Chris Johnson heads list of offensive rookies

My ranking of the NFL's top 10 most impactful offensive rookies mid-way through the 2008 season:

1. Chris Johnson: 715 rushing yards, 5 TDs: Johnson is the most physically talented rookie of this class. From his now famous 4.24 time in the 40-yard dash to his breakaway game speed, he has impressed everybody who has seen him play. At this point in the season, he is the rookie of the year. Johnson and LenDale White are a scary and dynamic one-two punch.

2. Matt Ryan: 1661 passing yards, 9 TDs, 85.4 passer rating: Ryan is playing like a veteran. He is leading an Atlanta Falcons team that had no expectations coming into the season. He seems to have all the skills to become a quality QB for an extended period of time in the NFL. He has already led a John Elway style comeback.

3. Matt Forte: 641 rushing yards, 4 TDs: Forte has single-handedly made Kyle Orton's job easier. He has made the Chicago offense two-dimensional. We'll see if he can do the same thing for Rex Grossman.

4. Joe Flacco: 1464 passing yards, 5 TDs, 75.6 passer rating: Young Mr. Flacco, from a small Deleware football program has lived up the hype. He is learning on the job, and learning at record rates. He is now used to the speed of the NFL game and is actually throwning/catching/running long-bombs almost every week. Its early, so I don't want to say he is the quarterback of the future, but he is certainly the quarterback of the present.

5. Steve Slaton: 538 rushing yards, 5 TDs: The Mountaineer is fast and quick all at the same time.

6. Eddie Royal: 461 receiving yards, 3 TDs: He came onto the scene with a huge first game. Since then he has peeter out a little but, but his presence coupled with Brandon Marshall still makes the Broncos offense one of the most dangerous in the league.

7. Tim Hightower: 242 rushing yards, 7 TDs: Hightower should actually be known as "garbage goal." He has become the master of short TD runs, much in the same way Brandon Jacobs was for the NY Giants a couple years ago. Last week Hightower ran for over 100 yards and a TD. Has he replaced Edge James as the #1 back in Arizona?

8. DeSean Jackson: 525 receiving yards, 1 TD: Jackson may have some butter fingers at times, but he adds life to an Eagles offense that has lacked a downfield threat since TO went to Dallas.

9. John Carlson: 244 receiving yards, 2 TDs: The one bright spot on the Seahawks offense. He is by far the best rookie tight end. Dustin Keller is the only one that can compare, but even he is well behind Carlson in production.

10. Jonathan Stewart: 352 rushing yards, 5 TDs: Stewart has filled a necessary role in Carolina. Watch out for the Panthers further into the season because Stewart gives them great depth in the backfield.

This is a big grocery list

Which illustrious college quarterback should the Raven's draft? Matt Ryan, Joe Flacco, Chad Henne, or Brian Brohm?

I want them all. Give me Matt Ryan, the All-American frat boy.


I want Mr. Gangley, bucktooth, Joe Flacco.


Send the beer bellied Chad Henne my way.


Obviously I would take the potentially corrupted (by Bobby Petrino) Brian Brohm.


One of the four prospects is bound to succeed.

Matt Ryan is a franchise QB

Story of the day:

"In the NFL, when you draft a quarterback in Round 1 and it doesn't work out, it's sort of like moving on from a bad break-up. You're going to feel a little bit skittish the first time you try to get back out there. You don't want to just grab the next quarterback who comes along, because the misery is too fresh, and your judgment is cloudy."

Raven's are in the market for a 6'6 QB with a laser rocket arm

"As usual, Baltimore has issues at quarterback, but this offseason the situation is as dire as at any point in recent memory. Steve McNair's illustrious career appears to be over and that leaves Kyle Boller and Troy Smith to lead the Ravens' offense. On a veteran team like this, the Ravens could ideally add an established QB, but finding one in the present market is going to be a very difficult chore. In the draft, Boston College's Matt Ryan will surely be gone by the time Baltimore makes its first selection and waiting until Round 2 could end up the smart move. However, that isn't the instant fix that the Ravens need. The new coaching staff will probably want to bring in their guy to lead the offense." -Scouts Inc.

I couldn't agree more. McNair shouldn't even be a question at this point. He deserves respect, but not the Joe Paterno like respect that would keep him around a decade past his prime. The franchise tried time and again with Boller. I still think he could be a quality QB in the league, but the team can't wait that long. Troy Smith is an enigma. At this point I think he should be resigned to the backup role until Boller throws his first 3-interception game. The team should absolutely take a cornerback with the first pick to replace Samari Rolle, and select a QB in the second round. My humble suggest would be to select either John David BOOOOTY or Chad Henne. Both played for big programs, have the athletic tools, are relatively intelligent, and have questions because of injuries. With great risk come great reward. Take a chance on either of these guys and it could pay off huge in the long run.

Nothing like rookie hazing

I can't wait until this is done to next year's crop of rookies. Hopefully that will include Darren McFadden, Chris Long, Matt Ryan, Bo Jackson, and Rambo.

Seriously though, I will be watching draft day closely because we admittedly need some help.