News broke Monday afternoon that Troy Smith has requested to be traded after this season. One problem with this trade demand coming now, the season isn’t over.
I understand that Smith wants to start, and he could probably be an adequate starter, but the Ravens’ season, at the latest, will go until February. All he had to do is keep quiet for a little longer while his team is making a playoff push. This information coming out now makes him look like a selfish player. Coming out of Ohio State there were rumblings that Smith was selfish, but he has been a good soldier up until now in his career.
Last season, when Baltimore drafted Joe Flacco in the first round the writing should have been on the wall for Smith. Even had he started in 2008, he was going to be a backup to a franchise quarterback for at least a year.The plan, of course, was for Smith to start in 2008 until he got sick and then Flacco was probably going to take over this season. Unfortunately for Smith, things didn’t work out that way and Flacco has seized the starting job for the foreseeable future.
Baltimore is luck enough, however, to have a veteran team that won’t let Smith’s outburst distract them. Smith will still be used in the offense if need be and will still be a valuable player going forward. I can imagine the Ravens trading him for a mid-round pick to at least one team.
The NFL team that I see most likely to make a run at Smith is the Oakland Raiders. The Raiders have basically conceded that Jamarcus Russell is a bust. Smith could be a fit for Oakland as he is athletic and fast. Al Davis loves those skills in players and Smith could fit that mold. Davis also is always willing to give up draft picks for players he thinks might improve his team. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Smith land here.
One of the only other teams that I can see Smith being dealt to is the Seattle Seahawks. Matt Hasselbeck is getting older and Seneca Wallace isn’t the answer. Smith is just as athletic as Wallace, if not more so, and would be a great fit for the West Coast offense.
One team I’m positive Smith won’t be traded to is the Cleveland Browns. Smith is an Ohio native, but the Ravens likely won’t deal one of their own players within the division.
It will be interesting to see how this storyline develops throughout the offseason, but I think general manager Ozzie Newsome will get decent value for a player of Smith’s caliber.
Agreed!! I don’t see why Smith had to speak up now all of a sudden instead of waiting it out until the season was over. Not that it’ll shake up the team much if at all, but still…doesn’t make him look too good. Understandable he’s upset not to be getting starting playing time, but come on…with Flacco in there you can’t expect to be getting much time!! No need to be taking Flacco out while he’s dominating just to appease the wants of another player.