By Adam Cancryn
Watching the draft is like pre-gaming for the epic 17-week celebration of violence that is the NFL season. It's just enough to get you loosened up and excited for the games and nostalgic for all the craziness that went down last year, but still leaves you ready for more. That anticipation grows, and by the time September rolls around, you're fully prepared to devote entire Sundays (and Mondays, and Thursdays and Saturdays) to America's favorite sport.
But this year, the pre-game feels like a little much, probably because last year's NFL party never really stopped. There was the Saints' bounty system, Tebow, Peyton Manning, more Tebow, the Saints' (alleged) super-secret eavesdropping system, even more Tebow, and the Andrew Luck/RGIII saga. Suddenly, it's late April, and a quick nap is sounding pretty good right about now.
HOWEVER. It's only one more weekend, and we can soldier through. After this, it's mostly baseball for the next four months, a sport that was handcrafted for the quick middle-inning nap. So stick it out. Grab some of that red drink in the trashcan in the corner, and by God, do not touch Mel Kiper's hair. It's time for the ultimate NFL pre-game.
We'll update this in reverse chronological order, so the most recent stuff stays on top. Join us in the comments or on Twitter @BeganIn96.
*****That's it for the first round, first impressions is that the Patriots, Redskins, Cowboys and Eagles are in good shape. As for the other end of the spectrum, the Dolphins, Seahawks and Browns made some questionable calls. High risk/high reward was the theme of the first round.
11:05- Looks like the Giants are sticking with their multiple starting running backs strategy taking David Wilson at 32. He can step in to the spot vacated by Brandon Jacobs, and provide a nice change of pace from Ahmad Bradshaw.
10:58- Doug Martin taken by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, making the first time ever that two Boise State players have been taken in the first round.
10:53- Broncos decide not to even risk another Tebow pick and trade out of the first round.
10:48- More fun facts! After Michael Floyd and Harrison Smith, this is the first time two Notre Dame players have been taken in the first round since 1994.
10:46- And the Vikings take Harrison Smith, who is easily the most Jersey looking player taken in the first round.
10:44- TRADE! Vikings get Ravens' 29th pick for second and fourth rounders.
10:42- Nick Perry and Clay Matthews Jr. is a scary combo. Once you get past them though, that secondary is thin. Green Bay is still going to have major problems as teams increase their reliance on the pass.
10:34- Good, safe pick taking Zeitler. Wisconsin a great development system for linemen, and the squad played a major role in Montee Ball's 1,923 yards and 33 TDs last year.
10:29- In the continuation of a trend tonight, another inexperienced defensive player is taken. A lot of one and two-year starters selected for their upside.
10:25- According to Andrew Siciliano, the Pats' Chandler Jones is Syracuse's first first-round pick in 10 years. Dwight Freeney went 11th in 2002.
10:23- Because no NFL event would be complete with the good ol' Gunslinger: Brett Favre in jorts on draft night 1991, via Sports Illustrated:
10:21- Patriots apparently getting Alabama's Dont'a Hightower. New England is finally spending all those picks they've hoarded over the years.
10: 16- Quarterbacks Brandon Weeden is older than: Aaron Rodgers, Matt Stafford, Cam Newton, Matt Ryan...
10:12- Browns go with two short-career possibilities. Unless they're extremely lucky, they get six years with Weeden and Richardson together. They've got to believe they can put it together in that window.
10:08- SPOILERS: Pats take Chandler Jones, per Michael Lombardi. Browns take 28-year-old quarterback Brandon Weeden, per Jay Glazer.
10:07- It's open season on pick tipping. Shield your eyes! Pats and Browns picks coming up...
10:04- TRADE! Pats move up.
9:46- SILENCE in response to the Dre Kirkpatrick pick. Never seen that reaction before.
9:43- Rapid reaction to Coples: "He gets blocked, and stays blocked." "Disappears in stretches." So...
9:39- As is tradition, Jets boo their pick. It's Quinton Coples over Melvin Ingram.
9:36- First Tebow reference. That's wonderful restraint.
9:34- Irvin was projected as a second or third rounder, and that was after he'd moved up the board over the last week. Certainly a reach, but that's what you've got to expect with Pete Carroll.
9:30- REACH ALERT: Bruce Irvin
9:27- Nas in 1994:
Nas in 2012:
GUHHHH
9:24- Paul Allen is tipping absolutely every pick. If only Microsoft could see market trends this well.
9:22- Michael Floyd in a great spot to learn from Fitzgerald, who's good enough to make even Kevin Kolb look decent.
9:16- Here's RGIII's Topps rookie card, via Dan Steinberg:
9:14- An Eagles fan wore shoulder pads to the draft. Shoulder pads. Remember when I took back all the bad things I said about dudes who spend hundreds of dollars to wear shirts with other people's names on them and watch 21-year-olds walk across a stage. Now I take that back.
9:11- And now Berman tips the Cox pick. HE'S PRESCIENT!
9:10- With ESPN on commercial, Mortensen says Eagles select Fletcher Cox.
9:09- Microsoft co-founder and Seahawks owner Paul Allen is apparently live-tweeting the draft, and scooping people on the picks.
9:07- Chiefs are counting on Poe playing hard now that he "realizes he's paid to play football." Because that's exactly how it happens.
9:06- TRADE! Seattle trades 12th pick to Philly, per Mortensen.
9:03- Goodell has a designated hair-fixer. I need a screencap of that right now.
9:00- Stephon Gilmore with a snappy blue-on-blue ensemble. This is the kind of analysis I get paid the big bucks for.
8:57- "Maybe I'm looking at the wrong scale!" #OutofcontextBermanquotes
8:56- Luke Kuechly is the first Boston College linebacker ever drafted in the first round.
8:55- Drew Magary sum up ESPN's sentiment on the Tannehill pick: "God, he sucks. I like this pick."- Gruden.
8:54- Consensus is the Dolphins could have traded down to get Tannehill. The search for Marino's successor continues...
8:52- Eight! Tannehill at eight!
8:51- More on the Red Baron: He died at age 26. Just because one guy's nickname sounds like the nickname of a number guy doesn't make it a great analogy.
8:47- "This isn't Mark Barron, this is the Red Baron." Yes, Jon, because Red Baron was a fearsome hitter on the field in between bombing the hell out of everything during World War I.
8:45- Per ESPN's Arash Markazi, Matt Kalil is USC's 76th first-round draft pick, most of any school. Statistics!
8:41- Goodell is getting booed EVERY time he goes out there. I take back all the bad things I said about you, dudes who spend hundreds of dollars to wear shirts with other people's names on them and watch 21-year-olds walk across a stage.
8:38- Twitter NFL Draft show: Drew Magary, Adam Kramer and Timothy Burke. George Takei inserted for comedic relief.
8:33- ESPN. All the resources in the world, and yet Twitter is four minutes ahead on the Cowboys trade and counting. We'll just crowdsource the ceremony next year.
8:32- Jags take Justin Blackmon. Now at least we'll know the name of the guy Blaine Gabbert was aiming for when the ball hits the turf.
8:31- Cowboys move up to the sixth slot, and Berman just has no idea what's happening.
8:30- TRADE! Cowboys.
8:28- Twitter reaction to Kalil going fourth: He's got an attractive mom.
8:24- I'm generally against taking a running back this high, purely because you only get about eight good years out of your investment, if you're lucky (v. a decade plus for linemen, receivers, defensive backers). But Richardson isn't purely a splash pick for the Browns, he's a player that can be the focal point of Cleveland's offense.
8:20- Josh Zerkle introduces a new meme: @PUNTE: New internet meme: "Griffing." Wearing pastels with a baseball cap that doesn't fit.
8:18- Jon Gruden spends an entire segment breaking down the plays that Baylor ran last year, only to wrap it up by saying the Redskins "aren't going to run any of these plays."
8:16- If Suzy Kolber doesn't ask RGIII where he got that powder blue suit, she should be out of a job. It's the most sideline reportingest question out there, and I NEED TO KNOW.
8:13- RGIII, welcome to Washington, D.C. Here is your fanbase:
8:07- If Andrew Luck has anything going for him, it's that he's the most awkward quarterback since Peyton Manning. Own it, Andrew. No one can take it away from you.
8:06- Remember when ESPN pledged not to tip picks by showing draftees on the phone? That pledge gets broken with the first pick.
*****That's it for the first round, first impressions is that the Patriots, Redskins, Cowboys and Eagles are in good shape. As for the other end of the spectrum, the Dolphins, Seahawks and Browns made some questionable calls. High risk/high reward was the theme of the first round.
11:05- Looks like the Giants are sticking with their multiple starting running backs strategy taking David Wilson at 32. He can step in to the spot vacated by Brandon Jacobs, and provide a nice change of pace from Ahmad Bradshaw.
10:58- Doug Martin taken by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, making the first time ever that two Boise State players have been taken in the first round.
10:53- Broncos decide not to even risk another Tebow pick and trade out of the first round.
10:48- More fun facts! After Michael Floyd and Harrison Smith, this is the first time two Notre Dame players have been taken in the first round since 1994.
10:46- And the Vikings take Harrison Smith, who is easily the most Jersey looking player taken in the first round.
10:44- TRADE! Vikings get Ravens' 29th pick for second and fourth rounders.
10:42- Nick Perry and Clay Matthews Jr. is a scary combo. Once you get past them though, that secondary is thin. Green Bay is still going to have major problems as teams increase their reliance on the pass.
10:34- Good, safe pick taking Zeitler. Wisconsin a great development system for linemen, and the squad played a major role in Montee Ball's 1,923 yards and 33 TDs last year.
10:29- In the continuation of a trend tonight, another inexperienced defensive player is taken. A lot of one and two-year starters selected for their upside.
10:25- According to Andrew Siciliano, the Pats' Chandler Jones is Syracuse's first first-round pick in 10 years. Dwight Freeney went 11th in 2002.
10:23- Because no NFL event would be complete with the good ol' Gunslinger: Brett Favre in jorts on draft night 1991, via Sports Illustrated:
10:21- Patriots apparently getting Alabama's Dont'a Hightower. New England is finally spending all those picks they've hoarded over the years.
10: 16- Quarterbacks Brandon Weeden is older than: Aaron Rodgers, Matt Stafford, Cam Newton, Matt Ryan...
10:12- Browns go with two short-career possibilities. Unless they're extremely lucky, they get six years with Weeden and Richardson together. They've got to believe they can put it together in that window.
10:08- SPOILERS: Pats take Chandler Jones, per Michael Lombardi. Browns take 28-year-old quarterback Brandon Weeden, per Jay Glazer.
10:07- It's open season on pick tipping. Shield your eyes! Pats and Browns picks coming up...
10:04- TRADE! Pats move up.
9:46- SILENCE in response to the Dre Kirkpatrick pick. Never seen that reaction before.
9:43- Rapid reaction to Coples: "He gets blocked, and stays blocked." "Disappears in stretches." So...
9:39- As is tradition, Jets boo their pick. It's Quinton Coples over Melvin Ingram.
9:36- First Tebow reference. That's wonderful restraint.
9:34- Irvin was projected as a second or third rounder, and that was after he'd moved up the board over the last week. Certainly a reach, but that's what you've got to expect with Pete Carroll.
9:30- REACH ALERT: Bruce Irvin
9:27- Nas in 1994:
Nas in 2012:
GUHHHH
9:24- Paul Allen is tipping absolutely every pick. If only Microsoft could see market trends this well.
9:22- Michael Floyd in a great spot to learn from Fitzgerald, who's good enough to make even Kevin Kolb look decent.
9:16- Here's RGIII's Topps rookie card, via Dan Steinberg:
9:14- An Eagles fan wore shoulder pads to the draft. Shoulder pads. Remember when I took back all the bad things I said about dudes who spend hundreds of dollars to wear shirts with other people's names on them and watch 21-year-olds walk across a stage. Now I take that back.
 |
| 30FPS |
9:11- And now Berman tips the Cox pick. HE'S PRESCIENT!
9:10- With ESPN on commercial, Mortensen says Eagles select Fletcher Cox.
9:09- Microsoft co-founder and Seahawks owner Paul Allen is apparently live-tweeting the draft, and scooping people on the picks.
9:07- Chiefs are counting on Poe playing hard now that he "realizes he's paid to play football." Because that's exactly how it happens.
9:06- TRADE! Seattle trades 12th pick to Philly, per Mortensen.
9:03- Goodell has a designated hair-fixer. I need a screencap of that right now.
9:00- Stephon Gilmore with a snappy blue-on-blue ensemble. This is the kind of analysis I get paid the big bucks for.
8:57- "Maybe I'm looking at the wrong scale!" #OutofcontextBermanquotes
8:56- Luke Kuechly is the first Boston College linebacker ever drafted in the first round.
8:55- Drew Magary sum up ESPN's sentiment on the Tannehill pick: "God, he sucks. I like this pick."- Gruden.
8:54- Consensus is the Dolphins could have traded down to get Tannehill. The search for Marino's successor continues...
8:52- Eight! Tannehill at eight!
8:51- More on the Red Baron: He died at age 26. Just because one guy's nickname sounds like the nickname of a number guy doesn't make it a great analogy.
8:47- "This isn't Mark Barron, this is the Red Baron." Yes, Jon, because Red Baron was a fearsome hitter on the field in between bombing the hell out of everything during World War I.
8:45- Per ESPN's Arash Markazi, Matt Kalil is USC's 76th first-round draft pick, most of any school. Statistics!
8:41- Goodell is getting booed EVERY time he goes out there. I take back all the bad things I said about you, dudes who spend hundreds of dollars to wear shirts with other people's names on them and watch 21-year-olds walk across a stage.
 |
| Via Adam Kramer |
8:33- ESPN. All the resources in the world, and yet Twitter is four minutes ahead on the Cowboys trade and counting. We'll just crowdsource the ceremony next year.
8:32- Jags take Justin Blackmon. Now at least we'll know the name of the guy Blaine Gabbert was aiming for when the ball hits the turf.
8:31- Cowboys move up to the sixth slot, and Berman just has no idea what's happening.
8:30- TRADE! Cowboys.
8:28- Twitter reaction to Kalil going fourth: He's got an attractive mom.
8:24- I'm generally against taking a running back this high, purely because you only get about eight good years out of your investment, if you're lucky (v. a decade plus for linemen, receivers, defensive backers). But Richardson isn't purely a splash pick for the Browns, he's a player that can be the focal point of Cleveland's offense.
8:20- Josh Zerkle introduces a new meme: @PUNTE: New internet meme: "Griffing." Wearing pastels with a baseball cap that doesn't fit.
8:18- Jon Gruden spends an entire segment breaking down the plays that Baylor ran last year, only to wrap it up by saying the Redskins "aren't going to run any of these plays."
8:16- If Suzy Kolber doesn't ask RGIII where he got that powder blue suit, she should be out of a job. It's the most sideline reportingest question out there, and I NEED TO KNOW.
8:13- RGIII, welcome to Washington, D.C. Here is your fanbase:
 |
| 30FPS |
8:07- If Andrew Luck has anything going for him, it's that he's the most awkward quarterback since Peyton Manning. Own it, Andrew. No one can take it away from you.
8:06- Remember when ESPN pledged not to tip picks by showing draftees on the phone? That pledge gets broken with the first pick.
8:03- Extended booing of Roger Goodell. So, my night is already made. We can all go home now.
8:01- Some additional NFL Draft reading while we wait for the inevitable first couple picks: Walter Football has a roundup of every what I'm pretty sure is every mock draft currently on the Internets, while Yahoo! sorts through scouting reports for the most ridiculous and offensive comments made about this year's draft class.
7:57- First things first, go read Joe Schackman's piece today on Ryan Tannehill, and why Jimmy Clausen is a better option for teams desperate for a QB. It's delightfully counterintuitive.
8:01- Some additional NFL Draft reading while we wait for the inevitable first couple picks: Walter Football has a roundup of every what I'm pretty sure is every mock draft currently on the Internets, while Yahoo! sorts through scouting reports for the most ridiculous and offensive comments made about this year's draft class.
7:57- First things first, go read Joe Schackman's piece today on Ryan Tannehill, and why Jimmy Clausen is a better option for teams desperate for a QB. It's delightfully counterintuitive.
1 comments:
Love the Patriots picks. Stacked up front now. Really looks good if we can re-sign Andre Carter. Hightower player a little OLB will Cunningham, and watching Jones rush the edge has a lot of potential. Let's hope Belichick got it right
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