With The First Pick In The 2008 NFL Draft….
Posted by RaleighWatson on April 7, 2008
Who will be the first pick in the NFL Draft? Honestly, nobody knows. This is the first time in a few years in which we have a draft with so many potential #1 picks. Personally, I believe the Dolphins should choose between two players: Chris Long and Matt Ryan.
Chris Long is a guarantee at the next level. He provides great versatility and explosiveness coming off the edge, and will immediately contribute as a dominant pass-rusher. His dad is a fellow by the name of Howie Long…so I think he also has gene structure in his favor. Nevertheless, my personal pick would be Matt Ryan. Though he will likely go to Atlanta, Baltimore, or Kansas City I believe Miami should take him with the first pick. Matt Ryan has every component needed to be an elite NFL quarterback. He seems to have the needed swagger that inspires people around him to play at a higher level. Like many analysts say about Ryan, he just has “it.” There are also two more logical reasons why Ryan is the perfect fit for the Dolphins:
1. Josh McCown and John Beck are Miami’s top two quarterbacks. Oh I forgot…a guy named Casey Bramlet from Wyoming is third on their depth chart. Does anyone truly believe any of those three players can lead Miami to the playoffs…or much less a winning record. Last I checked, Bill Parcells likes to not only make the playoffs, but also win in the playoffs. To achieve that you must have a talented and strong-minded quarterback. So far, John Beck has not looked close to where he needs to be as an NFL quarterback.
2. Miami’s fan base is tired of watching their team lose. The Dolphins need to create some excitement for their fans and their players. They need to create some anticipation for the future…maybe sell-out some games or sell some jerseys. Is there even one player on the Dolphins roster that creates revenue for the franchise? Do kids ask for Josh McCown jerseys for Christmas? They have Ronnie Brown…thats it! I love Ernest Wilford, but did you know he is the #1 wide receiver on their depth chart? In addition, do you think a defensive player or an offensive lineman (both whose names will be “Long”) will create the kind of excitement and hope the Dolphins fans are looking for? I think I know the answer to that question. Let Matt Ryan be the savior…I believe he has what it takes to handle the pressure.
Summary
I don’t know if Matt Ryan will go to the Dolphins, but I doubt he would disappoint their fans. He reminds me of a young Tom Brady because of his body-type and mental toughness. Regardless of what happens, Parcells has his hands full in Miami. Though he has put together some pieces by adding a big receiver in Ernest Wilford and a veteran safety in Chris Crocker, there are many pieces of the pie still missing. If I had to guess, I would say that Parcells will elect to trade down on draft day to avoid having to pay the guaranteed $30 million that goes along with having the #1 pick. Much of Parcells decision on draft day is up to John Beck. If Parcells believes Beck has a future in Miami, there is no chance he will draft Ryan. In addition, keep your eye out for Chad Henne. Apparently, the Dolphins are very interested in drafting Henne in a later round with plans on developing him into their quarterback of the future.
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April 7th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
Before you post this about the quarterbacks at Miami maybe you should watch some practices. I know Bramlet, he has been with Cinci, Wash and Atlanta and by the way won the World Bowl and was the MVP to boot. He is the only one to win on a professional level. Now I know what they say about NFL Europe but it is fairly close to the NFL excepting speed. Bramlet has the arm strength, size, speed etc. Why don’t you watch him practice and play before rendering an opinion.
April 7th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
Oh and by the way talking about Parcells, where do you think Romo came from? What do you think the Dallas fans thought of him in camp, wasn’t drafted by Dallas.
April 7th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
Mike, I know about Casey Bramlet. The point was that they have no big names on their offensive roster. Also, I do like his size at 6′4, 220 lbs, but their must be deficiencies in his game if he could not make the Falcons permanent roster in 2007. The Falcons had possibly the worst quarterback play in the league last year. I will give you this…Parcells has a great eye for talent. However, for every Tony Romo there is a million other guys who just can’t seem to catch a break or turn the corner. There is no doubt Bramlet is a great athlete. He was great quarterback in college and he did well in NFL Europa. Your point is well taken. Thanks for the comment.
April 7th, 2008 at 8:52 pm
Raleigh,
The deal at Atlanta was wierd at best. The coach was not doing well and had a lot of pressure for a black QB after the Vick thing, Leftwich showed up. He is not a good QB but Bramlet was cut because of it. He was on the roster the first three weeks and if he had stayed probably would have played and we would not be having this conversation right now. I know there a lots of guy like him trying to break into the NFL. I just hope he gets a fair look and the coaches are not hung up on the highest draft pick like Beck or other. The camps will be starting after the draft, if your there let me know how all the QBs look.
thanx for the response.
Mike
April 8th, 2008 at 11:07 am
[...] http://skinnymoose.com/football/index.php/2008/04/07/with-the-first-pick-in-the-2008-nfl-draft/Josh McCown and John Beck are Miami’s top two quarterbacks. Oh I forgot…a guy named Casey Bramlet from Wyoming is third on their depth chart. Does anyone truly believe any of those three players can lead Miami to the playoffs…or much … [...]
April 8th, 2008 at 5:08 pm