April 27, 2009

• Why NFL Draft.....

  
  

  Therefore, what did I do the rest of the weekend you may be
  asking, no I did not spend it eating chocolate, while sitting in a tub. 
  

  
  

  The NFL Player Selection Meeting, better known as the
  NFL Draft,
  held annually in April, took place this weekend.  This is when the National Football League teams select
  newly eligible players (primarily from college
  football) for their rosters.  I
  watched yesterday, in between work, tub, and handfuls of chocolate.  Today again I listen and learn as I scrutinized
  the choices, reactions of coaches, managers, players and fans.  Then my son and daughter-in-law pulled me out
  to watch with them.

  To me it is an interesting process, I always love to watch
  as something is built, designed, constructed. 
  Whether it is a building, a doctrine, or even a football team and of
  course I am always, asking why…why would they pick this guy over that guy, why
  hold this in April, why have it in New York City?  The answers for many of these questions you
  can find online through Wikipedia
  or ESPN. 

  For many of us we can easily understand the true importance
  of the draft.  Memories as kids, standing
  in that open field on a Saturday or Sunday, cool fall afternoon. Leaves changing
  colors as we ourselves had change, grew, or developed over the all too short summer
  season. The school year just starting, supplies purchased, lockers
  assigned.  Many on that field were the
  ones that either did not make, or did not want to make the school football
  team.  Perhaps, like me, you happened to
  be sanctioned in under an older family member, automatically given a certain
  statue, recognition, fame.  My brother
  Richard, 5 years older, but I had played with him for years, new his every move
  and could catch any ball he ever threw. 
  

  As you wait there in that open playing field, sporting your
  lucky shoes, favorite jersey or hat, your mind envisions an arena, where the
  childhood memories of fame and glory are forever embedded.  You start hoping that enough of your friends
  show up.  The suspense swells as you
  begin to wonder, can they sneak away from family functions or chores?  Did we get the word out to everyone? Who is
  grounded for doing stupid stuff?  Are the
  important ones going to show, the ones that provide the grit, the guts, the determination
  to ensure a winning season for your neighborhood football team.

  Once everyone had congregated, the assemblage begins their
  ritual.  Either the voted Captains, by
  flip of a coin or ini mini miny mo, determines who gets to pick first.  For the NFL Draft that order is based
  generally on each team's regular season record, with the exception of the two
  Super Bowl contestants, who are placed at the end of the draft order.

  In this, instant hope and fear are rolled into one.  This process is akin to the day God created
  Adam out of the simple clay of earth.  It
  marks the beginning of new life, and, with it, new hope for the coming season.  You gaze focused on the horizon, on what may
  be, as we envision into what kind of ballplayer these draft picks might evolve.  Yet every draft pick is a winner, so hope
  dominates.

  Looking back on this process now, as a parent you always
  hope that child grows and develops into a fine person and makes a positive
  impact on society. Much in the same manner, one hopes the drafted players grows,
  develops, and make a positive impact on the team. Sometimes expectations are
  too high and we are disappointed, but we all know it takes time and effort on
  everyone's part to succeed on the field, as well as in life, and this too is
  learned on that childhood turf.

  Who you picked, who you assimilate into your neighborhood
  football team made all the difference between a losing or winning season,
  provided everyone stayed healthy. 

  So on NFL Draft Weekend, we all hope with every pick
  (especially first rounder’s) that they will get "the guy" who will be
  the difference maker. There is also a lot of interest in discussing the logic
  behind the picks, especially when there are so many areas of need for some
  teams. Why this guy? Why that position?

  So why do so many of us find this weekend so important?  Simple…we love the sport, and we want our team to be the best,  which reminds me of
  joke:

  An inveterate golfer goes into the clubhouse after a
  terrible, frustrating round. He is so angry that he breaks all of his clubs in
  half and slashes his wrists. Just then, someone enters the clubhouse and yells
  out, "We need a fourth!" The dying golfer puts his wrists together,
  runs to the front of the clubhouse and asks, "What time?"

  Oh and why hold the NFL Draft in April?

  By draft day, it has been three to four long months since we
  have seen our favorite team; this is time enough to heal the wounds from last
  season and to start dreaming about the next one.

  Why in New York City, I guess because they can!  They have been holding this event at Radio
  City Music Hall since 2006.  So enjoy the
  draft and may your team get some great picks!

  

  Go Pack!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  

  • 1:50 pm
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