This QB draft battle is as easy as A and B

"I've watched him for a couple of years -- never closely, but I've seen him play on TV," Ryan said. "I think he's a really, really good QB. He's got a lot of great qualities that quarterbacks should have. He's accurate with the football, has a strong arm, and is intelligent. I could never say anything bad about him. I think he does a good job.

"For me personally, I think I have a lot of those same qualities. I think I'm accurate with the football, mobile within the pocket, and can slide around and make people miss and still keep my eyes downfield and be able to distribute the ball to our wide receivers. I think I do a number of things well and he does as well."

Brohm offered a similar response.

"From what I've seen, I think he's a great quarterback," Ryan said.

Ryan is the bigger of the two quarterbacks, which is helping his stock. He measured in here at just over 6-feet-4 and 228 pounds. Brohm was just a shade under 6-3 and weighed 225 pounds.

The Atlanta Falcons, who won the coin flip with Oakland on Friday to get the third pick in the draft, will strongly consider a quarterback with that pick. Both Brohm and Ryan will be studied closely, but most have Ryan pegged into that spot.

Ryan was asked about possibly playing in Atlanta -- and helping Falcons fans forget that No. 7 who once played the position there.

"I don't think one person will be the cause of the change down there, but I certainly think that I can help," Ryan said. "I think I'd be a good fit. It may work out. It may not. We'll have to see in the next couple of weeks."

Ryan's stock rose during his senior season in 2007. He made some clutch throws, including a game-winning touchdown in a nationally televised victory over Virginia Tech in the final seconds. That throw came after a scramble and he threw across his body to the other side of the field, showing off his arm.

Those types of plays helped him improve his standing. The perception was he had an amazing senior season. And it was good. But it wasn't as good as Brohm's.

Even though Ryan threw 181 more passes, Brohm threw for more yards per game and completed 65.1 of his passes to 59.3 for Ryan. Brohm had 30 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, while Ryan had 31 and 19.

Some scouts say Brohm benefited from playing with better receivers. But remember, he, along with Ryan, had the burden of playing for a new coach and had to learn a new system.

Bobby Petrino bolted after the 2006 season to take over coach of the Falcons. After Michael Vick's legal troubles booted him into football oblivion, many assumed Petrino would find a way to get his former Louisville quarterback to Atlanta. Petrino never got the chance, darting late in the season to go to Arkansas.

Now the new Falcons brass must decide if they want a passer and if they do, which one will it be?

They won't go wrong with either of them. But the preference here is for Brohm. He has done it longer and he has done it better and he has the same type of tools that Ryan has.

So to sum it up, Quarterback A is the correct answer to the math problem that started this column. You just wait and see.