(Still Saturday Night) On our way walking back to the hotel from the steakhouse we bump into John Clayton of ESPN on the side of RCMH. John is working the phones to see what deals may be going down at the end of day 1. He doesn't give us any inside info.

Fast forward to Sunday 8:00 AM EDT & we head back over to our favorite breakfast spot. I order a Mimosa & everyone looks at me like I was about to rob the place. You cannot be served alcohol before 12:00 noon in NY. Now the 4 AM closing time makes sense. So I have some coffee instead. During breakfast the waiter comes up with the coffee pot and says, "More Mimosa??" which is good for a laugh.

As we head toward RCMH it begins to rain. We grab a cab so we don't get soaked. It's about 8:55 AM now and the line is forming. About 200 deep for day 2. We try & stay as dry as possible which isn't too hard because the rain has turned into a light sprinkle now.

We get into the "hall" & head upstairs, 1st mezzanine, 1st row as it's General Admission for day 2. We are sitting right in front of the ESPN "set. We settle in for what will be a fairly long day. The "food" in RCMH is very bad. Hot dogs, pretzels, YUK! Yesterday, I bought 2 "daiquiri's" (non-alcoholic of course) because I wanted something other than Coke. 2 Daiquiri's & 2 dogs = $29. Ridiculous!

Favre is on the big screen with Mariucci & Sterling Sharpe. It's NFL Network playing Favre: Drafting a Gamer. (Which I TIVO'd). People are scattered all over the seating areas. We make sure we fill out our Day 2 Diehards sheet and put it away for safekeeping until the end of day 2.

A woman walks up to me and asks me how this day 2 thing works. I explain everything and she asks if she can hang out with me. Sure! Who am I to say no to a woman? So she sits down next to me. She's a Browns fan and her husband is a Steeler fan. She's going to stay the whole day just so her husband doesn't have to stand in line next year. Now that's a wife!

We're getting close to the start of day 2 now. As we begin, they announce we have a trade already with the Lions jumping 2 spots to have the 1st pick in round 3. I don't really understand it, unless they thought Miami or St. Louis was going to take Kevin Smith. Neither St. Louis nor Miami took a RB and Jamaal Charles was still on the board so I just chalk this up to another weird move by Matt Millen that probably won't pan out.

My buddy is lamenting the fact the Niners had to swap their pick with the Bears due to the Niner "tampering" with Lance Briggs last year. My buddy hates the Bears as much as the Packer fans do. He boooos loudly everytime the Bears have a pick

The Packers pick is nearing & I'm hoping Ted doesn't "feel the need" to trade down again. Thankfully he picks Jermichael Finley and I'm glad. I was looking at the TE's available & it's quite obvious TT wasn't impressed with the "name" guys as he had his pick of the litter at the bottom of round 1.

As we hit the top of round 4, I'm a little confused because initially I thought the Packers already HAD the Jets pick #102 overall. As it turns out they had to trade with the Jets AGAIN to get that pick. I'm a little concerned that TT isn't getting fair value for his trades. He seems to take less JUST so he can trade down.

With the comp pick he grabs Josh Sitton & I cannot find the guy anywhere on my cheat sheets. This is obviously a "reach" I'm a little excited because the Packers have another pick right away at the top of round 5. My excitement turns to rage when I find out TT trades with the friggin VIKINGS and only gets a 7th in return. Now I'm steaming mad. When they announced the trade, I said to my buddy, "Anything less than next years 4th and this trade isn't a good one." Now the Vikings draft Booty & if he turns out to be anything, Packer fans will want to crucify TT. Yeah, you can put me on record as very much against this move (trade) by TT.

My buddy is grumbling because the Niners lost their 5th rounder due to tampering. Goodell really stuck it to the Niners with that ruling. Of course the Packers draft Giacomini with their 5th rounder. He sounds like a mean S.O.B. so maybe it will work out.

The Packers don't have a 6th rounder instead they have Ryan Grant. I'll take that trade every single time. Chad Reuter was sitting down near the teams tables and decides to leave. We wave to each other and I thank Chad for the Jamal Reynolds signed mini-helmet he gave to me a couple years ago.

To pass the time we start yelling & screaming (cheering) for one of the "helpers" on ESPN. She is a very good looking young woman. This guy behind us is calling her "paper girl" because she hands Trey Wingo / Jaws / Cris Carter etc. a piece of paper with notes on it.

I stand up, point right at her and say, "I pick you!!" she looks at me & says "Me?!?!?!" I laugh & say, "Yes, I'm drafting you!" Everybody is cracking up. You must do something to entertain yourself because by the time round 6 hits it gets old especially when your team doesn't have a pick.

ESPN & NFL both are interviewing Caleb Campbell. Caleb has the opportunity to play in the NFL as well as be a recruiter for the Army. It's a new program the armed forces has started.

Rachel Nichols is standing by the side of the ESPN set. They are on TV. The guy behind me thinks its a new "paper girl". I tell him that's Rachel Nichols! I stand up while ESPN is live and yell out, "RACHEL WE LOVE YOU!!!!!" Rachel starts busting up laughing. Jaws is live on the set and he can't hold back his laughs or smiles. Rachel is getting ready to interview Caleb Campbell. Caleb & Rachel both came up into the 1st mezzanine to sign autographs and shake hands.

As the 7th round hits, the Packers draft another QB (Matt Flynn of LSU) A pretty decent pick at this spot in the draft. The picks are coming quickly now & we are ready to get some food so the faster the better.

After the Packers draft Brett Swain, the Lions are on the clock. There is some people stirring around on the stage. I'm listening to Rich Eisen & he says they're going to announce the next pick on stage. I figure out exactly what is going on and Caleb Campbell is about to get drafted. I tell everyone around me what is about to happen. When they announce Caleb's name the entire RCMH erupts in cheers and chants of "CA-LEB CAMPBELL" & "USA! USA!" It was a very cool moment and we were all happy for Caleb.

As we get down into the comp picks for round 7, the Bears have back-to-back picks. They take the entire 10 minutes to make these picks too and the crowd is letting the Bears have it. I think the Bears took the full 10 minutes just because they could. It's really pissing all of us off because you can't trade comp picks so there is NO REASON to take the full 10 minutes. If you don't know who you are drafting by now (which of course the Bears certainly DON'T!) you might as well use a dart board with draftees names.

We finally get to Mr. Irrelevant and then we hand in our day 2 sheets to NFL personnel. It's been a very long day & we are both ready for a beer. My buddy is fairly happy with the Niners draft & we discuss both teams over a nice Sam Adams Summer Ale to end the day.

That's the trip for 2008. I'm already looking forward to next year which may not be in NY. We're hoping for New Orleans!

Great post Boris. But I have to know how does Rachel Nichols look in person?

quote:

Originally posted by Boris:
My excitement turns to rage when I find out TT trades with the friggin VIKINGS and only gets a 7th in return. Now I'm steaming mad. When they announced the trade, I said to my buddy, "Anything less than next years 4th and this trade isn't a good one." Now the Vikings draft Booty & if he turns out to be anything, Packer fans will want to crucify TT. Yeah, you can put me on record as very much against this move (trade) by TT.

Are you kidding? This is a great move by TT. He fleeced the Vikes out of a draft pick and practically forced them to take another loser QB at the same time. Matt Flynn (who we took with that pick) has a better chance in the NFL than John David Booty...

Nobody took a QB after Booty until Dennis Dixon went about 20 picks later, so it's arguable whether the Vikings even needed to trade up. Looking at the teams who picked in that span, the only team with a clear need at quarterback appeared to be another NFC North team, the Bears.

quote:

Originally posted by Since69:

quote:

Originally posted by Boris:
My excitement turns to rage when I find out TT trades with the friggin VIKINGS and only gets a 7th in return. Now I'm steaming mad. When they announced the trade, I said to my buddy, "Anything less than next years 4th and this trade isn't a good one." Now the Vikings draft Booty & if he turns out to be anything, Packer fans will want to crucify TT. Yeah, you can put me on record as very much against this move (trade) by TT.

Are you kidding? This is a great move by TT. He fleeced the Vikes out of a draft pick and practically forced them to take another loser QB at the same time. Matt Flynn (who we took with that pick) has a better chance in the NFL than John David Booty...

I'm not happy because TT didn't get good value out of that trade. Same thing with the trade on day 1 with the Jets. I'm happy with the players TT drafted but When I see the Cowboys trading down 4 times in round four and receiving draft picks like next years 3rd rounder. THAT is good value. When you trade within your own division you make those teams PAY & PAY BIG.

Which would you rather have? Breno Giacomini & Matt Flynn or the Vikings 4th rounder next year? I'll be surprised if Matt Flynn makes the team. MF will probably be on the practice squad. Supposedly BG has the type of disposition you want in an O-lineman (according to reports out of mini-camp). I'll be more than happy to say "I was wrong" if the move turns out in the Packs favor.

TT DID get good value when he traded a low 7th for a 6th rounder with the Saints. I was hoping that would happen.

You've got to remember we have a solid young team now. Most of these later round draft picks won't make the team unless they show something tremendous in pre-season. I'd much rather have a high pick next year. Especially if it is the
Vikings pick.

Rachel Nichols looks excellent live. She's very petite.

quote:

Originally posted by Boris:

quote:

Originally posted by Since69:

quote:

Originally posted by Boris:
My excitement turns to rage when I find out TT trades with the friggin VIKINGS and only gets a 7th in return. Now I'm steaming mad. When they announced the trade, I said to my buddy, "Anything less than next years 4th and this trade isn't a good one." Now the Vikings draft Booty & if he turns out to be anything, Packer fans will want to crucify TT. Yeah, you can put me on record as very much against this move (trade) by TT.

Are you kidding? This is a great move by TT. He fleeced the Vikes out of a draft pick and practically forced them to take another loser QB at the same time. Matt Flynn (who we took with that pick) has a better chance in the NFL than John David Booty...

I'm not happy because TT didn't get good value out of that trade. Same thing with the trade on day 1 with the Jets. I'm happy with the players TT drafted but When I see the Cowboys trading down 4 times in round four and receiving draft picks like next years 3rd rounder. THAT is good value. When you trade within your own division you make those teams PAY & PAY BIG.

Which would you rather have? Breno Giacomini & Matt Flynn or the Vikings 4th rounder next year? I'll be surprised if Matt Flynn makes the team. MF will probably be on the practice squad. Supposedly BG has the type of disposition you want in an O-lineman (according to reports out of mini-camp). I'll be more than happy to say "I was wrong" if the move turns out in the Packs favor.

TT DID get good value when he traded a low 7th for a 6th rounder with the Saints. I was hoping that would happen.

You've got to remember we have a solid young team now. Most of these later round draft picks won't make the team unless they show something tremendous in pre-season. I'd much rather have a high pick next year. Especially if it is the Vikings pick.

Good report!

I guess I don't have a problem trading within the division that late in the game.

R1-3 wouldn't consider it unless the offer just blew you away.

Booty was passed on by 32 teams for four rounds. Queensland got anxious and offered up a Booty bounty.

I am sure it was the best deal the Packers could do in that slot at the time and they stayed true to their board.

I don't care if Booty becomes the next Francis Tarkenton. I won't hold it against TT.

The TT packer board has proven to be not real close to many "experts" boards.

In TT I will continue to trust....just like I did Sherminator until he consistently proves me wrong.

Great write up Borarri

quote:

Originally posted by Boris:

I'm not happy because TT didn't get good value out of that trade.

I don't follow the charts, but I read somewhere that TT fleeced the Vikes on that deal and took a bath on all the other ones.

Personally, I think TT insisted on the Vikes taking Booty and his weak arm, slow 40 running, low wonderlic scoring self before he agreed to make the deal.

BTW Boris(that name still sounds weird in regards to you), I think the Cowboys had the best draft philosophy. I think they went BPA across the board, traded down often and traded smart when they did.

Nice report. You and Tooner should co-author sumthin'.

A childrens book about a mountain could be fun.

quote:

Originally posted by Hungry5:
A childrens book about a mountain could be fun.

I was tempted to make a Brokeback Mountain joke here, but out of respect, I'll abstain.

That smats of humor.

Great reading. I really enjoyed both threads.

I learned 2 things:

1. You like your alcohol.
2. You like your alcohol.

Speaking of alcohol, I need to resurrect last year's "summer beer" thread and identify a couple of new ones for everyone to sample.

EDIT: On second thought, scratch that. Thread no where to be found.

Found these threads. Is this it?

X4 Lounge

Lounge 2

# 3 ???

quote:

Originally posted by Boris:
Found these threads. Is this it?

X4 Lounge

Lounge 2

# 3 ???

Nope

Nope

Nope

IIRC, it was titled "Summer Beer" or something along that line. It got up to a good 8-10 pages too. It had some pretty good beers listed too...we'll just have to add on to the others....no biggie. I'm a total beer geek so I'll talk about beer all day long.