“Stay where they are, take a corner and then pick up a quarterback in the second round.”

The corner projected that high is Troy?s Leodis McKelvin, also a return specialist.

Based on their draft history, that might not be a bad way for the Ravens to go. Since coming to Baltimore in 1996, the Ravens have selected three defensive backs in the first round: corner Duane Starks, corner Chris McAlister and safety Ed Reed. The latter two have been tremendous performers and Starks intercepted 20 passes in his four seasons here before bolting to Arizona.

Meanwhile, the lone quarterback Baltimore has selected in the first round is Kyle Boller. Those wanting the Ravens to draft a tackle should know this: Baltimore has drafted one tackle in the first round. Of course, it was Jonathan Ogden. They also drafted guard Ben Grubbs last year and he could turn into a solid longtime starter.

It should be noted, though, that more mock drafts now project Ryan to the Ravens, including Mel Kiper Jr., Pro Football Weekly and NFL Draft Scout. ESPN?s Todd McShay projected Virginia offensive lineman Branden Albert.

Reese, who drafted three rookies of the year and now does analysis for ESPN, understands the need for a new QB.

“There?s a new head coach and offensive coordinator and they are saying to [Boller] that you?re our guy,” he said. “It?s my experience that those mixed signals seldom work. It?s human nature for Boller to always be looking over his shoulder.”

Flacco feels like home in Baltimore

Delaware quarterback Joe Flacco may end up playing in Baltimore, but there?s one thing he won?t do anymore: hurt Towson?s football team.

Consider that in two games against Towson, Flacco completed 54 of 84 passes for 615 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions. Two years ago, playing hurt, Flacco threw for 341 yards and four touchdowns in a 49-35 loss.

“We were just lucky we were able to put up more points than them because we couldn?t stop him,” Towson coach Gordy Combs told The Examiner?s Ron Snyder.

The Ravens are among the teams who might end up with Flacco. Scouts and draft analysts say they likely would have to trade up to the end of the first round to nab him. Combs can see why.

“Joe just has all of the intangibles. He can make all the throws and has great poise. He?s definitely one of the top three quarterbacks in the draft.”

Looks like it?s time to patent that ?Dagger?

Whether or not it?s a coincidence, it is noticeable to Steve Buckhantz. When he listens to calls of NBA games, there?s one word he?s hearing more and more: “Dagger!”

That happens to be his signature call, going on several years now, for when the Wizards hit what he perceives as the game-winning shot.

 “I don?t give myself credit for this,” said Buckhantz, who called last night?s Wizards-Cavs playoff game for Comcast Sports, “but I?ve heard it more this season than ever. [But] I don?t own exclusive rights to saying it.”

Not yet at least.

“I?ve had a number of people this year ask if I?ve patented that yet,” he said. “I?ve lookedinto it a little bit, but not anything officially.”

Buckhantz also said a niece, who works in promotions for a company, suggested a T-shirt. Buckhantz said it helps that The Junkies, on WJFK-FM, now use the word a lot.

Nowadays, some coaches will ask him what basket warranted the “Dagger!” call. Fans will occasionally hold up signs with the saying.

One thing Wizards ownership ? which changed the team name from the Bullets ? hasn?t done is asked him to cease using the word.

“It?s a lot of fun,” he said of the attention. “If [fans] are associating the word with me and enjoy watching the games, that?s all I can ask for as an announcer.”

Column inches

Opinions from around the nation on the hottest topics in sports:

» “Maybe this really is the Cubs? season. You don?t want to act the fool by saying that 20 games into the season, but jeez. [Manager Lou] Piniella, who had a stomachache Tuesday morning, went by a gut feeling in the afternoon and won. Didn?t make a whole lot of sense, but it worked.”

? Rick Morrissey on the Cubs, who won 14 of their first 20 games

(Chicago Tribune).

» “The players insist they?re not going to be part of Jerry Jones? security force. They?re not going to be chaperoning Pacman [Jones]. Or calling him to make sure he?s home by midnight. Or having the bouncers at various strip clubs phone them when he?s on the premises. Nor should they. It?snot their responsibility.”

? Jean-Jacques Taylor on how the Cowboy players will treat troubled corner Pacman Jones (Dallas Morning News).

» “It?s a fraud. I?m not going to say it?s a waste of time, because I?ll be tuned in myself. Mainly I want to watch the beady-eyed [Mel Kiper Jr.], who I?m fairly certain hates [Todd] McShay, spend eight hours on national television with his eventual replacement. Kiper might finally crack. He might just kill McShay.”

? Gregg Doyel writing about the NFL Draft (CBSsportsline.com)

» “But he also dribbled the basketball off one of his recycled sneakers, and he failed at running an offense and setting up scorers. One particularly awful attempt was a behind-the-back pass to [Amare] Stoudemire that became a turnover. A great player such as [Steve] Nash, is supposed to assume control in these tense playoff moments.”

? Buck Harvey criticizing Phoenix guard Steve Nash for his postseason performance (San Antonio

Express-News).

On the record

“I was actually watching (TBS?) House of Payne, I wasn?t watching this game. I?m just waiting for the second game with the Lakers and the Nuggets.”

?     TNT analyst Charles Barkley at halftime of             the Celtics-Hawks game.

“Yeah, just make him a starter. That way we only have to see him once a week, instead of every night. Because what I saw out of the bullpen was pretty special.”

? White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen on Yankees reliever Joba Chamberlain.

By the numbers

25: Number of times NFL draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. pegged his first-round picks in the last three years, according to Coldhardfootballfacts.com

175,100: Amount, in dollars, paid for David Ortiz jersey unearthed at new Yankee Stadium. The money was given to the Jimmy Fund, a cancer charity.