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TL24x7
04-25-2011, 08:31 AM
10. Devard Darling ~ In four seasons with the Ravens this native of the Bahamas had 20 catches for 331 yards and 3 TDs – hardly what you would expect from the 82nd overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft. This “reach” was made even worse when matched up with the rest of Phil Savage’s swansong draft with the Ravens that included: Dwan Edwards, Rod Green, Josh Harris, Clarence Moore, Derek Abney and Brian Rimpf.

9. Duane Starks ~ Although he was a tough tackler for his size and played extremely well during the Ravens’ playoff stretch up to and including Super Bowl XXXV, Starks’ productivity fell far short of what you might expect from the No. 10 overall pick in 1998, particularly when considering the talent on the Ravens defensive roster. The Ravens past on notables like Tra Thomas, Randy Moss (character) and Alan Faneca and even corners selected later in the draft (Patrick Surtain and Samari Rolle) had brighter careers than Starks. Either the Ravens reached and did not stick to the BPA draft strategy or their board was incorrectly stacked. Either way it adds up to a bust at No. 10 overall.

8. David Pittman ~ The Ravens took a gamble and spent the 87th pick in the 2006 NFL Draft on a corner from small Northwestern State in Louisiana. Pittman seemed overwhelmed by the talent in the NFL and he played with hesitation. He was never really embraced by his teammates either because he failed to “carry the chicken” during training camp – one of the mild rookie hazing tactics. He might be carrying the chicken these days for some fast food joint.

7. Adam Terry ~ The former Syracuse Orangeman looked rather green when asked to play right tackle. He lacked toughness physically and mentally and turned out to be a second round reach for Ozzie Newsome. Word is that Brian Billick influenced the move up in the draft to select Terry because the Ravens board did not include many highly rated tackles beyond him. Another bust, the result of reaching for need and cheating their well planned out board.

6. Dan Cody ~ Coming out of Oklahoma, red flags surrounded Dan Cody. He had first round talents but slipped to the second round. The Ravens who are seemingly attracted to players in Round 2 who possess first round measurables pulled the trigger on Cody and again it went “KABOOM” – another bust, this time a Boomer Sooner. Cody spent far more time on injured reserve than he did on the active roster and eventually, despite his dedication in the weight room and team-first approach, he wore out his welcome. During his 3 year stay Cody registered 1 assisted tackle. He never got a sniff from another team after the Ravens released him in 2007.

Busts 1-5 Here (http://www.ravens24x7.com/columns/NFL-Draft-2011...Ravens-Style/The-Top-10-Ravens-Bust-of-All-Time)

festivus
04-25-2011, 10:06 AM
Huh.

I was very surprised Travis Taylor wasn't #1. He was drafted *much* higher overall than Graham and considerably higher than Boller, and Boller may not have worked out as a starter, but at least he's played well enough to stay in the league all these years.

Quarterback's a funny position, I guess, held to a different standard.

Jeremiah W
04-25-2011, 11:57 AM
I do not like Starks on the list since he was a key member of the 2000 D, the Ravens got enough value even if that was his only good season. He was not what you want out of a top 10 pick, but he was pretty highly regarded and paid in free agency before injury took him out.

I also do not see much point in putting any 3rd rounder in a top 10 bust list since most of them fail to become starters.

Dan Cody did not work out, but like Kindle the price was right to take the gamble even if you lose, it was still a good value bet. I do not have a problem with him on the bust list, but I do not think it was a flaw in the scouting that caused him to be a miss.

TL24x7
04-25-2011, 12:09 PM
I also do not see much point in putting any 3rd rounder in a top 10 bust list since most of them fail to become starters.


Graham is on the list because in today's world he's a second round pick at 64 plus the Ravens continually beat the best player available drum and if they were true to their board back in 1997 then Graham is a bust because their board was busted. To rank him ahead of Dexter Coakley, Ronde Barber, Jason Taylor and Mike Vrabel is pretty bad IMO. That coupled with the fact that he gained only 408 yards as a Raven.

Comparatively speaking, Ray Rice was the 55th overall pick...not too far removed.