Smith at QB merely a stumble during fall

Having a rookie quarterback make his first NFL start in a setting as raucous as Qwest Field against a team as respectable as the Seattle Seahawks would be difficult for teams with fewer issues to overcome than ...

[MAKA]

This article was too hard on Troy Smith. He did not have a great game but - this was his first start and he showed poise and potential. He was under relentless pressure the entire game because due poor pass protection and a very good Seahawk defense. Either Clayton and Darling could not get open or Troy just did not have enough time to find them. Also the game plan should have included more screens and other plays to take advantage of the Seahawk's agressive defense. Troy Smith was only decent yesterday but he does deserve a shot at being the the starter next year. If the Ravens choose to draft a QB, the play at this poistion will not improve until the pass protection improves.

[Mark]

MAKA notes about Troy Smith:

"He was under relentless pressure the entire game due to poor pass protection..."

"Either Clayton and Darling could not get open or Troy just did not have enough time to find them."

"...the play at this position will not improve until the pass protection improves."

Let's review again why Kyle is the problem.

[Eric]

So you want to hate on Smith when he had basically no help on defense, offense, or special teams? It was his first NFL start, and it was on the road, against a Playoff -Bound team, and in a hostile environment.

He also had to go without his teams Top Running back.

You mention he "almost" threw two picks. Fact is though, he didn't. His TD to interception ratio in this game was 1-0. Fact is he was rushed all game long, and was able to get away from it fairly decently. Fact is he had another TD pass dropped.

Boller was given 5 years, and you want to toss the guy under the bus after one game? Pathetic. Thank God I'm not a Black QB who was drafted in the 5th round. I'd hang myself.

[Eric]

Mark wrote:

MAKA notes about Troy Smith:
"He was under relentless pressure the entire game due to poor pass protection..."
"Either Clayton and Darling could not get open or Troy just did not have enough time to find them."
"...the play at this position will not improve until the pass protection improves."
Let's review again why Kyle is the problem.

Because Boller would make those mistakes, and more, even without being under a pass-rush like that. Also let's review. Boller's had 5 years to develop, Smith hasn't. Smith played at least as well as Boller would have done, and I dare say with Smiths mobility, he probably did better than Boller would have.

[old19fan]

I think these whiny Boller Huggers ought to refresh their memory as to how Boller looked in his first NFL start at Pittsburgh, and maybe they would then re-visit how Troy looked and performed. If I am not mistaken I believe Boller through a pick six right off the bat by staring down a receiver. So give Troy a break. IMO he has already shown far more promise than Boller ever has.

[XXX]

Troy Smith played EXTREMELY WELL yesterday. Consider this: Troy did not have his strating RB, did not have an offensive line to protect him and did not have an NFL caliber offensive coordinator calling the plays for him! Consider it was also his FIRST START at the hardest place in the NFL for a visiting team to play at; overall, Troy looked and played like a REAL NFL QB! I want Troy to start next week and next season; Bisciotti just needs to get rid of Billick and bring in a NFL style offense; Troy could indeed lead the RAvens to the SB if that is done!

[Wake Up]

MAKA wrote:

This article was too hard on Troy Smith. He did not have a great game but - this was his first start and he showed poise and potential. He was under relentless pressure the entire game because due poor pass protection and a very good Seahawk defense. Either Clayton and Darling could not get open or Troy just did not have enough time to find them. Also the game plan should have included more screens and other plays to take advantage of the Seahawk's agressive defense. Troy Smith was only decent yesterday but he does deserve a shot at being the the starter next year. If the Ravens choose to draft a QB, the play at this poistion will not improve until the pass protection improves.

Were you saying the same things about Kyle Boller when he was in there? No, you were calling for Troy Smith. Now all of a sudden it's the line and the coaching and the receivers, etc, etc. I know your type and it's pathetic.

[Wake Up]

Eric wrote:

So you want to hate on Smith when he had basically no help on defense, offense, or special teams? It was his first NFL start, and it was on the road, against a Playoff -Bound team, and in a hostile environment.
He also had to go without his teams Top Running back.
You mention he "almost" threw two picks. Fact is though, he didn't. His TD to interception ratio in this game was 1-0. Fact is he was rushed all game long, and was able to get away from it fairly decently. Fact is he had another TD pass dropped.
Boller was given 5 years, and you want to toss the guy under the bus after one game? Pathetic. Thank God I'm not a Black QB who was drafted in the 5th round. I'd hang myself.

Dude, you have been blowing Smith on this site for months. He sucks, come to terms with it. I'm sorry if he was your boyfriend and Ohio State but this is the NFL. He's not playing Northwestern anymore. The game against FLA, an SEC team with true NFL talent, should have been a great indication that he will suck in the pros. He was dreadful yesterday. There could have easily been two picks to add to the two fumbles. All his stats were accumulated in garbage time after Holmgren put backups in and stopped blitzing. Up until that point he was at 35% completion percentage for 100yds. You can spin it anyway you want but he sucks. YOu can't use the O-line argument or receivers or coaching because Boller played with the same team and did better. Troy Smith would not have been drafted if it wasn't for Ozzie and his number one fan Ray Lewis.

[David21009]

Wake Up wrote:

<quoted text>
Dude, you have been blowing Smith on this site for months. He sucks, come to terms with it. I'm sorry if he was your boyfriend and Ohio State but this is the NFL. He's not playing Northwestern anymore. The game against FLA, an SEC team with true NFL talent, should have been a great indication that he will suck in the pros. He was dreadful yesterday. There could have easily been two picks to add to the two fumbles. All his stats were accumulated in garbage time after Holmgren put backups in and stopped blitzing. Up until that point he was at 35% completion percentage for 100yds. You can spin it anyway you want but he sucks. YOu can't use the O-line argument or receivers or coaching because Boller played with the same team and did better. Troy Smith would not have been drafted if it wasn't for Ozzie and his number one fan Ray Lewis.

only an idiot would try a true comparison between Smith and Boller. This was Smith's first start; Kyle has been in the league for years now and anything he's going to show us, we've seen already. I'm not a cheerleader for Smith; there's a reason he dropped as far as he did and there are very few "Brady"-esque bargains in the draft, but when you're playing for THIS coach in THIS offense, you deserve far more than one game before you get judged. As someone else pointed out, Boller has been chance after chance since he got here with coordinator after coordinator. The defense has bailed him out after so many picks and fumbles, and fans still crap on them. At this point, all we can do is wait and see. Don't crap on the rookie.

[John]

Well here is Kyle Boller NFL Debut
QB Rating 57.5
Comp 22
Att 43
Yds 152
Int 1
TD 1
Sack 2
Fumble 2 He play Steelers in Pittburgh

Troy Smith NFL
QB Rating 73.6
Comp 16
Att 33
Yds 199
Int 0
Sack 2
Fum 1 He play in Seahawks Seattle the loudest stadium in the NFL.
Now if Kyle Boller would of play his number would of been QB Rating of 45 and 4 Ints and 5 Sacks and 3 Fumbles and NO TD

[Bruce]

Mark wrote:

MAKA notes about Troy Smith:
"He was under relentless pressure the entire game due to poor pass protection..."
"Either Clayton and Darling could not get open or Troy just did not have enough time to find them."
"...the play at this position will not improve until the pass protection improves."
Let's review again why Kyle is the problem.

Troy looks confident in the pocket, Kyle does not. Troy can scramble, Kyle trips over his own two feet. Anything else?

[Eric]

Wake Up wrote:

<quoted text>
Dude, you have been blowing Smith on this site for months. He sucks, come to terms with it. I'm sorry if he was your boyfriend and Ohio State but this is the NFL. He's not playing Northwestern anymore. The game against FLA, an SEC team with true NFL talent, should have been a great indication that he will suck in the pros. He was dreadful yesterday. There could have easily been two picks to add to the two fumbles. All his stats were accumulated in garbage time after Holmgren put backups in and stopped blitzing. Up until that point he was at 35% completion percentage for 100yds. You can spin it anyway you want but he sucks. YOu can't use the O-line argument or receivers or coaching because Boller played with the same team and did better. Troy Smith would not have been drafted if it wasn't for Ozzie and his number one fan Ray Lewis.

Way to just start flaming instead of using your brain to actually discuss the nature of this article.

Early on the game, Troy was making plays against the rush with his feet.
Exactly how has Boller done better with that same team? He hasn't. Last time I checked his TD/Interception ratio was more interceptions than touchdowns.

I didn't expect Troy to look like a world beater this game, but apparently for you it was either a 300 yard game or else. And Boller at least had his number 1 tailback. Who did Troy Smith get? A 33 year old fumple prone Anderson.

[Fikenhild]

Let's face it. Peyton Manning would have had a tough day as the Ravens' QB yesterday. Given the circumstances, Smith did an excellent job. He's shown more poise in the past two weeks than Boller has in the past two years. He not only deserves a shot as Ravens' QB, he deserves credit for performing above and beyond the call of duty in a hopeless, hapless situation in Seattle.

[BABAGANUCHE]

David21009 wrote:

<quoted text>
only an idiot would try a true comparison between Smith and Boller. This was Smith's first start; Kyle has been in the league for years now and anything he's going to show us, we've seen already. I'm not a cheerleader for Smith; there's a reason he dropped as far as he did and there are very few "Brady"-esque bargains in the draft, but when you're playing for THIS coach in THIS offense, you deserve far more than one game before you get judged. As someone else pointed out, Boller has been chance after chance since he got here with coordinator after coordinator. The defense has bailed him out after so many picks and fumbles, and fans still crap on them. At this point, all we can do is wait and see. Don't crap on the rookie.

only an idiot could defend smith after that outing, has the last 5 years taught you nothing making excuses for smith wont make him a better quarterback, you and oldfan need to get over it. we need an o lineman and a qb....

[BABAGANUCHE]

Eric wrote:

<quoted text>
Way to just start flaming instead of using your brain to actually discuss the nature of this article.
Early on the game, Troy was making plays against the rush with his feet.
Exactly how has Boller done better with that same team? He hasn't. Last time I checked his TD/Interception ratio was more interceptions than touchdowns.
I didn't expect Troy to look like a world beater this game, but apparently for you it was either a 300 yard game or else. And Boller at least had his number 1 tailback. Who did Troy Smith get? A 33 year old fumple prone Anderson.

wasent the score 27-0 with 5 minutes left in the 4th quarter. you make the statement that he made plays. what plays! were you watching the game. excuses wont make smith a good quarterback.

[BABAGANUCHE]

John wrote:

Well here is Kyle Boller NFL Debut
QB Rating 57.5
Comp 22
Att 43
Yds 152
Int 1
TD 1
Sack 2
Fumble 2 He play Steelers in Pittburgh
Troy Smith NFL
QB Rating 73.6
Comp 16
Att 33
Yds 199
Int 0
Sack 2
Fum 1 He play in Seahawks Seattle the loudest stadium in the NFL.
Now if Kyle Boller would of play his number would of been QB Rating of 45 and 4 Ints and 5 Sacks and 3 Fumbles and NO TD

so you want to see another 5 year learning curve. this team can be great, but not with a rookie qb learning on the job. if we are going in that direction we should do it with the top 5 pick we hsve.

[1prdblkMAN]

wow... well, i think troy smith will go the way of D. Anderson, D. Olsen, etc etc.. not given a chance in Baltimore, go somewhere else and develop into a solid nfl QB..

Troy.. for your first game you were solid.. and thats all we can expect for your first start.

dont let some baltimore fans get you down man.. you will be a great QB one day.. but with how this offense is run, it wont be here.. just ask Derek and Trent..

[grahamw]

Troy did alright...he seems to dance the least of any of the ravens..just goes about his business like a true pro.

Has it ever occured to anyone that maybe all the injuries are a result of a powder puff training camp that doesnt get the players ready for the long haul?

i.e. 2006 playoffs....2003 playoffs...2007 Pats game

[Billick to blame]

Don,
you don't know what your talking about! Troy Smith played well in my opinion and it's doubters like you Don that make Troy play better. There must have been 8 dropped balls thrown by Smith and he make nice runs with his feet. QB isn't the problem Don Brian Billick is...duh! A new QB won't make us win now and with this crappy offense Tom Brady would suck. So you really don't know and Smith was getting bull rushed all over the place due to a bad o-line. Troy is our future and don't judjge him off of one game. Man i could do a better job than you and i'm only 14! man!

[Billick to blame]

Wake Up wrote:

<quoted text>
Dude, you have been blowing Smith on this site for months. He sucks, come to terms with it. I'm sorry if he was your boyfriend and Ohio State but this is the NFL. He's not playing Northwestern anymore. The game against FLA, an SEC team with true NFL talent, should have been a great indication that he will suck in the pros. He was dreadful yesterday. There could have easily been two picks to add to the two fumbles. All his stats were accumulated in garbage time after Holmgren put backups in and stopped blitzing. Up until that point he was at 35% completion percentage for 100yds. You can spin it anyway you want but he sucks. YOu can't use the O-line argument or receivers or coaching because Boller played with the same team and did better. Troy Smith would not have been drafted if it wasn't for Ozzie and his number one fan Ray Lewis.

Go back to j vill you hick! Your a true idiot