Good morning, Gator Nation: I don’t know about you but I’m exhausted. That’s what three days of watching the NFL Draft will do to you.
1. JUST WONDERING: Roger Goodell and ESPN should consider starting another network that will televise a continuous loop of all the NFL Drafts of the past, beginning with the recently concluded three-day 75th edition. Oooh, think of it: All those high- and low-emotional moments – and we’re not talking about those shots of players, families and friends sitting around waiting, WAITING, to hear from any, ANY team to call. We’re talking about Mel Kiper and Todd McShay shouting at each other; a ticked-off Chris Berman waving to get someone’s attention; Matt Millen apologizing for an ethnic slur he uttered while talking with Ron Jaworski.
2. JUST WONDERING II: Not sure how disappointed Jimmy Clausen, the Notre Dame quarterback with the smirk, was as he saw his bank account fall while he fell through and eventually out of the first round. Clausen, who was No. 4 on Kiper’s Big Board, eventually was taken with the 16th pick (48th overall) of the second round by the Carolina Panthers (who later in the sixth round with the 35th pick/204th overall took Cincinnati’s Tony Pike). But my disappointment would be severely tempered if I had the chance to spend time in a Palm Springs, Calif., home with Erin Andrews.
3. IN CASE YOU DIDN’T KNOW: After 255 prospects got to hear their names called, those not drafted were gobbled up as free agents by the 32 NFL teams (check out this site: http://www.nepatriotsdraft.com/p/2010-nfl-undrafted-free-agents.html). Florida, which led the way with nine prospects drafted, had another three players sign free-agent contracts: kick return ace Brandon James, wide receiver David Nelson and linebacker Ryan Stamper. Wouldn’t surprise me if all three of them stick.
4. GOOD FOR HIM I: After he wasn’t picked in the first two days, Nelson decided there were better ways to spend the final day of the NFL Draft when teams fill their mini-camp rosters. Nelson went golfing in Dallas. “Twenty-five of the 32 teams have expressed interest in me,” Nelson told Nick Gholson of the Times Record of Wichita Falls, Texas. “They are saying I could go in the fifth, sixth or seventh round. But if I am still on the board after that, there is always free agency. From the feedback I have gotten, I think there’s a chance I could be drafted. But if it doesn’t happen, it won’t be the end of the world.” No the end of the world, as Nelson knows, is missing a two-foot putt.
5. GOOD FOR HIM II: I found it very refreshing that the Tennessee Titans, who play their home games in the same town as one of the nation’s leading patient care, medical education, nursing education and research hospitals, the Vanderbilt University Medical Center, selected strong safety Myron Rolle (6-2, 215) of Florida State. You’ve got to wonder how many coaches were scared off by Rolle’s obvious intelligence advantage and that Rolle likely would be spending a lot of his 34-hour days studying his medical book rather than his playbook. If what has been attributed to former Florida State defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews – that he felt Rolle spent more time on his studies than football – maybe Rolle, who hopes to be a neurosurgeon, can examine Mickey’s brain for even thinking in those terms.
6. TEBOW A 10? Did I see a picture of Tim Tebow holding up a No. 10 jersey at his press conference in Denver? You did, too. Well, don’t despair. That No. 10 jersey he was holding up was just to indicate the year he was drafted. If he had been drafted in 2011, he would have held up a jersey with No. 11. No, the Broncos and the NFL marketing departments know that a No. 15 Tebow Bronco jersey is going to sell. Just the number of Gator fans who will buy one will be incredible, and it’s not going to surprise anyone that the jersey will end up in bookstores, sporting goods stores, major stores like Wal Mart and JC Penney and anywhere else that stands to make a profit.
7. KUDOS TO GYMNASTS: Congratulations are in order for coach Rhonda Faehn and her Florida women’s volleyball team that finished fifth in the NCAA Super Six Finals Friday at the O-Dome. Even though the Gators didn’t bring home the championship trophy, you’ve got to be excited, especially knowing that these freshmen will be sophomores next fall. Experience is indeed the difference in the big meets because everyone seems to have the same talents.
8. GRUDEN IN HIS ELEMENT: I believe Jon Gruden is this generation’s John Madden and I can see a big, BIG future for him as a football analyst. Not only was he entertaining (and real) in those 1-on-1s with the college quarterbacks, but he had some quick one-liners that made you to “Chuckle with Chuckie.” When the Green Bay Packers took Iowa offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga and ESPN flashed a picture of the folically-challenged Bulaga, Gruden didn’t miss a beat. “He looks like he’s going curling,” the Bucs former coach said.
9. ANOTHER REASON TO LOVE THE BRONCOS: For all those naysayers who believe Tim Tebow is going to be played in different positions, here’s what Denver head coach Josh McDaniels had to say on the matter (which is another reason why I think the Broncos are going to go to the Super Bowl – and soon):
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/draft10/news/story?id=5134382
10. FACEBOOK FUN: My daughter and son are shocked, SHOCKED, that their old man has a Facebook account. I would be, too. Katie posted this on Friday: “Excited for some home-cooked meals this weekend.” I commented: “Whose house are you visiting.” My wife laughed when I told her. I don’t know if she was laughing at my humor or the fate she had awaiting me. Boy, I’m sure glad I’ve got that couch broken in.
Well, that’s it for now. Have a great Sunday, Gator Nation.
Later, Gators,
John Fineran