Who do you think is the most important player we drafted in 08?

**alienrace** · 01-12-2012, 11:31 AM

It's definitely Joe, but I think that both are huge. Rice is a better RB than Joe is a QB, but the QB is clearly the most important position on modern NFL teams.

Overall the 2008 draft has shaped up to be one of the Ravens best - I'd say #2 after the 96 draft.

**SC_Raven_Fan** · 01-12-2012, 11:48 AM

Originally Posted by BleedPurple92

Curious to see what people think.

2 obvious are, Joe and Ray.

I would say Joe, and honestly its not close, because we know first hand what its like to search a decade for a Legitimate QB, No offense to Ray Rice, i love him, but it seems in today's NFL if you don't have a solid Franchise QB you cant win, and Running backs are almost a dime a dozen in today's NFL.

Its funny to think even though Ray has been a pro bowler, and honestly the best RB we've had since Jamal, We've seen what this offense looks like with a shitty QB, and a hell of a back.

Are you this bored? Seriously?

Just look at the carnage around the league at the Head Coaching position over the past 3-4 years. What is in common? They were losing ALOT (

for you English majors) because of? THEIR QUARTERBACK!

Since Harbs was hired in 2008:

Sparano and Zorn are toast. The next year hires, Todd Haley, Jim Mora, Tom Cable, Josh McDaniels, Mangini, Morris, Spagnolo, and Singletary (Caldwell is on the precipice) = "Back to coordinator positions, you losers!"

Why? They couldn't develop a QB to help their teams win consistently like the Patriots, Colts, Packers.... OR RAVENS!

Jim Shwartz began in 09 and still has his job. Why? Stafford
Rex Ryan will lose his job if Sanchez doesn't improve next year.

JOE FLACCO is clearly above and beyond every other pick as being the best pick. He may rival Ray Lewis before his career is over. The only reason Ray will always be the best pick in Raven's history will be because of the timing.

**JAB1985** · 01-12-2012, 12:00 PM

Anybody that says it isnt Flacco clearly wasnt a fan through the infuriating Boller years. you can argue if hes good/great but you cant argue with the stability hes brought to the position as well as the consistency the team has managed due to that fact. Im thankful for playoffs annually and no more losing seasons.

**sailorsam** · 01-12-2012, 12:08 PM

think about how the team floundered at .500 wi Jamal Lewis and QB-of-the-week (Grbac, Blake, Boller). IIRC we didn't win more than 10 games from 2001 to 2006. JFlacc is the difference maker.
...but I doubt the Ravens would be at 12-4 / division winner without Ray Rice.
nice to have them BOTH!!!

**KLynch** · 01-12-2012, 12:15 PM

Definitely Joe Flacco. Look at MJD, he is great, but his team sucks and there is not much he can do. A good QB finds his way to the playoffs just about every year.

**BleedPurple92** · 01-12-2012, 12:28 PM

Originally Posted by PGCountyRaven85

Ray Rice seeing as how he's the leader of this offense and the fact that he dictates the level of offensive play. I don't understand how it could be Flacco when we all know that if Lil Ray doesn't get minimum 20-25 touches, we lose.

That's a good point. We've seen this season that if Flacco throws it too much we lose, also if Ray doesn't get the ball enough we lose. That closes the gap a bit, but considering what Todays NFL has turned into, i still have to go with Flacco, But you bring up a good point.

Ray Rice is what makes this offense run, if we didn't have a back like Ray, without a doubt it wouldn't be a good offense, and i think Joe would struggle quite a bit, we might have a different perspective on him.

**alienrace** · 01-12-2012, 01:39 PM

The thing about running vs throwing means winning and losing is somewhat of a fallacy.

You look at a team that plays a game where they have to throw 50 times, and it usually means they are playing from behind. Conversely, if the rushing totals are way up, it's usually because a team is ahead.

**JAB1985** · 01-12-2012, 01:51 PM

Originally Posted by alienrace

The thing about running vs throwing means winning and losing is somewhat of a fallacy.

You look at a team that plays a game where they have to throw 50 times, and it usually means they are playing from behind. Conversely, if the rushing totals are way up, it's usually because a team is ahead.

True. in addition to the Rice because we win when he gets his 25 and lose if joe throws 50 argument, Flacco is the leader of this offense. he commands it, and players look to him. when the defense lets us down were not putting it on Ray Rice to bring us from behind, its Joe and his 90 yard drives and last minute scores. We win when Rice gets 25+ because we have the lead and a good defense to hold it. that doesnt mean Flacco didnt have a part in getting that lead. I look at if we had another young QB, any chance were in the playoffs? probably not. as opposed to another young RB? plausible. might not be the same player rice is but youre more likely to get similar production at that position than QB. RBs really are a dime a dozen outside the top 4-5 (which Rice probably is). top or even adequate Qbs are much more rare.

**SC_Raven_Fan** · 01-12-2012, 02:00 PM

Ray Rice is a running back that is part of the run game. Most QB's struggle when the run game struggles.

How does Joe get blamed for Reed's two fumbles? Without that loss, the Ravens are the #1 seed. I mean, you guys do know that NE lost 3 games this year, right? That Joe didn't lose to ANY of the playoff teams he faced this year!?

Joe drives me insane because I believe he can play better than he does sometimes, but he deserves praise. This team is back to 10-6, 6-10, 9-7,7-9 annual roller coaster without Flacco.

**dreamjo** · 01-12-2012, 02:48 PM

Originally Posted by Teavo

But 2008 Joe wouldn't have become 2012 Joe if he didn't have Ray Rice for the last 4 years bailing Joe and our offense out countless times with his truly dynamic play.

I really think it's more fair to say "the last 3 years", not four. Rice and Flacco's rookie year, McClain and McGahee did the bulk of the "bailing out" via the run game. McClain had 232 touches, McGahee 170, and Rice 107. Flacco wasn't leaning on Rice for anything when they were rookies.

**BcRaven** · 01-12-2012, 02:57 PM

Point is not who is the best player in the 2008 draft, but who is the best GM in the 2008 draft. Ozzie set the Ravens up for their Super Bowl run in 2011/12. His expertise made this
Ravens era to thrive. When the Lombari trophy is held up, it will be higher because Flacco is taller than Ray rice, but both may have an equal share... Bc

**elland** · 01-12-2012, 07:53 PM

Originally Posted by PGCountyRaven85

Ray Rice seeing as how he's the leader of this offense and the fact that he dictates the level of offensive play. I don't understand how it could be Flacco when we all know that if Lil Ray doesn't get minimum 20-25 touches, we lose.

Did you see the two latest Steelers games in Pittsburg? We won those games, not thanks to Rice but Flacco.

**bacchys** · 01-12-2012, 10:40 PM

Originally Posted by BleedPurple92

That's a good point. We've seen this season that if Flacco throws it too much we lose, also if Ray doesn't get the ball enough we lose. That closes the gap a bit, but considering what Todays NFL has turned into, i still have to go with Flacco, But you bring up a good point.

Explain the Arizona game and the last drive in Pittsburgh, then.

Rice is special, but an effective RB is a lot easier to get than an effective QB (though I think even that is overblown). Rice is more of a gamebreaker than McGahee was, but had we not drafted Rice that year we'd have still had an effective running game over these four years, imo.

I don't know that we'd've had the consistency at QB with Boller and/or Troy Smith. The Flacco haters can say whatever they want, but more often than not Flacco's made plays that have helped his team get into the playoffs and win playoff games.

**Terpsfan82** · 01-12-2012, 11:00 PM

Originally Posted by BcRaven

Point is not who is the best player in the 2008 draft, but who is the best GM in the 2008 draft. Ozzie set the Ravens up for their Super Bowl run in 2011/12. His expertise made this
Ravens era to thrive. When the Lombari trophy is held up, it will be higher because Flacco is taller than Ray rice, but both may have an equal share... Bc

Excellent point. Funny you should mention that, because earlier today I was cruising the Steelers message board and they are arguing about whether their '08 draft should be graded a 'D' or an F. So while we debate who was most important, we should be thankful we can choose between two very good young players.

**Teavo** · 01-13-2012, 07:39 AM

Originally Posted by bacchys

Rice is more of a gamebreaker than McGahee was, but had we not drafted Rice that year we'd have still had an effective running game over these four years, imo.

Maybe, but I think without Rice we would not have had an effective passing game.

Think of all the "dump off" receptions Rice turned into big gains or even touchdowns. Even when he wasn't catching the ball he demanded coverage, helping to open things up for others. McGahee could not have provided that.

I still have to say Joe is #1 simply because he's a QB not a RB, but the difference isn't huge.