Former Ravens quarterback Troy Smith released by Pittsburgh Steelers

Former Ravens quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith has been released by the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to the team's official Twitter account.

The former Ohio State star signed with Pittsburgh in January after spending last year in the United Football League, playing for the Omaha Nighthawks.

Smith was drafted by the Ravens in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL Draft, and after throwing 89 passes in three seasons in Baltimore, the team released him just before the start of the 2010 season. At that point, Joe Flacco was entering his third consecutive season as the starter and the team signed veteran Marc Bulger to be his backup, so the Ravens decided to part ways with the Cleveland native.

Smith has played 20 games in his career, which featured a year-long stop in San Francisco in 2010. He has tossed eight touchdowns and five interceptions and thrown for 1,734 yards at a 51.7 completion percentage since entering the league more than half a decade ago.

The 27-year-old, despite his accomplishments at the collegiate level, didn't receive high praise from NFL scouts entering the 2007 NFL Draft because of his height. The 6-foot Smith never gained any traction in the NFL and has mostly bounced around as a backup during his five-year career.

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