Prior to the acquisition of Steve McNair via a trade with the Tennessee Titans, any discussion about the potential for the future success of the Baltimore Ravens had to include a comment on the productivity, or lack thereof from the quarterback position. We’ve all seen the parade march through our town; from Jim Harbaugh to Scott Mitchell, to Stoney Case, to Tony Banks, to Trent Dilfer, to Elvis Grbac, to Jeff Blake to Chris Redman, to the chosen one, Kyle Boller.

Kyle Boller represents the most continuity that Ravens fans have seen at the position since Vincenzo Testaverde, yet most believe that he is incapable of leading his team to the playoffs and beyond. Many think that the Ravens would finish no better than 8-8 had Steve McNair not been ushered into town. We have all heard about Boller’s poor mechanics; the over-coaching (too many voices in his head); the fact that he hasn’t had the opportunity to serve as an understudy to a proven veteran; all excuses for a young man that many purple clad fans consider a failure.

Yet some of us, the author included love his toughness, his leadership potential, his ability to take ever mounting abuse from the media and fans of the team; and most of all his accountability. I can’t recall ever hearing Kyle Boller criticize the play or effort of any of his teammates. However, I can remember him diving after fumbles, blocking for his teammates, and generally playing the game in a fearless manner, with the grit and determination that we in Baltimore love to rally around. Who can forget the humility he expressed after a mostly horrendous performance in Denver last year?

He blamed no one but himself!

So why can’t we rally around Kyle Boller?  Why is it that the ugly side of a few morons calling themselves fans of the team found it appropriate to applaud his injury in last year’s opener against the Indy Irsays?

Perhaps the mounting impatience results from what we have seen in New England where Tom Brady, a sixth round draft choice sports 3 Super Bowl rings.  Or perhaps we collectively envy Pittsburgh, where Big Ben won his first 15 starts and now has a Super Bowl ring of his own to go along with his almost perfect first season in the Show.

Why can’t we have one of those here in Bawlmer?

The natives are restless!

Consequently, one could argue that Kyle Boller is approaching a crossroads in his NFL career. Despite the fact that Steve McNair will be the starting quarterback, we know from past experience throughout the NFL that the back-up will see action at some point in the season. Rarely do we see the starting quarterback take every snap of the season. Like it or not, Kyle Boller will play in 2006 and if the Ravens aspire to make the play-offs, Kyle Boller must play well.

But can he?  Can he rise to the challenge and play well when called upon?

If we look at the numbers, we can draw some likely conclusions.

	Boller	Manning	Hasselbeck	Green	Favre	McNair	Avg.
# Games	36	32	61	39	31	32
Comp.	545	657	456	719	620	345	557
Attempts	981	1,108	769	1,272	993	638	960
Yards	5,618	7,874	5,243	9,287	6,350	4,431	6,497
CMP %	55.6	59.3	59.3	56.5	62.4	54.1	58.0
YPA	5.73	7.11	6.82	7.30	6.58	6.95	6.77
TD	31	52	24	56	37	23	37
INT	32	43	18	40	37	18	31
Sacked	75	36	65	63	64	46	58

The statistics reflected in the chart above are intended to reveal a comparison of Kyle Boller’s first 36 games to those of his peers early in their respective NFL careers – all of whom have gone on to play in the Pro Bowl. These statistics and the conclusions drawn from them would lead one to believe that Kyle Boller is more likely on his way out of the league, and that a trip to Hawaii is not in the cards for him.

Boller’s yardage, completion percentage, yards per attempt and touchdowns are all well below the average of the group. Note also that he has been sacked significantly more than the average of the group and twice as often as Peyton Manning was sacked. Granted, Manning has one of, if not the quickest releases in the league but we can also conclude that Kyle Boller has not always been well protected by his much-maligned offensive line. Also, his relatively low yards per attempt and below average number of touchdown passes support an increasingly popular opinion that Kyle Boller throws a poor deep ball. Too often his long tosses lead his receivers out of bounds.

Is this an area that he can improve upon, or is it a skill that he just doesn’t possess?

Throwing the ball from the 50 yard line from one’s knees through the goal posts doesn’t guarantee accuracy downfield in the NFL.  The fact is, rarely are Boller’s deep balls on target.

	Boller	Unitas	Jones	Elway	Bradshaw	Aikman	Avg.
# Games	36	34	33	42	41	38
Comp.	545	418	389	664	433	618	511
Attempts	981	762	722	1,244	899	1,055	944
Yards	5,618	6,055	4,632	8,152	5,556	7,082	6,183
CMP %	55.6	54.9	53.9	53.4	48.2	58.6	54.2
YPA	5.73	7.95	6.42	6.55	6.18	6.71	6.55
TD	31	52	30	47	31	31	37
INT	32	34	32	52	58	46	42
Sacked	75	*	88	90	87	90	86

* Sacks as a static were not recorded in 1956-1958.

The statistics in this chart may provide some hope for fans of Kyle Boller. The NFL game has obviously changed since many of these players have retired, however at this point in his career, Kyle Boller has thrown the least number of interceptions, along with Bert Jones and has been sacked the least number of times versus the selected group. While his yardage per attempt is the lowest of this particular sample, his completion percentage is higher than all except Troy Aikman.

Kyle Boller’s future with the Ravens and in the NFL is unclear at this point.  Yet as fans of the team, we should stand firmly behind this young man who gives 150% effort and possesses the high character and accountability that we would want our children to acquire as they grow. Here’s to seeing the glass half full and hoping that we fondly remember Kyle Boller the way we remember Bert Jones.

If he can lead his team to a last minute victory on the road against a playoff team similar to his win over Houston here last year, maybe more fans will jump on the Boller bandwagon and provide him with the support that he so richly deserves.