Here’s a motto Ravens fans live by: when in doubt, blame it on Kyle Boller.
Back in the 2003 draft, the Ravens selected Boller with the 19th overall pick. The Ravens were so high on the QB out of California (probably because they saw how far he could throw the ball from his knees) that they traded their second round pick in 2003 and first round pick in 2004 to the New England Patriots to get him.
As Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com points out, the Pats used that first round pick in ’04 to draft Vince Wilfork, now a four-time Pro Bowler.
Wilfork registered 74 tackles and two interceptions this season. He leads the Patriots with 2.5 sacks and three quarterback hits during the postseason.
Boller finished his career in Baltimore with a 20-22 record and more interceptions than touchdowns.
Thanks a lot Kyle.
Boller was the start of the “Ravens PR Machine” at work.
A little history lesson noveau Ravens fans…Boller was drafted ONLY after Ozzie Newsome got a busy signal with the Vikings with whom he had a trade worked out where the Ravens planned to draft Byron Leftwich. In sheer PR genius, for which the Ravens have been now nationally recognized, the Ravens quickly spun it that it was OK, Kyle Boller was the guy Head Coach Brian Billick wanted all along. Pure Genius on the Ravens’ PR staff’s part as they had just spent a first round pick on their “second choice” in Boller. BUT, to quickly retort with “this is the guy our head coach wanted anyway” was sheer genius. Now eventually, Boller proved to be a collasal dud, but at least in the interim, the Ravens’ PR Staff spun the negative – losing Leftwich (also proved to be a dud), into a positive in saying “Oh, well. Boller was the guy our head coach wanted, anyway.”
Wake up guys. Stop buying into EVERYTHING the Ravens’ PR Staff puts out there. Use your noggins.
Boller wasn’t provided with a line that could pass block, or receivers who could catch (other than Heap.) J.O. could run block and pass block, but he was about it. Play calling for him wasn’t exactly great, either.
Even so, had he been brought in to replace McNair and his weak arm for the second half of the 2006 playoff game vs. the Irsays, he could have won that game. The defense would have had to worry about deep throws, not a worry with McNair.
People , this was an example of what Ozzie does behind the scene,,,,,,it is not all pretty and it is not all good , the man is not what you think he is………you have been hoodwinked people……….
Lets be honest here: Kyle Boller kept the Ravens out of several super bowls. DRafting is not one of Ozzie’s strong suits , he is more lucky then good.