what would have been better

[Purpleguy]

Now that we've seen the preseason and it's gametime, do you guys think we would have been better off keeping Boller as a QB, and picking up Bentley (I know he's out, but that may not have happened here) and suring up the right side of the line, or getting McNair and doing squat with the line?

Don't get me wrong, I like Mcnair. I also like Boller. I think we have a great QB tandem. What I'm afraid of is that the o-line in front of them won't let any QB play to their potential.

We finally have all the weapons, we're just missing the line to help load them.

[crowdog89]

I am like you PG, in that I like both qb's we have. I think they did the right thing as far as bringing McNair in, however, I would have liked to see them draft better line help...by that I mean guys that would be ready to jump right in and not have to "bulk up" for a season or two first. I can't see how they could have got a seasoned vet tackle or guard via FA...and still got McNair here.

I sure hope they at least attempt to fix/upgrade the O line next off season though. Especially with Ogden getting up there, and possibly retiring in the next season or two.

[UKRavenStockers]

Only issue with the idea of spending the money upgrading the line is that we were never and could never have imagined stumping up the cash for Hutchinson and Bentley had his heart set on playing for his hometown team all along, those were the two biggest upgrade and anything else was stop gap really and throwing money at it wouldn't make sense when it wasn't a significant upgrade and would handcuff us in making serious upgrades elsewhere on the team.

My biggest dissapointment with regards the OL is Jason Brown not really stepping up in camp and pushing to start at RG and C. All across the NFL there were big battles on poor OLs with people staking a claim for a starting spot, as I saw it Brown never really made any noise and coming off of a very good start at RG at Denver last year that is a big dissapointment.

[BertJonesMyHero]

No way- Getting rid of Boller as starter(adding Steve) has changed the whole team dynamic. But I don't believe for a second that they could not also afford to get some OL help. For example- Did we really need Bannon and Anderson? They are nice and all, but we needed OL help more.

PS- I see you posted this during the end of pre season. That matters cause I think we all have a better idea of how the team is capable of playing now that we are into gm 2.

[Sports Steve]

Now that we've seen the preseason and it's gametime, do you guys think we would have been better off keeping Boller as a QB, and picking up Bentley (I know he's out, but that may not have happened here) and suring up the right side of the line, or getting McNair and doing squat with the line?

Don't get me wrong, I like Mcnair. I also like Boller. I think we have a great QB tandem. What I'm afraid of is that the o-line in front of them won't let any QB play to their potential.

We finally have all the weapons, we're just missing the line to help load them.


In the long run. McNair will make Boller a better QB. It's already started to show.

:jester: :jester:

[GreenWave52]

McNair may have been the most important signing for any team this offseason. There is no lineplayer I would have rather signed than him although I agree we do need to improve that week spot.

To BertJones, Bannan seems like a luxury signing now, but before the draft he was penciled in to start next to Kelly Gregg. Anderson was insurance in case Jamal balked or Musa Smith couldn't make it through another preseason. Anderson is a luxury (and possibly a waste of money) at this point, but having Bannan is important since Haloti isn't a 3 down player.

[Purpleguy]

After week 1 it appears I am way off base. I hope I remain way off base for the rest of the season.

[Raveninwoodlawn]

The O-Line is still a major issue and I am in the camp that thinks that that spot is what will keep us out of the Super Bowl...it will bite us in the ass at some point/s.

However, it is EXTREMELY apparent, that McNair has given the offense unprecedented confidence and brought a degree of team unity that we haven't had since 2000.

It's obvious McNair has lost some skills...he is nowhere near the runner that he once was and his arm is average really at best at this point in his career. But the guy just knows what he is doing...he has seen it all and been successful against it all and has the utmost respect from every teamate on this roster...something I don't think any QB since Dilfer has had...and even at this point I think McNair brings more to the table than Trent.

Even if Kyle gets better this year...I think it's painfully obvious that there were quite a few players on this team that did not beleive in him and that helped to divide the team.

Kyle's career here is done IMHO...I'm not saying he won't be successful somewhere else...and I like the kid and will hope he does succeed. But the City, and a lot of his teamates have already turned on him and Unless he turns into John Elway (which he will never be), the city will never forgive him and he'd be run out of town.

[sandiegosean]

We should have drafted Marcus McNeil who is a starting tackle for the Chargers, instead of a project like Chester.

[Dabruise]

RIW,

I agree with evrything except:


Kyle's career here is done IMHO...

I think Kyle will get some PT this year, and even more next year. I wouldn't be surprised to see him begin to play well enough to be a challenge to McNair by the end of next season and I think he will exhibit his veteran experience with poise and aplomb. I think he could turn out to be the best QB the Ravens have ever had. :179421:

Did I just say that?

[StingerNLG]

Dabruise, I got what RIW was saying and he's right. Look at the message boards alone. Nothing Kyle Boller can ever do in this city will ever get him respect from the fans. Many have outright hated him since the day he was drafted. The entire woes of the team are put 100% on his shoulders by many many people. Those same people don't count his half of the 2003 playoff year. So I think in honesty Kyle is done here as well, maybe even by his own choice.

I think he does get PT in the next year or two and shows he can be successful in this league. Then when his contract's up and a few teams with older QB's need replacements, I think he decides to sign elsewhere. Brad Johnson isn't going to last forever, neither is Trent Green. I thought McNair was the 7th old QB in the league so there will be opportunities to at least compete for a spot elsewhere. I think that's his best option.

[RavenFanatic2k6]

McNair has given the entire team confidence that they can go out and compete and be in every game. No offensive linemen would have or could have done the same. McNair's arrival also erased any signs of a fractured locker room.

Plus, the team couldn't have gotten Bentley if they wanted to. Like Stockers said he was hell bent on signing with Cleveland. And Hutchinson? The salary cap doesn't work that way. With Ogden on the OL we only have a limited amount to pay the rest of the guys. Signing Hutchinson would have been financially impossible or close to it.

BTW, check the transcript on the Scout board for Aaron's thoughts on Boller's future.