With that disclaimer done, I now turn my attention to the most overhyped, truly unimportant event in all of sports, the NFL Draft. First I'll get a little rant of my chest then address the Jags overall draft.
I'm glad the draft is over for a few reasons mainly the fact that it is unimportant, that I've listened to Todd McShay and Mel Kiper for what seems like a year, and finally, that I don't have to see Mel Kiper for another two months (because we know that next year's draft will be talked about then.)
When I say that the draft is unimportant, I mean it not in the sense that teams don't need players. They do, but it is unimportant because 70% of the players slapped with all the praise will probably be just okay and some guy from the 5th round will turn out to be the Hall of Famer. The hype for this event only provides us with a sense that we are in football season but really we are no more closer to the football season than the NBA Playoffs are over. The draft is like Fat Tuesday. It feels awesome to indulge in whatever (soda, chocolate, late night snacks) until you realize that you are not going to have these things for 40 days. Except that the football season is four months away. Thanks ESPN for handing me a 2 Liter of NFL just before offseason Lent.
This hype also has forced many of us to put, at times, undeserved emotions into players that really don't deserve it. As a Jags fan, I've had to endure Matt Jones for the past three years. Heck, I even bought his jersey because he was a 6'6" beast that could run a 4.3 40. How was I rewarded? Years of people saying that this was finally his break out year and that the Jags could find their deep threat. Well, I guess I've learned my lesson not to put too many eggs in a basket.
My second frustration comes with Todd McShay and Mel Kiper being force fed to me since the Super Bowl ended. I had no time to even enjoy Santonio Holmes' grab when I see Mel Kiper discussing his value board. Mel, I know this is your job but could we just talk about prospects in April? I can't tell you how many times I heard Todd or Mel talk about Matt Stafford's arm or that teams might look down upon Michael Crabtree's injury. Thanks for the great info.
Thirdly, Mel, smile. Within five minutes of turning on the draft, I got a big shot of Mel's death stare. I can't remember what they were talking about but I don't think it would matter. All I've ever seen is that mix of confusion and anger when anyone talks to him. Also, I saw Mel's grades for the draft and if he was a professor there is no way I would take his class. He gave out only 2 A's and only a handful more B's. Everything else was a C or less. He was consistently giving lower grades than his peers. Mel, it's time to go and hand the reins to McShay. Do it while everyone still enjoys your opinion and doesn't feel berated through the television screen.
Now I don't want everyone to think that I'm just a big pessimist. I love the draft. I love seeing where college's stars will play in the NFL and how these players will fit into their new teams. I think that the draft being in spring is perfect because as spring brings new life to the Earth, so the draft brings new life to NFL teams.
The team I care most about, the Jacksonville Jaguars, had a pretty good draft in my opinion. Eugene Monroe falling to us at 8 was my ideal situation going into the draft. I figured that Sanchez would drop and NY would trade with us but getting Monroe was even better. Tra Thomas is going to be a great mentor for Monroe and the second round pick Eben Britton. Everything I've read says that Britton can be a long term fixture at right tackle, which is good considering Tony Pashos' very uninspiring sophomore year with the Jags. Picking Terrance Knighton in the third round is a question to me. The guy came out of Temple so I don't know anything about him. I'll get back to the Jags other third round pick in a bit, but I loved the Jags selection of wide outs in rounds 4,5, and 7. Mike Thomas looks like a Steve Smith type receiver who knows what to do after he catches the pass. Jarrett Dilliard's stats prove he can play, we'll just have to see if he can play in the NFL. Tiquan Underwood can provide some speed and hopefully stretch the defense. Rashad Jennings was the other seventh round pick, who excelled at Liberty. Once again, I have no information on this guy. Now to the most surprising part of the Jags' draft. They traded a second round pick next year for the Patriots' third round this year. With the pick we drafted Derrick Cox, a corner out of William and Mary. It was a surprising move but all the brass in FL are excited with this pick and I'm excited to see if their excitement pans out. The Jags have drafted well in the middle rounds lately, and I hope it holds.
A final thought on the draft is that something needs to be done about rookie salaries. Matt Stafford being given almost $50 million in guaranteed money is absolutely ridiculous. As Peter King said on PTI, "The Lions go 0-16 and how are they rewarded? By paying a guy $50 million that has a 60% chance of succeeding." There needs to be a cap on rookie salaries so that the top picks can't get more money than a seasoned veteran who is probably twice as good right now. Not only will this serve teams better but provides the top picks with even more incentive to prove that their selection was not a fluke. Teams need to start wanting higher picks not dreading them.
Hope you enjoyed the quick or perhaps not so quick read. (I kinda rambled) Until then, savor every moment of post draft coverage until we dive into the purgatory that can only be described as the NFL offseason and Stay Classy Internet
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