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Better-Than Team: Cleaning up after stubborn scouts

 

The passing numbers for Louisville quarterback Brian Brohm went up in 2007.

Somehow, surprisingly, his draft stock went the other way.

At this time a year ago, Brohm made a decision to stay in school instead of entering the 2007 NFL Draft, which most thought to be the right decision, especially since he was considered the No. 1 overall prospect for the 2008 draft at the time.

It's more than just the number that makes Prisco think of Jim Kelly when he sees Brian Brohm. (Getty Images)  
It's more than just the number that makes Prisco think of Jim Kelly when he sees Brian Brohm. (Getty Images)  
Now he's not even the No. 1 quarterback. More likely, he's a second-round pick in this year's draft.

How did that happen?

"Over-analysis," one NFC scout said. "That's what we do. Give scouts 12 months and they'll tear everybody apart."

They're wrong about Brohm. He's the best quarterback in this draft, better than Boston College's Matt Ryan, who will be the first quarterback taken.

He's also the headliner of my annual "Better-Than" Team, made up of players I think are better than most of the scouts do.

Brohm had 30 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions, while Ryan threw 31 touchdown passes and 19 interceptions. Brohm also had a better completion percentage than Ryan. Yet as the draft nears, it's Ryan who will be a top-10 overall pick. Brohm has to hope somebody at the back end of the first round likes him enough to take him there. If not, it's the second round at best for him.

He's Exhibit A in what over-scouting can do to a player.

My Better-Than team isn't about over-analysis. It's about football players. Can you block? Can you tackle? Do you produce yards when the ball is in your hands?

In recent years, the team has featured a list of 20 players. This year's team is expanded to 25 because there are so many players I like more than the scouts do.

Some I will hit. Some I will miss. It's not unlike the scouts themselves. They miss as well. It's just that when they do it, it costs a heck of a lot more than when I do.

CONTINUED: 1 · 2 · Next »
 
Talk Back
Reputation:96
Level:Superstar
Since:Feb 28, 2008

April 21, 2008 12:36 pm
I agree that Brohm is better than Ryan.  Brohm is a player who is ready now, Ryan is a player with potential.  Brohm has started for 3 years while Ryan has only started 2.  Some other QBs who have started for 3 years ( Peyton Manning, McNabb) and 2 years ( Ryan Leaf, Tim Couch, Akili Smith).  We all know now t ...(more)
Reputation:96
Level:Superstar
Since:Aug 23, 2006

April 21, 2008 5:14 pm

This article is a glaring example as to why Pete Prisco is a sports writer and not an NFL scout.  He declares that Brohm's passing numbers went up this year and thusly that justifies him being considered the best QB in the draft. 

I happen to agree with Prisco that Brohm could be the best QB in this draft.  Only time will tell.  That being said, the reason more ...(more)

Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Nov 11, 2006

April 21, 2008 4:48 pm
(POLL)

If Ray Rice had stayed for a 4th year he would have been the NCAA career rushing leader.  He looks like a spinning image of Maurice Jones-Drew.

What are your opinions?

Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Dec 1, 2006

April 21, 2008 12:53 pm
I'm as shocked as you.

This was actually a great article. It's about time.
Reputation:83
Level:All-Star
Since:Apr 26, 2007

April 21, 2008 4:28 pm
why don't they have Martin Rucker on here? he was a big reason why Mizzou did really good this year. he is a fast TE and has the best hands in this draft for TE, don't believe me, then check him out, he is a great TE and no one is talking about him because they say he isn't good at blocking, but from what i have seen, he has done actually really great for blocking. at the Senior Bowl, he blocked r ...(more)
Reputation:91
Level:All-Star
Since:Aug 30, 2006

April 21, 2008 4:17 pm

..............he got hurt.  That's the bottom line.  Now he's marked as injury prone and scouts are reluctant to throw the big dollars at him before he proves otherwise.  It's the same thing that happened to Adrian Peterson (OU), ...(more)