rexvol
The Minister of Defense
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- Apr 29, 2006
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Here are the initial QB rankings. Theyll be updated after the combine, which will be held from the 20th to the 26th in Indianapolis.
The Top 10
1. Matt Ryan, 6′5, 225, Boston College: Had a huge senior season despite not having any big-time talent around him. Has the total package that youre looking for in a franchise QB, from the strong arm to the poise under pressure. Not without his flaws, however - threw 19 interceptions in 2007. Thats something that hell need to cut down on. Then again, Brett Favre didnt get to where he is without taking a few risks.
2. Brian Brohm, 6′4, 225, Louisville: Was the #1 guy heading into 07, and while he didnt really do much to damage his standing, Ryan may have surpassed him because of his big year, and because Brohm has past injury issues that dont endear him too well to someone looking for a QB they want to pin the future of their team on. However, he made it through the entire 2007 season healthy, and thats a big plus.
3. Chad Henne, 6′3, 228, Michigan: The question mark about Henne is his poise and ability to handle pressure. But, he may have answered doubts about both of those by leading the Wolverines back from a late deficit in the Capital One Bowl against Florida, and then handling the pressure cooker of Senior Bowl week with a standout performance.
4. Joe Flacco, 6′6, 232, Delaware: The Matt Ryan of I-AA? Flacco is being touted as a potential late-first round selection. He didnt have a great game in the Senior Bowl itself, but the practice is what earns the most plaudits, and thats where he shined.
5. Andre Woodson, 6′4, 234, Kentucky: 7,224 yards, 71 touchdowns, and only 18 interceptions in the last two seasons. Was in contention to be the #1 guy, but thanks to a disappointing performance at the Senior Bowl, and Henne and Flacco both enjoying big weeks, Woodsons stock is dropping right now.
Just like an actor cant afford to miss his lines when auditioning for a big role, you cant afford to be off of your game when auditioning for a place in the first round of the draft. That was the case with Woodson, whose slow release also doesnt do him any favors. But, you dont put up those big numbers in the SEC for nothing, right? Right?
6. Erik Ainge, 6′5, 225, Tennessee: Reportedly had a up and down week of Senior Bowl practice, but posted good numbers in the Senior Bowl, going 13 of 21 for 159 yards in helping lead the South to a victory, off the heels of a strong finish to a solid senior season. Hes got tons of talent, but his inconsistencies - which showed during Senior Bowl practice - are what drop him below the first few guys for now. Looks like a late first-day guy, at best, but if he goes into the combine and stands out, he could very well jump.
7. John David Booty, 6′2, 213, USC: Hes taken his fair share of criticism, but then again, when you follow Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart, youre going to be under quite the microscope, and expectations are going to be very, very high. He did have his struggles throughout his two years as a starter, but two conference championships and Rose Bowl wins certainly isnt too shabby. Booty acquitted himself quite well at the Senior Bowl, and is in late first-day range heading into the combine. Like Ainge, hes a guy that could really jump if he stands out at the combine.
8. Josh Johnson, 6′3, 198, San Diego: Johnsons only real knock is his frame. He jumped into first-day status with an MVP performance at the Shrine Bowl, and at the latest, stands to be an early second-day guy. If QB doesnt work out, he could certainly be a receiver, with his size and speed.
9. Colt Brennan, 6′2, 185, Hawaii: Brennan is extremely accurate, that much we know. But, arm strength and size are his downfall. He could very well drop into the late rounds after looking a sure early-rounder for quite a while.
10. Kevin OConnell, 6′6, 235, San Diego St.: Didnt play for a very successful program at San Diego St., but had a solid senior year (3,063 yards, 15 TD, 8 INT, 408 rushing yards, 11 TD). Very mobile for his size (timed in the sub 4.6 range). Had an impressive showing in the Hula Bowl, throwing for 147 yards and a score. Late-rounder at this point.
The Top 10
1. Matt Ryan, 6′5, 225, Boston College: Had a huge senior season despite not having any big-time talent around him. Has the total package that youre looking for in a franchise QB, from the strong arm to the poise under pressure. Not without his flaws, however - threw 19 interceptions in 2007. Thats something that hell need to cut down on. Then again, Brett Favre didnt get to where he is without taking a few risks.
2. Brian Brohm, 6′4, 225, Louisville: Was the #1 guy heading into 07, and while he didnt really do much to damage his standing, Ryan may have surpassed him because of his big year, and because Brohm has past injury issues that dont endear him too well to someone looking for a QB they want to pin the future of their team on. However, he made it through the entire 2007 season healthy, and thats a big plus.
3. Chad Henne, 6′3, 228, Michigan: The question mark about Henne is his poise and ability to handle pressure. But, he may have answered doubts about both of those by leading the Wolverines back from a late deficit in the Capital One Bowl against Florida, and then handling the pressure cooker of Senior Bowl week with a standout performance.
4. Joe Flacco, 6′6, 232, Delaware: The Matt Ryan of I-AA? Flacco is being touted as a potential late-first round selection. He didnt have a great game in the Senior Bowl itself, but the practice is what earns the most plaudits, and thats where he shined.
5. Andre Woodson, 6′4, 234, Kentucky: 7,224 yards, 71 touchdowns, and only 18 interceptions in the last two seasons. Was in contention to be the #1 guy, but thanks to a disappointing performance at the Senior Bowl, and Henne and Flacco both enjoying big weeks, Woodsons stock is dropping right now.
Just like an actor cant afford to miss his lines when auditioning for a big role, you cant afford to be off of your game when auditioning for a place in the first round of the draft. That was the case with Woodson, whose slow release also doesnt do him any favors. But, you dont put up those big numbers in the SEC for nothing, right? Right?
6. Erik Ainge, 6′5, 225, Tennessee: Reportedly had a up and down week of Senior Bowl practice, but posted good numbers in the Senior Bowl, going 13 of 21 for 159 yards in helping lead the South to a victory, off the heels of a strong finish to a solid senior season. Hes got tons of talent, but his inconsistencies - which showed during Senior Bowl practice - are what drop him below the first few guys for now. Looks like a late first-day guy, at best, but if he goes into the combine and stands out, he could very well jump.
7. John David Booty, 6′2, 213, USC: Hes taken his fair share of criticism, but then again, when you follow Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart, youre going to be under quite the microscope, and expectations are going to be very, very high. He did have his struggles throughout his two years as a starter, but two conference championships and Rose Bowl wins certainly isnt too shabby. Booty acquitted himself quite well at the Senior Bowl, and is in late first-day range heading into the combine. Like Ainge, hes a guy that could really jump if he stands out at the combine.
8. Josh Johnson, 6′3, 198, San Diego: Johnsons only real knock is his frame. He jumped into first-day status with an MVP performance at the Shrine Bowl, and at the latest, stands to be an early second-day guy. If QB doesnt work out, he could certainly be a receiver, with his size and speed.
9. Colt Brennan, 6′2, 185, Hawaii: Brennan is extremely accurate, that much we know. But, arm strength and size are his downfall. He could very well drop into the late rounds after looking a sure early-rounder for quite a while.
10. Kevin OConnell, 6′6, 235, San Diego St.: Didnt play for a very successful program at San Diego St., but had a solid senior year (3,063 yards, 15 TD, 8 INT, 408 rushing yards, 11 TD). Very mobile for his size (timed in the sub 4.6 range). Had an impressive showing in the Hula Bowl, throwing for 147 yards and a score. Late-rounder at this point.
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