Archive for Troy Smith

Sep
3

Ellerbe embarrasses Ravens in preseason finale

by Jeff Wolfson

Baltimore’s preseason came to an end with a 27-21 loss to the St. Louis Rams Thursday night. The loss isn’t so bad for the Ravens, but some of things that went on during the game were troublesome.

First, Dannell Ellerbe’s showboating on his interception and touchdown was a terrible moment in the game. Ellerbe is clearly talented, but he drew the ire of John Harbaugh immediately after that play. Chances are Ellerbe still makes the team, but his playing time could be significantly reduced, at least to start the season, because of that incident.
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0 Categories : NFL
Sep
1

What to watch for in Ravens preseason finale

by Jeff Wolfson

Every NFL team will end their preseason schedule Thursday night and hope to avoid injuries to their starters who may only play a series.

The Baltimore Ravens will take on the St. Louis Rams at 8 p.m. Thursday and Troy Smith will more than likely play the entire game. Smith is fighting to make the team so playing a full game will be a good opportunity to prove himself to the coaching staff once again.
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Aug
29

Ravens blast Giants 24-10

by Jeff Wolfson

Week three of the preseason is considered the “dress rehearsal” for NFL teams. If Saturday night was the Baltimore Ravens’ dress rehearsal the show should be a good one this season.

Quarterback Joe Flacco and offensive coordinator Cam Cameron didn’t waste any time establishing the fact that the Ravens will be able to pass the ball this year. Flacco was 21-for-34 for 229 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. He completed passes to multiple receivers and even was Baltimore’s leading rusher. Flacco’s two touchdowns came to Anquan Boldin and Todd Heap over the middle of the field. In the past two seasons, Flacco may not have thrown it over the middle even with single coverage on the receiver, but he looks much improved in 2010.
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Aug
13

Looking back at the opening preseason game

by Jeff Wolfson

The Baltimore Ravens opened their preseason amid excitement from the home fans. Baltimore looked pretty decent in a game that ultimately means nothing more than getting chemistry going between quarterback Joe Flacco and his new receivers.

Flacco connected with both Derrick Mason and Mark Clayton, who had a touchdown catch, with ease, however, it seemed like he and new acquisition Anquan Boldin were just a bit off. Flacco went completed eight of his 12 passes, including that touchdown to Clayton in the second quarter, which means he was far more accurate than he’s been in his previous two seasons. Flacco, like most of the starters, didn’t hang around long and gave way to the second- and third-string players.
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Aug
2

Beck traded away to Redskins

by Jeff Wolfson

The Baltimore Ravens decided that Troy Smith will be the team’s third quarterback this season. Unless something unusual with the roster happens, Smith will be in the emergency quarterback as the Ravens traded away John Beck.

Beck was a second-round pick by the Miami Dolphins in 2007, Ravens offensive coordinator Cam Cameron’s only season as head coach. He will now be a Washington Redskin.
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Jun
24

Ravens get QB insurance

by Jeff Wolfson

In a surprise move, the Baltimore Ravens have agreed to a one-year $3.8 million contract with former Rams quarterback Marc Bulger, according to multiple sources. Bulger has the chance to earn $5.3 million if all of his incentives are met.

This signing shows two things. First, the Ravens want to cover themselves in case starter Joe Flacco has injuries during the 2010 season. Flacco battled injuries for much of the second part of last season, but played through them and, in my opinion, because the Ravens’ coaching staff didn’t have enough confidence in Troy Smith or John Beck.
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Dec
29

My thoughts on Smith’s trade request

by Jeff Wolfson

News broke Monday afternoon that Troy Smith has requested to be traded after this season. One problem with this trade demand coming now, the season isn’t over.

I understand that Smith wants to start, and he could probably be an adequate starter, but the Ravens’ season, at the latest, will go until February. All he had to do is keep quiet for a little longer while his team is making a playoff push. This information coming out now makes him look like a selfish player. Coming out of Ohio State there were rumblings that Smith was selfish, but he has been a good soldier up until now in his career.
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1 Categories : NFL
Dec
21

Ravens declaw Bears

by Jeff Wolfson

The Baltimore Ravens improved their playoff chances while most other contending teams in the AFC struggled this weekend. Baltimore, now 8-6, started fast and never really slowed up against the Chicago Bears Sunday afternoon. On the defense’s first possession, they intercepted a poorly thrown Jay Cutler ball. Everyone had the feeling it wouldn’t be his last pick of the day.

The Ravens offense quickly cashed in on the interception. Joe Flacco threw his first touchdown of the day to Todd Heap. I think this was very important for the Ravens. They got off to a fast start and never looked back.

Cutler continued to throw picks throughout the game, with a total of three, and the Ravens cashed in every time. In addition to Cutler’s interceptions, the Ravens recovered two Bears fumbles. The only hiccup for the Ravens on Sunday was the special teams letting up a touchdown to Earl Bennett on a punt return.
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Dec
14

Ravens roll over Lions 48-3

by Jeff Wolfson

The Baltimore Ravens finally looked like a playoff against a lesser opponent. Baltimore ran through, over and around the Detroit Lions to cruise to an easy 48-3 win Sunday.

Joe Flacco was removed from the game after the third quarter as I thought he would be if the Ravens were far enough in front of the Lions. Flacco was efficient and didn’t turn the ball over. That was great to see. Flacco has been turning the ball over with regularity and it was good to see him take care of the football Sunday. Troy Smith came in to relieve Flacco and got in to the end zone on a broken play. Smith did a nice little dance to cap off the scoring for Baltimore.

Cam Cameron finally took the air out of the ball and had the Ravens offense wear out the Detroit defense. Ray Rice ran for over 100 yards in the first half, also cracking the 1,000-yard mark for the first time in his career. Rice left the game early in the third quarter because of a chest injury, but could have come back in if the game was closer.

Since Rice was knocked out, Willis McGahee replaced him and scored two touchdowns. He also had a field day against the Lions defense. McGahee rushed for 76 yards before giving way to Jalen Parmele in the fourth quarter. The other part of the Ravens backfield, Le’Ron McClain, was able to get in on the fun, scoring a touchdown in the third quarter.

On the defensive side of the ball, the secondary played well shutting down Calvin Johnson and picking off two passes.. However, the defensive line didn’t get any pressure on Daunte Culpepper. It wasn’t an issue against Detroit, but with Pittsburgh coming up in Week 16, and then maybe the playoffs, the Ravens need to do something to get pressure on the quarterback.

So, after rolling over the Lions the Ravens are now 7-6 with three teams under .500 on their schedule coming up. If they run the table and win out the will earn a wild card berth. The other interesting part of the Ravens winning out is if Cincinnati loses out. If the Bengals somehow lose out they will go 9-7 and finish in second place in the division giving the Ravens the division title. Although the second scenario is unlikely, anything is possible in the NFL.

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Aug
30

The General Will Corral Marshall

by Jeff Wolfson

There’s been a lot of talk of the Ravens acquiring Brandon Marshall to fill a gap in the receiving corps. I think this would be a good move.  Mike Preston of The Baltimore Sun floated a trade rumor of Troy Smith, Demetrius Williams and a draft pick for Marshall. Makes sense logically.

Baltimore has five quarterbacks still with the team so trading one of the quarterbacks instead of cutting one and getting nothing for him. Also, Williams hasn’t really proved a whole lot except that he gets injured. Marshall has just proven he’s a head case.
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2 Categories : NFL
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