Although I am not a big NFL fan, I do enjoy watching the NFL draft. The draft is to the NFL what college signing day is to college football. Sure there are differences. The main difference being college players pick their school and the NFL team pick their players, but ultimately the draft and signing day represent opportunity.
Every February, college fans anxiously await the signed letters of intent from the top recruits so they can begin their bragging about how many championships they will win because Big John Hotshot is coming to their school. Every April, NFL fans hold their breath hoping their favorite team's executives pick the next Tom Brady. Although NFL fans are often less optimistic than college fans because there is more history on the players being drafted than the recruit, all fans share that sense that player X is missing piece of the puzzle.
The irony is often the best players are the unknowns, or the least wanted. Tom Brady was a sixth round pick (#199 overall) by the New England Patriots in 2000. Not bad for a three time Super Bowl winner. A.J Hawk was not the stud linebacker recruit in Ohio State's 2002 class. Both Brady and Hawk were good, but neither were in the "can't miss" category. Conversely, Mitch Mustain is now going to ride the bench at USC instead of Arkansas, Kyle Wright failed to sustain Miami's run of having an elite QB and Mike Williams still wishes he was at USC. You just never know if a recruit or draftee will work out as planned. The fan's hope is all will be great, but the reality suggests only a few make it to the top.
I would like to say that I have tempered my enthusiasm in believing that a recruit can win a championship for a team. I'd be lying if I did. I think Pryor can deliver the championships for the Buckeyes. I am not just a Buckeye homer either. I also think Tim Tebow, Sam Bradford, Joe McNight and Tyrod Taylor could win a championship too. Funny thing is, I don't see these players doing anything special in the NFL.
Which draftees in this year's draft will shine? Tough to tell. If I had to pick one player who will make the Hall of Fame, my money is on Pierre Garcon for the Indianapolis Colts. Who? Yes, the wide receiver out of Mt. Union. He's got as good a chance as anyone else. Peyton should be throwing his way for at least 5-7 more years. He and Speedy Gonzo could make a great one two punch for the next ten seasons. You never know. Two of the best skilled position players to ever play in the NFL (Payton and Rice) came from small schools.
In the end, the NFL draft's true significance lies in the symbolism of hope. The GM hopes to look good by choosing the right players, the player hopes to be selected in order to reach the highest level in their profession, and the fan hopes their team gets the best players to win a championship. My interest generally ends there, but I do like watching players like London Fletcher succeed in the NFL. As an undrafted free agent out of Division III John Carroll, has had a pretty good NFL career.
Speaking of hope, the next three years in college football may be the best three year period in a long time because four historically great programs should be national players once again. Alabama, Nebraska and Notre Dame and UCLA should get back in the discussion for who can win the BCS. Maybe not 2008, but definitely 2009. Saban, Pelini, Weis and Neuheisel will turn around their programs. If there's one question mark, I would say Weis. The jury is out on Weis' ability to coach at the college level because he has not won a big game yet. He'll need one this year to the get the program headed in the right direction.
Recent Comments