There’s scuttlebutt in Baltimore that, even though rookie first-round quarterback Joe Flacco ready to hit the ground running from the start of training camp, Flacco won’t be the starter to start the season.

Instead, the grapevine is pointing to 2006 Heisman winner Troy Smith, a fifth-round pick in 2007 who saw very limited action as a rookie.

As we hear it, there are concerns that the offensive line isn’t ready to protect the signal-caller on a consistent basis, and that the team doesn’t want to expose Flacco to a consistent pounding.

Still, the risk is that, if Smith plays well and the team is in the hunt for the playoffs come November, the Ravens could find themselves in a Browns-style pickle, with Smith playing the role of Derek Anderson and Flacco starring as Brady Quinn.

So we think the better approach is to get Flacco ready, and to let him play, sooner rather than later.