If possible, join me in telling ESPN to stuff their foolishness and watch the inaugural draft coverage on the NFL Network. Rich Eisen, Mike Mayock (better than Kiper) and Rams safety (and noted draftnik) Corey Chavous will anchor the coverage with Adam Schefter reporting.
Or you can suffer through the ridiculous antics of Chris Berman, Tom Jackson and Michael Irvin to pick up the very sparse tidbits offered by Mel or Chris Mortensen. Watch as reasoned NFL observers like Mike Tirico and Trey Wingo battle to get a word in amongst yapping dogs like Sean Salisbury, but to no avail.
Anybody who watched the NFLN draft special last night already knows that they are planning serious, hysteria-free coverage, and will hit the spot far better than ESPN. Mayock and Chavous were outstanding in their analysis of various tipping points in today's draft (such as which QB goes at #3, what the Jets do at #4, why teams like the Patriots are hoping for a run on quarterbacks early, and so on) and Schefter was solid in reporting live on the Mario Williams situation, as well as frequent updates on Javon Walker. And again, former BC and NY Giant defensive back Mike Mayock's informed and agenda-free prospect scouting will once again be vastly superior to anything that Mel can offer.
ESPN's draft cut-in to the 7 PM was largely dominated by Chris Berman doing his 'greatness of the Raiders' voice. Later, this foolishness will continue as they completely ignore (save for a crawl on the bottom of their enormously cluttered screen) every pick made after #32 so that they can interview the same people about the same first round picks, over and over, for the rest of the weekend.
Say NO to ESPN, if you can. You'll be glad you did.
