On Tuesday, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell addressed the 2007 draft picks at the rookie symposium in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. Goodell stressed the league's new stance on the players' behavior.
According to ESPN, Troy Smith, former Ohio State quarterback, asked the commissioner why he tends to focus on the negative things in the NFL. ESPN says Goodell tried to dodge the question.
"You didn't answer my question," Smith said.
Smith, the last pick of the 5th round in the draft, showed the same kind of leadership that led OSU to the National Championship game and earned Smith the Heisman Trophy. Smith will have to show more than just leadership if he wants to make the Baltimore Ravens' squad, let alone replace Kyle Boller as the next backup quarterback.
The Ravens currently have five quarterbacks on the roster: Steve McNair, Kyle Boller, Drew Olson and rookie Cullen Finnerty. With McNair and Boller likely to remain the starter and backup respectfully, that leaves Olson, Smith and Finnerty to compete for one or two jobs, depending on whether the Ravens want to keep one QB on the practice squad.
Olson was the third-string quarterback a year ago and will most likely be the favorite to win the job heading into camp. Both Olson and Finnerty are more prototypical quarterbacks in size. Olson's best qualities are his strong arm and knowledge of offense. Don't write off Finnerty stealing the spot from both Smith and Olson; he led Grand Valley State to three Division II National Titles in his four years as a starter. Smith will have to rely on his mobility and his ability to make good decisions, not to mention the leadership skills that he must continue to show if he wants to play in the NFL come fall.
Jeffrey Symonds can be reached at Symonds.6@osu.edu.
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