Brohm poised to become solid pro QB

by Adam Schein

Updated: April 15, 2008, 6:22 AM EST 8 comments

And frankly, that's just wrong.

Let's debunk the myth right now: Brian Brohm is going to be a starting quarterback and a winner in the NFL. He is also going to end up being a first-round pick.

Brohm's stock sunk like a rock after Louisville slumped to a 6-6 season in '07. But if you watched the Cardinals' demise, you know it was because of a simply pathetic defense. As a result, Brohm and the Cardinals' offense consistently had to play from behind.

In 2006, Brohm tossed 16 touchdowns against five picks and Louisville was one of the best college football programs. Brohm was the MVP of the Orange Bowl after he went 24-for-34 and threw for over 300 yards in his third straight game to end the season. Last year, while attempting 160 more passes because of Louisville constantly trailing on the scoreboard, the senior threw 30 touchdowns against 12 picks.

We asked Brohm this past Friday if he ever wants to stand up and yell to NFL scouts, "Hey, remember me!?"

Brohm said, "Yeah I get that feeling. I think I am the best quarterback in the class. I think a lot of people are impacted by 6-6. I think our record last year really hurt me. I think as a result, a lot of people have a lot of questions about it. They want to know how if I am a great quarterback and the team leader I am, I can let that happen. They want specifics how it happened.

"I still feel like I got much better as a player going from my junior to senior year. I still feel like I vastly improved going from 2006 to 2007 when we went 12-1 and won the Orange Bowl. I made progress. Hopefully the NFL folks agree and it pays off in the long run."

Brohm set a Big East record in passing yards for a career with 10,775. He's third in conference history in touchdown passes. He rocks steady in the pocket with incredible poise and touch. Teammates rave about Brohm's leadership. When you talk to him, when you watch him play, he oozes confidence.

With his family history at Louisville, a football program where his dad and brothers played, it impressed NFL scouts that he went to the school and took on the extra burden and pressure. Brohm told us on Friday he believes he is a "top 10 player in this draft and the top quarterback available."

Brian Brohm's numbers are staggering at Louisville. (Andy Lyons / Getty Images)

In reality, there is no chance he gets drafted ahead of Matt Ryan. Brohm won't go in the top 10, but his NFL prospects remain incredibly bright.

Carolina has expressed interest and will be in the quarterback business at some point in the draft. While I'd like the fit, realistically the Panthers will address a need in the trenches, whether it is on offense or defense.

Things will get very interesting for Brohm when Minnesota is on the board at 17, especially if Derrick Harvey is off the board. Brohm had an excellent meeting with the Vikings. He tells us (and scouts confirm) that he'd be an excellent fit in Brad Childress' West Coast offense, and loved meeting with the staff. Brohm's older brother Jeff, a former Louisville star, is close with multiple members of Childress' staff.

While I believe in Tarvaris Jackson's upside -- and the Vikes made a nice pick-up bringing in Gus Frerotte as veteran insurance/competition -- you can make an easy case that Brohm would represent the best player on the board when Minnesota is on the clock. And you could also make the case that if Jackson fails to live up to expectations this year, Brian Brohm is the Vikings' opening-game starter in 2009.

Atlanta is also a team to watch. The Falcons have three picks in Round 2 after trading DeAngelo Hall and Matt Schaub. Don't be surprised if Atlanta packages two of the picks and deals into the later stages of Round 1 to get Brohm if he's still on the board.

We've been told the Dolphins, Ravens (he had a visit in Baltimore last week), and the Jets have also been sniffing around.

Brohm told us that he had a great trip to Atlanta and meshed with new coach Mike Smith and offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey.

And despite being the two people who got robbed by Bob Petrino the most over the last year, the name of the former Louisvile and Falcons coach only came up once during a conversation with Arthur Blank.

Brohm said he really enjoyed his time with Blank, and the quarterback told the owner he fits his vision in what a quarterback should be on and off the field, with skill, leadership, and character.

Starting when Petrino left Louisville before Brohm's final season, it's been a roller-coaster ride for the quarterback. Truth is, the draft will be a lot like the last 365 days, as it is incredibly difficult to predict his fortunes.

But in chatting with Brohm every single week leading up to the draft, he comes across incredibly well. Brohm's incredibly likeable and you can tell why his teammates respected him. Brohm desperately wants to prove the critics wrong. He can't wait to be an NFL player.

And the last thing you should do is bet against him. He's very mature and been through it all. He can handle NFL pressure and adversity.

And if you are a team that needs a quarterback, you don't want to pass him up.

Schein's 9 Nuggets of Wisdom

1. I think there is absolutely no way Matt Ryan slips past the Ravens at No. 8. Atlanta will consider picking Ryan, but will ultimately grab Glenn Dorsey. Kansas City is a team to watch in the Ryan mix, but I think the Chiefs will have to go offensive line with so many voids. Ryan is going to be a steal for the Ravens and a perfect fit in Cam Cameron's offense. The Boston College product has the accuracy and the "it" factor to be a big-time NFL player and winner. Multiple scouts have told me he projects as the next Matt Hasselbeck.

2. When the wheel stops, I think there will be six offensive linemen selected in the first round: Jake Long, Ryan Clady, Branden Albert (who I love and think can go as high as 13 to Carolina), Chris Williams, Jeff Otah and Gosder Cherlius. There is a realistic chance that the first five are all off the board after Detroit picks at 15.

3. On the flip side, I think the receivers in this draft class are all flawed. Many teams only have Michigan's State Devin Thomas with a first-round grade. I think the biggest myth in the draft is that the Eagles are taking a wideout. Here's an early prediction: No receiver goes in the top 20, and no more than 3 receivers get picked in the first round. The value on receivers is in Round 2.

4. Dennis Dixon has a knack. The Oregon quarterback always played his best in crunch time and was a leader for a major college program. Dixon is coming off of surgery to repair a torn ACL injury. He isn't 100 percent physically, but says he should be by August. While he'll be on a practice squad or a 3rd-stringer this season, his upside is being a legit NFL back-up who you wouldn't mind being a heart beat away. Dixon was able to work out for scouts earlier this month and dazzled with his arm and precision, just like he did on Saturday afternoons.

I always liked Dennis Dixon. Don't be surprised if a team like Tennessee or Seattle takes Dixon on Day 2. Dixon also stressed to us that he has no interest in playing baseball. He's been drafted twice.

The Raiders don't want the rest of the league to know about RB Michael Bush. ( Justin Sullivan / Getty Images)

5. After Brett Favre's comments that he would consider a comeback if Aaron Rodgers got hurt, the Packers would simply be nuts to retire his jersey on opening night against the Vikings. The last thing the Packers and Rodgers need on MNF — when they usher in a new era at quarterback — is to have the night be all about Brett Favre.

6. Raiders linebacker Kirk Morrison shut me up when I mentioned the name Michael Bush to him.

Morrison said, "Shhhhhh. We want him to be the best-kept secret in the NFL. He's healthy. He's the next Brandon Jacobs with his power and speed."

If Bush is really ready to go, it would give Lane Kiffin a major weapon and perfect compliment to Justin Fargas. But I don't think you can bank on Bush's health when debating whether or not to draft Darren McFadden. The pure home-run ability of the Arkansas back is likely too much for Al Davis to pass up.

7. I firmly believe — and so do three league sources I checked in with — that there is at least a 50-50 chance Jeremy Shockey is a Saint by the time the NFL draft is over.

8. There are four legit running backs in this draft who will be drafted in the second or third round and will make an impact: Ray Rice, Tashard Choice, Chris Johnson and Tulane's Matt Forte.

Forte is going to be a player in the NFL. The first-team Conference USA back was second in the country last year, averaging 177 yards per game. Forte doesn't possess blazing speed but has great ability running between the tackles and getting quality yards. His thick legs make him a challenge to take down.

Forte tells us he spent a lot of time with the Detroit Lions recently, meeting with Rod Marinelli, Jim Colleto and Matt Millen. If Detroit finally smartens up and drafts an offensive lineman in the first round, spending a second-round pick on a three-down back like Forte would be brilliant.

And I think it's important to pass this little nugget along: You won't find a more intelligent or impressive interview than Forte, who is a high-character guy.

9. Virginia Tech linebacker Xavier Adibi is a player we like a lot as a second-rounder. Adibi, who idolizes Derrick Brooks, says Denver, Jacksonville and Detroit have shown the most interest. He'd be a great fit for the Broncos early in round two.

Interviews with Brohm, Adibi, Morrison, Forte, Dixon, were done live on the Sirius Blitz on Sirius NFL Radio.