The Ravens held a backup quarterback derby on Thursday and the winner was Curtis Painter.
Painter, Kyle Boller and Dennis Dixon all worked out for the team and the Ravens announced Thursday afternoon that they have signed Painter to a one-year deal. When it was announced Boller would be working out for the team that made him a 2003 first round pick, many wondered if history would (should?) stop him from getting the job. As it turns out, they were looking at the wrong history.
Painter started eight games for the Colts last season and their head coach at the time was Jim Caldwell. Caldwell is now the quarterbacks coach for the Ravens and his familiarity with Painter might have helped make the deal happen. It could have simply been a better workout, of course, but it was likely something other than Painter’s 0-8 run as the Colts’ quarterback last season.
Painter probably isn’t guaranteed a spot on the final roster. The Ravens have carried just two quarterbacks the last couple of seasons and Tyrod Taylor will still have the inside track on the backup job this summer.