Friends, I don't want to take the air out of the room, but I think these NFL draft picks need to know something: they have been drafted into the most dangerous sport in the world. Yes, even more hazardous than boxing. At least that's how I see it. Many of the newly-drafted will experience multiple concussions during their careers. Some will lose memory. Some will suffer dementia. And yes, some will die as a result of the punishment (repeated blows to the head) that they sustained over the course of their NFL lifetime. The upside---if there is such a thing as an upside---the NFL is finally addressing the problem of concussions. For too long "the league downplayed any link between football head trauma and cognitive decline." The NFL can no longer deny that there is a "concussion crisis" within the league. The NFL isn't alone. Youth football leagues must do a better job at monitoring its athletes. The culture must be changed. There are no quick fixes. NFL draft picks should know that the health of their brain is paramount. It's more important than any block, sack or catch over the middle. "There are no small collisions in the NFL."
Dan, I am interested in seeing which team drafts Myron Rolle. He might not be the best player out there but what a life story he has. What are your thoughts on Myron Rolle?
Dan, I am interested in seeing which team drafts Myron Rolle. He might not be the best out there but what a life story he has. What are your thoughts on Myron Rolle?
i like myron rolle. after all, he is a jersey guy and that has to count for something. seriously, rolle presents an interesting story. he needed just 2 1/2 years to graduate from florida state. i know what you're thinking. that's two years longer than most florida state students. rolle would go on and earn the Rhodes Scholarship. he studied at oxford in 2009-10. he's the son of bahamian immigrants. he aspires to build a clinic and work as a neurologist in the bahamas. but first there is this football-thing. on saturday, rolle was drafted by tennessee in the 6th round (as expected), #207 overall. "draft experts" speculate that he's not a starting safety. one publication says that his future is on special teams. i can't speak to any of that. you're reading the same pre-draft material that i am. i just hope the kid makes it. first as a football player. then, as a doctor. we can use more guys like myron rolle.
don't let them fool ya. don't let anyone tell you who "won" or who "lost" this draft. you can't tell the quality of a draft until about 2-3 years down the road. these "draft experts" think they know it all. they don't. there are no "winners" or "losers" in this draft. not yet. give it some time.
Was it a good thing or a bad thing that Bulaga fell to the Packers? If he hadn't, they likley would have wound up with Hughes and Charles Brown, rather than Bulaga and Neal, and I think I like the first pairing better....thoughts?
And by the way, when I created a google account so I could post my comment, the security word they asked me to type was "cackster"...which sounds vaguely pornographic...but in a way I can't quite put my finger on.
Read any pre-draft book/magazine and it seems that Bulaga has it all. I guess his only downside is that he doesn't have great arm length, but I'm reading that straight out of PRW's 2010 Draft Preview book. It's not as if did all this extensive research on the guy. The Packers needed help on the o-line and I think they drafted a potential Pro Bowler. It's been reported that Neal looks the part, but that he fatigues easily, is lazy, and his motor runs hot and cold. They call him a "flash player." You're right, "cackster" sounds pornographic. Only you would get a security word like "cackster." Oh, and thanks for blogging. I appreciate it.
I think they over analyze these kids. The 74 draft the Steelers picked Lynn Swan, Jack Lambert, John Stallworth, Mike Webster. Three hall of famers and a core piece of a 4 time super bowl dynasty. I don't think it's possible to replicate a draft performance like that anymore. There are too many teams competing for talent and the battery of tests limit the risk a team is willing take. If a guy has a poor score in any area, he tumbles numbers of picks and even rounds.
Great point MK. That was an out-of-this world draft by the Steelers in 1974. These days, if a team drafts three projected starters (let alone three HOF'ers) that's considered a very good draft year. Drafts fills needs. But according to PFW, "teams typically sign two to three times the number of players they need via free agency."
Great insight Dan, I think it's great that you started this Blog... I look forward to future posts. PS: I hope Pierre Paul is the second coming of Leonard Marshall!
Joel, from what I've been rewading it was a high-risk, high-reward draft for the Giants. Pierre-Paul has that "boom or bust" label. Incredible athlete, but he comes with so many red flags. Only a half-year year starter at the D-I level. Many other reasons for concern, but maybe he was too good to pass up. Giants went defense with their first four picks and they leaned on the junior class. Joel, thanks for blogging.
haha I was thinking the same thing!
ReplyDeleteFriends, I don't want to take the air out of the room, but I think these NFL draft picks need to know something: they have been drafted into the most dangerous sport in the world. Yes, even more hazardous than boxing. At least that's how I see it. Many of the newly-drafted will experience multiple concussions during their careers. Some will lose memory. Some will suffer dementia. And yes, some will die as a result of the punishment (repeated blows to the head) that they sustained over the course of their NFL lifetime. The upside---if there is such a thing as an upside---the NFL is finally addressing the problem of concussions. For too long "the league downplayed any link between football head trauma and cognitive decline." The NFL can no longer deny that there is a "concussion crisis" within the league. The NFL isn't alone. Youth football leagues must do a better job at monitoring its athletes. The culture must be changed. There are no quick fixes. NFL draft picks should know that the health of their brain is paramount. It's more important than any block, sack or catch over the middle. "There are no small collisions in the NFL."
ReplyDeleteQuotes:
Time Magazine, 2/8/10
Dan, I am interested in seeing which team drafts Myron Rolle. He might not be the best player out there but what a life story he has. What are your thoughts on Myron Rolle?
ReplyDeleteDan, I am interested in seeing which team drafts Myron Rolle. He might not be the best out there but what a life story he has. What are your thoughts on Myron Rolle?
ReplyDeletei like myron rolle. after all, he is a jersey guy and that has to count for something. seriously, rolle presents an interesting story. he needed just 2 1/2 years to graduate from florida state. i know what you're thinking. that's two years longer than most florida state students. rolle would go on and earn the Rhodes Scholarship. he studied at oxford in 2009-10. he's the son of bahamian immigrants. he aspires to build a clinic and work as a neurologist in the bahamas. but first there is this football-thing. on saturday, rolle was drafted by tennessee in the 6th round (as expected), #207 overall. "draft experts" speculate that he's not a starting safety. one publication says that his future is on special teams. i can't speak to any of that. you're reading the same pre-draft material that i am. i just hope the kid makes it. first as a football player. then, as a doctor. we can use more guys like myron rolle.
ReplyDeletedon't let them fool ya. don't let anyone tell you who "won" or who "lost" this draft. you can't tell the quality of a draft until about 2-3 years down the road. these "draft experts" think they know it all. they don't. there are no "winners" or "losers" in this draft. not yet. give it some time.
ReplyDeleteWas it a good thing or a bad thing that Bulaga fell to the Packers? If he hadn't, they likley would have wound up with Hughes and Charles Brown, rather than Bulaga and Neal, and I think I like the first pairing better....thoughts?
ReplyDeleteAnd by the way, when I created a google account so I could post my comment, the security word they asked me to type was "cackster"...which sounds vaguely pornographic...but in a way I can't quite put my finger on.
ReplyDeleteRead any pre-draft book/magazine and it seems that Bulaga has it all. I guess his only downside is that he doesn't have great arm length, but I'm reading that straight out of PRW's 2010 Draft Preview book. It's not as if did all this extensive research on the guy. The Packers needed help on the o-line and I think they drafted a potential Pro Bowler. It's been reported that Neal looks the part, but that he fatigues easily, is lazy, and his motor runs hot and cold. They call him a "flash player." You're right, "cackster" sounds pornographic. Only you would get a security word like "cackster." Oh, and thanks for blogging. I appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteI think they over analyze these kids. The 74 draft the Steelers picked Lynn Swan, Jack Lambert, John Stallworth, Mike Webster. Three hall of famers and a core piece of a 4 time super bowl dynasty. I don't think it's possible to replicate a draft performance like that anymore. There are too many teams competing for talent and the battery of tests limit the risk a team is willing take. If a guy has a poor score in any area, he tumbles numbers of picks and even rounds.
ReplyDeleteGreat point MK. That was an out-of-this world draft by the Steelers in 1974. These days, if a team drafts three projected starters (let alone three HOF'ers) that's considered a very good draft year. Drafts fills needs. But according to PFW, "teams typically sign two to three times the number of players they need via free agency."
ReplyDeleteGreat insight Dan, I think it's great that you started this Blog... I look forward to future posts.
ReplyDeletePS: I hope Pierre Paul is the second coming of Leonard Marshall!
Joel, from what I've been rewading it was a high-risk, high-reward draft for the Giants. Pierre-Paul has that "boom or bust" label. Incredible athlete, but he comes with so many red flags. Only a half-year year starter at the D-I level. Many other reasons for concern, but maybe he was too good to pass up. Giants went defense with their first four picks and they leaned on the junior class. Joel, thanks for blogging.
ReplyDelete