Football picks - Betting Troy Smith does the job in Baltimore
Week 1 of the NFL regular season is approaching, so fans who bet sports online are already preparing for NFL betting in their sportsbook. One of the biggest questions about an NFL team heading into the season is the quarterback situation, which can be the biggest indicator of a team's potential success or failure.
The Baltimore Ravens (+7500 Super Bowl odds) have a lot of thinking to do about who will line up under center. After spending a top draft pick on Joe Flacco, the quarterback of the future seems to be in place. The NFL has two prevailing theories about young quarterbacks, though, neither of which have been proven more true than the other: let him sit and watch, digesting everything before he steps onto the field, or start him early and often, letting him take his lumps.
Baltimore seems to be using the latter philosophy, as Troy Smith is emerging as the favorite to win the job. Of course, Smith isn't exactly a grizzled veteran. The Heisman Trophy winner is entering his second year as a pro with just three starts under his belt. Those three starts were modest, as Smith connected on 40 of 76 passes for 452 yards, two scores and no interceptions.
Regardless, we think the Ravens are making a good gamble for now. Despite being a fifth-round pick, Smith does have talent and intangibles. His accuracy?the pivot's biggest weakness heading into the NFL? has reportedly improved over the offseason. His arm is strong enough, and Smith also brings excellent scrambling skills to the table. He'll be able to rip off huge gains when the Ravens spread the field, and he'll also need to bail himself out of trouble fairly often; the offensive line isn't particularly strong, especially after the retirement of Jonathan Ogden.
Besides his accuracy issues, Smith is most often criticized for his height, or lack thereof. At just a shade under six feet, he doesn't have prototypical NFL quarterback size. But that hasn't slowed one of the league's best in Drew Brees, who is just a hair taller than Smith (though, admittedly, “Cool Brees” is also one of the league's most pin-point passers).
Word out of minicamp is Smith has made great strides in his leadership skills. That means he'll grow more confident quickly. We wouldn't bet on a Pro Bowl season from Smith, but he certainly possess the juice to start for a season. At worst, he holds the fort until Flacco takes over. At best, Smith plays very well and the Ravens wind up with a pleasant problem on their hands similar to the Cleveland Browns with Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn: which talented quarterback do you go with?
For all your NFL betting tips and information this season check out BetOnline.com. We'll give you all you need to handicap Weel 1 of teh NFL regular season.
Blake walked onto his college football team and had a brief stint as an assistant coach after he graduated. He brings a sharp mind to the world of sports handicapping. Blake understands the nuances of the game that only someone who has played would understand, and he was one of the few who gave the Giants a chance against the Patriots in Super Bowl XLII. Thoughts or questions?
