By Camille Powell
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, November 18, 2007

When Kyle Boller steps onto the field inside M&T Bank Stadium today as the starting quarterback of the Baltimore Ravens, he said he won't be thinking about what the game might mean for his career. Instead, he will be focused exclusively on the task immediately at hand: Helping the Ravens end a three-game losing streak and leading an offense that has struggled to produce big plays and touchdowns.

But Boller's long-term future could be affected by his present. Beginning with today's game against the Cleveland Browns, Boller is expected to start the next two or three games in place of Steve McNair, who is sidelined with a partially dislocated left (non-throwing) shoulder. Coach Brian Billick has said if Boller plays well, then the former first-round draft pick turned backup could remain the starter even after McNair is healthy.

"I really don't try and think too much ahead," Boller said. "I just like to take it one day at a time, and we're playing the Cleveland Browns this week, and that's all that's on my mind. To go out there and prepare and do everything we can to try and beat a great Cleveland team that's playing very well. We've got to get back on track."

The Ravens (4-5) are having one of their worst seasons in terms of divisional play; they are currently 0-4 against AFC North opponents. Since the AFC North began play in 2002, Baltimore has never finished with fewer than two division wins.

As much as Baltimore's offense has struggled this season, it has been especially ineffective and self-destructive in division play. In the four games, the Ravens' offense has accounted for four touchdowns and 15 turnovers, 12 of which were committed by Baltimore quarterbacks.

The AFC North, without question, is home to some of the NFL's top young quarterbacks. Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger, 25, has won a Super Bowl and is currently the second-rated quarterback in the league (110.2 rating, 22 touchdowns, 7 interceptions), behind New England's Tom Brady. Cincinnati's Carson Palmer, 27, is a former No. 1 draft pick, and though his team is having a subpar season, he still has a rating of 91.1 and 16 touchdown passes.

Even Cleveland (5-4) seems to have found a proficient quarterback in former Raven Derek Anderson, 24; he has thrown for 20 touchdowns and nine interceptions, and has a rating of 90.7, 11th best in the NFL. The Browns also have highly touted rookie Brady Quinn.

But the Ravens haven't gotten much from either of their quarterbacks this season; Boller and McNair rank 24th and 25th, respectively, in terms of passer rating and have combined for five touchdown passes.

McNair, who signed a five-year contract with the Ravens in June 2006, was never intended to be a long-term solution for the Ravens. But his struggles this season (his 13th in the NFL) coupled with his injuries (groin, back, shoulder) have led some to wonder how much longer McNair has left in the league. Billick was asked this week if he thinks McNair will start again for Baltimore.

"That's a question I really can't answer," Billick said. "Only time will tell that. I know that my admiration for Steve McNair, the champion he's been, the toughness, the professionalism is something that I will continue to value."

Boller, who signed a one-year contract extension earlier in this season, now has a chance to show he can be more than a capable reserve. He was uneven as Baltimore's full-time starter from 2003-05; he had an 18-16 record, but he threw more interceptions (32) than touchdowns (31), and also fumbled 28 times (14 of which were lost).

Boller seems to have matured since becoming McNair's backup last season. He thrived in five relief appearances in 2006 and has led the Ravens to three wins (one in relief) this year. In his three starts, he is completing 61.4 percent of his passes (compared to his career percentage of 55.8), and he has three touchdown passes and one interception.

He's said several times over the past two seasons that the game has slowed down for him, and veteran tackle Jonathan Ogden also noted Boller "sees the field better, [and] he sees it faster." Boller continues to focus on improving his footwork, something that has plagued him in the past. His main focus today is avoiding turnovers.

"You guys knew I'd say that, but it's just a matter of going out there and just executing," Boller said. "We can do anything that any other team does. It's just a matter of penalties and not forcing the ball in certain situations; a punt's not that bad of a thing. Just little things and just taking it one play at a time, get that rhythm going, get that confidence back and know we can establish and put together some really good drives."

Ravens Notes: McNair (shoulder), cornerback Samari Rolle (undisclosed illness), wide receiver Demetrius Williams (ankle), safety Gerome Sapp (thigh) and tight end Daniel Wilcox (foot) are out. Tight end Todd Heap, who reinjured his hamstring in last week's loss to the Steelers, did not practice all week and is listed as questionable. Cornerback Chris McAlister (knee) also is questionable.