2008 Draft Class

[Jalxsu]

I think Flacco may need another 2 rings to get in to the HoF.

Until this season, most opposition fans laughed at the idea that Flacco is an "elite" QB - and many Stoll do now.

Peyton only has one ring, but he is a guaranteed Hall of Famer because he is one of the most talented QBs of all time, whereas Eli and Rapistburger both have 2, and I'm not so sure they'll ever make it.

Flacco either needs to have huge success, or prove on a regular basis that he won't make the silly mistakes that have plagued his career and that he has the same level of talent as Peyton/Rogers/Brady/Bees.

I'd give this class a B+ very close to an A. We did a great job in the first 2 rounds, but that is really what you should hope for when you are picking 8th.

Flacco/Rice are exactly what we hoped they'd be, but to get a higher grade from me, we'd have to hit in at least one of the mid/late rounds. The year before, we got Yanda in the 3rd, and year after we got Webb. If we received one of those in 2008, I'd rate it higher, but I just find it a bit disappointing that no other picks are even playing the smallest role on our roster.

[justifythegame]

It was a good draft Cuz we supposedly got one of the best rbs and qbs in the lg but the players drafted after were quite terrible . giving them Cs is seriously overrating them . I think nakamura could've been a decent starter tho.

[Blackbirds Rule]

ray is the best pick still currently, but if joe leads us to another one or two superbowls as I believe he can, he should jump ray based on the trophies that accompanied the pick.

Don't forget Ray got you two rings and is about to get his own statue and be enshrined in the HOF . Flacco would need two MVP's and two more rings to supplant Ray as our best pick ever.

[codizzle]

Don't forget Ray got you two rings and is about to get his own statue and be enshrined in the HOF . Flacco would need two MVP's and two more rings to supplant Ray as our best pick ever.

Joe would have to do a more than that...

Ray is viewed by many as the best MLB to ever play the game
Ray brought a team from nothing to SB champs in a few short years..
Ray was the captain and main component of the greatest Defense of all time

[mg90]

Joe and Ray in a single draft should be graded very high at this point. They've given just about all we can ask for and still have huge potential. I'd say the Patriots 2000 draft is a similar situation where they got Brady, and that alone deserves top tier grading. Depth is cool, but if you add major contributors to championships I say: Mission Complete.

[Fang]

Any time you draft your franchise QB I think it has to be considered a very good draft regardless of the other picks. But they also picked up one of the best runningbacks in the league. Four other players are solid roll player or backups. Marcus Smith contributed on special teams for a few years. Without Joe Flacco and Ray Rice they don't win the Superbowl. I'd give 2008 an "A" easily.

[Blackbirds Rule]

Joe would have to do a more than that...

Ray is viewed by many as the best MLB to ever play the game
Ray brought a team from nothing to SB champs in a few short years..
Ray was the captain and main component of the greatest Defense of all time

[Yatagarasu]

Too me, I'm happy we land a Ray Lewis type player every year in the draft.

 

That means in a ten year span, we get ten Ray Lewises on our team. That can set up a franchise. Also, we don't have the money to sign ten top players, but we sure can do something about it with the cap space going up.

[CARavensFan]

Went ahead and took the time to add my two cents (maybe only 1 1/2 cents IMO) to the grading on the 2008 draft.

 

1 (18) - Joe Flacco, QB Delaware - A+ Got our franchise QB and took us to the Super Bowl, if there was a higher grade than A+ the man would have earned it.

 

2 (24) - Ray Rice, RB Rutgers - A+ The perfect compliment for Flacco and fits in perfectly with the style that the NFL plays to allow him to be on the field for all 4 downs.

 

3 (8) - Tavares Gooden, LB Miami - D+ Had some potential, but injuries kept him from ever showing it with us, now he's a ST guy for the other Harbaugh, but still a major disappointment for a guy who was the 71st player taken in this draft.

 

3 (23) - Tom Zbikowski, SS Notre Dame - C A solid special teams guy and show some spunk as a spot starter. He was one of the guys that Pagano took with him to rebuild the Colts, but he he couldn't even stick there. This was the only 3rd rounder from this draft that even came close to amounting to anything.

 

3 (36) - Oniel Cousins, OT UTEP - F A major disappointment, he never understood the game. He was on the Cleveland Browns and could stick with them, come one that takes a special kind of fail.

 

4 (7) - Marcus Smith, WR New Mexicao - D+ Solely a ST/gunner type player. He was a converted RB to WR player who people were hoping could develop into the type of tough yardage player that Boldin was. Obviously that never happened, but while he was here he was a solid ST guy.

 

4 (34) - David Hale, OT Weber State - D For a time he was a soldi depth guy, maybe even a potenial heir to a starting job, but injuries robbed him of his playing time and he never was able to develop.

 

6 (40) - Haruki Nakamura, S Cinnicati - C+ Solid backup and ST guy (which was mainly what he was drafted for), but his storyline as being a Japanese-American was bigger than any play he ever made. The only highlight I can think of from him was pointing out to Ed Reed a play where he picked of Kolb in Philly and returned it 108 yards, but really I doubt Reed needed Ruki to point that out to him.

 

7 (8) - Justin Harper, WR Virgina Tech - D+ Flashed some potenial, but only a practice guy who couldn't make the routine catches. Would make spectacular catches at times that showed the potenial he had, but was only a tease who couldn't put it all together.

 

7 (33) - Allen Patrick, RB Oklahoma - F An intriguing height, weight, speed type guy, but the real RB to come out of Oklohoma this year went a little early, maybe you've heard of him? Plays for the Vikings and is a flat beast. Anyway injuires kept him from being anything for the team, but you didn't really expect much at the end of the 7th.

 

Overall Grade: A+ - First two picks were home runs so you can't really get to upset here, I remember this draft was considered a ST/depth-type draft outside of our first to picks, though Gooden and Cousins were expected to be more than just ST guys, so for most of the lower round guys I can't knock them too much for playing the role they were targeted for.

[Yatagarasu]

I wish we did better with our 3rd rounders.

 

Gooden and Zbikowski had promise, but didn't pan out for us.

[easternshore97]

Wow - you gave Oniel Cousins a C.

Can you explain the curve?

[Yatagarasu]

Oniel Cousins was a bust. He looked bad on all the positions. I don't know what Ozzie saw with that guy, but it didn't work out so well.

[GrimCoconut]

I wish we did better with our 3rd rounders.

Gooden and Zbikowski had promise, but didn't pan out for us.

Obviously this is true for anything in the draft, but we are VERY hit or miss in the 3rd round

Jah Reid, Lardarius Webb, Ed Dickson, Bernard Pierce, Oniel Cousins, Marshal Yanda.

[CARavensFan]

Obviously this is true for anything in the draft, but we are VERY hit or miss in the 3rd round

Jah Reid, Lardarius Webb, Ed Dickson, Bernard Pierce, Oniel Cousins, Marshal Yanda.

 Well I guess it cancels out we get All-Pros or very good players it is only fitting that we would have some epic busts in the same spot as well.

[Yatagarasu]

This draft turns out to be one of our best, where it will make us a dynasty for another decade.

 

Well, that's my pipe dream.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baltimore_Ravens_draft_history

 

Red = Bust Class

Purple = Era Changer (2000 Super Bowl Team)

Blue = Era Changer (decade of 2000 defense)

Green = Era Changer (2012 Super Bowl Team)

 

1996 Draft: Jonathan Ogden & Ray Lewis

1997 Draft: Peter Boulware & Jamie Sharper

1998 Draft; Duane Starks

1999 Draft: Chris McAlister

2000 Draft: Jamal Lewis & Adalius Thomas

2001 Draft: Todd Heap (I wish we won a ring for him)

2002 Draft: Ed Reed

2003 Draft: Terrell Suggs & Jarret Johnson

2004 Draft: Bust due to Kyle Boller Trade

2005 Draft: Mark Clayton

2006 Draft: Haloti Ngata & Sam Koch

2007 Draft: Ben Grubb & Marshal Yanda

2008 Draft: Joe Flacco & Ray Rice

2009 Draft: Michael Oher & Lardarius Webb

2010 Draft: Dennis Pitta & Arthur Jones

2011 Draft: Jimmy Smith & Torrey Smith

2012 Draft: Courtney Upshaw & Kelechi Osemele

[Yatagarasu]

If you look at our draft history, it's normal that we get one or two premier players and settle with depth players for the rest.

 

As long as we avoid bust draft class like 2004 and 2005, I say we're fine. Ozzie has been consistent since then and is going strong.

 

We were able to compete for the Super Bowl due to Ozzie's ability to get solid draft class multiple years in a row.

 

2006 and on helped make us the competitive team that we are now. The five playoff appearances don't lie and the recent draft classes prove we'll be in for another run.

[GrimCoconut]

This draft turns out to be one of our best, where it will make us a dynasty for another decade.

Well, that's my pipe dream.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baltimore_Ravens_draft_history

Red = Bust Class
Purple = Era Changer (2000 Super Bowl Team)
Blue = Era Changer (decade of 2000 defense)
Green = Era Changer (2012 Super Bowl Team)

1996 Draft: Jonathan Ogden & Ray Lewis
1997 Draft: Peter Boulware & Jamie Sharper
1998 Draft; Duane Starks
1999 Draft: Chris McAlister
2000 Draft: Jamal Lewis & Adalius Thomas
2001 Draft: Todd Heap (I wish we won a ring for him)
2002 Draft: Ed Reed
2003 Draft: Terrell Suggs & Jarret Johnson
2004 Draft: Bust due to Kyle Boller Trade
2005 Draft: Mark Clayton
2006 Draft: Haloti Ngata & Sam Koch
2007 Draft: Ben Grubb & Marshal Yanda
2008 Draft: Joe Flacco & Ray Rice
2009 Draft: Michael Oher & Lardarius Webb
2010 Draft: Dennis Pitta & Arthur Jones
2011 Draft: Jimmy Smith & Torrey Smith
2012 Draft: Courtney Upshaw & Kelechi Osemele

Now I see why Arnie is the way he is.

[MARYLANDMIKE21224]

Flacco

[MARYLANDMIKE21224]

dang it......lol...that wasnt suppose to post yet

 

Flacco      B                             solid b for Joe, only give out an A to hall of fame potential

 

Rice          B                            see above

 

Gooden    D                            below average special team player at best

 

Zibby        D+                          average special team player at best no speed and no quickness

 

Cousins    F                            not an NFL player

 

Smith        F                            not NFL player

 

Hale          F                            not NFL player

 

Nakamura D+                          average special team player at best, lost in NFL coverage

 

Harper and Patrick Not worth commenting LOL

[baltravens]

dang it......lol...that wasnt suppose to post yet
 
Flacco      B                             solid b for Joe, only give out an A to hall of fame potential
 
Rice          B                            see above
 
Gooden    D                            below average special team player at best
 
Zibby        D+                          average special team player at best no speed and no quickness
 
Cousins    F                            not an NFL player
 
Smith        F                            not NFL player
 
Hale          F                            not NFL player
 
Nakamura D+                          average special team player at best, lost in NFL coverage
 
Harper and Patrick Not worth commenting LOL

Let me help you out, buddy.

Flacco A- (Playoffs 4 out of 4 years, Super Bowl win in 5th)


Rice A/A- (One of the top RB's in the AFC)

[purplesky]

Now I see why Arnie is the way he is.

Yeah, a troll.

[Yatagarasu]

Let me help you out, buddy.

Flacco A- (Playoffs 4 out of 4 years, Super Bowl win in 5th)


Rice A/A- (One of the top RB's in the AFC)

 

A-?

 

Those two are top ten in their position. It's an "A" when you draft both of them after the top 15.

[Yatagarasu]

dang it......lol...that wasnt suppose to post yet

 

Flacco      B                             solid b for Joe, only give out an A to hall of fame potential

 

Rice          B                            see above

 

Gooden    D                            below average special team player at best

 

Zibby        D+                          average special team player at best no speed and no quickness

 

Cousins    F                            not an NFL player

 

Smith        F                            not NFL player

 

Hale          F                            not NFL player

 

Nakamura D+                          average special team player at best, lost in NFL coverage

 

Harper and Patrick Not worth commenting LOL

 

At least, Zibby and Nakamura were serviceable special teamers and special teams is 1/3 of the game.

[The King]

2008 was an A draft if ever one has been had. We have our franchise Qb and one of the top 5 RBs in the league. Though most of those guys are no longer with us or even out of football entirely, the average career of an NFL player is around 3 years. We wouldn't expect most of those guys to still be in the league now. And a lot of them would have had rookie contracts expire, so they would have walked simply because, although they were solid contributors.

 

Grading on a curve considering draft position Flacco and Ray Rice are A picks. They have been the keys to the offense since 2009. Zbikowski, Gooden, Nakamura, and Marcus Smith would all rank as picks from the C+ (in Gooden's case) to B+ range. Smith was an excellent special teamer for us, and Nakamura and Zibby both did great spot work. Zibby was good enough as a fill in starter that a lot of people on this board were happy to see Landry go and unsure why we'd brought in Pollard when we had a talented safety ready to roll out.

[baltravens]

A-?
 
Those two are top ten in their position. It's an "A" when you draft both of them after the top 15.

Bud, as a general rule I always try to be conservative in my final grades. Just like my final grade for the 2008 Draft was 'at least a B+.' If I was perfect in this I would be sitting along side John Eisenberg in writing articles for our team.

[Yatagarasu]

Bud, as a general rule I always try to be conservative in my final grades. Just like my final grade for the 2008 Draft was 'at least a B+.' If I was perfect in this I would be sitting along side John Eisenberg in writing articles for our team.

 

Thing you have to know that not every player can be a pro-bowler.

 

In an average draft, there's usually a good 10-20 players that worthy of Pro Bowl.

 

To get two of them, it's a win. Very rarely do teams get three or more Pro-Bowlers in one draft.

 

Yeah, people say Flacco isn't one, but he's a Super Bowl MVP, which is probably equivalent or higher than a Pro-Bowl nomination.

[Yatagarasu]

Let's say 25 players out of a 250 draft class are worthy of Pro-Bowl.

 

That means those players are the top 10% of the draft class. Pretty impressive I would say.

[TonyTone1192]

Thing you have to know that not every player can be a pro-bowler.

 

In an average draft, there's usually a good 10-20 players that worthy of Pro Bowl.

 

To get two of them, it's a win. Very rarely do teams get three or more Pro-Bowlers in one draft.

 

Yeah, people say Flacco isn't one, but he's a Super Bowl MVP, which is probably equivalent or higher than a Pro-Bowl nomination.

 

I would never grade a draft based on the amount of pro bowlers we get. But the amount of players that we drafted that are serviceable to our team.

4 years later 80% of our draft is no longer w/ our team. I know we got Flacco and Rice who are both A+ players but like my guy said earlier in the thread, you typically expect your first 2-3 picks to play major roles on your team and anything from 4-7 is picking a name out of a hat.

[TonyTone1192]

Wow - you gave Oniel Cousins a C.

Can you explain the curve?

 

3rd rd pick who is still in the league. I understand that he didn't work out for US, but the fact that as of today he is on an NFL roster, he has some value. The average time a player spends playing in the NFL is 3.2 years. C is an average grade and Oniel has been in the league for 4+ years.

[clamdigger]

So I'm staying at a hotel across from the Tampa Airport and a Ravens team jet is parked here. Wonder what they're doing.