AP Article on Troy Smith

BigDawg819 · 05-04-2007, 05:16 PM

OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- On his first day as a professional football player, Troy Smith was merely one of 29 rookies trying to land a job with the Baltimore Ravens.

"I'm at the bottom of the totem pole right now," he said. "I have that understanding."

His Heisman Trophy, the 54 touchdown passes he threw at Ohio State and even the No. 10 he wore as the nation's finest college football player were only a memory Friday at the team's rookie camp.

Smith, the last player drafted in the fifth round of the NFL draft, informally launched his NFL career on a beautiful spring morning wearing a purple jersey with the No. 11 on it. Most of his passes were on target; some were not.

"We've got to try to have him be able to do a few more things with the ball," Ravens offensive coordinator Rick Neuheisel said. "He's got a fastball. Now we have to work on some other pitches."

Smith led the Buckeyes to two Big Ten titles and a berth in the national championship game last season. His accomplishments are well documented, but won't mean a thing in the camp that runs through Saturday.

"I think what stands out the most to everybody in the United States is he's the Heisman Trophy winner," Neuheisel said. "I think internally he just wants to learn. He's not coming in here as though he's proven something. He's coming in here wanting to prove something."

Smith concurred. Asked to describe his mind set, he replied, "A humble one."

But Smith wore a big smile after his first practice. He loved playing college football, but was delighted to be taking his career to the next level.

"I think it went pretty good," he said. "I'm just excited about being here. A new offense is always going to bring up some challenges, and that's what they did today. They challenged us."

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press

Well I may not like him but at least he seems to have the right attitude so far.

Yung Flippa · 05-04-2007, 05:36 PM

hopefully he makes the roster

BigDawg819 · 05-04-2007, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yung Flippa

hopefully he makes the roster

But if he gets beat out by Drew Olsen I'm not going to shed any tears.

dcarey20 · 05-04-2007, 10:23 PM

Troy Smith aka the future of the Ravens

Yung Flippa · 05-04-2007, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigDawg819

But if he gets beat out by Drew Olsen I'm not going to shed any tears.

We can probably develop Troy Smith into a eventual starter. He could spend like 1 or 2 years learning under Steve and then take over after Steve retires.

BigDawg819 · 05-05-2007, 01:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcarey20

Troy Smith aka the future of the Ravens

That is not a promising future then.

EdReedUnstoppable · 05-05-2007, 05:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigDawg819

That is not a promising future then.

Its a more promising future then Drew Olson gives us.

BigDawg819 · 05-05-2007, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EdReedUnstoppable

Its a more promising future then Drew Olson gives us.

How can you honestly say that when neither one of them have stepped on the field yet? You can't, we're all just speculating here but I know one thing Drew can do that Troy can't, and that's see over the line to pass a ball.

ChefMike · 05-05-2007, 12:30 PM

I think with Kyle in a contract year and having Olsen and Smith behind him on the roster and depth chart that we will carry all 4 on the Roster. If by mid season Ozzie doesnt feel we are going to resign Kyle below the market value I would bet you see Troy or Drew getting some of the mop up duty to see how they perform.

EdReedUnstoppable · 05-05-2007, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigDawg819

How can you honestly say that when neither one of them have stepped on the field yet? You can't, we're all just speculating here but I know one thing Drew can do that Troy can't, and that's see over the line to pass a ball.

Troy has a stronger arm and can be a threat with his legs also which Olson cannot. I guess Drew Brees can't see over his offensive line?

BigDawg819 · 05-05-2007, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EdReedUnstoppable

Troy has a stronger arm and can be a threat with his legs also which Olson cannot. I guess Drew Brees can't see over his offensive line?

Comparing Troy Smith to Drew Brees is an insult to Brees and you should be ashamed of yourself.

EdReedUnstoppable · 05-05-2007, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigDawg819

Comparing Troy Smith to Drew Brees is an insult to Brees and you should be ashamed of yourself.

How do you know its an insult if Troy has never stepped on the field yet? Troy could go on to become a great QB, and then its not bad to compare Tory and Drew.

BigDawg819 · 05-05-2007, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EdReedUnstoppable

How do you know its an insult if Troy has never stepped on the field yet? Troy could go on to become a great QB, and then its not bad to compare Tory and Drew.

Until proven otherwise its an insult.

EdReedUnstoppable · 05-05-2007, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigDawg819

Until proven otherwise its an insult.

Troy hasnt played badly yet, so its not an insult.

Basically here is what that meant, to say Troy is gonna suck because he is only 6 feet tall is not a valid reason, and Drew Brees is my argument to prove me right.

BigDawg819 · 05-05-2007, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EdReedUnstoppable

Troy hasnt played badly yet, so its not an insult.

Basically here is what that meant, to say Troy is gonna suck because he is only 6 feet tall is not a valid reason, and Drew Brees is my argument to prove me right.

I wasn't using his height as a valid reason I was using it as a cheap shot.

EdReedUnstoppable · 05-05-2007, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigDawg819

I wasn't using his height as a valid reason I was using it as a cheap shot.

Well I can't allow cheap shots to Troy!! Just like I won't tolerate them for Kyle........however feel free to take cheap shots at McNair and McGahee all you want!!!!

BigDawg819 · 05-05-2007, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EdReedUnstoppable

Well I can't allow cheap shots to Troy!! Just like I won't tolerate them for Kyle........however feel free to take cheap shots at McNair and McGahee all you want!!!!

Don't worry now that Troy is a Raven and seems to be doing what he needs to be doing that was my only cheap shot, well that and his rookie contract. :D

05-07-2007, 11:01 PM

yea i suppose drew brees not being as tall as say...kyle boller makes kyle the better QB..ummm no Smith has some talent and doesnt trip over himself so i hope he makes the team

BigDawg819 · 05-07-2007, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RavensFan

yea i suppose drew brees not being as tall as say...kyle boller makes kyle the better QB..ummm no Smith has some talent and doesnt trip over himself so i hope he makes the team

Way to jump in an exchange 3 days after its over.

Shere Khan · 05-13-2007, 01:48 PM

I had a bad feeling in the pit of my gut when the Ravens drafted Troy Smith.
The same feeling I had when I was in school at Ohio U. and the Steelers picked Roethlisberger.

Something tells me he's gonna be PRETTY jacked-up to face the Browns and Bengals twice a year in the future.

BigDawg819 · 05-13-2007, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shere Khan

I had a bad feeling in the pit of my gut when the Ravens drafted Troy Smith.
The same feeling I had when I was in school at Ohio U. and the Steelers picked Roethlisberger.

Something tells me he's gonna be PRETTY jacked-up to face the Browns and Bengals twice a year in the future.

Yeah that "jacked-up" feeling will serve him greatly as he's buried on the depth chart and not dressing for games.......

Shere Khan · 05-13-2007, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigDawg819

Yeah that "jacked-up" feeling will serve him greatly as he's buried on the depth chart and not dressing for games.......

Not away, no.

I mean, 2 or 3 years down the road I could see him possibly being a starter.

BigDawg819 · 05-13-2007, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shere Khan

Not away, no.

I mean, 2 or 3 years down the road I could see him possibly being a starter.

I agree, in 2 or 3 years I could see him starting in the Arena League.

EdReedUnstoppable · 05-13-2007, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigDawg819

Yeah that "jacked-up" feeling will serve him greatly as he's buried on the depth chart and not dressing for games.......

He'll be dressed for all 16 games actually, he'll be holding a clip board but he'll be on the active roster and suited up, which is more than anyone can say for Drew Olson.

Shere Khan · 05-13-2007, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigDawg819

I agree, in 2 or 3 years I could see him starting in the Arena League.

lol

so dude, who at QB do the Ravens really have?
Kyle Boller?

ROFL

McNair?
yeah, but how long are you going to rely on him?

You scoff at Troy Smith like your team has MUCH better options or something.