Everyone can learn from the NFL Draft - Bo Callahan Effect

Even Urban Meyer, the Ohio State coach who was on the NFL Network Friday, asserts this - he mentioned that he has a new perspective on recruiting, by looking at how the different NFL teams evaluate talent, assess importance (based on when they draft someone), and what they look for first when "assembling" the new team. Draftees are past college recruits.

I have to comment on the Bo Callahan Effect, after noticing how teams are avoiding Connor Cook - for the most part due to his lack of leadership skills - not being voted team captain when you're the starting QB is a "red flag" of sorts. The SB Nation pointed to this flaw, and I tweeted the same sentiment @bgsujeff1 upon seeing no teams draft Cook. Sonny Weaver Jr. from Draft Day knows why no one has taken him yet. The QB's that may still go before him include Dak Prescott and Kevin Hogan.

Manziel and Heisman Trophy

Johnny Manziel just re-affirmed why he was the 22nd player drafted; today he was indicted on a misdemeanor assault charge in Texas - evidently his girlfriend didn't appreciate his hitting her repeatedly. Manziel dropped down to 22 even though he had won the Heisman Trophy; this year's Heisman winner isn't even projected to be drafted in the first round. Derrick Henry isn't even the first-ranked running back - Ezekiel Elliot will be drafted ahead of him. This is a testimonial that, while the Heisman is the most prestigious award, it is (no longer) an indicator of a "sure thing" or even a first round draft pick. Have to say that the Heisman has been "tarnished" by both Manziel and Winston - unfavorable publicity surrounding them has led to the Heisman being less of a character award than it once was.

The NFL GM's have made it very clear where the priorities lie - QB is highest...and running back has dropped down below WR, where the skill positions are concerned. Quality linemen and defensive linebackers and coverage players - they have risen to be just below the quarterback, priority-wise. One reason is that they are becoming more of a "sure thing", a player who can start right away, and make a difference. So the draft order appears to be...
#1 Jared Goff (QB, Rams); #2 Carson Wenzt (QB, Eagles); #3 Laremy Tunsil (OT, Chargers); #4 Jalen Ramsey (CB, Cowboys); #5 Jaguars - anybody want to chime in?

NFL Draft, DeflateGate and Federal courts

April 25, 2016 has turned into a great day for the NFL Commissioner, as a Federal appeals court has reinstated his 4-month suspension of Patriot quarterback Tom Brady. Yes, this is kind of a big deal, as a person might wonder whether (or not) the Federal court had jurisdiction in the first place? Should this be considered a private business decision, something the NFL handled internally? Unlike when someone has been wrongfully terminated, where can one possibly perceive the DeflateGate suspension as a breach/violation of rights (protected by some Federal law or the Constitution)? Big Sports Business (like the NFL, NBA and perhaps NASCAR, amongst others) obviously can't police itself - at least that's what the courts are maintaining.I was kind of surprised when the first Federal judge ruled in favor of Brady...again, where's the jurisdiction - who is the authority? So this decision is surprising...and you have to ask yourself, why did it take so long for the Federal appeals court to rule?

NFL draft coming up, and not surprising at all, Sam Bradford wants to be traded. Duhh, the Eagles management has "spoken" by trading up, expressing their lack of confidence in him being their franchise QB. Wentz is getting the same hype that Bortles got in 2014. All of the teams are reluctant to spoil the "drama" of Thursday's draft - The big question now is:
Who are the Cowboys going to draft fourth?

The NFL House of Cards

In the past year we've had to deal with several perplexing issues involving NFL controversy - many involved quarterbacks - DeflateGate (Tom Brady) and Steroid Accusations (Peyton Manning), for instance. The NFL just isn't going to be the same since Peyton Manning's retirement, by the way. Omaha that. But now I am so confused with what's going down in the upcoming 2016 NFL Draft!(sigh). It's like all the GM's watched the movie Draft Day and they all want to be Kevin Costner. Two weeks ago the Los Angeles Rams traded up to get the first pick of the draft, giving the Tennessee Titans first round picks for two years and couple of second round picks this year, among other things. The Titans made out like a bandit, in my estimation they were smart to trade, because they already had a quarterback for the future - Marcus Mariota. But I question the "desperation" on the part of the LA Rams. The reason? This year's quarterback "crop" just doesn't measure up to the past several seasons... Last year there was Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota that were picked first and second - both were Heisman Trophy winners, in 2013 and 2014 - and both guided teams that were considered NCAA Championship caliber. Both played predominant roles in their team's success as well. Both look to be very successful NFL quarterback, worthy of their pick position. The previous Heisman winner, Johnny Manziel - yes, he has been a bust - but a lot of people suspected he would be, and he wasn't drafted that high. The 2012 NFL Draft was another where two quarterbacks were picked first and second - Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III; both have faired well, particularly Luck, who has been a "sure thing" - I think it's a little early to call drafting RG3 a bad move - he did give the Redskins one great season. And Cam Newton the year before that...better than anyone could have hoped. This past week we had the Philadelphia Eagles trade up for the second pick, taking it from the Browns - once again, I believe the Browns are getting the better end of the trade. And for the life of me, what are the Eagles thinking? Don't they already have a franchise quarterback - Sam Bradford? That's what I thought, and they opened up their pocketbook, committing to Bradford. The 2015 and 2012 drafts played out just the way the 2016 draft is heading. Two quarterbacks taken first and second. But this year neither one guided an NCAA championship caliber team - not even close. Neither was even really in close consideration for the Heisman either. They both look to be a "work in progress"... s?neither is a "sure thing" franchise quarterbacks? - not even close to Winston, Mariota, Luck, RGIII, Newton - they are both at the level of Manziel, as far the prospect for success goes - and he dropped to be chosen 22nd overall. Jared Goff deserves to be the first quarterback drafted, mind you. But he is not one of those picks that should be coveted. Neither is Carson Wentz - people have compared him to Roethlisberger - who wasn't even drafted in the top ten - but Big Ben did play for a division one school - well enough that he propelled them into the top 25 for most of the season; I seriously doubt Wentz will be as good as Big Ben. I am predicting that both Goff and Wentz will go first and second, in that order, and neither will likely pan out - at least not to be worth what either team gave up to draft what very well might turn into an NFL backup quarterback, career-wise.