Just Some Notes on the Draft:

First off, let me say that I love the new format. I was not sure what I thought about it being segregated in to three days (First day round one, Second day round two and three, Third day round four five and six), but the tams seemed to like it for the purpose of evaluation and decision making, and it was kind of exciting as a fan to have time to get excited again each day.

Second, it was a great day of surprises, trades, and suspense. Russell Okung falling to the 6th pick, Time Tebow being taken in the first round, Dez Dryant falling to Dallas, Jimmy Clausen taken late in the second by Carolina, and many more made it emotional and exciting.

Third, the Seattle Seahawks had one of the best drafts I have ever seen. The best offensive tackle in the draft (Russell Okong) fell to the 6th overall pick, and maybe the best safety in (Earl Thomas) was still there at 14th. Then if that wasn’t enough, they managed to get Golden Tate (WR) in the second round, arguably one of the top two wide receivers in the draft. What a year.

Lastly, it was a great opportunity to see the human condition at its best. There is nothing like seeing young men’s dreams come true. The tears shed with family and friends over the culmination of their life’s work is a moving experience. I am excited and happy for each of them, and wish all the best success.

Booms Bust Steals & Rip Offs

So here it is. The 2010 National Football League Draft Boom, Bust, Steal, Rip Off list. This is a short list of those players that are going to live up to expectations (Booms), fail to meet expectations (Bust), are going to way out perform their draft status (Steals), and those that are no worth their draft status (Rip Offs).

Booms:

Russell Okung – This guy has it all. The feet, the feel, the size and the experience. He will be the next Joe Tomas.

Dez Bryant – The best looking receiver since Calvin Johnson. He has all the physical tools. The hands, the concentration, the speed, agility, acceleration, size. If it wasn’t for some media trouble he would be a top 5 or 10 pick.

Bust:

C.J. Spiller – Here is a lack of options pick. Spiller is a good back with a little bit of everything, but he doesn’t have that 1 thing. You look at all the good backs in the league and they do it all well, but the best have that one thing (LT’s vision, AP’s explosion of speed and power…)

Taylor Mays – Here is the next Roy Williams (Cowboys Safety). He is extremely one dimensional, and that just doesn’t work in the NFL. Safeties, even strong safeties need to be somewhat versatile, and Mays is not. He would be better suited for an outside linebacker position if he could gain another 25 lbs. Either way, he is going to bust at safety.

Steals:

Eric Berry – This guy is the next Troy Palamalu or Ed Reed. He has it all. The coverage skills. The hard hitting mentality. The intellect. The speed. Even though he is defiantly a top 10, his value is number 1, so he is a steal anywhere after that.

Jimmy Clausen – If he falls below the top 10, this guy is the steal of the century. It isn’t often that you get a QB that is ready to start in the NFL day 1, and Clausen is. He has the vision, he reads great, is able to work through 3rd and fourth progressions, has great pocket awareness, and has the physical talents (arm strength, size, speed and accuracy). He also has higher potential than even Sam Bradford.

Rips Offs:

Some of the late first round offensive tackles (Charles Brown & Rodger Stafford) – Everyone can use another tackle so people tend to reach at this position. Carolina did it a couple years ago for Sam Baker moving back into the first round. How has that turned out?

Brian Price – There are so many teams looking for a Defensive nose tackle that teams are reaching this year. Now don’t get me wrong, this is the year to do it, but Brian Price in the first round???