A Totally 100% Informed Draft Post

We are 12 days away from one of my favorite days of the year--the NFL Draft. I remember the good old days when the draft started on a glorious Saturday in late April. You know how there are certain events that ALWAYS seem to take place in  unbelievable weather? In college there was this thing called Springfest (I think that's what it was called--it's been a long time since I was in college...fuck...) which was basically a big outdoor campus party where the only thing that flowed more freely than the kegs of Busch Light were the sundresses.  For 4 straight years we looked forward to that one amazing day where we could count on getting hammered and staring at girls on an absolutely perfect North Carolina spring afternoon.

Anyway, NFL draft Saturdays became those days for me after college. The boys would be over just before noon to catch Kiper's last mock before the real thing, and I'd fire up the grill just as Paul Tagliabue walked up to the stage to start the proceedings.  The Busch Light became Bud Light, then Yuengling Light (Lager Light for you natives and/or Dutch Daulton fans). The only thing missing was the girls in sundresses...but at least we had Suzy Kolber.

Unfortunately, the NFL decided a couple of years ago to go ahead and ruin everyone's fun and start the draft on a Thursday night. So now the boys will be over just before 7 to catch Leon Sandcastle's last can't-miss insights before the draft starts, and we'll have pizza instead of burgers. But at least the beer will be better (I'm thinking Goose Island this year--the Honker's Ale and 312 Urban Wheat are both winners). And there will be at least one girl, though sadly she roots for that black and yellow team across the state.

Anyway, here are my thoughts on this draft from an Eagles perspective...with the caveat that I have a real job and therefore no time to delve into details on these college players. And I don't watch college football because, really, what's the point?  So--in true Eagles fan fashion--I'll mostly be talking out of my ass. Just pretend you're listening to WIP, most likely the morning show.

As it stands, the Eagles have 9 picks overall (one each in the first 5 rounds and FOUR in the 7th round). We all know they won't draft 9 guys since they wheel and deal pretty much every year. Fortunately--because they were so terrible last year--they won't pick lower than 5th in any of the first five rounds. Needless to say this is a franchise-altering draft.

So what do they need? Before free agency the answer was "everything" (except maybe a RB...oh and a kicker, right Alex Henery?). Now I would say "most everything" but of course the hole at QB sticks out like Andy Reid's unitard-covered gut on the sideline (sorry, I couldn't resist). Is Geno Smith the answer? I have no earthly idea. I just recently found out he wasn't Italian. The guy from Florida State? The guy from Syracuse? Nick Foles? Dennis Dixon? Shane Falco? Paul Crewe (the Burt Reynolds version NOT the Sandler version)? The scary thing about the QBs in this draft is I don't think anyone knows.  

Like I said--they're pretty much set at RB. The receiver corps is interesting--Maclin and Jackson are the projected starters with guys like Avant, Riley Cooper, Benn etc. rounding out the group. The problem is their good receivers aren't big and their big receivers aren't good. Tavon Austin is intriguing just from a playmaking standpoint (Percy Harvin without the migraines?) but I think he's shorter than me. Cousin Mike--is he shorter than you?

They could probably use a TE though I think they are prepared to go into the season with Celek and Casey...but this is becoming a 2 tight end league so don't be surprised if they pick a TE relatively high.

Offensive line is the second major issue on offense and I expect them to strongly consider one of the three "franchise" guys at the top of the draft (Joeckel, Fisher and Johnson).  

On defense, they really do need everything. I don't think there's a position on defense that can't be shored up. So bring me your Dion Jordans, your Dee Milliners, your Sharif Floyds...just stay away from Manti Te'o. By the way, I enjoyed watching his girlfriend play center for the Sixers this season.    

Anyway, I'm just hoping this draft is like last year's draft...in other words, TAKE THE BEST PLAYERS AVAILABLE. This team was 4-12 last year so really there's need everywhere. Howie seemed to learn that last year and the 2012 draft looks like a winner so far.

So let's sit back this Thursday and see what transpires. My iPhone weather app is calling for sunny, clear skies with a high of 64.  Sounds pretty, pretty...pretty good. Thursday...Saturday...noon...7PM...it doesn't matter. I can still always count on you, NFL draft.

P.S. Shout out to my blog partner Brian and his Michigan squad who returned the Maize and Blue to their hoops glory days. Great great run...here's hoping we can get a Michigan-Duke rematch in next year's title game...with similar results as 1992