I hate this new draft format (1 Viewer)

[Shlon]

I like it and it seems it turned out pretty well for the networks and the NFL:

"A prime-time draft to kick off a three-day event turned into the touchdown that the NFL was expecting. According to a tweet by Greg Aiello, the league's senior vice president of public relations, draft ratings were up 30 percent vs. last year's first day of the draft (Saturday 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.) and 55 percent up over the 2008 draft (Saturday 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.). The NFL was able to not only draw ratings but thrive in prime time when it went head-to-head with NBA and NHL playoff games and regular season baseball action." http://bleacherreport.com/articles/383221-...ratings-success

 

[FUBAR]

For us west coasters who have a job (I know, rare in today's economy) it sucks because the draft started 4:30 our time out here. Second round starts at 3 pm our time. So if they are going for that "Prime Time" and truly making this a TV event, apparently those who have jobs and are making money to buy their merchandise or watch their corporate commercials don't matter. But because the NFL is in New York and lives in their own little bubble who cares about us west coast people?

It probably has to do with the fact that the rest of us also have jobs we need to report to on Friday, so we don't want to have to stay up until midnight or later to see the end of the first round.

I would have loved for the draft to start at 4:30. We'd take the last 30 minutes or so off, hit the bar for a couple hours right after work and still be home in time to put the kids to bed.

 

[fridayfrenzy]

1. Prior to the pick being called out at the podium we knew the pick 80% of the time because they showed the player on the phone. Obviously this happens every year but this year seemed waaaay worse than years past and I think they should cut it out all together. Show the panel and let the speculate or whatever and then show the players' reaction after their name is called out... not before while they're cheering and talking to the team that is about to pick them.

The problem with this is that the panel will know who the pick is, since they've seen the guy talking on the phone smiling and laughing. So now either the panel tells us who the pick is -- in which case we might as well see everything in real time like we did last night -- or we do this stupid kabuki thing where the panel pretends not to know any more than we do except that by magic their "guesses" just happen to be right 100% of the time. I'd rather just dispense with the faux-ignorance and have ESPN/NFLN show us what they see.

I really hate people breaking the pick before it is announced. It takes all the fun out of it.Get the panel into a studio and away from the live action and don't show players talking on the phone or breaking news tweets and texts from Schefter and La Canfora, etc.

 

[TankRizzo]

Ratings were huge, I'm guessing we're stuck with this for the foreseeable future

 

[massraider]

Have to admit, I love it, because now we have the new phenomenon of 2nd/3rd round mocks.

 

[lyon812]

I didn't think I'd like it, but I've had more fun anticipating the second round than I have in, well, forever. The ability for teams to adjust their draft boards overnight is excellent.

 

[Chreesto]

I didn't think I'd like it, but I've had more fun anticipating the second round than I have in, well, forever. The ability for teams to adjust their draft boards overnight is excellent.

I also have done a 180. I thought the new format would suck but am really enjoying the extra day of mock drafts and talk radio discussion. It remains to be seen if this change will drastically alter the way that teams do business. It seems like this chance to catch their breath and straighten up their draft boards will bear fruit in terms of a more well thought out game plan for the later rounds. We'll see but thus far I'm a huge fan.

 

[md8]

For us west coasters who have a job (I know, rare in today's economy) it sucks because the draft started 4:30 our time out here. Second round starts at 3 pm our time. So if they are going for that "Prime Time" and truly making this a TV event, apparently those who have jobs and are making money to buy their merchandise or watch their corporate commercials don't matter. But because the NFL is in New York and lives in their own little bubble who cares about us west coast people?

Yeah and now I have to wake up at 7am on a Sat morning!!! Well either that or stay up all night.

 

[3C's]

unless the rain starts I won't be watching at all today. guess they did me a favor of freeing up my day. shelter dogs thank you commish.

 

[daveR]

I didn't think I'd like it, but I've had more fun anticipating the second round than I have in, well, forever. The ability for teams to adjust their draft boards overnight is excellent.

I LOVE this format! Watching 2-3 on Friday was a lot like watching rnd 1. It was a second day of fun!

 

[Bankerguy]

I like it I enjoy the 10 mins/pick instead of 15 mins.

 

[Reacher]

I like it I enjoy the 10 mins/pick instead of 15 mins.

I didn't think that I would like it but it has actually been very enjoyable. The 3 day draft with it starting on Thursday night and not the shortening of the clock between picks. I knew that I would like that.