PAGEANTRY REIGNS AMID TEAM-BUILDING Jarrett Bell jbell@usatoday.com USA TODAY Sports
EVENT HAS EVOLVED INTO FUN FOR FANS
It was fitting that not far from the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps that Rocky made famous in the movies, a fresh wave of NFL talent made its way down a Hollywood-style red carpet Thursday evening, only to be greeted by another iconic figure in Philadelphia.
It was Carl Weathers, the actor whose signature role was that of Apollo Creed, Rocky’s rival.
Welcome to the NFL, guys … and welcome to Philly.
The predraft pageantry represented on the carpet illustrated all you need to know about what the NFL draft has become, at least for the promoters and con- sumers of pro football.
It is one grand, made-for-TV event, a reality show with no shortage of characters whose future possibilities are broadcast to millions of viewers.
Sure, at its core, the draft is still about the art of building a football team. Ask any NFL general manager whose livelihood can ride on the decisions made over the next three days.
But, my, has the NFL draft changed since the last time it was staged in the City of Brotherly Love. Back in 1961, it was strictly bare bones. There was no TV coverage, no draftniks and no fans providing instant feedback. The 1961 draft was a low-key affair conducted in a hotel ballroom.
Compare that with Thursday night. At least 65,000 fans were expected to jam the Ben Franklin Parkway, which was blocked off to serve as the main artery feeding into the stage that was situated at the top of those Rocky steps.
“It’s amazing,” Michael Fiordimondl, a Philadelphia native sporting an Eagles tattoo on his forearm, as he surveyed the stage from a few hundred feet away. “This is great for the city.”
As he spoke, about 21⁄2 hours before the start of the draft, an automated camera attached to a crane twisted and dipped to capture images of people gathered in the front of a barricade that separated fans from the seating areas that accommodated VIP guests.
On cue, the fans, most dressed in green, roared, “E-A- G-L-E-S.” Just as it happens at The Linc.
It felt like the buzz of game day, four months before the season kicks off. The draft might be a TV show for most observers, but for the ones who show up — like the previous two years in Chicago and many years in New York before that — the NFL’s signature offseason event is enough
Sharpe, a seventh-round pick who retired as the all-time leader in catches, yards and touchdowns by a tight end. Better yet, see how that sixth-round thing worked out for Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.
You might have to wait a few months, however. They’re still busy celebrating that fifth Super Bowl title they won in epic fashion in February.
Despite knowing all this — no draft is complete without a recounting of Aaron Rodgers’ green room fall or Leaf ’s flameout — fans still lose touch with reality the minute a draft pick is announced. It’s become almost a Pavlovian response to the words, “With the X-number pick, the (insert name of your favorite team here) select ...” If fans are happy with the pick, he is the next Peyton Manning or J.J. Watt.
Actually, scratch that. Houston Texans fans weren’t too thrilled when the team used the 11th overall pick on Watt in 2011.
Not only did fans boo Watt’s selection at the team’s draft party, they also quickly took to social media to blast the pick. Several simply said, “Boooooo” — the level of their unhappiness measured in capital letters and exclamation points — while others groused that it was a “terrible pick” and “another stupid choice.” There also was a significant contingent irritated because they’d been hoping the Texans would take Prince Amukamara instead.
For those not up to speed on the doings of the 2011 draft class, Watt is a three-time NFL defensive player of the year who finished second in the 2014 MVP voting while Amukamara is on his third team.
Two years later, Dallas fans booed the selection of Travis Frederick, thinking the Cowboys wasted a first-round pick on a middle-round guy. Now, of course, they love the stalwart center. Funny how starting every game in your first four seasons can change people’s opinions.
Eagles fans booed Donovan McNabb because, well, they’re Eagles fans. And they wanted Ricky Williams. What’s that old saying, be careful what you wish for?
When the draft was in New York, Jets fans used to pack the place just so they could jeer their team’s picks. Good, bad, indifferent — it didn’t matter. They even booed Darrelle Revis, though not with quite the same enthusiasm they had for, say, Kyle Brady.
Even as the draft has gone on the road, to Chicago for two years and now Philadelphia, Jets fans have kept their derisive tradition alive. In fairness, it might be the only fun they have all year and, more often than not, the team brass gives them good reason.
But getting worked up about draft picks, either in excitement or irritation, is as big a waste of time as the draft itself. (Seriously, three days for this? They used to be able to whip through 12 rounds in two days.) First-round pick or Mr. Irrelevant, it is far too soon to pass judgment on their worth and, if you do, odds are good you will wind up regretting it.
Except for those folks booing NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. Everyone knows exactly what they’re getting with him.
FOLLOW COLUMNIST NANCY ARMOUR @nrarmour for commentary on the latest in major sports.