I love the NFL. It is by far, hands down, the best sport on TV. I can’t wait for Sundays in the fall. I am obsessed with fantasy football. I REALLY love the Ravens. I even enjoy watching the NFL draft.
Last season the Ravens had a disappointing season finishing 5-11. One of the bright spots about that finish is that now in 2008 they have higher draft picks. The Ravens haven’t had a top 10 draft pick since Terrell Suggs was taken #10 in 2003. This year the team had the #8 overall selection.
The Ravens have a big need for help in the secondary. McAlister had some health issue last season and Rolle is just plain old. They also need some help on the offensive line. J.O. will retire and there isn’t a true left tackle on the roster. Of course the biggest need is for a franchise QB. McNair retired, Troy Smith is too small, and Boller just sucks.
There was one player that I hoped the Ravens would go after. Being a University of Delaware alumni, I had been hoping for weeks that the Ravens would draft Joe Flacco.
After weeks of speculation and numerous mock drafts, 3:00pm Sunday 4/26 finally arrived. I fired up the big screen and set up the PIP. ESPNHD on one screen and NFL Network HD on the other. I switched back and forth between the two telecasts all day.
So here was the scenario. Matt Ryan was the highest rated QB on the board. There was a chance that he would fall to the Ravens at #8. Instead, the Falcons took him with the the #3 pick. That brought up an interesting scenario. #8 was too high to select Flacco, but he probably wouldn’t be available when the Ravens selected again in the second round.
When the #8 pick finally arrived the Ravens traded down with Jacksonville to the #26 slot. I knew right then that Flacco was going to be the pick. Now the question was, did they drop too low. Another team could trade in above the Ravens and steal Flacco from us.
Finally when the #18 pick arrived, the Ravens traded back up and selected Flacco. To say that I’m jazzed is a understatement. This guy is going to be the next Ben Rothlisberger. He is going to be the franchise QB that the Ravens have been searching for.
So the second round finally rolls along and the Ravens have a high pick. Admittedly, I’m getting a little burnt out on the draft by this point, but I have to see who we take, then I’d probably turn it off. So of course, the Ravens trade down again. This time down to the #55 pick. Time to get something to eat, this may take a while.
I was hoping the Ravens would pick a CB in the second round. Justin King from Penn State was still available and he would have been a great fit. Instead they took Ray Rice out of Rutgers.
Now don’t get me wrong, Ray Rice is a great player. He was actually a Heisman candidate, but we don’t really need another running back. McGahee is a pro-bowler and Musa Smith is a good backup. I guess they know more than I do.
The good thing though is that with all these trades and moving down in draft slots, the Ravens picked up a couple 3rd round picks and another 4th rounder. Maybe King will be available in the 3rd round tomorrow morning and Ozzie will look like a genius again.
All I care about right now is that we got Flacco. I think I may head over to NFL.com right now and pre-order my new Joe Flacco authentic Ravens jersey.
I was on Yahoo and found your blog. Read a few of your other posts. Good work. I am looking forward to reading more from you in the future.
Tom Stanley