A lot of people on this post including Prisco are going to be eating crow. Flacco is a big boy with a big arm and he'll be the man in a few years. Ryan is overrated and he along with Brohm and Henne will be good but the 3 will be no better than Flacco. This just shows why Mel Kiper Jr. is on TV live at the draft and Prisco is just another loser hack who can't do any better than be on a free website.
It's not that Ryan is overrated, its is the fact that a #3 selection was a little high for him. I don't see why you are hating on him if you are a Raven fan because you would be slobbering right now if he fell to you. We needed a QB and obviously we didn't want a Patrino boy in Brohm and didn't want to take Flacco. You guys have bigger needs at LT and CB and now you have to settle with mediocre players there because you decided to take Flacco above his actual projection. You could have snagged him in the second with less money; Right now it seems like a bad move but I don't think so because I too am a fan of the Ravens and I think it could go either way right now. They also said Boller had a huge arm and look at where that got him. Although I do agree with you on Prisco because I called more picks than he did coming into the draft.
Prisco hit it on the head in my opinion, this guy reminds me of Boller all over again except that he played LESSER competition than Kyle. Strong arms are great but look at the greats like Kyle Boller, Jeff George, Rex Grossman, etc. I'll take the guy with more between his ears like Brian Brohm. Green Bay scored a coup!
Not sure he would have fallen. Insiders were saying that the Texans got two trade-up offers to get Joe Flacco and others right behind them said the same thing. There were a lot of teams interested in him, and while they didn't let on to it leading up to the draft, he was #2 on most team's boards, right behind Matt Ryan. The comparison to Ben Roethlisberger is very appropriate they say, with a bigger arm. The thing they liked most was his accuracy. He puts the ball exactly where it needs to be for his receivers to make plays. Only 5 INTs this season. Compared with 19 for Ryan.
NFL Network was gushing over this pick this morning, and most of the ESPN guys liked it too, except for the placement at 18. The guys who actually watch film on these players (Prisco, you listening?) say he's ready in every aspect, except for experience on the big stage. His adaptability, intellect and feel for the game are off the charts they say. Time will always tell, hopefully they don't throw him into the fire too quickly.
Flacco is definitely a tools guy, but he also is DIAA no matter how you slice it. Matt Ryan is the best QB prospect in the country. He sees the field better , makes all the NFL throws, can stretch the field, makes very good adjustments, and is overall a smarter player hence third. He will help the Falcons right away, he has the pocket presence and leadership skills NFL teams covet.
lets not forget Flacco was recruited by a large amount of D1 schools and actually attended Pitt before getting frustrated and transfer to a place he could play immediately. There have been plenty of QB's who have been drafted from small schools with success. In addition, don't you think with the track records of the Ravens with 8 ProBowl picks taken in the first round and the Boller issue, they would be looking at the intangibles? Boller could have been or may be an outstanding QB if he could ever address his confidence and mental approach to the game...Troy smith has all of these skills, but not the size...
I watched Flacco lose to Villanova in the last regular season game of the year and he did not stand above the competition in Division 1-AA, so how in the hell is he going to make it at this level. He does have skills, but he has never even practiced against the level of player there is in the NFL.
The last player from 1-AA who really got it done was Steve McNair, and he actually proved it on and off the field. I think Prisco is right (for once) This guy is the Kyle Boller.
He will be this years 1st round bust. Overhyped, overvalued and soon to be overpaid.
How many games of Flacco's did you see to think he will be so great? I am sure Kiper and McShay have seen every single throw this guy made but i doubt, I am sure you will correct me if I am wrong, that you have seen more than the Senior bowl or a couple of You Tube bits!! If he was that good and if he was any kind of competitor and leader he would have taken the job from Tyler Frickin Palko at Pitt rather than tuck his tail and run to Delaware!!! Again, that was Delaware!!!!
tampabayship, perhaps you forget Tyler Palko's sophmore season. he led PITT to the big east championship and set the record for most passing touchdowns by an opponent at notre dame. he could throw it and run over defenders. palko regressed his last 2 seasons after Walt Harris left and wanny took over with a different offense. palko was so good he made a top 10 qb recruit (Anthony Morelli) decommit from PITT and forced flacco to transfer to get playing time. even dan fricking marino wouldn't have taken palko's spot.
