QB indecision in Baltimore leading up to Week 1

By Neal Coolong  |   Wednesday, September 03, 2008  |  Comments( 3 )

Baltimore Ravens
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Recently, the New England Patriots had fun with their local media by placing a protective boot and crutches in front of the locker of quarterback Tom Brady. Maybe the Baltimore Ravens are trying to pull off a similar gag.

It's been reported that the Ravens signed veteran QB Joey Harrington. After that was rebuked, reports came out it was journeyman Todd Bouman who took the Ravens' open passer spot.

Now, Baltimore Sun beat writer Mike Preston says Bouman hasn't signed a contract yet, either.

Commentary: Not that the media flurry of which QB will be brought in to backup Joe Flacco and Troy Smith matters much, but it does have a train wreck-type quality to it. Incumbent Kyle Boller injured his shoulder this preseason, and Smith developed tonsillitis, so a backup QB to Flacco in Baltimore's season-opening game against AFC North rival Cincinnati is a necessary component to the game plan. It just doesn't seem the team is ready to either decide on one, or to let the media know whom it will be.

Reports came out that both confirmed and denied the addition of Harrington to the Ravens' roster, but he, along with Bouman and former Bucs QB Chris Sims, worked out at the Ravens facility Sept. 1. Harrington is the only one of the three who started a game last season, and he was unceremoniously benched midseason by the Falcons.

It almost seems like a job a QB wouldn't want. With the issues the Ravens had with their offensive line in the preseason, neither Flacco nor any backup could feel 100 percent confident in their protection.

Fan Pulse: As Preston said in his blog, "as soon as I heard the Ravens might sign Harrington, I wrote this season off." Fans at Extreme Ravens, a fan-based message board, mention several QB options, and none seem to be big on Harrington, either.

Fantasy Impact: The rookie Flacco is heralded for his arm strength, but the thought of his backup, whomever that may be, has to intrigue Flacco's fantasy owners. Cincinnati isn't known for its defense, so it's a pretty good testing ground for a first start. Keep an eye on what the team is going to do with Boller and Smith, because it's rare a rookie starts all 16 games under center in an NFL season.

Injury Watch: Teams haven't officially announced their injury reports for Week 1, but Boller and Smith aren't likely to suit up. Boller is out for sure, but Smith may be used as the emergency QB.
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About Neal Coolong

Neal Coolong is a freelance sports writer with contributions to Scout.com, AOL and Steelers Live. He lives with his fiance in St. Paul, Minn., and saves every dime (that she knows about) for their wedding next June. He's already made the prediction that the Steelers 2007 draft class will be one ...
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