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QB Troy Smith (2006 Heisman Trophy Winner)

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ESPN - An open letter to Troy Smith - AFC North
An open letter to Troy Smith
August 13, 2008 11:30 AM
Posted by ESPN.com's James Walker
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Jim Rogash/Getty Images Troy Smith will get the start at quarterback for Baltimore on Saturday against Minnesota. Dear Troy Smith,
It's James Walker in Cleveland, your hometown. I'm not the letter-writing type but this is a special occasion. I want to make sure you understand the importance of this weekend's events and let this message sink in the next couple days.

You are the starting quarterback of the Baltimore Ravens in Saturday's second preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings. I'm sure you probably know that by now.

But what you don't know, Troy, is this is biggest game to date in your football career.

I know it's just the preseason. I understand that you played in regular-season games before with Baltimore. I also know that you played in big games at Ohio State. But hear me out on this.

Saturday is about claiming a starting job in the NFL long term. This isn't a fill-in situation. You're no longer a Band-Aid. This is a golden opportunity that you've never had in your professional career.

This is an exhibition game for everybody except Troy Smith. Trust me on this one, OK?

The Ravens' coaching staff desperately wants someone to step up in this three-way quarterback race. The unknown is only intriguing in small doses. Eventually it becomes cumbersome and creates fear, and the Ravens are nearing that point as the regular season approaches on Sept. 7.

But you can erase three weeks of doubt and so-so practices with one lights-out performance this weekend against the Vikings' starting defense. Look what one preseason game has done for Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay.

Like Rodgers, let the coaches know that Troy Smith wants this job. Show the players that you can lead them. Don't turn the ball over and score some points for goodness sakes.

Kyle Boller represents much of the past offensive struggles in Baltimore. Rookie Joe Flacco, in many ways, is the team's future.

But there is a huge void waiting for Troy Smith to become Baltimore's quarterback of the present. You entered this competition as the favorite, and now it's time to start playing that way.

Not many people get an opportunity to become a starting quarterback in the NFL. So it's up to you, Troy, to seize this moment.

It starts Saturday night.
Sincerely,​
James Walker​
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matcar;1229749; said:
Seems like a fine article to me....not sure why you're a toady about it.
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it seemed over the top to me....James seems lik a nice guy, I've heard him on the radio. I just think it's funny a sports writer is writing an open letter to Troy about how important this next exhibition game is.

A simple article on its importance would have been suffice, IMO.
 
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meaning?

I think the article is meant to show the writer's personal investment, or attachment, to Troy's success. I feel something of the sort... I really really hope that Troy shows them all what he can do, defeating the "NFL Heisman curse" in the process.

I'll grant you the article was a little dramatic but this thread certainly has its share of dramatic words from Troy supporters.

Troy WILL show them, too. He's not only a quarterback, he's a point guard, too, and he knows how to lead a team.

And by the way, the writer is wrong if he believes this is Troy's last chance for NFL success. If he doesn't make it in Baltimore, it could be somewhere else. I'd love to see him in the Midwest, in fact, just so I could see him play more often. Minnesota? Da Bears? How about the Jets next year after another emotional Favre farewell??

Big game tonight!
 
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UpNorthBuckeye;1229862; said:
I think the article is meant to show the writer's personal investment, or attachment, to Troy's success. I feel something of the sort... I really really hope that Troy shows them all what he can do, defeating the "NFL Heisman curse" in the process.

I'll grant you the article was a little dramatic but this thread certainly has its share of dramatic words from Troy supporters.

Troy WILL show them, too. He's not only a quarterback, he's a point guard, too, and he knows how to lead a team.

And by the way, the writer is wrong if he believes this is Troy's last chance for NFL success. If he doesn't make it in Baltimore, it could be somewhere else. I'd love to see him in the Midwest, in fact, just so I could see him play more often. Minnesota? Da Bears? How about the Jets next year after another emotional Favre farewell??

Big game tonight!
Click to expand...

Interesting connection there. I too feel like Troy is a bit like a PG out there. Hopefully he'll keep his focus strong and show what he's capable of.
 
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Mark Clayton apparently trying to work out some stick-um to solve his problem with dropping passes from Troy ...

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(Sun photo by Doug Kapustin / August 13, 2008)
Ravens receiver Mark Clayton, left, discusses pass routes with quarterback Troy Smith during training camp at McDaniel College.
 
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