I'm offically a believer...

[RavensNTerps]

I've been converted.

I don't care if he blows this drive now b/c I jinx it, but Troy Smith should start.

[RavenFanatic2k6]

Smith is clearly the best QB on the Ravens roster.

[StingerNLG]

He clearly is. He's the only guy that MIGHT be able to survive this offensive line.

He simply needs to start the rest of the year. There is just no other option.

[RavenTD]

Thank you.Welcome to the darkside.And to SPOTS.

[StingerNLG]

Thank you.Welcome to the darkside.And to SPOTS.


There's no "darkside" here. This offensive line gets QB's hurt. I'm sure it's only a matter of time before Troy gets killed back there too.

BUT he might just be able to keep himself alive longer.

[RavenFanatic2k6]

Good QBs make plays when the offensive line breaks down. And at least 3 of the sacks today were Boller's own fault for holding the ball too long, something he still hasn't learned in his 5th year.

[RavenTD]

Like when Troy came in during mop up duty vs the Colts. The offense had upped the tempo with Troy in there.

I mean't darkside going against Billicks thinking.Or is Billick now the darkside?
I don't know which way is up right now.

[StingerNLG]

Good QBs make plays when the offensive line breaks down. And at least 3 of the sacks today were Boller's own fault for holding the ball too long, something he still hasn't learned in his 5th year.

It's always Boller's fault. Steps in the pocket, runs out of the pocket. Throws the ball, holds onto the ball.

That's the other reason to see Troy Smith play. It gets so tiring to blame the QB for the ineptitude of the OL.

McGahee got hit MANY TIMES today behind the LOS. Is that all on Willis?

[evade6317]

Good QBs make plays when the offensive line breaks down. And at least 3 of the sacks today were Boller's own fault for holding the ball too long, something he still hasn't learned in his 5th year.

Boller has been to 5 Pro Bowls. He knows what he's doing out there.

[StingerNLG]

STFU Evade. We don't need that bullshit in here right now.

[The Fanatic]

Ya know, it sometimes can be a hell of alot different when an opposing teams defense actually game plans for a QB versus getting caught off guard by emergency spot duty.

No doubt Smith has looked good in his spot duty, but the result could be different when actually starting.

With that being said, I think he deserves a shot at this point with just 2 games left and Boller trying to figure out where he's at right now.

With a little luck, Smith can survive two games while running for his life trying to avoid getting his brains beat in by our turnstile line and wiffing backs.

[evade6317]

STFU Evade. We don't need that bullshit in here right now.

You STFU. Boller is the best player on offense and people want to blame him for everything.

[The Fanatic]

Ya know, nobody is feeling real good right now about losing (except for maybe a few choice individuals), but do we really need to go to the STFU stuff and sarcasm based posts?

Come on fellas, I'd like to think the majority of you are above this.

Times like this we should be huddled together around the camp fire singing cum-ba-ya!!:D

[StingerNLG]

You STFU. Boller is the best player on offense and people want to blame him for everything.

SO I guess rolling in and being an asshole is the best way to act?

Fuck you.


Sorry Fanatic. But there is just some shit that is uncalled for, and some people have a history of doing it.

[festivus]

We have been thirsty for quality quarterback play for so long we will drink from any canteen.

I admit it! Any and all remain welcome on the SPOTS bus!

[RavenTD]

No doubt Smith has looked good in his spot duty, but the result could be different when actually starting.

You are probably right,but I am trying to cling to the faintest pulse in this dead, dead, season.

[StingerNLG]

We have been thirsty for quality quarterback play for so long we will drink from any canteen.

I admit it! Any and all remain welcome on the SPOTS bus!

I'm in Festivus. There is just no reason not to start Troy the rest of the season.

[crazyraven]

I'm in Festivus. There is just no reason not to start Troy the rest of the season
Oh please with your johnny come lately BS, Why dont you hold an ice bag over bollers head and STFU

[xmradiodave]

WOOHOO! They SPOTS converts are seeing the light. We have never stated that Smith wll be a better QB than Boller. We just want to give him a chance to fall or fly.

[evade6317]

SO I guess rolling in and being an asshole is the best way to act?

Fuck you.


Sorry Fanatic. But there is just some shit that is uncalled for, and some people have a history of doing it.

How am I being an asshole? I'm just keeping a level head and telling it like it is.

Boller was a can't miss 1st rounder when he was drafted and his Home W-L record reflects that. And now people want to start some scrub 5th rounder, why?

Why don't the Colts bench Manning for Sorgi? Oh that's right, they won't because it's utterly stupid.

Troy Smith has disaster written all over him. He wouldn't survive in this system the way Boller has. Also, Boller is a proven Pro Bowl talent. Smith is a project AT BEST.

[Bez513]

How am I being an asshole? I'm just keeping a level head and telling it like it is.

Troy Smith has disaster written all over him. He wouldn't survive in this system the way Boller has. Also, Boller is a proven Pro Bowl talent. Smith is a project AT BEST.

Dude....I don't know what your problem is but enough already. Boller has NEVER been pro-bowl talent. The 2 times Smith has played he's given the team a spark. He lead us to tie the game today. Smith won a national championship, a Heisman trophy. He's got leadership skills, is a proven winner and from what I can see can throw the ball well.

Let Troy play the rest of the season.

[evade6317]

Dude....I don't know what your problem is but enough already. Boller has NEVER been pro-bowl talent. The 2 times Smith has played he's given the team a spark. He lead us to tie the game today. Smith won a national championship, a Heisman trophy. He's got leadership skills, is a proven winner and from what I can see can throw the ball well.

Let Troy play the rest of the season.

Boller is just starting to get hot. He's finally starting to show his worth and you want Smith to start? Boller has shown marked improvement every year he's been in. Last year he posted a QB rating of 104.0 which is proof that he can carry this team. That's why he was drafted in the 1st round.

Smith is a 5th rounder for a reason.

[StingerNLG]

Dude....I don't know what your problem is but enough already.

It's people like him who are the reason our fanbase is hated.

Just another prick to add to the ignore list.

[psuasskicker]

I've been on the SPOTS bus for about four or five weeks, but didn't know there was an official club. Any of you guys wanna make me one of those cards and I'll get it on my sig...

- C -

[Heap86]

Troy Smith has disaster written all over him. He wouldn't survive in this system the way Boller has. Also, Boller is a proven Pro Bowl talent. Smith is a project AT BEST.

WTF!!

Either you are being sarcastic or you are straight up crackhead.

If you are being sarcastic, use this :261695:

[evade6317]

It's people like him who are the reason our fanbase is hated.

Just another prick to add to the ignore list.

Am I the only one that can see that changing QBs (especially downgrading from Boller to Smith) won't do anything as long as our O-line plays like crap and the playcalling is atrocious? Boller can win out for us and carry that momentum over to next season. Boller is the winningest QB in Ravens history, Smith isn't even on the same level.

[Heap86]

Boller is the winningest QB in Ravens history, Smith isn't even on the same level.

Good lord, you are a crackhead.

Smith has outperformed Boller the last 2 games, and has not even played a full game.

Boller hasn't won a road game in almost 3 years, the winningest QB can't even win a game on the road.

[StingerNLG]

Heap, please ignore the troll. He comes with vintage YBR class.

Damn, people should be lucky I am not a mod today.

[RavenScallywag]

here's my honest assessment...

First two passes, Smith was just a more elusive Kyle. His throws were short, but he escaped the sack.

The rest of the time, he was poised and confident, but our passing game was the 2 min drill, so it was pretty much "hit slant, repeat". I think on a couple plays he missed wide open check down receivers to go for #1 reads in double or tight coverage.

As for going forward, I'd say to start him,because at this point, I'd almost rather have the Ravens forfeit their last two games. Smith has looked good in limited action, but some part of me focuses on that "limited action" part. He hasn't been in the whole game yet, so we can't tell if he'd look as good when he's got to play the whole time. I can't even tell where the problems are on this team anymore, i think this season was just doomed. When Stover misses a 40 yarder, and he's never missed in OT, that's telling me circumstances were just against us today.

Get ready for a ton of misery Baltimore, because until game 1 of next year, we will be the worst team in the league. Our record says nothing about how we're playing right now, and we're going down in the books as the crappiest team this year.

[purplepoe]

Boller is the winningest QB in Ravens history, Smith isn't even on the same level.

Good lord, you are a crackhead.

Smith has outperformed Boller the last 2 games, and has not even played a full game.

Boller hasn't won a road game in almost 3 years, the winningest QB can't even win a game on the road.

Are you honestly telling us you can't see the extreme sarcasm?

PP

[crazyraven]

Are you honestly telling us you can't see the extreme sarcasm?
PP these guys are just waking up, give them some time to stretch a little

[RavensNTerps]

He's just poised, impressively poised. The decision makign will hopefully come.

[StingerNLG]

Well, like every other QB to play here, it won't be long before the OL destroys his poise. Troy will get the will beaten out of him too, and he'll become gunshy like everyone else. And it won't even be his fault.

I'm hoping he becomes a better version of Vince Young. Vince isn't lighting the league up, so I don't mean passing-wise.

I'm literally hoping he can just snap the ball and haul ass. Get out into space and then try to throw the ball.

Who knows. Maybe he's got the wheels to succeed in our offense. Its definately time to find out.

[StingerNLG]

BTW I thought this was interesting:

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/football/bal-reportcard1216,0,7135579.story



Quarterbacks: B

Kyle Boller had a couple of bad throws but was accurate most of the game when he had time. Backup Troy Smith showed poise late, but the best quarterback in Miami was Bob Griese

I want to see the Preston lovers spin this one.

[evade6317]

Smith isn't the future. Boller is. That's why he got the extension. The team and organization trust him. He should finish out the season so they can carry on the momentum. Boller has poise, see the Patriots game, but the O-line can't protect him.

Dick Enberg pointed this out multiple times during the Chargers game. Case in point, the 3rd and 15 in the 3rd quarter where Enberg made the comment about the Raven's "occasionally" protecting Boller, Boller took a few steps to his right, and rocketed the ball to Mason. It was dead on balls perfect because he stepped into the throw. He doesn't do that all the time. I think part of it is the mentality of not truly trusting his line, but when he does step in, his throws are great. It's something he still needs to get over.

Boller needs the reps to show what he has.

[Heap86]

Smith isn't the future. Boller is. That's why he got the extension

Ok, weither you are being sarcastic or not, just stop with rediculous statements.

Boller got a 1-year extension with the intention of being Steve McNair's back-up.

If he was intended to be the future, why was McNair brought here? To tutor our future?

[HoustonRaven]

He's a troll just saying shit to get a rise out of people.

Even Boller knows he isnt the future. No road win wince November of 2004 and a career rating less than 80 is the clear writing on the wall.

[crazyraven]

Dude was hanging his head low today

[evade6317]

He's a troll just saying shit to get a rise out of people.

Even Boller knows he isnt the future. No road win wince November of 2004 and a career rating less than 80 is the clear writing on the wall.

What was his rating last season?

[HoustonRaven]

What was his rating last season?

Oh hey Kyle!

Sorry, I should have recognized this was you. Look dude, yeah you had one good number last year only playing 5 games as a second stringer behind McNair, but face it dude, it's the end of the line.

Do you realize the last time you won a road a game was when the GOP had control of both houses of Congress?

Im sure you're a great guy and all. I mean, anyone that can bang out Tara Reed gets a :thumbup: in my book! But after 5 years, you still dirt 5 yd out passes, have the happiest feet in all of football and your "best chance to win" career rating is hovering around 75.

Im sure you're a great guy to have a beer with though

[evade6317]

Apparently, some people WANT to see our team and Boller fail so they can feel better about themselves. It's a mental condition of some sort.

[ExiledRaven]

Apparently, some people WANT to see our team and Boller fail so they can feel better about themselves. It's a mental condition of some sort.

Last time i checked....the team and boller ARE both failing....and I feel great!!! :261695:

[evade6317]

Boller needs at least 5 seconds to make his reads and to get the ball out accurately. He's lucky if he gets 2 from this o-line.

[ladyraven127]

Boller is who he is.

Unless this team somehow makes the offensive line a priority, the most popluar guy in town, i.e. the backup quarterback is going to suffer the Baltimore curse.

Talk to your general manager about it if you see him around town.

[Heap86]

Boller needs at least 5 seconds to make his reads and to get the ball out accurately. He's lucky if he gets 2 from this o-line.

:grbac:

[xmradiodave]

Every QB needs 5 seconds. It would be WONDERFUL if every QB gets 5 seconds. BUT THEY DON'T. The difference is, when protection breaks down, other QB's can make things happen in about 2 seconds. Thats what makes great QB's great and mediocre QB's turf food.

[bmoreravengirl]

evade, your obvious sarcasm is getting a little tiresome.

[RustonRifle]

We have been thirsty for quality quarterback play for so long we will drink from any canteen.

I admit it! Any and all remain welcome on the SPOTS bus!

You may need a whole fleet of Greyhounds Festivus:thumbup:

[festivus]

You may need a whole fleet of Greyhounds Festivus:thumbup:

We'll get em if we need em. I know a guy who knows a guy. :)

[xmradiodave]

SPOTS Club is a warm and fuzzy little place to be in these cold and trying times.