BEREA — The Ravens spoiled the surprise.
If they would’ve waited another week, they could’ve sprung Troy Smith on an unsuspecting Browns defense in his Cleveland homecoming. Instead, Smith made his debut as a “slash” option Sunday in a 29-10 win over the Raiders.
He joined starting quarterback Joe Flacco on the field for a handful of snaps, running three times for 13 yards, executing the option and throwing a beautiful 43-yard pass to Flacco.
While it gives the Browns something extra to worry about in their matchup with Baltimore on Sunday, it also gives them a chance to prepare.
“At least you have a plan devised,” coach Romeo Crennel said. “When you haven’t talked about it and haven’t worked on it and all of a sudden there it is, it hits you in the face and now you don’t know how you’re going to play the quarterback, you don’t know how you’re going to play the pitch and there’s some indecision on guys’ parts. Against a talent and ability like him, if you’re indecisive, he can be past you before you can make a decision.”
Smith is a Cleveland native and graduated from Glenville High School. He won the Heisman Trophy at Ohio State and was drafted by the Ravens last year in the fifth round. He started two games as a rookie, throwing two touchdowns and no interceptions.
Smith was in line to be the starting quarterback this season, but was hospitalized with a serious infection that began in his tonsils. Rookie Joe Flacco stepped in, played well and earned the starting job for the rest of the season. Smith slowly regained his health, then got his first playing time last week.
“He’s healthy now and he’s ready to roll and we want to make sure that we use him,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said.
While many teams have developed specialty packages to use the unique talents of a player – Joshua Cribbs in Cleveland, Brad Smith with the Jets, Miami’s “Wildcat” offense with Ronnie Brown – rarely does an NFL quarterback run the option like Smith did against Oakland.
“We need to make sure we just try to contain him,” cornerback Brandon McDonald said. “I’ll be responsible for the pitch and there’ll be eyes on the quarterback. I don’t think it’s going to benefit them much against our defense.”
Crennel, who called Smith an X-factor, said there’s a reason the option is usually saved for Saturday afternoons in places like Tuscaloosa, Ala., and Lincoln, Neb.
“The quarterback position is a valuable position in this league and you don’t want to expose him unnecessarily,” Crennel said. “And when you run the option, you expose the quarterback, because he gets hit, even if he doesn’t have the ball. And some of those hits can be pretty violent.”
Defensive end Shaun Smith said he isn’t licking his chops, but a spot of drool was spotted on his chin.
“It’s a chance to get a free lick in, a chance to hit the quarterback without worrying about a fine,” Smith said.
Ravens offensive coordinator Cam Cameron, who designed the package for Smith, acknowledged the risk — “We’re not going to overcook this thing,” he said — but the reward is an energized offense and the chance for big plays.
“You’ve got to put the guy in because he’s so good at what he does,” Ravens receiver Derrick Mason said. “The package is good for him, the package is good for us. I don’t know what we’re going to do this week with Troy, but I’m pretty sure Troy will get his opportunity.”
Smith is confident his big chance will come eventually and that he’ll make the most of it.
“I had to sit back and watch things grow to become the player that I wanted to be,” he told the Baltimore Sun. “And obviously that player became the best player in college football. Everyone has to understand their niche, and I totally understand mine here.
“Some things will happen (where) I’m needed, and when I’m needed, you’ll get that player out of me. But until then, I’ll be helping whomever needs help within the offense to become a better player.”
Contact Scott Petrak at 329-7253 or spetrak@chroniclet.com.

NEXT UP

WHO: Cleveland vs. Baltimore
WHEN: Sunday, 1 p.m.
WHERE: Cleveland Browns Stadium
TV/RADIO: Channel 19; WMMS 100.7-FM, WTAM 1100-AM

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