The View From Above

Sorry it's been a while since I last graced these pages with an entry, but frankly there really hasn't been a lot of sports news going on worthy of comment. Sure the NBA & NHL Playoffs have begun and some folks ARE ACTUALLY WATCHING! Not many for the latter, I'm afraid. The former is to be seen. Judging from the excitement of Game 1 of the Spurs / Suns series, this may be must-see TV.

It came down to waiting for the NFL Draft for me to have any really good material for thought. It takes a lot for me. You watch and listen so much to sports you get a bit jaded. But I digress. Let's talk Mel Kiper Jr.'s hair. I still think it's a piece. Anyway, regarding Mel, the only thing of interest I've seen from him is the verbal sparring matches he and Todd McShay, director of college football from Scouts Inc., are getting into. At last, someone calling the self-professed talent guru out. Their disagreements make for better TV than that fast-talking BaltiMORON could provide by himself spouting about what the 49ers need in the sixth round without challenge.

Even better have been the talk-radio geeks trying to tell you and I your local teams record for the 2008-09 season after the schedules were released. This before the teams have drafted! What are these idiots and their program directors thinking? The trades and picks associated with the draft will make an enormous impact on the record of teams. Let's ask what kind of difference Adrian Peterson made for the Vikings? Here's another for-instance-thought: the Atlanta Falcons have 4 picks in the first 2 rounds (3, 34, 37, & 48). Do you think the players chosen with these picks or those traded for them could have at least some small impact on the success or (more likely) failure of the Atlanta Falcons in 2008-09?

Finally, has anyone seen the man-love being poured over Chris Long like gravy on a Thanksgiving turkey. Oh my God, I thought Kiper was going to make a stain on himself gushing about the immediate impact Howie Jr. would make with his leadership and work ethic and his "pedigree" (?). Yeah, he's gonna be good. Maybe REAL good. Ask yourself a question though...when's the last time you saw a great Defensive End make an impact in the pros who was white? David Pollack? Guess we'll probably never know there. I just was listening and asked myself the same question.

DKM Reputation: 99 Level: Superstar Since: Aug 31, 2006	Posted on: April 21, 2008 10:37 am Score: 94 Brrrrr....a bit Drafty in here. Nice Blog El, I hear you loud and clear on the DE, I think Long will be good- really good but I also realize he may be Justin Smith with a better pedigree. By the way as a loyal contributor to The GOAT Blog I hope you might also frequent and contribute to my new thread. http://www.sportsline.com/mcc/messages/chrono/7901333/0/1 /7901439#ID7901439 [ Reply to Comment ]
El Gigante Reputation: 98 Level: Superstar Since: Jan 15, 2008	Posted on: April 21, 2008 10:48 am Score: 94 Brrrrr....a bit Drafty in here. Thanks for stopping by DKM. I found myself thinking of Steve Emtman and the hype surrounding him and what he had accomplished at UW, winning the Outland & Lombardi Trophies, then being a complete bust in the pros for the Colts, Dolphins & Redskins. He did get injured (ruptured disc, I think) and never totally recovered, but still a bust. Can't think of a recent "great" Defensive End who is/was white. I'm a big white guy, so this is not racial in any way. I just can't think of one. Patrick Kerney qualify as great? [ Reply to Comment ]
slim33chance Reputation: 99 Level: Superstar Since: Apr 1, 2007	Posted on: April 21, 2008 11:38 am Score: 90 Brrrrr....a bit Drafty in here. I do think it is a little weird to start calculatin' the season's win/lose on a team before the draft, unless your team is already set without needing help from the draft ! Take the Cowboys.....all starters in place ! The roster already has 13 pro-bowlers returning ! It would be nearly impossible for a rookie to break the starting line-up unless he comes out and just dominates ! The only position that might be a question mark would be WR ! If Glenn comes back...he starts, if not....the rookie might have a chance if he can beat out Crayton ! In this case I do believe you could guess pretty accurately at how well they will do, regardless of the draft ! Unless there is a big draft day trade, like the cowboys pickin' up Roy Williams, or Chad Johnson, or Pacman (if reinstated), or even A. Boldin ! [ Reply to Comment ]
El Gigante Reputation: 98 Level: Superstar Since: Jan 15, 2008	Posted on: April 21, 2008 11:46 am Score: 93 Brrrrr....a bit Drafty in here. You believe the Cowboys are "set," slim? What happens if Jerrah gets a bee in his bonnet about getting McFadden? It's a possibility given his reaction of jumping for joy of the Hog's 40 time at the combine... or just the fact that he's the most talented kid in the draft... or just the fact that he's a Hog. What if Jerrah has to trade some of the Pro-Bowlers away to move up to get the Prized Pig? This could affect just how set they are. You should get rid of the Roy Williams you have (so overrated) and pick up Anquan if possible (of those mentioned by you). The kid came to FSU as a QB from Pahokee listed as an "athlete" and has been money ever since. [ Reply to Comment ]

El Gigante

Brrrrr....a bit Drafty in here.

Brrrrr....a bit Drafty in here.

Brrrrr....a bit Drafty in here.

Brrrrr....a bit Drafty in here.

Brrrrr....a bit Drafty in here.