10:08 - I think wow is the right word, that really took all interest out of the rest of the night for me. With that, the 3rd round ends with a whimper. 7 hours of live blogging has taken a lot out of us, but we'll be back tomorrow with our winners and losers after some sleep. Until then, it's bye for now!
9:58 - Wow. I don't know what this is. Storytime with Stevie??? TJ is falling asleep on set. Thank God the end of Day 2 is nearing. This will be put in the Smithsonian as mailing it in. Besides hearing Steve Young talk about being on BYU's JV team and Chris Berman going bodysurfing... this is maybe the worst 3 minutes of TV I've ever seen. Please let the Saints pick a DT or OLB.... or with a lot of high TE's on the board I can see that as the selection.
9:53 - Yeahhh boy! What a shot by Pierce, that's the Captain of old! Since Garnett's suspension the Celtics have played like a different team...and that injury Dwyane Wade went down with doesn't look too promising. Who would of thought the Cavs would have more 1st round trouble than the Celtics? Meanwhile on ESPN's draft coverage Andy Reid is being interviewed by Berman...so, we're not missing much, except for the usual McNabb praise by Andy Reid and the pumping of Kevin Kolb, he of the less than 5 career starts.
9:49 - And Pierce hits the stepback J to win the game at the buzzer!! What a clutch shot by the Celtics captain! Wow, is the demise of the Celtics greatly exaggerated? Maybe they can give the Cavs a run?
9:46 - In other sports news, the Celtics have the last shot tied at 98 with the Heat!
9:43 - Per Gruden's request, the Browns starting QB's since they have returned to the league: Detmer, Couch, Pederson, Wynn, Holcomb, Garcia, McCown, Dilfer, Frye, Anderson, Quinn, Gradkowski, and Dorsey.
9:41 - Ok, we can say the Browns were patient and complement Mike Holmgren, but the Browns are very very lucky. If teams like the Bills and 49ers hadn't passed on McCoy several times, many would be skeptical of the strategy of the Brownies. But, everything worked out, they got many of their needs filled, and got the QB they coveted after Bradford.
9:34 - The Browns pick is in, and the triumvirate of power in Berea taps,... it is MACK BROWN!!! Colt McCoy is the man for the Browns. WHAT A WAY TO ANNOUNCE THAT PICK! The kid falls into your lap 50+ places after he was slotted to go. Wow. What a way to go with Cleveland. They gambled on passing on him for obvious positions of need (CB, S, RB) then realized that they couldn't wait any longer. This is a far cry from the Phil Savage era of exchanging 6th round picks to move 1 slot, mortgaging the 2008 future for Quinn, Rogers and Williams. This regime seems to have the patience and fortitude to stick put and not let the unknown affect their choices. Nice little understory here; the QB/WR combo of McCoy and Shipley stay in the same division. Should make for interesting games 2 times a year.
9:29 - Brother Yohey here with an installment as the Browns pick is at 85, as the Bengals take Jordan Shipley; solid pick for them. I liked the kid. Now to see if this is where the Colt McCoy saga ends; or do the Browns go with Taylor Price, WR from Ohio then gamble on McCoy later on in the round. This has been one of the most intriguing drafts in some time; good time.
9:23 - By the way, we're multitasking with an Office Trivia game. This indeed is the life. Cleveland is 3 picks away and it's looking more and more likely that Colt McCoy will be there. I will walk to Cleveland and slap Mike Holmgren upside the head if he passes on McCoy again.
9:19 - The later rounds are when Mel Kiper shines. It's also refreshing to hear Steve Young stay silent for more than 37 seconds at a time. It doesn't look like Tom Jackson wants to powerbomb him off the stage tonight.
9:17 - I was really hoping the Broncos would pick Colt McCoy there...
9:14 - Much to my chagrin, Adam Schefter is reporting that the Saints have not had a conversation with the Redskins about Albert Haynesworth. I don't know - maybe a Haynesworth for Brown trade makes too much sense for both teams to work. Also, Damian Williams is a good pick for the Titans at #77, although USC hasn't really had a great track record with WRs recently. Who knows, maybe Mike Williams' corpse will have a revival in Seattle.
9:09 - Also a decent pick after the Bears as the Giants snap up S Chad Jones from LSU. Both of these guys should be solid competitors...maybe we'll actually get some analysis of some of these picks at some point? That's what ESPN does best, shove the same story down our throat the entire latter rounds.
9:05 - And the Florida graphic while interviewing Tim Tebow gives away the Bears pick as S Major Wright! And of course, we don't get the official announcement until minutes later...boy is ESPN off with their graphics. Anyway, there was a question whether a S of Wright's caliber would fall to the Bears, but he did and Lovie Smith and Jerry Angelo look like they've finally gotten a 3rd round pick right! Major should step right in and compete for one of the two starting spots in the revolving door of the Bears safety positions.
8:59 - Sneaky good picks by the Ravens with TE Ed Dickson from Oregon and G Jon Asamoah from Illinois going to the Chiefs. And, what is this?! The Chicago Bears at pick 75 are finally on the clock! Safety has to be the pick, especially with Major Wright and Chad Jones on the board. Of course, due to the trades of Jay Cutler and Gaines Adams, the Bears didn't have a pick in the 1st two rounds. But, much like Cutler last year, this year's draft will be determined by how well Julius Peppers and Chester Taylor perform. Last year, they might have been overrated, but this year due to all the injuries, they might be one or two moves away from being in the playoff hunt!
8:51 - Also on the board is workout wonder Bruce Campbell... who we had going to the Raiders at #8. Whoops. Also two bits of news coming out are Taylor Mays' possible feud with Pete Carroll and rumors of possible microfracture issues with Sergio Kindle - leading to his drop to Baltimore in R2. If Kindle is healthy, he could be one of the steals of the draft.
8:46 - Hard to believe Colt McCoy is still n the board. Early in the 3rd round he is simply amazing value. There's no risk in the third round and Cleveland is losing their minds if they don't use a 4th or 5th rounder to pass Buffalo. Also in the 3rd round, Everson Griffin and Eric Decker would be good bets to make an impact right away. Also start to look for names that you need to Wikipedia to know... like the Raiders pick of Jared Veldheer. Gazuntite.
8:44 - Three CB's at the top of Round 3 as Chris Berman gives his typically hard-hitting interview with Pete Carroll. Again, this is a time I'd like to have NFL Network, where they would hopefully focus a little bit more on the players entering the league instead of the guys we already know.
8:37 - And after Y1's typical draft disappointment with the Saints, we're on to Round 3! Of course, ESPN is already throwing away the current picks. We're currently being subjected to back-to-back interviews with Jerry Jones and Jimmy Clausen. Gruden jokes that Mel Kiper is Clausen's agent...but, that actually is a point of contention due to Kiper's close relationship with Clausen's actual agent. Also nice to know Claussen isn't hanging up on people as he did with Peter King last night...although, to be fair, I'd hang up on Peter King, too.
8:30 - And... Charles Brown?? The OL from USC is a good value pick, but much like yesterday, the Saints have a surplus of good players at that position. Jermon Bushrod, Jon Stinchcomb, and Jamaal Brown are all there at tackle. Like yesterday, this tells me that Jamaal Brown might have seen his last days in a Saints uniform ala Darren Sharper. I understand taking the best player available philosophy, but if that player doesn't see the field what's the point? Oh well, they just won the Super Bowl, I can't complain that much... who am I kidding, sure I can!
8:29 - Saints on the clock! I'm really hoping they go OLB or DT in this spot, but I'm not sure there are any left that would be a good 2nd round pick in this spot. Honestly, they could go any direction here except QB or Special Teams. They may even try to pick Ricky Williams again.
8:25 - Questionable pick there with Brandon Spikes. He ran such a low 40 time that he was considered a Day 3 pick. Belichick can make magic happen, and his speed won't be as big of a deal in the 3-4 I feel... but it's still a reach.
8:24 - Nice of Y1 to let me know he's joining me. Anyway, a great underrated draft moment in 1995 with the Jets crowd clamoring for Warren Sapp only for the Jets to take Kyle Brady. The Jet fans have always been more accurate than Eagles fans in terms of their reactions. Does it mean I'm getting old if I actually remember this moment?
8:17 - Y1 back from the golf course. If you want an update, I made a few pars and am encouraged by my new putting stroke... although I'll get the yips again in a couple weeks most likely. Anyways, I really like Golden Tate's value at #60 for the Seahawks. They're having one of the best drafts so far. He's a guy that could develop into a solid #1 WR... although they still badly need a running back.
8:15 - I don't know BY, Hardesty is a hard runner, but do you really trust Jake Dellhomme and Seneca Wallace to handle the QB spot. If you're a Browns fan you have to hope whatever project Holmgren takes in the later rounds pans out to be the next Brett Favre. Meanwhile the Seahawks nab Golden Tate, a terrific pick. It almost hurts to say it, but haven't the Seahawks and Lions had the two best drafts so far this year? And of course, Gruden loves him, who woulda thunk it?
8:09 - And trading up to the 59th spot, the Browns take... Monatrio Hardesty? I must say that I am intrigued by this pick. His stats show that he produced well at Tennessee and the Toupee likes him so we will have to see how this pans out. It helps out the offense and will supplement the RB position with Harrison and Jennings. In Holmgren and Heckert I trust; now back to the couch of solitude.
8:02 - Ok, so on to the picks I liked and dislike so far in Round 2
Like:
(1) Nate Allen the S from South Florida going to the Eagles. Many thought they traded up yesterday to take Earl Thomas, but Allen isn't far off, and pairing him with DE Brandon Graham is a nice defensive package.
(2) Arrelious Benn going to the Bucs is a big boost to their long moribund WR core. Again, Benn would've easily been a 1st round pick if not for the terrible QB play at Illinois last season, he has all the physical tools.
(3) Taylor Mays going at 49 to the 49ers is a great steal for them. Sure, there are questions about his coverage skills, but if there was a Mike Singletary type of safety in this draft, it was Taylor Mays.
Dislike:
(1) The Rams could've gotten a bounty for their 33rd pick, instead they opted to play it safe with T Roger Saffold. I don't like the move. They could've stockpiled more picks and gotten a T later.
(2) Brian Price, the DT from UCLA going to the Bucs seems a little much after picking Gerald McCoy 3rd overall. For a team with many, many needs, doubling up at DT seems foolish.
(3) Toby Gerhart to the Vikings may be as dumb of a pick as Tebow to the Broncos. I loved loved loved Gerhart in college, but this is the big time, and I'm not sold he'll be productive. But, the worst part of the pick is Gerhart is the same style of back as All Day AP. The Vikings needed a shifty change of pace back to catch passes out of the backfield like Chester Taylor. Instead, they take another bruiser. I really don't get what the Vikings have done so far.
7:57 - Before looking at the picks so far, I think it's shocking that both Colt McCoy and Golden Tate are still out there for the taking. If I'm looking for a QB (Browns, Bills, 49ers) now would be a good time, because there's a big gap back to the rest of the field. As far as Tate, he's a dynamic playmaker and returner and would be a big boost. Meanwhile, the Ravens take Mt. Cody, a fitting pick if there ever was one for the DT from Alabama.
7:55 - Good evening everyone, Y2 here back to restore order to the universe. Although, I must commend Brother Yohey for losing his solo blogging virginity. We'll give him a ride on the pine while I dive in o the late 2nd round!
7:44 - The detested Bungles go with Carols Dunlap. HA! TYPICAL LOSERS!! The take a guy who got a DUI before the SEC Title game. Makes you have to wonder if he can focus. The Bengals can say they are changing but they are still the same losers. Mike Brown just doesn't learn.
7:32 - First D'OH! moment for Mort in comparing McCluster to Wes Welker. Little early there Morth boy. Had a little 6 degrees of Matt Cassell there. Appears the Vikings have jumped into the Texans 52nd slot and they are showing Toby Gearhart. Very interesting, but they need someone to replace Chester Taylor. The Freak John Randle is on board with Goddell to announce the Vikes take Toby Gerhart. Solid pick for them. Kid is going to be a great player; at least he can hold onto the ball. Better ramp it up AP.
7:24 - Now the big names start to move a little bit. Taylor Mays will stay in state and play for Samurai Mike. They get some desperatlely needed secondary help and Mays could even play some LB if need be. The kid is huge. On a side note, Kiper's love of Clausen has been overhyped and one has to wonder if ESPN is hyping up these kids for the sheer value of ratings. They prop these kids up based on visual perception and don't actually interview the kids at all or get privy to the information TRUE team personnell have. Evidently, Clausen wasn't all that he was cracked up to be, which explains his precipitous fall. This may be a black eye for Kiper and for me, that won't be all that bad. Can I give it to him?
7:18 - Does Carolina go QB here? Matt Moore looked good at the end of the season but what do you do when this falls into your lap? The Panter brass go with Jimmy Clausen, and the wait is over for the Golden Boy. Kiper Jr. is happy that his boy finally goes, although 44 places below where he had it ranked. For a kid who had no real talent at ND, he comes to a situation with Stewart/Williams in the backfield and Steve Smith at WR. Great situation for this kid.
7:12 - Giants go with Linval Joseph to solidify their line, and we still have no Clausen or McCoy picks. They should be going off the board sometime shortly, don't they!? Not with Arizona, who takes Daryl Washington from TCU fame. Joining Berry and Haggans in Arizona makes their defense comporable and a force in the NFC West.
7:08 - Bronco pick is in, announced by Floyd Little, and they decide to go with Zane Beadles, Utah OL. The kid has interesting hair, to say the least. I have to comment on his hair because I have no idea who he is. But how about this little nugget. 10 years after Jim Brown is drafted 6th overall, Floyd Little, another 'Cuse RB great, goes 6th in 1967. Good lineage there.
7:05 - Raiders take Lamarr Houston, second straight Longhorn defensive player to go. The Big 12 is having the best draft, hands down. All these players going high in the draft is just amazing. The Raiders are reforming their defense and may be on the right track in building their team for success and the future.
7:02 - Ratbirds now on the clock and you just know they are going to get someone good and who will produce for them. They need a TE with Heap falling off as of late but you never know what the Wizard of Oz will do. Nasty suit by Ray Lewis as he is there to announce the pick, which is LB Sergio Kindle from Texas. Great. Just what their defense needs; MORE help. Their back 6-7 is alreay the most dangerous in football and this kid will inject some youth, fire and skill there. Great.
6:56 - Raiders are in with their pick but it appears the Pats have snagged the pick (sneaky Beli-cheat). Stupid channel change to the Deuce along with the introduction (I like this song by the way). Roger finally jaunts out 5 minutes later with the Pats taking Arizona TE Rob Gronkowski. Green room boy goes and as my 2nd rated TE, I am pleased. Pats needed to replace the loss of Benjamin Watson and this kid is a great addition to the locker room. Boy is HUUUGE!!!!
6:51 - Bills go with Torell Troup, UCF DT. This is the part of the draft I love; I have no idea who many of these people are but if the guy is a 2nd rounder. Bills don't go QB with either of their picks so far. Somewhere, Brady Quinn is popping a bottle bubbly, for he doesn't have the longest ND drop in draft history.
6:49 - The Walrus is on TV and will shed his wisdom onto the nationwide audience. He is going against his offensive grain with 2 straight defensive picks. Outfield playing in the background is a nice touch. Rob Ryan and Mangini have to be pleased with having two defensive players to mold into their system and the lack of talent in the secondary is being helped greatly. No more Hank Poteat/Terry Cousin nightmares. Holmegren says QB is on the radar with a later pick (Kafka)?
6:47 - Quickly come the Dolphins with Nutrislim Marino announcing the pick of Koa Misi, Utah LB. Mel says he is a solid 3-4 OLB who can rush the passer and play with a high motor. Nice to see a good Michigan highlight thrown in there showing Misi crush Threet, although it was 2 seasons ago. Buffalo not wasting time either with their pick in.
6:45 - It is official and the Bucs go with Benn. It will be great to see how this kid plays with a better QB at his disposal. The Juice was spoiled this past season and Benn couldn't show his true skills. Freeman is light years better and should allow Benn to flourish and really test the NFC South. McCoy, Price and Benn; good draft so far for the Bucs.
6:42 - Shot of Benn on the phone with the Bucs, presumably. Freeman looks to get his weapon at WR that they need. This should be interesting to see how this move corresponds with the fall of Clausen and McCoy.
6:39 - The pick is in and the Walrus/Hecko/Mangenious triumvirate go with TJ Ward, Oregon safety. Honestly never heard of they guy but when Jim Brown announces your name, you got something going for you. Good licks put on guys with the films they showed. Mays still on the board and the Bucs just traded up to the Raiders spot.
6:35 - I really have no idea where they are going to go with this pick in Round 2. So much intrigue and secrecy at Fort Berea makes it so exciting. Shot of the Greatest Football Player Ever, Jimmy Brown. I want those days to come again sooo bad.
6:33 - Philly goes Nate Allen. Good safety pick for a team that lost their heart and soul in Dawkins. Donovan McNabb for Nate Allen; I bet the kid would never have thought his career would start this way. Now for my Brownies; so mucn indecision on where to go. Safety? Offense? Trade?! Man I love this stuff.
6:28 - They go RB here with McCluster; Cassell is to stay. Jamaal Charles will get a battery mate behind him in one of Y2's players to watch. KC now has their own Sproles. What does this say about Clausen though? Will he even go before Colt McCoy? This is going to get really interesting. Philly now on the clock, and I can see them taking Taylor Mays after taking LB help in Brandon Graham in round 1.
6:24 - Gruden sees Clausen coming to KC, but Cassell has to make one wonder. They signed him to a huge deal and I'm not sure that the Pioli of Patriot fame would be willing to admit a bad decision. Gave up too much for him to let him be cast aside.
6:20 - Now for the Bucs; is this where Benn or Tate go? Freeman needs some weapons with Bryant leaving in the offseason. The Bucs go defense with Brian Price at DT. They have the aging Chris Hovan on the line and have to think that he would be the heir apparent to Warren Sapp. I guess Y1's dream was slightly correct with Price at least staying in the division. Raheem Morris got himself a good player with a great motor (Thanks, TJ). Have to wonder how this fits in with them taking McCoy earlier in the draft; intriguing to say the least. At least the middle of their line will be stout.
6:14 - JC! The Favre talk is not needed. They will fit it in when they can because Berman has the most obvious mancrush on Favre. Let's hope this is the start of the end for him. Roger says it is Chris Cook, Virginia DB. Surprise,but a needed pick. The injuries to Griffin and Winfield last year and how they got carved up in the playoffs, this will help out their secondary and he should fit in nicely. Berman exhales.
6:11 - Time for the Vikings first pick of the night. I see Berman having a Ralph Wiggum-esque heartbreak if the Vikes go Clausen.
6:10 - Rams to OT with Saffold. Solid pick to protect Bradford's blindside with all the rushers that he will go up against in the NFL. Protect the investment. Rams seem to know what they are doing here. Side note: Kiper needs to settle down; he is getting way too worked up over a guy who wasn't even his highest rated QB.
6:05 - Did Steve Young just praise Detriot's draft strategy? My how things have changed from Matt Millen's reign.
6:03 - The Rams have to be looking at WR help for Bradford. They have Donnie Avery but that is about it. Bradford, Jackson and maybe Benn for the future? I've seen some say Brian Price but they can't go DT and DT to start out.
6:02 - We are underway! The Don has spoken.
5:55 - Quick rundown of how the first 5 picks are going to go (barring any trades): Arrelious Benn, Jimmy Clausen, Golden Tate, Sergio Kindle and Taylor Mays. Also, the more I hear, I don't see Cleveland going QB and staying with defense.
5:52 - Part of me wonders if the Jaguars Team Shop has run out of Alualu jersey's. As one famous WCW announcer said in the midst of the "Monday Night Wars" when Mankind won the WWF Title, "That'll put some butts in the seats".
5:49 - Homer pick prediction: Browns take McCoy at 38, standing pat, and Brett Favre, to Berman's dismay, will have Jimmy Clausen as his back up. I know that we all expect Favre to play until he is 60 but it is time, Chilli.
Hello, everybody! Brother Yohey here to start the live blog for tonight's draft festivities. My bretheren will return here at some point to join me to analyze the picks in rounds 2 and 3 tonight, but until then, let's have some fun with some quick questions going into tonight's festivities:
Where will Clausen wind up? McCoy? Mays? Kindle? Who is going to be wheeling and dealing for the next couple of hours? Will Mel Kiper Jr's broken heart over Clausen be mended by some team? Let's Get It On!!
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