As the first chapter of rookie quarterback Joe Flacco’s career begins Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals, the book may be closed on the career of Kyle Boller in Baltimore.
The Ravens placed Boller, the 19th pick in the 2003 NFL Draft, on injured reserve Wednesday which ends his season after his right shoulder failed to respond to treatment. Boller injured his shoulder during the Ravens preseason game Aug. 16 against the Minnesota Vikings.
Placing Boller on injured reserve freed up a roster spot for the Ravens to sign veteran backup Todd Bouman, who agreed to a one-year deal this week. Bouman will be the backup with second-year quarterback Troy Smith still recovering from a tonsil infection. Bouman, 36, beat out Joey Harrington and Chris Simms, who also worked out for the team Monday.
“We thought he was the best fit for us,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “He’s been in the offense before. He had a good workout. The other guys had very good workouts, but we thought he was the best fit for us.”
Bouman is joining his sixth team since entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Minnesota Vikings. He has also played for the New Orleans Saints, Green Bay Packers, St. Louis Rams and Jacksonville Jaguars, who released him Aug. 30. He has thrown for 11 touchdowns, 11 interceptions and 1,683 yards in 42 career games.
“I’ve been in this situation for a lot of years,” Bouman said. “You’re one play away and have to prepare like you’re going to be the starter. You’ve got to be ready and if you’re not, then you’re foolish.”
Bouman said he has no problem coming in as a backup to Flacco, the 18th pick in this year’s draft out of the University of Delaware.
“Anything he asks, you try to give him some pointers regardless of what it might be,” Bouman said. “Whatever he asks or whatever I can think I can help him with, I’ll just help him along.”
As for Boller, who has thrown 45 touchdowns and 44 interceptions in his career, he is in the final year of his contract and is an unrestricted free agent after this season. With Flacco coming in this season and backup Troy Smith in his second season, Boller may have played for the Ravens for the last time.
Boller appeared to have a chance to regain the starting job this season with a steady training camp, although he failed to pull too far ahead of Smith during the preseason before getting hurt.
Although Boller never lived up to the lofty expectation placed upon him when the Ravens made him their starter as a rookie, receiver Derrick Mason said he was a great teammate and he feels bad his tenure in Baltimore is likely to end on a down note.
“Regardless of what everybody else says, I think the guy can play football,” Mason said. “To see him on IR now, and the hopes he had for playing this year, it’s sad to see.”
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