by Steve Coulter
The calm before the storm.
Exactly two hours away from the first round of the 2013 NFL
Draft and I couldn’t be more excited. I don’t want to get too ahead of myself
because my hands will be at the keyboard for the next five to six hours writing
this running diary of tonight’s events. However, I will say this before I get
started: this is my first attempt of doing a running diary during a live
sporting “event.” I have done live blogs of games, but never something as
intense, as hyped and as built up as the NFL Draft.
For those of you who know me, it’s common knowledge that I
am a draft nut and have been ever since I can remember. I am not going to give
you a Henry Hill-type monologue, but I will say that I have been to two drafts
live – 2002 and 2004 – and hopefully will be attending next year’s 2014, if all
goes to plan. So don’t count on this being an annual thing, but I thought it
would be worth an attempt. Some may like it, some may hate it. Such is life.
6:03 – I realize
I should have started this around mid-day because the texts I received are too
priceless not to include in this running diary of the day’s events, so please
allow me to back track a bit and begin at 1:34 p.m. ET.
It’s a tradition of mine to check in with four different
people on draft based on the teams they root for, and, well, because two of
them are family. You always have to start at the bottom, so my first text went
out to my good friend Lieder, a lifelong Browns fan who is originally from
Cleveland. I asked him about the No. 6 pick and got this response in return:
We’ll probably trade
our pick to get Colt McCoy back…terrible
God may hate Cleveland, but there’s nothing I love more than
a self-loathing Cleveland fan. Really makes me feel better about my sporting
interests and the teams I root for. Thanks Lieder.
Next up: Jack Smith, a lifelong Buffalo Bills fan from
Rochester, New York. I asked bluntly: I have to get a pre-draft prediction of
what the Bills will do, thoughts? And in return:
[Barkevious] Mingo is
my guess
I seriously doubt a qb
though considering what buddy nix has been continuously saying they will take
one in round 2 or 3
Guard is another
possibility
Or WR
Those were all in a row. Someone’s nervous. Here’s some more
after I coaxed him a little:
I haven’t slept in two
days
If I were you I would
bet on the bills trading down
For like a later first
and two seconds
I will say though that
if they do go QB my guess is Manuel
Mhm, right, so Buffalo is going to convince a team like let’s
say Minnesota too cough up one of their ones and their second to move up to No.
8 with absolutely zero leverage? As you can tell, one, Jack is delusional and
two, being a lifelong Bills fan has taken a toll on his psyche. I’m worried for
him.
I realize this first entry is long so I promise to hurry and
get through it but I swear, it’s for a good cause.
Next up: my father, a fan of the Jets for 53 years. I don’t
even know if I have a sly comment for this, so I will leave it alone and just
say he’s gone through a lot in his days as a Jets fan. I ask him about their
two picks and he returns the courtesy and asks about my team’s pick. We have a
brief exchange until I have to ask the obvious: how do you feel about Ryan
Nassib wearing a Jets jersey?
I like him as a QB,
but not with either of our 1st round picks. Maybe in round 2 or
round 3.
Rumor has it he’s going No. 9 overall though.
Jets have 5 QBs with
one making $8.5 million guaranteed next year. We need so many other positions.
He’s a calm individual, or at least has become one in recent
years. If the Jets were my team, this is what my reaction would have looked like. RYAN
NASSIB!
I watch a lot of college football. I didn’t know the guy
even existed until the Senior Bowl and when I watched him play down in Mobile,
Alabama it wasn’t pretty. Now, I won’t judge his college career, because god
knows college record doesn’t really equate to anything (see: Jay Cutler) when
it comes to transitioning into the NFL. HOWEVER, Ryan Nassib hardly looked like a third round
prospect in the last four months. What do the scouts see in him? More
importantly, what do the Jets see in him?!? They have five quarterbacks.
I know, what can I
say, we’re an “offensive” team…at least Mel’s hair looks better than ever.
I agree, moving on…my brother Andrew, a lifelong a fan of the Eagles since around 2002.
If we draft EJ Manuel
I will murder Chip Kelly.
Welcome to the Chip Kelly Era, Andrew. In all honesty
though, I don’t see the Eagles going QB I could be way wrong though. I am sure
we will be hearing from my brother during this running diary more than once so
we won’t stay on the Eagles very long. Over/Under on the number of times he
calls me: 7.5. I’d say under, but barely. That’s a call an hour. It’s about to
happen.
6:28 – The
pre-draft festivities are in full effect. I have set up shop on my back porch
for 15 minutes of relaxation and to soak up the last of the beautiful weather
we’ve received today. I got a 12-pack of Landsharks (what, it’s a good summer
beer) and have Lynyrd Skynyrd blasting (what it’s American). I have done some
more prodding of fans I know, because, you know, the draft is the time of year
where football fans can be cordial and joke with one another. The season
doesn’t start until 5 months and although the executives are enemies, we can
enjoy this circus for what it is – entertainment. Obvisouly, the draft matters,
saying otherwise would be absolutely blasphemy but it’s so unpredictable and
there’s so much that goes into a prospect’s success that is out of our control.
Fans of the game mine as well turn it into a quasi-version of the Player Haters
Ball.
6:34 – I love the
NFL because it’s the only league that I have such a wide variety of friends who
root for teams from all over. I have narrowed the list of teams I have no affiliation
with to: San Diego, Cincinnati, Houston, Jacksonville, Detroit, Minnesota, New
Orleans, Carolina, Seattle and Arizona. That’s ten teams! I am connected to 22
of the league’s 32 teams, not bad considering how many Patriots and Giants fans
I know. (Side note: Oakland is on the fence of the list. I don’t know where to
place them. Are they even a franchise you can apply to fan-hood? I will ponder
that and get back to you.)
6:41 – I am back
inside; the bugs drove me insane pretty rapidly. Plus, I kind of want to get
some live coverage from ESPN although my goal is to be mocking them as much as
humanly possible over the next four to five hours.
6:49 – I have
been posing this question all week to friends and family: is Geno Smith down
with “the Cause?” The
experts have talked their heads off this week and still have not answered this
very pertinent question. I need to know!
6:59 – What is
Cordarelle Patterson wearing!?!?!
7:00 – Tavon
Austin is super cocky, I like it. I can see why front offices are willing to
make a crazy move to go up and get him.
7:03 – Since when
did the NFL Draft become the Academy Awards? Is anybody else watching this?
They’re treating these guys like movie stars. Outrageous, they haven’t even
played a down yet.
7:06 – No trades
yet. I’m growing impatient. Why won’t someone make a move already? Come on!
7:10 – Forgot to
share this text exchange with my buddy Eichman, a Chiefs fan.
Who are the Chiefs taking No. 1?
One of those OTs
Real specific, now I know what to expect in less than an
hour.
I think they taking
Eric Fisher but I want Luke Joeckel
Now, that wasn’t too hard, was it? When a man asks another
man who he likes for his team, the answer should be immediate and direct. No
need to pussy foot around it.
Also, it’s worth noting that Eichman went with “they” and
not “we.” You will know when the team I root for picks, because my entry will
say “we.” Until then, you’ll have to wait…if you don’t know already.
7:11 – Roger
Goodell in the pre-game booth. This guy reminds me of how John Milton desribed
Lucifer in Paradise Lost. Quick tangent before we get going that I didn’t
include at the beginning of the diary: I HATE the fact that the NFL Draft goes
from Thursday through Saturday. It ruined a great childhood tradition of mine,
first and foremost, but more importantly: Thursday night fails in comparison to
Saturday morning. It’s not opinion; it’s fact. Right? Ok then!
Because of Goodell’s greed I have to watch the draft alone
for the first time in my entire life. After three years of watching it with my
college buddies in Denver under this new format (tolerable), I know have to
endure my favorite sporting event from the couch in my basement with absolutely
no one to talk to except my computer and Twitter. Thanks Goodell, scumbag.
7:14 – Talking
about gays in football with Roger Goodell…YAWN!
7:20 – Shockingly
no calls from my brother or my good friend Tobe, a lifetime Bronco fan. I am
offended, and obviously bored.
7:26 – Why is
ESPN promoting gambling on its website? (PHOTO)
7:29 – Dez Bryant
says that Tyrann Mathieu is the best prospect in the NFL Draft. Does he
actually feel that way or is he standing up for his old smoking buddy?
7:36 – What
happened to the good old days when only five to seven guys were allowed in the
green room? There are far too many players on stage tonight. Who will be the
last one left? Darius Slay seems sort of obvious, but I can’t seem to think of
a guy that will fall farther than him. Maybe Watson, the left tackle, from
Florida State.
7:39 – Do these
guys have to shake hands with Goodell? I know I wouldn’t.
7:48 – A dozen
minutes away from what is easily the least predictable draft I have ever lived
through. Hopefully I won’t go through cardiac arrest; I would like to see this
play out.
7:59 – I feel
like Cinderella before the ball and my team isn’t picking for hours…
8:00 – 50 cent?
Is that you?
8:06 – According
to ESPN, the Chiefs are still not on the clock…come on! Pick! You’ve known
about this moment for four months!
Side note: I was at the 2002 draft. The Texans took 14 out
of 15 minutes to select David Carr, who they had already signed to a contract…
8:15 – Wild
almost ten minutes of not pick and by wild I mean ESPN showcasing Mel Kiper Jr.
And the first pick is…Eric
Fisher!
8:20 – I’m a
little biased in saying this, but I think Eric Fisher is going to struggle in
the AFC West. I could be way off, just my initial take…I mean there has to be a
better overall player than a left tackle from Central Michigan, right? What are
the odds Fisher is the best player from this draft? Whatever they are, I
wouldn’t bet them.
8:28 – The Luke Joeckel pick makes a lot of sense
at No. 2, though leaving the top two pass rushers on the board may come back to
haunt Jacksonville. Overall I give it a B grade.
8:32 – Trade!
Raiders have dealt their pick to the Dolphins. The Raiders predictably are
unpredictable.
8:33 – Dion Jordan
is taking his talents to South Beach and I am shocked.
So far the first three picks all receive B grades. These GMs
are drafting for average, not swinging for the fences. Jordan can rush the
passer, but he’s one dimensional. Interesting No. 3 overall pick.
The Dolphins trading up is way too aggressive for my liking
and I’d like to think I’m as aggressive as they get.
8:41 – Lane Johnson is
athletic enough to play in Chip Kelly’s offense, everyone seems to agree on
that as he struts to the stage but is he the guy that will help get Philly back
to where they were in the Andy Reid Era and by that I mean, of course, 5 NFC
title game and no Super Bowl Championships.
I like the pick, but I am cautious about Johnson. I am
giving out another B grade. Is it possible for anyone to get an A grade in this
draft or am I being way too harsh here?
8:48 – This is
certainly the strangest draft I have ever experienced and the Lions, Browns,
Cardinals, Bills and Jets are the next three picks…I’m concerned. Is the world
going to end?
8:51 – The Lions
pick is described as a player with a “limited football background” who had
“zero career sacks before his senior season.” Good luck Detroit, this is Ezekial Ansah.
I remain unimpressed and I am realizing this diary is
probably coming across as a smug hate-fest of the 2013 NFL Draft, but I’m
simply speaking my mind.
8:55 – The Browns
take Barkevious Mingo. I like how
quick the Browns got that pick in – confidence and Cleveland. Didn’t know that
was possible. Mingo has the most tape of all the guys picked so far, therefore,
he’s the best pick based on what we can see him do.
9:00 – Not to
harp on this again, but Cleveland really impressed me there with their assertiveness
with the pick. Because Mingo wasn’t projected in the top 5, I have to think he
was there “man” all along, which is interesting to think about. I have paid the
Browns two compliments in the span of five minutes. I am convinced the world is
going to end now.
9:01 – Jon Gruden
gushes over Jonathan Cooper for five
minutes and then Adam Schefter comes in and steals the show with the Tavon
Austin-to-the-Rams trade that’s about to happen. As for Arizona, good pick. I’d
give it an A, their offensive line was sieve last year.
9:09 – Schefter
announces the trade but the pick doesn’t come in for about 10 minutes. I don’t
get it at all, but nonetheless, Tavon
Austin is a Ram. Smart move for the Rams to leap ahead of the Jets to get
the best playmaker in this class. First skilled position player taken
obviously, but also the first non-lineman taken. Should be an immediate impact
player for St. Louis.
Side note: I can’t believe how competent the Browns and the
Bills have been in the draft. That’s my surprise of the draft of the draft so
far. At the onset of the draft, it looked like the Browns were going to take a
cornerback too high and the Bills were going to pull the trigger on a
quarterback. Good work guys! You did it! Competent drafting!
9:17 – Dee Milliner is
the heir apparent to Darrelle Revis in New York. Didn’t think the Jets would
actually go corner here, but at the No. 9 slot this pick makes sense. The Jets
have to get No. 13 right. So far they are 1 for 1.
I am at a loss for words. The unthinkable has happened. The
Browns, Cardinals and the Jets all get A grades. I feel blind-sided. And the
Bills traded out. Goes to show you never know with the NFL Draft.
9:xx – Went to
get a beer and got caught on the phone, missed the Titans picked (or did I?)
Man all these guards and tackles are making my head spin. I knew there were
going to be a lot of lineman taken but this draft is shaping up to be even more
anti-climactic then I ever imagined. Obviously these are the guys that help
build teams and as a former lineman I have the upmost respect but I want to see
actual highlights.
I already hate myself for saying that. I sound like a chick.
9:31 – D.J. Fluker
welcome to the AFC West. I love this draft!!!
9:35 – A wide
range of emotions in the first 90 minutes. I can’t even imagine how picks 12-32
will make me feel.
9:39 – D.J. Hayden welcome
to the AFC West. I love this draft!!!
It’s interesting to find out about Hayden. I really didn’t
know about his story. I wish him luck, but at the same time, I would be crushed
if he turned into an All Pro. Why a corner from Houston is going No. 12 overall
is beyond me. This draft continues to shock me. And the Jets and Bills haven’t
even picked yet. I have to say though; the Raiders have retained their spot as
the wild cards of the NFL.
9:47 – Did not
see Sheldon Richardson going before
Star Loutelei and Shariff Floyd, but that goes to show you – the experts know
less than we do. It’s an absolutely bizarre pick for the Jets. It doesn’t
necessarily address a need and it’s definitely not a top talent. They need a
running back and a tight end going into tomorrow. So much for my prediction of
them winning the draft…I should have known better.
9:54 – If you
wish upon a star…Panthers get the best talent on the board and a tremendous
need. I have to applaud the Panthers front office. They are three for three on
their last three first round picks after really messing things up for four or
five straight years. I have no doubt that this will be a playoff team this year
or next.
9:59 – Kenny Vaccaro is
the first safety taken. I am predicting that he won’t be the last. The Saints
definitely needed a safety; will Vaccaro make a difference next season? We’ll
see. Texas players, especially defensive backs, have a good history in the NFL.
I don’t know how to grade it, but my initial reaction is a positive one. Sean
Payton returns this year and he will have a play maker in his defensive back
field.
Bills up next with plenty of quarterback options available…
10:04 – I want to
note that I called the E.J. Manuel pick
two minutes before it happened aka I listened to Adam Schefter report it three
minutes before it. I will now go back and edit those comments I previously made
about the Bills. What an awful organization. Clearly didn’t think that one out.
Mild reaction from Jack in Rochester: He likes the pick, but
thought they could have gotten him in round two.
Come on! Tell us how you really feel. Is E.J. Manuel the
savior of the Bills? I’d bet my bank account that he won’t be. Therefore, it’s
a bad pick.
Bills
first rounders since 2000: Erik Flowers, Nate Clements, Mike Williams
(No. 4), Willis McGahee, Lee Evans, JP Losman, traded #1 for Drew
Bledsoe, Donte Whitner, John McCargo,Leodis McKelvin, Aaron Maybin, Eric
Wood, CJ Spiller, Marcell Dareus, Stephan Gilmore and now EJ Manuel.
Wow. Speechless. What an awful organization. It doesn't come as much of a
surprise why the hold the league's longest playoff drought.
10:09 – Jarvis Jones to
the Steelers: the stereotypical pick of the draft. All the experts got this one
right. Good for them. One of few they got right.
10:14 – 49ers
predictably move up and unpredictably draft Eric Reid. Position of need, but impact is questionable.
Is it just me or is this the type of draft that the day two
players will have more an impact than the players we are watching go up on
stage and shake the Goodell’s hand tonight.
10:17 – The
Giants pick is in… I am impressed at how quick the middle of the draft is
going. It’s like rapid fire. I complained earlier but I do like the 10-minute
first round format. Sure beats waiting 15 minutes to see people like David Carr
get picked.
10:20 – Justin Pugh hears
his name called and I’m sure he’s on a couch somewhere, thanking the football
gods. Now, he gets to protect Eli Manning and joins an offensive line that is
as consistent as unit in the league.
Side note: I have been on the phone with my brother since
the Jets pick at 9:47. This could last the entire rest of the way.
10:29 – The Bears
slow down the pace significantly and take all ten minutes to select Howie
Long’s son Kyle. As I predicted,
it’s not Manti Te’o. Chicago fans who hate Notre Dame, like my friend Joe, can
breathe easy. I am sure he’s drinking heavily somewhere to celebrate the
non-pick. Yet another reason why I love the NFL Draft: you can celebrate when
your team eschews taking a risky prospect or someone you just don’t like.
The number of offensive players is equal to that of the
defensive players so far. Didn’t exactly see that happening.
10:34 – Tyler Eifert joins
Jermaine Gresham in Cincinnati and I think the Bengals just won the draft with
that pick. That tight end duo rivals the one in New England I would say. I
didn’t think the Bengals going in that direction, but I think that’s the point
– they are willing to draft outside of the box. More on this later as the
Falcons have traded with the Rams to get into the No. 22 spot.
10:40 – Desmond
Trufant is the pick. I had him going in this range, but not to Atlanta.
Predictably, the Falcons front office made the necessary moves to get their
man. I do like Trufant’s upside and it is a need for the Falcons after a tough
offseason that saw them lose Dunta Robinson and Brett Grimes.
10:46 – Sharrif Floyd
is tremendous value for the Vikings at No. 23. The experts dully go over
the fact this guy just slipped from No. 3 to No. 23. What the hell? How can
this not be discussed more? Oh wait, ESPN…
10:51 – Bjoern Werner
should have been a higher pick, now he’s Dwight Freeney’s replacement.
Shit. This does not bode well for the future of the AFC. Bengals and Colts just
won this draft with these late picks.
10:54- Xavier Rhodes gets
a call from the Land of a Thousand Lakes and the Vikings have quickly taken the
first round! It was that easy! In a draft that has seen four guards and four
offensive tackles taken with one quarterback and one wide receiver, I didn’t
think it would be too hard for some team in the 20s to make the right decisions
and take this first round and claim it as their own. Good for you Vikings, you
won in April. But have you ever won in January? No? Just checking. Next please.
11:00 – Datone
Jones is a brilliant pick by the
Packers and I am not just mailing it at this point and giving everybody
positive reviews, I really think this was the right position for the Packers to
go. They can find running back and receiver help later on. Jones could be a
10-sack player in his first year. His ceiling is unbelievably high.
11:02 – My good
buddy Andrew has called in from Denver. The Broncos are almost on the clock and
much to our disbelief have not made a move up or down the draft board. I would
have bet John Elway would have rolled the dice a bit, but he’s stayed put. We
agree the pick will by Sly Williams out of UNC.
11:08 – DeAndre
Hopkins goes to Houston in another predictable-type of selection.
Pittsburgh and Houston make the experts look good with their picks. I think
Hopkins could be the best receiver in this class and he will have plenty of
time to develop studying from one of the game’s best in Andre Johnson.
The Broncos are on the clock and I have gnawed off eight of
my 10 finger nails. This has been an excruciating wait, but our man is still on
the board. Come on John! Don’t screw this up.
11:15 – Sylvester
Williams welcome to the Mile High City!!! What a great addition for us as
we make a run at the Lombardi Trophy. I think depth at defensive line is one of
our two biggest needs. I would like the team to find a tackling machine –
linebacker or safety – at some point in the draft, because that is lacking.
Pass rush will be there, I hope. But if management feels differently, I
wouldn’t mind bringing in another guy to come off the edge. Overall, love the
Williams pick.
11:24-11:55 - My
brother stays on the phone with me for picks No. 29-32 and at this point if
you’re still reading, please call me and I will take you out for a free lunch
because you deserve it haha.
Anyways, Vikings trade back into the first round to take the
unproven, but highly touted Cordarellle
Patterson from Tennessee. I like how aggressive Minnesota has gotten but I
can’t help from thinking four picks for the price of one is never worth it. I am
happy, however, that New England is willing to settle for second-round talent
and that Patterson didn’t go to Baltimore, so I will consider this a victory.
This was a necessary move by the Vikings, who desperately needed to replace
Percy Harvin to please the fan base and Adrian Peterson.
Rams did exactly what they planned to do with their two
picks – what a revelation! – they traded up into the top ten and then traded
down into the 30s. The moves cancel each other out and as a result St. Louis
ends up with a pair of prospects that I would say rank around 16 and 17 in this
draft class overall. What does that mean? Nothing. If Alec Ogletree can rid himself of the character problems, then the
Rams will have won this first round.
It took a while but this draft has unfolded like so many
before it thanks to the Cowboys picking Travis
Frederick. This is the moment where football fans around the country
collectively say “Who?” He is a third round prospect from Wisconsin (known for
producing lineman) and needless to say the Cowboys reached and as Todd McShay
will come on an point out in five minutes (swear this is a prediction not an
edit) the Cowboys did not get good value for their No. 18 pick (only a third
rounder) and definitely did not get good value here. With that said, it does
address a position of need with the draft’s overall best center. Still though,
it receives a C grade in my book.
Matt Elam closes
out the first round and ensures that Geno Smith and Manti Te’o will wait until
tomorrow. I love the Elam pick not only because I don’t think he will fail in
trying to replace Ed Reed, but because it means thre safeties have gone in
round one and I win my prop bet of over 2.5 in the first round. I love
gambling, so I consider this a big victory. Couple that with getting
projections on Smith, Te’o, Austin and Eddie Lacy correct as well as a few
other things I say I made out decently.
I am not even going to bother looking at my mock draft
because it was shredded up before the draft even began. It’s always fun to
predict and then watch how off you were. I will say though, I bet the safety
over and the wide receiver under (3.5) correctly. I can’t wait for tomorrow.
With that said, I am off to bed closing out what I’d like to
believe was a successful running diary of the NFL Draft.
Please let me know what you think, if you’ve stayed around
this long. I’d love some feedback.
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