For starters, the NFL Draft begins tomorrow evening. Now, I know for many people, this is a big event (I used to be one of them). I've heard it described as "Christmas for football fans" and it seems everyone has shared their own Mock Draft, eagerly anticipating which players each team will pick in the first round.
I'll admit, I used to be one of those people who were totally into the draft. I would look forward to NFL Draft Weekend with great excitement every year. I've attended Draft viewing parties. I've watched each and every round with great interest. Waking up on NFL Draft Saturday morning did sometimes feel like Christmas morning ... With ESPN turned on from the moment I was out of bed, I could hardly wait for the Draft to begin.
It's not like that anymore for me. I'm not afraid to admit it. Yes, I've grown more cynical over the years and have been critical of the NFL Hype Machine that makes every single thing the league does a major event. The NFL Draft, as great of an event as it was, was ruined for me last year when Roger Goodell decided to hold the first round on a Thursday night in Prime Time, stretching the event over four days.
For me, this ended all the excitement. Gone was the feeling of waking up in the morning, getting together with friends and cracking open a few beers while we talked football all day. Last year, it became a publicity stunt, and I honestly had no interest in watching.
For the first time in years, I didn't watch a single minute of coverage from the NFL Draft last year. And, guess what? It didn't really bother me too much. Live went on, and I was fine.
Coincidentally, the Browns had a really good draft last season for the first time in years. Now, as any Cleveland sports fans would point out, perhaps this was because I didn't anticipate or watch the NFL Draft. Perhaps the Browns drafted so well, not despite my not watching, but because I didn't watch.
Good enough for me! If it means the Browns will have a great draft again this year if I don't tune in, then perhaps I'll put my time to better use tomorrow night. Honestly, I haven't decided yet if I'm going to watch or not.
That doesn't mean you can't get excited about it. By all means, have at it! If you'd like to read a great Browns fan's thoughts on the NFL Draft, I suggest you check out the Ten Cent Beer Blog. Our friends there have also put together a Mock Draft of the first round that's a pretty good read.
As for The Blawg Pound's official Mock Draft, I will defer to a loyal reader. Kevin is a big Browns fan, and a draft enthusiast. He's been putting together his own Mock Drafts on YouTube for a while now, and has commented on some of my posts regarding possible Browns draft picks.
Since I'm not as into it as year's past, I have decided to declare Kevin's Mock Draft the Official Mock Draft of The Blawg Pound. Enjoy!
Let's see, what else has been going on?
As you know, our own Peyton Hillis has been battling his way through the NFL for the honor of appearing on the cover of Madden 2012. Last week, it was down to him vs. Michael Vick in the finals.
Voting closed this past Monday, and the winner will be announced in a couple of hours on ESPN.
For the good of humanity, we can only hope at this point that Hillis will be victorious.
The Real McCoy
If anyone had any doubts about Colt McCoy's commitment to the Browns and his ability to lead, then they should check out this story.Because of the lockout imposed by NFL owners, players have to work without coaches supervising them. Team trainers are not allowed to be at the workouts, either. McCoy didn't use this time away from Cleveland as a vacation ... instead, he organized his own workouts with his receivers.
Mohamed Massaquoi, Josh Cribbs, Carlton Mitchell, Brian Robiskie and Chansi Stuckey all headed to Austin, Tex., to work with McCoy on the Browns offense.
Now, that's a reassuring commitment to taking this team to the next level!
Return to Work
Apparently, Judge Judy ordered an end to the NFL Lockout, after she was swayed by the players’ argument that that the lockout, now in its second month, was causing irreparable harm to their careers.
The NFL, of course, will be appealing this decision (perhaps to Judge Joe Brown).
So, the saga continues ...
In related news, Media Whore Ken Lanci has withdrawn his lawsuit against the NFL (for now).
Monster Disappointment
Thanks for the thrilling season, Monsters! You had a great season and, though hardly anyone in Cleveland noticed (because you're not the Browns), we're proud of you!
Also, fellow Cleveland sports fans, in case you haven't noticed — and judging by the attendance, you haven't — the Indians are playing some pretty good baseball this year so far. Sadly, if the NFL Lockout really is over, the Indians will probably continue to play well unnoticed by many in this city.
(Rumor has it, Cleveland is getting a soccer team now too ... will anyone care? I thought we already had The Force).
Go Browns!
PS: It appears Rocco, the Official BlawgNo comment today, all he sent was this picture (obviously, he must have been to a spa on Spring Break and this was taken after his mud bath).
6th City Syndicate. . . We Care. Soccer's the ONLY sport this city has actually been good at in the last 50yrs. (See "Cleveland City Stars,", USL-2 National Champions 2008)
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment.
ReplyDeleteCleveland City Stars, eh? Never heard of 'em ... when is their next game? Where can I watch them play?
I can't wait to throw my support behind this team! I mean, if they're your example of Cleveland's most successful team, then surely I won't have to worry about them folding after a mere three seasons, for example.
Right? ... Yeah, I though so.
No accounting for taste around these parts. . . people would rather watch the Browns break their hearts season after season.
ReplyDeleteAFC Cleveland is the new local team, their inaugural season will be 2012. The announcement about their venue hasn't been made yet, but it has been stated by management that they will play in a "Soccer Specific Stadium within the city limits of Cleveland." That should narrow the search down a bit.
Biggest failure of the City Stars was moving to Bedford, they should have stayed in Cleveland. Cleveland teams moving away is something you should be familiar with. . . How're the "Purple Browns" doing this off-season?
If you want to expand your championship knowledge bank, the Crunch were NPSL champions for the 93-94, 95-96, and 98-99 seasons.
Furthermore, the Stokers, the Cobras, the Force (then the Crunch, then the Force), and the City Stars all made it to the playoffs consistently in their respective leagues. . . more than you can say for some other local teams eh?
its kevin i changed my mock!!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks again for your comment.
ReplyDeleteThe City Stars, the Crunch, the Stokers, the Cobras and the Force ... Again, I'll ask, where are these teams now? Surely such successful franchises would still exist, no?
Success is more than winning some games in a fly-by-night league no one really cares about, then folding.
You prove my point, "a league no one really cares about," ask yourself why that is.
ReplyDeleteI think if you're honest you'll admit that the only thing special about being a Browns fan is a pride in your unwavering loyalty to a team that isn't very good.
You may also want to examine where the animosity for other sports comes from.
As for fly-by-night. . . the Cleveland's participation in the NPSL, 1978-2005 with playoff and championship seasons throughout. Perhaps if ESPN could find a way to cram soccer full of commercials it may find a bit more success. Then again, it too would be ruined just like football and basketball have been. Ask someone who used to watch Browns games on tape delay if the pace of the game has changed. If they answer yes, ask which they preferred.
Thank you for your comment, again.
ReplyDeleteWhy is it a league no one really cares about? The answer is simple: Because it's soccer.
I'm a Browns fan because I love football and the Browns are "my team." I don't need them to lose to feel pride in them. If I grew up in a different city, then perhaps my loyalty would be to another team. But, I'm a Browns fan.
I have no animosity toward other sports. Not at all. I applaud your enthusiasm for soccer. Good for you. I have no beef with that.
If there was any money to be made by televising more soccer, I'm sure ESPN would find a way to do it. ESPN is the whoreingest whores who ever whored.
I really don't think a lack of commercials is what's keeping soccer from being as popular as other sports in the U.S.
Exposure is the key, you are right. Take a look at the television rights that ESPN has invested in over the last 18 months. . . I think they may have figured it out.
ReplyDelete—
The life of a soccer fan is much like that of a Browns fan: We have an interest in a subject the rest of the country looks down on and secretly pities… good thing I'm a Steelers fan too.
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Off topic (of the comments, not the post) congrats on the Taylor pick, I was convinced they were taking a receiver with the 6th pick. You've got a shot of developing a decent player there, the kid's a beast.