The NFL has picked the perfect site for today’s Draft. Radio City Music Hall is home to The Rockettes, the famous dancing girls who kick their legs above their heads yet, remarkably, reveal nothing.
At this time last year, the San Francisco 49ers and quarterback Alex Smith were just about done dotting Is and crossing Ts on a deal that made the Utah quarterback the No. 1 pick.
As of yesterday, the Houston Texans, who have the No. 1 selection this season, continued to hedge their bet. It could be Southern Cal running back Reggie Bush or it could be N.C. State defensive end Mario Williams, whose agent has been speaking to the Texans, whereas Bush’s agent has not.
“Why not me?” Williams said Thursday at an NFL interview session. “Running backs and quarterbacks are always touted highly, but why not me?”
Of all the drafts in recent years, why not Williams?
Why not offensive tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson from Virginia? Heck, why not Maryland’s Vernon Davis, considered the most athletic tight end prospect in years?
“I’m going to be there just shaking in my shoes, trying to figure out who is going to pick me up,” Davis said. “It will definitely be interestingly and exciting.”
A defensive player hasn’t been the first pick in the draft since 2000, when the Cleveland Browns took Courtney Brown. This could be the year. This could be the year for just about anything.
“There’s so much speculation, especially on this year’s draft, more so than any,” USC quarterback Matt Leinart said, “just because there’s a lot of great players that a lot of teams can pick, a lot of choices at the top of the draft. Being a quarterback, it’s tough, because some teams need them and some teams don’t.”
The Tennessee Titans need a quarterback because Steve McNair has been hit more than a pylon at the Midtown Tunnel. Norm Chow, the Titans’ offensive coordinator, held the same position at USC, so Leinart was the early leader.
But Jay Cutler, who played his college ball at Vanderbilt, started turning heads. Finally, Vince Young, he of the freakish athletic ability, led Texas over USC in the Rose Bowl and now is considered the hot commodity.
The Jets, picking fourth, have rehabbing Chad Pennington and recently signed Patrick Ramsey. Do they pass up Leinart or Cutler for Ferguson? The Jets also have the 29th pick.
“The whole draft is very unpredictable,” Williams said. “A lot of decisions will, or probably will, be made on draft day. You never know. You’re just out there waiting for your name to be called.”
The Giants, picking 25th, might be one of the few teams in position to ride out the madness. By signing linebacker LaVar Arrington, there is no pressing need for them. Depth at linebacker (Alabama’s DeMeco Ryans) or defensive back (FSU’s Antonio Cromartie) would be welcome.
But Big Blue fans can watch other GMs and fans twist and turn today.
“Definitely anxiety,” Leinart said. “Definitely nerves, definitely exciting all built into one.” Wonder how the Rockettes feel before a packed house?
Draft Order
First Round
1 Texans
2 Saints
3 Titans
4 JETS
5 Packers
6 49ers
7 Raiders
8 Bills
9 Lions
10 Cardinals
11 Rams
12 Browns
13 Ravens
14 Eagles
15 Broncos (from Falcons)
16 Dolphins
17 Vikings
18 Cowboys
19 Chargers
20 Chiefs
21 Patriots
22 49ers (from Redskins via Broncos)
23 Buccaneers
24 Bengals
25 GIANTS
26 Bears
27 Panthers
28 Jaguars
29 JETS (from Broncos)
30 Colts
31 Seahawks
32 Steelers
TV: ESPN, NFL Network
Today, noon
Tomorrow, 1 p.m.
