S&BP's Mock Draft: Ryan Goes Number 1

by saint on Mar 13, 2008 1:06 PM EDT Comment 20 comments

Hey all, I'm "Saint", the writer for SBN's Raider site.

Today we began our Silver and Black Pride Mock Draft and I'm wondering what you think about the Dolphins choosing Matt Ryan.

I think that passing on a potential franchise QB two years in a row is a dangerous practice.

Believe me, after the raiders passed on Leinert and Cutler, there was no way they were passing on JaMarcus Russell in 2008.

Cheers and Good Luck in 2008. Feel free to "Check In" for some "Check Down" McCown takes as your season progresses.

Cheers,

Saint

This fanpost was written by one of The Phinsider's registered users.

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I would say...

most of us here believe (in order of likelihood) that the dolphins will pick a) chris long, b) jake long, or c) matt ryan.

The feeling is that Ryan is not in the same caliber as past QB's that have gone in the top 10 (say Manning(s), Palmer, etc) AND he doesn't have the physical tools that someone like JaMarcus Russell has, that would make a team take him quite so high.

There are of course, some people here who do want Ryan first overall, but I'd say over 50% of us are leaning towards Chris Long or Jake Long.

by Natalya on Mar 13, 2008 1:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Bad site to ask

if you like taking Matt Ryan 1st. Too many Beck lovers here. Or too many scared to use money on a #1 overall QB. Anyone but Ryan mostly on this site. I'm not one of them though.

"It all starts with the Dolphins," an executive with another team said Sunday, "and not a single person here has any idea what they're going to do."

by Neo on Mar 13, 2008 1:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

You know Neo...

I'm not against taking Ryan nor am I a John Beck apologist.

The question for me is more about Ryan's abilities and how they translate to the NFL. You know that QB's get pushed way up the draft, oftentimes way beyond their true value just because of the position being so key. Sort of like how Alex Smith and Joey Harrington and David Carr all ended up being top three picks in the draft when their abilities never merited them being taken so high...

by Natalya on Mar 13, 2008 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed, sort of...

I am still in the Long or Long camp at this point, but the more I read the more Ryan is an intriguing pick to me. It seems less about physical tools and more about intangibles and prep that have so many so high on him. I like where his head is at and how he presents himself. Does that merit a #1 overall selection? I don't know- hell, none of us know- but three QBs you mentioned are different stories.

Alex Smith NEVER would have been a number one pick if Leinart had come out that year. That was real force job on the part of the 49ers- they had their sights set on Leinart since mid-season that year- and just decided to go with their biggest need, QB- whoever that QB wound up being.

Harrington and Carr for me fall into the catergory of substandard supporting casts and being thrown to the wolves. Carr especially-- it was an expansion team that so desperately wanted their franchise QB from the inception.

And I don't remember hearing the stuff about these three guys like I am hearing about Ryan- the born leader, the ability to take a team on his back, etc.

And I hear you Neo- there is a lot of fear about taking QB at #1. A lot of $$, a lot of expectations. Ah hell..

As I have stated previously, if they hold on at #1, I think I will be fine with whoever's name gets called- be it one of the Longs or Ryan.

The Jayfiss Report ...one fan's rants.

by NumberSeven on Mar 13, 2008 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Jayfis...

Interesting points there and worth pondering for further discussion.

In particular, I want to bring up Alex Smith. You and I would agree he should never have gone #1. But why did he go #1 if not because of the obvious need for the 49ers to get a young QB? What I see, is that we are not in that position as we have a QB from last year who has at least some (key phrase) potential to develop into a starter, or, maybe not.

I guess my point is that because QB is the most important and key position in the NFL of today - the value of QB's and QB prospects and prospects gets inflated beyond their true potential as NFLers.

For instance, will Ryan be as good a QB in the NFL as compared to how good a LT Jake Long will be in the NFL or Chris Long as a DE. I'm not asking which position is more important, we both know the answer to that. Rather, who is the better player. And if you answer that with someone other than Ryan, then why would Ryan go #1?

by Natalya on Mar 13, 2008 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

One Thing We Do Know...

...is that Matt Ryan WILL be a QB. Will Jake Long be a LT or a RT? Will Chris Long be a DE or more of a stand-up LB? Its splitting hairs, I know, as I believe that both Longs will be very good players in the NFL.

I would not have taken Alex Smith #1. I thought his arm strength was questionable at best, he was a system QB know for its prolific passing stats, and played in a "lesser" conference. That being said, he is still ONLY 23 yrs old. He still has another 2-3 yrs of growth before he hits his prime. He may, or may not, still grow into a good NFL QB.

Another thing to consider is how important is that position to the success of the team. Is it better to have a good QB or a good LT, or DE/LB. I think its pretty well established you can find DE/LB's easier than LT's. Its harder to find a good QB than any of those.

Anyway, it makes for great discussions, but none of us knows for sure how each of these individual players will turn out. That's where the inexact science comes in.

I'll be happy with any of these guys. I've just watched enough of Ryan to make me a believer that he is going to be a very good QB. I think we can find a good RT in the 2nd round. And if we are keeping Jason Taylor, which I would like to, then Chris Long isn't a need at this time. Again, these are just my personal preferences.

by dab415217 on Mar 13, 2008 2:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I definitely

agree that this is speculation. The only ones who have the answer to that are in the Dolphins Front Office.

Still, we have 40+ days so why not chat and ponder? :)

As for the position question of the draft. I look at it this way, say a QB (Ryan) is the 14th best player overall (hypothetical) and the next QB (let's use Flacco) is the 33rd best player..... but your team picks #1. Do you pick the 14th best guy at #1 because his position is a need? Do you pass on him and take the 33rd best guy at say, 32?

The wildcard in all this is John Beck. He could still conceivably be a good NFL QB. If you invest in Ryan though, and Beck plays well (which would be a welcome development), you are now sitting on a #1 overall pick in a QB as well as $30M+ guaranteed, and you missed out on addressing another need, like LT by not picking Jake Long.

by Natalya on Mar 13, 2008 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I Would Want To Draft...

...the clear superstar with the #1 pick, regardless of position...if it was clearcut. But there is no clearcut superstar this draft.

by dab415217 on Mar 13, 2008 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah, beck

is the wild card for sure. if they do grab ryan at number one, he is automatically the front runner for the starting QB job. you can't justify all that cash sitting on the bench when your other options are a guy with little to no experience and a veteran backup. if ryan goes number one to the fins, he plays- cam ain't here no more..

The Jayfiss Report ...one fan's rants.

by NumberSeven on Mar 13, 2008 7:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

have to agree with this

~I guess my point is that because QB is the most important and key position in the NFL of today - the value of QB's and QB prospects and prospects gets inflated beyond their true potential as NFLers~

don't have to go any further back then last year with B Quinn.... most people had cleveland taking him at #3, well the reality is B Quinns hype was overvalued since he fell all the way to twenty (x)? why was he rated at #3... well everyone outside of NFL drafters had him listed as the 2nd best QB and they said cleveland needed a QB... the reality of the situation was that NFL draft people may have seen him as the 2nd best QB but no one saw his talent as worth a top 20 pick...

So I have to agree that there is some pressure to move QB's up into spots that their talent doesn't justify due to the significance of the position.

by W NY Fins Fan on Mar 13, 2008 11:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I am fine with Ryan #1

As long as the Dolphins aren't the team picking him.

by OntheGo on Mar 13, 2008 4:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Its Ryan or I'm Lyin'!

Still holding firm with:

Matt Ryan>Jake Long>Vernon Gholston>Chris Long

by dab415217 on Mar 13, 2008 1:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The subject has been discussed before and here's..

the result:

http://www.thephinsider.com/poll_vote/1203902800_EJqEYgIA

You have over 1200 votes, which is a pretty decent sized sample. And what does the sample say?

That 74% of those who voted believe it will be Long (Jake or Chris) who we draft first overall. While only 9% think Ryan gets our pick.

I'm not necessarily against Ryan but if it is a 'phinsider' community perspective, I have to say it sure sounds like Chris or Jake Long is the guy.

by Natalya on Mar 13, 2008 1:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Take into consideration Nat

That most of these peeps are the same people we bang our heads against the wall trying to get them to understand that Cameron needed to be fired. You now the same peeps that most held firm until about say about 0-13.

"It all starts with the Dolphins," an executive with another team said Sunday, "and not a single person here has any idea what they're going to do."

by Neo on Mar 13, 2008 11:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not

at all sold on Matt Ryan. Yes, I did watch him quite a bit last year. He didn't look polished, poised, or have all the intangibles most of the year (or most of each game). he pulled a few outta hit ass in the 4th quarter (like the VT game), but I just didn't view him as a guy you bring in for JaMarcus Russell money & let him go. I think he's more a Tim Couch than a Payton Manning.

In all honesty, I don't see ANY PRIMO TOP SHELF gold seal QB coming out of this class. Not saying that down the road another Brady won't come from this class. However, none that warrants the money, the risk, the hype, the pressure & the responsability of being a #1 pick.

Build a damn offensive line, protect the likes of Beck, Brown, Booker, Ginn, Williams and all & see where we go. If you wanna pick up a Flacco or Henne to develop a couple of years, that's cool, but I think we need to build the core this year & evaluate how the skill guys play through a full season & go from there.

by davehowardcustom on Mar 13, 2008 1:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

while i agree with you

that the line needs to be built up-- i find interesting that you (and others) talk about watching him and not seeing the intagibles, while many NFL front office guys and former coaches of his love what this guy brings to the table on that front.

Now I know I haven't sat down and interviewed him or sat there and broke down film with him- so I am gonna go with the opinion of the guys who have.

That said- he's still third on my list behing the Longs... but I am coming to believe he warrants a look.

The Jayfiss Report ...one fan's rants.

by NumberSeven on Mar 13, 2008 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He has them

Matt Ryan has the intangibles, the problem is that big attachments won't get you anywhere in this league without the requisite skills. Brett Favre had them, Joey Harrington didn't. Both made dangerous throws.

by Offer Doll on Mar 13, 2008 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

can't argue

with that

The Jayfiss Report ...one fan's rants.

by NumberSeven on Mar 13, 2008 7:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I know that

I'm looked at as a John Beck homer and, yes, I really do like him. That doesn't mean that I don't want us to draft another QB this year and/or every year; I do. I would just like to see the person being drafted be drafted where they really should go. To me Matt Ryan Isn't a 1st round QB in fact the only QB I see as a 1st rounder is B. Brohm and he's not a #1 worthy pick although I see him as a top 15 pick. It's true you can't go by stats alone but it's also true that having first year sucess is hardly because the QB is that good. Dan Marino had a BAD senior year in college and yet had a great rookie year backed up with the best second year QB outing ever. Why? Just look at the team he went to; they had just come from going to the Super Bowl so Dan had a great cast around him. He didn't have to carry the team. The same can be said about Big Ben as the Steelers were already a great team so all Ben had to do was play within himself. That is not to take away from what either one of them did as a rookie and since but they were the exception to the rule just as Rivers is and he is good also.

AS to who we get I trust ParLand to get it right but do it after the 3rd round. There are some very good guys in that area who can play, Colt, Josh, and Henne to name a few that I wouldn't mind seeing at Miami.

I'm with Natalya on this: who is the best player at that point in the draft we are at to pick. If we are talking about the #1 pick of the draft, in my mind, it has to be either one of the Longs and I would much prefer Jake over Chris.

by gafinfan on Mar 13, 2008 4:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Chicken Shxt

That is what we all drop to when it involves not a first round pick but the fxxking #1 pick of the whole draft...I read...I listen...I watch and it is the same rhetorical crap..Guys we have paid a HIGH price this year for this pick...remember all the BS you had to endour from all your friends..laughing to our face about how much we suck...remember holding your breath the last 6 games to just win one...remember the sick,sick feeling you had in your stomach when Baltimore lined up to make a "gimme" kick...and finally remember dropping to your knees as an unheard of ran the ball back in O.T. to get that monkey off our back...If there is one thing I do know...that is...I Want this pain to count!...in the corner of our minds I think we most all feel that still the only "Safe" #1 pick is Chris or Jake Long.....regardless we know that they will AT THE VERY LEAST make a difference in our team right now...and that is better than a 30 million dollar clip board holder...
Beafea

by beafea on Mar 14, 2008 12:31 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs