Are you ready for some football?

I know some of you aren't big into football, or sports in general for that matter. For me, football has always been my one TRUE addiction. I'm a die hard Steelers fan. After the Super Bowl, for me this weekend is the one thing that helps me pass the summertime; the NFL Draft. I'm not going to go thru all the picks, just my thoughts on some of the ones over the first 2 rounds from Saturday.

Round 1

Pick 1. Jake Long to Miami. Everyone knew about this Wednesday.

Pick 2. Chris Long to St. Louis. Selfishly I kinda hoped that he had dropped to Oakland simply because thats where his father had made his name (Howie Long is his dad in case anyone didn't know). But I think the Rams made a good decision.

Pick 4. Darren McFadden to Oakland. Crazy Al strikes again. Honestly I think that McFadden is over hyped. What I had seen of him in college, he didn't really look like a great running back. I think that he will fit right with last years first pick JaMarcus Russell as being over paid, under achievers. But what do I know, I drive a semi for a living.

Pick 14. Chris Williams to Chicago. From what I can tell, it's a decent pick. He is going to fill one of many holes the Bears have. Hopefully they get a QB in the second round for him to protect.(On a quick side note, while waiting for the pick, ESPN showed the key addition and key loss to the team. Key loss: Bernard Berrian. Key addition: Marty Booker. Yikes. Sorry Bears fans but yikes.)

Pick 18. Joe Flacco to Baltimore. Wow. All I had heard all week was that he was a second round pick. They gave up their 1st round, a 3rd and a 5th to move up to get him. With the rest of the trades they made during the day they have more picks in day 2 of the draft. But still, I think that they could of waited to take him.

Pick 22. Felix Jones to Dallas. I mention this pick for a couple reasons. First reason, When they went to make the announcement of the pick, all the fans in the Radio City Music Hall in NYC booed. Second reason. It's the pick right before the Steelers. I actually think that he might be a good fit for the Cowboys.
The Steelers are on the clock.

Pick 23. As I stopped what I was doing and sat there with batted breath, I looked to see what holes there were and to see who was out there. The pick is in. Rashard Mendenhall from Illinois. First thought was great. Someone to take the pressure off Willie Parker a little bit to help out in the running game. Then I started looking into how they drafted over the past 20+ years. The last time they took a running back in the first round was 1989. And from what little I can remember of him, he didn't last too long with the team.

The first round ended without much other interest for me. Other then there were no wide receivers taken at all. But looking at the ones coming out in the draft it was no real surprise.

Round 2

Pick 13. Matt Forte to Chicago. What the hell!?! Now granted they do need help at running back, a more pressing need is at quarter back. There were 2 quality guys still there waiting to be picked. But instead, they decide to go with someone who went to a school that is known more for their baseball team then their football team. Maybe he will prove everyone wrong. But I'm sure I'm not the only one wondering what the front office of the Bears are smoking.

Pick 22. Limas Sweed to Pittsburgh. Who? Huh? Is this some sort of a joke? Yes they need a wide receiver. But couldn't they have found someone else. What I saw of him, he's not that exciting of a receiver. Damnit!!!

Pick 25. Brian Brohm to Green Bay. Ummmm, quick question. Don't the Packers ALREADY have the quarterback that is taking over for the retired Farve in Aaron Rodgers? I understand getting a backup, but I would of thought that they would of filled that spot with signing one thru free agency.

Overall, the first 2 rounds of the draft were interesting to say the least. Alot of trades, alot of head scratching, and alot of cursing and muttering trying to figure out what the front offices of teams were doing.

Some thoughts on day 2 of the draft.

Bears- They have 9 total picks in rounds 3-7. Hopefully they can fill some of their glaring holes they need to fill.

Raiders- to me its always interesting to see what Crazy Al does during the draft.

NY Giants- Super Bowl Champs. With every new champ, there are players that leave for more money. Which in turn leaves open spots that need to be filled more often thru the draft then thru free agency. I wonder if they can do it.

Steelers- If they can find a good receiver offensive lineman and a defensive back they should be set when the season starts.

I'm off to watch more of the draft and to see how much more cursing I can do at the tv.