Henne and Brohm Are Two 2nd Round Steals

by John Fennelly

Forgotten Passers Can Become Franchise QBs

Matt Ryan of Boston College is the top rated QB in this year's NFL Draft. That is widely acknowledged. Ryan had a fine season as a senior and jettisoned past the competition to the top his class.

But is he the best QB in this draft?

Not to take anything away from Ryan, but going into this season, I had my 2 top QBs as Brian Brohm of Louisville and Chad Henne of Michigan. Next, I had John David Booty of USC and then Ryan.

Booty will be an NFL player, probabaly a mid-round pick this year, but Brohm and Henne will be stars. Ryan will be taken before all three, which might end up being a mistake for the team that selects him.

Brohm, as a junior was phenomenal. Remember? As a senior, the Cardinals had no defense and lost the Big East to West Virginia, putting Brohm on the back burner. Scouts are calling him a bigger Drew Brees. Wasn't the knock on Brees was that he wasn't big enough? Well, here's that bigger version.

Henne had an embattled career at Michigan, and a lot if it was his own doing. He made too many bad decisions and played inconsistently when his team needed him to excel. Don't let that fool you. His last game - the 41-35 Capital One Bowl victory against Tim Tebow and Florida - was more likely the real Henne. He is being compared to another Michigan great - Tom Brady.

My prediction is both of these guys will fall into the second round. Don't be surprised if Miami grabs one of them at 32 and St. Louis grabs the other at 33. That is, if they are still around...

That is, why the Falcons should trade up (back into the lower half of the 1st round) getting their future signal caller.
It`s just as likely that neither make it to the 2nd round?

BTW, it`s commonly believed that teams do not start rookie QB`s.
That might not be the case in the Falcons situation.
The current pool of Falcon QB talent is so poor, I see a rookie leading the team before mid-season.

This Miami Jake Long talk is scaring the crap out of me. We could wind up with Jake Long and Dorsey going 1 and 2 which would be a nightmare scenario. I was really hoping we could grab Jake Long at #3 then get a QB in round 2 or trade back up into the bottom of the 1st to get a QB.

If Jake Long and Dorsey go 1 and 2 I would really want us to trade down...but we probably wouldn't get any suitors unless someone is in love with McFadden. The Raiders would probably take McFadden behind us.

The scenario you put forth is likely one IMO.
We can`t worry about shit that`s out of our control.
Been trying to soften every one to the idea of taking Ryan for that reason.
Fact is, Miami and the Rams have similar needs as the Falcons but are in slightly better position (early) to get who they want.
What we do have is a trump card to play (in the form multiple 2nd rounders) to trade back up and get a good OT if we do take Ryan with the #3 pick?
I just want a blue chip tackle and a QB with our 1st two picks and I`m willing to give up our 3rd overall pick in order to get that priority done.
If they can do that without losing a pick, great but to assure it.
Do what is nesassary.

Now, I am hoping whoever Tuna picks he signs them relatively cheap.

If Jake Long is gone I'm beginning to warm up to the idea of Weiner playing LT and Cherlius playing RT this season. Then perhaps another 2-3rd round OT to groom at LT for 09.

Sounds like a bad plan to me.
All the blue chip O-linemen will be gone by early 2nd round, as many a 7 taken in the 1st round...I want one of the top 3.
I want a blue chip 1st rounder for our O-line and I`m not warming up to taking no for answer.

I do too...

But I do think that Cherlius is the 2nd best run blocking OT in the draft after Long. I'd love to have him on our line... Long at LT and Cherlius at RT would have me chugging beers in celebration! :beer: