For the Ravens, it’s time for Troy

By Darrell Laurant  |   Thursday, December 20, 2007  |  Comments( 1 )

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For the Baltimore Ravens, drafting Troy Smith turned out to be a good move, after all. Otherwise, someone named Cullen Finnerty might be quarterbacking the team against Seattle this weekend. Or, even worse, it might be wide receiver Mark Clayton.

Smith, the 2006 Heisman Trophy winner from Ohio State, will start in place of Kyle Boller, who is still recovering from the lingering effects of a concussion suffered in a loss to (ouch) Miami last week. Considered undersized coming out of college, the fifth-round pick has completed 8 of 16 passes for 82 yards in limited action this season. He also ran for a touchdown against Indianapolis.

Commentary: In a way, the Ravens have come full circle. Smith is, in some ways, similar to Steve McNair, the initial 2007 starter, who is now on injured reserve. The upside, for Baltimore, is that Smith will be excited about playing -- a feeling that has probably been beaten out of most of his teammates.

If, on the other hand, he joins McNair and Boller on the sidelines, the aforementioned Finnerty (an undrafted rookie out of Grand Valley State in Michigan) would probably be the designated backup. After him comes Clayton.

Fantasy impact: This is more about this year than next. If Smith can perform well -- or even credibly -- McNair's future might be in question.
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