Boller

**Sports Steve** · 09-01-2006, 05:20 AM

Looks like Steve McNair has already improved Kyle Boller. I know Kyle is not going against the starting line up but he looks like a player with some hope for the future. They both seem to be talking on the side lines. Maybe Kyle is learning something.

**RavenScallywag** · 09-01-2006, 07:12 AM

I was so ready to rip my old Boller jersey off on his first snap though. Redskin defender charged right up the middle and he got an 11 yard sack. It was painful.

But he improved, definitley a more relaxed QB now.

**Purpleguy** · 09-01-2006, 08:27 AM

I'd of ripped my Keydrick Vincent jersey up after that play before i ripped up my Boller jersey. The skins weren't even blitzing on that play. Keydrick just let the routine pass rush blow right by him.

**Mobtown** · 09-01-2006, 08:34 AM

Boller is looking excellent in preseason. Good reads, not staring his receivers down as much and he looks to have a little attitude going for him.

**braven98** · 09-01-2006, 08:36 AM

Give Boller a break remember he plays behind our stellar oline

**highwater** · 09-01-2006, 08:37 AM

Vincent worries me, but I agree about Boller. He just seems more composed and less jumpy when he goes back to pass. Maybe it's because he's not the starter, maybe he's already learned something from McNair, or maybe it's just that he's finally hitting his stride in his fourth season, but he looks pretty good.

**GreenWave52** · 09-01-2006, 08:46 AM

I'm getting comfortable with Kyle coming in and playing if McNair is out for a couple of games. He's looking better every week.

**FellsPointRaven** · 09-01-2006, 08:49 AM

Yes he looks better but there's room for improvement. His poise looks a lot better, and it was nice to see him check down, find the open man and get handsomely rewarded for it.

His deep ball still needs work and he could do with getting less air underneath his passes. He needs to learn from McNair how to better anticipate the rush and pressure - even though the line suck, that 11 yard loss was on him as he simply held on to the ball for too long.

Overall though, I'm fairly encouraged by Kyle's progress this pre-season.

**RavenScallywag** · 09-01-2006, 08:55 AM

He did seem to throw a lot of passes into obvious double coverage to non-jump ball receivers though. That nearly caused me to rip my hair out a couple times.

**Dabruise** · 09-01-2006, 09:00 AM

I will give Kyle and the FO some props (finally). Boller has always played better pissed and he seems to have a huge log on his shoulder now. I love it. I just hope he can keep that focus when we need him this year. Those bombs although they were scripted were really scary. For a guy with a gun, he seems to underthrow his long passes.

BTW, he does have a gun and I don't mind him threading a needle now and again (ala Favre).

**FellsPointRaven** · 09-01-2006, 09:08 AM

For a guy with a gun, he seems to underthrow his long passes.

I think he underthrew Bryant because he'd 'overthrown' Moore, albeit by about half a yard. Moore could have got that had he kept going at full speed and made an attempt at grabbing it.

**Greg** · 09-01-2006, 09:10 AM

... even though the line suck, that 11 yard loss was on him as he simply held on to the ball for too long.

That was my first reaction, but after watching the replay and re-running the TiVo a few times, it appeared it was a very deep out he was trying to throw. That takes time to develop and just as his WR was making the cut he tried to step up and throw. That's when the rush got him. A little more pocket presence and he should be able to move into a position where Vincent could have pushed him by and gotten the other half second is what he needs to learn. I think he is getting that as he gets more composed. A few times this pre-season he has moved a little left or right to help his blocking buy another second. He could have helped, but I don't think he held the ball too long.

It was his first snap, once he got into the flow he seemed more pocket aware. He does need to work on the deep ball, I don't know if he will ever get more accurate but at least the threat is there. He throws deep about every 5th or 6th pass. When he comes in that should help keep the 8th guy out of the box.

**RavenFanatic2k6** · 09-01-2006, 09:11 AM

He still seems to rely on the jump ball a little too much, but he has improved alot just over the course of the preseason. I am not as worried as I was about him coming in should McNair get hurt.

When he comes in that should help keep the 8th guy out of the box.

I disagree. That threat of the deep ball has always been there with Boller but it hasn't stopped defenses from stacking the box before. He'll have to start completing them if you want that to happen.

**RavensDomination** · 09-01-2006, 10:48 AM

Boller has a cannon, despite what Preston initially said when he got here. When proven wrong he would just try to save face and constantly bring up the one knee throw through the goal post.

Anyway, I think Kyle is definitely more calm in the pocket but he still needs to work on his pocket presence. That throw McNair made to DVD that kept the TD drive alive would have been a sack for Kyle.

**Raveninwoodlawn** · 09-01-2006, 10:52 AM

Kyle definately has played a lot better after that terrible first game.

Wherever he ends up, I wish the kid the best.

Keydrick Vincent needs to be cut ASAP.

**Bez513** · 09-01-2006, 10:58 AM

The best thing to happen to Boller is McNair. Boller can get the veteren leadership he's lacking since he was here. Boller will be a good #2 and who knows..he may pan out for us eventually. If not he's a capable backup.

**Merlin** · 09-01-2006, 11:07 AM

Good to get in a realistic discussion about Boller (unlike the other board)

His preaseason stats were great -- think the QB rating was above 130 for all 4 games, when they flashed his stats at the end of the 3rd quarter.

Things that I saw yesterday that I didn't see before

A couple of short passes with reasonable touch

For some reason, Fassel let him gun it long a number of times. Its always been my contention that Boller is NOT a short pass , ball control, dink and dunk guy but could do much better in a shotgun, let it rip offense. Higher mistake, but higher yards. He's been overmanaged -- taught not to make a mistake rather than how to make a play.

**BirdFan** · 09-01-2006, 11:34 AM

For some reason, Fassel let him gun it long a number of times.

I believe that was more of a "receiver audition" than any testing of Boller.

**AZRAVEN** · 09-01-2006, 11:40 AM

Boy do I agree with this comment Merlin ~ Boller has been mismanaged and overmanaged to the point of practically destroying his career. I hope he shows enough that when his contract is done here he warrants a shot somplace else and that when he moves on he gets someplace where there is a competent coaching staff that can really develop him. I've never been a big Boller fan but he seems like a decent kid that deserves a real shot.

**Dabruise** · 09-01-2006, 12:08 PM

Originally Posted by Bez513

The best thing to happen to Boller is McNair. Boller can get the veteren leadership he's lacking since he was here. Boller will be a good #2 and who knows..he may pan out for us eventually. If not he's a capable backup.

From what I've seen thus far, he could grow into a very fine starting QB. The play calling seems to have grown to him and vice-versa.