One of the undercurrents felt from the Ravens' visit to Gillette Stadium was the support in the team's locker room for Troy Smith to be the team's starting quarterback on opening day. Linebacker Ray Lewis, in particular, is privately lobbying for Smith - the former Heisman Trophy winner from Ohio State - to take the reins over Kyle Boller and 2008 first-round draft choice Joe Flacco. http://www.boston.com/sports/football/articles/2008/08/10/getting_down_to_brass_tacks/?page=4
Smith may be the only option they have. Boller was tried and found wanting, and Flacco's a rookie. At least Smith looked pretty good towards the end of last year. There's some basis for justifying him as the starter.