06-03-2009, 08:37 AM
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Head Coach
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Join Date: Nov 2003
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Quote:
Ravens: QB Smith flashes ability at WR
By Aaron Wilson, Times Staff Writer Wednesday, June 03, 2009
Kyle Nosal/Staff Photo
Baltimore Ravens’ quarterback Troy Smith pulls down a pass in front of safety Haruki Nakamura during Tuesday’s training camp session in Owings Mills.
OWINGS MILLS — Troy Smith accelerated downfield, adeptly eluding defensive backs to position himself over the middle to haul in a deep spiral.
Snatching the football out of the sky, the Baltimore Ravens’ backup quarterback made a convincing turn during a cameo appearance at wide receiver at a passing camp Tuesday. And the athletic former Heisman Trophy winner celebrated by popping his jersey with both hands as he playfully taunted safety Haruki Nakamura, his former high school teammate.
For a coaching staff that utilized Smith last year in a multi-dimensional Wildcat role, the Ravens are contemplating how to use Smith’s versatility to full advantage.
“Without making it a huge story, I’m quite sure that Troy will be lined up in different places this year,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “He can split out and play receiver. He can play running back. We definitely want to expand guys and do as much as we can.”
As natural as Smith looked lining up outside with a series of acrobatic catches even though he lacks blazing speed, it’s quite apparent that he’s a reluctant receiver.
While he had fun at practice and said he’s willing to help the team in any way, Smith considers himself to be a pure quarterback. Reprising former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kordell Stewart’s patented “Slash” role isn’t what Smith has in mind.
The undersized passer was quick to remind people why he’s in the NFL.
“I’m not opposed to it,” Smith said of playing wide receiver. “I didn’t get here catching balls, you know what I mean. I play quarterback. That’s what I do.
“I guess sometimes when you’re blessed to a certain extent to do different things, the power of the pen takes over, you know what I mean. So, I didn’t get here catching balls. I’ve expanded my role as a quarterback, I know that first and foremost.”
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http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/ar...s_smith_63.txt
Quote:
Ravens' Smith is put in tough position
Peter Schmuck
June 3, 2009
The Ravens were in the second day of their "Expanded Roles" minicamp, and Troy Smith was doing what he has never wanted to do at the NFL level: expand his role beyond the quarterback position.
Smith lined up at wide receiver and made a couple of nice catches, one in particular at the expense of his former high school teammate, Ravens safety Haruki Naka-mura.
"In high school, he actually played receiver sometimes," Nakamura said. "He can play wide receiver. You can tell he's a natural athlete."
That's no great secret, but Smith would rather keep his original Ravens job description. He came here as a Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback and doesn't seem terribly interested in morphing into Kordell Stewart or any skills player on last season's Miami Dolphins roster.
"Well, it's expanded role camp," Smith said. "Definitely, when they put you in a situation where you get a chance to do something different and expand your role, you just step up and rise to the occasion."
He did just that on several downfield routes Tuesday. He also threw the ball well and ran like a slick tailback. Smith is the guy you automatically think of when somebody trots out the old cliche about versatility being a curse.
There doesn't seem to be any doubt he could help the team in a varied role. That much was pretty obvious as he snatched those balls out of the air in close coverage.
"I don't know if Troy likes to do that," starting quarterback Joe Flacco said, "but he's a pretty good athlete, and he's capable of doing that."
It might not matter what Smith likes because this is the NFL, and you pretty much do what the head coach and offensive coordinator tell you to do. And it sounded Tuesday like coach John Harbaugh wasn't just putting him out there for laughs.
"Troy looked good," Harbaugh said. "He made a nice catch over the middle. Without making a big, huge story out of it, I'm quite sure Troy will be lined up in some different places this year."
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Ravens' Smith is put in tough position -- baltimoresun.com
Quote:
COMPETING QBS: Although Troy Smith and John Beck are slated to compete for the primary backup job behind Flacco, Smith currently ranks ahead on the depth chart.
"Who’s going to be a backup quarterback? Who’s going to be the third guy?" Harbaugh said. "It could be even game to game, based on game plan, or who we’re playing or whatever. But right now if we’re going to say what the order was, it’s Joe, it’s Troy, then it’s John. And that’s how it’s shaken out so far.”
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http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/ar...mcgahee_63.txt
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