"I'm telling you, as the head coach of the Baltimore Ravens, there is never, will never be, a quarterback controversy. If I change quarterbacks every week, there won't be a controversy. It will be a calculated, analytical approach on my part ... but there won't be a controversy."
- Brian Billick, August 1999
So, OK, no quarterback controversy. Never. Scratch quarterback controversy. Don't mention it this season.
In the brief life of the Baltimore Ravens, their quarterback roster has included Vinny Testaverde, Jim Harbaugh, Eric Zeier, Scott Mitchell, Stoney Case, Tony Banks, Randall Cunningham, Trent Dilfer, Elvis Grbac, Chris Redman and Jeff Blake. In his fourth season with the Ravens, Billick in on his seventh quarterback. But there's never been a quarterback controversy. Never will be.
The Ravens open their season tomorrow against Carolina, with Chris Redman the starting quarterback. Billick has gone on record that Redman is their guy, their man, their quarterback. Listen, who doesn't want Chris Redman to be the next Johnny Unitas or anything remotely close?
Yet, with the win-fast-then-faster nature of football, the quarterback position seems more untenable than ever (See: Steve Spurrier's offense). If Redman consistently fails to be productive, Billick might well make a calculated and analytical decision to bring in Jeff Blake. But it won't be like one of those quarterback controversies.
But what fun is that? I say the Ravens haven't had enough quarterbacks or nearly enough controversy. A new quarterback every week could be delightful. Think of the new story lines if Billick would simply pencil in a different quarterback for each week of the regular season:
Sept. 8, at Carolina: Pivotal season opener for Ravens, as first-year starter Chris Redman debuts.
Sept. 15, Tampa Bay: Pivotal home opener for Ravens, as first-game back-up Jeff Blake becomes starter in second game.
Sept. 30, Denver: Pivotal seventh-season first meeting against Broncos, with second-game starter Jeff Blake to be replaced by third-string quarterback Dave Zastudil, the starting punter.
Oct. 6, at Cleveland: Pivotal televised Sunday night game, as the Ravens start Troy Aikman, former Dallas Cowboy quarterback and broadcaster, who replaces a struggling Zastudil. "Aikman is our quarterback," Billick announces.
Oct. 13, at Indianapolis: Pivotal non-televised Sunday night game, as the Ravens bench Aikman for former Cowboy quarterback Steve Pelluer.
