I know it is not actually in line with your point, you are only citing this as a Pats-related example to make your real point about how the draft rooms are likely very crazy scenes, but for whatever reason this particular event with Kraft and Parcells always irks me, because so often it is not remembered accurately, usually by the Francesas and Shaughnessys of the world who haven't gotten over their boner for Groin Fat Man and delusions about Kraft. So please bear with me as I attempt to defend one of the best owners in sports and almost certainly the best owner in Boston sports history (not that that's actually saying much).
I consider Will Mcdonough's accounts on this to be definitive. One was written the day before, another the day after this draft, and the final account was written a few weeks after Parcells charade with the Pats and Jets was finally settled. Keep in mind that Will and Parcells had the same agent at that time, so I tend to give his reporting on this a lot of credibility.
McDonough reported that the day before the draft the Pats were projecting to pick Cedric Jones (a DE). When Jones went to the Giants 2 or 3 picks prior to the Pats, Parcells wanted Duane Clemons (a LB/DE), not Brackens. Grier, Armey, and others in the draft room wanted Glenn. Kraft sided with the rest of the organization and against Parcells and they picked Glenn. It is unlikely that Parcells would have taken Brackens, he didn't fit the Al Groh scheme they ran on defense at that point. Clemons was basically redundant with McGinest who was a top-end 1st round pick heading into his 3rd year at thst time. Jones wouldn't have been redundant with McGinest, so its likely he would have been the pick had the Giants not taken him. Both Jones and Clemons were nonentities throughout the careers. Glenn was a significant player for the Pats in their run to the Super Bowl. One final factor for Kraft in all this was - as reported by McDonough Parcells had asked Kraft to be let go from his contract 3 months earlier and when Kraft refused to allow it, Parcells told him that year would be his last in New England. I've always suspected that Kraft knew even then that something was up between Parcells and the Jets, and given Parcells subsequent subterfuge (**cough** Curtis Martin **cough** Johnny Parker **cough**) if my (unsubstantiated) speculation is correct, there was plenty of reason to not side with Groin Fat Man on that one. So, for a lot of reasons, Kraft - in his 3rd year as owner - made the absolute right choice in this case.
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As for Matt Millen, I think it is really not complicated. He had no clue how to scout or evaluate talent. Of all his picks, not just the three WR busts, Millen's anti-acumen was proven almost without exception. I think his only good acquisition was a kicker. It certainly wasn't a coach, a QB, an OL, DL, LB, or DB. He was an ex-player plucked from the broadcast booth and hired to run a team with zero experience in coaching, scouting, or managing. He had no business in that job and spent years proving exactly that.
Millen total lack of judgment extends to the Pat Sullivan situation. I'm old enough to remember all the ragtime that Howie Long used to spew about the Sullivans, for no evident reason than for Howie to feather his own nest with Al Davis. Pat Sullivan demeaned himself by giving Howie the time of day, but I can see how hard it must have been to hold back on trash talking some ahole who's been crapping on his Dad for 3 years. I never bought Millen's excuse about not knowing who Sullivan was, I think the players are very aware of who the GMs are in the league (especially someone as interested as Millen has proven subsequently to be in milking every opportunity he could in the NFL). It was a thug move, fitting for the Sandusky-trained (just sayin' ...) jackass that is Matt Millen.
OK, I feel better now, thanks. Please carry on
