MVN - Most Valuable Network

Random thoughts of a Ravens loyalist

A day removed from the Gunfight at the M & T Corral and I have a few random thoughts. Not in any particular order, Brian Billick’s status as head coach, Troy Smith’s status as QB, Brian Billick’s status as offensive coordinator. Hmmmm, a lot of Brian Billicks in there huh?

BRIAN BILLICK (HEAD COACH):I think it is a pretty safe bet that Brian Billick will return next year. He even said so himself today. What is funny though is that no one from the Raven’s management would confirm that. Is Brian trying to force the ownership’s hand here? A few weeks ago Brian made the statement that he believes he will be back because Steve Bisciotti likes continuity. That may be true, but does he like the same ole same ole that we have seen this season. I think Steve Bisciotti knows now that he made a huge mistake extending Billick’s contract for such a long period, but is he willing to shell out money to terminate it. One of our readers made the comment that Bisciotti would only be responsible for the difference between what he is owed and the salary of what he may be making next season. Now Brian could get lucky and land an offensive coordinator job somewhere, he is an offensive genius after all. Look at what happened to Norv Turner after coaching the Redskins. So the difference in salaries may not be much. But on the other hand I think the difference between managing the local McDonald’s and what he makes this year would be a fairly large amount. My bet is that Brian Billick IS the head coach of the Baltimore Ravens in 2008/09, but on a very very short leash. I will be interested in seeing what coaching changes happen after the season. What heir apparent might be coming in, or is he already in place in Rex Ryan?

TROY SMITH:Okay last night after wtaching the whole two plus minutes of Troy Smith’s career I too was impressed enough to say, let him start. From what I hear the almost 5,000 fans and the hot dog vendors were chanting his name to come in. But today, mostly tonight I have put more thought into that. My first thought is that no, Troy Smith should not start in place of Troy Smith. Yes I said it, Kyle Boller should start at least the next game, and looking at who comes after Miami he should start all three. The best way to ruin a good young QB is to throw him into the fire too soon. Yes, as Mike Brown pointed out there are reference, some recent, to show it can be done. But with the way our offensive line had only sporadically protected the QBs this season, I am afraid that Troy Smith may be hurt (psych wise) by throwing him in there. Now that isn’t to say he should not play at all. I think he should. I also think he should be able to get some snaps in practice. That missed pass to Yamon Figurs keeps popping into my head from last night. It has been a long time I have seen a Baltimore QB hit an open receiver on a slant in the middle of the field. That should have been a TD. Imagine if that pass was in an open field. That is Jerry Rice/Joe Monatna like. They made a living with that play. What impressed me more is that Troy Smith did it with little effort. He just looked like he was making a 5 yard pass. Kyle Boller has the arm, but you can tell he is puting all he can into it. Maybe someone who saw Smith in college can help me here, but it looks like he has a very strong arm. He could be the QB the Ravens have never been able to get ahold of. That late round draft pick that turns into something special, or he could be a bust. Miami is going to come at the Ravens hard on Sunday because they know we are bleeding, and they have to see this game as the best chance to win one. Do we really want Troy to have to face that with only 2+ minutes of NFL experience? Do we really wnat that 2+ minute experienced QB leading a bleeding team in this game? lose to Pittsburgh, I won’t like it, but will expect it. Same with Seattle. But I do not want to be the team that the Dolphins beat. So I have to agree with Brian Billick on this one, Kyle starting is probably the best chance to win right now. But like I said, Troy should get into the game somewhere, just to add to his comfort level. Right now he has to be feeling good about himself, that needs to be built on.

BRIAN BILLICK (OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR): We all know how this has turned out this season. To Brian’s credit he can not be totally at fault for the woes of the offense this season. He didn’t fumble the ball, or throw the interceptions. But he has created the game plans, and he has called the plays. But what would really change if he stopped doing it now? Anyone who stepped in would not have a choice but to use Brian’s playbook. There is no time left this season to change the offensive mindset of the team. Trying to do so now will probably only make things worse, if that is possible. That does not mean that Brian is not in need help. He really doesn’t appear to have a feel for the game as it plays out. He doesn’t look like he is capable of making mid game adjustments to his game plan. He is also way to pass happy. But when I think about that I do not know why anyone is surprised. He was the offensive coordinator for the Minnesota Viking who had Randall Cunningham throwing for 3000+ yards to Randy Moss and Chris Carter. They were a passing team, but they did have that balance Billick always talks about. But the Ravens have never had the offensive talent that the Vikings have and Billick has always tried to make them that offense. Changing that now philosophy now will not help. But during the off season Brian Billick needs to decide if he is offensive coordinator of head coach, he can not be both. I really think Steve Bisciotti will have something to say about that. He may not change head coaches, but he will change offensive coordinators.

So what does all of this mean. Well for now more of the same. A hot and cold Kyle Boller. A head coach/offensive coordinator who has an ego so huge he can not even think about changing. Going into the off season there are a lot of decisions to be made. I think Kyle Boller will bolt out of town after this season. Steve McNair should retire after this season. Jonathan Ogden will probably retire. I think Ray Lewis will be back again. They will have a lot of holes to fill on defense. The run stop is there, but the pass rush and secondary needs help, so a gain of a couple decent cornerbacks would be a start. A free agent signing of a starting/backup QB will also be a goal, someone to carry the reigns while Troy Smith is growing into the NFL game. A couple offensive line man who can actually block someone wouldn’t hurt. But that is the the season, until then, Miami here we come.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, December 11th, 2007 at 12:51 am and is filed under Mike Zoran, Ravens Roost Writer Articles / Opinions. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.