NFL Draft Day Two: Colt McCoy to Cleveland Browns

New York, NY - When University of Texas Head Coach Mac Brown stepped to the podium after the Cleveland Browns submitted their selection card it was obvious: the Browns were going to select Texas Quarterback Colt McCoy, making him the 85th pick in the 2010 NFL Draft.

And to add to the confusion, surrounding McCoy, some NFL staffers down in the interview room were under the impression McCoy was here at Radio City Music Hall and told video guys like this blogger. Mac Brown was, and we can't get the full ESPN feed (as they were at his house), so we didn't know either.

McCoy's in Austin, Texas.

The question is, why didn't Colt McCoy go higher? The problem is that there are too many quarterbacks who are trained in the passing game at an NFL level. There are some college offenses, like Notre Dame under Charlie Weis, that are just like NFL offenses. It's a trend the late Bill Walsh set in motion when he brought his then NFL-refined version of his short passing offense back to Stanford in 1993.

The result of that was Walsh forced college coaches to understand his offense if only to defend against it. Then the spread offense and other passing systems were established, quarterback schools expanded, and today, we have a glut of well-trained passers, making each one that much less valuable over time.

Like Brady Quinn.

Just two years ago, Quinn was the flavor of the year along with Jamarcus Russell. Now Quinn was sent to Denver, and Russell's a struggling Raider some fans want to replace.

All of this explains why the Cleveland Browns can afford to let Colt McCoy slip, then pick him up in the third round.

Rock the Casbah.

2010 NFL Draft: Jets and Giants address needs on days' one and two

New York, NY - The Giants selected Linval Joseph, the Defensive Tackle from East Carolina in the second round after taking Jason Pierre-Paul ,the Defensive End from South Florida in yesterday's first round action. Many feel the move further improves the Giants pass rush, although some feel Osi Umenyoria will be traded, The Giants say otherwise. They also selected Chad Jones the talented defensive back from LSU in round three.

The Jets took Vladimir Ducasse the Offensive Tackle from UMASS tonight in round 2, after taking Kyle Wilson the Defensive Back from Boise State yesterday. They have no third round selection.

More Updates Later and tomorrow Live from the NFL Draft

NFL Draft Day Two: Jimmy Clausen to Panthers; Taylor Mays a Niner

New York, NY - Shockingly, as this blogger was waiting to interview Arizona and now New England Patriots Tight End Rod Gradkowski in the Radio City Music Hall Media Interview Room, The Carolina Panthers selected Notre Dame Quarterback Jimmy Clausen, thus ending one of the longest falls of a quarterback who should have been one of the top 10 picks in the 2010 NFL Draft. In fact, the only person with a deeper fall is Texas Quarterback Colt McCoy, who's still here in the hall in the green room (presumably).

The other highlights of NFL Draft Day Two thus far:

1) The draft of USC Safety Taylor Mays to the San Francisco 49ers, giving the Niners the second coming of Ronnie Lott and a person who's every bit the complement to Linebacker Patrick Willis on the San Francisco Defense. Taylor Mays is the perfect player to stop the legion of super-fast halfbacks like Reggie Bush and Chris Johnson of the Titants, who gave the Niners fits last year.

2) The Baltimore Ravens are building a scary defense, even after trading out of the 1st round of the NFL Draft. The Ravens were able to get Texas' highly-ranked linebacker Sergio Kendle and Alabama Defensive Tackle Terrance Cody, in effect getting first round level talent in the second round. I think they call it stealing.

3) Someone in the interview room asked if Oakland Raiders Manager of the General Partner Al Davis was sleeping because the Raiders have an excellent draft. The Raiders started in the 1st round by selecting linebacker Rolando McClain, then in the 2nd round added Defensive Tackle Lamarr Houston, and then in the 3rd round just added Jared Veldheer from tiny Hillsdale College at Offensive Tackle. A basic draft that frankly will not cost the Raiders a lot of money.

4) Colt McCoy's still waiting...

Rock the Casbah!

NFL Draft Day Two: Jimmy Clausen calmed by Erin Andrews

This NFL Draft installment (thanks to the Inn at Irving Place, part of the Small Luxury Hotels of The World brand) comes from New York, Radio City Music Hall - It's NFL Draft Day Two and Notre Dame Quarterback Jimmy Clausen's still on the board.

Earlier today Jimmy Clausen was on ESPN with Erin Andrews, at the Clausen home in Southern California. Considering his fall, he looked happy. One doesn't have to guess with Erin Andrews talking to him.

But in fact, the NCAA college football players deemed the top rated ones are still there without an NFL home: Clausen, Charles Brown, OT, USC;, Bruce Campbell OT, Maryland; Navarro Bowman, OLB, Penn State; Perrish Cox, CB, Oklahoma State; Brandon Spikes, ILB , Florida.

Dan Marino is being loudly booed by the New York audience. This is funny. Dan says, "Thank you," and announces that the Miami Dolphins select Utah LB Koa Misi.

Buffalo Bills took Torell Troup of Central Florida with the 41st pick.

As to the scene here, it's a lot of fun. The NFL has it's "NFL Draft playlist" blasting cool music like The Clash' "Rock The Casbah", but no Lady Gaga! Gotta talk to NFL SVP for Special Events Frank Supovitz about that.

Update: Sergio taken by the Baltimore Ravens. Great choice. Great value.

Stay tuned...Rock The Casbah.

AC Transit Bus Rapid Transit: Oakland should see New York and Seattle

New York, NY - On Tuesday night, the Oakland, California City Council passed a resolution to study configurations for, but not build, an AC Transit Bus Rapid Transit system through Oakland's spine from Telegraph Avenue to along International Blvd. Even though the resolution was supported by the Oakland City Council, it was not without a fire-breathing argument from legendary Oakland City Councilmember Larry Reid.

Reid and his constituents feared that a dedicated bus transit lane set would turn International into a kind of "freeway" that divided East Oakland. Reid said that people from North Oakland would not travel down to East Oakland to spend money anyway. I watched the City Council hearing from a distance back east and with sadness because it looked like a terrible racial issue, with older African Americans arguing that their neighborhood was essentially being invaded and destroyed by AC Transit.

This blogger completely understands Larry Reid's fears, but urges that he and his staff look at what's being done in Seattle and New York. The code-word is flexibility. In Seattle, BRT is used as part of its new light rail system, the Central Link. In New York, there's an ambitious plan to created a "greener, pedestrian-friendly" 34th street, and Bus Rapid Transit is a central part of the idea.

According to The New York Times, transit advocates and residents don't have the concern that the neighborhood will be divided. The point is, Oakland AC Transit BRT could be a way to encourage a more pedestrian-friendly International Boulevard, perhaps even a car-free one along some stretches.

AC Transit BRT's study should be seen as an open-door to consider ways to reshape International Boulevard into the kind of street that helps, not harms, the East Oakland neighborhood.

The Dan Patrick Show's "McLovin" on Brooklyn Decker at NFL Draft

This NFL Draft installment (thanks to the Inn at Irving Place, part of the Small Luxury Hotels of The World brand) comes from New York, Radio City Music Hall - Readers of this space will remember my rant about how fomer ESPN star Dan Patrick and "The Danettes" of The Dan Patrick Show accused President Obama of not being a real "homer" for the Chicago White Sox because he did not name a childhood favorite White Sox player; he didn't have one.

That started a good Twitter exchange between this blogger and one of the Danettes, "Seaton" and then I happened to run into another Danettes, McLovin. All of the "stuff" aside, McLovin's a cool dude.

In the video above, we talked about the Obama issue via battling Flip cams, and then how he make Sports Illustrated Model Brooklyn Decker into "what she is." And he says Brooklyn Decker is a cool person.

He met Brooklyn Decker when she was 18 and came into the S.I. offices to do a video. "And that's how she sort of took off. She is the coolest person. Down to Earth. Smart.." McLovin says.

I enjoy the show and want to continue to Obama exchange. McLovin and I had a laughing good time.

Stay tuned.

Tiki Barber's Advice to 2010 NFL Draft Rookies

New York, Radio City Music Hall - Tiki Barber, happy to talk about anything sports-related and away from the personal issues Saturday Night Live's Tina Fey skewered him about two weeks ago, gave his advice to 2010 NFL Draft Rookies on video and while backstage with this blogger at Radio City Music Hall at the 2010 NFL Draft.

Previously I told Tiki that he needed to have his own YouTube channel; This was a kind of preview of things to come. He clearly has something he wants to say about whatever problems led to his split with his wife Ginny (Tiki was not sporting a wedding ring), but doesn't want to say anything. As Tiki said "You can't fight city hall."

Tiki says that the NFL rookie is is for "nothing you'd expect and all the hype is pointless once training camp starts. It's a different game...with men. As to all the hoopla with the NFL Red Carpet outside Radio City Music Hall, Tiki Barber said "The NFL's a machine. It's growing year after year,..I don't know if that's such a bad thing."

Not sure if Tiki will be at Radio City Music Hall for Day Two of the NFL Draft, but stay tuned anyway. More videos to be uploaded of interviews with 2010 1st round NFL Draft rookies to come.