NFL draft review part I
Over the next three days, we're going to peel apart a list of five from the draft.
Hey, we're the 5-at-10 after all.
So today, let's look at the five best drafts. Deal? Deal.
Before we begin, we can all admit that it's a difficult chore to say yeah or nay on drafts in the immediate aftermath. But what we can explore is perceived value at each spot and analyze fit and functionality.
With that in mind, here are the five teams that improved the most over the weekend.
> Baltimore. The Ravens' biggest need was at linebacker, and despite picking near the back of round 1, the Ravens added arguably the best interior linebacker in the draft in Patrick Queen at 28. In truth, every time it was the Ravens' choice, I kept saying, "Man, that's a good pick," or "Man, I didn't know that guy was still on the board." And adding J.K. Dobbins to a stable of running backs and Lamar Jackson - the corps that led the NFL in rushing last year - feels like an embarrassment of riches.
> Arizona. Call it good fortune. Give credit to Kliff Kingsbury's sweet crib. Heck, maybe it's karma to the patience of an organization that has stood by its traditional logo and made their fans suffer to extremes. But consider the Cardinals' picks in order: Isaiah Simmons in round one, Traded second-rounder for some dude named DeAndre Hopkins. Josh Jones, the Houston tackle who had a first-round grade by a lot of folks, in round three. Two defensive tackles from two of the best defenses in college football in round four. Traded fifth-rounder to Miami for some dude named Kenyan Drake. Wow. That's potentially six starters in five rounds. And we thought Kingsbury's house was the best part of Arizona's weekend.
> Miami. The Dolphins had 11 picks in this draft. And they had at least that many holes. But they made the smart play (and did not outthink themselves) by taking Tua Tagovailoa. Filled a need - and made the Eagles beat writers triple check the spelling - with Noah Igbinoghene at the end of round 1. Loved the pick of Raekwon Davis at the end of round 2. Who wants to bet against Malcolm Perry, the former Navy star, who the Dolphins grabbed in round 7? Also a question of note, and from the SEC: How good was LSU last year? Among the 14 Tigers picked over the weekend was LSU long snapper Blake Ferguson. Yes, when your long snapper gets picked, you are rolling.
> Minnesota. It started with the Vikings dealing disgruntled wide receiver Stefan Diggs for a first-rounder. Facing a salary cap issue, the Vikings also cut two of their best corners. So, of their first four picks, Minnesota got a gift as Philly skipped on LSU receiver Justin Jefferson, potential starting corners Jeff Gladney of TCU and Cameron Dantzler of Mississippi State and stole tackle Ezra Cleveland in round 2. Don't sleep on linebacker Troy Dye, either.
> Dallas. There are a lot of teams that pushed for top-five consideration. But the Cowboys' haul was as impressive as Jerry Jones' draft set-up on his quarter-of-a-billion-dollar yacht. CeeDee Lamb was doing the right thing at the right time and the Cowboys added a potential game-changing receiver despite clear need. That faith was rewarded when Trevon Diggs, the Alabama corner, fell to them in round two. Add in underrated defensive tackle Neville Gallimore of Oklahoma and corner Reggie Robinson from Tulsa, and the Cowboys added several starters. Now, if they can just get Dak situated.
ESPN radio
OK, there are a handful of things you folks know about me.
I coach youth sports. I enjoy cooking. I love this draft. If Paschall writes college football or Weeds writes college hoops, we read it and link it. (Hey, as Uncle Buck says, "It's in the books.")
There are others, of course. Among them is a true appreciation for "The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz" on ESPN radio.
I spend more time on the ESPN dial than most, and that has nothing to do with our 3-6 radio show Press Row on the local ESPN affiliate. I write the 5-at-10 with "Golic or Wingo" as the background chatter.
And I listen to as much of the Le Batard show as I can on a daily basis. Their formula of being the sports radio show that spoofs sports radio shows is almost perfect. So much so, in fact, that when any of the main players is out, the whole dynamic seems distorted, which is a testament to their chemistry.
That said, I know a lot of folks who do not like the formula - the Le Batard crew, under Dan's direction, would always prefer to talk race, issues, and almost everything else rather than sports - and that's OK.
Le Batard's approach is in growing contrast to the orders from management to stay away from politics. It was clear that ESPN took some major hits in recent years, and the "Stick to sports" crowd became quite vocal.
I personally think it's impossible to "stick to sports" in this day and age when some of our culture veers back to politics and points to the divide in our country.
As for Le Batard, well, he is part of this interesting report from New York Post sports media writer Andrew Marchand that states ESPN radio's national lineup may be looking at a major overhaul.
Among the details (with my thoughts in parentheses):
> Trey Wingo is looking to leave his spot on the morning show that is "Golic and Wingo." (I can certainly see this. Wingo has a lot of NFL responsibilities and the chemistry has never developed between he and Mike Golic.)
> Dan Le Batard could be out. (I hope this is not true. Deeply. But as a newly married guy with a bucket of money and still with a TV show and multiple podcasts, I certainly can see it too. Again, I hope it's not true because that is the best show on radio - not named Press Row of course.)
> Will Cain is reportedly going to sign with Fox Sports, and that will happen sooner rather than later. (I can see this, and it surely would be Fox's gain and ESPN's loss. Side note: Cain is easily ESPN's most conservative personality, and his presence offers much-needed balance. Side question on the side note: If you agree that ESPN should "Stick to sports," do you have that same opinion when Cain goes on a tangent?)
> Mike Greenberg is rumored to be an option to return to radio, potentially in an afternoon slot. If Greenie does return, it would be in addition to his morning TV show "Get Up." (Greenie is arguably the best sports radio point guard ever. He and Mike Golic Sr. set the standard in a lot of ways, and if ESPN is looking for a stick-to-sports point man, Greenie is the perfect choice.)
Interesting times, indeed.
Tuesday in the kitchen
OK, we did a couple of meals over the weekend.
Hey, with the draft playing on the kitchen TV on Saturday, we were in our element.
First on Saturday, we marinated the chicken for the grill on Sunday.
Here's our chicken marinade. Hey, if you have a marinade that works for you, I completely understand. That said, this has proven to be quite popular for those who have ever tried it.
We blend 1/2 cup good olive oil, 3 tablespoons soy sauce, 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon salt and pepper, and this is the kicker that makes it sing: 1/3 cup brown sugar. These measurements are what you use for 2 pounds of chicken.
It's important to let it soak overnight, and I have found that if you poke the chicken with a fork multiple times it helps the marinade really get into the chicken.
After marinating the chicken, I made homemade cheese-stuffed ravioli lasagna.
So there's that.
This and that
- Here's TFP all-around ace David Paschall's story on former Baylor School and UTC quarterback Nick Tiano, who was great about the hectic 48 hours from the end of the draft to finally signing with Houston.
- On Press Row on Monday was Lookouts president Rich Mozingo. Listen to the replay here.
- Here's TFP ace sports columnist Mark Wiedmer on UT's recent football recruiting charge.
- So, one of the new 5-at-10 family traditions during the isolation has been a nightly game of family "Jeopardy!" And last night, well, let's just say the clue was about an 1800s celebrated warrior and the correct answer was Shaka Zulu. The first contestant to buzz in guessed Chaka Khan. So there's that.
- Here's today's A2 column on the impressive idea of possibly moving CSLA into the Sears space at Northgate.
- One of the best parts of the rather flat second Sunday of "The Last Dance" was Michael Jordan's clear disdain to this day of everything that was those Bad Boys Detroit Pistons. Here is a follow-up on Isiah Thomas being remorseful and Bill Laimbeer being, not surprisingly, defiant about those teams and that rivalry.
Today's questions
It's a Tuesday, which means True or False time.
True or false, the Ravens will be in the next Super Bowl, whenever that may be.
True or false, you enjoy "The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz."
True or false, Jeremy Pruitt will have the Vols to 10 wins this year or next.
You know the drill. Answer some T or F; leave some T or F.
As for today, April 28, let's review.
Harper Lee would have been 94 today.
Jay Leno is 70 today. Jessica Alba is 39 today. John Daly is 54. Jimmy V died on this day in 1993. He was 47.
Blake Bortles is 28 today.
Rushmore of worst NFL draft picks in the last decade. Go.