Pre-Draft Contest
Image by ryan lejbak via Flickr
So we’ve got the NFL draft happening tomorrow and Sunday. They are my favorite days of the year; I don’t talk to other human beings for the whole weekend. Last year I tried to whittle a little totem pole in the shape of Mel Kiper Jr., but it just came out looking like that kid’s wooden pickle in Bad Santa. This is the culmination of months of reading draft guides instead of the news. It’s a beautiful time.
Anyway one of the things I do every year after the draft is wake up early on the Monday after and run a Google News search on the terms “football” and “like a sponge.” Then I count how many new NFL draftees in their initial conference calls with their new teams’ beat reporters say something along the lines of, “I’m just going to be like a sponge out there, soaking up whatever the coaches teach me.” Last year the number surpassed 20 for what I think was the first time. You tend to hear it more from the guys who have been coached a lot by agents, high draft picks especially, guys who need to be taught not to say things like, “I just can’t wait to sign my deal, buy an Escalade and get laid.”
So I’m inviting predictions for this year’s number. I’m guessing 27. Also, here are five players who I think will cough up the sponge line: Beanie Wells, Josh Freeman, Malcolm Jenkins, Knowshon Moreno, and Brian Cushing. Check back on Monday for the final…
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Hiya Matt: Being the No. 2 most popular blogger at TrueSlant, I had to check out number one … and I love your stuff. I trust that when all this hoo-hah about “Lou Carlozo the recession writer who was laid off by the Chicago Tribune” dies down, I will recede back to my rightful place of No. 217 or something.
Anyway, since I am trailing you in page views, I might as well follow you. Good to e-know you, sir!!! And if you’re thinking about joining the True/Slant band, I have dibs on lead guitar.
But I could be talked into moving over to bass, because I’m that kinda guy.
Best to you, Lou
Damn! I wish I would’ve read this earlier. Funny stuff Matt. Keep it up, you got a lot of fans from Cali.
I just heard new Tampa Bay Bucs coach Raheem Morris being described as “like a sponge” on ESPN a moment ago.
Matt – I’m the same way when it comes to baseball…love spring training, my roto drafts and the baseball draft (when it’s on).
I just want to help the team.
Mark Sanchez has sponge written all over him. But i’ll take the under. Doesn’t strike me as a boom year for the sponges.