Football is back……..so to speak!

First, I hope this email finds you and your families safe, healthy and happy!

Football is back!  I could hardly contain myself yesterday waiting to see how this Draft would affect the upcoming season for the teams that are on the verge.  But more than anything, I enjoy watching the players’ reactions.  Some people say it’s just for cameras but if you think about it, they are the only one who knows what they had to endure to get to that point.  They don’t care where in the Draft or what team, they are going to the NFL.  Paid to Play!

Every year, Mel Kiper (aka Bill Swadd) tells us who the team should pick and I would love to see his approval rating!  Can’t be more than 50% but in his defense, he knows the terminology, the game and researches the players and it is impossible to see the player’s  heart.

Only TV could make 32 picks a four hour show but I haven’t missed one since day 1 (I think I was 10).  Drafted in the 12th round in ‘87, I got the call from Coach Shula himself, I was alone in my apartment at 2:45 in the morning and couldn’t have been happier!

Let’s get to Round 1:

  1. Bengals       QB Joe Burrow, LSU – Triple Crown winner! No doubt
  2. Redskins     DE Chase Young, OSU – No brainer
  3. Lions           CB Jeff Okuda, OSU – Long, smart, feisty and ready!
  4. Giants          OT Andrew Thomas, UGA – Great feet and strong first punch.
  5. Dolphins      QB Tua Togavailloa, Bama – Injuries and size issues, accurate.
  6. Chargers      QB Justin Herbert, Oregon – Good pick if he can process fast.
  7. Panthers       DT  Derrick Brown, Auburn – Need playmaker with size/speed
  8. Cardinals     OLB Isaiah Simmons, Clemson – Play wrecker
  9. Jaguars        CB CJ Henderson, Fla – good man guy, athletic, tackler
  10.  Browns       OT  Jedrick Wells, Bama – Huge man with feet,  Left OT needs
  11.  Jets             OT  Mekhi Becton, Louisille – 6’7”  369 lbs  Nuff said!  Nasty!
  12.   Raiders      WR  Henry Ruggs, Bama – Great speed and raw.  Gruden guy.
  13.   Bucs - Trade SF   OT  Tristan Wirfs, Iowa – Rock Solid,  great pick.
  14.   Niners        DT  Javon Kinlaw, S Carolina -  Plays fast and nasty. Hitter
  15.   Broncs       WR  Jerry Jeudy, Bama -  Great route runner, sure hands.
  16.   Falcons      CB  AJ Terrell, Clemson – Long and great vision, sure tackler.
  17.   Cowboys   WR  CeeDee Lamb, Okla – Scat receiver.  Half catches for TDs
  18.   Dolphins    OT  Austin Jackson, USC– Solid. Left OT needed, Pass blocker
  19.   Raiders     CB  Damon Arnette, OSU – great ball skills and smart.
  20.   Jaguars      OLB  K’Lavon Chaisson, LSU – Player. Disruptor, multi-skill
  21.   Eagles        WR  Jalen Reagor, TCU – small but fast and elusive,  Big plays
  22.   Vikings      WR  Justin Jefferson, LSU – Record setter.  Speed, speed, size
  23.   Chargers trade NE   LB Kenneth Murray, Okla – Small and quick, tackler
  24.   Patriots trade LAC;  C Cesar Ruiz, TTUN – Hope playbook has pictures.
  25.   Niners trade Minn;  WR Brandon Aiyuk, ASU – Scat receiver big play guy
  26.   Packers trade MIA;  QB Jordan Love, Utah St – Project under Rodgers
  27.   Seahawks   LB  Jordyn Brooks, Tex Tech – great speed and smart.  Small
  28.   Ravens       LB  Patrick Queen, LSU – Nasty, little  like Lewis w/out felony
  29.   Titans         OT  Isaiah Wilson, UGA – Big nasty. Flexible and can run.
  30.   Dolphins    CB  Noah Igbinoghene, Auburn – Surprise,  very good, smart.
  31.   Vikings      CB  Jeff Gladney, TCU – Plays everywhere, lock down guy
  32.   Chiefs        RB   Clyde Edwards-Helaire, LSU – Good but 3 others better

Overall, the draft went as expected with minimal trades and the expected players went as planned.  The format was interesting but missed some of the emotions.  The broadcast crew was a little over the top.  Didn’t hear from Booger much, must have been a sneeze coming!  Great job under difficult situation and I am sure the viewing audience will exceed 10 mil.

The second round will feature the running backs with Swift, Dobbins and Taylor at the top of the list.  The next couple of rounds you should see a lot more diversity with many more players coming from smaller schools  to fill the team’s needs and/or the Head Coaches preference. I think the 32 players chosen were all good young men with promising futures.

Best of Luck to the newest NFL Class of 2020!

Check in next Friday and I will go over the surprises, the fall-offs and the Buckeyes of the 2020 NFL Draft.

We are on the beginning of the backside of this crisis so please be patient, stick to the good practices and we’ll be back soon enough.

Please stay safe, healthy and happy!  Have a great weekend!

          JK

The Central Ohio/ Cleveland Chapters of the NFL Alumni is still on!

Firestone CC,  August 20th, 2020  Hall of Fame weekend!

Go to www.centralohiochapternflalumni.com

For more information!  Winners go to the SuperBowl of Golf TBD.

Learn More about Jim’s day job here: Antolino & Associates