Ravens QB job still wide open

Don't read too much into Kyle Boller being named the starting quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens' preseason opener Thursday against the New England Patriots.

There is still no leader in the clubhouse.

After more than two weeks of practices and evaluation, neither Boller, Troy Smith nor rookie Joe Flacco has separated from one another in this three-way quarterback race.

The competition, so far, has been underwhelming. So Ravens head coach John Harbaugh told reporters after practice Tuesday that Boller was given "a nod to experience and seniority."

Note the missing key word of "performance," which in a perfect world is what the coaching staff is looking for when they determine a starter for the first regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Although it may happen eventually, Harbaugh noted last week that none of his quarterbacks are standing out in that category.

If all things are even, Boller deserves the nod for the first preseason game. He has more than 40 career starts under his belt and has worked with the first team more often in game situations.

But this doesn't mean that Smith and Flacco are falling behind in the race. Far from it, in fact.