LANDOVER - Maybe now we can kill this quarterback controversy until later in the season.
Put a lid on it, padlock it and hide it under the bed for a while.
As much as we have hyped this controversy, as much as Ravens coach Brian Billick wants rookie quarterback Kyle Boller in the starting lineup, as much as ownership wants to see him on the field because it has invested so much money, the kid isn't ready.
So, let's nip it. Please, no more.
There are many more pressing issues for this team than finding a replacement for incumbent quarterback Chris Redman, like establishing a running game, finding a defensive lineman who can pressure the quarterback, getting a return specialist, and finding a competent right side of the offensive line.
Wait a minute, there's one more thing: Ravens defensive backs need to go through tackling drills this week.
It all sounds harsh, but that's what preseason is about, finding weaknesses and correcting them. And last night against the Washington Redskins, most of the Ravens' weaknesses were exposed, including Boller.
"I was a little too excited at first," Boller said. "I was trying to guide the ball and made some mistakes. I was more comfortable after a couple of series and settled down. The game slowed and got easier as it went on."
Boller may be the quarterback of the future, but he shouldn't be the starting quarterback in the regular-season opener when the Ravens go into Heinz Field against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
It's understandable why Billick wanted to give Boller a shot with the first team for the entire first half last night. Expose him to a bit of the big time. Let him get out some jitters. You could easily see that Boller, a first-round pick out of California in April, was nervous playing at FedEx Field.
But imagine what it's going to be like Sept. 7 on the road in Pittsburgh. The place is going to be filled and rocking. All those Steelers crazies will be out waving those stupid yellow towels. The intensity will be turned up several levels from the preseason, and Boller will be going against one of the best defenses in the league in hiding blitzes.
Don't do it to the kid, Brian. He may be traumatized for life, and may never recover.
Boller really looked like a rookie last night. He completed 14 of 20 passes for 101 yards playing the first two quarters, but most of those came on the Ravens' last possession of the half when the Redskins were giving the Ravens underneath freebies.
