Day Two Thoughts

One thing that I find interesting is the Sean Salisbury segment during the draft where he's sitting with four NFL veterans (Trent Green, Torry Holt, William Henderson and Shawne Merriman) who are smarter and more charismatic than he is (not that it's a stretch). What I find interesting is they are now calling them "The Experts", but when they originally did this a few years ago (hosted by Suzy Kolber), they were the "Future GMs". What was funny was that psycho Bill Romanowski was the only "Future GM" that dressed the part by wearing a suit. Washington tackle Jon Jansen wasn't too bad in business casual. Then there was Corey Chavous and another guy (I can't remember) who were wearing throwback jerseys, ball caps and all their bling while looking hungover which is exactly the look that NFL GMs are going for. It's nice to see ESPN must have told them there was a dress code as all the "Experts" are wearing suits (without ties).

Salisbury just said he was forced out before and he mentored the younger player. Who? Stan Humphries? I can't see anywhere on his career where he was the solid starter.

Some of the blurbs that ESPN was running next to draft picks was somewhat interesting. Such as Charlie Whitehurst being the first Clemson quarterback drafted since 1979. A factoid like that tells you something about Clemson developing quarterbacks. Then you get some like Davin Joseph being the first Oklahoma player taken in the first round by Tampa Bay since Lee Roy Selmon back in the 70s. What does that tell me? Nothing. Then there are some that are really stretching to make a point. They ran one that said Anthony Fasano was the highest drafted tight end for Dallas since Jason Witten in 2003. I'll ignore the fact that Fasano as the 53rd pick was drafted higher than Witten who was 69th which "since" doesn't make sense. However, even if they were right that still is a pointless fact. It was 2003. There has only been two drafts since then, but they're making it seem like it was the days of leather helmets.

Really, how did Suzy Kolber get this job? She just said Rudi Johnson had back to back one hundred yard seasons. Plus she has a nose like Elmo. And now she's doing another segment on Marcus Vick.

Denver drafts University of Louisville defensive end Elvis Dumervil. I was glad to see Gene Washington knew how to pronounce his name. One of my favorite all time drafts was when Brett Favre was taken and his name was butchered. Think no silent V.

Did they just say Tony Dungy was a name that came up as the next commissioner of the NFL? What crack was someone smoking on that one? Do they want the NFL to be the ratings champ during the regular season, but have the Super Bowl get worse ratings than the World Series? Even if he wasn't the great choke artist that he is, what does he bring to the table to make people think he could be the NFL commissioner? He doesn't even have real executive power on the teams he coaches. He's had strong GMs at both Tampa Bay (Rich McKay) and Indianapolis (Bill Polian). That thought is just nuts.

Interesting discussion about "character" by the Experts. I think Merriman was trying to make the best point that players see a difference between on field character and off field. Teams are more interested in off field character for PR reasons, while players are more concerned with on field. You never heard any teammate complaining about Michael Irvin, because while his off field life was always bordering on disaster, he always brought it on the field. Or more recently, think about the Minnesota "Love Boat" scandal which I've always said was a complete overreaction. The Vikings management joined the press in a tizzy over it, but the team played better after it. The players knew that getting a lapdance isn't going to affect their play on the field, so it's not an important issue. By the way, if I was a taxpayer in Minnesota, I would be pissed at the prosecutor who went to a jury trial (never cheap) and came away with a misdemeanor conviction against Moe Williams for groping a stripper where the kitchen staff might see it.

About time they showed the Rockettes. Why have the draft at Radio City Music Hall (actually, they stopped having it at Madison Square Gardens because MSG management helped kill the Jets plans for a downtown stadium) if you aren't going to show the Rockettes. Of course, they followed up sexy (Rockettes) with butch (WNBA), so obviously better planning is needed.

This isn't draft related, but it's about Tony Gonzalez. I finally read part of my ESPN magazine and discovered Gonzalez was on some celebrity cooking show where he lost to Cindy Margolis. The thing is he apparently tied her when the results were first read, but the producers redid the ending to make Margolis the winner. I wonder if they thought Margolis' massive mammaries were more photogenic?

Interesting. Louisville linebacker Brandon Johnson joined fellow Cardinals Dumervil and Jason Spitz by getting drafted by Arizona. What I find interesting is that I thought he and Dumervil were going to be drafted after UL DT Montavious Stanley who is still on the board. I hope he goes soon so I can stop looking for local players until the final round since I don't see any other UL or UK players going before then.

Thoughts From The Rest of Day One

I thought Jimmy Williams was going to be a first round bust, but he fooled me. His attitude apparently caused him to drop to the second round. I see that ESPN had Williams doing an NFL draft promo, so I guess they thought he would have been in the first round. I remember a few years back when they did the same thing with Chris Simms because everyone thought he was moving up into the first round, but he ended up being the last pick on day one. I wish the NFL had put him in the Green Room. A ten hour wait is certainly funnier than a five hour one.

Green Bay trades Javon Walker for a second round pick after asking for a first round. It's pretty funny that they had been asking for a first round pick because last year, they didn't want to pay him a big contract based on two average years and one really good one. But they thought someone would give them a first round pick in exchange for Walker after he hurts his knee? Actually, I agreed with Green Bay when they didn't give him the contract. He needs to prove a bit more.

The Trey Wingo Schmo Show was discussing the fact that Vince Young will have a learning curve when he hits the NFL, and while Jaws thought he was fixable, the others were saying that he wouldn't have the time because he would be expected to play right away as a top five pick. In most cases, sure. However, Tennessee has been the exception before. Steve McNair was a number three pick just like Young, and Tennessee brought in Chris Chandler for two years to get McNair ready. I think this is an ideal situation for Young, because even though McNair is probably gone, they still have Billy Volek who could hold down the fort for a couple of years until Young is ready. Tennessee's rebuilding anyway, so why not wait on him. Young could be in trouble if he had gone to somewhere like Oakland who was hoping he would drop to them. If he wants to pick up bad habits, Aaron Brooks is the one to teach them.

ESPN.com sucks. Apparently, their servers can't keep up with the traffic when I try to go to their draft tracker. NFL.com isn't having a problem.

Lendale White goes to Tennessee. Think Vince Young will invite him over to watch a replay of the Rose Bowl?

Word is that Matt Leinart has lost at least $10 million by staying for his senior year. I think Rovell is wrong to say that we shouldn't presume Matt Leinart would go first last year. Apparently, he has forgotten that it was pretty common knowledge the 49ers were on hands and knees praying for Leinart to declare for the draft last year. They settled for Alex Smith, the luckiest man in football, because Leinart in the 2005 draft probably would have cost him that $10 million (actually more because he probably would have dropped to mid-teens). I think this is another indictment of the NFL rookie scale. There is no way you can say that a number 10 pick is worth that much more than a number 1.

Why should the Colts get a mulligan for last year as Chris Berman said? Las Vegas and ESPN may consider the Colts odds on favorites to win the AFC, but I don't. Sure they won 13 straight games to start the season, but that's their M.O. since Peyton Manning's second year. Win a lot of games. Lose in the playoffs. In the past seven years, they've won at least 10 games in six seasons. Four of those seasons were one and done in the playoffs. They've made one AFC Championship, and lost pretty badly. In fact, the closest the Colts have been to the Super Bowl since they had Johnny Unitas was in 1995 when the immortal Jim Harbaugh led Colts were within one dropped Hail Mary of winning. Oh, and that one season that they didn't win 10 games, they lost Edgerrin James to injury. You may have heard that James is now in Arizona.

Why are they talking about Marcus Vick on the first day? None of them even think he's going to be drafted. Which he shouldn't, but unlike the analysts, I'm not convinced someone won't take a chance on him. Although, Maurice Clarett and Ricky Williams have screwed a lot of players who may have character issues. Quite a few guys with such issues have dropped. Of course, this is nothing new. Randy Moss dropped a lot because of character. Warren Sapp dropped because he tested positive for pot. It seems like someone always tests positive for something at the combine, and I can't figure out why. The date of the combine isn't a secret. How tough is it to figure out when to stop and let your system clean out. My favorite this year was the Rams' third round pick Claude Wroten. This guy was busted for intent to distribute pot back in January (charges were dropped), and then he failed a drug test a month later at the combine. Let's see. I just got busted for drugs and will be at the combine soon. No reason to stop smoking weed now.

One final note of the day. I didn't think Scouts Inc did all that well in predicting the draft, but what they did afterward indicates there might be some credibility issues with them. They listed the top three players by position who are available for day two. Only problem was that Abdul Hodge from Iowa was listed as the top inside linebacker. Funny. A guy by that name, from that school and at that position was drafted by Green Bay in the third round.

First Round Thoughts

I thought it was interesting that Jets fans who were at the draft didn't seem too perturbed that they didn't draft Matt Leinart. The way it was being reported was that skipping Leinart would be a public relations disaster for the Jets. Apparently not. Jets' fans in the stands cheered the selection of Ferguson (and later booed Herm Edwards) and later did the "overrated" chant when Leinart was picked by Arizona. Granted, the guys who take the time to go to the draft may have more football knowledge and realize how much line help the Jets need. By the way, the Giants are supposed to have the much bigger New York fan base, so why don't they seem to have as big a presence at the draft?

Speaking of Leinart to Arizona, it's becoming a trend. Every time Kurt Warner seems to solidify with a new team, they draft a quarterback early. First, it was Eli Manning in New York. Now, Leinart.

The other interesting thing is that Leinart supposedly fired Leigh Steinberg because he believed he should be the number one pick and thought Tom Condon could get it done. Then, one of the reasons given for Leinart dropping in the mock drafts was the fact that changing agents late in the game makes NFL executives nervous. And suddenly, he's the 10th pick.

Why is Ray Lewis griping about not being able to make plays without his defensive tackles keeping the blockers off him? Isn't he God's gift to defense? Shouldn't he be able to knock all five offensive linemen on their butt? Maybe he wants someone in front of him to mask his declining skills.

When Merrill Hoge was talking about Antonio Cromartie (a bit of a project at cornerback drafted in the first round by San Diego), he said that the highlight films showed Cromartie making interceptions of poor passes which he won't see in the NFL. Does Hoge watch the NFL anymore? Aaron Brooks threw a pass to the referee standing behind him, and he's projected to start for the Raiders.

ESPN really covered themselves in glory with their little Sportscenter break-in where they said Vince Young would get to play with his good friend Steve McNair at Tennessee. Let's see. I know that McNair hasn't been allowed to work out at the Titans facility because they are most likely going to dump him. Shouldn't ESPN know that?

I had an interesting thought during Sean Salibury's interviews with Trent Green. ESPN should fire Salibury and hire Green. Not only is he a better QB (Salisbury's five year career numbers were 3824 yards and 19 TDs; Green averaged 4023 yards and 22 TDs in each of his five KC seasons), he doesn't come across as a dick.

Do they let the guys waiting in the Green Room drink? I think they should have an open bar and a laptop for the players. Leinart really didn't have to wait long, but wouldn't Aaron Rodgers' five hour wait last year have been so much funnier if he got hammered and started surfing porn? Or asked Suzy Kolber for a lap dance (which would have been an improvement over her interview skills)?

Thank God. When they said the Steelers traded up with the Giants, I was really hoping it was for Santonio Holmes and not Lendale White. Maybe all the problems (laziness, getting fat) White has had since the end of the season are the result of a hamstring pull that he had diagnosed by a chiropractor, but it's been reported that White blew a pre-draft drug test.

Michael Irvin is such an idiot. He felt the need to ridicule Mario Williams by asking what N.C. State's record was last year after a third member of their defense was drafted in the first round. It was 6-5, but it doesn't mean the defense (or more specifically the defensive line) was the main problem. By the way, why didn't he ask that about Florida State since they had four defensive players taken in the first round, but lost to N.C. State? His drug ravaged brain can't process information as fast as a doorknob.

Now, Ohio State just had their fourth first round pick. Considering that they are losing all their starting linebackers and most of their defensive backfield, I'm not sure why so many are picking them as the number one team next year. Granted, at Ohio State, you re-load, but still, that's a big hit.

Okay. Once again, doesn't anyone at ESPN do research? They are discussing the possibility of Lendale White dropping out of the first round, and not one of them mentioned a newspaper report of him flunking a drug test. Trey Wingo and his staff of dummies do mention character injuries, but they only mention him not working out. The workout issue dropped him to later in the first round. The drug test report is dropping him out. It doesn't matter if it's true or not. It's causing a problem for him. Finally, Ed Werner mentions it. Wouldn't it have been better when they were having a group discussion on it?

The First Pick

I'm shocked. Absolutely shocked about the Texans drafting Mario Williams. Not that they took Williams over Reggie Bush, because as I said before, I don't think there are any sure things in the draft. No, what shocks me is how bent out of shape so many analysts are because they didn't take Bush. I thought Bush as the second coming of Gale Sayers was a stretch, but I wasn't aware that he was the second coming of Sayers, Barry Sanders, and Jesus Christ himself. This is the NFL draft. Probably a third of the people drafted in the first round are going to underachieve and some will be absolute flops. It doesn't necessarily have to be caused by lack of NFL ability (Aundray Bruce, 1st pick 1988) or attitude (Ryan Leaf, 2nd pick 1998). I'm still not convinced that Ki-Jana Carter was a flop, because who knows what would have happened if he doesn't blow out his knee before playing a regular season game. Yet, predicting greatness in the NFL for a college player is silly. So many things can derail it. Even consensus picks can flop. San Diego wasn't the only one fooled by Leaf. Every team in the country had Leaf and Peyton Manning 1 and 2. Yet, it still doesn't stop the fevered hyperbole. The worst was network clown Michael Irvin (no surprise there) who had the gall to say the Texans just gave up 2000 yards and 25 to 30 touchdowns. Apparently per year. If Bush does that, he'll be the greatest NFL player of all time. Does this mean IrvinDoes that mean Irvin thinks Bush is better than Emmitt Smith? After all, even assuming the 2000 is total yards, Emmitt Smith only broke 2000 twice (never rushed for 2000). Smith also only had one season of 25 touchdowns, and only had more than 15 three times. Granted, he wasn't alone. Someone pointed out the Bills once took a defensive end with the first pick (Bruce Smith) who was an essential piece of their four straight Super Bowl appearances. Tom Jackson said Bruce Smith wasn't as important to them as Thurman Thomas. Of course, that could make it seem smarter to draft a defensive player. Thomas was a second round pick and the eighth running back taken. It might be easier to find a franchise back in later rounds. Actually, the new coach of the Texans, Gary Kubiak, came over from Denver where they specialize in turning late rounders into stars. Does that mean Bush will flop? Nope. He could easily be better than Williams. He could be the greatest player to play the game, but projecting a Hall of Fame career before he steps foot on an NFL field is ludicrous.

I was actually a little surprised the Texans took Williams over D'Brickashaw Ferguson since their offensive line is getting David Carr killed. Of course, taking Ferguson number one would have brought about my other pet peeve about the draft - THE REACH. It's a case of a team targeting a player they really like (good fit for system or fills a need) and taking them before the "consensus" indicates he should go. The conventional wisdom is that if you want a player most think should go around the 25th pick, you shouldn't "reach" and take him with the 17th pick. You should trade down and get him later. The Rams did it this year when they targeted Tye Hill who was considered a "reach" at 11, but traded down and got him at 15. However, the reason I get ticked is because when the "pundits" say a team could have traded down and drafted the guy, they neglect two things - 1) someone else right behind you could target him 2) someone has to be willing to trade with you. If you want someone, why is taking him a few picks ahead of where anyone else will take him so bad? Does it really make sense that Ferguson was considered a reach with the first pick, but still considered a top five talent? Besides, take the case of Lofa Tatupu who the Seahawks took in the second round. Most analysts projected him as a third rounder so Seattle was roundly criticized for taking him that early even though he fit a need and the system. Considering how well he played during their run to the Super Bowl, he should have been a first rounder.

Football, Football, Football

Thank God for this week. Usually the post March Madness sports scene looks like crap. I do get Keeneland and the Triple Crown, but unfortunately the races go quickly (and I lose money on them). I do catch some NBA playoffs, but since the Jazz haven't been in for a few years, I don't care too much. I would rather watch my toenails grow than watch baseball. I've been watching quite a bit of NFL Europe and Arena football which is always good fun, because I can finally find out what happened to Glenn Pakulak who used to punt the Hell out of the ball for UK. But this week turned it up a notch. Started off with UL's spring football game on Friday and will end with the NFL Draft this weekend. I get to watch the future of my favorite college team, and then comes a two day orgy of football highlights with the possibility of Mel Kiper getting into a pissing match with a team executive like when he said the Colts drafting Trev Alberts was a joke. Gotta go with Mel on that one.

Love the draft because it's so funny to see all the first rounders being talked up while guessing which ones will be busts this year (I'm betting Jimmy Williams from Virginia Tech). Every year several "players of the future" flop. Actually, I look at the three biggest names in the draft, and I wouldn't bet on any of them being a top NFL player. Reggie Bush is exciting to watch, but I'm not sure he can last as an every down back. If he can't be an every down back, you've got another Dante Hall, not another Gale Sayers. Nothing against Hall, but would anyone draft him in the first round? Rumor is that the Texans have made a deal with NC State defensive end Mario Williams which means Bush was probably asking too much money. Contrary to speculation, the questions about his parents living in a mansion on an agent's dime probably played no role in his drop. After all, why do the Texans care if Bush was violating NCAA rules? However, I think it's a good move for Houston, although probably not too popular with the home folks. But so what? I think Williams will improve the Texans more than Bush.

Speaking of fun to watch, Vince Young certainly has the pizzazz. I loved watching him play in college, but the NFL is a whole different game. The closest approximation to Young has always been Michael Vick who has filled the highlight reels but he certainly hasn't been that effective. Strangely enough the NFL managed to hold their playoffs last year without Vick. Running against college kids is one thing, but in the NFL, it can get you hurt. When Vick broke his leg, the deed wasn't done by a Ray Lewis or Michael Urlacher. It was Adalius Thomas. Not so primetime. The other question about Young is can he learn to throw? Vick really hasn't. Young's got a good arm, but he also pretty much played out of a shotgun and has a funky motion. Still, I think he's got the most (cliche alert) UPSIDE. If he can learn to throw, there's no limit to how good he can be. Unfortunately for him, he'll probably be drafted by a crap team that will throw him out early and he'll never develop. A shame.

The guy I don't see much upside in is Matt Leinart. Some are hoping that he's the next Carson Palmer, but that's crap. I don't think he's near as good as Palmer. In fact, I find irony in the fact that the Jets are reportedly hoping Leinart falls to them with the fourth pick, because the guy he reminds me of the most is Chad Pennington. Accurate arm, but average arm strength. That means he could have a good career, but I don't see him developing into an elite quarterback. Even before his arm was hanging by a thread Pennington was never what I saw as a top tier quarterback. I found it interesting that when asked why he should be a high pick, Leinart basically said because he won the Heisman and only lost two games in his college career. That's slightly better than Jason White who I think had three losses and won the Heisman. He didn't even get drafted. How impressed should I be about Leinart when he was quarterbacking the most talent stocked team in the league? Think of it this way. I'm not sure Jay Cutler is a better quarterback, and if he was put on USC that they would have still only lost two games, but I bet they still win a bunch. Put Leinart on Vanderbilt, and he might have gotten them that extra game to make a bowl last year, but I wouldn't bet money on it. One thing I would bet on is that Leinart wouldn't have finished with only two losses.

More Odds & Ends

I might have been more interested in baseball's opening day, but it was baseball and I had a nap to take.

Hindsight being 20/20, I sure am glad I never had to go to summer camp.

Or went to the john at this Denny's.

I don't know if anyone is really following the Hollywood PI case surrounding Anthony Pellicano, but I just stumbled across the most tragic story of them all. Director John McTiernan is being charged for having Pellicano wiretap a business partner. Sadly, the business partner wasn't from movies like Die Hard or The Hunt For The Red October. It was for the Rollerball remake. He could be going to jail for a bomb that could charitably be called a "Chris Klein vehicle".

Don't go to this site. It can be addictive.

This is a big ass rabbit.

If you ever wondered why Johnny can't read, it could be caused by the fact that many of the people running our education system have the common sense of an eggplant.

Am I the only one who thinks a whole lot of NFL players will become involved in holistic medicine if Ricky Williams wins his drug suspension appeal?

When I tell you I really like a horse, don't let Jon Connor talk you out of it.

They Said it:
I'm not going to get too far into the Duke lacrosse scandal until more info is known, although I'm surprised how quickly there was an assumption of guilt in the case. However, there was one quote from this article that confounded me. It was about 100 students who met the Duke president to discuss (harangue) the situation with him. Someone actually bragged "That students got up at 8:30 in the morning shows you the level of concern". Nothing says commitment to social justice like waking up well after most people have gone to work.

After a fight on Saturday night, Don King actually said "For the integrity of the sport, that has to be a disqualification" when discussing a melee that broke out. Normally, when the words "Don King", "boxing" and "integrity" are used in the same sentence, you find the word "lack".

I really shouldn't be surprised that our education system is being run by people like that guy in Indianapolis. After all, it starts at the universities. This story is from England, but there are similar stories in the states. A professor actually said that the London subway bombings that killed over 50 people weren't "terrorism", but a form of "demonstration". Not only that, but calling it terrorism does nothing but "demonise" those who boarded a civilian transport with strap on bombs in an effort to kill as many people as possible. To think I was wasting my sympathy on those who were murdered. I wish someone would go to his office and administer one of those low blows from the boxing story to him. Don't think of it as an "act of violence". Think of it as demonstration against his gross stupidity.