OWINGS MILLS, Md.--Once hated and jeered, Kyle Boller is now being feted and cheered.

Two years after being unceremoniously displaced as the Baltimore Ravens' starting quarterback, Boller is again in charge of running the offense. He worked with the first team at practice yesterday and will seek to rejuvenate Baltimore's stagnant offense Sunday against the Cleveland Browns.

"Back in the saddle, man," Boller said. "It's a great opportunity. It's going to be fun to get back out there with my guys and put a nice game plan together."

Boller stepped into the starting position as a rookie in 2003 and maintained the job through 2005, even though the fans in Baltimore often booed his turnovers and uneven performance. After the Ravens went 6-10 in 2005, the team traded for Steve McNair and immediately gave him the starting job.

With McNair leading the way, Baltimore went 13-3 last season. This year, however, the 34-year-old McNair is nursing an injured left shoulder and out for two or three weeks.