Smith fails to seize Ravens' QB job in loss to Vikings

BALTIMORE - Troy Smith didn't seize control in the Baltimore Ravens' quarterback duel, nor did he relinquish his toehold in a competition that remains unresolved.

Instead of staking an unquestioned claim on the job, Smith was upstaged by the electrifying runs of rookie running back Ray Rice during a 23-15 loss to the Minnesota Vikings last night at M&T Bank Stadium.

The former Heisman Trophy winner had a few positive moments, though, displaying his trademark elusiveness and making the most of a few opportunities to throw.

Smith completed 3 of 5 passes for 25 yards and was sacked twice by Vikings blue-chip defensive end Jared Allen for a 33.3 quarterback rating.

"It felt pretty good, but there were definitely some situations where we could've done better," Smith said. "That's what the preseason is all about, where you go out there and keep learning. You make those mistakes and you iron them out. Then, you come out stronger in the regular season."

The lone interception Smith threw clearly wasn't his fault as wide receiver Mark Clayton allowed the football to glance off his body and into the waiting hands of veteran Viking safety Darren Sharper.

The turnover marred an otherwise clean showing by the first-string offense. Smith was a split-second late on a deep sideline throw to wide receiver Yamon Figurs as Sharper closed on the late pass and unloaded on Figurs to break up the play.

The former Ohio State star was crushed by Allen when left offensive tackle Chad Slaughter was overwhelmed on a classic bull-rush by Allen.

"We have to help the quarterback move," coach John Harbaugh said. "If the ball is in your catching zone, you have to catch it. Troy didn't get a lot of snaps in the first half, but he handled things well and his escapability is good. You were able to see that."

Smith's mobility is superior to the Ravens' other quarterbacks.

He rushed for 35 yards on three carries, including an 18-yard sprint for a first down.

"We didn't protect the quarterback the way we have to," offensive coordinator Cam Cameron said. "Troy did make some plays with his legs. He has a knack for that."

Mostly, though, Smith was relegated to handing off to Rice as he dashed away from the Vikings' pursuit for 71 yards and a touchdown on seven carries in the first half.

Starting in place of injured running back Willis McGahee after he recently underwent arthroscopic left knee surgery, the former Rutgers star broke free for a 42-yard sideline burst behind crushing blocks from guards Marshal Yanda and Ben Grubbs and center Jason Brown.

"We were able to establish the run early," Rice said. "We still have miles to go and we have to put pieces together. Once Willis gets back, we'll totally have our running game put together, but I like the progress we made and I hope we can build on that."

Smith reeled off a 10-yard scramble to position Rice for a game-tying score during the first quarter.

Darting behind offensive tackle Chad Slaughter and tight end Adam Bergen, Rice busted into the end zone on a six-yard touchdown run.

"We ran the ball well early in the game," Cameron said. "Ray found a little rhythm and the line did a nice job."

That score tied the game after the Ravens seemed to have a communications breakdown in the secondary during the Vikings' opening drive.

Even before Vikings quarterback Tavaris Jackson's 35-yard touchdown pass settled into the hands of Vikings wide receiver Martin Nance, cornerback Fabian Washington began pointing toward safety Dawan Landry after being beaten on the play.

With six starters sidelined on defense due to injuries, including cornerbacks Chris McAlister and Samari Rolle and free safety Ed Reed, the defense looked disjointed.

They allowed 104 passing yards in the first quarter compared to the Ravens' seven on a waggle pass from Smith to Bergen.

"That wasn't Ravens defense," defensive coordinator Rex Ryan said. "Our communication from the coaches and on the field wasn't what it should be. You can put that on me. We didn't contain the quarterback, and that can't happen."

Jackson completed 7 of 11 passes for 82 yards and one touchdown pass.

He also eluded the Ravens' pass rush with his quick feet before leaving the game with a minor right knee injury after an open-field hit from outside linebacker Antwan Barnes.

"We didn't stop them and a lot of that came from Jackson scrambling," Harbaugh said.

The Vikings repeatedly targeted new cornerback Frank Walker, who struggled to stay with his man and locate the football in the air.

Gus Frerotte replaced Jackson and lobbed a 32-yard pass behind Walker to Nance in the second quarter.

Five plays later, Frerotte was able to easily find Robert Ferguson in the corner of the end zone several steps ahead of cornerback Corey Ivy.