Sez Me …
The draft is the NFL’s recovery room.
Players finally get off the operating table, where they have been dissected, poked, prodded and told they’re faster than they really are, with doctors vetting their thinking mechanisms.
Some players rise without playing games, some fall. It’s a day when so many players discover everything they’ve accomplished doesn’t matter as much as broad jumping and running around traffic cones.
Cutthroat. Devious. Desperate. It can make the smart smarter and the dumb dumber.
The three-day draft begins Thursday. It’s said to be more loaded than New Orleans’ drunk tank on Fat Tuesday, and I must it I love it. This is reality TV. The emotions are real. Because it affects lives and livelihoods — and, for the true chosen among all those chosen, legacy, and possibly immortality.
No matter what you think of him, Mel Kiper Jr. has been the leading draftnik for more than 40 years, and he thinks this is the most fascinating draft since he’s been working it. I see it pretty much the same way, with a host of quarterbacks, offensive linemen and receivers.
The NFL Team That Used To Be Here (you know, the Judases, L.A. Lodgers), have the fifth overall pick, and they can have some sway in this draft’s top heavy with quarterbacks.
The J’s, with Justin Herbert, don’t need a QB, The first three drafting — Chicago, Washington and New England — do. Arizona may be disillusioned with starting QB Kyler Murray, who still has time left to make a major league baseball team.
If the No. 4 Cardinals don’t trade down and select a receiver, such as Marvin Harrison Jr., what will new head coach Jim Harbaugh and GM Joe Hortiz do with their pick?
Hortiz says, if he moves down, he wants more than fair trade for his No. 5. If he doesn’t, he’ll settle for what he believes is the best player at his position in the lottery.
That’s doing the right thing. Hortiz studied under Ozzie Newsome in Baltimore. If the Judases finally manage to do things wrapped in mental Ravens Wear, they will be properly attired.
There are the quarterback-desperate who will move up. If Arizona doesn’t swing a trade, the J’s should move down. They need players at multiple positions. It may be the Vikings needing to move up. Maybe others.
Who will Herbert throw to? Well over the cap, they lost their best wide receivers, Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. Also gone is tailback Austin Ekeler, but offseason acquisitions from Baltimore, J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards, may make them better back there.
Dobbins, just 24, has missed so much of the last two seasons, first with a torn ACL, then an Achilles. He is excellent when available (Hortiz says he should be ready by September), and Edwards can find the end zone. They may take another runner later in the draft.
Harbaugh’s style demands a running game and strong offensive line. It doesn’t appear fine center Corey Linsley, who has a heart condition, will return. There is no true backup center on the roster, let alone an accomplished one. A terribly important position. As is right tackle. They’ll be looking (possibly their first pick).
The J’s drafted receiver Quentin Johnston with their No. 1 in 2023, and he wasn’t good when he had many chances. A big-time athlete worth a longer look — but not trust. Yet. Thus far, he’s been a physical stud with hard hands.
Difficult to say if they can continue drafting catchers No. 1, but what they have can’t cut it. Herbert needs protection and people to throw to. As of now, Joshua Palmer, their No. 3 receiver, is their No. 1.
It appears as though they got through the early offseason without losing bookend rush ends Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack. But they need help and depth at linebacker and the middle of the defense.
It’s impossible to say that, even while their draft position is superior, they can finish above .500. Things will get bad if they can’t move down.
And avoid more Chargering. …
If Michael Penix stays healthy — a huge if — he might be the steal of this draft. Forget his Philip Rivers release (Philip did all right with it.) He’s William Tell-accurate and can throw it through political discourse. …
It’s April, fools, so there is a rumor that an “unnamed” NFL head coach says the Bears are taking JJ McCarthy No. 1 overall. If this happens, call your travel agent and book a flight for the Pearly Gates. It won’t be long. …
Ace receiver Davante Adams says he wants to remain in Vegas. What’s happened to him in Vegas isn’t enough for him not to stay in Vegas. …
An ESPN story claims Pats owner Robert Kraft told Falcons boss and Home Depot founder Arthur Blank not to pursue Bill Belichick as head coach. So that may be the spot Brady chooses. Tom needs a coach he can coach. …
I enjoy watching Tiger playing the Masters as much as I did Willie Mays with the Mets. …
If you’ve never been to Augusta, think of the Masters being played across the Alps. It’s not a walk. It’s a hike. And even if you make the cut, if you have a bad back and leg, days No. 3 and 4 are going to get you. …
Mother Nature could have been kinder to Augusta National — if she placed a tornado at Amen Corner. …
RIP, Joe Davis. Joe quarterbacked the Aztecs’ 1977 team that finished the season ranked 16th in the country. Joe didn’t make the NFL, but he got it done, and at least eight of his teammates played in The League. Best team in SDSU history. …
RIP, Whitey Herzog. One of the last managers who actually managed. …
RIP, Roman Gabriel, who deserved more attention than he received. …
Mercedes now makes a driverless car that “lets you keep your eyes and mind off the road.” In other words, it allows you to do what most drivers already do.” …
Ted Leitner, whose mug was carved into our sports broadcasting Mount Rushmore years ago, will stick to SDSU basketball and drop Aztecs football from his menu. A groundbreaker who won at his own game. …
A San Francisco restaurant owner has gone on a hunger strike claiming bike lanes are damaging his business. We have Ham & Eggers in office and they have Rice-A-Ronis. …
Colorado coach Deion Sanders says he’s not concerned about 14 of his players entering the transfer portal. He still has two. …
“I am glad God made my skin black. But I wish He had made it thicker.” — Curt Flood, a man of conviction and courage. Every baseball player owes him. And if they don’t, they should check their salaries. …
Same ol’, same ol. Padres in scoring position are Bill Baileys. They won’t come home. …
Twenty-three of China’s 30-member Tokyo Olympics swim team reportedly have tested positive for PEDs four years later. But world athletic drug lords are claiming contamination. So it’s OK, they can compete in Paris. The only thing more fishy in water is a fish. …
Why is it that we can see baseball’s ghost runner?
