The time has finally come!!!!  For 2 1/2 months, we have talked about it until we became blue in the face.  It's finally here.  The 2006 NFL Draft (I know you can't contain yourselves, but hold all applause).  Yes boys and girls, it's the time of year that gives us something to get happy about, because it gives football fans something else to talk about for the next month, until minicamps start.

I want to know who do you consider a first round bust from your favorite team.  I made this blog, so I guess I should go first.

 

My 1st round bust will be none other then........drum roll, please......... Travis Taylor!!!

Okay, folks.  I know what you're thinking.  Travis Taylor?  She has got to be crazy!  Last time I checked, Kyle Boller is on the Baltimore Ravens.  I get that.  And I'll tell you why I DIDN'T pick Boller in a sec.  But first, let me break down to you Travis Taylor's tenture as a Baltimore Raven:

College: Florida

Drafted: 10th overall pick, Baltimore Ravens in 2000

In 5 seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, Travis Taylor had 204 rec., 2758 yds., 15 TDs in in 67 games

Overall career: 254 rec., 3362 yds., 19 TDs in 83 games

 

I'm no NFL guru, but this is all we got from what was supposed to be one of the best WR's in the 2000 draft?  Thanks, but no thanks.  I know  there are a few of you who knows that this offense has been anemic for years, pretty much Taylor's whole career there.  But there are a couple of things I can say to defend that.  One, in 2001 when the Ravens had Elvis Grbac, the offense was ranked 14th in total yards per game, and even 16th in total yards the year before, during their SB season.  I'm sure the likes of Quadry Ismail, Shannon Sharpe, and Brandon Stokley couldn't complain about getting the ball with this anemic offense.  Also, regarding the 2001 season, Jamal Lewis went down with a knee injury that had our backfield blessed with the likes of Jason Brookings and Terry Allen.  Taylor only contributed with 42 rec for 560 yds.  In a season were the rushing avg went from 8th in 2000 to 25th in 2001, that should've gotten him 1,000 yds easy.  But he was unreliable and Stokley, Ismail, and Sharpe received more balls.  Case in point, Taylor didn't live up to round 1 expectations.

 

The reason why I didn't pick Boller is for a number of reasons.  Lets take a look at his overall performance as a Raven:

College: California

Drafted: 19th overall pick in 2003

2005 stats: 293 att, 171 cmp for 1799 yds. 58.4 cmp %, 11 TDs, 12 INTs, QB rating of 71.7 in 9 games

Overall stats: 981 att, 545 cmp for 5618 yds. 55.6 cmp %, 31 TDs, 32 INTs, QB rating of 69.2 in 36 games

 

Looking at Boller's numbers, they are below average and do not show any real improvement since he came in the league in 2003.  However, there are a few main factors that do not prove he is a first round bust.  First, Boller was handed the starting job on a silver platter.  When Boller was drafted, the coaching staff advised that it would be an open competition between Blake, Redman and Boller.  When Blake decided that he wasn't interested in the competition and left the team, that only left Redman as the "veteran QB" on the team.  The job instantly became Boller's to lose.  There was no QB that helped him in his development and the transition to the NFL.

Also, the decline in the offensive line.  Since Jamal rushed for 2066 yds in 2003 (Boller's rookie season), his rushing avg has gone down every year.  From 5.3 yds in 2003, to 4.3 yds in 2004 and finally to a horrible 3.4 yds last season.  The offensive line is slow and old, and pass protection has gotten worse.  With Rabach signing to the Redskins last season, Ogden and Mulitalo getting slower and Orlando Brown getting older, the offensive line played a fair role in the inept play of the offense overall. 

With the possible addition of McNair, Boller can get a second chance  by sitting on the bench to actually LEARN what it's like to be a QB, similar to what will happen if Harrington gets traded to Miami.  And hey, if Harrington can get another chance, then so can Boller.

 

Okay, enough about who my team's first round bust is.  Tell me who yours is and why.