It is 7:30pm. The Bulls lead Cleveland 27-20 in game 3 and the Senators lead Pittsburgh 2-0 in game 5. The NFL Network is on the big screen in HD with NHL on the PIP. ESPN Draft coverage gets the sound until I can't take anymore Berman on TV #2, & the NBA is to the far left on TV #3. Let's get it.
7:32: Welcome from the Commish, Roger Goodell. I still like this guy. Nice tie tonight, Rog.
7:34: The St. Louis Rams are on the clock.
7:35: Made the mistake of un-muting TV #1 while Michael Irvin was talking. Scrambling for the remote to alleviate the situation. I can't believe this guy is still employed given his off-field issues and on-air ineptitude.
7:36: Sam Bradford is either ordering pizza or getting congratulations from the Rams. "Yeah, I want pepperoni & pineapple on that pie...thin-and-crispy would be good".
7:37: With the first pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, the St. Louis Rams select Sam Bradford, quarterback, Oklahoma.
7:39: Hunger has set in already. I botched my pregame tonight and neglected to pick up dinner. I am now facing leftovers for the fourth night in a row (got on a cooking spree last weekend) or having to run out to grab something real fast. Decisions, decisions...
7:43: Ndamukong Suh goes #2 to Detroit. He apparently killed a tablecloth and made a shirt out of it for draft night.
7:44: An aside about Suh. I had the pleasure of seeing him play in person twice the past two years: once at Nebraska & once here in Blacksburg. Watching him walk into the tunnel at halftime last year, I realized how ginormous this dude is, his calves are the size of my waist. But he walked so lightly for a big guy. Having seen him dominate the Hokies last year, I think he is the best player I have ever seen in person while working at Tech. Better than Matty Ice even.
7:47: Pens cut the lead to 2-1. What a great place to watch a hockey game, the Igloo in Pittsburgh. Had an awesome time there three years ago. Many thanks to Jean-Claude Van Dam for saving it and the world in "Sudden Death".
7:48: Prime Time interviewing Suh on NFL Network. I think Suh just referenced the Lions' "organation". A clear slip-of-the-tongue, but humorous nonetheless. Meanwhile, Pens go on the power play.
7:52: Gerald McCoy to Tampa Bay. Nice story about his emotion tonight honoring his mama.
7:58: Trent Williams from OU goes #4 to the Deadskins. Mel Kiper Jr makes the guy sound like a workout wonder with questionable motivation. Perfect pick for the 'Skins, an underachiever. "Silverback" will fit right in.
8:02: Derrick Rose is doing work against the Cavs.
8:03: Btw, take note that OU just had three guys go in the first four picks. They might have been the best team last year, but Bradford's injury put them out of it. I'd feel bad for them if I liked the Sooners, but...I don't.
8:05: Eric Berry time, going #5 to Kansas City. Funny, most mock drafts had him falling a bit further down, even though he is the second-best player in the draft. Saw him in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl last year and he was great. His team sucked though - thanks Lane Kiffin. I like this guy, he was very highly-rated coming out of high school and has backed it up, starting for three years and going high in the draft. Definitely think KC is moving in the right direction.
8:07: Why the hell is the Tomahawk Chop playing in the background? Because the Chiefs use it too. So no, you weren't dreaming when you heard it just then, and no, FSU doesn't have anyone getting drafted this high. They sucked last year too, remember?
8:13: Long discussion regarding Seattle needing CJ Spiller here instead of a left tackle. He won't last until they pick again at #14, so I wonder if the Seahawks might not look at trading up a bit to snag him. Jacksonville at #10 perhaps? Either way, love Spiller. More on him later.
8:15: Seattle takes Russell Okung #6. Many folks just had the "OMG, he's not Asian?!?" epiphany, as Bill Simmons referenced in his mock draft on Wednesday. Too bad, he'd have really fit in perfect in Seattle had that been the case. He also would be 5-6 and 140 lbs.
8:18: Interesting spot by Coors Light. Typical "Silver Bullet" train arriving with frost-brewed refreshment, but all the actors are African-American. I don't recall Coors Light targeting the African-American demographic much in the past, at least not exclusively in a TV spot. You see this from some major brands (McDonald's comes to mind), but I find it a bit odd coming from a brand typically associated with Caucasian consumers.
8:20: Michael Smith reports Joe Haden being taken by Cleveland over Kyle Wilson, citing Haden's alma mater of Florida boasting better competition than Wright's Boise St. Terrible reason to make that pick, in my opinion. Not saying Haden is not good, just saying that logic is unreasonable.
8:23: Commish confirms the report, Haden goes #7 to the Browns. Enjoy the city with no nightlife Joe, at least according to fellow Gator alum Joakim Noah. I once wrote that the Bobcats should draft Noah. They instead took Brandan Wright, traded him to Golden St for Jason Richardson, then eventually shipped J-Rich to Phoenix for Raja Bell & Boris Diaw. So basically we traded the chance to draft Noah for Boris Diaw's $9 million/year, PLAP ass. FML.
8:26: Bobcats tangent rant over. Uncover the kids' ears.
8:27: Raiders are on the clock. Geez. I feel like it is Derrick Morgan for some reason, even though they don't really have DE high on their need list. Annnnd, nevermind, Rolando McClain is on the phone.
8:28: McClain it is to Oakland at #8. Rolando is surrounded by 2,396 of his closest friends. Mel Kiper is not impressed. I personally think he can't be terrible, a safer pick if you will, than some of the other guys available at this point.
8:31: Who the heck are all these people with McClain?
8:31b: Buffalo Bills go with my boy CJ Spiller at #9. CJ, my brother...it is cold in Buffalo. He is going to a team with Fred Jackson & Marshawn Lynch already on board. Interesting. Something tells me one of those guys, most likely Lynch, is on his way out the door. Bills really needed an o-lineman here, but I guess Spiller's ability is just too good to pass up.
8:33: When I was working at Clemson, we watched Spiller's commitment to the Tigers live online. It was a big deal for Clemson to steal a kid out of the Gators' backyard, so people really loved him from the get-go. I hope he does well and will really be pulling for him on a team I used to claim as my #1 pre-Panthers.
8:34: Flyers score to go up 3-0 on New Jersey. What a disappointing end to the Devils' season, from 2-seed to home for the summer in five games. Wow.
8:35: FYI, tonight's attire is my DeAngelo Williams Panthers jersey. Peppers' jersey has been retired for the time being. Makes me really glad my Dad dropped $30 on this one for me when we weren't sure Williams would be any good.
8:36: Cleveland is getting trounced by Chicago right now, down 21 midway through the third quarter. Yikes.
8:38: Jacksonville reaches for Tyson Alualu from Cal at #10. Wow. Never saw him this high in any mocks. Mel does not kill the pick, nor does Mike Maycock on NFL Network. But I do. If he was a possibility for the Panthers at #48, then he has no business getting drafted here.
8:39: First trade of the night, as the 49ers move up to #11, gaining the pick from Denver for their #13 & fourth-round pick. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh has tied the game vs Ottawa after a lengthy review. This series is on the brink for the Sens.
8:43: Anthony Davis goes #11 to San Francisco. Ho hum.
8:46: Another trade, Miami gives up the 12th pick to San Diego. Lots of debate as to who the Chargers are targeting: Ryan Mathews, Dan Williams, Derrick Morgan, Earl Thomas, etc. Mort thinks it is Mathews and he is correct. NFL Network just got scooped on that one. Miami got a nice package to move back here.
8:52: Philly drops two 3rd rounders & their #24 pick for the Broncos' 13th pick to take Earl Thomas. The fans' consensus? "Eagles suck". Tom Jackson has made a good point about teams that are not great right now going out to draft in areas that they were particularly good in when they were successful. San Diego gets a RB to replace LT, Philly takes a safety to replace Brian Dawkins, etc.
8:55: Jason La Confora on NFL Network reporting something...I think he was giving a presentation to his US History classmates. Dude looks straight up nerdy.
8:56: And everything just reported is wrong. Philly takes Brandon Graham at #13. Morgan & Thomas both still on the board. Jon Gruden loves this kid as does Tom Jackson. I'm clueless on this dude. All I know is he better be pretty good with all that extra practice Rich Rodriguez had the Wolverines doing last season.
8:59: Sal Pao reporting. I love Sal Pao.
9:00: Food update: I made breakfast for dinner during picks 3-5, hence why the rundown is a little thin there. Six eggs, four turkey sausage links, two packs of grits, and a whole wheat blueberry waffle. OJ to drink, hold the Bacardi. Already had dessert too: MCC ice cream with a cookie. Boom.
9:02: Deon interviewing the Iowa lineman, giving him some good-natured crap about still being on the draft board. Maycock says Seattle going with Earl Thomas, who he likes better than Eric Berry. Earl is on the phone with somebody...
9:04: Earl Thomas goes 14 to Seattle. Earl's mama hugs him forever. She is now Earl Thomas' rich mama.
9:07: Derrick texts in lamenting the Giants draft position as of now. Derrick Morgan is there for them or a trade out is a possibility according to my favorite Rhode Islander.
9:08: Lebron almost tears down the rim on a ferocious two-handed slam to cut the Bulls' lead to 9 points with 9 minutes left. Chicago is not winning this series, but they might not win a game if they blow this lead. Pens are on the power play on my PIP.
9:10: I can think of many better things than hanging out with Mike Ditka while wearing a sweater vest.
9:11: Mort weighs in on Clausen. It's San Fran at 17 or a plummet. I could see someone trading up to snag him though.
9:11b: Cavs cut it to 6 on a Delonte West three ball. Bulls are gagging.
9:12: Jason Pierre-Paul goes to NYG at 15. Jews and Guidos rejoice. The chic next to Pierre-Paul is wearing white undies as she just showed America. Thanks for that, ma'am. I'll mail you $10.
9:15: Holy crap, the dude did 14 consecutive back handsprings at the combine. I'll wear white panties the day I can do that. Question is can he sack the quarterback though.
9:17: Pittsburgh scores to go up 3-2. Is that the end for Ottawa?
9:20: Derrick Morgan finally goes #16 to Tennessee. I smell an enigma here, not sure he can dominate at the pro level. We'll see.
9:22: Senators tie it back up so no, not the end for the Sens. At least not yet.
9:25: The 49ers use the Panthers' pick at #17 to select Mike Iupati. Good thing the Panthers traded this selection last year for #43 in 2009. Whew.
9:29: Steelers take Maurkice Pouncey at #18. Make-A-Wish kid reads the pick, something really cool the NFL has started doing this year. What a neat moment for that kid.
9:30: Props to Peter King for nailing picks 17 & 18.
9:32: Atlanta goes with Sean Weatherspoon, the freak athlete linebacker from Missouri, at #19. We'll see if he's ready for my boy DeAngelo in the open field.
9:34: Ottawa survives a Penguins' power play with six minutes left while Chicago leads 104-99 late, made tougher by Hinrich bricking two free throws. Now it is 104-102 as Lebron nails a three-pointer. Seriously, that all happened in the time it took me to type the previous sentence. Now Derrick Rose has a flashback to the 2008 National Title game, bricking one of his own. Bulls by three with ten seconds left. Hockey goes from PIP to big screen, flipping with NFL Network, sound to NBA for a minute. Can't pass up a potential big moment with Marv Albert announcing.
9:36: Houston takes Kareem Jackson at #20. The Boise St DB is still available, weird.
9:38: Chicago smartly fouls Varejao on the inbounds pass, as he hits just one of two freebies.
9:39: Men across the country swoon as Erin Andrews makes an appearance from California covering Clausen, followed by Jenn Brown from Austin, TX with McCoy. The perfect trifecta is broken by some douchebag with Tebow that I didn't see in time to catch his name. Meanwhile, Cincinnati takes Jermaine Gresham, the TE from OU. Another dang Sooner. Bill Simmons predicted Gresham here I think.
9:41: Brad Miller knocks down two for the Buls, giving them a four-point lead. Pittsburgh & Ottawa heading to OT. And Mo Williams cuts the lead to one for Cleveland. Wow.
9:43: NFL Network says Demaryius Thomas to Denver at #22 and is correct. He's tall, but I've never seen him run anything other than a deep route/jump ball because of the Georgia Tech offense. He's also not as good as Dez Bryant. Have fun catching passes from Kyle Orton's mustache, Demaryius.
9:46: Chicago hangs on, barely, 108-106, as Anthony Parker misses a halfcourt heave that would have won the game. Moving on to the Lake Show visiting Kevin Durant & Co. Also, the Flyers beat Jersey 3-0 to win the series in the NHL first round.
9:49: Ed Werder reports that Josh McDaniels wanted to take Demaryius Thomas because he reminds him of Brandon Marshall, who he just traded to Miami. Um, what? That's the dumbest thing I've heard tonight, which is possible only because Michael Irvin is still muted on TV #1.
9:51: Bryan Bulaga goes to Green By at #23. Perfect fit, as Chris Berman states. Is that his girlfriend or sister he just hugged? I'm hoping sister because a) he hugged her like a sister, not a girlfriend; and b) if it is the gf, she's about to get upgraded since he's getting paid. Although, she might be the hottest girl in Green Bay. Hmm, what a debate that would be. I am probably getting in trouble right now, I better stop.
9:55: LA up 10-0 already in OKC. The Thunder are learning about the post-season right now. Chances in game two were wasted and Kobe took his game up four notches while Durant couldn't quite do it. One day, it will be Durantchula taking games over like that. And yes, that's the best nickname I've heard for the kid yet. Someone please come up with something better than that.
9:58: Dallas trades up to #24 as Todd McShay reports that the Cowboys like Dez Bryant. Spot-on Todd, as we see Bryant's people partying it up at his house. NFL Network goes to Prime Time who credits God for handling this situation. Dez is crying hysterically, as Deon mentions himself & Michael Irvin "being there" for a guy like Bryant. I guess "being there" includes meeting with the kid while he's still in college and getting him suspended for the last nine games of last season.
10:02: Controversy in the Pens game at Ottawa scores on a kicked puck it appears, leading to a review. No goal, correctly called on the ice. Cut to the reaction from the Ottawa player just in time to see him drop a Canadian F-bomb. "What's that aboot," he wonders.
10:05: For the record, I think Dez Bryant is going to be really, really good.
10:05: Huge news of the night, as Baltimore trades their pick to Denver for the Broncos to select Tim Tebow. Berman & the ESPN gang are confused as crap as to what just happened, but nonetheless, Tebow going to Denver. I love Tebow and what he stands for, but golly gee, I'm not sure this is the right move. Clausen on the board, McCoy on the board...plus Denver has Orton & Quinn already on their roster.
10:07: Denver has also made another a huge move, changing their name from the Broncos to the Boy Scouts.
10:08: Denver gave up their 2nd, 3rd, and 4th rounders for this pick. Good night, what a gamble. Story of the first round, no question. Baltimore made out like bandits here, imo. I'm really happy for Tebow though.
10:10: My boy Shivers, a native Denverian...Denverer...uh, Denverite...he is from Denver. Anyway, his insight on the Tebow selection: "Brady Quinn & Tim Teabag oh dear God, this has got to be a nightmare of some sort." I think he's skeptical.
10:12: Tebow gives Jeremy Schapp a good interview while wearing a sweet teal shirt. The Broncos got themselves leader and a worker, no doubt. The parallels to Tyler Hansbrough continue.
10:13: Speaking of Psycho T, he won a National Title while at North Carolina. In case you've forgotten.
10:14: Shivers continues: "I think we should be in the freakin arena league with this draft."
10:16: Good night in Chicago sports as the Blackhawks lead Nashville 3-0 late, needing a win tonight.
10:17: Tim Tebow thanks the critics for the motivation. He won't be short on motivation I'm afraid.
10:17b: Arizona takes Dan Williams at #26. About time that dude got picked. Mel Kiper gives himself some props mentioning this is where he had Williams going in his final mock draft. Mel has had a decent night, but I think I saw his hair sweat following the Tebow pick.
10:20: Jason Spezza, one of Ottawa's best players, takes a dumb penalty for a cross check, negating the remaining :24 seconds on a Sens power play. Let's see if the Pens can capitalize on his bonehead move.
10:23: Nope. No pressure by Pittsburgh. Compounded by a Pittsburgh penalty right after the power play expires.
10:24: New England grabs Devin McCourty at 27. Two Rutgers guys in the first round. I recall Carolina beating the do-do out of the Scarlet Knights a few years ago on a Thursday night game. So there's that. But, as Gruden points out, this kid is versatile, which New England values.
10:27: Next year, I'm having people over for the draft. I need some banter and good quotes. I can't really quote myself when I'm just talking aloud to...well, myself. So, applications are being taken beginning now for the NBA Draft & NFL Draft nights at my house. BYOB and chip dip.
10:28: Speaking of, I'm hungry again. Cereal time?
10:29: Lakers by eight with seven minutes remaining in the second quarter. Double OT in the hockey game, which is a problem because the Versus coverage joins the next game in progress. We've missed all of Chicago/Nashville already and could be impeding on San Jose/Colorado, who are in a critical game five of their own.
10:30: Miami takes Jared Odrick 28th overall. Sounds like he is going to the DE spot in Miami's 3-4 defense per the analysis.
10:33: The Jets have 3:11 remaining until they make their pick. Just sayin'.
10:35: J-E-T-S take Kyle Wilson 29th. He should fit in very well as a nickel guy. Fans are excited, probably not so much because they like the pick, but more because their team had a surprisingly good season/playoff run and because they got to wait until 29th to make a pick. Keep in mind that picks are much better when you've been drinking for three hours already. I assume they serve alcohol at the draft? Someone please advise on this, I'm not sure if they do or not.
10:38: I just tried to google the answer to my question and found that a lot of people do a live blog of the NFL Draft. But, I did not find the answer to my pondering.
10:40: Jon Gruden might be tipsy, so I think they must serve alcohol at this draft. He thinks Minnesota should take Jahvid Best to add to All Day.
10:42: A lot going on here. Jason La Confora points out that Baltimore recouped everything they gave up for Anquan Boldin, but higher picks than they would have had in those rounds. Ozzie Newsome's eyes "bugged out" when he heard the offer from Denver. Duh.
10:42b: Minny trades the 30th pick to Detroit to select...Jahvid Best. Gruden was half right. He still might be tipsy, but maybe that's his general nature. I think it is safe to say that is the case after watching him tear apart the quarterbacks on the ESPN special earlier this week.
10:46: Jahvid Best is an awesome pick for the Lions if they can block anyone. What weapons on offense now for Stafford in Best & Megatron (Calvin Johnson), not to mention Kevin Smith if he can get healthy from his knee injury.
10:50: I wonder how these TV guys go about choosing suits for three national television appearances in a row? Luckily no one shopped at Craig Sager's closet, as the TNT sideline reporter has on an off-blue coat with redish shirt and tie, complete with a flower on it.
10:52: ESPN faux-pas as they come back from the 1983 montage with Gruden, not realizing his mic was up, showing Mel Kiper a text message that says "what a crazy league, a lot of dumbass picks". I told you Gruden had been sipping on the syrup during breaks.
10:54: Jerry Hughes goes to Indy at 31. I'm glad we only have one round tonight.
10:59: Blogger needs to make it easier to upload pictures. I just spent an entire commercial break uploading and formatting the picture at the top of this entry. Whew. Plus, it has screwed up the formatting of the remainder of the blog and I can't get it fixed. I need to move to Word Press.
11:02: Drew Brees comes out to read the 32nd pick for his Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints. That's pretty cool. Saints take Patrick Robinson to conclude Round One. Thursday night is ov-ah.
Finishing up tonight, I'm still hungry and the Pens & Sens are still playing hockey. Clausen still has no home for next year; think the Rams are going to have some calls tonight for pick #33? Better yet, do you think they regret taking Bradford 1st overall instead of Suh or trading down, then taking Clausen or McCoy to open the second round? Minnesota sits right behind them and KC is just a few picks back, so I doubt one or both of these QBs last too long Friday night.
Quickly on the Panthers, who have no selection until #48 tomorrow night...I think they go WR. Fox & Hurney are not going to draft a QB who won't help the team next year that high. Instead, if there is a new coach and/or front office following next season, I could see that regime taking on the responsibility of drafting the new franchise QB to fit their taste/scheme. It is still possible they use the 3rd rounder on a QB I suppose - hopefully my main guy, LeFevour. DE or DT would make a lot of sense in addition to WR in those first two picks. I really like Mardy Gilyard from Cincinnati myself, as he is a solid catcher of the pigskin as well as a good return guy. Tom Sorensen of the Charlotte Observer made a similar case for Dexter McCluster from Ole Miss, who is versatile in the mold of Percy Harvin. Problem is the Panthers have not exactly shown a penchant for creativity when it comes to offense and McCluster is far from a polished WR at this point. Arrelious Benn also could be an option at WR. On the defensive side, Carlos Dunlap would be great at DE. Very interesting to see where the Panthers go and perhaps even more interesting to see what happens at the top of Round Two with the aforementioned quarterbacks.
Thanks for reading, ya'll be good.
