1) The argument that Bill and Jeff dont want to wind up in the club that take a bust with the top pick, so therefore they shouldnt take Ryan is stupid. Why is it that only the QB position is viewed as a risk at top pick? Sure, you can ramble off the Leaf's and Klingler's of the world, but dont act like players taken at the top or near at other positions never bust.
The bottom line is when you are picking #1 overall, you damn well better take a player that will turn into a good one or you are screwed. Especially now that they get so much money. Any pick is a gamble. And there is no way anyone is going to trade up into the top spot. Atlanta is the only slight possibility. Its too much money. Its a gamble yea. But, they are forced to take it. So they may as well take Ryan.
Why are the guys at the other positions considered locks to turn into a player worth 35 mil? On top of that, you cant take a guy and he be avg. or worse and it turns out you passed on a gem. When you pick 1st, you HAVE to get it right. There is no avoiding the risk. So stop acting like the only way Bill and Jeff are risking their ***** is by taking a QB with that pick. Their *** is on the line no matter who they take.
2) The guys will take a long look at Ryan during his pro day. If they think he is the goods then there is no way they pass on him. If they agree with some of you and think he is a reach at #1 then they will probably go Long(pun). One of them. Personally, I think if we draft Ryan were still going long. Only it will be long to Teddy Ginn Jr for a bunch of scores.
3) Flacco and Woodson completely blow. Stop talking about them. Both are big time long term projects with major flaws that must be corrected before they can start games in the league. Personally I think neither one will ever be a good NFL QB.
Woodson is a lock to never succeed in the league. Henne and Brohm are projects too, but might make it. However they are not on the level of Ryan. The one guy that no one talks about who could be as ready or more ready to start right away as Ryan is, but with less of a celing is John David Booty. He can be had in a later round too.
4) I dont like the idea of another 2nd round QB. If we want to develope a guy who will take another year or two to get going, then we wait on Beck. Plus Ive been saying all along the talent level is so deep this year at other positions into round 3, that a QB in round 2 or 3 is a total waste from our prospective. To me its Ryan or wait till day 2 in late rounds to take a crap shoot. Booty might not be a bad pick if Ryan isnt the guy. Perhaps Ainge?
And oh yea....almost forgot 5) If you think this years QB crop is weak, take a gander at what is coming next season.....NOTHING. Seems like Stafford and Tebow(who I dont think will succeed in the league) are both going to stay for their senior years. Not only that we probably wont pick near #1. Hopefully in the top 10. And you can forget about a good QB being available as a FA. Basically guys, the deal is you need a franchise QB to build your team. The largest majority of franchise QBs are first round draft picks. A team is rarely in position to select the top QB prospect in the draft. This happens to be the year we are. We happen to need a franchise QB. This year the top prospect happens to be Matt Ryan. In other words this is the hand we are dealt folks. Get over it and get on board the Mattywagon.
Im also tired of hearing about build the team first and then get the QB. When??? Like I showed above, it wont be next year. Gotta get it now while we have the opportunity to. What good is having a solid team with no QB? So we can go 10-6 or something? I dont know about you but, Im trying to win a bowl. For every Trent Dilfer who won a bowl there are 5 won by elite QB's. And for every elite QB you can name like Brady who wasnt a #1 pick, you can name 5 who were #1 picks.