Pleasure comes pouring down like rain.

[earthling42]

My conventionally delineated gender identity is all kinds of fucked up right now. I'm a big girly puddle of gleeful goo because ... this weekend is the NFL draft. Oh, football, it's only been three months, but how I have missed you. My innate aversion to being awake before the sun is pretty much the only thing keeping me away from Radio City on

Comments

[lester22]

Pretty much everyone agrees that Ryan Leaf is the biggest bust in the history of the NFL. I mean, yeah, Todd Marinovich, sure, but Leaf transcended mere sloppy performance.

I am completely underwhelmed by the talent in this year's draft class. Brady Quinn simply does not look like a pro quarterback. JaMarcus Russell doesn't either, but that's because his type of QB - big, burly, not afraid to act like a halfback - is rare in the NFL. (See: McNair, Steve.) And those who have made it in the NFL usually have a short shelf life. (See: McNair, Steve.) Adrian Peterson is untested and could break at any second, I think. Calvin Johnson? Eh. When is the last time a WR taken in the first round had a truly significant impact on his drafting team? My money is on Joe Thomas, personally. I think he'll be the most successful NFLer of the bunch. Honestly though, I am intrigued by the story of Walter Thomas.

Switching gears. Peter Stormare, holy crap. I would watch him in anything. Thank the Coen brothers for basically giving him a career (see: Fargo, The Big Lebowski). He's hilarious in the VW commercials. He was a glimmer of redemption in the otherwise ham-fisted Armageddon. And let's not forget his turn as Slippery Pete in the "Frogger" episode of Seinfeld.

[earthling42]

Well, there are first round WRs, and then there's Calvin Johnson. It only takes one guy to buck a trend.

I agree with you about the overall talent in this year's draft class, though in part I think that's due to the inevitable comparisons to last year's draft class. (Talk about questionable #1 picks, Houston.) I think they've got a lot of solid to decent guys, but they're short on the Amazing Prospects. Brady Quinn looks like a pro from what I've seen--or at least looks like he will be a pro relatively soon--but I think he's one of those quarterbacks that absolutely needs the right placement. He's not going to be a guy who can play anywhere.

Russell, I don't know much about besides his size. I've heard okay things about his passing, though the constant criticisms seem to be that he's not as polished or as dedicated as Quinn. The reason Oakland needs him, though, is because they need a qb who can get crushed every down and still get back up. Quinn doesn't have the physicality to last more than a few games behind the Oakland o-line. As long as Russell can stay under center for the season, he's going to be worth their money. If he develops into a decent passer as well, that's the icing.

Stormare was basically doing a Borat impression, but it was still one of the most hilarious things I've seen in a good while. The Coen brothers have an excellent eye for talent.

[lester22]

In Brady Quinn, I see Drew Bledsoe. And that's not a good thing. He will need a huge O-line to protect his scrawny ass, and I'm just not sure he's mobile enough to get out of the way of big, mean LBs and DEs. And sure, JaMarcus Russell can take the hits, but even a guy his size is gonna get beat up after awhile, and his body will just crap out.

In any case, it'll be an interesting draft.

[picodulce]

wr's: randy moss, in terms of the size/ speed combination.

mario williams as the texans' pick didn't entirely suck; who knew vince young would pick up on qb'ing so quickly? i think he will have a crap second season, though, he makes me think of a faster daunte culpepper, and he lost two receivers. but i like going for defense with the texans-- more safe, less chance to crap out. did you see reggie bush make tough yards into the teeth of a defense? ME NEITHER. right now he's a glorified receiver out of the backfield.

developing a qb takes time, and the raiders should make sure they put a viable team around russell. the qb's in oakland blew egg chunks but the offensive team around them was one of the worst in history. or most poorly coached.

brady quinn wilts in big games. he's more mobile than bledsoe, certainly, and doesn't have that kind of arm. decent touch, lots of experience (losing big games)... he's kind of like a stronger-armed tim couch.

and he is SO pretty. seriously, he is kind of hot. his AJ Hawk dating sister isn't even that pretty.

[earthling42]

Reggie Bush may be "just a glorified wide receiver" but between him and, especially, Colston, the Saints got their money's worth last year. I could see Young having a rough year this year, but I still think he and Bush will shake out as the better picks in the long run over Williams.

I'll leave the Moss discussion alone because I loathe him.

I agree that Russell isn't going to last if the Raiders don't improve their line. I'm just saying that in the short term he is the most logical pick for them because he can take the hits until if/when they make those adjustments.

Also, I'm not hot on Quinn--I'm merely interested in where he's going to end up. I read an SI piece on him and Russell a couple of weeks ago, and he seems goodhearted but deluded about his prospects. He is definitely the prettier of the two, though.

[picodulce]

(i meant wr's who significantly impacted their team when i mentioned randy moss. also, keyshawn johnson. and torry holt. it does happen.)