QB Troy Smith (2006 Heisman Trophy Winner)

[3074326]

Big difference: he may not have been worth trading for if the teams that wanted him would assume he'd be available on free agency soon enough. He is a player that is a fringe starter, he may compete and get an opportunity to start someday soon. Remember, before he went down with an illness in 2008, it was presumed he would probably start the pre-season games for Baltimore, and arguably be there opening day starter. Clearly, the Ravens felt he was worth the look. With that in mind, draft picks are much more valuable today than they ever have been, so a few teams may look at Troy and say, "I'd like him on the team, but Baltimore may have to get rid of him soon enough anyways for the roster space/locker room unity so why trade something away".

So, are you saying a team wouldn't trade a 5th rounder for a player they thought could start? Especially at QB.

It just doesn't add up to me.

 

[bukIpower]

what happened here that it went from "give troy a shot, he'll make it count" to "eh, he's a 5th rounder and there's a reason for it"?

I for one think the one thing many of us forget is before Flacco got handed the job Troy was outplaying him. Even Ray Lewis was on record hoping Troy was going to get the job because of the way he commands the huddle. If he gets a shot to start somewhere I believe he can have a very stellar career like a john kitna. Only thing holding Troy back is the fact that he's 6 foot even.

As for his arm being average. No, He has a very strong arm. I know its a stupid contest but he did win the farthest throw contest. Wasn't it something like 75 yards? He was constantly critiqued for not having touch on intermidate throws instead just launching them in there. Arm strength is not a problem because he can make all the throws that Flacco can. Go back watch that great throw his senior year to Robo against PSU. Flat footed he launches one 5 yards deep into the endzone from his OWN 45, arm strength is not a problem. Neither is mobility or leadership. His downfall? Size and the fact that he's not your prototypical QB.

 

[osucollegebuck]

what happened here that it went from "give troy a shot, he'll make it count" to "eh, he's a 5th rounder and there's a reason for it"?

I for one think the one thing many of us forget is before Flacco got handed the job Troy was outplaying him. Even Ray Lewis was on record hoping Troy was going to get the job because of the way he commands the huddle. If he gets a shot to start somewhere I believe he can have a very stellar career like a john kitna. Only thing holding Troy back is the fact that he's 6 foot even.

As for his arm being average. No, He has a very strong arm. I know its a stupid contest but he did win the farthest throw contest. Wasn't it something like 75 yards? He was constantly critiqued for not having touch on intermidate throws instead just launching them in there. Arm strength is not a problem because he can make all the throws that Flacco can. Go back watch that great throw his senior year to Robo against PSU. Flat footed he launches one 5 yards deep into the endzone from his OWN 45, arm strength is not a problem. Neither is mobility or leadership. His downfall? Size and the fact that he's not your prototypical QB.

I agree with most of what you said but when NFL scouts talk about arm strength they are not talking about distance like being able to throw a 70 yard bomb. They are more talking about the intermediate outside the numbers laser type throws. Thats why pennington was such a liability because he could only use half of the football field.

 

[Diego-Bucks]

So, are you saying a team wouldn't trade a 5th rounder for a player they thought could start? Especially at QB.

It just doesn't add up to me.

Well, in my logic for thinking like an NFL GM, it typically goes like this: value your draft picks now higher than possibilities. Take risks only when necessary. Until a QB situation grows dire, most GMs don't want to import the QB talent, they'd rather find and "craft" a college prospect for their coaches to groom. Its usually an ego thing. The GMs that often take more risks in personnel management are often in a position to never need a QB, as they already have one... and thus they can take risks (self fulfilling prophecy I know, but it seems to work like that). Good QB play means good team stability, and thats why the same 8 AFC teams make the playoffs it seems. They at least have consistent and often good QB play.

I just know what I read in 2008 pre-season: all signs pointed to Troy Smith being the starting quarterback until his illness or injury or something in the pre-season led to him missing many games. The starting gig went to Joe Flacco and Baltimore won't be looking back any time soon.

However, Troy was very close to starting. He obviously is a fringe starter, as though he is one of the top-40 QBs in the league. All it takes is a more dire situation for a GM to want to trade for him, and GMs rarely want to admit they are in a dire situation. I imagine Troy will get a chance to start a game or two in the next few seasons, if it works out in that time frame, then awesome. If not, then its not the worst thing to be a career back-up.

 

[Diego-Bucks]

Also, I want to add: Troy will be an unrestricted free agent next season (unless he signs a new extension). If a GM wants him as a project, they might just want to wait on his UFA time-frame without losing out on the draft pick.

 

[matcar]

Big difference: he may not have been worth trading for if the teams that wanted him would assume he'd be available on free agency soon enough. He is a player that is a fringe starter, he may compete and get an opportunity to start someday soon. Remember, before he went down with an illness in 2008, it was presumed he would probably start the pre-season games for Baltimore, and arguably be there opening day starter. Clearly, the Ravens felt he was worth the look. With that in mind, draft picks are much more valuable today than they ever have been, so a few teams may look at Troy and say, "I'd like him on the team, but Baltimore may have to get rid of him soon enough anyways for the roster space/locker room unity so why trade something away".

That's not exactly a ringing endorsement that he's starter material.

 

[matcar]

Well, in my logic for thinking like an NFL GM, it typically goes like this: value your draft picks now higher than possibilities. Take risks only when necessary. Until a QB situation grows dire, most GMs don't want to import the QB talent, they'd rather find and "craft" a college prospect for their coaches to groom. Its usually an ego thing. The GMs that often take more risks in personnel management are often in a position to never need a QB, as they already have one... and thus they can take risks (self fulfilling prophecy I know, but it seems to work like that). Good QB play means good team stability, and thats why the same 8 AFC teams make the playoffs it seems. They at least have consistent and often good QB play.

I just know what I read in 2008 pre-season: all signs pointed to Troy Smith being the starting quarterback until his illness or injury or something in the pre-season led to him missing many games. The starting gig went to Joe Flacco and Baltimore won't be looking back any time soon.

However, Troy was very close to starting. He obviously is a fringe starter, as though he is one of the top-40 QBs in the league. All it takes is a more dire situation for a GM to want to trade for him, and GMs rarely want to admit they are in a dire situation. I imagine Troy will get a chance to start a game or two in the next few seasons, if it works out in that time frame, then awesome. If not, then its not the worst thing to be a career back-up.

The bit about Troy about to start in 2008 is true. Having said that, it's been a couple years now and nothing has changed. He's at practice every day, and yet no change. That should tell you something.

 

[buckeyes_rock]

The bit about Troy about to start in 2008 is true. Having said that, it's been a couple years now and nothing has changed. He's at practice every day, and yet no change. That should tell you something.

I had heard years ago that Troy wasn't the greatest practice player. But when it counts on gameday...he's the man. He's just a gamer; a guy who finds a way to get it done. And why were on the subject of arm strength...someone above made reference to Chad Pennington...holy cow, if that guy can start in the NFL...no way Troy can't. :)

 

[localyokel]

Reminds me of Playboy's definition of charisma: That indescribable somthing that girls with big t.i.t.s have.

Sooo...that definition only applies to females, then?

 

[Buckskin86]

Beck traded today....

August 2, 2010
Beck gone; Smith next?

Ravens offensive coordinator Cam Cameron said last Tuesday that it would be easy to determine which quarterbacks would be on the roster at the end of training camp. We knew Joe Flacco would be atop the depth chart, but performance would determine how things shook out after that.

"It's not as complicated as everybody thinks," Cameron said. "We've got a lot of practice left, a lot of reps in practice. You just watch every drill, watch every practice, watch through the preseason games. It usually clarifies itself and is usually pretty obvious."

A week later, fourth-string quarterback John Beck is already gone, traded to the Redskins for cornerback Doug Dutch, who was on Washington's practice squad last season.

Beck wasn't given much of an opportunity over the past week to raise his stock. If you were evaluating his performance, you'd have to give him an incomplete unless you based his grade on handing off in run-blocking drills and keeping Troy Smith company on the sidelines. When Beck did get a little work in team drills, though, he didn't exactly impress.

Beck needed an excellent training camp to keep his spot on the roster, but the Ravens needed bodies at cornerback, so he was traded. At least he'll get a good chance to catch on with the Redskins, a bittersweet scenario for Beck.

"This is a great team, so it?s tough not be a part of it," Beck told reporters minutes after the trade was announced. "But at the same time, I?m very excited for the opportunity to go down there."

Now the attention turns to Smith, who is clearly the No. 3 quarterback behind Flacco and Marc Bulger. It's no sure thing that the Ravens will carry three quarterbacks because they seem to be very confident in Flacco and Bulger. For the rest of camp, Smith will be competing with himself -- and a bunch of non-quarterback roster hopefuls -- to earn a spot on the 53-man roster.

Smith has gotten limited reps so far, and he has struggled at times in live drills. But with Beck gone, he'll get more playing time up in Westminster. We'll see if Smith can do enough to convince the coaching staff to keep him around.

Virtual Vensanity: Beck gone; Smith next? - Baltimore Ravens, Orioles, Terps blog by Matt Vensel - baltimoresun.com

 

[buxfan4life]

Beck traded today....



Virtual Vensanity: Beck gone; Smith next? - Baltimore Ravens, Orioles, Terps blog by Matt Vensel - baltimoresun.com

If Troy doesn't make it on the roster for the rat birds, I hope and pray that the Dolphins pick him up off waivers in order to have a real option at 2nd string QB.

Pennington is pretty much done physically, and Pat white is....well Pat White.

JMO, though.

 

[bukIpower]

Well once Bulger retires (which I'd imagine will be soon), and they have parted ways with Troy (which may be before the preseason is up) I'm going to laugh when Flacco goes down with a season ending injury and there's no one there to plug in.

Also the reason Troy hasn't been given a shot since getting sick in 2008 has nothing to do with Troy, but everything to do with Flacco. He was their first round pick with first round money who happened to play well against bad teams his rookie year. Seriously go back to his Rookie season and theirs a DIRECT link between the talent level of opposing teams with his good games. Not saying Troy takes them to the super bowl, but I personally think he can do what Flacco is doing.

And yes I also remember hearing Troy was not a good practice player. There's a reason why Zwick beat out Troy pretty clear cut as well, and we all know who the better player in GAMES was. Sometimes certain players just bring it to another level when games rolled around.

 

[sparcboxbuck]

I had heard years ago that Troy wasn't the greatest practice player. But when it counts on gameday...he's the man. He's just a gamer; a guy who finds a way to get it done. And why were on the subject of arm strength...someone above made reference to Chad Pennington...holy cow, if that guy can start in the NFL...no way Troy can't. :)

I'll say this... as a coach... I hate gamers. You play what you practice. When you're under stress, you default to what you've done over and over. Too many times I've seen my "gamers" not pull it out because they go back to the lazy way they practiced. <soapbox> It's a shame to see some kids with real talent try to get by without working. Pisses me off to no end. </soapbox> I hope that what you say about TS being a gamer isn't true.

 

[billmac91]

I'll say this... as a coach... I hate gamers. You play what you practice. When you're under stress, you default to what you've done over and over. Too many times I've seen my "gamers" not pull it out because they go back to the lazy way they practiced. <soapbox> It's a shame to see some kids with real talent try to get by without working. [censored]es me off to no end. </soapbox> I hope that what you say about TS being a gamer isn't true.

The year Troy was going to start for the Ravens until he came down with the rare tonsilitis, he had a very mediocre camp. But he performed very well in pre-season games.

Last year, again very average in practice, but had very impressive pre-season games. I'm not sure you can just paint a broad brush like in terms of players. Some guys just aren't going to "wow" anybody in practice. Guys like Jeff Garcia, Jake Delhomme, Steve Young were all known as "gamers". Guys who played best when the bright lights were on. Jeff Garcia and Steve Young are going to have a hard time dropping jaws while throwing 15 yard outs against air, and being forced to stay in the pocket during team scrimmages.

 

[BayBuck]

If Troy doesn't make it on the roster for the rat birds, I hope and pray that the Bills pick him up off waivers in order to have a real option at competition for starting QB.

Edwards is pretty much done mentally, and Ryan Fitzpatrick is....well Ryan Fitzpatrick. Brian Brohm may as well be John Beck IMO.

JMO, though.

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