Boller in - McNair out minimum 2 weeks

**deuce** · 11-13-2007, 06:15 PM

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/f...l_tab01_layout

**Mista T** · 11-13-2007, 07:02 PM

I'd rather they had placed Mcnair on the IR list ... but I presume that Billick is keeping him around for the playoffs.

**RAVENOUS52** · 11-13-2007, 07:13 PM

Maybe we'll continue to attempt to run the ball on the goal line and avoid the inevitable turnovers McNair made so far this season.

**4G63** · 11-13-2007, 07:26 PM

With McNair sidelined, rookie fifth-round pick Troy Smith will be Boller's backup. The Heisman Trophy winner has not taken a snap during the regular season.

"That's going to be a fun challenge for Troy, because now he's been around enough," Billick said. "The focus and attention that he brings to [preparing] is heightened."

What does that last sentence mean? Is he planning on putting him in at some point?

**Dade** · 11-13-2007, 08:30 PM

Originally Posted by 4G63

What does that last sentence mean? Is he planning on putting him in at some point?

He pretty much said it without saying it.

**Greg** · 11-13-2007, 08:49 PM

It means that an NFL QB backup has to be prepared to play each minute because the next play could be the one that elevates them to playing. That is about all it means.

**crazyraven** · 11-13-2007, 09:18 PM

I'd rather they had placed Mcnair on the IR list

The man has been injured from the get go, I hope we never see him again. Tony Banks never looked so good.

**StingerNLG** · 11-13-2007, 09:24 PM

Originally Posted by 4G63

What does that last sentence mean? Is he planning on putting him in at some point?

It means as the backup he's going to get more snaps than he is right now. Instead of being the scout team QB, he will work with the second team in case he has to come into a game.

Basically it means he moves into Boller's role in practice. Nothing more, nothing less.

**RavensNTerps** · 11-13-2007, 09:51 PM

He's not injured its a way to save face in case Boller falls flat. This way they can bring McNair back in 3 weeks if they have to... god only hopes they don't.

**Ravenator** · 11-13-2007, 10:15 PM

Hahaha...yea his should becomes dislocated...I didn't realize your pride holds your non-throwing shoulder in place.

**RavenTD** · 11-14-2007, 02:01 AM

I don't think two weeks is suddenly going to cure McNairs passing woes.
He looks done to me.But hey its Billicks ship,lets float or sink with it.

If the season goes south any further,why not make Troy the backup to Boller,just to see what the kid has when the lights are on.MMmm,don't want to tread on anyones toes,and set Rome on fire.Billick could end up like Julius Ceasar with knives in the back..

**highwater** · 11-14-2007, 07:25 AM

Regardless of the reason or spin, this move absolutely needed to be made. That Bengals game made me want to cover my eyes, especially when the offense was on the field. To play as badly as they did, against a really bad defense, was physically painful to watch. A change at QB will likely not solve all the teams problems but it can't hurt.

**Rochardrik** · 11-14-2007, 09:56 AM

Originally Posted by StingerNLG

It means as the backup he's going to get more snaps than he is right now. Instead of being the scout team QB, he will work with the second team in case he has to come into a game.

Basically it means he moves into Boller's role in practice. Nothing more, nothing less.

Well, you may have not read the article, but Billick said... and I'm paraphrasing... You don't want to tip your hand, but there are some things you can do with a player like that!... Sounds more like he has plans to use him in games, not just practice!

**StingerNLG** · 11-14-2007, 10:11 AM

Originally Posted by Rochardrik

Well, you may have not read the article, but Billick said... and I'm paraphrasing... You don't want to tip your hand, but there are some things you can do with a player like that!... Sounds more like he has plans to use him in games, not just practice!

He's not coming in to play regular QB unless Boller gets hurt or just outright tanks. What Billick is saying is he might line up Smith in the backfield or something.

**Mista T** · 11-14-2007, 10:27 AM

Billick's staement on Smith has to have opponent DCs shaking in their boots!

Billick would be so obvious with his "trickery". Smith would line up as a flanker, possibly may receive a direct snap, then run a halfback option. The defenses would not have been fooled, and the best we could hope for would be an incompletion and avoiding atrophy of Smith's arm muscles.

Just like bringing in Clarence Moore in one of Billick's "tricky" goal line pass plays.

**festivus** · 11-14-2007, 10:35 AM

Remember Billick's week is consumed with practice and game planning. When he's talking about Smith's increased role, he's talking about the increased role Smith will get in *practice* and in game planning sessions with the coaches.

Smith has raw talent but is not being primed to come in this year. Good lord willing in three weeks, Boller will be playing mediocre and McNair will be ready to come in and try not to be worse if Boller gets hurt.

I do not want to see Smith on the field this year, and I hope the coaches don't either.

**pyite32** · 11-14-2007, 10:39 AM

"You don't want to tip your hand, but there are some things that you could do with Troy in that capacity because of his abilities to run the ball and do some of those things," Billick said.

You really think this meant practice??????!!!!???

Why would he worry about tipping his hand to other teams that Troy will be getting more snaps in practice...

Come on, Think People.

**StingerNLG** · 11-14-2007, 11:04 AM

Originally Posted by festivus

Smith has raw talent but is not being primed to come in this year. Good lord willing in three weeks, Boller will be playing mediocre and McNair will be ready to come in and try not to be worse if Boller gets hurt..

Errrr, I am glad you aren't at least hoping for some success. You are hoping Boller plays mediocre?

**RavenTD** · 11-14-2007, 11:10 AM

Originally Posted by StingerNLG

Errrr, I am glad you aren't at least hoping for some success. You are hoping Boller plays mediocre?

Surely festivus has made a mistake here.I want to see Boller light it up,
bring life to the downfield passing game.You can always get a PI or Def' holding call.Or goodness forbid an actual completion.

We know what we have with Boller,and its a darn sight better than what we have seen with McNair.As sad as that is for me to say.

I prefer to remember McNair as a Titan,the QB he was then.Rather than the fading star he is now in purple & black.

**festivus** · 11-14-2007, 11:12 AM

Yes Stinger. I am hoping (reasonably likely) he plays mediocre, which is what we've seen from him in limited action this year. Better then mediocre would be a pleasant surprise. McNair played like complete garbage, so mediocre would be a nice improvement, and will mean winning games we've previously been losing.

Thinking "Boller will save us," or "replacing Billick will solve all our problems," just leads to disappointment and heartache.

Don't get me wrong. I hope (much less likely) Boller leads us to the Super Bowl, and I hope if the FO replaces Billick we get someone who will find a better offense for us. As I must have written here a thousand times this week, hope springs eternal.

I am in it for the long haul. We are 4-5. That's mediocre. It's not terrible, 1-8 or 2-7 is terrible.

The day will come when we are truly that bad. I'll still be here, not hysterical, just rooting for my team.

Your mileage may vary, as they say on other boards.