No. 1 pick not No. 1 thrill of watching this year's draft

Peter Schmuck

April 27, 2008

News item: The Miami Dolphins drafted Jake Long with the first pick of the NFL draft yesterday.

My take: If you were looking for suspense, you came to the wrong place. I think they signed the guy to a long-term contract during halftime at the Capital One Bowl.

News item: The Dallas Cowboys have agreed to a tentative deal to acquire troubled cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones from the Tennessee Titans for a fourth-round draft pick.

My take: No one's saying, but it's probably a conditional pick. If Pacman gets arrested at a strip club only once before the draft resumes at 10 a.m. today, it improves to a third-round pick.

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News item: The Atlanta Falcons broke some hearts in Baltimore when they took Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan with the third selection in the draft.

My take: In his post-pick interview with ESPN's Suzy Kolber, Ryan seemed genuinely thrilled with the opportunity to keep that seat warm until Michael Vick gets back.

News item: Tiger Woods announced on his Web site that he already is off crutches and wearing a knee brace. He'll begin rehabilitating his surgically repaired left leg soon.

My take: Based on the ridiculous Grand Slam odds that were posted before the Masters, Tiger probably would have been even money to win this weekend's Byron Nelson in a cast.

News item: The NFL has finally reached an agreement that will allow former New England Patriots employee Matt Walsh to reveal whether the team taped a St. Louis Rams practice before the 2002 Super Bowl.

My take: This is no small thing. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is ready to drop a hammer on Patriots coach Bill Belichick if Walsh provides proof that Spygate took place on the sport's biggest stage.

News item: North Carolina star Tyler Hansbrough will pass up the NBA draft and return for his senior year with the Tar Heels.

My take: That's too bad. Since everyone agrees he's the hardest-working player in the history of the sport - perhaps any sport - he would have been a great influence on whatever NBA team picked him.

News item: Danica Patrick finally won her first IndyCar Series race last week in her 50th start.

My take: Chalk up another milestone in the battle of the sexes, and cue the next set of NASCAR rumors.

News item: The David Ortiz jersey that was temporarily buried under the new Yankee Stadium has been sold at auction for more than $175,000. The money will go to the Jimmy Fund.

My take: I take it all back. Digging up the jersey was the right thing to do if it helps in the fight against pediatric cancer.

News item: Semiretired quarterback Brett Favre is making the promotional rounds as the new cover boy for the Madden '09 football video game.

My take: Talk about tempting fate. I'm predicting that - thanks to the Madden Curse - Brett doesn't throw a touchdown pass this season.

News item: Randy Johnson looked like the Big Unit of old Friday night when he held the San Diego Padres to three hits over six innings in his first win since undergoing back surgery in August.

My take: That's not good news for the rest of the National League West. The Diamondbacks were 0-2 in his first two starts of the season and still have the best record in the major leagues.

News item: Unbeaten British boxer Joe Calzaghe has labeled Bernard Hopkins a "sore loser" for complaining about the split decision he lost in their light-heavyweight bout last weekend.

My take: Can't argue with that. If you want to be literal about it, I guess just about everyone who comes up on the wrong end of a boxing match is a sore loser. I'm more surprised to see the words unbeaten, British and boxer in the same sentence.

News item: Friday was the 32nd anniversary of the day Chicago Cubs outfielder Rick Monday saved the American flag from protesters trying to set it afire in the outfield at Dodger Stadium.

My take: The Dodgers were so impressed with his speed, range and patriotism, they traded for him the following offseason, and he would go on to hit a dramatic ninth-inning home run in the 1981 National League Champion Series to send them to the World Series. If anyone cares, I had the privilege of being present for both of those great moments.

peter.schmuck@baltsun.com

Listen to Peter Schmuck on WBAL (1090 AM) at noon most Saturdays and Sundays.

No. 1 pick not No. 1 thrill of watching this year's draft

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