Let's go Flacco.

[Jeremiah W]

Throw the ball away. Just throw the freaking ball away.

The first time was unnacceptable, but we can chalk it up to a rookie mistake or what ever, but the second one should have gotten you benched. There was no pressure, no need to make a play that was not there, and how about launching the ball as far down the feild as you can in those situations, instead of possible pick 6 late to the sidleine or accross the body in the middle.

Take away those 2 throws, and he played almost pefect football, but those 2 or 3 plays a game have gotten us beat two weeks in a row.

I see a QB controversy. Troy Smith get your game together, because you may be going back in.

[jonboy79]

Still a bettter game then Troy has ever had as a pro. Throw in the innacurate midget and that is a compeltley different game.

[4G63]

Flacco ain't going anywhere...unless he gets injured. He had a terrible game and made some really boneheaded passes, the worst obviously the 2 picks. He really regressed and I think Cam limited the playcalling because they were worried about the Titans secondary and maybe Flac wanted to make something happen?!?

[TTRaven]

Flacco ain't going anywhere...unless he gets injured. He had a terrible game and made some really boneheaded passes, the worst obviously the 2 picks. He really regressed and I think Cam limited the playcalling because they were worried about the Titans secondary and maybe Flac wanted to make something happen?!?

I don't think he had a terrible game by any means. He made 2 rookie mistakes. He came in the 2nd half and looked very good completing 12 straight passes. He made some very nice throws in the 2nd half.

[Rayvens52]

He had a very good game against one of the best D'd in the league, yea he made some mistaes but the guy is playing in his 4th game ever. He will be our starter for a long time!!!

[Gabrosin]

No, while I would say the Pittsburgh game was a very good outing for him, this game was definitely a poor one. His two interceptions were absolutely terrible and he threw a third one but got lucky that it was juggled. All three times he simply did not see the Titans player who made the play on the ball, twice underneath, and once throwing across his body on the run. In addition, he had several moments where he tried to make something happen when he should have just thrown the ball away. Beyond that, he stares down his target, never pump fakes, never looks off the safety, hesitates... all classic rookie behavior. This doesn't diminish my enthusiasm about his potential, but he had a real "rookie" game today and we can't afford any more of them. Sadly, he now has double the NFL experience of our next best option.

Five of six on the road will be a baptism by fire for Joe Flacco. I hope he's up to it, and I hope Cam gets these mistakes fixed, one by one.

[ravenwoman]

We should all expect this type of performance from a rookie. He is learning and while it did hurt us today, it wasn't the reason why we lost the game.

Troy Smith has been relegated to backup status; so all you Troy Smith lovers might as well cool your jets. The only way he is going to see action is if Flacco is injured. Flacco isn't just the future--he is the present.

[UKRavenGordon]

This guy is our future. He's gonna have bad days at the office. He's gonna have poor games 6 years down the line. What matters is that he's got the talent and is slowly putting into together. Some of you seriously need to think before you type. These are the mistakes he's supposed to make.

The 2nd mistake should have got him benches? For who, Todd Bouman? Are you freaking kidding me? Jesus Baltimore......

[Mrbunks]

He had a very good game against one of the best D'd in the league, yea he made some mistaes but the guy is playing in his 4th game ever. He will be our starter for a long time!!!

Flacco put up very similar numbers as the "veteran" Collins. Both of them were playing against good D's. So, while Flacco was far from perfect, he also wasn't atrocious.

[HoustonRaven]

4 VERY bad INT's in 2 games (5, if you count the INT that called back during the game yesterday).

These were not rookie INT's either. They were all passes that had no business being thrown at all.

[ravenjoe]

Flacco should not be benched, period! That would be a huge mistake. This kid learns and benefits from ojt. He made some critical mistakes, but he's learning, and he is the future of this team. He has got the talent, so just let him get his feet wet! One of his strongest attributes is his confidence - don't destroy that.

[Rayvens52]

4 VERY bad INT's in 2 games (5, if you count the INT that called back during the game yesterday).

These were not rookie INT's either. They were all passes that had no business being thrown at all.

Yes it is all about him being a rookie...are you serious. This is about him learning what to do with the ball. You see vet's make the same mistake in games. He is a rookie and is going to do dumb shit, I am not taking away the fact that we all knew he should have thrown it away, but he was trying to make plays to move the O and screwed up, this is what you get with a rookie QB period. This will not be the last time we see this happen!

[Sports Steve]

Joe will be a good QB the game is very fast for him right now. There is a big difference between the Pros and College ball. He has to relax and throw the ball away when the pass play is not there. The two interceptions he threw were passes that should not have been thrown. Remember many of us thought 5-11 record this year. So stay on his side. The foul called on Suggs was horrible. :ref: :ref: However we still should have stopped them and we didn't.




:jester: :jester:

[HoustonRaven]

Yes it is all about him being a rookie...are you serious. This is about him learning what to do with the ball. You see vet's make the same mistake in games.

Are YOU serious? Im going to go out on a limb and say that while at Delaware, he learned that when you dont have an open man after you roll out you throw the ball away. Heck, I bet he even learned that in High School ball as well. Not knowing to throw the ball away is a mental mistake, not a rookie one.

That said, I am not on the bench him bandwagon. I hope that it was just one of those bonehead things QB's do at times.

[RavensFanIAm]

He'll be fine, people need to chill out and stop trying to make him Big Ben or 04 cause it won't happen. I love the fact that his demeanor never changes each week, he know he can improve and he will

[Rayvens52]

Are YOU serious? Im going to go out on a limb and say that while at Delaware, he learned that when you dont have an open man after you roll out you throw the ball away. Heck, I bet he even learned that in High School ball as well. Not knowing to throw the ball away is a mental mistake, not a rookie one.

That said, I am not on the bench him bandwagon. I hope that it was just one of those bonehead things QB's do at times.

I agree he learned that a long time ago, what I am saying is that as a Rookie he is going to try and force things and do things to move the O that a vet would not do and that means not throw the ball away when he should. It is a rookie mistake. He is going to learn these defenders are faster then the ones in college and will stop trying to make to much happen.

[Mrbunks]

Joe will be a good QB the game is very fast for him right now. There is a big difference between the Pros and College ball. He has to relax and throw the ball away when the pass play is not there. The two interceptions he threw were passes that should not have been thrown. Remember many of us thought 5-11 record this year. So stay on his side. The foul called on Suggs was horrible. :ref: :ref: However we still should have stopped them and we didn't.
:jester: :jester:

I agree with Sports Steve about Flacco. We need to be patient and he needs to stop trying to do too much when rolling out of the pocket. Hey - at least the man rolls out of the pocket and doesn't look like he's auditioning for The River Dance like Boller!:laugh:

[Jeremiah W]

I am not saying bench him now, but I am not at all in the Billick camp about protecting an ego over the team. This team can win now with competent Qb play. They do not need the Qb to make a lot of plays, they just need to limit the mistakes and take some shots downfeild, hitting one out of 3 or so.

This season reminds me a lot of the 2000 season. The defense and runnig game are good enough. The O line is good enough. The Wrs and TEs are good enough. The Qb just has to no suck too bad. Dilfer missed a lot of wide open Wrs down the feild, but at least he did not throw many picks or fumble when he got sacked.

The first pick that Joe threw that was bobbled out of bounds was not good, but we can call that a rookie mistake. I saw the coach talking to him after that on the sidleline, and yet he still came out and did the exact same thing 2 more times. I don't know how I am supposed to say that was a rookie mistake. It was a very, very dumb choice, that he should have had enough short term memory to avoid a 3rd time in the same situation.

The biggest problem I had with Billick back in the day was not being willing to take the Qb out for a series or two and coach him up while the backup got a shot to spark a stagnant offense. It is not like baseball where you can not put the guy back in the game, but I want some sort change if the guy is not responding to the coaching. This is not the place for on the job training. The Ravens are in contention, and have been down this road before with a rookie QB learning on the job. I like Troy Smith, but wanted some sort of vet Qb in the mix since training camp, who was not named Todd or Kyle. NOt that there is anything wrong with that, but we needed and still need a Qb like a Kerry Collins, Kurt Warner or Jeff Garcia, or Daunte Cullpeper who we could turn to instead of a rookie if he was not ready.

At this point I have seen enough good stuff from Flacco to think he will be a great Qb, but right now I do not think we need a great Qb to win, and if he is unwilling or unable to play winning football, we need to turn to the backup before the playoffs are out of reach. Then let the rookie get every snap.

[ravenmaniac]

Throw the ball away. Just throw the freaking ball away.

The first time was unnacceptable, but we can chalk it up to a rookie mistake or what ever, but the second one should have gotten you benched. There was no pressure, no need to make a play that was not there, and how about launching the ball as far down the feild as you can in those situations, instead of possible pick 6 late to the sidleine or accross the body in the middle.

Take away those 2 throws, and he played almost pefect football, but those 2 or 3 plays a game have gotten us beat two weeks in a row.

I see a QB controversy. Troy Smith get your game together, because you may be going back in.

No controversy. You stick with the franchise.

[Jeremiah W]

I say give me the best Qb to win the next game. The Franchise QB needs to play like it. I am not in favor of throwing away a promising season just to develop a rookie QB. If he is the best option, he plays, but if Troy or Todd are going to make less mistakes and win more games, Joe can continue to learn in practice. If and when we are out of contention, then you hand him the job and see what he can do, until then the competion should be on in practice to see who gives us the best chance this week. That should be Flacco, but the Billick era of appointed or annointed starting QBs, needs to be over.

[RAVENOUS52]

This all points back to letting your rookie carry the clipboard and absorb the game before throwing him into the fire. Now we all know that Joe had no choice in the matter, so I'm more than willing to forgive, but not forget the boneheaded INTs he threw Sunday, but he absolutely can NOT continue to make these mistakes, especially since we've seemed to have underestimated our team's potential to compete for a playoffs spot.

I don't think Harbaugh is willing to sacrifice a possible shot at the playoffs for Flacco's ego, but I also feel that the kid will right the ship and the option of sitting him down temporarily won't come up.

Rookie or not though, his decision making MUST improve IMMEDIATELY.

[SHORTTRACK]

if Troy or Todd are going to make less mistakes and win more games

& exactly what makes you think that?

[Jeremiah W]

& exactly what makes you think that?

3 of the dumbest looking picks I have seen in one game since Vinny Testaverde looked like he was intentionally throwing the games in the 4th quarter for the mob.

Boller would only have tossed 1 or 2 of them. the 3rd is just unacceptable on any level of football past pop warner.

[ravenmaniac]

I say give me the best Qb to win the next game. The Franchise QB needs to play like it. I am not in favor of throwing away a promising season just to develop a rookie QB. If he is the best option, he plays, but if Troy or Todd are going to make less mistakes and win more games, Joe can continue to learn in practice. If and when we are out of contention, then you hand him the job and see what he can do, until then the competion should be on in practice to see who gives us the best chance this week. That should be Flacco, but the Billick era of appointed or annointed starting QBs, needs to be over.

And we don't have a better option today. Its not Troy or Todd. Flacco alone didn't cause us to lose either game. What about Flacco's drive at the end of the Steeler game? If the defense makes a stop against Tenn, we win and we aren't having this discussion. Expect ups and downs with a rookie QB. This isn't a Super bowl bound team. We are building a team here w/a young online, QB and backfield.

[Jeremiah W]

I do not know if we would be a SB team if we had grabbed Kerry Collins or Kurt Warner when we had the chance, but I know we would have a least 3 wins right now if we had.

If Joe is the best option availiable, we have to roll with him, but if Troy or a trade gives us a better chance, I say pull the tigger. This may be the last year with a lot of the key vets on the squad. Tom Brady will be back next year, and the Colts and Chargers will most likely be 4-0 to start next year.

[SHORTTRACK]

the Colts and Chargers will most likely be 4-0 to start next year.

Really. Who are they going to beat the first 4 games? Suppose they play each other in the first 4 games?


BTW when was the last time Todd took a snap in a real game?

Trade for a QB? Ozzie's on the phone......

[bmoreravengirl]

Flacco IS the best option. Troy Smith is still recovering from his illness, and even when he's well, what makes anyone think he's even remotely better?

I thought when Flacco came, we'd FINALLY see an end to QB controversy. Sadly, it was not to be.

[Jeremiah W]

Flacco IS the best option. Troy Smith is still recovering from his illness, and even when he's well, what makes anyone think he's even remotely better?

I thought when Flacco came, we'd FINALLY see an end to QB controversy. Sadly, it was not to be.

I believe we finally have the "qb of the future". I am not sure we have the best option as the qb of the present.

We should have pounced on Pennington or one of the other vet QBs who are proven game managers before training camp, but certianly after Boller got hurt, there was a need and some options better than Bauman.

I am not calling for a new Qb yet, but it is time to start thinking about making a change if the rookie mistakes continue to get us beat in close games.

[bmoreravengirl]

A change to who? There's no else on the roster that's better (JHMO).

And who could we trade for that isn't ancient or injury-prone?

[Jeremiah W]

A change to who? There's no else on the roster that's better (JHMO).

I don't know. I trust Troy Smith with the ball a little more at this point, but have no idea what his conditioning level is like or how he plays in practice. I doubt Bauman would do a better job.

He did only make 3 really bad throws. he made a lot more good ones, so I am not ready to pull the plug, but I am concerned and hope Oz is working the phones before the trade deadline. Perhaps Kitna is available for next to nothing, or TB may give up one of the vet Qbs they are juggling.
We may not have an option now, but I am sort of frustraded we are in this situation sine it was obvious to me that we needed a vet Qb 4 months ago.

[Gwaihir]

Instead of a Vet QB, I'd love to see what Roy Williams would do for Flacco!

[ravensnhokies]

I believe we finally have the "qb of the future". I am not sure we have the best option as the qb of the present.

We should have pounced on Pennington or one of the other vet QBs who are proven game managers before training camp, but certianly after Boller got hurt, there was a need and some options better than Bauman.

I am not calling for a new Qb yet, but it is time to start thinking about making a change if the rookie mistakes continue to get us beat in close games.


You gotta think the Ravens FO thought this season was a wash by making the decision to going into training camp with a QB stable of Boller and Smith + Rook, Flacco. Gotta blame them for that. It does piss me off as a fan of the team. By letting Flacco make all these rook mistakes this season the future seasons should only be better. So far, his mistakes have only been a factor (and definitely not all his fault) in 1 game.

[ravensnhokies]

Take that back.... the Pitt fumble was pretty bad also. Still hopefully during the 4Q of season, Flacco will have progressed nicely.

[Dave Lap]

I think you some of you guys are overeacting to one below par game. I've seen veteran QB's make the same mistakes.

[Losac]

This thread can be summed up in one word: idiocy. :grbac:

[Jeremiah W]

Way to sum it all up Lasac. Anther clasic witty observation. Oh no I spelled something wrong. better jump on that.

Look I am just saying, lets go Joe. We can not have that kind of crap even from a rookie. There are rookie mistakes, like missing an open guy, or taking a sack or throwing into coverage, but the last 2 mistakes were not really worthy of being covered up by the rookie mistake label. Brett Favre still does it too, but it is never acceptable to throw accross your body back into the middle like that that. I know they told him not to do it again and yet he did, in the same game. I can forgive and forget, but only if he starts throwing some touchdowns and winning some games.

[Mista T]

I am not in favor of throwing away a promising season just to develop a rookie QB. If he is the best option, he plays, but if Troy or Todd are going to make less mistakes and win more games, Joe can continue to learn in practice.

:229031_confused2:

This whole discussion has me confused: Baumann is a career backup with average results over 11 seasons. Troy Smith is a 5th rounder with below average results in 1/4th season. When we failed to sign Simms, we lost our shot at a vet QB to turn to, if Flacco falters.

The train has left the station: Flacco is our guy for the remainder of the season.

[RAVENOUS52]

Way to sum it all up Lasac. Anther clasic witty observation. Oh no I spelled something wrong. better jump on that.

Look I am just saying, lets go Joe. We can not have that kind of crap even from a rookie. There are rookie mistakes, like missing an open guy, or taking a sack or throwing into coverage, but the last 2 mistakes were not really worthy of being covered up by the rookie mistake label. Brett Favre still does it too, but it is never acceptable to throw accross your body back into the middle like that that. I know they told him not to do it again and yet he did, in the same game. I can forgive and forget, but only if he starts throwing some touchdowns and winning some games.

That's the other thing: At this point, Bazooka Joe is on pace to throw 4 TD and 16 INTS for the season... Rookie or not, even if that TD figure doesn't increase, we can't have the senseless INTs hurting the team.

Go back and look at tapes of Dilfer's only season here and emulate his performance and we'll be okay, kid:thumbup: .

[bmoreravengirl]

All we would be doing by benching Flacco is continuing the QB carousel. For the 1st time in my life, I'd like some STABILITY at the QB position. Is that too much to ask??

[RAVENOUS52]

In B-MORE? Are you kidding me, hot, young filly?!!!:rolling:

[Jeremiah W]

I think Troy could pull a Trent, maybe a Todd could turn into a Trent. Joe should be able to do it, but he is posting a Kyle so far, playing like an Elvis or a Vinny.

[bmoreravengirl]

In B-MORE? Are you kidding me, hot, young filly?!!!:rolling:

Dreams/miracles do come true sometimes. :-p

[Greg]

He made 2 rookie mistakes.

He made 3. One was bobbled and called incomplete and that should have been the one to learn on. I don't mind the mistakes but in this case he made the same exact one three times. Rolling to his right, trying to get it to a WR 20-25 yards downfield on the side and a defender sneaks in underneath.

Thing is, he has been getting away with it but the Titan defensive obviously saw it on film and were ready each and every time. He has to see that underneath guy and throw it away. On the last one he had 6-7 easy running yards then out of bounds to stop the clock. He must take those yards, especially with the sideline right there to stop the clock.

[RAVENOUS52]

He made 3. One was bobbled and called incomplete and that should have been the one to learn on. I don't mind the mistakes but in this case he made the same exact one three times. Rolling to his right, trying to get it to a WR 20-25 yards downfield on the side and a defender sneaks in underneath.

Thing is, he has been getting away with it but the Titan defensive obviously saw it on film and were ready each and every time. He has to see that underneath guy and throw it away. On the last one he had 6-7 easy running yards then out of bounds to stop the clock. He must take those yards, especially with the sideline right there to stop the clock.

Precisely. Don't confuse constructive criticism of the rook with hate.
We (nearly) all love Flacco and have great hopes for his developement, but he has to grow up a lot quicker if we plan on being even remotely competitive.

[Greg]

I love the kid, he has 2 of the unteachables, poise and an arm.

I think he is going to be quite good. Maybe even top 3.

[RAVENOUS52]

I love the kid, he has 2 of the unteachables, poise and an arm.

I think he is going to be quite good. Maybe even top 3.

That Top 3 quote almost gave me evening wood.:179421:

Ozzie will have a lot to do with how high Joe ascends... Like I've said before, I would be ECSTATIC if Flacco became the next Bert Jones...:happyanim

[StingerNLG]

I love the kid, he has 2 of the unteachables, poise and an arm.

I think he is going to be quite good. Maybe even top 3.

He does, but he lost a little of that poise Sunday. He bailed the pocket too often Sunday instead of stepping forward.

That said, if he comes out next week in Indy and shows that he understands that and tried to fix it, he'll be fine. But he also has to start doing a better job of looking off DB's and pump faking.

[Jeremiah W]

He does, but he lost a little of that poise Sunday. He bailed the pocket too often Sunday instead of stepping forward.

That said, if he comes out next week in Indy and shows that he understands that and tried to fix it, he'll be fine. But he also has to start doing a better job of looking off DB's and pump faking.

I actually thought his rolling out of the pocket showed improvement. Against the Steelers he was stepping into trouble instead of out of it.
It was the forcing the ball into coverage that was a huge step back. I want to see him force the ball deep down feild when he rolls out. Then the coverage may back off enough to get some comeback routes on the sidline.
It was not all that dumb, he just did not see the coverage, but with no one in his face, he really should.

[purplepoe]

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/football/bal-gregg1008,0,7318168.story

This should put an end to a discussion that didn't even need to occur.

PP

[Jeremiah W]

I don't care what he tells the media. If Joe throws 3 picks like he did on Sunday, Troy is going to play if healthy. Or there is going to be problems.

I really hope Joe plays Montana from here on out and Troy is like Steve Young just waiting and learning.

[Dave Lap]

That Top 3 quote almost gave me evening wood.:179421:

Ozzie will have a lot to do with how high Joe ascends... Like I've said before, I would be ECSTATIC if Flacco became the next Bert Jones...:happyanim

I think he will. Even with his mistakes, he's looked way better than many rookie QB's who have gone on to huge careers.

[bmoreravengirl]

I don't care what he tells the media. If Joe throws 3 picks like he did on Sunday, Troy is going to play if healthy. Or there is going to be problems.

Yes, because Troy has so much more upside. :261695:

This is the kind of stuff that triggers migraines.

[Losac]

I don't care what he tells the media. If Joe throws 3 picks like he did on Sunday, Troy is going to play if healthy. Or there is going to be problems.

I really hope Joe plays Montana from here on out and Troy is like Steve Young just waiting and learning.


Well there you go, folks. Coach Jeremiah has spoken. So let it be written. So let it be done.

[Jeremiah W]

Well there you go, folks. Coach Jeremiah has spoken. So let it be written. So let it be done.

Amen Brother?

[Losac]

Amen Brother?

:grbac:

[jonboy79]

I don't care what he tells the media. If Joe throws 3 picks like he did on Sunday, Troy is going to play if healthy. Or there is going to be problems.

I really hope Joe plays Montana from here on out and Troy is like Steve Young just waiting and learning.

I know Greg asked you before, but are you SURE you are not Jeremiah Wright?
IF not you HAVE to be a family member of Troy's.... You are the new WSO...

Flacco can't dance... Troy's the truth...

[RAVENOUS52]

I know Greg asked you before, but are you SURE you are not Jeremiah Wright?
IF not you HAVE to be a family member of Troy's.... You are the new WSO...

Flacco can't dance... Troy's the truth...

The new WSO?? C'mon man, you're being a little bombastic with those comments, aren't you?

Just because you don't agree with his view that Harbaugh might change his mind if Flacco crashes and burns, you compare him to a hateful preacher or worse, West Side Ozzie, the race-baiting moron from the Insider's Board???

To quote the ever-sarcastic Losac...:grbac:

[Jeremiah W]

I never said Joe can't dance. He has very shifty feet. I love his potential, just not happy with his mistakes recently. He should remain the starter, but not if he keeps throwing 3 picks for every TD.

Why is Troy Smith not popular with the board? He has a winning way about him. He played well as a rookie and so far has less interceptions than Joe in the same amount of PT. He was ahead of Joe on the depth chart for a reason. He has less passes swatted down, and has been more accurate on the deep ball. Troy also has never had the surounding talent that Joe has now.

It is not time to make a change at QB, but if anything happens, I trust Troy Smith to lead us to wins. They should have gotten a vet Qb in camp, but that ship sailed off into the sunset. I just hope the coaches do not have the same stubborn mentality about the Qb if he is playing poorly, or gets hurt and tries to stay in the game and suck, fumbling away another promising season. It is still all about winning games right now, not developing a QB or protecting his ego.

[purplepoe]

This board has really gone downhill.

PP

[Jeremiah W]

The new WSO?? C'mon man, you're being a little bombastic with those comments, aren't you?

Just because you don't agree with his view that Harbaugh might change his mind if Flacco crashes and burns, you compare him to a hateful preacher or worse, West Side Ozzie, the race-baiting moron from the Insider's Board???

To quote the ever-sarcastic Losac...:grbac:

I don't even know what that means. I just look at the football stuff and politics once a day on Sunday morning. I thought WSO was some sort symphony or something. Look at the creepy face. That is about all I need to see from ol boy jon before scrolling on past the trolling.

[Gwaihir]

So what is Harbs supposed to say?

"Well, now that Troy's back, Flacco better watch himself, if he keeps costing us games like the last 2 he's done for this year and Troy's my man!"

Get REAL, Harbs said exactly what I would expect him to say. He has full confidence in Joe, as do I. But that doesn't mean if Joe starts regressing, or starts looking overwhelmed, he won't go to Troy in a minute.

The last thing he wants is a QB controversy, we just need Flacco to keep focused on learning the offense, get the timing down with his receivers, & learn how to manage the game! Not looking over his shoulder thinking one more mistake and I could be benched!

[bmoreravengirl]

This thread in itself is proof that being a Raven fan is definitely not for the faint of heart.

[jonboy79]

I never said Joe can't dance. He has very shifty feet. I love his potential, just not happy with his mistakes recently. He should remain the starter, but not if he keeps throwing 3 picks for every TD.

Why is Troy Smith not popular with the board? He has a winning way about him. He played well as a rookie and so far has less interceptions than Joe in the same amount of PT. He was ahead of Joe on the depth chart for a reason. He has less passes swatted down, and has been more accurate on the deep ball. Troy also has never had the surounding talent that Joe has now.

It is not time to make a change at QB, but if anything happens, I trust Troy Smith to lead us to wins. They should have gotten a vet Qb in camp, but that ship sailed off into the sunset. I just hope the coaches do not have the same stubborn mentality about the Qb if he is playing poorly, or gets hurt and tries to stay in the game and suck, fumbling away another promising season. It is still all about winning games right now, not developing a QB or protecting his ego.



Why is he not popular on the board? becuaes he can't play this game we call football a thte pro level. He didn';t throw less interceptions, less interceptions were CAUGHT. Was Joe's pick that was bobbled out of bounds not a ba dthrow? I know he got blasted for it, but Troy was forgiven for his miscues.
Troy was ahead of Joe on the depth chart, because the staff didn't WANT to start him out of the gate, that's it. The staff wanted to see what they had in Troy, becuase they were throwing this year away. Troy had the SAME surrounding crew that Joe has...

I hope the coaches stick with Flacco, who has obvious talent and will only grow from takign his lumps. there is NOTHING to gain with the FAR less talented Smith, who now has less experience to boot. The only thing he has more of is confidence, and that is to a fault if you ask me.

[Jeremiah W]

So what is Harbs supposed to say?

"Well, now that Troy's back, Flacco better watch himself, if he keeps costing us games like the last 2 he's done for this year and Troy's my man!"

Get REAL, Harbs said exactly what I would expect him to say. He has full confidence in Joe, as do I. But that doesn't mean if Joe starts regressing, or starts looking overwhelmed, he won't go to Troy in a minute.

The last thing he wants is a QB controversy, we just need Flacco to keep focused on learning the offense, get the timing down with his receivers, & learn how to manage the game! Not looking over his shoulder thinking one more mistake and I could be benched!

I agree. I do not want Harbs telling Joe he has 2 games to it together, but I hope that is the reality. Then if Troy does not win the next 2, go back to Joe to finish out he season.

It will be interesting to see how he handles this if Joe struggles, but I hope we will never have to find out. I think it had a lot more to do with the defenses he faced than his own lack of progression. he did have enough good moments in both games to say he is pretty close to being a good QB. I am basically hung up on 2 throws, but I am also a little concerned about the lack of downfeild vision and accuracy.

[jonboy79]

Did you see how Harbs said that Troy will COMPETE for the backup spot when 100%....