The knock on Arizona State outside linebacker Terrell Suggs was his suspect speed.
Disappointing times in the 40-yard dash raised some red flags and caused the draft's best pass rusher to fall to the Ravens with the 10th overall pick. But the Ravens' other first-round pick, California quarterback Kyle Boller, can vouch for how fast Suggs is on the field.
"I know our game plan was to put three guys on him," said Boller, a Pacific-10 rival of Suggs'. "He's very quick off the edge, so you have to step up in the pocket. I'm glad he's on this side of the ball and I never have to have him tackle me again."
The Ravens' top picks arrived in town yesterday and talked about how the draft's fastest-rising and fastest-falling prospects both landed at the team's Owings Mills complex. But the Ravens believe Suggs and Boller - two of the biggest question marks of this draft - can be the answers to making them a playoff team this season.
Boller, who was projected as a fourth-round pick before the 2002 college season, showed monumental improvement last season under first-year coach Jeff Tedford, who has tutored the likes of Trent Dilfer, David Carr and Joey Harrington. After three mediocre seasons, Boller threw for 2,815 yards and 28 touchdowns.
Though scouts were always intrigued by his arm strength, the biggest criticism was his accuracy. Tedford worked on Boller's mechanics and even taped his left arm to his shoulder in a makeshift sling to keep his delivery compact. The adjustment led to Boller's first season in which he completed more than half of his throws (53.4 pecent).
Boller solidified himself in the offseason as a first-round prospect when he was clocked in the 40-yard dash in 4.6 seconds and then launched a pass from his knees that sailed between the goal posts 60 yards away.
"I definitely think I've only begun," Boller said. "Coach Tedford did a great job of teaching me the mechanics and fundamentals. I know so much more about the game. I think it's just the tip of the iceberg."
While Boller's stock was rising, Suggs watched his plummet.
After compiling an NCAA-record 24 sacks, Suggs was told to put on more weight. The extra 10 pounds slowed his 40 time to a less-than-stellar 4.8 seconds.
"I just have to shut up my critics now," said Suggs, 6 feet 3, who wants to drop the 10 pounds and get back to 250.
Ravens coach Brian Billick said the 40 times are not a concern.
