1 TD, 3 INTs, one fumble). Russell's signing bonus will cost the Raiders more than $30 million. Troy Smith won't make a $1 million this year.

He has promise.

[Mike]

I dont think anyone really expected much out of Troy. I have to applaud anyone who steps in as Quarterback for this team. Without real Recievers...and a real offensive line and a real playbook a real Offensive Coordinator and a couple of Tightends that if they get a papercut they are out for 8-12 weeks and then the star Running Back breaks his ribs.....how can ANYONE expect ANYTHING from ANY of our Quarterbacks????? By the way...yes Im bitter...and yes I know it.

[skaybaltimore]

Good article. The Ravens offense under Brian Billick is the Ravens offense under Brian Billick. And for whatever reason, he still believes -- and some fans still make excuses for it -- that it's "normal" to run 3 yard patterns when you need 5 yards and let the receiver then get the first down with YAC, RATHER THAN JUST HAVE THE RECEIVER RUN 5 YARDS IN THE FIRST PLACE.

IIRC, last year Billick "explained" the reasoning as follows: "Well, the defenders know where the first down yard marker is, and they're going to be defending that". Oh...I SEE...NOW it all makes sense Brian. So there's really nothing else you can do except throw your hands up and throw the ball 3 yards short because the defenders are defending against us getting a first down. BRILLIANT!

Not.

And therein lies the rub -- Brian Billick's "offensive schemes" are, were, and will always be deficient. Just like his insane decisions to NOT go for it on 4th/3, 4th/4, from around midfield, late in the game, losing by more than 3 TDs. Just like waiting until all hope is lost to go no huddle.

The only salvation left at this point is for Bisciotti to finally grow a pair and do what he should have done at the end of the 2005 season. But from all accounts so far, Billick will be back in 2008. What a shame.

As far as Smith goes, I thought he did well under the circumstances. Well enough, in fact, that I know think it would be a total waste to spend a draft pick on a QB in the 2008 draft. We've got Smith, Boller, and Finnerty. We don't need any more QBs -- we NEED a new head coach, O-line coach, etc. Time will tell.

[skaybaltimore]

(Spelling error: It should have said: "I now think...)

And along with a new O-line coach, we need to draft some more O-linemen. Our O-line stinks.

[Southern MD Joe]

Let the Ravens fold up and Fly south.There is always next year.

[Shea]

wow what an original article...

seriously I thought Troy did OK considering the field position he kept getting stuck with and the fact he was stuck with Mike Anderson, Quinn S. and Devard Darling.

If you took the time to do any research you would see Troy 1st start is on par with Tom Brady's, Big Ben's, McNabb's etc.

Of cource I would realize this will involve Mr. Steele doing any actual research, better just to write the bashing column and get in line for the free doughnuts I guess.

[flyingcow]

The only that sucks worse than the Ravens is David Steele's column..........

[flyingcow]

The only thing that SUQUES worse than the Ravens playing is David Steele's column......

[Ben]

I learned one thing yesterday - Troy Smith can play in this league. He didn't play great or even that good but for his first start, in what is called the loudest stadium in the league, he never flinched. He made some nice plays and he also needs to keep working but his touchdown pass to Mason was the most beautiful pass I've seen a Ravens QB throw in a long time. It's just too bad our o-line stinks, our receivers can't catch and our backs can't hold on to the ball (I thought Anderson was down but it's still a fumble). I like Smith as a QB on this team but not the main guy, we still need to find that guy. No questions were answered as far as the Ravens are concerned but Smith can play in this league.

[Ronnie]

Tom Brady would not be any good in this SORRY offensive system !!!!!!!!!!

[BABAGANUCHE]

if you think smith played well yesterday, you weren't watching the ravens. the O line played no worse than it usually does, the big difference was a rookie quarterback who doesnt belong on this level of play. but a lot of you will make excuses for him, those seahawks looked like Florida gators, smith played like they were. billick rules!

[BABAGANUCHE]

Ronnie wrote:

Tom Brady would not be any good in this SORRY offensive system !!!!!!!!!!

good QB play can help any o line be better.

[larry g]

Our Offensive line stinks , that's the main problem

[Ronnie]

BABAGANUCHE wrote:

<quoted text>good QB play can help any o line be better.

The Quarterback is only as good as the plays that are called for him. Remember we have the offensive wizard !!!!

[Wake Up]

Here we go. Please people, Troy Smith did not play well yesterday. Holmgren called off the dogs and Smith got all his yds and the TD off of backup players in garbage time. Up until that point we were down 27-0 and he had completed 35% of his passes for less then 100yd and lost a fumble when we were in scoring position. It's so funny to see the same people that were bashing Boller when he played behind this line with the same receivers now say that Smith played well "considering the line and the routes the receivers run." Do you guys even believe the crap you right in these posts? Boller bashers lack of intelligence and hatred for him have no bounds.

[XXX]

Troy Smith played VERY WELL, even Pro-Bowl well when you factor that TRoy was playing without his starting RB, without an offensive line and without an offensive coordinator! It was also Troy's FIRST START at the most difficult place for a visiting team to play, so all considered, Troy did INCREDIBLY WELL! I think Troy should start next week and next season! All Bisciotti has to do is get rid of Billick and bring in a NFL caliber offense; Troy could very well be the Raven's answer at the QB position! Go RAvens.

[Wake Up]

Ben wrote:

I learned one thing yesterday - Troy Smith can play in this league. He didn't play great or even that good but for his first start, in what is called the loudest stadium in the league, he never flinched. He made some nice plays and he also needs to keep working but his touchdown pass to Mason was the most beautiful pass I've seen a Ravens QB throw in a long time. It's just too bad our o-line stinks, our receivers can't catch and our backs can't hold on to the ball (I thought Anderson was down but it's still a fumble). I like Smith as a QB on this team but not the main guy, we still need to find that guy. No questions were answered as far as the Ravens are concerned but Smith can play in this league.

I learned one thing this morning. That you know nothing about football. Smith played awful yesterday. He padded his stats in garbage time when Holmgren stopped blitzing and pulled his starters. According to you passing for 35% for less then 100yd is "playing well"? Well those are the stats he had when it counted and we ended up being down 27-0. He also threw two passes right to Seattle defenders that should have been picked. WE HAVE TO DRAFT A QB OR TRADE FOR ONE IN THE OFFSEASON. TROY SMITH IS NOT AN NFL QB.

[Wake Up]

XXX wrote:

Troy Smith played VERY WELL, even Pro-Bowl well when you factor that TRoy was playing without his starting RB, without an offensive line and without an offensive coordinator! It was also Troy's FIRST START at the most difficult place for a visiting team to play, so all considered, Troy did INCREDIBLY WELL! I think Troy should start next week and next season! All Bisciotti has to do is get rid of Billick and bring in a NFL caliber offense; Troy could very well be the Raven's answer at the QB position! Go RAvens.

Are you smoking crack? What game were you watching? He is not the answer. We didn't get into SEATTLE territory until the second half. All his stats were in garbage time after Holmgren stopped blitzing and pulled his starters. His passer rating was something like 50 up until garbage time. Those are not the stats of an NFL quarterback. People are wearing rose colored glasses because they are desperate and want anyone but Boller. Boller played behind that same like and had much better stats.

[Wake Up]

BABAGANUCHE wrote:

if you think smith played well yesterday, you weren't watching the ravens. the O line played no worse than it usually does, the big difference was a rookie quarterback who doesnt belong on this level of play. but a lot of you will make excuses for him, those seahawks looked like Florida gators, smith played like they were. billick rules!

Finally another poster who knows something about football.