Smarter than the Average GM

Riffing off my friend PK’s theory about how NFL GM’s become raving lunatics on draft day to try to impress their peers with “visionary” (i.e., questionable) draft picks, I want to expand on another issue we’ve discussed (and I will elaborate on much more in the future). To wit, fans routinely know as much as the “professionals” when it comes to sports matters.

Watch the Youtube video of the Jets’ draft blunders. The fans are screaming for them to take Warren Sapp after he plummets down the draft order. The Jets wind up taking Kyle Brady and they lustily and deservedly boo (this becomes even funnier when you read the later stories from that season about how Brady says he had a TE position coach at Penn State, but doesn’t with the Jets and so feels adrift – sometimes working with the linemen, sometimes working with the receivers, but never working with the tight ends. Rich Kotite, Jets head coach and former tight end, explains that he’s got a lot on his plate but will work with Brady in the ensuing offseason).

This outsmart yourself mindset would also explain how the Eagles took San Diego St. LB Matt McCoy, a 2^nd team all Mountain West conference honoree, and passed on his teammate LB Kirk Morrison, the first SDSU All-American since Marshall Faulk. Guess which one has been a better LB in the pros? (Hint: Morrison started his rookie season and had 127 tackles last year. McCoy lost his starting job in his second year after being dragged all over the RCA Dome by Joseph Addai and Dominic Rhodes).

This would also help explain why the Ravens have done pretty well in past drafts. They discount combine workouts and emphasize what a player actually did on the field. They target certain players and stick with it and don’t try to “reach.”

When the Eagles stop being clever – in the later rounds – they usually wind up with some decent players – Brian Westbrook 3^rd), Todd Herremans (4^th), Derrick Burgess (3^rd), Omar Gaither (5^th), Trent Cole (5^th). And which is why I have some hope for Stewart Bradley and Tony Hunt.

Along those same lines I think a lot of teams overthought Quinn – especially the Dolphins. I mean, when your new head coach has to try to placate angry fans for not taking a potential franchise qb by pointing out how great the #9 overall pick will be as a punt returner, clearly we are in the twilight zone. Major props to Cleveland for seizing the moment and taking advantage of this ridiculousness.

The other part is, everyone wants to be the new Bill Walsh and Jimmy Johnson, in wheeling and dealing picks. At some point, after all the trades are completed, you still have to pick good players.

Don’t think. Just draft.