There are a plethora of reasons to love the NFL Draft. The entire event
is ripe with drama and excitement. Over the course of four days all 32 teams
will select players that can make, or break their franchises in the years to
come. The importance of decisions made on draft day cannot be understated.
Teams that perform well in the draft can rejuvenate old rosters or propel
average teams into juggernaut status. Those that don’t use the draft to their
advantage can basically kiss goodbye any chances of hoisting the Vince Lombardi
trophy at season’s end. Add to this the numerous heart-warming stories of
players overcoming insurmountable odds to make it to the NFL and you have
enough drama to make Hollywood directors salivate.
Based on the title of
this, you can probably guess however, that there are a number of things that I
don’t enjoy about the rookie selection process. Normally, I would form the
certain aspects of the draft that I hate into a list but I was hoping to do power
rankings for the MLB in the near future so I don’t want two lists right in a
row. Not that lists aren’t awesome, I just don’t want you thinking it’s the
only kind of writing I am capable of. Instead, I will simply break down a
couple of the more crappy features. I guess, the best way to categorize what
you are about to read is, a highly structured and organized tirade on the
draft.
My first and largest
reason for hating the NFL draft is the analysts they bring in to help with the
draft coverage. Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay, seriously get under my skin. In
the months leading up to the big day these two jabronies get more and more air
time on ESPN. I stress months due to the fact that they can be seen spewing predictions
out of their mouths as early as the first of the year. When the NFL season is
over its fine, bring these two in and talk my ears off, but when that pigskin
is still being tossed around and the Lombardi Trophy is still in its case I don’t
want draft analysis taking away from the real sports. One last gripe, which is
only directed towards Kiper, is that he has annoying hair. What might you ask
is annoying hair? Well for your better understanding I will attach a picture
and you can see for yourself. A couple months of staring at that coiffure
and I think you’ll understand my chagrin.
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| Look at that Hair! |
In regards to non-hair
related issues, the draft has lost some of its’ mystique in recent years. NFL
teams at the top of the draft board have deflated some of the drama by releasing
to the media who they will choose with their pick days, weeks and sometimes
even months before the draft takes place. This year we knew the Indianapolis
Colts were going to take quarterback Andrew Luck from Stanford with the 1st
overall pick basically the second their last snap was taken. The way the NFL
determines draft order is based on who had the worst record and then the picks
go up from their based on record until you have the Super Bowl champs. I love
this system because it’s the most fair way to regulate who gets to pick where.
In contrast, the NBA has this stupid lottery system that can give a team who just barely
missed the playoffs the top pick and leave the team most in need in the
dumpster once more. I have no issues with how the NFL does it, but now with
teams deciding who they are going to pick it takes away what should be an
exciting event. This year was the worst I had seen. By the day of the draft we
already knew who was going to be taken 1st, 2nd, 3rd,
and 4th overall. I get why they teams don’t care if everyone knows
who they are going to take, I just want them to humor me and keep their lips
sealed so I can enjoy the draft just that much more.
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| Luck Going 1st Overall to the Colts |
My last complaint
deals with the way the draft has become a spectacle in the world of sports. I
admit that it is great, but all of the coverage and the fact that it takes
place over the course of 4 days is simply too much. The draft used to take 2
days all; day Saturday for the first 2 rounds and then Sunday on a less broadcasted
channel for rounds 3-7. It was simple. It was fun. Now it has become the gaudy,
yellow, big-rimmed Hummer of the sporting world. ESPN has built this monster of
an event where no real sports action actually takes place. Last year they
changed how the draft was set up and instead of the first round being on a
Saturday it was moved to Thursday night, prime time TV, as if it was the on the
same level as a championship game. Unfortunately there’s no stopping the
snowball now. The NFL draft is already too big and too out of control to be
contained. Fear, fear for your lives!
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