NFL Draft is the Popular Unknown

The only thing we know is that we don’t know.
Ever popular, the NFL draft moved into prime time television late last week with impressive television ratings considering all you saw were endless talking heads and some highlight videos.
Forget what baseball fans tell you about the former national pastime resuscitating itself as America’s sports leader. Professional football remains the king.
The remarkable popularity of the NFL draft coupled with endless talk radio feedback tells you all you need to know. The recent success of the Phillies has rekindled baseball interest, but gauge talk radio and media coverage and you see pigskin.
Fans know nothing for sure after the Eagles selected a whopping baker’s dozen of college players, yet folks insist on loving or despising the young men who will, for at least a short time, call themselves Eagles’ rookies.
It’s an odd love-hate relationship in late April with kickoff five months away. Opinions, some insightful, many dreadfully uninformed, dominate media discussion.
The sports channels wouldn’t talk about it if they thought you didn’t want to hear it. Sports communication companies are deeply in tune with the public’s desires.
Philadelphia’s top selection might be the next Jerome McDougle or the next Trent Cole. We don’t know, but fans hope Brandon Graham will be the real deal. After sacrificing two valuable third-round picks, the Birds invested in Graham as someone who may finally help Cole get pressure on the quarterback.
Only time will tell, although many fans have made up their minds. Some felt a defensive back should have been the top pick while others worry about the way Dallas dominated the Eagles’ offensive front in the season’s final two games.
South Florida’s Nate Allen calmed the critics as the second round selection.
Allen is a name that few actually know, except that it’s been published in many pre-draft publications as being a worthy high pick. The Eagles need work at safety and corner and perhaps they’ve hit on a savior in Allen.
The biggest criticism resulted from the addition of defensive end Daniel Te’o-Nesheim (can’t wait for his nickname) in the third round. Right away the infamous “reach” description was attached to this “high motor” guy. Pressure on the quarterback is the name of the modern game and Andy Reid is working diligently to address that.
The first of four fourth-round picks was Trevard Lindley, one of those guys who would have made a lot more money had he entered the draft last season. After a disappointing senior year the Kentucky product looks to make it as a Bird cover corner.
The often-neglected linebacker position was addressed by the nod to Keenan Clayton of talent-rich Oklahoma. His numbers say he can really run so perhaps he’ll be the guy assigned to shut down tight ends.
Getting another quarterback was a good idea and the third fourth-rounder became Northwestern’s Mike Kafka. I respect brains as much as brawn and this guy cut it in the classroom and possesses decent arm strength and size. Highlights often show him as very mobile. Injuries are common in the NFL so don’t bet against Kafka seeing time.
The last of the fourth-rounder’s was tight end Clay Harbor of unknown Missouri State. At least one publication included him in the “risers” based on his performance in post-season all-star games. Guys toiling at lesser known schools need the scouting combine and the all-star tilts to show themselves. Harbor’s ship may have come in.
Fifth rounder Ricky Sapp is respected by commentator Ray Didinger which goes far for me. The publications say he’d have been a higher pick if not injured in his senior season. The word “playmaker” is being tossed around. Hope so.
I love young running backs because they have tread on the tires and they play hungry. Running the ball is about blocking, but vision and energy go a long way as well. Fresh legs pounding the line would assist the passing efficiency of Kevin Kolb. Sixth rounder Charles Scott has size. If he can avoid fumbling and pick up the blitz, he’ll get the rock on occasion.
The Eagles finished with a seventh round linebacker, defensive tackle and another safety. The linebacker, Jamar Chaney, is another fast player. The tackle, Jeff Owens, is about 300 pounds so he’d better stuff the run. The safety, Kurt Coleman, is an Ohio State alum so he’s played under pressure and against strong competition.
The only thing we can truly criticize at this point is the ugly yellow shirt Reid wore in his post-draft press conference. Big Red’s body is going to have a tough time making any garment look good, but that thing was sickening.
Reach Rossi at joerossi61@comcast.net