Should the Ravens look to trade Boller to Atlanta?

**Mr OC** · 07-24-2007, 02:14 PM

Everything I'm hearing on Sirius is that Vick may be done in Atlanta, and that Atlanta will be contacting other teams in search of someone to back up or compete with Joey Harrington. Considering this is Boller's last year, should the Ravens try to get something for him?

**Gwaihir** · 07-24-2007, 02:58 PM

No way! No How! He's too valuable here this year! He could end up being our starter if something happens to McNair!

**FadeToBlack** · 08-02-2007, 08:17 PM

Troy Smith is the greatest thing to ever happen to this team. Not because he's necessarily the QB of the future. But because he is the physical embodiment of the end of the Boller Experiment-Gone-Awry in Baltimore.

**evade6317** · 08-07-2007, 07:43 AM

Could you imagine Boller, Harrington, AND Redman competing???? Talk about tension.

**UKRavenStockers** · 08-07-2007, 08:13 AM

Erm yes because having Troy Smith as our backup QB this season would be such a good spot to be in.

I don't care if he leaves for nothing this off-season, unless I'm getting a backup QB in return you don't get rid of Boller in a trade right now. We know McNair's injury prone behind poor pass protection and it's gonna take something special for our O-line to keep him as upright as we did last term. Boller's one of the better backup QBs in the league and we don't have anyone else who I'd be at all comfortable seeing at QB if McNair got hurt.

**crazyraven** · 08-07-2007, 09:57 AM

Boller's one of the better backup QBs in the league and we don't have anyone else who I'd be at all comfortable seeing at QB if McNair got hurt.

I dont know how you can make a statement like this when his only action was in two games and he lost one of them. Sorry but Boller is not a better backup qb in this league until he proves he can throw tds that dont bounce off of ten players before they reach the intended target.

**UKRavenStockers** · 08-07-2007, 10:07 AM

Originally Posted by crazyraven

I dont know how you can make a statement like this when his only action was in two games and he lost one of them. Sorry but Boller is not a better backup qb in this league until he proves he can throw tds that dont bounce off of ten players before they reach the intended target.

Go through a list of the backup QBs in the NFL and even the worst of Boller haters (alright not Tex) will realise that he is one of the better backups about. There are some absolute dogs playing as backup and the current Boller is immeasurably better than the jittery frosh and sophomore Boller that the haters persist in banding about as the current Boller. I'm not a hugger or a hater, he's got work to do still but he's certainly not the abject failure that the haters would have us all believe.

**crazyraven** · 08-07-2007, 10:28 AM

Here is a semi list of guys I picked out and in no particalar order. sure its debatable but for the most part there are 15 guys on this list that I'd rather have and would feel more confident with instead of Boller.
Dont forget we're talking backup

B. Johnson
T. Dilfer
J. Garcia
M. Brunell
B. Griese
K. Orton
D. Garrard
D. Huard
C. Batch
B. Volek
K. Collins
K. Warner
J. Martin
D. Carr
A. Feeley

**PurplePill** · 08-07-2007, 10:49 AM

Trade??? Yeah right!

No team would be willing to trade a used jock strap for our deer in the headlights....

**UKRavenStockers** · 08-07-2007, 10:51 AM

Originally Posted by crazyraven

Here is a semi list of guys I picked out and in no particalar order. sure its debatable but for the most part there are 15 guys on this list that I'd rather have and would feel more confident with instead of Boller.
Dont forget we're talking backup

B. Johnson
T. Dilfer
J. Garcia
M. Brunell
B. Griese
K. Orton
D. Garrard
D. Huard
C. Batch
B. Volek
K. Collins
K. Warner
J. Martin
D. Carr
A. Feeley

Names I'll pick holes in for who I just think are completely wrong to have above Boller:

- Brad Johnson - Two years ago yes, last year he threw twice as many interceptions as touchdowns and has just completely lost it. He's got zero arm strength and playing behind Tampa's woeful pass blocking lines (and Minnesota's average line last year) has severely dented his pocket presence, he's nothing on the solid QB he used to be.
- Mark Brunell - I can't think of a reason to want him unless you want your entire offense to revolve around dump offs to the running backs.
- Kyle Orton - The haters say Boller rode a D to a winning record, Orton was the epitome of this, can't think of a reason to want him. Inferior arm to Boller and the Bears didn't trust to him to throw pretty much any passes ever.
- David Garrard - Has never shown anything to be better than Leftwich and neither have in my opinion shown the development Boller has.
- Damon Huard - Is the starter in Kansas City, Brodie Croyle's the backup trying to depose him this camp.
- Kerry Collins - I'm just baffled to put a QB who's completely lost it in this list.
- Jamie Martin - Had some good games in St Louis' system but what else?
- David Carr - Has as much to prove as Boller. Carr was subject to a terrible line in Houston, but his pocket presence and blitz perception is now terrible, he's been spooked and has a lot of "re-learning" to do in terms of not looking at the rush as he had a tendency to do last year in Houston when their pass protection was actually markedly improved on previous seasons.

Of that season I think there's only a couple who I'd have clearly ahead of those guys and when you consider how Boller does still have the tools to become a good starting QB (not saying he'll put them together, but at least he has the tools unlike a lot on that list) I can't see to putting most of those names ahead of him.

**festivus** · 08-07-2007, 10:59 AM

Originally Posted by PurplePill

Trade??? Yeah right!

No team would be willing to trade a used jock strap for our deer in the headlights....

This is wrong on so many levels it really might as well have been written by Tex.

Boller has value to us as a backup because (a) he knows the system and (b) he has the tools to play the position. As a BACK UP. Might he put them together and start one day? Don't know. But he's no 'deer in the headlights' anymore, he contributes as a backup, and those haters who cannot get this into their heads PLEASE just be quiet for a year (yeah right) and then he'll be gone so you can gripe about something else.

No, we won't be trading him, not because he has no value, but because if we traded him, we'd suddenly have a huge void at backup qb.

**highwater** · 08-07-2007, 06:14 PM

Everything I'm hearing on Sirius is that Vick may be done in Atlanta, and that Atlanta will be contacting other teams in search of someone to back up or compete with Joey Harrington. Considering this is Boller's last year, should the Ravens try to get something for him?

This isn't a crazy question because as Mr. OC notes, this is Boller's last year, and I also think Vick is done in Atlanta. However, the answer is a definite no, unless the Falcons get stupid and give the Ravens an offer they can't refuse. Boller proved to be a very capable backup last year and they will no doubt need a backup QB again this year, unless you think McNair will start all 16 games for a second straight year. And if Boller's gone, who takes over for McNair if he gets hurt? Olson? Smith? I don't think so.

Interesting question but the answer is no.

**Heap86** · 08-11-2007, 07:41 PM

Hell No.

Who would play if Dead Arm gets hurt?

Troy Smith?

**copenhaggard** · 08-12-2007, 07:10 PM

Originally Posted by Heap86

Hell No.

Who would play if Dead Arm gets hurt?

Troy Smith?

Heap86 stayin' classy...

Not only was McNair one of the primary factors for the performance (good/bad), but he's also a natural leader, and obviously a great teammate. Shame on you. Maybe we wouldn't have gotten "Dead Arm McNoodle Arm Grandpa McNair" if "Fumbling-Stumblin-Bumbling-Trippsy-DeerinHeadlights-DriveKiller Kyle Boller" knew how to play good football. Case closed.

**Mista T** · 08-12-2007, 09:10 PM

Originally Posted by FadeToBlack

Troy Smith is the greatest thing to ever happen to this team. Not because he's necessarily the QB of the future. But because he is the physical embodiment of the end of the Boller Experiment-Gone-Awry in Baltimore.

Don't take this the wrong way Fade, but .... that was one the most ridiculous statements I have seen posted here.

Troy Smith -- all supposedly 6 feet tall of him -- the late 5th rounder passed over repeatedly by every GM in the NFL -- 4th of the four QB's on the Ravens current depth chart -- is "the greatest thing to ever happen to this team"?

Here's a list of a lot of 20 things greater to happen to this team than the New 6' Messiah (and this is just off the top of my head - I could easily come up with 50):

Steve Bisciotti
Ozzie Newsome
Brian Billick
Ravens Stadium
Vinnie Testeverde
Derrick Alexander
Michael Jackson
Ray Lewis
Jon Ogden
Chris McAlister
Peter Boulware
Qadry Ismail
Tony Banks
Trent Dilfer
Michael McCrary
Terrell Suggs
Elvis Grbac
Randall Cunningham
Jamal Lewis
Mike Flynn

**purplepoe** · 08-13-2007, 09:21 AM

Originally Posted by Mista T

Don't take this the wrong way Fade, but .... that was one the most ridiculous statements I have seen posted here.

Troy Smith -- all supposedly 6 feet tall of him -- the late 5th rounder passed over repeatedly by every GM in the NFL -- 4th of the four QB's on the Ravens current depth chart -- is "the greatest thing to ever happen to this team"?

Here's a list of a lot of 20 things greater to happen to this team than the New 6' Messiah (and this is just off the top of my head - I could easily come up with 50):

Steve Bisciotti
Ozzie Newsome
Brian Billick
Ravens Stadium
Vinnie Testeverde
Derrick Alexander
Michael Jackson
Ray Lewis
Jon Ogden
Chris McAlister
Peter Boulware
Qadry Ismail
Tony Banks
Trent Dilfer
Michael McCrary
Terrell Suggs
Elvis Grbac
Randall Cunningham
Jamal Lewis
Mike Flynn

Ted, where is Boller on your list?!?!?!

Im thinking he just missed the cut and is 21st on your list.

PP

**Big Bird** · 08-15-2007, 06:02 PM

Definately NOT!!! Boller is not (nor probably will ever be) a starter. But he is a decent (note not great) backup. We have no others in camp who know the playbook or players like he does.

I would try to sign him to a short term contract that is oriented to releasing him during an off-season - a contract that does not eat the Ravens lunch in case they do cut him.

I am excited about the two best rookie QBs we have in camp. But none of them could possibly take over in their rookie year to back-up McNair if he goes down. Boller can. th-a-a-a-ts all folks!!!