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Trust in Troy
by Rob Staton
15/3/2008
 The Baltimore Ravens head into the 2008 season at the beginning of a new dawn. John Harbaugh replaces Brian Billick as Head Coach, with glutton for punishment Cam Cameron leaving the 1-15 Miami Dolphins behind for a new lease of life as Offensive Coordinator alongside Harbaugh. Ironically, Cameron’s only victory at the Dolphins was a 22-16 upset against Baltimore.
However the main talking point within the Ravens organisation could make or break the team as they look to rebound from a 5-11 season. Who is going to be the starting Quarter Back in 2008 and beyond?
The Ravens hold the 8th pick in the 2008 NFL draft. Whilst many experts predict the front office will think long and hard about using that pick on a QB, they could take advantage of the deep quality at other positions such as offensive tackle and corner back and throw their trust into former Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith.
In 2007 the Ravens tried three different starters at the position. Carrying on from an influential 2006 Steve McNair started the opening day 27-20 at Cincinnati. Struggling with a groin injury throughout, he was replaced by back-up Kyle Boller in week 2 and endured an injury hit season that has cast serious doubts as to his future in the NFL. Despite the consistent chopping and changing at the position, they reached week 6 with a comfortable 4-2 record.
But that’s when the proverbial wheels fell off this particular vehicle, as the Ravens slumped to a franchise record nine straight defeats. The insecurity of the QB position arguably played a crucial part in that dismal run, and seems the most likely reason why the club went from first to worst in the AFC North and transformed a 13-3 record into a paltry 5 wins. The first thing Harbaugh and his staff must do is identify the starting signal caller for next year, and give them a consistent run in the team.
With McNair’s injuries and Kyle Boller’s disappointing performances, the Ravens disappointing grey cloud of a 2007 campaign may just have found a silver lining.
 Troy Smith, a 5th round pick in the 2006 draft, was a Heisman Trophy winner with Ohio State in 2006 beating Darren McFadden and Brady Quinn into second and third place respectively. Considering that accolade, it might surprise many to see that his stock dipped so greatly when draft time came around. A 41-14 hammering by the Florida Gators of Smith’s Buckeye’s in the 2007 BCS Championship game didn’t help, with Smith doing little to impress the watching NFL scouts. Skipping the combine only added to those concerns, and Smith is not the tallest player for his position measuring in at a below average 6’0.
Red flag time.
Eventually drafted in the back end of the 5th round (174th overall), Smith has shown the kind of determination needed to force a career in the league. Beating out Drew Olson in camp to move up to third on the Ravens depth chart, he was propelled to back-up QB when Steve McNair’s injury problems began. His big chance to shine came in the 4th quarter of a one sided contest against the defending World Champion Indianapolis Colts. With the game over as a spectacle, Smith came in at the end of the game and made people notice completing 3 of 5 passes and scrambling for a 6 yard touchdown in the 44-20 defeat.
After another impressive showing replacing Kyle Boller in the infamous Dolphins defeat, Smith was finally granted his first NFL start in the intimidating surroundings of a noisy Qwest Field in Seattle. Smith looked composed behind centre against a machine like Seahawks pass rush, and was rewarded with a 79 yard touchdown pass to Derrick Mason in the 4th Quarter. Scant consolation as the Ravens succumbed to a 27-6 defeat, but Smith was starting to make a name for himself.
Smith kept his place as a starter for the final game of the season against division rivals Pittsburgh. Completing 16 out of 27 passes for 171 yards and a touchdown, the rookie QB lifted his team to snap the franchise record 9 game losing streak and end the season on a high.
 Now Smith needs to prove himself again as the Ravens look to create a blueprint for success in the off season. McNair is getting early support from John Harbaugh, and if he can prove his fitness is capable of sustaining another long season he will surely be the favourite to start in 2008. Kyle Boller seems consigned to being a career backup, and the departure of Billick will harm his chances of starts next season. As of today, Smith seems the most likely rival to McNair heading into camp. But he should be given his chance to prove himself as a starter.
The Ravens have a handful of needs looking ahead to April’s draft. They had a formidable defense in 2006 that was the staple behind their success. It’s an ageing defense though, and the team could really use an injection of youth in the corner back and defensive line positions. It’s possible that by the 8th pick none of the top rated corners will have left the board, allowing the Ravens their pick of the bunch.
The 2008 draft is also highly regarded as a vintage year for Offensive Tackles. Jake Long, Ryan Clady, Jeff Otah and Chris Williams all seem to be certainties for the 1st round. Jonathan Ogden is heading towards retirement sooner rather than later, and one of the rookie tackles listed above could be pencilled in to start whenever the future Hall of Fame veteran finally decides to hang up his pads.
 The argument for drafting QB Matt Ryan would be to continue the fresh approach that has begun in the post Billick era. If they don’t believe Smith is the long term answer, or that McNair’s fitness cannot be trusted, they may see Ryan as a long term starter at a key position.
Even then however, it would make sense to allow Ryan the time to learn the playbook and work his way into the NFL. In that scenario, it would still make sense to give Smith the gig and give him his chance to shine much in the same way the Browns drafted Brady Quinn in the 1st round last year, but found a starter in Derek Anderson. A former 6th round selection by the Baltimore Ravens, Anderson was waived the same year he was drafted but has proven himself to be starting quality in Cleveland ahead of the more highly rated Quinn.
The Ravens could do worse than put their trust in Troy Smith and give him the same opportunity that the Browns did with Anderson. Whether they use the 1st round of the draft on a Quarter Back or a better value pick elsewhere is yet to be seen, but all will be revealed by April 26th. I’m sure Troy Smith will be ready to prove himself all over again by training camp, and whoever he is competing with better be at their best.
The Football Diner Mock Draft V2.0 has the Baltimore Ravens selecting DE/OLB Derrick Harvey (Florida) with the 8th overall pick in the 2008 draft.
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