Cavs 94, Pacers 73: Win Streak Reaches Season-High Seven Games
January 30, 2010Analyzing the Tribe’s 40-man Roster
January 30, 2010Former Ohio State Buckeye and Heisman winning quarterback Troy Smith is unhappy with his situation in Baltimore and feels that he would have a better chance to prove his worth if he moved back home to Cleveland Ohio. The former fifth-round draft pick would like the chance to start under center, and current Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco does not appear to be relinquishing his duties any time soon. Given the situation in Cleveland, and his ties to the area, Smith says that his dream would be to play for the Orange and Brown.
“There is no doubt about it,” Smith said “It has always been a childhood dream of mine. It’s funny how we always talk about Cleveland. That’s the first thing that comes to mind with anything I do whether I get a chance to come home and be a part of that organization or not.
As the quarterback situation in Cleveland continues to be up in the air, Browns fans will be treated to a handful of rumors between now and the start of training camp. Those that had hopes for Donovan McNabb coming to Cleveland will have to consider other options if Andy Reid’s reported words of McNabb’s return to Philadelphia indeed hold true. Coupling this with the relatively weak free agent class, the words of Smith may perk the ears of Browns fans.
“You know, I would love to get that chance if that opportunity comes up, but the political and right thing to say in this situation is that I would love to be anywhere that would give me a chance,” continued Smith. “But, without a doubt, there would be no second guessing in my mind if I could come back home and be a part of something that I love.”
A dual-threat quarterback, Smith had the shot at starting in 2008. After coming down with tonsillitis, the Ravens were forced to start their (then) rookie quarterback and have not looked back since. The ties to Ohio State as well as Cleveland’s Glenville Academic Campus are typically items that Browns fans tend to rank highly when analyzing players. In this case, Smith’s accuracy – as well as his mobility – may be something that Browns president Mike Holmgren would like if the team moves forward with a “West Coast” type scheme.
Smith is currently a restricted free agent with the Ravens. In 14 games through the past three seasons, he has completed 48 of 89 passes for 558 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Smith also rushed for 109 yards and two touchdowns while catching one pass for 36 yards. Though Smith’s trade value is very low, it is believed that the Ravens would welcome trade proposals given their certainty at the quarterback position.
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(h/t PFT)
59 Comments
Yeah, I’ll go with Justin Zwick. If Jason Campbell, Brady Quinn, Matt Stafford, and Jamarcus Russell can play.
LET TROY PLAY!
I didn’t read every post, so I’m sure this was already stated, but Troy Smith DID beat out Flacco for the starting job originally. He then got sick and had to give up the spot. Flacco performed well and why change QB’s when you got a good thing going.
Is the Troy Smith the QB answer to our all football prayers? Who knows. But I do know the guy can play. He’s got an arm, he’s accurate and he can move when the coverage breaks down (and it will break down…at least on the right side).
But the single most important reason I would take him is: HE WANTS TO PLAY FOR CLEVELAND!!! We finally have players who care about us as fans and as a city. Joe Thomas wants to spend his entire career with Cleveland. AWESOME! Cribbs wants to be a Brown. YES!!! That’s what this team needs: more players who want to live and play in Cleveland.
If he wants to come to Cleveland, then I say let him. The QB situation isn’t going to improve drastically or even be addressed in the next year anyways. The Browns will get him cheap, anyways.
Why not let the hometown boy come and play and see what happens.
There isn’t any real evidence either way on the guy…just giving my opinion. I don’t think he is a starting QB, nothing he has done has given me any reason to believe he is.
The thing about those other QB’s sitting is that generally a team doesn’t draft a QB in the first round if they think they already have a young starting QB they feel can play at a high level. They are usually younger guys waiting on a proven veteran…Not younger guys waiting on a First Round pick that was picked with them already on the roster. The Ravens obviously didn’t think too much of Smith’s talent as they drafted Flacco in the first round. If the front office thought Smith had any chance of being as good as you guys think he can be, then why would they do that?
I just never see him panning out as a good starting NFL QB. At this point in his career it’s hard too tell as he has never had a chance. But due to the fact that he was a fifth round pick (sorry for thinking he was a 6th rounder), never got any playing time in 3 years, watched his GM draft a first round QB with him already on the roster, and the fact that the Ravens are Willing to part ways with him to me suggests that he aint going to cut it in this league.
What evidence is there to suggest otherwise? Like I said we really don’t know, but in my opinion the evidence on Smith is that he won’t ever be quality starter in this league.
I would rather the Browns draft their own QB in the 5th round than trade for him. Besides…my personal opinion is that the Browns will get rid of DA, keep Quinn and Ratliff and then bring in a free agent that will compete with Quinn for the starters job. I don’t see them going after an uproven 5th round pick with what, 1 career start in 3 years? Just makes no sense.
BigMack… Yea, the Saints were stupid for signing Drew Brees. I mean, the Chargers drafted a QB #1 overall, they obviously saw that Brees was trash, and would never amount to anything in the NFL.
Which FA is considerably more attractive than Troy Smith?
I wouldn’t compare the Chargers having two Pro Bowl quaterbacks to the same situation as the Ravens. Troy Smith is no where in the catergory of Dree Brees when he went to the Saints…and I believe the Chargers were worried about Brees shoulder when they drafted Rivers…They were afraid Brees wouldn’t be the same when he came back from the injury, and I don’t think the Saints signed Brees I believe they traded for him…not sure. But that isn’t the same situation but nice try. Flacco or Smith are not Pro Bowl Caliber QB’s.
Smith is Pro Bowl Caliber.
LOL
There is no QB controversy, THE BROWNS DON’T HAVE AN NFL QUARTERBACK! And as far as the Ravens not wanting him? Funny, he was going to be their starter until he got sick and Flacco took the job. I’d take him over rag-arm anyday and I HATE Ohio State. Then trade 10 for Marshall and we might have something. Frankly, I don’t think the Broncos would be that stupid. However they did take our entire d-line and linebackers so maybe they are.
Browns fans… YES, if it weren’t for Smith being a BUCKEYE, chances are his name wouldn’t be in consideration for the starting QB position. HOWEVER, (and yeah that’s a BIG however) let’s not forget that when Smith and Flacco battled for the starting position 2 years ago, it was Smith who won a decisively. Had he not lost nearly 30 lbs in the offseason due to a sickness, he very well might be their QB today. In all the attempted passes Smith’s taken, he’s only thrown ONE int. One in his whole career, sounds pretty good to me.