Late to the NFL Draft party

OK - so I did watch the NFL draft, but it was definitely muted this year compared with the past years. 3 comments:

1. Labor talks have to occur. The arguments on what is "good for the sport" made by the league are ridiculous. It's a 9 billion dollar revenue pie, and it is "who" gets it that is being argued. What about taxpayers in many of these cities and states that had to pay for the stadium? It is a non-profit when it suits them, so how about coming up with a plan that is sustainable to both parties interests, and not focused on greed. That is where we are at. I love football - by far my favorite sport, but this is where the stupidity of our current American economic market begins to make me not care. Perhaps I should just go watch local High School games, and even, perhaps, smaller collegiate programs - where games are still about the games and not the money made. (side note - saw the federal inquiry into the BCS's validity for a non-profit - good call! Are they really non-profit? Ha!)

2. Draft analysts - I actually think a lot of them did well, but one of the guys I thought you could always count on is slipping into saying the same thing. R.I.P. John Clayton of ESPN - your articles and opinions don't seem to be done out of relevant research anymore. Rather, it is the "hype" and "QB" bias which determines whether it is good or bad. It isn't thoughtful critical analysis, like I feel happened earlier in his career and which you actually get with several of the ESPN bloggers out there (like Matt Sando, Paul Kuharsky, Pat Yasinkas, and others). Guess you can get to comfortable with your own opinions to not need to do research. I tip my hat to Mel Kiper and Todd McShay because they definitely do this even if they don't agree, or even end up not being right - it is a crazy type of prediction they are doing anyway!

3. Colts and Cardinals drafts:
Colts: Very good, but unglamorous draft. Love the picks, actually - Tackles, a DT, a RB, and a CB. Solid, roster fillers, with upside but also proven skills. Castonzo hopefully works out well!!! That is a critical pick, and I also like Ijalana a lot too!

Cardinals: Exciting!!! Patrick Peterson paired up with DRC and Adrian Wilson, along with the other quality guys they have that played just shores up the defensive backfield a lot! I have high hopes for Peterson as a premier shutdown corner! The rest of their draft was good too - I can't wait to see why they drafted a RB in round 2 - must have really like him, and it isn't like the other guys have been consistent (Wells & Hightower). Now, they just need a QB. I was ok with them not drafting one - who, in this draft, for this year, can get the rock to Fitzgerald better than Skelton. Of course free agency is more viable!

OK - enough for this post - but I think I'll be back on here soon to do my "Team ranking" updates post Draft - as well as do them for the other major sports as well. I would love to get others doing this too. My goal is that by the start of football, there can be several people on here simply making weekly picks of games - college and NFL. I want to compare average fans, guys and gals like me, with the experts of ESPN and FoxSports and Sports Illustrated. I think we can do just as good of a job, even with each of our biases!!!