Baltimore Raven OT Jonathan Ogden expected to retire

Veteran OT Jonathan Ogden is expected to officially announce that he will be retiring from professional football later this week. Most everybody was already acting under the assumption that Ogden would say goodbye to the game, but it doesn't change the fact that he leaves a void in the offensive line. There is no replacing a sure hall of famer and one of the greatest offensive linemen in history.

It is a particularly tough situation with inexperience players in the backfield. The likes of Joe Flacco, Troy Smith and Ray Rice will have to perform without what would've been their greatest ally.

Kyle Boller's career

Below, you will find the story of Ravens QB Kyle Boller's career in picture form:


Boller and his posse on draft day. Who knew how wonderful his career would turn out??

Boller was thrown into the spotlight immediately. Here he is in all of his glory, with all his potential, proving white men can jump.

Boller begins to show his true colors not to long after putting on a Raven's uniform. A gunslinger that can't hold onto his gun.

It got worse. Boller thought he could change his fate by playing without a helmet. Even with the increased vision and mobility, Boller could get Humpdy Dumpdy together again.
Finally, Princess Boller was rescued by her knight in shining armor. Steve McNair's arrival in Baltimore meant Boller no longer had to suffer the degradation and defeat at the hands of Patriots, Bengals, Bears and other frightening beasts.
Finally, we have reached Boller's future. He is destined to ride the pine in 2008-09. The young upstart Buckeye, Troy Smith, will attempt to fill in admirably until he suffers the same fate as Boller and is pushed out by the even younger upstart, Joe Flacco.

Kyle Boller and Troy Smith picking up where they left off

Based upon the account from Mike Preston of the Baltimore Sun, Kyle Boller and Troy Smith have come to passing camp this year just as impressive as they've been in the past.

"I know it's only the first day of passing camp, but it was hard on the eyes watching quarterbacks Kyle Boller and Troy Smith throw in practice. Smith had the better day, not because he looked good, but because Boller performed so poorly. Boller had several passes knocked down and underthrew and overthrew receivers."

This is the one opportunity for either QB to prove their worth before the future "franchise QB" Joe Flacco is allowed to attend camp, yet they can barely muster a complete pass with pressure. I don't know why, but I honestly had hope for a stellar season by either returning QB. It could still happen, but doesn't seem likely.

Troy Smith doesn't know who Joe Flacco is

Troy Smith mistakingly thinks Joe Flacco's name is John. I like the "accidental" confusion. This indicates that Smith is ready to be competitive for the starting spot. He doesn't want some upstart rookie from a small school taking his spot or the starting role.

Let Kyle and Troy fight it out this year. Start Flacco next season. Please, no more Kyle Bollers (who openly admits that he didn't want to play in his first professional season).

Quartback attack

Story of the day:

"First-year Ravens coach John Harbaugh has not officially committed to Steve McNair as their starting quarterback, but it’s likely McNair’s job to lose.

He wants an open competition for the quarterback job and said the Ravens will consider McNair, Boller and Troy Smith for the starting role."

Billy Volek, whos that?

Picked this one up off the rumor mill:

The Ravens, in particular Cam Cameron, are interested in bring Billy Volek to Baltimore. Now you may be asking yourself, “Self who is Billy Volek?” Well my friends, the answer is “the best backup QB in the NFL.” Volek is currently backing up the always sour-faced Phillip Rivers in San Diego. The Chargers just picked up the option on Rivers so Volek has no chance of starting any time soon. Cameron and Volek are familiar with eachother, and we all know the Raven’s QB situation is not ideal. Picking up Volek would be a good move for insurance purposes. If McNair, Boller, or Smith don’t work out this season plug Volek. It would be virtually impossible for all 4 QB’s to fail. If one of the 4 QB’s or some combination of the whole group can carry the team through one entire season, the drafted QB this year (still hoping its Chad Henne) will have ample time to learn what the NFL is all about. In case you forgot, Billy Volek is the quarterback that marched down the field and scored the winning touchdown to knock the defending champion Indianapolis Colts out of the playoffs this season.

Steve McNair coming back is bad for Ravens

Don't get me wrong, Steve McNair is a great quarterback and seems to be a stand-up individual off the field, but his return will ultimately hurt the Ravens. McNair will most likely get the opening day starting spot out of respect if nothing else. I think the Ravens would be better served to have either Kyle Boller or Troy Smith start the first half of the season while the Raven's bring whatever QB they hopefully draft up to NFL speed. With John Harbaugh, a coach with QB experience, there to help out I think a draft pick could be ready to play midway through the season. If either Boller or Smith end up playing well than that is even better, but McNair would slow the entire process down. In my opinion, he just doesn't have the arm strength or foot speed to warrant being a QB in the NFL anymore. If you disagree let me know why.

Raven's are in the market for a 6'6 QB with a laser rocket arm

"As usual, Baltimore has issues at quarterback, but this offseason the situation is as dire as at any point in recent memory. Steve McNair's illustrious career appears to be over and that leaves Kyle Boller and Troy Smith to lead the Ravens' offense. On a veteran team like this, the Ravens could ideally add an established QB, but finding one in the present market is going to be a very difficult chore. In the draft, Boston College's Matt Ryan will surely be gone by the time Baltimore makes its first selection and waiting until Round 2 could end up the smart move. However, that isn't the instant fix that the Ravens need. The new coaching staff will probably want to bring in their guy to lead the offense." -Scouts Inc.

I couldn't agree more. McNair shouldn't even be a question at this point. He deserves respect, but not the Joe Paterno like respect that would keep him around a decade past his prime. The franchise tried time and again with Boller. I still think he could be a quality QB in the league, but the team can't wait that long. Troy Smith is an enigma. At this point I think he should be resigned to the backup role until Boller throws his first 3-interception game. The team should absolutely take a cornerback with the first pick to replace Samari Rolle, and select a QB in the second round. My humble suggest would be to select either John David BOOOOTY or Chad Henne. Both played for big programs, have the athletic tools, are relatively intelligent, and have questions because of injuries. With great risk come great reward. Take a chance on either of these guys and it could pay off huge in the long run.

Brian Brohm is our saviour?

ESPN's chess player/boy toy, Todd McShay has posted his latest mock draft. He maintains that the Ravens will most likely pick up Brian Brohm with the eighth pick.

Scouts Inc.'s three biggest needs: CB, QB, OLB, DE, OT Projected pick: Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville Baltimore hopes this pick puts an end to its seemingly endless search for a franchise quarterback. There's no such thing as a "can't-miss" prospect in the NFL draft, especially at quarterback, and although Brohm is hardly an exception to the rule, he does possess the size, accuracy, pocket presence, intelligence and work ethic to thrive at the next level.

Though Brohm is a quality QB, he has been tainted and tarnished by the big ugly, Bobby Petrino. I like my football teams like I my women, no sloppy seconds please. Brohm is impressive, but is he that impressive? I would stick it out with Boller and Smith this year and fix the aging cornerback situation or replace the likely to retire Jonathan Ogden.