Busy Monday News Day
Posted by Shannon on April 30, 2007
After a long and restful weekend, I need to clear my mind out to take care of some things that I’ve been thinking about both in the sports and news world.
The Oakland Raiders were smart to draft JaMarcus Russell with the overall No. 1 pick. Afterwards, it was a comedy of errors for the team from Oakland, or is it Los Angeles, at least that is where the NFL’s Gene Washington believes Al Davis’ squad still plays.
Russell is a talented quarterback who gives the Raiders the deep ball threat. So you would think having a quality wide receiver in Randy Moss would be a good aspect. Obviously not as the Raiders parted ways with the former Marshall University standout and sent him off to New England, all but insuring the Patriots a berth in the AFC title game, if not the Super Bowl. Only Miami had a worse draft. Even though I predicted Ted Ginn to go high, the Dolphins missed on taking Brady Quinn, who would have given the team stability at quarterback.
The teams that made the biggest splash on this draft weekend - Cleveland, New England, and the San Fransisco 49ers, who picked up Darrell Jackson from the Seahawks for practically nothing.
The Washington Media is a buzz today with the “D.C. Maddam” story. The story involves Deborah Jean Palfrey and her little black book of clients, which allegedly includes top Bush Administration officials, and a conservative think tank leader. It’s all part of the government’s case against Palfrey for running what they believe is a prostitution ring. Palfrey claims her business was “legit” and that others, her customers, should be charged as well.
This case will catch the media’s fancy for awhile because it deals with government leaders and sex. It’s a money-making combination, just ask President Clinton.
And finally, the St. Louis Cardinals are dealing with the death of a pitcher once again with the tragic death Sunday morning of Josh Hancock. The reliever was killed in an automobile accident in St. Louis.
This is the second time in five years the Cardinals have dealt with death as a team. Darryl Kile died in 2002 in a Chicago hotel room.
April 30, 2007 at 2:43 pm
I think the draft went pretty much as it should. I think the Pats (unfortunately) had a great day as did Cleveland and the 49ers. I have mad respect for Cleveland for passing up Quinn or any flashy pick to get Thomas with the #3 pick. Of course I’m a honk for developing the lines. It’s up to management to decide if it wants to focus on the O-Line or the D-line. Then they must overlook the fans that boo when don’t draft a skill position and stick to their guns. I actually think that Houston is doing this by drafting Okoye (sp?). They are balancing their d-line with the Williams pick last year and the pick this year.
I do agree that Miami had a bad draft, but afterall they are Miami! But I think one team had a worse draft….Seattle! No picks to speak of because they threw them away with trades. Then they give up Jackson for, what a fourth round pick? It might be a while before they are relevant again.
April 30, 2007 at 2:48 pm
I think Seattle has some management issues, which is partly why Jackson was let go for a relatively small price and to a team within its own division that defeated it twice last year. I’m a 49ers fans, but make it interesting, Seahawks. This could be the return of the AFC version of the Seahawks.
Making the line a priority was a good move by Cleveland. Thomas was a great pick, though I expected Detroit to pick him up. He doesn’t like the attention and seems to be someone that just wants to get to work, so going to a situation like Cleveland will be good for him.
Now, they got a steal in picking Quinn up at the bottom end of the first round. That probably will save them $20 million in salary and signing bonuses that would have gone to Quinn had he been picked at the No. 3 hole.
But, as with any draft, it’s about field performance and if the Browns don’t perform this year, Romeo Crennel could be out the door.
April 30, 2007 at 3:15 pm
If the Browns don’t do wel this year, then the price they paid for Quinn will go up. They dealt that first round pick next year to the Cowboys…So I’m sure Dallas will be wanting Cleveland to tank!
I forgot but you’re right, Seattle traded Jackson to a conference rival??? That Super Bowl run 2 years ago is looking more and more like a fluke season!
Of course the Bills represented by picking and RB!?! I know thye had a hole at RB, but they do have Anthony Thomas. It goes back to having a strategy and sticking to it. B-Lo needs serious D-line help and second to that O-line help…I was honestly expecting them to really throw a pick away on Quinn…but they weren’t that stupid!
April 30, 2007 at 3:21 pm
You raise a good point, Todd about the Cowboys wanting Cleveland to tank. But from the trades that went down involving first round picks next year, a lot of teams, as John Clayton and others have said, are tipping their early hand that next year’s class is not that impressive.
The Bills really need to address what they are as a team, because right now they are being ran out of town, spending wise and in player development, by the Jets and Patriots. And, yes, when we are saying the Jets are doing better than the Bills, it’s a sad day in B-Lo, indeed.