Player Spotlight: Kyle Boller, Joe Flacco & Troy Smith (1 Viewer)

[Jason Wood]

2008 Player Spotlight Series

One of Footballguys best assets is our message board community. The Shark Pool is, in our view, the best place on the internet to discuss, debate and analyze all things fantasy football. In what's become an annual tradition, the Player Spotlight series is a key part of the preseason efforts. As many of you know, we consider the Player Spotlight threads the permanent record for analyzing the fantasy prospects of the player in question. Last year, we published more than 140 offensive spotlights covering the vast majority of expected skill position starters. This year will be no different.

Each week we will post a list of players to be discussed. Those threads will remain open for the entire preseason, and should be a central point to discussion expectations for the player in question. Importantly, analysis done in the first week of posting will be part of the permanent record in two ways. 1) At the end of the week, we will tally the projections into a consensus. 2) We will select a number of pull quotes from forum contributors who make a compelling statement or observation. Both the projections and pull quotes will be part of a published article on the main website.

Thread Topic: Kyle Boller, Joe Flacco & Troy Smith, QBs, Baltimore Ravens

Player Page Link: Kyle Boller Player Page

Player Page Link: Troy Smith Player Page

Player Page Link: Joe Flacco Player Page

Each article will include:

Detailed viewpoint from a Footballguys staff member
Highlighted member commentary from the message board threads
FBG Projections
Consensus Member ProjectionsThe Rules

In order for this thread to provide maximum value, we ask that you follow a few simple guidelines:

Focus commentary on the player in question, and your expectations for said player
Back up your expectations in whatever manner you deem appropriate; avoid posts that simply say "I hate him" or "He's the best"
To be included in the final synopsis and consensus outlook, you MUST provide projections for the playerProjections should include (at a minimum):

For QBs: Passing Yards, Passing TDs, Ints, Rush Yards, Rush TDs
For RBs: Rushes, Rushing Yards, Rush TDs, Receptions, Receiving Yards, Receiving TDs
For WRs & TEs: Receptions, Receiving Yards, Receiving TDsNow let's get on with the conversation! We look forward to your contributions and let me offer a personal thanks in anticipation of the great debate and analysis.

 

[Jason Wood]

Note, unlike a normal Spotlight, this is a group discussion. Feel free to discuss projections and outlook for all the players or just one; just let it reflect how you think the Ravens season will go.

Although I'll save my comments for later, you can see from my rankings and projections on the site that I expect Troy Smith to start the majority of the season [i expect Boller to be released if Flacco signs early and practices well]. But I wouldn't bet my house on it, and camp will play a huge role in how this thing shakes out.

 

[Duckboy]

Wow, no comments here?

While not a complete dead zone, I expect that the Ravens will be primarily a run-oriented team, Cam effect not withstanding. Flacco is the future, but I doubt they throw him to the wolves to start the year. He's been signed which is good as he will get the practice time. Troy starts the year, with Boller in the mix for a bit; once they are out of it, it will be time to see what the rookie can do. That means no one gets enough to be even draftable in redraft.

Smith: 135/210, 1315 yds, 7 TDs/6 INTs, 25/137 rush - QB32

Flacco: 101/185, 1225 yds, 5 TDs/7 INTs, 12/25 rush - QB34

Boller: 45/80, 525 yds, 3 TDs/5 INTs, 6/15 rush - QB46

Bleh all around. Flacco should be a decent option in dynasty but an avoid in redrafts.

 

[The Man with the Plan]

If one of these guys ever panned out the Ravens QB could be a legit fantasy option in 2008. This team has offensive weapons in Derrick Mason, Mark Clayton, Todd Heap, and Willis McGahee along with an offensive coordinator in Cam Cameron who knows what to do with them. Keep an eye on this situation in training camp.

 

[fun-b]

I was unaware Mark Clayton is a weapon.

 

[Iwannabeacowboybaby!]

Baltimore is possibly the worst passing team heading into the season and what's worse, you don't even know for sure who there starting quarterback is going to be. Most fantasy football owners don't really care too much, because if you're stuck starting one of these guys, most likely you're team is in big trouble. Still, there are some formats where you start 2 QB's or Survivor Leagues where having a starter on the roster and getting a chance to take anyone's top week is always helpful, so trying to figure out who's going to get the majority of snaps is a good thing.

Kyle Boller has had his chances. The Ravens know what Boller can bring, and it isn't much. He knows their system but to me he's the last resort unless Troy Smith gets hurt early which leaves Flacco not ready then you'd insert Boller.

I like Troy Smith to start. I thought he looked decent at the end of last season. He did make some strides from what I saw earlier last season, which was horrific. I was actually kind of amazed that he was able to play pretty good, something I can't say about Kyle Boller. How good can Smith be? I'm not really sure, I don't think the Ravens know for sure but they did draft a QB high in the draft which leads me to believe they are banking on him.

Joe Flacco is hopefully the future. If the Ravens are a poor team, expect to see him later in the year. In a talented AFC, there's no reason to rush this guy along this year, the Ravens aren't going anywhere.

Troy Smith 2000 yards passing 10 td 10 int

Kyle Boller 400 yards passing 3 td's 5 int's

Joe Flacco 550 yards passing 2 td's and 4 int's

 

[Andy Herron]

As my posts in other threads would attest, I'm a pretty firm believer in Troy Smith this year. If he can win the starting role in training camp and the preseason, which he should, I can see him playing further into the season than most think.

Reason being, nobody in the AFC North is going to run away with the division. Aside from the head-to-head matchups, they also have to play the NFC East and AFC South. The two toughest divisions in the league. I don't think Baltimore will be ruled out until at least late November or early December. Given that Smith stays healthy, I think he can put up some respectable numbers. Certainly not QB1 consideration, but in given weeks a respectable QB2 or bye week fill-in. He's smarter with the football than the projections thus far would indicate in regards to the TD/Int ratio.

I can see something more like 60% completion rate for 2600 yards. 16 TDs, 7 Ints. 250 yrds. rushing, 3 TDs.

 

[The Man with the Plan]

I was unaware Mark Clayton is a weapon.

He nearly had 1000 yards the season before last before being hurt last season. Now you know.

 

[Jon_Moore]

Positives: In Mason Baltimore has one of the best pairs of hands and best route runners in the league. Clayton and Williams both provide the athletic play making ability. Heap is one of the best tight ends in the league if he's healthy. The running game should be considerably improved as Cam Cameron is great at getting the maximum out of his running backs. AND they finally got rid of Brian Billick, maybe they'll have a passing game. Smith had 2 very respectable games at the end of the season.

Troy Smith is small, with average talent at best, Boller has really proven he's a bust, and has virtually no shot at playing other than injury, and Flacco is a rookie that's done nothing.

Smith--playing 8 Games

135/232

1531 Yards

11 TDs

8 INTs

34 Rushes

168 Yards

1 TD

Flacco---6 games

102/186

1264 Yards

5 TDs

7 INTs

16 Rushes

20 Yards

1 TD

Boller--2 games

30/55

335 Yards

1 TD

2 INTs

4 Rushes

14 Yards

-------------------------

267/473

3130 Yards

17 TDs

17 INTs

 

[abishagenaden]

I was unaware Mark Clayton is was a weapon.

He nearly had 1000 yards the season before last before being hurt last season. Now you know.