Worth the Wait
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by user Sportsbrief
Before I get to my thoughts on the NFL Draft, how about this sports weekend? One of the best ever. The past few days had almost everything; football (draft), basketball (NBA playoffs), baseball (highlighted by a Red Sox/ Yanks series). All we were missing was a UFC pay-per-view on Saturday night. A lot happened from Friday- Sunday. We know we will have a new NBA champion this year, as the talented Chicago Bulls swept the Heat. Mariano Rivera didn’t get his first save until April 28 th, and still has an ERA over 10. The Golden State Warriors put on an absolute clinic Friday night against the league’s best team, then beat the Mavs again Sunday to take a 3-1 lead in the series. The thought of a Suns/ Warriors Western Conference Finals match-up might actually make people want to watch the NBA again. It should, Baron Davis is incredible, and Nellie ball is fun for everyone. With all of that, the NFL Draft stole the show, proving once again it’s the most popular sport in America.
What did we learn during the two day Mel Kiper marathon that is the NFL Draft? Well frankly, we learned a lot.
-Keyshawn Johnson and Steve Young either weren’t aware the Draft was being televised, or thought they would lose their souls if they looked into the camera. I was convinced by say pick 20 they might find the camera… I was wrong. And where was Michael Irvin? I wanted him to explain how the U could have three first round picks and struggle to make a bowl game.
-Patrick Ramsey (who was 0-1 passing last season) was listed as a “key loss” for the New York Jets, proving that “none” was not an option there.
-We learn from Michael Smith that Arizona Cardinals #5 overall pick Levi Brown is nastier than Browns’ new OT Joe Thomas.
-Mark Malone, college football “expert” claims he would “lick his chops” if he was lined up against a 19 year old, after the Texans select Amobi Okoye. He continues by saying Okoye is undersized at 6’1, 275, just as the graphic appears on screen displaying the Louisville star as 6’2, 302. Consistency.
-One of the highlights for Marshawn Lynch is of him driving a cart around the field. Wonder if he’ll think the women of Buffalo are better looking than McGahee.
-Brady Quinn’s girlfriend looks like Ashlee Simpson, that’s not a good thing. (More on Quinn later.)
-The Miami Dolphins are either positive they’re getting Trent Green, or know something we don’t about Culpepper. Worst pick of the first round. A bit high for a Wes Welker replacement. (Even if Ginn turns out to be good, they could have got him at least 10 picks later.) We know Ted Ginn played some quarterback in high school, but not sure if it will translate to the pro game. Chris Chambers must be thrilled that the Phins have another guy to not get the ball.
-The 28 th pick Joe Staley from Central Michigan started college at 215 lbs and is now 305. Seriously? I thought that only happened in baseball.
-The Patriots made news by trading for Randy Moss, and getting a guy with character issues. And by character issues I mean someone who pulled a gun out and shot at a guy three times, and also stomped on the legs of a downed opponent in the FIU-Miami brawl. I’m a Pats fan, and although the Meriweather pick surprises me a little, I’m thrilled about both additions.
-The Eagles joined the Dolphins in the wtf department. No only did they trade their first round pick to a division rival, so they could get the pass rusher they coveted, but with their first pick (36 th overall) they drafted Kevin Kolb, who plays the same position as their best player. Sends a good message to McNabb.
But speaking of quarterbacks, Brady Quinn was certainly the biggest story of Day 1. The Notre Dame star got past by his hometown Cleveland Browns (with their first choice), and then after the Dolphins foolishly selected Ted Ginn, there was no where for Quinn to go. He needed to snag one of those Under Armor parachutes he fell so far. He ended up going to his own private suite, because the new commish really cares about the players, (just ask Pacman and Chris Henry) as three corners, a couple safeties, a running back, even a 19 year old got picked. At this point Aaron Rodgers began to feel bad for Quinn. Then the Cleveland Browns get themselves back into the first round with the 22 nd pick. The wait was over for Quinn. For guys like Brady Quinn, Trent Edwards, and fans like myself who watched the longest first round in the history of the NFL draft (6+ hours), it was a long wait. I have to say though; this will work out better for Quinn. Sure it was brutal to sit there with the “last guy in the green-room” tag, but look at it from a football standpoint and not a pride or money one. He goes to the same team he would have if he was the 3 rd overall pick, but now he has the best offensive tackle in the draft protecting him. (I also like their 2 nd rounder, Eric Wright, CB from UNLV, great three picks by Cleveland.) I’m not saying the Browns will be knocking on the playoff door, or even .500, but give Quinn some protection, and make sure he utilizes other top draft choices like Edwards and Winslow, and for Brady Quinn it may have been worth the wait.
Randy Moss also had to wait. He hasn’t been to the playoffs since 2004, and the Pro Bowl since 2003. This should be its own blog, but after many successful seasons in Minnesota, Moss went to Oakland and has almost been forgotten. Well after two seasons he’s going to one of the best teams in the NFL with one of the best quarterbacks in the game. The addition of Moss will make Tom Brady as happy as Kristie Ally when she heard about Domino’s 5-5-5 deal. I’m sure it’s the other way too. Randy Moss is relevant again. It’s amazing that a receiver with over 100 career TDs was left for dead playing for a team in the basement, and traded for a 4 th round pick. A 4 th rounder? John Bowie, CB, Cincinnati, will definitely be an answer to a trivia question, especially after Moss is holding a Super Bowl Trophy and giving his speech in Canton.
So after a long and great sports weekend all we have left to do now is wait. Wait for Moss to catch his first pass from Brady, wait for Quinn to start his first game for the Browns. I don’t know if I can make it that long. Luckily game 5 of the Warriors/ Mavs series is tomorrow night, maybe I can wait for that.
-Rich Keefe check out more at http://sportsbrief.blogspot.com/
