Moving the Chains

Ravens links: Virginia Tech WR Justin Harper

2008-05-12T12:53:37Z

Time to wrap up Ravens links for the final two players the team selected in April's draft. We'll see what people think of Virginia Tech wide receiver Justin Harper today and check out links for Oklahoma running back Allen Patrick later this week.

Round 7 (215th overall): Virginia Tech WR Justin Harper

6 feet 4, 198 pounds

Here's what NFL.com says about this pick:

Harper has excellent size and speed, but he played only about half the snaps at Virginia Tech. He showed good hands at the combine.

Harper had 41 catches for 635 yards and five touchdowns last season with the Hokies.

A scouting report on NFLDraftCountdown.com from Scott Wright:

Strengths: Very good height and bulk...Has long arms...Excellent athleticism...Soft hands and he'll make the spectacular catch...Nice body control and ball skills...Terrific leaping ability...Strong and aggressive...Runs hard...Superb awareness..Has some upside.

Weaknesses: Timed speed is nothing to write home about..Not very quick or explosive and lacks a burst...Does not get a lot of separation...Drops too many balls...Not very elusive and won't do much after the catch...A sub par blocker..Never "The Guy" in college.

Here's what Scouts Inc. has to say about Harper:

Harper possesses the frame to add bulk and strength without losing too much speed and he has the tools and size to be effective at the next level with solid coaching and sound strength program. On the other hand, he is raw and is too easily neutralized by press coverage at this point so he projects as a seventh round pick.

SI.com's scouting report on Harper:

POSITIVES: Strong possession wide out with reliable hands. Works hard to get open, uses his frame to shield away defenders, and adjusts to the errant throw. Looks the pass in. Possesses a straight-line burst of speed, displays a sense of timing, and makes the difficult over-the-shoulder reception downfield. Physically defeats defenders and takes the big hit while holding onto the pass. Fearless and will extend or expose himself in a crowd to make the catch.

NEGATIVES: Marginal downfield blocker. Lacks the second gear and the ability to beat defenders in a foot race.

In a Q&A in The University Daily Kansan, we learn that Harper's favorite movie is Hoosiers, his favorite food is lasagne and Jay-Z was bumping on his IPod in the past year.

Not a lot of YouTube love for Harper. You can click on this link to see a video of his 84-yard punt return in the Orange Bowl, but I wouldn't click on it if you get sea-sick easily. The video's taken from a fan in the stands.

And finally, a breakdown from The Sun:

2007 statistics: 41 catches, 635 yards, five touchdowns.

Strengths: Has prototypical size and speed but needs to be able to run in pads. Might have finally realized his potential with big senior season.

Weaknesses: One-year wonder at Virginia Tech. Is he the 41-catch guy from his senior year or the one who barely registered his first three seasons?

Click here for links to other Ravens draft picks.

AFC North draft analysis: Cleveland Browns

2008-05-09T14:03:25Z

We will conclude our breakdown of how AFC North teams fared in the draft with a look at the Cleveland Browns.

A list of Cleveland's draft picks:

UNLV LB Beau Bell (Fourth round, 104th overall)

Missouri TE Martin Rucker (Fourth round, 111th overall)

Iowa State DT Ahtyba Rubin (Sixth round, 190th overall)

Wisconsin WR Paul Hubbard (Sixth round, 191st overall)

St. Augustine DE Alex Hall (Seventh round, 231st overall)

Obviously, that's not the whole story. Cleveland traded its first-round pick to the Cowboys for the 22nd pick in the '07 draft, which the Browns used to take quarterback Brady Quinn. Cleveland also took steps to strengthen its defense, which ranked 30th in the NFL last season, allowing 359.6 yards per game. The Browns traded their second-round pick (56th overall) to the Packers for defensive lineman Corey Williams. Williams, 27, has had 14 sacks over the past two seasons.

One defensive lineman was not enough for Phil Savage and company, however. The Browns also sent cornerback Leigh Bodden and their third-round pick to the Lions for 6-foot-4, 340-pound defensive tackle Shaun Rogers.

While Quinn might not see the field this season if Derek Anderson plays well, Williams and Rogers are expected to contribute immediately.

As for the players they drafted, Bell is expected to play middle linebacker, according to The Plain Dealer (Cleveland). The article says Bell has a learning disability and ran a 4.9 40-yard dash, possibly due to a bruised knee.

Meanwhile Rucker stands at 6 feet 5, 251 pounds and is the little brother of recently retired defensive lineman Mike Rucker.

Here's a roundup of how the national media assessed the Browns' draft:

ESPN.com's Mel Kiper Jr. gives Cleveland a B+.

Here's what SI.com's Dr. Z says about the Browns' draft:

The first of five choices starts at round four with LB Bo Bell. They say he's mean. I know why. He's lonely. Earlier deals for DT Shawn Rogers (Lions) and DE Corey Williams (Packers) took their toll, which wouldn't be so bad, except that Cleveland had to throw in a gifted corner, Leigh Bodden, and I don't think that was such a good idea.

CBSSports.com's Pete Prisco gives the Browns a B+:

Trading away their top three picks before the draft started. I like the moves, but some will question them. If Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams don't work out at defensive tackle, they will be ripped for trading the picks.

Jason Cole of Yahoo Sports gives the Browns a C:

Rucker is a good backup to have for TE Kellen Winslow. This is a really difficult draft to analyze because the Browns traded away their first day of the draft. The first-round pick was dealt last year for Brady Quinn. Then they dealt the other picks for the likes of DTs Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams. The Quinn deal has yet to pan out but it could be great. Rogers and Williams were both huge needs, a sign that the Browns are playing for today. This is the type of draft where they could have problems down the road if the roster gets old in a hurry. Bell is a decent interior LB prospect, but he has been hurt.

John Czarnecki of FoxSports.com gives the Browns a D:

The Browns' big draft was last season and GM Phil Savage took Saturday off. UNLV linebacker Beau Bell was a solid pick in the fourth round, and he should help on special teams. Bell had 323 tackles in college. Missouri TE Martin Rucker is the younger brother of recently retired Mike Rucker, and he caught eight touchdowns last season. Rucker is not the deep threat Kellen Winslow is, but he can definitely sit down in a zone.

Click here for the Bengals draft analysis. And here for the Steelers draft analysis.

What they're saying about the Ravens

2008-05-07T13:57:15Z

Here's a roundup of national media coverage on the Ravens:

SI.com's Peter King has the Ravens 22nd in his power rankings:

Joe Flacco's got a big arm, the biggest in the draft this year. He may make it as a rookie starter, but not many kids from Delaware step in as rookie starters in the NFL -- never mind rookie starting quarterbacks. What worries me about the kid is this: He doesn't have the most self-confident air about him, and what happens if he starts slowly and feels the hot breath of Ray Lewis and Ed Reed on his neck? It'll be up to one of the most positive coaches ever to walk an NFL sideline, John Harbaugh, to make sure the spotlight isn't too big for Flacco. The Ravens are in a tough spot. They need to bring Flacco along slowly to build his confidence, but with a defense built to win now, they can't take it too slow with him. It'll be an interesting chemistry experiment in Baltimore this year.

ESPN The Magazine's Seth Wickersham compares the Bears and Ravens, saying both teams are in similar situations, yet Baltimore chose to go after a quarterback in the first round, and Chicago chose to ignore its need:

If both teams were single guys at a bar, the Ravens would have been wheeling from girl to girl, refusing to go home alone, while the Bears would have been hunkered down over a drink, rising only for the men's room.

SI.com's Don Banks says the Ravens are set to move up in the AFC North:

The Ravens were neither as good as their 13-3 record in '06 or as dreadful as their 5-11 mark last year. They'll come back to the middle this season, and while that won't be good enough to make the playoffs, they're going to get a nice little bounce from energetic first-time head coach John Harbaugh and new offensive coordinator Cam Cameron. This figures to be a transition year for Baltimore's beleaguered quarterback position, but with Steve McNair retired and first-round pick Joe Flacco now on hand, the Ravens at least have a plan that extends longer than year by year.

FoxSports.com's Gene Marvez looks at every team's most pressing need and offers solutions. Here's what he has for the Ravens:

Pressing need: Determining whether quarterback Joe Flacco is ready to compete for a starting spot. Baltimore's first-round pick, Flacco didn't face top-tier college competition at Delaware. He will soon enough when facing Baltimore's vaunted defense in practice.

Possible solution: Taking extra precautions to insure Flacco's confidence isn't damaged by playing him prematurely. While Miami's head coach last year, new Ravens offensive coordinator Cam Cameron erred by throwing John Beck to the wolves in Week 11.

USA Today has the Ravens 27th in its power rankings:

Ray Lewis might be in a nursing home before Joe Flacco's ready.

Clifton Brown of the Sporting News says the Ravens made a bold but smart move drafting Joe Flacco:

Simply put, Flacco has the physical tools to be successful. So why not take the chance? The way offenses have evolved, it is becoming harder to win championships without an elite quarterback. The Ravens did it in 2000 with Trent Dilfer, and the Bears made it to Super Bowl 41 with an erratic Rex Grossman. But the only way to contend season after season in today's NFL is to have a good quarterback. If the Ravens didn't get Flacco this year, there was no guarantee they would get a better quarterback next year. That's another reason why I liked the move.

AFC North draft analysis: Cincinnati Bengals

2008-05-06T15:21:59Z

If you're keeping track, this is my first offseason post on the Bengals that doesn't focus on you-know-who.

As I mentioned yesterday, we're taking a look at how the Steelers, Bengals and Browns fared in the draft. Here's a breakdown of Pittsburgh's picks in case you missed it. Now on to Cincinnati. Here's a list of the Bengals' picks:

USC LB Keith Rivers (First round, ninth overall)

Coastal Carolina WR Jerome Simpson (Second round, 46th overall)

Auburn DT Pat Sims (Third round, 77nd overall)

Florida WR Andre Caldwell (Third round, 97th overall)

Kansas OT Anthony Collins (Fourth round, 112th overall)

Fresno State DT Jason Shirley (Fifth round, 145th overall)

Appalachian State S Corey Lynch (Sixth round, 177nd overall)

Villanova TE Matt Sherry (Sixth round, 207th overall)

Cincinnati DE Angelo Craig (Seventh round, 244th overall)

Louisville WR Mario Urrutia (Seventh round, 246th overall)

Cincinnati's defense ranked 27th in the league last season, allowing 348.8 yards per game, so using a first-round pick on a linebacker made sense. Rivers, 6 feet 2, 241 pounds, is by all accounts a great character guy. Here's what coach Marvin Lewis told The Enquirer (Cincinnati) about Rivers:

"He's played at a very high level, has great leadership abilities and is really someone who can start and you can mold a group around him. ... He's someone who we can look forward to and count on for a long time."

Meanwhile, the Bengals addressed receiver by taking Simpson in the second round and Caldwell in the third, along with a seventh-round pick on Urrutia. Remember, Cincinnati finally released Chris Henry, and the Chad Johnson offseason saga takes a different turn everyday. With Cal's DeSean Jackson, Oklahoma's Malcolm Kelly and Texas' Limas Sweed still on the board, some considered Simpson a stretch with the No. 46 pick. The Bengals undoubtedly would like for him to choose a different mentor. Here's what Simpson told The Enquirer:

"I'm blessed. I always kind of looked up to Chad (Johnson) you know, how he played, because I liked his game. He's a great player."

On the second day, the Bengals picked up defensive tackles Sims and Shirley. Sims, 6 feet 2, 310 pounds quit football in '05 at Auburn to cope with the death of his sister. Shirley, meanwhile, played just three games last season because of off-field incidents and suspensions. Said Lewis to The Enquirer:

“It’s a little bit of a risk, yes. There’s a lot of guys who have gone over the last two days with more substantial things hanging over their heads.”

Here's a roundup of how the national media assessed the Bengals' draft:

ESPN.com's Mel Kiper Jr. gave the Bengals a C+.

SI.com's Dr. Z liked what the Bengals did in the draft:

Once again they give us a draft without many holes in it. At No.1, Keith Rivers is a dedicated and technically correct LB. At No. 2, Jerome Simpson is a highly dedicated receiver, whose 4.42 clocking put his school, Coastal Carolina, on the map. What map? The map of the coast, of course. Patrick Sims (third round) brings 310 pounds of run stopping to address a glaring weakness.

CBSSports.com's Pete Prisco gave the Bengals a C:

After Rivers, their draft has a lot of questions. Taking Coastal Carolina receiver Jerome Simpson in the second round is a risky pick.

Jason Cole of Yahoo Sports gave the Bengals a D-:

Rivers and Sims are immediate starters, but that’s almost by default. The Bengals wanted to get USC DT Sedrick Ellis in the first round, but got jumped by the Saints, who telegraphed their move for four days. The Bengals should have done something to counter New Orleans, but as is typical with Cincy, the Bengals let someone else determine their fate. Calling Simpson a “negative” is a little strong, but he’s just a reminder of how bad the situation is there between the dismissal of Chris Henry and the mouthing off by Chad Johnson. Where the grade really takes a hit is with Shirley, a guy who was in and out of trouble last season. The Bengals never learn.

FoxSports.com's John Czarnecki gave the Bengals a B :

The Bengals didn't trade unhappy Chad Johnson but filled a linebacker need with USC's Keith Rivers in the first round. Rivers played as a true freshman and started 36 games for the Trojans. With Johnson mad and wanting a trade and Chris Henry gone, the Bengals addressed Carson Palmer's favorite position with Coastal Carolina's Jerome Simpson and Florida's Andre Caldwell, who is the younger brother of Reche. Caldwell caught 185 passes in college, while Simpson has long arms for a guy that is 6-foot-2. He set school records, including 41 touchdown catches. Kansas OT Anthony Collins projects to be a guard.

AFC North draft analysis: Pittsburgh Steelers

2008-05-05T15:03:13Z

Last week we rounded up everything that was said/written/heard about the Ravens and their 2008 draft picks. With the ridiculous amount of information available, we didn't even talk about how the other teams in the AFC North fared.

So we're going to do that this week.

In three different installments, I'll take a look at what the Steelers, Browns and Bengals did to improve their squads. We'll start with Pittsburgh today.

First, a list of all their picks:

Illinois RB Rashard Mendenhall (First round, 23rd overall)

Texas WR Limas Sweed (Second round, 53rd overall)

UCLA LB Bruce Davis (Third round, 88th overall)

Texas OT Tony Hills (Fourth round, 130th overall)

Oregon QB Dennis Dixon (Fifth round, 156th overall)

Iowa LB Mike Humpal (Sixth round, 188th overall)

West Virginia S Ryan Mundy (Sixth round, 194th overall)

The Steelers were expected to address the offensive line with their early-round picks after allowing 47 sacks in 2007. However, Mendenhall was considered by many to be the second-best running back in the draft, and the Steelers couldn't pass him up with the 23rd pick. Running back Willie Parker had 321 carries before breaking his right fibula in Week 15 last season. Look for Mendenhall to have an immediate impact this year, easing Parker's workload. In his only full season as a starter, Mendenhall carried for 1,681 yards and 17 touchdowns. He injured his hamstring during the Steelers' minicamp, but it's not expected to be serious.

Meanwhile, Ben Roethlisberger made headlines in the offseason when he said he could use a taller wide receiver. Sweed, 6 feet 4, 219 pounds, could fill that need.

The most intriguing of the second-day picks is Dixon. The Oregon QB was probably the best college player in the country before tearing his ACL towards the end of last season. According to the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, the Steelers are not expected to use Dixon in a "slash" role.

"He has great physical talent," Tomlin said in the article. "He can run, he has a strong arm and he is coming to a great situation where he can grow behind two people like Ben and Charlie [Batch]. It is going to be a great situation for him."

Here's a quick roundup of how the national media assessed the Steelers' draft:

ESPN.com's Mel Kiper Jr. gave the Steelers a B.

SI.com's Dr. Z said he liked what the Steelers did in the draft:

I want to see Big Ben playing skyball with the second-round pick, 6-4, 217-pound Limas Sweed, the wideout. I'm interested to see what they do with Dennis Dixon, the very classy and athletic Oregon QB who was headed for first-round glory before he tore the ACL in his knee and ended up a fifth rounder. I bet they have some Kordell Stewart numbers cooked up for him. Rashard Mendenhall, to take some pressure off Fast Willie in the running game, was a good choice, too.

CBSSports.com's Pete Prisco gives the Steelers a B.

Jason Cole of Yahoo Sports gives the Steelers an A:

This is a truly great draft, although it’s unlikely Dixon will get a chance to develop as a passer with Ben Roethlisberger entrenched. A month ago, there was a debate about who the second-best back in the draft was after Darren McFadden and many people thought it was Mendenhall. Then he fell behind Jonathan Stewart and Felix Jones. The Steelers nabbed a falling value, a great move in drafting. Sweed has awesome talent and Davis will convert to an OLB and has the quickness to be another great pass rusher in the Steelers’ 3-4 system. The injured Dixon was a great value in the fifth round.

FoxSports.com's John Czarnecki gives the Steelers a B:

Next to offensive linemen, running back was the deepest position early in this draft. Illinois RB Rashard Mendenhall can catch and also run out of a spread formation. Mendenhall slipped because he was only a two-year player, but he did score 17 TDs on 262 career carries. There is a chance that Texas WR Limas Sweed (6-foot-4, 212) can turn into Plaxico Burress — the big target that Ben Roethlisberger has been screaming for. Bruce Davis of UCLA was one of my favorite college players and he should develop into a fine linebacker after playing defensive end. Davis is smart and strong. Texas OT Tony Hills started 24 games in college, but he needs to get tougher if he's going to make it in the NFL.

News roundup: Savage, Browns agree to extension

2008-05-03T16:31:48Z

The Browns have signed general manager Phil Savage to a three-year extension. Savage, of course, spent nine seasons with Baltimore, including two as director of player personnel.

This Plain Dealer (Cleveland) story talks about Savage's rocky start in Cleveland:

"I'm hopeful that we're through the difficult part," Savage said. "People don't realize what a reclamation project it was and I think in some ways I may have underestimated what state the Browns were really in. I feel we have certainly deconstructed the house and now we're reconstructing it and making it into the image we want it to be."

In other news...

The Bengals have shown interest in former league MVP Shaun Alexander. The ex-Seahawks running back will visit Cincinnati Sunday and Monday, according to The Enquirer (Cincinnati). Alexander didn't miss a game from 2000-05, but he's been out of the lineup nine times over the past two seasons. He managed just 716 yards and 3.5 yards per attempt last season. Alexander will turn 31 in August.

Keeping you up to date with the NFL Network's open position for a play-by-play guy, Newsday's Neil Best says Al Michaels is a possibility. Tom Hammond had been considered the frontrunner to replace Bryant Gumbel, but Best says Hammond is no sure thing to land the job.

Maryland defensive tackle Dre Moore was the only Terp selected in the draft, going to the Tampa Bay Bucs in the fourth round. Six other Maryland players signed on as undrafted free agents. Here's a blog post from The Dallas Morning News about Ray Lewis' brother Keon Lattimore joining the Cowboys:

Lattimore is here with an outside shot at making the Cowboys roster. He doesn't think he'd even have that without Lewis' help. "Probably not," Lattimore said. "He taught me my work ethic, once you get that work in and you got that fire and desire, it's contagious. We work hard. I work hard when no one's around, when no one's looking."

Meanwhile, as you've undoubtedly heard by now, Colts wide receiver Marvin Harrison is under investigation for his alleged involvement in a shooting in North Philadelphia earlier this week, according to the Philadelphia Daily News.

What they're saying about the Ravens (part two)

2008-04-30T14:49:22Z

Here's a roundup of national media coverage on the Ravens, part two.

For part one, click here.

CBSSports.com's Clark Judge offers his take on the Ravens' selection of Delaware quarterback Joe Flacco:

This is what bothers me about Baltimore's pick of Joe Flacco: The Ravens are putting him in the same position as another big-armed quarterback, Kyle Boller, when he was a rookie. Boller didn't have an experienced quarterback to school him, and neither will Flacco. You tell me who's going to mentor the guy: Boller or Troy Smith? Oh, and one other thing: When you saw that video of Flacco heaving the ball a mile, did it remind you of those pre-draft stories of Boller bombing 50-yarders from his knees? Yeah, me, too.

Jason Cole of Yahoo Sports gives the Ravens a C:

There’s a lot of excitement about Flacco, who has a cannon arm. But look at the history of the league: QBs who are taller than 6-5 generally aren’t very good. They can’t move fast enough to avoid hits. Flacco lumbers when he moves and he’s making a big jump from Delaware. Good luck. Rice is a very good backup to Willis McGahee, and Gooden is a much better player than he showed at Miami.

Too early for a 2009 mock draft? ESPN.com's Todd McShay doesn't think so. He has the Ravens picking 14th and taking Illinois cornerback Vontae Davis:

The Ravens need an upgrade at corner and a young playmaker like Davis, who possesses rare athleticism for his size, would be an ideal fit.

SI.com's Andrew Perloff has the Ravens picking ninth and taking Oklahoma offensive tackle Phil Loadholt in next year's draft:

At 6-foot-8 and at least 350 pounds, Loadholt could draw some comparisons to Jonathan Ogden. He's not that good, but certainly grades as a first-rounder.

ESPN.com's Gregg Easterbrook praises Ozzie Newsome for his moves in the first round:

Net of Ravens' first-day trades: The Nevermores gave up the eighth choice overall and a sixth-round pick for the 18th choice overall (used to grab Joe Flacco, whom they might have chosen had they stayed put), a third-round pick and two fourth-round picks. At a time when trading down is hard, credit Ozzie Newsome for pulling three midround choices out of the air.

John Czarnecki of FoxSports.com gives the Ravens an A- for the draft:

With Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan gone, the Ravens did the wise thing and traded down with Jacksonville, knowing they would be able to take Delaware's Joe Flacco later in the first round. Flacco was a definite need with Steve McNair retired and Kyle Boller never holding onto the job. Flacco is 6-foot-6 and has a solid arm. Rutgers RB Ray Rice was a steal with the 55th pick, and he'll give Willis McGahee a chance to rest. Notre Dame safety Tom Zbikowski is a former boxer and tough guy. David Hale of Weber State played well in the East-West Shrine Game and could develop into an offensive tackle, although he lacks athleticism.

CBSSports.com's Judge names the Ravens drafting of Flacco one of the five biggest gambles of the draft:

The Ravens moved up to take him with the 18th pick when they probably could've gotten him by sitting tight in the second round. That means they had a conviction about Flacco, and that's good. Here's hoping they have better luck with this move than the last time they traded up to take a quarterback.

ESPN.com's Floyd Reese praises the Ravens for their trades on Day One of the draft:

Even though many claim it was impossible for the Ravens to trade and improve their selection, they scalped Jacksonville and moved down to No. 26. Again, either due to intelligence or fear, they jumped up to No. 18 and were still able to draft their man. This is an outstanding example of the Ravens' working the board to ensure they get their choice and value for the pick. This maneuvering set the tempo for the entire weekend and a solid draft for Baltimore.

CBSSports.com's Pete Prisco hands out grades and gives the Ravens a C:

Best pick: Third-round pick Tavares Gooden was the best defender on a Miami defense that included two players picked higher than him. Ray Lewis has a fellow from The U. he can take under his wing.

Questionable move: Trading up to get quarterback Joe Flacco. They probably could have stayed at 26 and still landed him. Plus, Brian Brohm and Chad Henne were better options.

Second-day gem: Safety Tom Zbikowski, a third-round pick, is one of those players who will find his way onto the field. He will be a special-teams star -- bare minimum.

Overall grade: C. They reached for Flacco and I didn't really like the pick of Ray Rice in the second round.

Dan Wetzel of Yahoo Sports names the Ravens one of his winners from the '08 draft:

Plan B was Joe Flacco of Delaware. He wasn’t worth drafting at No. 8, and there was no threat someone else would grab him – plus, why get stuck paying more money? So the Falcons dropped to 28th, then sprung back up to 18th and at the end of the day got the guy they wanted, for less money, and wound up with extra third- and fourth-round selections to boot. (They lost a sixth-rounder, but whatever). That’s fine draft maneuvering. The caveat here is how good is Flacco? Is he just the reincarnation of Kyle Boller? A number of player personnel directors who didn’t need a quarterback think Michigan’s Chad Henne was the best non-Matt Ryan option out there. But Baltimore made its decision and made it work in every imaginable way.

Wetzel says Flacco's draft party is one of his losers:

Through the years, one of the best parts of the draft is watching the video from the family parties. The legendary bash that LenDale White appeared to be throwing when Tennessee took him remains the stuff of legend. That was a crowd that was enjoying itself. Flacco needs to step up his game from I-AA to NFL starter. Even his family and friends wore silly “Let’s Go Joe” t-shirts. Marlo Stanfield will not allow him to represent Baltimore like that.

Clifton Brown of the Sporting News gives the Ravens a C+:

Getting Joe Flacco was important, but they took a major risk trading out of the No. 8 spot. Ray Rice is a small back, but he should form a nice combo with Willis McGahee.

Matt Hayes of the Sporting News looks at the Flacco pick from different perspectives:

Turning Leaf: OK, let's review: Flacco plays for Pittsburgh. Flacco can't beat out Tyler Palko for the starting job, despite the new coaching staff and a clean slate. Flacco transfers to I-AA Delaware and puts up huge numbers against inferior competition. The words "red flag" come to mind.

Hello, West Texas A&M: Prototype NFL size, rocket arm, no mobility. The exact description of a guy named Leaf. This has Arena League written all over it.

Bill Polian's perfect world: Let's see: Brian Brohm, John David Booty, Erik Ainge -- take your pick. Frankly, I want a guy who's not afraid to compete. Is that too much to ask?

Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com and the Sporting News says the Ravens disregarded the trade chart when trading down with Jacksonville:

The picks Jacksonville gave up (a first-rounder, two third-rounders and a fourth-rounder) totaled 1,127 points under the chart. The pick the Jaguars received from the Ravens was worth 1,400 points. That's a 273-point difference. Ravens officials didn't care because they're not handcuffed to the concept of getting a certain number of points. They wanted to do the deal because they wanted to draft their quarterback of the future at a spot lower than No. 8. So they accepted the offer, landed three more picks and ultimately got their guy, Joe Flacco, at a much lower salary slot. The move gives other teams ammunition to criticize the Ravens, but none of it will matter if Flacco can play.

USA Today's Larry Weisman gives the Ravens a C:

Wanted a QB. They suspected Matt Ryan would not fall to them in the eighth spot and could not trade up. So they dropped down and grabbed a recent riser in Joe Flacco. Big arm, but how his skills translate from a smaller college program (Delaware) to the NFL is anyone's guess. Filling this position has been an intractable problem for years. Did not get an OT to replace Jonathan Ogden. Grade is higher if you like trade for CB Fabian Washington, a former No. 1 of Oakland's acquired for a fourth-round pick.

Vic Carucci of NFL.com characterizes the Ravens' draft as "solid":

If the Ravens finally found their franchise quarterback in first-rounder Joe Flacco, then this draft was a huge success. The strong-armed Flacco was a star at tiny Delaware, raising questions about whether he is up to the transition to the NFL. But the Ravens had enough of a conviction in him to deal down from No. 8, when it was clear they would not be able to get Ryan, and then back up to to land Flacco with the No. 18 pick. Although the Ravens already have a franchise running back in Willis McGahee, they made a key move to help their depth at the position by grabbing Rutgers' Ray Rice in the third round. The Ravens got some solid help at safety, by selecting Notre Dame's Tom Zbikowski in the third round, and at cornerback by sending a fourth-round choice to Oakland for Fabian Washington.

Rick Gosselin of The Dallas Morning News gives the Ravens a C:

The Ravens needed a quarterback and probably overextended for Flacco. New head coach John Harbaugh didn't forget his special teams roots when he drafted safeties Zbikowski and Nakamura and WR Smith.

Mark Maske of The Washington Post says he didn't like the Ravens' draft:

Joe Flacco might end up being the answer at quarterback. He might end up being well worth the 18th pick in the draft. But at the moment the Ravens drafted him, they didn't need to use the 18th pick to get a quarterback of Flacco's draft-day value. They could have stayed put at 26th after trading down and, if Flacco was gone, taken Brian Brohm.

Tony Moss of The Sports Network gives the Ravens a C+:

Flacco was a bit of a reach and doesn't look to be game-ready, but Baltimore obviously rated him above of the likes of Brian Brohm and Chad Henne. Rice was drafted in order to take pressure off of Willis McGahee, and will have to prove he can withstand an NFL pounding. Gooden and Zbikowski are not immediate defensive starters, but will contribute on special teams and get a chance to learn from the best. Cousins and Hale offer much-needed o-line depth. In all, the team drafted five skill players in an effort to create some competition for the flagging offense, and also added ex-Raiders first-round corner Fabian Washington via a trade, but the pass rush went begging.

What they're saying about the Ravens (part one)

2008-04-29T02:50:20Z

The following is a roundup of national media coverage on the Ravens. Since there's so much draft coverage out there, I'm going to split this into two separate posts so check back later for another installment.

Also, in case you missed them, I put together shorter media roundups for several of the Ravens' draft picks. Click here for those.

Now, on to the links:

ESPN.com's James Walker says the Ravens had to work hard to land Delaware quarterback Joe Flacco, but they made all the right moves:

It's hard to pick a bone with what the Ravens did today. They didn't overreact to try to get Ryan, and didn't panic when he was taken off the board. Instead, they were smart, swift and organized. Much of the team's success could rest on the shoulders of Flacco next season. The Ravens are a veteran-laden team, but based on the production of previous signal-callers, Flacco has as good a chance as any rookie to win a starting quarterback job in 2008.

ESPN.com's Mel Kiper Jr. gives the Ravens a B+ for the '08 draft:

The Ravens wanted Matt Ryan, but Joe Flacco was the next-best quarterback in this draft. The Ravens made a great deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars that got them three additional picks. They also traded down and still were able to get running back Ray Rice in the second round. The Ravens need to start bringing in young linebackers and Miami's Tavares Gooden had a very good 2007 season. Tom Zbikowski is a good third-round choice, but only if his play resembles what he did in 2006 as opposed to 2007. Oniel Cousins is a versatile offensive lineman and WR Marcus Smith will help on special teams in kick coverage and as a returner. Safety Haruki Nakamura and RB Allen Patrick might have to make this roster by performing on special teams.

SI.com's Peter King says the Ravens offered their first-, second- and fourth-round picks for '08 and a third-rounder in '09 to the Rams for the No. 2 pick, but St. Louis declined. The Ravens would have been making the trade to select Boston College's Matt Ryan. King says the Ravens could have got the deal done had they sweetened the pot, but it didn't happen for two reasons:

One: New offensive coordinator Cam Cameron loves Ryan, but he also likes Flacco and [Chad] Henne, and he thinks Flacco might have the traits and the arm to be special. Two: New coach John Harbaugh wanted picks. He wanted an influx of talent for this first-year coaching staff to coach, and if they had to spend a mint to get Ryan, three or four of those bright prospects -- like second-round back Ray Rice -- would never have been Ravens today.

Last week, King wrote that the Ravens were targeting Chad Henne. He explains what he thinks might have happened:

I think the Ravens' draft, obviously, will ultimately be judged on whether Joe Flacco can play or not. And if you've been reading this site, you know I thought the Ravens' guy was Chad Henne, not Flacco. Someday, maybe I'll get the truth on that one, but I think it came down to the Ravens having an internal debate on whether to pick Henne or Flacco, and the offensive coordinator thought Flacco's upside was significantly better. I think he might struggle. The edge Henne had was that he played quarterback for four years as a starter at a big program, Michigan, and Baltimore is a team that needs a quarterback to play now. How will Flacco be more pro-ready than Henne? He won't be. It'll be an interesting experiment.

ESPN.com's Walker breaks down the draft for AFC North teams and says the Ravens had the most surprising move in the division by trading twice in the first round:

It was a good yet surprising series of moves by the Ravens, who were organized enough to pull it all off. "We had a game plan,'' Ravens director of college scouting Eric DeCosta told reporters in Baltimore. "We thought about this scenario for a long time. Joe was a player that we've had a chance to spend a lot of time around.''

ESPN.com's John Clayton names the Ravens one of his winners:

If you believe in Joe Flacco, the Ravens are winners. If you don't, well, they go in a different category. Steve McNair's retirement blindsided the Ravens, so they had to get a quarterback in the first two rounds. They feverishly tried to trade up for Matt Ryan, but he went to the Atlanta Falcons at No. 3. To get Flacco, the Ravens traded back with Jacksonville from No. 8 and then traded up with Houston to No. 18. Most people thought Henne was the Ravens' No. 2 quarterback option because general manager Ozzie Newsome doesn't draft small-college players (Flacco is only the second small-college player taken by Newsome in the first day of a draft). Flacco has a great arm, and the Ravens are a solid organization. They won't rush him onto the field.

SI.com's Dr. Z offers his take on the Ravens' draft:

They wanted Ryan. Falcons got him. So we'll take our ball and go home, said Ozzie Newsome, and he packed up and pulled out of the pick. And there he was heading for the second round, when hello there, Joe Flacco, the big guy with the laser arm, was still aboard. So at 18 he became a Raven. I don't think Kyle Boller's in trouble -- yet. The kid is still too raw, and wild. And at the draft room in New York a great cheer went up when the Ravens, with their second-round pick, selected Rutgers star halfback Ray Rice, the greatest player to wear the scarlet since the great Paul Robeson.

ESPN.com's Walker says Fabian Washington, who the Ravens acquired via trade from the Oakland Raiders, could improve in Baltimore:

Washington was an athletic former first-round pick in 2005 with blazing speed and will add depth to an aging secondary that includes Chris McAlister (30) and Samari Rolle (31). Washington, 24, struggled in Oakland and has some off-the-field problems he's dealing with as well. A change of scenery could help.

SI.com's Don Banks examines how likely each rookie quarterback is to play in 2008. Here's what he says about Flacco:

The Ravens will play Kyle Boller and/or Troy Smith early because they've said all along this spring that Flacco might need some time to acclimate to the NFL game. But a lot will depend on how comfortable Flacco looks in training camp. If he's solid and smooth in his execution, he's going to get a shot at some point in his rookie season.

Banks says the Ravens have had their eyes on Flacco for quite some time:

Though I bought some of the buzz surrounding Michigan quarterback Chad Henne and the Ravens in recent weeks, I knew that Baltimore has been high on Flacco since late last fall, when the Blue Hen quarterback started elevating himself into first-round consideration. Ravens scouts who saw Flacco play against nearby Towson State and Navy gushed about the kid's potential. New Baltimore offensive coordinator Cam Cameron "loves'' Flacco, a league source said Saturday, and thinks he has a chance to be special in the NFL. With a new head coach, a new offensive coordinator and a new quarterback in Baltimore, the Ravens have the kind of fresh start that's going to generate some positive vibes the remainder of this offseason.

Banks says Notre Dame safety Tom Zbikowski will be a perfect fit in Baltimore:

Notre Dame safety Tom Zbikowski is a tough, hard-hitting player with a name that sounds just as tough and hard-hitting. So it's perfect that he wound up going to Baltimore in the third round, 86th overall. The Ravens defense is as physical as any in the league, and that swagger that they're known for is a big part of their persona. Zbikowski, who is also a boxer in his spare time, is going to fit right in with the mindset in Baltimore.

ESPN.com's Matt Mosley says Flacco has been compared to another AFC North quarterback:

As I've said before, Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome and college scouting director Eric DeCosta see Flacco as a more athletic and accurate version of Derek Anderson. The organization drafted Anderson in the sixth round in 2005, but released him to make room for the great Kordell Stewart.

SI.com's King questions one part of Brian Billick's role during NFL Network's draft coverage:

I did see where the Network had Brian Billick talk about the "art of evaluating quarterbacks.'' Uh, isn't that the reason Billick is not the coach of the Ravens anymore? Because he didn't do a very good job of evaluating quarterbacks?

Michael Lombardi said Flacco is lucky to end up in Baltimore in an SI.com article:

Flacco is one lucky guy. He joins a team dominated by defense and gets an offensive coordinator in Cam Cameron who has a history of developing quarterbacks. Cameron will try and speed up Flacco's game, getting him to make quicker decisions and get the ball out of his hands. The Ravens are already used to winning games with a running game and their defense, so Flacco won't be rushed along.

That's it for this post, but there are plenty more opinions out there. Check back for the rest in the next 24 hours.

Ravens links: Cincinnati safety Haruki Nakamura

2008-04-28T14:16:41Z

Round 6 (206th overall): Cincinnati safety Haruki Nakamura 5 feet 10, 190 pounds Nakamura kept a diary on BearcatInsider.com as he prepared for the draft. Here's an excerpt from one of his entries: A shot at a dream, a dream that so many people out there feel is out of my reach because of my size, speed, or whatever else they can come up with. That fire inside that has brought me this far is beginning to fuel one more time, just to shut some mouths and open some eyes. The raging desire to establish my name in a league that people don't believe I will last in. If I were to truly listen to some of those things, I would have given up a long time, but that's not me, that's not how I was brought up and that's not how I play football. Good profile on Nakamura in The Chronicle-Telegram. In high school at St. Edward (Ohio), he nearly quit football as a junior because he was a third-string quarterback. One of the players in front of him: Ravens quarterback Troy Smith. The article also talks about how Nakamura's mom forbid him to play football as a youngster, and how he's used his size as motivation: “A lot of people assume that because I’m not that big of a guy, I wouldn’t be a physical player,” said Nakamura. “It’s true. I’m not 6-2 and 225 pounds. But in my eyes, that’s part of the fun. I like surprising people.” The Chronicle-Telegram caught up with Nakamura after he was drafted: “When I got the phone call, it was the biggest relief,” said Nakamura. “There’s a lot of weight off my chest. Now I can relax and get ready to play more football.” NFL.com's scouting report on Nakamura: Classic over-achieving blue collar free safety who simply makes too many plays to not get a shot at the next level. While Nakamura lacks the elite straight-line speed of some of the other higher profile athletes at the position, he plays with instincts, physicality and an ability to step up his level against top competition. Nakamura's versatility as a return specialist just adds to his value. SI.com's scouting report on Nakamura: POSITIVES: Productive, hard-working college defender with limited upside. Intelligent, displays good instincts, and quick diagnosing the action. Physical, works to get involved, and a willing volunteer in run defense. Displays a burst of straight-line speed, takes good angles to the action, and wraps up when tackling. NEGATIVES: Undersized, has tackles broken, and struggles getting off blocks. Lacks top sideline-to-sideline range as well as speed to the flanks. And finally, a couple of very well-done highlight videos on YouTube. Take note of Nakamura stopping No. 27 of Rutgers on a couple of occasions. That's Ravens second-round pick Ray Rice. Looks like Nakamura will see some familiar faces when he gets to his first minicamp. Here's Nakamura's player page on Cincinnati's Web site. And finally, a breakdown from The Sun: 2007 statistics: 85 tackles and four interceptions. Strengths: Smart player who served as the defensive quarterback of the Bearcats. Led team to 10-win season. He's a sure tackler. Weaknesses: Size. He might not be big enough to play safety in the NFL.

Ravens links: Weber St. OT David Hale

2008-04-28T02:03:43Z

Round 4 (133rd overall): Weber State offensive tackle David Hale 6 feet 6, 308 pounds Here's what NFL.com says about this pick: Hale put himself on the map with a solid performance at the East-West Shrine Game. He has the size to play at the next level, but lacks athleticism. Coming from lesser competition, it could take a few years for him to develop. Here's a Q&A with Hale on NFLDraftBlitz.com that was published in January. Here's what he said were his strengths: Ahh, just knowing the game. I study the game. I got a little nasty streak. I will go all the way to the whistle. Here is SI.com's scouting report on Hale: POSITIVES: Hard-working blocker with adequate size. Quick in all aspects of the game, displays solid footwork sliding off the edge, and anchors in pass protection. Effectively works his hands throughout the action, shows the ability to adjust, and jolts opponents with good hand-punch. Nasty and shows a large degree of toughness to his game. Quick in his head picking up assignments and works well with teammates. NEGATIVES: Not a dominant drive-blocker and marginally effective opening holes for the running game. Gets minimal results blocking in motion. Here's Hale's player page on Weber State's Web site. And video of Hale from the combine: Finally, The Sun's breakdown: 2007 statistics: His team's offensive line allowed just 12 sacks in 11 games. Strengths: Size and experience. He's huge and has the frame to add pounds. Four-year starter at Weber State. Weaknesses: Not very athletic and played against Championship Subdivision competition like first-round pick Joe Flacco.

Ravens links: New Mexico WR Marcus Smith

2008-04-27T20:20:54Z

Round 4 (106th overall): New Mexico WR Marcus Smith 6 feet 1, 214 pounds Smith had 91 catches for 1,125 yards and four touchdowns as a senior. Here's a scouting report on Smith from NFLDraftCountdown.com's Scott Wright. Smith's weaknesses according to Wright: Not very quick or explosive...May struggle to separate in the pros...Still has some work to do in the route running department...Does not use his hands well...Not a finished product and still needs to work on mastering the nuances of the position. Interesting profile of Smith by ESPN.com's Chris Low. Smith's mother died of a brain aneurysm during his senior season, but that wasn't the first time he faced tragedy: His father had never been a part of his life. His oldest brother, Maurice, had already been dead for 13 years. He was shot and killed near the San Diego apartments they lived in while riding his bicycle. Smith was only 9 at the time, and it was the start of a tragic seven-month stretch in 1994 that taught him at a young age how fleeting life can be. Maurice's drive-by shooting occurred in March of that year. His grandmother (Sheila's mother), Barbara Lewis, died in August of cancer. A day after her funeral, Smith's uncle, William Lewis, was shot and killed following an argument just down the street from where they all grew up. The only reason he was in town was to bury his mother. Smith has a second brother, Alex, who's currently in prison and isn't scheduled to be released until later this year. "I know she's watching, so I'm not about to take any plays off, whether it's a game or a practice," Smith said of his mother in the article. "I can feel her right there on my shoulder. I know she'll always be with me." Here's an article from The Albuquerque Tribune about Smith. It talks about how he didn't start playing football until the ninth grade and was originally recruited as a running back: When Smith arrived, he found a crowded field of running backs, led by star DonTrell Moore, stealing all the playing time he wanted. "I was mad," he said. "I pouted, I got angry, I wanted to give up. I thought I deserved to have the ball in my hands, and I couldn't let go of the idea that I was the star." Smith wanted to quit when UNM coaches moved him to wide receiver, but his mother told him to stick with the Lobos. Here's Smith's player page on New Mexico's Web site. And finally, a breakdown from The Sun: 2007 statistics: 91 catches, 1,125 yards, four touchdowns. Strengths: Good size and speed, ideal for a slot receiver in the NFL. Also can play on special teams right away. Weaknesses: Experience. Started his college career as a running back, so like Cousins, he's still learning how to play his position.

Ravens links: UTEP OT Oniel Cousins

2008-04-27T18:31:11Z

Round 3 (99th overall): UTEP offensive tackle Oniel Cousins 6 feet 4, 308 pounds Here's what NFL.com says about Cousins: At this point in the third round, Cousins is a good value. He's a converted defensive tackle that has solid skills along the offensive line and is a decent depth player at the pro level. Pro Football Weekly's take on the Cousins pick: UTEP OT Oniel Cousins is at least a year away from contributing but has all the physical attributes needed to start in the NFL. It may take a year to absorb a playbook and learn protection schemes, but if the light comes on, he could turn out to be a steal for the Ravens at the back of the third round. Cousins was born in Jamaica before moving to the U.S. as a teenager. According to CBSSports.com, he never saw a football game until his sophomore year of high school. In college, he started out as a defensive tackle before switching to the offensive line. Cousins struggled as a left tackle starter in '06 and was replaced in the lineup. But he improved drastically as a senior when moved to right tackle. Here's Cousins' player page on UTEP's Web site. Some YouTube highlights of Cousins: And finally, a breakdown from The Sun: 2007 statistics: Earned All-Conference USA first-team honors. Had 78 knockdown blocks and allowed just three sacks on 440 pass plays. Strengths: Versatility. Has played both tackle positions and can play guard. Has a big upside because he's still learning to play on the offensive line. Weaknesses: Experience. Played his first two seasons at UTEP on the defensive line.

Ravens links: Notre Dame safety Tom Zbikowski

2008-04-27T18:28:05Z

Round 3 (86th overall): Notre Dame safety Tom Zbikowski 5 feet 11, 210 pounds Here's what NFL.com says about Zbikowski: A hard-nosed safety who can hit and play strong in run support. Also a special teams return man who can be a valuable contributor in the kicking game, something new coach John Harbaugh will love in Baltimore. Not extremely quick, but has a good sense of the game. Here's Scott Wright's scouting report from NFLDraftCountdown.com. Zbikowski's weaknesses according to Wright: Shorter than you would prefer...Does not have great timed speed...Is not a great athlete...Can be too aggressive at times...Does not have fluid hips and could be a liability in coverage...Is prone to biting on fakes...Will need to work on his tackling fundamentals...Might be a one dimensional in-the-box type...Has a limited upside. You're going to hear a ton about Zbikowski's career as a boxer. Here's a link to an SI.com in-depth profile about Zbikowski in the ring. Here's a snippet: As he got older, Tom gravitated toward football and boxing. He still has scars on his hands from breaking into whatever E.J. [his brother] told him to break into. He once banged his head against a brick fireplace because it was the most efficient way to prove how hard his head was. Tom was, to put it one way, active. And here's what he says in the article about why he boxes: "It's just that feeling," Zbikowski says. "It's a whole 'nother world in there, than watching it from the outside. It's hard to explain what it's like. That feeling that you have what it takes to step into the ring. There's not too many people that can say they've stepped into any ring with a serious partner. That one-on-one battle, you can't blame anyone else, it's just you and him. That's it." A five-minute YouTube video of Zbikowski's football highlights: And footage from one of his boxing matches: Here's Zbikowski's player page on Notre Dame's Web site. And finally, a breakdown from The Sun: 2007 statistics: Had a career-high 80 tackles (42 solo) with a sack and two interceptions. He also returned 23 punts for 234 yards (10.2-yard average). Strengths: A big-time playmaker. Has seven career touchdowns - two on interceptions, two on fumble recoveries and three on punt returns. Should make big contribution on special teams. Weaknesses: Freelances too much in the secondary. Goes for the big hit or big interception, leaving the defense exposed.

Ravens links: Miami LB Tavares Gooden

2008-04-27T16:03:49Z

Round 3 (71st overall): Miami linebacker Tavares Gooden 6 feet 1, 233 pounds Gooden was a big-time recruit coming out of high school, picking the Hurricanes over schools like Ohio State, LSU and Tennessee. The people over at NFL.com really like the pick for the Ravens: Looking back in a few years, Gooden might be the best player taken on the second day. He has great athletic ability and gives the Ravens depth in a linebacker corps that is aging. This South Florida Sun-Sentinel article says Gooden improved his draft stock at Miami's Pro Day. He played outside linebacker for most of his career, but switched to the middle as a senior because of injuries to other players. Gooden was named the team's defensive MVP. "I don't think I've started to peak yet," Gooden said in the article. "I can't wait to show my skills at the next level." Here's Scott Wright's scouting report on NFLDraftCountdown.com. Here's what Wright says about Gooden's weaknesses: Instincts and awareness are questionable...A tad undersized...Is not stout at the point...Doesn't necessarily play with a nasty demeanor...He is not much of a pass rusher or blitzer...Did not make a lot of impact plays behind the line of scrimmage. ESPN.com's Mel Kiper Jr. had Gooden ranked as the second-best outside linebacker in the draft. NFL.com's Mike Mayock had Gooden ranked as his third-best outside linebacker. Here's Gooden's player page on Miami's Web site. And a short YouTube video of Gooden: And a breakdown from The Sun: 2007 statistics: Led team with a career-high 100 tackles (60 solo), including three stops for losses, an interception and three pass deflections. Strengths: Athleticism. Should be able to make his mark on special teams right away. Can play inside and outside. Weaknesses: Before last season, he missed time with injuries in the previous three seasons.

Ravens add Rutgers RB Rice

2008-04-27T00:27:32Z

With the 24th pick in the second round (No. 55 overall), the Ravens added Rutgers running back Ray Rice. Rice, 5 feet 8 and 199 pounds, had 2,012 yards and 24 touchdowns as a junior last season. He was a true workhorse, piling up 380 carries, second-most in the nation. Rice had 335 carries as a sophomore in 2006. According to ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr., Rice runs a 4.42 40-yard dash. Here's a YouTube clip of Rice The Sun's breakdown of Rice: 2007 rushing statistics: 2,012 yards, 380 carries, 24 touchdowns. Strengths: Excelled in big games. Got better each season. Durable. Weaknesses: Size. He could take a beating, but if used right could provide a good 1-2 punch with Willis McGahee. Wasn't asked to catch the ball much out of the backfield. Had just 37 catches in three seasons.