NFL Draft Media Observations
Media Gossip/Musings, NFL Draft, Video April 27th. 2009, 9:45am
A hodgepodge of media thoughts and callous observations from the weekend, including more relentless mocking of the Bill Cosby debacle.
* Really liked Jon Gruden’s work on the NFL Network set. Sure, we bash Chucky in these waters from time-to-time (his haircut this weekend seemed better suited for a kid in the Sandlot), and his desperate attempt to inquire about the Notre Dame job (through his agent) while Weis was still around was weak. But, he had a few great lines Sunday, and our favorite was after Mike Mayock got finished raving (“future starter”) about Pittsburgh 7th round pick, OL AQ Shipley: “He’s gotta be one of your neighbors or your friends.”
* Only one Jets mention here, since Gang Green gets its own post: “You had to wince when ESPN’s Steve Young called USC quarterback Mark Sanchez ‘presidential,’ as if Sanchez is off to fix the economy or end a war.”
* Name of the draft: Captain Munnerlyn to the Panthers at 216. Runner up: Slade Norris to Oakland at 126. Sounds like a cross between a porn star and a tough street fighter.
* There was no Kiper-McShay juice. None. The two were on their best behavior because the majority of the league’s scouts and GMs did their homework, or because they just couldn’t find anything to grapple about. They both hated what Oakland did (so did Keyshawn); a high-five should have been in order.
* Because you’ll get on our case if we don’t mention the Cowboys: Don’t really know how good their 2nd day haul was (they’re bullish about QB Stephen McGee) because they grabbed a ton of players we’re not all that familiar with. But their 172nd pick, USC kicker David Buehler, according to the TV folks, benched more than Trojans LBs Clay Matthews and Rey Maualuga, and he ran a better 40 at the Combine.
* Denver had a curious draft. Moreno at 12 when it could have really beefed up the defense? And then trading one of its two first-rounders next year – we expect both to be in the Top 20 – to grab CB Alphonso Smith in the 2nd round? Nine picks after Smith, the Broncos grabbed another CB during a cornerback run. You can always look at it this way – the the Broncos knew a CB run was coming, so it was wise to move up and grab Smith. Just better hope his speed makes up for his lack of height.
* Pat White won’t just be used in the Wildcat in Miami; he’ll have a chance to battle for the backup QB spot.
* Five drafts we really liked: Atlanta (including Gonzalez, picked up probably three starters), Philadelphia, Detroit, Houston, Chicago.
* Four drafts we didn’t really like: Denver, Oakland (obviously), Dallas, Tampa.
* And even though we mentioned this yesterday, the Bill Cosby-Quan Cosby-Erin Andrews segment was a complete and utter mess:
51 Responses to “NFL Draft Media Observations”
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April 27th, 2009 at 9:52 AM
I didn’t watch more than 5% of ESPN’s draft (watched NFL Network), but on the radio yesterday the local radio guys were going on and on about how AWFUL Berman was (he was out of it, disinterested), and that Young & Keystone Light were getting into it because Keyshawn wouldn’t stop talking.
Was it that bad?
April 27th, 2009 at 9:53 AM
CIN had the best draft.
You forgot the best line of the weekend, courtesy of Herm speaking about Harvin: “This guy is one of those guys, whether he’s driving a Ferrari, a Cadillac, a Volkswagen, if he even goes to Disneyland and drives the little cars that run on the rail, he’s going to have a wreck,” Edwards said. “So, you better have a good body and fender man. . . . There’s going to be some things you have to deal with, and you know that.”
April 27th, 2009 at 9:54 AM
My favorite comment of the weekend was Brian Billick (referring to himself, Gruden and Mariucci) saying “if we knew how to evaluate franchise quarterbacks, we wouldn’t be sitting here”
April 27th, 2009 at 9:58 AM
berman struggled, for sure.
(noted here: http://thebiglead.com/?p=13612 )
i think he knew the picks due to the cameras and phone calls, and it rattled him. just a guess.
April 27th, 2009 at 9:58 AM
(winces)
Pretty sure no one would say anything. I only saw a little bit of ESPN’s coverage, but between Berman’s mental and verbal decline, Steve Young’s self-importance and Kiper’s Count Chocula act, I couldn’t take it.
April 27th, 2009 at 10:02 AM
Whats the deal with Gruden using “we” in that video?
April 27th, 2009 at 10:03 AM
Weather was 80+ both days, time was better spent out side
April 27th, 2009 at 10:04 AM
berman struggled, for sure.
(noted here: http://thebiglead.com/?p=13612 )
i think he knew the picks due to the cameras and phone calls, and it rattled him. just a guess.
tbl: Thanks. Guess I missed it trying to keep from stroking out reading and responding to the 754 posts you put up in 17 minutes late Saturday afternoon -lol
/anxiously awaiting the Gang Green post and the next episode of “My Favorite Scenester”
April 27th, 2009 at 10:07 AM
smart man. didnt even get to golf. and nobody will play this afternoon due to ‘work’
April 27th, 2009 at 10:07 AM
so that pretty much eliminates him from special team duty…so you used a 2nd rounder on a guy who’ll give you 7 snaps per game…get the fuck out of here with that garbage.
my golfer’s tan agrees. i have a nice base tan going on my arms and calves (and my right hand…fucking glove). i have quite the nice contrast going on my arms…it looks like im wearing pale white sleeves.
April 27th, 2009 at 10:09 AM
Sorry to say, but unless I can see Erin Andrews’s curves, she’s decidedly average looking, and her frumpy appearance was a distraction, because I kept thinking, “Damn, she doesn’t look her same self.”
Bill Cosby is a humorless old asshole who should not be given face time anymore.
Berman looked hungover.
Mel Kiper can now go into hibernation for 12 months.
Steve Young is a holier than thou Jesus freak who treats everyone like they’re idiotic sinners.
April 27th, 2009 at 10:09 AM
Michael Oher. great story
April 27th, 2009 at 10:11 AM
Indeed, got to play a beautiful course in Naples FL this weekend. There was water on every hole, I literally lost 20 balls, had a blast though.
April 27th, 2009 at 10:12 AM
Gruden was fantastic. It was shocking how much better the NFLNet coverage was over espn, not even close. Less people, cleaner analysis, great graphics, bravo NFL Network.
April 27th, 2009 at 10:12 AM
Peter King gives TBL a shoutout in today’s MMQB:
April 27th, 2009 at 10:13 AM
i thought ellis hobbs was better than 2 fifth rounders? Anyone?
April 27th, 2009 at 10:14 AM
@sponge: Little smoky over there this weekend, since 10,000 acres are on fire in the Everglades? Alligator Alley’s been closed for 10 days. I had to drive over there last week (live in Fort lauderdale) and it took me 4.5 hours instead of the usual 2-2.5
April 27th, 2009 at 10:14 AM
@Mike: Agreed, maybe. First draft I’ve been happy with in a long time.
April 27th, 2009 at 10:15 AM
+1 Crookednose.
I got really drunk and watched but don’t remember a lot. It got wild in the room when the Raiders set their franchise back another 3-4 years. I chugged rum when the Lions took a TE instead of ANY POSITION ON DEFENSE at 20.
April 27th, 2009 at 10:15 AM
April 27th, 2009 at 10:16 AM
Peter King gives TBL a shoutout in today’s MMQB:
If you’re a New York Jets fan, and you find yourself standing in line at a Modell’s somewhere in the Metropolis this week waiting for your SANCHEZ jersey
Can’t wait for the breathless coverage starting this summer of “My Favorite Scenester” coming to a blog near us
April 27th, 2009 at 10:16 AM
He’s a great kick returner. Never been the CB he was supposed to be though. I’ll forever remember him giving up the game winning TD in the Super bowl.
April 27th, 2009 at 10:17 AM
I kept reading about it and the people I was with kept commenting on it but I never smelt or saw any of it. I guess my senses are starting to fail me.
April 27th, 2009 at 10:18 AM
Made it out golfing for the first time in about 3 weeks yesterday (stupid lower back injury). Played a little local course by myself. Teed off at 12:30 and was done (with 18 holes – walking) by 3:00.
April 27th, 2009 at 10:18 AM
the pats’ ’system’ too. they dont want to overpay, esp when they think they can hit the draft and load up on players who fit. belichick gets his own draft post later
April 27th, 2009 at 10:19 AM
no way!!!
when quan asked what the 409 area code was and bill replied mississippi, that shit was comic gold.
April 27th, 2009 at 10:19 AM
And Chucky’s hair is dreadful. The buttcut went out in 1998.
April 27th, 2009 at 10:20 AM
roeth…you ever get to play oakmont?
April 27th, 2009 at 10:21 AM
Bill Cosby: Himself is one of the best comedy shows ever. Of course that was from 1983…
April 27th, 2009 at 10:22 AM
NickP, you’ve got to be kidding, once again Cinci drafts lazy morons who’ve got talent and nothing else. Each of the first 3 picks has in their analysis “hes talented, but…” Put them in that toxic locker room and its bust city.
April 27th, 2009 at 10:22 AM
And Chucky’s hair is dreadful. The buttcut went out in 1998.
He joked in the beginning on Saturday that he got an $86 NYC haircut and had hairspray on for the first time in his life. I thought he was great. NFL Network is 100 times beter than ESPN (especially tweety bird Wingo)
April 27th, 2009 at 10:25 AM
coop…rey? maybe fits that profile, but andre smith is for real even if he’s better suited for the right side.
April 27th, 2009 at 10:25 AM
josh mcdaniels will be a head coach for two years.
i enjoyed keyshawn and young hammering away @ the broncos. “This is a no win pick, you can’t improve the team after trading away a top 10 nfl qb…” paraphrasing of course.
April 27th, 2009 at 10:26 AM
why is my stupid comment about Gruden’s hair being moderated? I didn’t use the “T” word or the “M” word
April 27th, 2009 at 10:27 AM
TBL: very true. They’re saving 2+ million against the cap by trading him. Could mean Jason Taylor isnt far off..
April 27th, 2009 at 10:29 AM
haha count chocula act. nice.
April 27th, 2009 at 10:30 AM
No. Oakmont used to have a little shitty public course beside it called Oakmont East. It was (and the property still is) used as parking for the major events at Oakmont. In HS I played a Junior event at Oakmont East about a week after the US Women’s Open. The course had tire ruts through the greens, etc. The 32 I shot on the front 9 of that course is still the lowest I’ve ever shot for 9 holes (don’t ask about the back).
So, my running joke is that I’ve shot 32 on the front 9 at Oakmont.
April 27th, 2009 at 10:32 AM
Andre Smith owned people in the SEC all year. I don’t give a fuck what he does at the combine.
/Didn’t see him play once all year. Going by what spencer said a few weeks ago.
Really, I’m just glad they’re drafting interior people, instead of wasting top 3 round picks on shitty skill position guys (Chris Perry, Henry, …)
April 27th, 2009 at 10:33 AM
If I’m a Bengals fan, I’m going on NFL.com and ordering a personalized Bengals jersey with whatever number they give Andre Smith and “Moobs” on the back.
April 27th, 2009 at 10:33 AM
hah…nice.
oakmont is the coolest course in america. no trees or water and any round near par is the round of your life. i wish course designers made more courses like that instead of your typical TPC bullshit with fancy shit everywhere.
April 27th, 2009 at 10:34 AM
cosby was playing the fool to make everyone else look stupuid and was hilarious..i mean i know we are all used to comedic geniuses of today like seth rogen and his crew but really they couldnt hold cosby’s jock.
April 27th, 2009 at 10:35 AM
mark sanchez rides the subway!
wonder if he wore a surgical mask
April 27th, 2009 at 10:35 AM
LOL…its because you said “tweety bird”.
April 27th, 2009 at 10:37 AM
He spelled it “City” Field. Oy.
April 27th, 2009 at 10:37 AM
I’d be thrilled if my franchise QB was such an awesome speller.
April 27th, 2009 at 10:59 AM
But their 172nd pick, USC kicker David Buehler, according to the TV folks, benched more than Trojans LBs Clay Matthews and Rey Maualuga, and he ran a better 40 at the Combine.
Uh huh. And this raised how many flags?
Here’s who did well: anyone who took a starting NFL-caliber player.
April 27th, 2009 at 11:12 AM
You guys have a terrible sense of humor. The Cosby thing was great! I mean, it was great because it was awful. Why was the couch so small? Why would Cosby wear the helmet? Why was Quan chilling with Cosby instead of his family? Did Bill invite himself? The 409 area code thing was brilliant.
It was great just like bad scary movies are great.
And Andrews is a decent reporter. Well-spoken and doesn’t have the high voice or hard “S”, that so many other annoying female reporters have.
April 27th, 2009 at 11:16 AM
That Cosby skit was great like Reno 911 is great — which is to say not at all.
April 27th, 2009 at 11:19 AM
I think they just called him Dr. Bill Cosby again
April 27th, 2009 at 11:23 AM
Aall I gotta say is, thank god for the NFL network.
April 27th, 2009 at 1:40 PM
+1 Jimmy
+1 Sponge (1983 was his peak even before that lame “Cosby Show”)
+1 Spencer
+1 Superjak (me too I played rugby on Saturday)
+1 JPQ
Hey don’t worry TBL Godfather I won’t start that again this week; just pressed for time with so much good stuff unleashed here again this morning.