Initial Reactions to the Draft

WOW!

Prior to moving to South Carolina I did not watch a moment of college football… I was exclusively an NFL girl and thought that that was enough.  But now I realize that I lacked a crucial element in my football knowledge… THE DRAFT!

With limited time to prepare and learn about the incoming draft players, I did what research I could with the teams I know about.  See, that’s the trick if you are new to sports:  start by picking a team.  Either pick one based on your geography, join the bandwagon of a team (whoever is the strongest over time), or use any criteria that suits your personality (i.e.  I like the Reds because I have a crush on one of their pitchers). 

Armed with this limited knowledge I went out to Wild Wings to hang out with friends and watch the draft.  As predicted the first few picks were pretty anticlimactic.  But I knew that would change, because you have to keep in mind that this draft has a unique element… it is the first draft that is taking place BEFORE free agency.  So although it seems that the lockout is over and the free agency will eventually be open, you have no guarantees that when you go for different players you will be able to get them.  There are too many teams in need of a QB and not enough viable free agents to go around.  Desperate teams were going to have to take desperate measures.

“It’s going to get interesting after pick 5.” I said…. And I was right.

And then the madness ensued: out of nowhere, Atlanta makes a major move, takes the 6^th pick from the Browns and goes for Julio Jones.  Suddenly, all the draft knowledge from the “experts” was thrown to the wind.  Teams made decisions no one saw coming.  Every time a pick came out, you would hear ensuing boos or frantic cheers… sometimes people remained speechless, mouths wide-open. Any Vikings fans out there… you’ve got a lot to “Ponder...” Terrible and overused joke I know but the decision to draft Christian Ponder 12^th overall left many Vikings fans baffled.

As for my team, the New England Patriots, I have nothing to say because as a fan I live by a particular motto: “On draft day, in Bill Belichick I trust.” 

Draft Extravaganza!

As if just following a regular draft wasn't complicated enough, this lockout has really left a mess... and Judge Nelson isn't helping.

Judge Nelson has made it clear that she is on the player's side when it comes to the disputes between the NFL owners and the Player's Association.  But I wonder just how much Judge Nelson understands the ramifications of her recent actions: to deny the league's request to put the ruling on hold.  Let me explain in case you are a little lost already.

A few days ago judge Nelson issued a ruling in which she ended the lockout, and of course, the owners asked her for a stay on that ruling until they are able to go into the appeals process.  The answer from Judge Nelson:  the Lockout is over, end of story!

So just 24 hours before a group of young and promising athlete's who thought they knew where they might end up on draft day, everything could go up in smoke?!  Maybe....

Some pundits say that the NFL won't engage in any negotiations that involve free agents... good thing I'm not one of them.  I'm just putting out a sort of "what-if" scenario. 

If, in the next few hours, the free agency opened, that would change the outlook of the draft completely.  The scenario I presented in my previous blog would play out... Carolina would go after a veteran quarter back, and Cam Newton would see his stock in the draft fall.  Again, I doubt he would even go in the first round.  Without free agency, Carolina needs Cam because he is a polarizing figure who will (hopefully) bring some spark to the Panthers game and fill those seats.  But he's also a run-first quarterback (he takes a snap and, instead of throwing, runs with it himself) and with a shaky offensive line (the ones who are supposed to protect the QB) that puts him at high risk for an injury.  If the free agency market were indeed open, Carolina could pick up someone like Kevin Kolb or Donovan McNabb and then use their draft picks to fix the other problems they have which exist at almost every position. 

Or not....

That's what makes this draft so exciting... none of what I just spent the last 10 minutes writing about may happen at all... the free agency may well remain closed (although owners and being forced to open their facilities to the players and allow them to work out) and Cam will get his moment of glory with that number one pick.

Welcome to NFL draft day...

Lock-in... lock out...the draft... what's it all about?

The CBA... a lockout... do you know what it all means? 

Let me indulge in a little history lesson made simple.  During the years of the Industrial Revolution, workers worked in unsafe conditions and were often abused and underpaid by their bosses.  This led to the rise of unions and their right to collective bargaining.  This just means that unions have the right to sit down with the employer to negotiate better working conditions.

So the NFL players have their individual contracts with their team, and then they are protected by the umbrella of the CBA.  CBA= Collective Bargaining Agreement.  You can see the parallels right?  The unsafe working conditions? The abuse? Underpaid?  Sounds like the life of an NFL player right?  But I digress.....

The CBA expired and so the NFL player's association met with the commissioner of the NFL Roger Goddell for new terms of their CBA.  They couldn't come to an agreement.... the players want more.

What makes this so complicated?  I guess it's hard for us average Joes and Janes who work hard for a living to possibly live a nice life to understand why the top players in the NFL are looking for more money.  More money?  How much more could they possibly need?  But the truth is that this dispute is more about the fact that, in the eyes of the players, the owners of these teams are making more than their undue share of money when you take into account the amount of TV revenue that they bring in.  Though I have NO DOUBT I would enjoy a live game (I've never been), football has become a popular TV sport.  You get a better view of all the plays, can watch almost any game if you go to a sports  bar (which can help you follow your fantasy teams) and with HD TV, you can literally see every blade of grass on the field(artificial or otherwise). 

So what happens now?  Well, after the CBA expired, the owners "locked out" the players.  What does that mean?  That the players are literally NOT allowed to get to their training facilities, put their equipment in the locker, be seen by a trainer etc... They are locked out!  Additionally, there is no free agency.  So those players whose contracts have expired or are due to expire with their team (to be traded and such) cannot do so!

That's why this draft is so important.  Normally, teams can address some of their immediate needs through the free agency.  For example:  The Carolina Panthers, arguably the worst team in the NFL, need a quarter back.  More often than not, you don't throw a rookie into the starting QB position because many college players take time and grooming to adjust to the different play in the NFL.  So you go to teams like Philadelphia who have Kevin Kolb sitting on the bench and you negotiate a deal for a proven QB.  Then you use the draft to shore up your offensive line, or give your QB a new promising wide receiver.

Instead, with no guarantee that the free agency will open anytime soon, some teams are forced to make tough decisions and take a quarterback in the first round.  If there were a free agency, I would bet that Cam Newton would NOT be in the top 10 picks or maybe even go in the first round at all.  That may be a slight exaggeration however I am not convinced that this guy has what it takes.  But that's going to be Carolina's problem, not mine.

So yes, you heard that the judge ended the lock out....unfortunately there is lack of clarity on what that exactly means and thus far, the free agency is still closed... but technicallly players are going to be allowed back to the facilities?? To what, sit around and watch TV in the players rec room?

Confused yet?  Welcome to the club.  Stay tuned to see where this all goes.

Dear Jim Tressell....

Really?  You really didn't think you would get caught in a lie? 

A disclaimer... I know very little about college football, in fact, this is the first year I ever even followed it.  That being said, I doubt my lack of college football knowledge in any way precludes me from passing judgement in this matter. 

Do I think that there is rampant cheating going on throughout the NCAA: of course, I am not naive.  Do players get "paid" in ways that violate NCAA rules: yes.  Do I think the NCAA needs to completely revamp its system?  DUH....

But is Jim Tressell so old that he he thinks when he hits delete on an email it just goes away?

What I find so upsetting about this subject isn't so much that Jim Tressell felt he could lie and is above the rules... (he appears to  be invincible in the eyes of the Ohio State) I'm mad that the consequences of his decision to lie and cover up the truth ultimately trickle down to the players, most of which follow the rules, play hard and hope that the prestige of the University and it's stats will help them in the future. 

Jim Tressell I say SHAME ON YOU! 

Can't we just play some honest football? OK probably not...  But now what?  Do we go back and take away those wins that included ineligible players?  Is firing Tressell the answer?  Because if we do, it sends a clear message, but if we don't: what punishment is enough and who are we really punishing?

Sincerely,
Valentina

Before I Begin

Before I begin to impart the world with my thoughts on various issues in sports I want to make one thing perfectly clear: I do NOT presume that I am some sort of sports expert.  There is still so much I want to learn and a lot I don't know. 

I am your average sports fan... I watch Sports Center a few times a day, am an avid NFL and NASCAR fan, have a fantasty football team and am currently giving fantasy baseball a shot.  My following of other sports depends on the time of year.  NBA playoffs, I'm all about it!  March Madness... bring it on!  Baseball season depends on the matchups.  Additionally I listen to sports radio instead of music...

I just happen to be a female!  And I won't hide that sometime it clouds my judgement: ie. I drafted Bronson Arroyo on my fantasy baseball team in the first few rounds because I have a crush on him and I make no apologies for it. 

So please, if you are going to respond in any negative fashion just keep in mind I am not misrepresenting myself.... so let the truth on what I think about sports begin!