Looking back at the 2008 NFL Draft

Let's go back to a time when the Baltimore Ravens had a miserable offense and relied on their defense to win the game every time they stepped onto the field. The year? 2007. Baltimore had Kyle Boller and Troy Smith under center after Steve McNair had injured his groin and struggled to retain his starting job. The Ravens had one of the worst offense's in the league. Baltimore finished it's season with a 5-11 record and owned the 8th pick in the draft.

Eventually the Ravens would trade their 8th pick to the Jacksonville Jaguars and receive the 18th pick. With that 18th pick the Ravens took a 6'6 tall, 238 pound Quarterback from The University of Delaware by the name of Joe Flacco. Now when I saw the pick on ESPN, I never heard of Joe before. I remember him sitting at home on the couch with his family in his signature Reebok T-shirt talking to his agent on the phone. Once again, I had never seen or heard of Joe flacco before but I just had a gut feeling he would be the Quarterback of the Future for the Baltimore Ravens.

Another Quarterback had been drafted before Joe in the first round. The Atlanta Falcons were also looking for a Quarterback. With the 3rd overall pick, Atlanta took Matt Ryan. Ryan attended Boston College and was ranked the best Quarterback in the draft by just about every draft expert.

Now let's come back to the present day. Myself being a Baltimore fan I have no problem saying that Ryan is a better Quarterback. Ryan just about owns Flacco in every category except arm strength. Flacco can chuck the pigskin just about 65 yards. Arm strength will never win you a Super Bowl but it helps a little bit. I would rather have Ryan as a Quarterback than Joe. When the Falcons played the Ravens on Thursday Night Football this season Ryan showed he his a far better Quarterback than Flacco. Ryan showed he has complete control over his offense. Flacco still continues to show no emotion what so ever. Matt Ryan has no trouble getting on a guy who drops a ball even if that player may be a 15 year veteran.

So as I conclude, I would prefer Ryan over Flacco but Flacco is our Quarterback. I don't hate Joe but he still shows signs of a young Quarterback. Hopefully the 2011 season (If there is one) will be a breakout year for Joe and he can become the Elite Quarterback that Ryan has become in his short career.