Your Morning Coffee

I woke up this morning and I took some time to do my usual perusing of the sports articles out there on the world wide web.   I came across this piece of sheer writing awesomeness by one of my favorite sports writers, Rick Reilly.  I know that he is either loved or hated by the masses out there, but I am one of Rick's lovers.  Wait...ummm... well you know what I mean.  I am so excited that college football has finally taken the steps to get it right.  There is very little I can add in terms of insight that would aid Rick's article so please just go and read it if you are a fan of college football, or just a fan of wonderful over the top writing.  If you are still on the fence let me give you one quote from the article and then you can judge for yourself...

...When the French revolutionaries freed the Bastille, the prisoners didn't go, "Hey, wait a minute. I had a scarf."

There is no way possible you need more than that, right?

Draft Daze Pandemonium

I can sum up  my feelings on the NFL draft very simply… sheer and utter insanity.  There is so much to love about the draft and everything it represents to the fans of various football teams all around the country.  I love that moment just as the screen flashes “the pick is in” and you see the Commish walking to the podium to announce your team’s pick.  That moment of total exhilaration is always followed by absolute enthusiasm or complete confusion.  This is what makes the draft so amazing. 


But I would be remiss if I didn’t address the insanity that follows.  First off, Mel Kiper, John Clayton and his draftnik cronies releasing the Day One Winners. Huh?  We already know who won the first day of the draft?  I get that not all those prospects are can't miss mega stars like Tony Mandarich, Akili Smith, Cade McNown, JaMarcus Russell and Ryan Leaf, but come on people lets give it some time and see if these guys can live up to that lofty potential.  There is no way possible that Mel or John or anyone who gets a paycheck that lists ESPN as the payer on it can predict who won and lost Thursday Night.  This is the same group of yahoos that demeaned the Texans for selecting Mario Williams (three time all-pro) ahead of once in a generation talent Reggie Bush (three time NCAA rules violator).


Just when you think the insanity can't get anymore ridiculous you get the draft grades presentation. The sad thing is that there are millions of football fans lying around in their robes and a pounding a large bag of Cheetos who are making an emotional assessment about their teams draft success based on Mel and McShay's graft grades.  They are calling for their GM's head because Mel thinks that their pick at 153 was a real reach.  These guys mock draft the world to death with their assumptions of how the draft will pan out. I guaranty there isn't a single mock draft done by anyone getting paid to do it that was correct through the first five picks.  Five.  No one predicted Dallas trading up and getting Claiborne.  So, it is obvious that these draft "specialists" really don't have the feel for the real draft process or whats really going on inside the heads of NFL teams.  NFL teams know so much more about talent and their team's needs than anyone working at ESPN.  Now, how talent develops and how a player transitions from college success to NFL contributor takes much more time and involves the human element, so who cares about anything these guys think two days later.  Two Days.  No helmets yet and no pads, but you get C from Mel. 


Then I spent a few minutes surfing the NFL.com page (no one can accuse me hating on ESPN unfairly) and I came across this gem.  Yep, its never too early to talk about which top ten pick will make the pro bowl.  Not only that, but lets bring in our drafting pro bowlers expert Matt Millen!  Let's not forget that sure, whilst Mr. Millen was building the worst team in the history of the NFL by drafting bust after bust (not to mention a WR in the first rd four year in a row) he was the genius behind drafting Calvin Johnson, so he certainly knows a top ten future pro bowler!  How insane is this.  No one has run a play yet and we are speculating on who will join the elite.  I actually heard Mel Kiper state that eagles made themselves a Superbowl contender with this draft.  Really Mel?  A Superbowl contender.  Weren't they a contender last year when they assembled the dream team and then stumbled throughout the year and failed to make the playoffs?

The reality is that we will not be able to grade this draft for years.  It takes time to see how these kids develop and how they are used.  I am sure that if Mel were to read my blog post he would give me a failing grade.  There are a few things that really matter that will decide the quality of this draft for your team.  Coaching matters.  Personnel decisions matter.  Health matters.  Heart matters.  Character matters. The grade that ole Mel gave you doesn't.