Category Archives: Draft

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Memories of the NFL Draft one year later

One of the final photos I took for Exmainer.com. I still hope to see A.J. Jenkins make an impact with the team.

This time one year ago, I finished my final assignment for Examiner.com and moved on to the NFL Network. The NFL Draft has always been the toughest part of the year for me in terms of writing but it was also the most exciting.

With a year gone by, it holds on to a new meaning to me. It means that I’ve been living in Los Angeles for a year and I have also grown so much in my career since then. Also, it reminds me of where I’ve come from and how much I miss covering the 49ers.

But with the new change, I am better off for it. But I can’t forget the great beat writers I’ve befriended and all the players I’ve enjoyed interviewing. The 2011 season and the following NFL Draft will always be the last memory I have of the beat and it was such a great time.

I look forward to what’s to come in the next year.

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Calvin Johnson’s brother Curvin surprisingly didn’t get drafted in the first round

I am so angry that Curvin got no love or even mention on TV last night. I had him all in my mock drafts. I mean, I am so sure that the average Joe knows what they are talking about when looking up prospects.

This video appeared before the draft and it still makes me laugh at how much we lie to not look stupid. This is similar to Jimmy Kimmel’s “Lie Witness News” and I love how everyone here is so convinced that they know something about someone that doesn’t exist.

People…

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Ziggy Ansah’s 3D glasses make no sense and it still confuses me

What are you wearing?

After some time to think about it, I am still confused. Why did Ziggy Ansah wear movie 3D glasses at the NFL Draft?

I know in the NBA, Russell Westbrook dresses up as a clown. But at the NFL Draft, it’s norm to dress nice. But can someone explain to me why Ansah felt the need to wear these glasses? They have no lens and serve no purpose. As a fashion guy, this really doesn’t work.

Sure, it doesn’t make his facial features look worse. But as a person who wears glasses, I don’t like it when people mock a physical ailment I have. What’s next, healthy people walking in crutches as part of fashion? Of course not.

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The NFL Draft is today! Let’s throw away our mock drafts and just enjoy the show

This the busiest time of the year for all NFL media. But for me, it’s also a fun time. So many names and so many prospects’ dreams come true today.

I can’t wait to get to work today and really just absorb all the information and news as the draft picks are made. This is really exciting and I hope you all enjoy the three-day event. There’s nothing like it!

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Rich Eisen goes bananas over Jaguars’ selection of punter Bryan Anger

As some of you know, the Jacksonville Jaguars are my secondary favorite team so I do pay attention to their games and cheer them on along with the 49ers. But since I was covering the 49ers this weekend, I did not get a chance to see the above linked miraculous clip of Rich Eisen losing his mind.

I don’t know if reaching for a punter that high was a good idea but having seen Andy Lee, I cannot devalue a punter. For a Jaguars offense that was ranked last in 2011, field position is so key to their offense. And with the 6th best defense, it makes sense to get a punter. After Matt Turk struggled last year, the Jaguars knew that they had to find some kind of long-term replacement for Adam Podlesh.

Getting the best punter available that high shows that the team is serious about getting a potential Pro Bowler (or whatever you call them now) for the future. This isn’t a bad move really. Punters have great value to any team that’s struggling.

Cheers to you Rich Eisen for loving the punters!

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What’s it like covering the draft from 49ers headquarters? A look back at Thursday’s action

Home of the 49ers in two years.

With the construction of the new stadium, the 49ers team headquarters is also going through a change. One of the changes that affect the media is the relocation of the media trailer. Having to find a way through the facility around construction, the media trailer was moved to about 20 yards from the original spot. But as you can see from the view, it’s pretty nice as we can look out at the new home of the 49ers.

Covering the draft has always been a very interesting time. It’s when site traffic and attention is at an all time high during the NFL calendar year. Mostly all the local media outlets are stationed at team headquarters ready to talk with the new pick, head coach and general manager.

This year was no different from other years. The media gathers in the trailer and just watches the NFL Network like everybody else. But our focus also goes on our computer screens and once the pick is in, we’re scrambling to get the information out and find as much scouting on the newest player.

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Looking back at the first NFL Draft I actually followed

The NFL Draft is here today and for people like me, I have mixed emotions about it. There’s an excitement about new prospects joining the team. But at the same time, as a writer, it’s a very stressful time to get all the information about all the new players out there for everybody.

But still, the draft is exciting. When I first started covering the 49ers, I did it for the now defunct MVN.com. I was just a junior at San Jose State but it was a real nice opportunity for me to just watch the draft at home (the first time I’ve ever done that) and see what the 49ers would do.

What really sucked for me at the time was that I had a part time job on weekends so I knew that I would miss the first day of the draft. (Back then, the draft started on a Saturday). But it still was the first draft I really paid attention to and that 2007 class means a whole lot to me because I watched like a madman the following day.

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ESPN sinks to a new low by making it awkward for Brandon Weeden

Thanks to Niners Nation for bringing this to my attention.

Weeden is a 28-year old NFL draft quarterback prospect and his age is a concern. But is it necessary to do this to him? It’s not like he’s hold and unable to throw a ball. He spent the early part of this 20s playing baseball before enrolling at Oklahoma State in 2007.

This is the kind of stuff that I expect better from ESPN but at the same time, I am not surprised. ESPN has been criticized for their around the clock watch of Brett Favre and Tim Tebow in recent years and has caused unintentional stirs. Age is an important part of Weeden’s profile — but not like this.

Of course, this is ESPN. And I guess my response to this should be another famous ESPN saying: “C’mon man!”

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A look at all the caps New Era is making for every NFL team

I don't like snapbacks, but the 9FIFTY is smooth.

People have asked me about the New Era caps that the teams will be wearing this year and if there was a link to all of the caps. My answer is yes.

I don’t like the snapback fashion and that’s what the 9FIFTY caps are but man, the color contrast on them is really beautiful. The Dolphins for example in my mind might be the best 9FIFTY cap out there. Just a great balance of color.

Also note that Carolina and Seattle are a tweak on their team logos, so their images aren’t available. Which ones are your favorite?