Troy Smith out to prove size doesn’t matter

By Darrell Laurant  |   Wednesday, May 02, 2007  |  Comments( 4 )

Baltimore Ravens
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It brought back memories of that famous question asked of Doug Williams prior to his first Super Bowl: "Have you always been a black quarterback?"

At the NFL combine last February, Troy Smith was asked: "Can you play taller than you are?"

Well, no. He's 6 feet tall, period. A growth spurt at his age would be a medical first.

That size makes him taller than the majority of American men, but perhaps too vertically challenged to function behind today's NBA-sized NFL lines. Or so goes the conventional wisdom.

So how come Drew Brees of New Orleans, a quarterback roughly the same size, is the darling of football commentators?

Personally, I think the Ravens got a great deal in snagging the 2006 Heisman Trophy winner with the last pick of the fifth round. Even if Smith has a string of "DNPs" alongside his name in 2007, Steve McNair's current backup, Kyle Boller, will be a free agent at the end of the season.

For that matter, if Smith distinguishes himself in practice games, Boller might be sent packing before the season even begins, leaving 2006 rookie Drew Olson as the third-stringer.

During his Ohio State career, Smith completed 420-of-670 passes for 5,270 yards and 34 touchdowns. He ran for 11 scores as a junior. He led his team to the national championship game, which is more than either JaMarcus Russell or Brady Quinn can say.

The problem was, that game -- under the harsh glare of a national spotlight -- was perhaps the worst in Smith's career. As millions watched in disbelief, he unraveled under the fierce pressure of Florida's pass rush, ending up with only 35 yards passing, a fumble and an interception. As his offensive line crumbled like a Lake Pontchartrain levee, Smith wound up wearing Jarvis Moss as a human tattoo.

But then he came back and performed well in the Senior Bowl, outplaying Gator Chris Leak in the process. Nobody seemed to care any more. And besides, the guy is short.

Jim Tressel, Smith's Buckeye coach, reportedly called Ravens General Manager Ozzie Newsome to talk his former star up. Maybe that made the difference, or maybe it was just the fact that Smith is smart, tough, mobile and has one of the strongest arms in the draft. And, now, he has the fierce incentive to make a lot of other NFL teams look stupid.

"Sure, it (height) is a factor," said Ravens scouting director Eric DeCostas, "but I think there have been a lot of other quarterbacks -- some very good quarterbacks in our league -- who have been able to overcome a lack of height very effectively."

Like Drew Brees. Like Michael Vick, who isn't exactly a power forward.

If Baltimore had chosen Smith No. 1, there would have been reason for fan grumbling.

In the fifth round, with pick No. 175 overall? Brilliant!

Original Baltimore Ravens insight, courtesy of RealFootball365.com
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