The NFL Draft. In past years, draft weekend was a holiday for me. I would plan to watch the entire first three rounds from my couch, cheering and jeering my favorite and least favorite teams.

Over the last two years, my interest has faded significantly. When a friend asked if I planned to watch the draft this year, I told him no.

Then something happened. I was out running errands when the draft was about to start. The normal pompous ESPN crew was spieling crap about who would be the best player. Still no interest. Then I noticed another television. The Detroit / Colorado hockey game was about to start.

I knew it was time to race home.

Over the past two years, I have become more of a hockey fan. While I’m not a Detroit or Colorado fan per se, I’ve grown to dislike the Red Wings enough that the game is of interest.

But the ultimate question still lingered, which would I watch more of – the draft or the NHL?

I arrive home at the worst possible time. Detroit is leading 1-0 right before the end of the period, and the draft is on commercial – right after my Jets have picked.

I jump to Si.com to check what I have missed, while the Red Wings take it into the zone.

Shit, Matt Ryan went #3 to Atlanta. Double shit, Darren McFadden went #4 to the Raiders.

Triple shit, the Jets got stuck with the most overrated player in the draft, Vernon Gholston. Gholston had two good games this year, and is a prototypical “combine pick” – the kind of player that gets a buzz around the NFL combine, performs well there, but does very little in the NFL. I hope I’m wrong and he’s an NFL stud.

End of the first period – time to catch up a bit and order a pizza.

Pick 7 – N.E. Patriots – fuck the Patriots!

<Rant1>Cheating is cheating. There is no difference between taking steroids, paying a referee or taping practices to gain an advantage. The Patriots got off lucky by only losing one draft pick for their actions. I’m glad that the commish said there was a possibility for more penalties against the Patriots, and personally I think their best draft pick should have been forfeited. </Rant1>

Damnit! Red Wings score on the power play to make it 2-0. The power play was BS to start with. Detroit has been dominating so far this game on offense.

I can’t even finish writing my rant above, and Detroit scores again. 3-0. This is ridiculous, it’s not even funny. Good time to flip over to the draft.

1.5 hours into the draft, and we’re at pick #12. The Packers pick 30th overall. Will they make their pick before the hockey game is over?

So, Hockey. Since Wisconsin does not have a professional hockey team, we I am forced to look elsewhere for a team. At an early age (before they won any Stanley Cup Championships), I became a Pittsburg Penguins fan. I really only have two teams I dislike – the Northstars (for moving to Dallas), and the Red Wings. I have a bunch of friends in town from Detroit, and know one person who cheers for them for no real reason (you know, similar to my Pittsburg rational), so GO COLORADO.

In the time I took to write those two paragraphs, Detroit scored again. Seriously, who the hell did Colorado beat to get here?

Finally Colorado is showing some life. Mind you it’s in a fight. Hey guys, put that much effort into scoring goals, and you might be winning, or at least in this damn game.

I realize I haven’t checked the draft in quite a while. The much-hated Bears are on the clock.

Pick 14 – Chris Williams, offensive tackle. With a lethargic offense, anything on that side of the ball makes sense.

Poor Detroit fans now have the choice between their hockey team and their first round pick. A commercial in the hockey game comes at the exact right moment. Which wide receiver will they take this year?

PIZZA’S HERE!!!

………

Trades trades trades. It seems as though every pick in the middle of the first is being traded. Also, the run on offensive linemen has begun.

Hey look, Hockey! Colorado FINALLY got on the board and only trail by 3 with 13 minutes left. They should be able to get back into this, right? Oh, and for those that are curious, Colorado beat Minnesota in the first round.

And Detroit scores a short-handed goal. Yippie.

The draft is at pick 21. Man is this BORRRRRING!

Since the hockey game is basically over, and the draft sucks, I think it’s time to do a little work. More to come later on the draft picks I miss.

……..

WHAT?!?!

Chris Bermann is an idiot. As ESPN discusses the Redskins, The do a brief tribute to Sean Taylor, the safety that was murdered last year and wore the number 21 for his career.

Berman’s comment after the segment – “Taylor wore #21, the Redskins are picking #2. Maybe more than an accident”

Yea, it’s called they finished with a record where they were able to pick 21st in the draft, dumbass. Also, what kind of “deep meaning” is it that the Redskins traded the pick to the Falcons?

……..

So it’s about 7 p.m. and I really didn’t miss anything. The Packers (predictably) traded down into the second round where they took Jordy Nelson, a wide receiver from Kansas State. From what I’ve read, Nelson can best be described as a possession WR, as he doesn’t have great speed but is tall and can make tough catches. A bit of a surprise pick, since the Packers have a lot of talented young wideouts on the current roster.

The Packers have two more picks in the second round, and I am debating if I will watch them or flip channels for the Brewers game.

……..

More on Nelson from the Journal Sentinel.

• 6-2.5, 217 pounds; Had a 40-yard time of 4.5 seconds.

• Former walk on who was originally a strong safety after being a QB in high school

• Finished second nationally last season in receptions (122) and yards (1,606)

I’m a bit excited as Chad Henne is still on the board, and there are only two teams before the Packers pick, both with solid starting quarterbacks. In my mind, he is the best quarterback in the draft with the most professional potential. Normally I would expect the Packers to NOT pick who I hope they take, but since there were rumors of them taking Henne in the first round, this might be their new backup quarterback.

……..

Philadelphia is currently leading Montreal 2-1. This game appears to be a lot better then the earlier “game.”

Packers are on the clock, and ESPN is on commercial. Another reason I hate the draft is ESPN continues to talk about the 1st round today and the first two rounds tomorrow; giving no love to the later round picks at all.

Like normal, the Packers surprise me, taking the position I think they need, just picking a different candidate. Brian Brohm was my preseason pick for the Heisman, so I love the Packers taking him.

• 6’2″, 230, 4.83
• 12 interceptions in his first three years.
• Drafted by the Colorado Rockies as a baseball player
• One of my top 2 quarterbacks in the draft. Should have been a 1st round pick

Chad Henne is drafted the next pick by the Dolphins. Both quarterbacks will have great careers, better the quarterbacks drafted in the first round.

……..

Philly is up 3-1 in the hockey game.  Man, all the teams I want to win are losing today.

Packers are up again.  I admit, Thompson is good at acquiring picks

Patrick Lee, a 6’ cornerback from Auburn fills a need for the Packers.  Their secondary is talented, but ageing.  Good speed and size, should fit in well with the Pack’s secondary.

Think that is all for today.  I’ll blog the later rounds tomorrow while watching my Penguins play.