Ravens Draft Notes
I’m sure a lot of draft parties were spoiled Thursday night when the Ravens traded out of the 1st round. Every Raven fan wants to see their team’s choice on the biggest stage on opening night, but Ozzie Newsome stayed true to his board and moved down in the draft. Why? Because he didn’t see first round value in the remaining picks.
So what does he do?
He fleeces the Broncos out of 3 picks that were slotted higher in their respective rounds that the Ravens would have had if they didn’t trade for Anquan Boldin. Then Ozzie gets 1st round value in the 2nd round for Sergio Kindle of
Texas and
Alabama’s Terrence Cody.
I know, I know, I made fun of Cody’s physique in last week’s column, but I’m more than satisfied with him as second-rounder. I think Kindle is just what the Ravens need to make Terrell Suggs more effective. I have no doubt that Bill Tessendorf and Dr. Lee Ann Curl performed their due diligence on Kindle during the Indy workouts and the U of T pro day, so I’m not worried about his health. Jarret Johnson, meet your replacement.
One huge need was met when the Ravens drafted Ed Dickson and Dennis Pitta as TE backups to Todd Heap. Neither is known for their blocking, but both have excellent hands and route-running skills. They will play on special teams and mentor behind Heap for a couple of years. Et Tu, Todd.
With David Reed (a potential kick returner) and Donte’ Stallworth working out of the slot, I think Demetrius Williams is outta here, and Mark Clayton is on very thin ice.
One need that was not met was at our thinnest position – the defensive secondary. This bugs me. At this point the Ravens are heading into the 2010 season with exactly two healthy cornerbacks. I expected a CB selection in the 4th to 7th rounds, but no cigar. To be fair, as the draft proceeded to the 5th round, neither Mike Mayock nor Mel Kiper had any CBs on their best-players-available list. Pleeeze tell me we’re not going to be treated to another season of Corey Ivy and Frank Walker! After the draft, the Ravens signed 2 UDFAs at the corners, but they might be nothing more than training camp fodder.
All Ravens fans know the mantra – In Oz We Trust – and we do, so he must have something else up his sleeve.
He’d better.
NFL Draft Notes
Josh Daniels is on the Clock
I wasn’t surprised when the Ravens traded down for more picks, but I was stunned when the Broncos moved into the Ravens 25th slot to take Tim Tebow. This incredible move was probably greeted with laughter in the other war rooms and almost universal scorn by the media. The Broncos really wanted him, and not just the slot, because Ozzie Newsome said that the Broncos made 3 different offers for the Ravens pick.
The selection is even more inscrutable because the team already has two established quarterbacks in Kyle Orton and Brady Quinn. You don’t spend a No. 25 pick on a backup. So, in his arrogance, McDaniels evidently sees something in Tebow that most pro talent evaluators do not – a franchise quarterback. The clock is ticking on McDaniels. I’m starting my endangered coaches list 5 months early and McDaniels’ name is at the top.
Motor Mouth
I hate to beat a dead horse, but if Tim Tebow plays as frenetically as he talks,
Denver is looking at the second coming of Kyle Boller – and probably with the same results.
Draft Day Daffiness
OK – one more dead horse. Who predicted that Tim Tebow, probably the least NFL-ready of the big QBs, would be drafted ahead of Jimmy Clausen and Colt McCoy? Be honest. I didn’t see Tebow going before the 4th round at the earliest.
The Black Hole
The Oakland Raiders actually had a functional draft. Al Davis must have slept through the whole thing. They selected well and, if Kyle Boller’s signing didn’t put Jamarcus Russell on notice, the trade to obtain Jason Campbell certainly should. But maybe not. Russell has about 30 million guaranteed reasons not to give a crap.
Quick Fact: The Raiders now have 5 (five) quarterbacks on their roster.
Mentoring Begins at the Podium
Ray Lewis announced Sergio Kindle as the Ravens first pick in the 2nd round of the draft. It was a presentation performed by several teams. Nice touch. As Ray announced Kindle’s name, it sounded almost prophetic, like the grizzled vet was welcoming his replacement. It’s not going to happen exactly that way (Kindle is an outside linebacker/defensive end) but it sure felt that way.
BTW – did Ray announce the pick for the
Baltimore Ravens or the
Baltimore Raiders? I’ve played the tape over and over and it’s hard to tell.
Roethlisclucker Gets Clocked
Ah, the chickens have come home to roost. Roger Goodell put the hammer on Big Ben to the tune of a 6 game suspension. It’s well-deserved, although I’m not a fan of provisional suspensions. You know, “Ben, if you’re a good boy, attend your rehab sessions, and stay out of college bars, I might reduce it to 4 games.” But he’s not out of the woods yet because, over the weekend, Goodell noted the suspension has “some flexibility.” He could increase the suspension of Roethlisberger if new evidence of misbehavior emerges that violates the League’s personal-conduct policy.
“She Said No!!”
The chant the
Radio
City
Music Hall faithful greeted the timing of the Steelers first round selection with on Thursday night. You gotta love those leather lungs in
New York. The NFL tried to defuse it by having a Steelers fan from the Make a Wish Foundation announce the pick, but it didn’t work.
Welcome to the 2010 Season, Ben. Whenever you take the field this season, this is what you’ll hear.
The Guessing Game Had Ended – Evidently
Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh, when interviewed on the NFL Network, stated that he’s talked to Ed Reed and said that Ed is working out in
Atlanta and is “excited about the Ravens draft picks and playing this year.” I hope he’s right. With our cornerback deficiencies, the last thing we need is to lose the best free safety in pro football.
