....the skyrocketing Chad Henne?...

[joewillie99]

...from a 2-3 rounder to a middle first round?...from SI's Peter King...

"The hot name as we enter the final five predraft days? Michigan quarterback Chad Henne. Two scouts I trust told me over the weekend they like him better than they like (Matt) Ryan. There's a team somewhere between 8 and 17 -- and I can't figure out which one -- interested in trading down a few slots and drafting Henne with a first-round pick."

[Msteg45]

I don't doubt it. Flakko is good, but how often do you see teams willing to take a 1AA player in the first round?

[Davis]

Good for Chad. 4 years as Michigan starting QB should land you in the first round.

[shawnspookcity]

Here's to hoping he plays for the Bears next year.

[joewillie99]

Good for Chad. 4 years as Michigan starting QB should land you in the first round.

...MLB draft too....Rick Leach was a first rounder of the Tigers...

[Davis]

I know it's a stretch with Manningham being a pothead, but Michigan could land 3 guys in the first round if Chad shoots up. That'd be nice.

[316what]

Good for Chad. 4 years as Michigan starting QB should land you in the first round.

You mean 4 years of losing to OSU should land you in the first round.:p In all seriousness, I'm glad to see Chad moving up the big board. He's a helluva QB when he's healthy.

[Raven Maniac (aka TJ87)]

Peter King sounds like he's making this up to show he's got a "scoop". I don't buy it.

[mzdaspeed30]

Dolphins are gona probably pick him up with that 2nd round pick or maybe they pick up manningham since a lot of rumors going around are that he is gona fall to the 2nd round because of the pot smoking incident. Kind of reminds me of the moss situation when a bunch of teams passed on him because of his off field problems and look what he turned out to be. Not saying manningham is moss but he has a lot of potential.

[McFarlane Mojo]

Manningham is destined to be a Bengal, with his left hand cig habit.

[Irish_Flyers]

Been watching Chad play since Wilson HS (local to where I live), and then he moved on to my favorite college.
I hope he lands himself a decent QB gig. It'd be great if he's a 1st rounder, but fine if he goes 2nd Rd.
As long as he has a shot to compete right out of the gate. Not sure where I'd like to see him end up.

He's the best QB in the history of UM!!!

Has a couple knocks on him though. He's barely mobile, and he has a major issue staring down his target WR. (Has to learn how to look off NFL DBs). Other than those, the kid was born to be a QB. Cannon Arm & Smart!!
We'll see. Saturday could be a good day for UM fans. Long, Henne, Manningham, Arrington, Hart. Let's see what happens.
GO BLUE!!

[Irish_Flyers]

Certainly would be interesting if Miami grabbed Long & Henne.

[freezowave1978]

Henne has an NFL skill set, but at times made questionable decisions on the field. Then again he played in a very conservative offense.

I think his moving up the boards has a lot to do with several factors:
- He is intelligent and articulate (something that I think means more to NFL scouts than many give credit)
- He has an NFL body.
- UofM has a history of being a QB factory, so why stop now? (well under Rich Rod this will most likely change).
- UofM ran pretty much an NFL offense, so he won't have to be re-taught how to play the position.
- His senior year he was hurt most all of the season, so that should be considered when looking at his numbers.

I think a realistic projection would be in the 2nd half of the 1st through the lower half of the 2nd.

[freezowave1978]

I think a good fit would be with the Vikes or Bears, which would slot him in the middle of round one.

[Irish_Flyers]

It'd be cool if he went to either of those teams. Not sure the Vikes are ready bail on Tavaris just yet, though

[SmartassBoiler]

Heh. I guarantee you Manningham will not be picked in the first round.

I completely agree, but he's still a first round talent. He'll be a bargain for whomever selects him.

[316what]

- UofM has a history of being a QB factory, so why stop now? (well under Rich Rod this will most likely change).


I'm not so sure I'd call UofM a QB factory, lol. Here's a look at UofM QB's since 1984:

Here's the starting QB chronology for U of M since 1984:
Jim Harbaugh-Chris Zurbrugg 1984 (Zurbrugg started 2nd half of season after Harbaugh broke his arm against MSU. Season record was 6-6, Michigan's last non-winning record for a season, and Bo's only non-winning record at U-M.)
Jim Harbaugh 1985-1986
Demetrius Brown/Michael Taylor 1987, 1988 (Alternated at the starting position.)

Elvis Grbac 1990-1992
Todd Collins 1993-1994
Brian Griese/Scott Dreisbach 1995-1997 (Griese and Dreisbach alternated as starter in 1995 and 1996; Dreisbach mostly a backup in 1997.)

Tom Brady 1998-1999 (Drew Henson played some quarters, e.g., Syracuse 98, but did not start.)

Drew Henson/John Navarre 2000 (Navarre started when Henson was hurt)

John Navarrre 2001-2003
(Matt Gutierrez played for U of M from 2003-2005 but didn't play much, partly due to injuries. He transferred to 1AA Idaho State for his senior year.) Chad Henne 2004-2007 (Started his freshman year because of an injury to Matt Gutierrez. Never gave up the starting job, except for when injured.)

[StevB15]

It's Baltimore...Baltimore and St. Louis are the only teams that have had private workouts with Henne. Baltimore just hired Michigan's offensive line coach, Harbaugh's brother played at Michigan. Cameron is a former Michigan assistant. Plus he is probably the most rady to play in the NFL after being a 4 year starter at Michigan and the Ravens think they have a shot at the playoffs this year.

[RAIDEN6]

Good for Chad. 4 years as Michigan starting QB should land you in the first round.So if you start 4 years at michigan that automatically makes you a 1st round pick?

[Davis]

So if you start 4 years at michigan that automatically makes you a 1st round pick?
At QB, probably. He's the only one to do it, other than Rick Leach, who was a 1st round MLB draft pick (as someone else pointed out in this thread.)

[RAIDEN6]

Well either way, he is overrated.

[SmartassBoiler]

Well either way, he is overrated.

Well thought out. Congrats. This is based on the 0 NFL games he's played? You should take your Nostradamus-like skills to the lottery and make millions.

[RAIDEN6]

Well thought out. Congrats. This is based on the 0 NFL games he's played? You should take your Nostradamus-like skills to the lottery and make millions.I'm sorry but since when do teams draft players out of college based on their NFL experience? What does him being overrated have ANYTHING to do with NFL experience?

I said he is overrated, as in a overrated player in college and a overrated prospect.

Well thought out on your part.

[SmartassBoiler]

I'm sorry but since when do teams draft players out of college based on their NFL experience? What does him being overrated have ANYTHING to do with NFL experience?

I said he is overrated, as in a overrated player in college and a overrated prospect.

Well thought out on your part.

My point is that you come in here, claim he's overrated, and offer zero support for your argument, so it makes you look like an idiot.

Why exactly do you think he's overrated? Low release? Mobility? Arm strength? He's a 4 year starter at a big time university who runs a successful (albeit conservative) pro-style offense. He was thought of as a middle round prospect, and then after very successful Senior Bowl practices and individual workouts/interviews, he's shot up the draft board of almost every NFL team.

That shows that despite his high level of experience, scouts originally weren't impressed with his physical skills, but his practices and workouts have changed that impression.

[RAIDEN6]

My point is that you come in here, claim he's overrated, and offer zero support for your argument, so it makes you look like an idiot.

Why exactly do you think he's overrated? Low release? Mobility? Arm strength? He's a 4 year starter at a big time university who runs a successful (albeit conservative) pro-style offense. He was thought of as a middle round prospect, and then after very successful Senior Bowl practices and individual workouts/interviews, he's shot up the draft board of almost every NFL team.

That shows that despite his high level of experience, scouts originally weren't impressed with his physical skills, but his practices and workouts have changed that impression.When it comes to mobility to a QB, I can care less. From what I've seen of him on film (watched a lot on him because my friend runs a draft website) he is inconsistent with accuracy, seems to struggle under pressure, and his footwork is sloppy at times which causes bad throws. I'm not saying that he won't be a good QB or anything (hell nobody thought Brady was going to be what he is), I just personally think he is overrated. To me he isn't a 1st round pick, but a 2nd / 3rd round pick.

[joewillie99]

At QB, probably. He's the only one to do it, other than Rick Leach, who was a 1st round MLB draft pick (as someone else pointed out in this thread.)

....I'll have to look it up but,Steve Smith may have been a four year starter too....if he was,he's the worst four year starter in the history of CFB...Update: only three years...

http://thosewhostaywillbechampions.blogspot.com/2006/06/steve-smith-forgotten-link-in-chain-of.html

[todderfield]

It's Baltimore...Baltimore and St. Louis are the only teams that have had private workouts with Henne. Baltimore just hired Michigan's offensive line coach, Harbaugh's brother played at Michigan. Cameron is a former Michigan assistant. Plus he is probably the most rady to play in the NFL after being a 4 year starter at Michigan and the Ravens think they have a shot at the playoffs this year.


im thinkin the same thing with baltimore....

[joewillie99]

...Henne to Baltimore?...Peter King agrees...from today's SI.com...


Ravens fans, you may finally have your quarterback of the future: Chad Henne. I made him the 20th pick in my mock (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/peter_king/04/20/mmqb/index.html) first round Monday, chosen by Baltimore after a trade with Tampa Bay. And after talking to Henne at length Monday night, the idea seems pretty plausible.
"They seem to like me a lot, but you never know,'' the 22-year-old Henne said from his Pennsylvania home. "I think I'm a pretty good fit there. I kind of stressed with them my ability to come in and play right away, because I've been through it already [as a four-year starter at Michigan].
The Ravens sent offensive coordinator Cam Cameron and quarterbacks coach Hue Jackson to Michigan's Pro Day to see Henne's workout. Cameron and Jackson drove to Albright College in Reading, Pa., near Henne's hometown of Wyomissing, Pa., two weeks ago to work Henne out for 90 minutes -- with Henne's local fans, about 100 of them, coming out of the woodwork to watch the drills. The Ravens gave Henne an offensive playbook, asked him to learn as much as he could in a few days, then had him visit their facility in Owings Mills, Md.. They spent a morning testing him and putting him on the board to see how he'd fit in the offense.
Cameron is a former Wolverine assistant coach. Coach John Harbaugh grew up in Ann Arbor, and his brother was a star Michigan quarterback. Andy Moeller, Baltimore's assistant offensive line coach, coached at Michigan last year and has been singing Henne's praises through the building this spring. So no team is as plugged in regarding Henne as Baltimore. And the news is all good. They think Henne can be a winning NFL quarterback.
Baltimore holds the eighth pick in the first round, then No. 38, in round two. It's true the Ravens have a high regard for Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan and would certainly take him if he made it through seven picks. But since that's highly unlikely -- the Falcons (three), Chiefs (five) and Jets (six) all very interested in Ryan -- the Ravens can either trade down from eight and pick Henne or trade up from No. 38 to acquire a pick where they could be assured of getting him.
Now, nothing is a sure thing in this or any draft. But there's no question the Ravens want to come away with a quarterback, and they don't seem inclined to pay the ransom it would take to move up and acquire Ryan -- particularly in a year in which they absolutely have to start rebuilding an aging secondary. The ideal scenario would be to get Ryan. Ideal Scenario 1B would be to trade down from about eight to 15 for a second-round pick, then from 15 to 20 for a third-, then take Henne.
My feeling on Henne is that no other quarterback in this draft is as prepared to step into a situation like Baltimore's. The Ravens still have the pieces to make a playoff run, just 16 months after a 13-3, playoff-bye season. All that's missing is quarterback competency. In the wake of Steve McNair's retirement last week --and there was no guarantee he'd have started this year anyway -- Baltimore is left with Kyle Boller and Troy Smith at quarterback. Neither is the organization's preferred long-term starter. Whoever is drafted would be expected to come into camp this year with a chance to play, and perhaps start.
Henne left home the day after his high school graduation, in June 2004, to begin working out at Michigan. And on Sept. 4 of that year, in the Wolverines' opener against Miami of Ohio, with starter Matt Gutierrez nursing a sore arm, coach Lloyd Carr put Henne in the starting lineup. He responded with a 14-of-24 day, with two touchdown passes to Braylon Edwards, before a crowd of 110,000. "Considering he ran out into this stadium after he just got out of his high-school prom, I was impressed,'' Carr said that day.
In four years, Henne missed only three starts (due to injury), and was the paragon of consistency, completing 60, 58, 62 and 58 percent of his throws over the four years. He has the quickest release in the draft. His arm strength and quickness are average, his game-management and leadership above average.
"I think I'm at the top of my game, physically, right now,'' Henne said. "I think coming into this offense, with Steve McNair retiring, I'd be thrown into the mix right away, and I'd be comfortable with that.. There are people out there who view some of the quarterbacks in this draft ahead of me. The way I handle that is to keep working, keep fighting. If teams turn on the game film, they know I'm right up there with them, and I have more experience than any of them. I know I have the capability to be the top quarterback in this draft.''
There are two basic systems of offensive nomenclature in football -- one using numbers, one using words. At Michigan, Henne used words. The Ravens use numbers. What was "Devo'' in the Michigan playbook, a go route for a receiver, will be a "9'' route with Baltimore. "As soon as you learn the number tree,'' Henne said, "it's easy.''
Henne visited only one other team -- St. Louis -- and the Rams, with Marc Bulger in place, would be unlikely to use a first- or second-round pick on him. There could be other teams out there (Miami, Green Bay, the Jets and Atlanta if the Falcons don't pick Ryan) between picks 25 and 40 interested, so the Ravens would likely have to pick him by the mid-twenties to be assured of getting him.

[Hateohiostate]

I think Henne is a GREAT competitor. THAT, is what the nfl wants. Remember Flutie? Too small, etc....he had heart. Speaking of Hart, here is your bargain basement golden nugget. Always told he was too small. Ask the defenses that took a shot from him. I don't think Miami will take a qb. They have Beck and he certainly learned a pro offense, but being a rookie AND having the pourous -line, he didn't do well. Getting Long is a great step to fixing those issues.
GO BLUE

[BigFred]

It's Baltimore...Baltimore and St. Louis are the only teams that have had private workouts with Henne. Baltimore just hired Michigan's offensive line coach, Harbaugh's brother played at Michigan. Cameron is a former Michigan assistant. Plus he is probably the most rady to play in the NFL after being a 4 year starter at Michigan and the Ravens think they have a shot at the playoffs this year.

Lots of connections,but we haven't had much luck with Michigan QB's in the past (Harbaugh and Grbac only lasted one season). I'd rather have Flacco.

[bradanddabears]

Here's to hoping he plays for the Bears next year.


now way brother bear!!!....no more big ten qbs..big arm mike, captain comback harbaugh, michigans finest mr griese, the brain krenzel( witch i really liked:p)....no more big ten qb's...time to go to the pac10;)

[StevB15]

Lots of connections,but we haven't had much luck with Michigan QB's in the past (Harbaugh and Grbac only lasted one season). I'd rather have Flacco.
I'm still praying Ryan falls to 8.

[APM]

It's Baltimore...Baltimore and St. Louis are the only teams that have had private workouts with Henne. Baltimore just hired Michigan's offensive line coach, Harbaugh's brother played at Michigan. Cameron is a former Michigan assistant. Plus he is probably the most rady to play in the NFL after being a 4 year starter at Michigan and the Ravens think they have a shot at the playoffs this year.

Why would the Rams be looking for a QB?

[Irish_Flyers]

Well either way, he is overrated.
Actually Matt Ryan is overrated He's the one touted as the #1 QB, so technically he's the only one who could be labeled as overrated out of the QBs. Matt Leinart is overrated, David Carr is overrated. Alex Smith is overrated.

How in the blue blazes can a guy who's NOT being touted as the #1 QB in the draft, (or the #2, and until the last week or so, wasn't even considered the #3 QB), how is that him being "overrated"

Quit hating, just because he's UM alum. That's all your basing that on, I'm sure.

[Irish_Flyers]

...In the wake of Steve McNair's retirement last week --and there was no guarantee he'd have started this year anyway -- Baltimore is left with Kyle Boller and Troy Smith at quarterback. Neither is the organization's preferred long-term starter. Whoever is drafted would be expected to come into camp this year with a chance to play, and perhaps start.
I like the irony of this part of the article. Henne could get drafted by the Ravens, walk onto the team and could beat out Troy Smith, (OSU rival & Heisman winner), for the starting job AND Troy has had an extra year to learn the system.

That would be poetic. Haha. Go Chad!!!

[RAIDEN6]

Actually Matt Ryan is overrated He's the one touted as the #1 QB, so technically he's the only one who could be labeled as overrated out of the QBs. Matt Leinart is overrated, David Carr is overrated. Alex Smith is overrated.

How in the blue blazes can a guy who's NOT being touted as the #1 QB in the draft, (or the #2, and until the last week or so, wasn't even considered the #3 QB), how is that him being "overrated"

Quit hating, just because he's UM alum. That's all your basing that on, I'm sure.Yes, that has EVERYTHING to do with it. I'm only saying he is overrated because he went to Michigan...............:rolleyes:
Please.

[GoNiners]

You mean 4 years of losing to OSU should land you in the first round.:p In all seriousness, I'm glad to see Chad moving up the big board. He's a helluva QB when he's healthy.

Just because choking in two consecutive National Championship games wont get an OSU QB to the first round doesnt mean you can start hating ;).

EDIT: I was obviously tongue in cheek with that one.

[mzdaspeed30]

I'm still praying Ryan falls to 8.

there is a really good chance he is gona fall to 8 only team i can see picking him up might be atlanta but if glen dorsey is there i think they will take him instead hey look at matt leinart who would have ever thought he would fall to the cardinals at 9 i believe.

[coogrfan]

Good for Chad. 4 years as Michigan starting QB should land you in the first round.

I'm confused. How does failing to win much of anything in four years despite being surrounded by talent make someone a 1st rounder?

[joewillie99]

....skyrocketed to the second round....but..almost to the first...from Peter King...


FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- It was never excruciatingly close, but 20 minutes before the draft, St. Louis Rams decision-makers were sequestered in an office and seriously considering two trades down from No. 2, one of which would have changed the headlines in your Sunday newspapers.

Matt Ryan to Baltimore.

Glenn Dorsey to Atlanta.

Chris Long -- don't gasp so loud, Howie -- to the Raiders.

Chad Henne to Atlanta, somewhere in the middle of the first round as the Falcons' quarterback of the future, not Miami's.

Jacksonville NOT trading up for Derrick Harvey.

Vernon Gholston to the Chiefs.

Joe Flacco somewhere in the second round.

"Can you imagine,'' I said to Ryan late Saturday night, "you in Baltimore, and Henne and Glenn Dorsey here in Atlanta?''

"Really?'' he said. "Was it close?''

Again, not so close that the three teams involved in the discussions are regretting it this morning. But in re-creating the events of the two hours before the draft, I learned that the Rams had some lines in the water that would have surprised us all.

Shortly after noon, Baltimore GM Ozzie Newsome offered St. Louis first-, second- and fourth-round picks this year and a third-rounder in 2009 for the Rams' first-round pick. In essence, to move up six spots in the first round, Baltimore was offering the 38th and 106th pick this year and, say, around the 80th pick next year. Tempting, St. Louis thought. So the Rams called Atlanta, at number three, asking for a second-round pick this year to swap spots. If St. Louis traded with Atlanta, the Rams would pick up a free first-day pick and still get Chris Long. If the Rams traded with Baltimore, they'd lose out on Long, the only legit pass-rusher they liked in this draft.

Though the Rams never asked, Baltimore was unwilling to sweeten the pot. I'm told a sweetener like next year's first-round pick instead of the third- would have gotten the deal done for St. Louis. Two reasons the Ravens didn't ratchet up the offer one last time. One: New offensive coordinator Cam Cameron loves Ryan, but he also likes Flacco and Henne, and he thinks Flacco might have the traits and the arm to be special. Two: New coach John Harbaugh wanted picks. He wanted an influx of talent for this first-year coaching staff to coach, and if they had to spend a mint to get Ryan, three or four of those bright prospects -- like second-round back Ray Rice -- would never have been Ravens today.

The Rams called the Ravens back and turned down the offer about five minutes before the draft began. "It was a really hard decision,'' said one of the Ram execs in the room. "But it was more about our belief in Chris Long and the fact that we thought he was the perfect pick for us more so than anything else. Anybody else but Chris Long, and we'd probably have done it. But when we walked out of the room and made the phone call to Baltimore, we were in 100 percent agreement that it was the right decision.''

The Falcons turned down the swap offer shortly before that. I write about that in SI this week, so I'll not spill everything about why. But I'll say that the Falcons were comfortable enough with their feelings for Henne that they figured if they lost Ryan, Dorsey and Henne would be a suitable draft-day bonanza.

You could, of course, go on with this what-if stuff forever. But I thought you'd like to know what was really going on in the minutes before the draft in three draft rooms. Stuff like this isn't rare; sometimes deals are discussed and come close, like this one. Sometimes it's excruciating to make the call. This was just difficult for the Rams, not a killer.

[Raven Maniac (aka TJ87)]

Chris Long better be a beast, or the Rams are going to be kicking themselves for not getting all of those picks from the Ravens. I'm surprised the Rams didn't do that with the state of their team right now.

[RAIDEN6]

Chris Long better be a beast, or the Rams are going to be kicking themselves for not getting all of those picks from the Ravens. I'm surprised the Rams didn't do that with the state of their team right now.The reason they sucked so bad last year was injuries.

[lwagner57]

When it comes to mobility to a QB, I can care less. From what I've seen of him on film (watched a lot on him because my friend runs a draft website) he is inconsistent with accuracy, seems to struggle under pressure, and his footwork is sloppy at times which causes bad throws. I'm not saying that he won't be a good QB or anything (hell nobody thought Brady was going to be what he is), I just personally think he is overrated. To me he isn't a 1st round pick, but a 2nd / 3rd round pick.

Struggle under pressure? Are you a moron? He led Michigan back to victories 3 times alone last year vs MSU, Illinois and Florida. Don't talk about Michigan football unless you watch it.

[lwagner57]

I'm confused. How does failing to win much of anything in four years despite being surrounded by talent make someone a 1st rounder?

Didn't win much of anything? Lets see 2 rose bowl apperances and a win vs Florida in the Citrus bowl against the Florida team who won the national title the previous year. Tell us what Notre Dame has done the past 10 years or talk about the last time they won a bowl game.

[Raven Maniac (aka TJ87)]

Here's a grain of salt when reading evaluations of your team's draft:

This is an excerpt from an April 15, 1998 Sports Illustrated Article Where will Leaf fall? “At 6-foot-5, Leaf has the size NFL teams are looking for. His arm strength is considered better than Manning's and he threw a Pac-10 record 33 touchdowns last season while playing in the same sophisticated Washington State offense that primed Drew Bledsoe for NFL success.”

‘He gets rid of the ball quickly and he just kind of flicks it’ said Indianapolis Colts head coach Jim Mora. ‘I mean it's not like its effortless motion. When he throws the ball it's just BOOM it goes through the air at a pretty good pace -- that impresses me.”

On the other hand that one NFL scout said this about Tom Brady prior to the 2000 draft, “Poor build, very skinny and narrow, lacks mobility and the ability to avoid the rush, lacks a really strong arm."

[SmartassBoiler]

The reason they sucked so bad last year was injuries.

The Rams have a lot of holes on defense and now at WR opposite the declining Torry Holt.

[Raven Maniac (aka TJ87)]

The reason they sucked so bad last year was injuries.

Injuries helped them get to 2-14, but they were already a pretty bad team, especially on defense. Imagine the influx of talent with that many draft picks, and all you have to do is take the 8th best player instead of the 3rd best player. I would have pounced on that if I was running the Rams. I'm glad they didn't, though, because my Ravens' draft would have been decimated for one player.