And . . . at the moment, I'm asshole deep in GMO stuff. OBTW: @munoz1987, we miss having you in the GMO this year.
I missed the memo for sure or id be in it. Nobody knows my Broncos better than me. Hope they're in good hands
NFL draft to proceed April 23-25 sans public events in Las Vegas The NFL announced Monday that the 2020 draft will proceed as scheduled April 23-25 and will be televised, but the annual selection process will no longer include public events in Las Vegas due to the COVID-19 pandemic. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell explained in a news release that the decision to cancel events in Las Vegas was made with guidance from medical experts such as the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), and in coordination with public authorities in Nevada and Las Vegas. The league also said that it is currently exploring "innovative options for how the process will be conducted and will provide that information as it becomes available." "This decision reflects our foremost priority -- the health and safety of all fans and citizens," Goodell in a statement. "While this outcome is disappointing both to the NFL and to the Las Vegas community, we look forward to partnering with the Raiders, the City of Las Vegas and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority for a future NFL Draft as well as evaluating opportunities for other major NFL events in Las Vegas in the future, including the Super Bowl." Raiders owner Mark Davis released the following statement on Monday's news: "After careful consideration, the Las Vegas Raiders, the NFL, the NFLPA and the LVCVA have decided to cancel the 2020 Las Vegas NFL Draft celebration," Davis said. "Health and safety has always been our top priority, so despite it being a major disappointment, this was the right decision. I would like to thank Governor [Steve] Sisolak and the LVCVA for all of the passion they put into creating an event that would have been second to none. Although Las Vegas lost this chance to shine, there will be many more opportunities to show the world just what Las Vegas is made of. Whether it be the Draft, the Pro Bowl or the Super Bowl, the Sports and Entertainment Capital of the World is ready!" The NFL announced last week that teams were prohibited from conducting pre-draft visits to team facilities due to the worldwide COVID-19 crisis. NFL.com
The NFL draft will proceed as expected, but with a look and feel that no one ever would have expected for the league’s premier offseason event. Sam Farmer of the L.A. Times reports that “current plans call for some type of studio setting with cut-ins from the headquarters of the teams making the selection at a given time.” Hopefully, the cut-ins won’t happen for the picks to be made in the first round. At a time when people crave normalcy, the opening night must include Commissioner Roger Goodell reading off the selections, as he always does. The setting doesn’t matter. Ideally, he’d be walking to and from a podium. (At least he won’t be booed this year.) He also could be sitting at a desk. Hell, he could be lounging in a chair with a pipe and slippers and a dog and a fireplace. As long as Goodell fulfills his most public role of the year, there will be something about the event that feels like business as usual in these incredibly unusual times. Farmer also reports that Goodell sent a memo to all league employees this week regarding the event, which begins in four weeks and four days. “Planning for the Draft is a good example of how we need to think differently, embrace technology and collaborate,” Goodell wrote. “We will also use the Draft to help support fans and those people impacted in our communities. “While there have been changes to the way we work and some of our plans, we have an unwavering commitment to upholding the NFL’s legacy of unifying and lifting the spirit of America, and bringing out the best in our fans and in our communities around the world. You’ll hear more from us in the days and weeks ahead about how we intend to demonstrate that commitment well beyond our fields. And I hope you’ll share your ideas on how we can do that.” Whatever ideas are submitted, the first-round picks must come from Goodell and Goodell alone. That’s the only way any of this will feel even remotely close to normal. And given that there will be no sporting events between now and the draft, the draft likely will generate its highest ratings ever, as zealous football fans, casual football fans, and non-football fans who need a break from streaming movies and shows tune in for a live show on television that isn’t the news. NBC
On Thursday morning, the NFL told PFT that the draft will proceed as scheduled. On Thursday night, Commissioner Roger Goodell sent an even more clear message to the 32 franchises that, four weeks from tonight, the draft will commence. “As you know, we have been reviewing and addressing all aspects of our off-season operations, including the Draft, in light of current public health conditions,” Goodell informed all clubs in a memo dated March 26, a copy of which PFT has obtained. “Earlier today, the [NFL Management Council Executive Committee] discussed the issues relating to the Draft. The Committee was unanimous and unequivocal that the Draft should go forward as scheduled on April 23-25, 2020.” Goodell also explained that he has “personally discussed this matter with many other owners, club executives and coaches, and there is widespread support for the . . . conclusion” to proceed with the draft as scheduled. “Everyone recognizes that public health conditions are highly uncertain and there is no assurance that we can select a different date and be confident that conditions will be significantly more favorable than they are today,” Goodell wrote. “I also believe that the Draft can serve a very positive purpose for our clubs, our fans, and the country at large, and many of you have agreed.” He’s right. With no live sports for weeks if not longer, the draft is all we’ll have. And the draft will, as a result, perform better than ever before, even though it will look like never before. “Because of the unique circumstances in our country today, the 2020 Draft will obviously need to be conducted in a different way,” Goodell wrote. “Already, we have cancelled all public events, we will not be bringing prospects and their families to the Draft, and the Draft itself will be conducted and televised in a way that reflects current conditions. “Our staff is certainly mindful of the operational issues this presents, and our top priority is putting in place procedures that allow all clubs to operate on a level playing field so that the Draft is conducted in a way that is competitively fair to all clubs. All clubs should now be doing the necessary planning to conduct Draft operations in a location outside of your facility, with a limited number of people present, and with sufficient technology resources to allow you to communicate internally, with other clubs, and with Draft headquarters. Needless to say, we will be prepared to adjust to changed circumstances in the next several weeks, including the prospect of clubs being able to resume even limited operations within their facilities.” That will happen only if none of the states in which the NFL does business has mandatory “stay at home” orders in place when the draft begins. Currently, that’s highly unlikely. Which means that all facilities likely will remain closed, and that the coverage of the draft will look like every news and sports show currently does: People using their phones as cameras, and AirPods as earpieces.
New TOP 50 from (DRAFT SCOUT) Matt Miller.... Top 50 Overall Players 1 OF 12 Chase Young is the 2020 draft's undisputed top prospect.Rick Scuteri/Associated Press 1. Chase Young, EDGE, Ohio State 2. Joe Burrow, QB, LSU 3. Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State 4. Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson 5. Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama 6. Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama 7. Jedrick Wills Jr., OT, Alabama 8. Derrick Brown, IDL, Auburn 9. K'Lavon Chaisson, EDGE, LSU 10. Javon Kinlaw, IDL, South Carolina 11. Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa 12. Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama 13. CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma 14. CJ Henderson, CB, Florida 15. D'Andre Swift, RB, Georgia 16. Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville 17. Patrick Queen, LB, LSU 18. Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia 19. Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma 20. Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU 21. Yetur Gross-Matos, EDGE, Penn State 22. Xavier McKinney, DS, Alabama 23. Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon 24. A.J. Epenesa, IDL, Iowa 25. Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU 26. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, LSU 27. Cesar Ruiz, IOL, Michigan 28. Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson 29. Antoine Winfield Jr., DS, Minnesota 30. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin 31. Jordan Love, QB, Utah State 32. Zack Baun, LB, Wisconsin 33. Josh Jones, OT, Houston 34. Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah 35. A.J. Terrell, CB, Clemson 36. Grant Delpit, DS, LSU 37. Marlon Davidson, IDL, Auburn 38. Austin Jackson, OT, USC 39. Ross Blacklock, IDL, TCU 40. Brandon Aiyuk, WR, Arizona State 41. Kyle Dugger, DS, Lenoir Rhyne 42. J.K. Dobbins, RB, Ohio State 43. Denzel Mims, WR, Baylor 44. KJ Hamler, WR, Penn State 45. Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama 46. Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU 47. Jeremy Chinn, S, Southern Illinois 48. Cole Kmet, TE, Notre Dame 49. Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU 50. John Simpson, IOL, Clemson
I've been toying with the idea of posting my 1st round mock draft. Most of the experts have the Bengals plugged in with taking Joe Burrow with the #1 overall pick. So, I didn't get very far before I ran smack dab into my first dilemma. The Bengals have built a legacy of going against the grain so to speak. Do they go with the consensus of taking the top QB (in a relatively weak QB class) - or - do they shock the world and go in a different direction? Granted, Andy Dalton (on paper) has probably outlived his effectiveness. He has a decent running game, some outside weapons and (when healthy) respectable tight ends. I submit the bigger issue (much like my Browns) has been a porous offensive line. To my knowledge, they have done nothing so far to address this. Simply replacing Dalton with Burrow won't change this one iota. They also play in a division that has some demonstrated or potentially explosive offenses. No matter who the Bengals' QB is, it's unlikely they will outscore the other teams on their schedule on a regular basis. If you can't outscore them, the only viable option is to slow them down. If that doesn't work, then they will be in the running for Trevor Lawrence in 2021. Enter: Chase Young, EDGE - Ohio State.
You might be surprised with the number of Bengals fans on social media that agree with you. My main reason for believing the pick has to be Burrows is the idea that Zac Taylor is likely a long term starting head coach for Cincy and they are going to give him the opportunity to select the leader of his offense. It took along time before Marvin Lewis had a lot of sway in personnel decisions but it appears Taylor is already highly involved in the process. That and a quarterback sells more tickets than a defensive end.
If Zac Taylor is, in fact, a long term Head Coach in Cincinnati - then he should be able to select the leader of his offense. Even if he does that next year.
That’s true, but I disagree with the idea of passing on Burrows in hopes that a similar situation befalls the Bengals next season.
I guess it boils down to the "Trubisky Syndrome". Like Trubisky, Burrows only has 1 year of starting QB tape on a pretty damn good team (much better than Trubisky's). He (Burrows) may be everything he's said to be - or - he may be the tallest midget in the circus.
But, that would make it next to impossible to rate him as a QB. I tend (just an opinion) to think Bama was good because of the QB in question.
No question Tua helped Bama. But I was just thinking the other day how annoyed I was with the college football playoff voting. The Sooners attempt at LSU was just embarrassing. You won’t convince me that Bama wouldn’t have put up a better fight, even without Tua. The wrong 4th team got in.
That brings up the age old question (substitute teams and players at will). Was Alabama good because of Tua - or - was Tua good because of Alabama?
I think both. Bama I believe was better with him. But just watch how good they are again next year and you’ll see fairly quickly they weren’t good simply BECAUSE OF him.
Bama is one of those teams that has such an advantage recruiting at this point that they virtually will never fall off (as long as Saban is there).
Alabama and most of the SEC and a couple other schools got lucky in that they got good right when social media was getting on the rise and when the networks were latching on to "brands" to sell the coverage more shamelessly than ever. It's the best for of advertising you can get for recruiting. Teams like Miami, Florida State and Nebraska for instance just missed that window. Success can happen in cycles but the recruiting boost makes it hard for the cycle to progress on a large scale. Instead it's some schools slowly like Clemson.
I think you just need that big name hire in an HC or huge coup in landing a Deshaun Watson to build excitement and help future recruiting classes. If you aren’t already a Clemson, OSU, Bama, or now an LSU than your recruiting department just has to be that much more thorough and charismatic to climb the ranks and help build that recruiting advantage. For example go back four to five years and look at Florida State and LSU. Both storied franchises at a bit of a low point (The irony of how good Burrow is is how bad their QBs had been). But LSU was smart enough to hire a good coach and build the right way (Burrow transfer), while FSU made the wrong coaching choices and has continued to regress. If there’s something I’d personally spend 10 hours watching that could teach me something it would be a miniseries or four part documentary on recruiting, with some behind the scenes with prospective recruits and college coaches or infamous recruiting assistants. I would be very curious to know what it takes to get a C.J. Henderson to Florida instead of FSU, etc.
