Troy Smith

It’s always nice to have a “good problem” when you’re looking at your football roster. While many UFL teams can struggle to find one player to fill a starting position, there are others who have the luxury of having multiple players that can start on any given game day.

Just last season, the Las Vegas Locomotives had the exact same luxury, and it led to their second championship in as many years. When Tim Rattay went down for the year with an injury and Drew Willy wasn’t producing in the regular season, Chase Clement was ready to take over the quarterback position. His athleticism and calm demeanor were key in the Locos’ victory over Florida in the championship game.

The Omaha Nighthawks now have a talented cast of quarterbacks on their team, and with the addition of former Baltimore Raven Troy Smith, they arguably have the most athletic group of quarterbacks in the United Football League.

Smith is coming off of a four-year career in the NFL where he played with the Baltimore Ravens and most recently the San Francisco 49ers. He started eight games in the NFL and has thrown for over 1,700 yards in the process.

Combine that with his collegiate career where he won the Heisman Trophy in 2006, and it is obvious that he has the potential to become the starter in Omaha.

He has more NFL experience than any of the other quarterbacks on the roster, which would make one believe that he’s a shoe-in to be given the nod when the Nighthawks welcome the Virginia Destroyers at the season opener.

But some may disagree.

“I think you have forgotten about (Jeremiah) Masoli,” Matt Overton, the Nighthawks' long snapper told me. “This offense is Masoli’s bread and butter.”

The Nighthawks are looking to use an offensive system that capitalizes on the speed of their quarterbacks. Coach Joe Moglia wants the starting signal caller to be just as much a threat with his feet as he is with his arm.

Masoli fits that mold as well.

Masoli comes to the Nighthawks as an undrafted rookie free agent who set the single-season record for rushing yards by an Ole Miss quarterback in 2010 with 544 yards.

“Jeremiah has a unique skill set for the quarterback position and it fits with what we do on offense," General Manager Rick Mueller said when Masoli signed with the team. "He is a competitor and winner and we are excited to have him officially wearing a Nighthawk jersey.”

When looking at the quarterback depth chart, it’s hard to compare Masoli and Smith to the other QBs since there is a lack of recent game tape on the others. The two can easily be the front-runners for the starting position.

Although I’m sure many Cornhusker fans are hoping for Eric Crouch to emerge as the starter. Much like Denver Bronco fans are dying to see Tim Tebow start.

Not a knock on either guy. But the fans want him because he’s a fan favorite, not because he’s the best quarterback on the roster.

I believe it’s a two-man race in Omaha, which is still a good thing. If it were a three- or four-person race, it would be hard to split practice snaps between all of them. Matt Overton told me that all the quarterbacks are currently splitting reps in practice, but as we get closer to opening day I’d expect Masoli or Smith to start garnering the majority of them.

With Smith, you have a player who is coming directly from a pro-style camp into what many will believe is a spread offense. Obviously he’ll start behind the eight-ball since Masoli has been with the team throughout the offseason.

If you’re a Nighthawk fan, you must be happy to have such a talented and young team. The ‘Hawks are a complete opposite this season than they were just a year ago. Last season, they were starting a quarterback who was approaching the age of 40. This season they’ll start a young, mobile quarterback to hopefully bring some wins and excitement for Nighthawk Nation.

No matter who they pick to start, it’ll be interesting to see a mobile quarterback use a unorthodox offense in professional football.

The Miami Dolphins continue to beef up their offensive line depth, signing former Seattle Seahawks offensive tackle Ray Willis while releasing undrafted rookie tackle Micah Kia.

A borderline NFL prospect from UCLA, Kia lasted just three days on the roster after being signed by the team as a rookie free agent on Aug. 3.

Willis, who spent all of last season on injured reserve with a knee injury, will take Kia's No. 64 and will likely work at right tackle for the Dolphins. The team's roster remains at 82 players.

According to Adam Caplan, the Dolphins also worked out former Ravens and 49ers quarterback Troy Smith late this week, presumably around the same time they worked out Kevin O'Connell.

A former Heisman Trophy winner at Ohio State, Smith was selected by the Ravens in the fifth round in 2007 and spent three seasons with the team before being dealt to the 49ers. He started six games for San Francisco last season, throwing for 1,176 yards and five touchdowns with four interceptions.

Considering O'Connell was just signed yesterday, it seems unlikely the Dolphins will make the 27-year-old Smith an offer any time soon. If he were to be signed, he would likely compete for the third-string job with O'Connell or Pat Devlin.

Ray Willis

An Angelton, Texas. native, Willis started 35 games over his four-year collegiate career at Florida State, earning honorable mention All-ACC honors as a senior in 2004 while teaming with future first-round pick Alex Barron to form one of the nation's top tackle duos.

After being selected by the Seahawks in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL Draft, he spent much of his first two seasons inactive. He played in only six games as a rookie and just one in 2006, with no starts either season. A knee injury forced him to miss time in 2007; he appeared in only five games with zero starts.

Willis finally saw significant playing time in 2008, starting 10 of 16 games primarily at right tackle while allowing just 1.5 sacks on the season. In 2009, he started all 16 games at right tackle for the Seahawks, allowing six sacks.

After going arthroscopic knee surgery in August 2010, Willis was placed on season-ending injured reserve before the start of the regular season.

An unrestricted free agent in the 2011 offseason, the 28-year-old Willis expressed interest in playing closer to the state of Florida, where he attended college. He initially worked out for the Dolphins on Sunday, July 30.

Analysis

Dolphins fans may be growing tired of these underwhelming offensive line signings, but I actually like this addition and think it's a good move for the team.

The 6-foot-6, 304-pound Willis has plenty of NFL experience and held his own as a starter for the Seahawks in 2009 before missing last season due to injury. He's a powerful run blocker with good technique and the versatility to play both tackle positions as well as guard, although he is best suited for the right side.

Willis' durability is a bit of a concern and his athleticism and agility were already the weaker points of his game. However, he's still a borderline NFL starter and at worst profiles as a quality backup for the Dolphins.

For now, I'd expect Willis to work as Marc Colombo's primary backup at right tackle, given that Lydon Murtha has been tasked with replacing Jake Long (PUP) at left tackle in training camp. The move may also mean that Nate Garner will focus more on guard.

Willis isn't a lock to make the Dolphins' final roster, but he does possess the talent do so and could even challenge for the starting right tackle job down the line in a best-case scenario.

As always, check out the updated projected depth chart reflecting these transactions here.

Discuss this article on the forum here!

Chris J. Nelson majored in journalism at Georgia State University and currently works for Turner Sports in Atlanta. He operates his own Miami Dolphins website, The Miami Dolphins Spotlight, and he can be followed on Twitter here.

The Bengals are moving on without Carson Palmer and are content to let him sit out his four years if he wants too. The Browns have switched to a 4-3 defense and abandoned their attempts to be the Ravens and Steelers.  Available Buckeye players may be a great fit for both of those situations.

Vernon Gholston was a bust as a 3-4 hybrid linebacker but that does not mean he is a bust as an NFL player.  As a 4-3 defensive end Gholston could find his swagger playing in familiar territory. Gholston was a bust as a top 10 draft pick, but could be a steal as a cheap free agent. 

His physical presence and ability are undeniable, but not every hybrid can make the transition from having their hand in the dirt. If Vernon does not have to think and can be free to play instinctively he would be able to just react.

The worst case scenario: Cleveland pulls the trigger and he remains a bust. However, his price tag will make him the ultimate low risk/high reward acquisition.

In Cincinnati they are going to draft a quarterback to take the reins from Carson Palmer. Blaine Gabbert is going to be available early in the draft,  but he is still a spread quarterback. Gabbert has a lot to learn at the next level and no matter how good he is there will be an adjustment period. Troy Smith is sitting out there and is ready to play, why not take him?

Accuracy and all the knocks that came from  San Francisco about Troy Smith are unfair and almost ignorant.  How many quarterbacks come in as late as he did and can win a game? The mere fact that he was able to still win games, with only a quarter of the playbook and reps, is a testament to his ability.

He went two for six in starts this year which basically means he won half as many games as Carson Palmer did without half the knowledge of the offense.

People are knocking Smith's accuracy as he only completed 45 percent of his passes down the stretch, but he was out there playing on instinct alone. He was not familiar with the offense, nor was he familiar with the receivers. The Bengals were 4-12 with their high priced, in every camp with the same offense, first round draft pick out of USC. 

The 49ers went 6-12 with a dysfunctional team and head coach that could not make up his mind on who to start. Two of the wins the 49ers had were fourth quarter come-from-behind wins because of Troy Smith.

Troy Smith is a leader and that is one fact that cannot be disputed.  If the Bengals add Troy Smith then draft their future long term quarterback, they can be competitive this year.  Troy’s mobility would complement the Bengals developing o-line. 

Similar to when John Kitna was a starter and Carson Palmer was a back up, Troy can lead the team while the future QB learns.  Economically this makes all the sense in the world.

Troy Smith, like Vernon Gholston, can be added for little to no real compensation. Unlike Carson Palmer, he wants to play in Ohio. Sometimes homerism is warranted when it makes financial and situational sense.

Financially the Brown family is not looking to spend a lot of money and need a stop-gap if they draft a QB. Smith is better than both quarterbacks currently on the roster. With cost not being a factor there is no reason not to give Troy Smith a chance to succeed in his home state.

I have a question for the foolish faction of the 49er Faithful who finally spit out the Kool-Aid when Mike Singletary got fired last week.

Do you still want winners? 

The team has now missed the playoffs for the eighth consecutive year, going 45-82 (.354) during that stretch.  Despite their efforts, Patrick Willis and Frank Gore’s best years are going to waste.

Wait, I have a second question.

Do you still believe that Jed York is going to seriously consider uncle Eddie DeBartolo's blueprint on how to successfully run a professional football franchise? 

With a sweetheart stadium deal in place after exploiting the residents of Santa Clara, and profit margins on the up-and-up thanks to season ticket sales and merchandising revenue, there is no incentive for neither Jed nor his father John to change their ways.

In short, Niner fans, you've been enablers.  And it's time to stand up for yourselves.

A FOREGONE CONCLUSION

With in-house Trent Baalke all but a formality to be hired as the new general manager (and on the cheap, might I add), I think I can tell you the Yorks' next move.

To paraphrase Rick Pitino, Jon Gruden's not coming through that door.  You can forget about Bill Cowher, too.

Rather, they're going to pin their hopes on Stanford’s Jim Harbaugh and cross their fingers.  Brian Billick would seem like a logical backup option, but do the Yorks want the guy who gave them both Mike Nolan and Singletary?  Never mind that he’s won a Super Bowl. 

Public perception has often trumped actual results for this regime.  Maybe I'm wrong, but past history will indicate otherwise.

In all honesty, Harbaugh is actually the right hire (and this is coming from a Cal alum, so you know I’ve laid my biases to rest). 

But even then, if the "Compassionate and Cruel One" were offered the job, would he (or anyone competent/sane) want to work for an ownership group so rash and unstable that they would illogically fire their coach with only one game left in the year?   

I do not see the purpose behind Singletary’s exit except to temporarily appease the incensed fans foaming at the mouths for blood.  With the team already eliminated from playoff contention once again, I doubt that seven more days of Round Two between Samurai Mike and Troy Smith would change the complexion of the team’s immediate and long-term future.  

The terrifying prospect of sending out sixth-year, $35 million bust Alex Smith to fail in the fourth quarter one last time wouldn’t add further substantial damage to an already embattled franchise. 

If anything, the abrupt dismissal served as a chilling message to any potential candidates brave enough to take the opening, one reminiscent of the ramifications of stealing someone else’s girlfriend--if she did it for you, she can do it to you. 

Even the legendary DeBartolo, who was known for breaking a few household appliances after losses and almost fired Bill Walsh himself after one such outing, exhibited the poise and foresight to wait until the end of a trying season to make changes in personnel.

Who can forget his reply to a reporter’s inquiry regarding ineffective offensive coordinator Marc Trestman after the 1996 playoff blowout loss to Green Bay?

“He’s gone.  Next question.”

Now that was an owner.  The five Super Bowl rings, 13 division titles and 16 playoff berths prove it. 

Speaking of empirical evidence, if the 2008 Democrats (or to a lesser extent, the 2010 Tea Party) can serve as a template, there is nothing a united front of Niner fans can't achieve.  So what can be done?

A CALL TO ACTION

You can show the Yorks what you think about their "leadership" by giving up your season tickets and watching the games through other channels instead.  Nothing like an empty stadium for an owner to suffer public ridicule from the media.  And if you're not going to do that, then you need to come out in full force with signs or attire that reflect your disgust, as well as organized chants directed at ownership so that they come out loud and clear, especially on a national broadcast.  The Sunday Night Football game against the Eagles this year was a prime example.

You can stop pumping millions of dollars in revenue into their less-than-accountable pockets by boycotting the team store.  Get your merchandise from other fans on eBay, or if you’ve been a real fan all these years, stick with what you’ve got until the Yorks prove to you that they are deserving of your money.

You can flood the front office and voice your displeasure with phone calls, e-mails and a Miracle on 34th Street-sized bounty of letters.  If you want to show the Yorks they are out of touch with the 49er Faithful, then let them know en masse.  They’re not going to care if they can count the correspondence with one hand.

In sum, you can force the Yorks to change.  You can flip the script and make them bend at your will, instead of the other way around.  Niner fans, you can take your franchise back.

Until then, get ready for more of the same.