Courtesy of Frank Coyle - draftinsiders.com
QB Matt Ryan Favorite for #1 Overall Pick in NFL Draft '08
The Miami Dolphins theoretically are on the clock for the 2008 NFL Draft, and don’t be surprised if they select Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan with the top overall choice.
Ryan was the nation’s most improved player this season, and his performance caused him to move up on draft boards. He ranks among the top three prospects in this class, and he is a player the Dolphins have begun exploring strongly.
In late December, Miami started a new era under the direction of Bill Parcells, who was hired as head of football operations. Parcells hired Jeff Ireland – who had been Dallas’ vice president of college and pro scouting – as his general manager, and they and new coach Tony Sparano have begun to prepare for the draft and free agency.
Miami has had a revolving door at quarterback since the retirement of Dan Marino. Numerous veterans, including Daunte Culpepper and A.J. Feeley, have come up short. Ryan has all the skills – mentally and physically – that the position demands.
Boston College finished 11-3 this season with a good group of players, but the Eagles certainly were not a top-10 club in terms of talent. Ryan was the difference.
Can he take his team downfield with the game on the line and get them in the end zone? See the regular-season game at Virginia Tech.
Ryan has the “It” factor. He takes every other player up a level.
His fast rise up the charts to a possible No. 1 overall selection led to him bypassing the Senior Bowl, the premier all-star contest for pro prospects. Instead, he will prepare for the NFL Combine and for Boston College’s pro day.
The Dolphins will make a decision on veteran quarterback Trent Green during the offseason. It’s possible he’ll return as a stop-gap starter, or he could fill the veteran backup role.
John Beck, taken in the second round last season, showed little in limited playing time late in the season. Beck still could figure into Miami’s long-term plans, but he certainly is not the short-term answer, especially with Parcells on the scene.
Parcells has used first-round selections on quarterbacks such as Drew Bledsoe and Chad Pennington, and Bledsoe was the starter as a rookie. Ryan has the level of development to surpass Bledsoe’s first-year performance (49.9 completion percentage, 2,494 yards, 15 touchdowns, 15 interceptions for New England in 1993).
The top three prospects in the draft are Ryan, LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey and Arkansas running back Darren McFadden. Parcells and Ireland also probably will be enamored with Dorsey, who can be a difference-maker, and McFadden, who certainly should make an impact as a rookie.
But Ryan is the prospect who can help the Dolphins back to respectability – and the playoffs – the soonest. He also may be the best long-term prospect in this draft, and he plays the game’s most important position.
There still is a long way to go before the first selection is made in April, but Parcells already may have found his man.
1 comment:
"Parcells has used first-round selections on quarterbacks such as Drew Bledsoe and Chad Pennington, and Bledsoe was the starter as a rookie. Ryan has the level of development to surpass Bledsoe’s first-year performance (49.9 completion percentage, 2,494 yards, 15 touchdowns, 15 interceptions for New England in 1993)."
This is one of the most asinine observations that I have read in a long time. I think that writers need to look back at last years draft to see that John Beck was also highly touted because of his strong college numbers, which are better than Ryan's, and his "it" factor.
To give up on Beck now would be a big mistake. Hopefully Parcels will see Beck's strengths and not give in to the nonsense of drafting another rookie QB. Shore up the offensive line and improve the defense. Do that, John Beck will do just fine as will the Dolphins.
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