Luke and I make our way over to Radio City Music Hall and start asking questions. The first woman tells us that they gave out bracelets the night/morning before and that she was pretty sure people without bracelets could get in, she just wasn't sure how. We then bothered a 2nd NFL employee chick and tried to gauge what she knew. She gave us a very similar answer, so we left and checked out ESPN Zone.
That place is alright, the menu seemed a little over priced, but it seemed like a rad place to watch a game. So Luke and I decided if we didn't make it into Day 1, we'd head back there and watch the draft. However, it had now been 20 minutes since we bothered an NFL Draft employee, so we worked our way back to Radio City Music Hall, while stopping to eat some street food. (There Spicy italian sausages have nothing on Seattle's).
At this time it's about 1:15 and Luke finds out that they have about 300 tickets to give out, but to keep that on the DL. And that a line would be forming on the other side of the street for the tickets, we noticed no one was over there so we decided to start the line. Hell, we didn't fly all the way out here to miss day 1.
This is when I conducted my first interview with the http://footballgameplan.com guys. Apparently it'll be on youtube in the next couple days. My favorite question he asked me was "who was the most under rated Seahawks of past years?" And I responded with how ridiculous it is that Cortez isn't in the Hall of Fame yet, and then talked about Chris Warren. I should have also mentioned Mack Strong, I botched that one.
Luke and I have effectively started the line, and we've stood around for about 30 minutes when Luke goes and talks to the NFL Draft girl we've been getting all our info from. She tells us there is zero reason to start a line as they'll just break it up and give new instructions when the time is right. She said the line won't form until later, and the NFL people will decide how it's done.
This is when I sent out the panicked tweet and fb status that read "we may not get into Day 1". It was looking like we may not get in, so we went back to our room and took a quick nap. At around 3 we walked back down there and we noticed... WTF A LINE HAD FORMED. So, we walk to the end of the line and start talking, at that point people were lined up by Radio City Music Hall to get in and they were chanting "UG-LY JER-SEY" as I walked by to the end of the line. This is what that line looked like:
or 
And on the other side of the street this is what our line looked like: 
So, after we entered the line, they started blocking it off, apparently we were literally at the VERY FRONT of the line. We didn't even mean to cut. Luckily, some people who remembered us from starting the other line were here near the front too. So, they backed our story when we said we had been there the entire time. And that's where the fun really began.
We were standing next to this Lions fan in a Stafford Jersey who had a Suh Lions Hoodie made. He was hilarious. He started the "No means No" or "They said No" chants anytime a Steeler fan would walk by. Then, whenever a teenager would walk by he'd start yelling "JUSTIN BEIBER COME HERE". It was one of the most ridiculous moments.
This goes on for about 4 hours, chanting back in forth yelling at eachother, and I did two more interviews. One with John Clayton's producer who cringed when I said I wanted Eric Berry. And one with Sportscenter online (?). And in the mean time Luke got his picture taken with the Coors Light guy, a cardboard cutout of Mike Ditka and two hot Coors Light chicks.
However, before Luke got his picture with all of them the Lions fan yelled "Personal Foul! She's wearing a ring!" To which she promptly took it off and continued to act slutty. It was hilarious. About this time (an hour before kick off) I started getting some tips and was letting people around me know. I told a Bronco's fan don't be surprised when your team takes Tebow, I told the two cool Giants fans that Mcclain was going to Oakland at 8 (they were devestated), and I was told Alualu would be a top 10 pick. That one I ignored because it seemed so improbable. Then I got the message "Seattle has moved Eric Berry over the OL prospects". I was too excited. Today was going to be the year everything went right, I just knew it.
They started letting people in around 5:30 to Radio City Music hall and after everyone with wristbands were let in, we were possibly going to have the chance to be allowed to enter. We were all nervous but confident, as were the others at the front of the line as we had told some of them that 300 were getting in (we're bad at secrets). So, we started chanting "We want in! We want in!" and a guy came up and said "you need to cut that shit off or no one gets in because it's easier for me to turn around and not let anyone in. We're letting 20 people in, when I point at you walk into there as a group." I was #9, Luke was #12. We made it! We celebrated once we got inside so those that didn't get in wouldn't get too pissed (later we found out they only let in 85 total, 4 groups of 20 and then 5 more).
Once we arrived at our seats (after buying a 10$ drink and a pretzel. Luke tried a knish, it was delish) we were given a gift bag which had a copy of ESPN the magazine, a couple of small stuff, and a head set. The headset let us switch between the ESPN and and NFLN coverage of the draft. I thought this was so handy, but honestly, I didn't even use it. Once I realized that everyone around me knew what they were talking about, I enjoyed talking to them about there teams and the draft more then listening to the pundits.
So, onto the draft. Picks 1-3 went to plan. Once Trent Williams went #4 I was pretty happy. I really really dislike OL who go through a late rise due to a combine. All year he struggled, yes STRUGGLED, at LT. And then people think he can become on in the NFL once he shows he has more lateral quickness? I don't get it. Needless to say that's when all hell broke lose.
I was talking pretty loudly because, hell there were only 10 seahawk fans there and none near us. I was just praying KC would take Okung. They NEEDED Okung. They just got Charlie Wise, he LOVES Okung. Please make this happen. Then they flash to Eric Berry on the phone.
"NNNNNNNOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!" I screamed "DAMNIT!!!!" I screamed a couple more. I knew we were getting Okung, I was heart broken.
I tried to tell the people around us that I rated Okung as a fringe First round talent. Here's what I have written down:
Inconsistent technique; unexpectedly lunges and grabs at times and will let his hands get way too far outside. Gets upright when running and searching for targets at the second level. Appears to dwell on his mistakes--once beaten, he will get less aggressive and appears less confident. Not as aggressive a run blocker as some teams/coaches prefer.
Sweet.
However, I will say this. He's an upgrade over what we have. He's not a bad football player. He's just not who I like or would take at that spot. But if Alex Gibbs thinks he can coach him, I trust him. I trust this front office. I'll be critical but I believe they know what they're doing.
Joe haden goes 7, he's who I really wanted at 6. I would have been so happy. Then comes Mcclain at 8. I think he's an Oakland type player, but he's not a need, and not great value there. Either way, it's Oakland. Then the next two picks are shockers which help bring on the onslaught of trades. Buffalo taking Spiller (There hopes of getting Lynch for a 2nd just went out the window, plus they have Fred Jackson, WTF). and Tyson Alualu. I'm glad I have some people who tell me things they know instead of just making stuff up to sound important. But really Jacksonvile? You couldn't trade down? If there were more than 2 Jacksonville fans here they'd cause a ruckus. Instead I'll just post a picture of some Buffalo fans.
Now, I'll jump ahead to Philly trading up. I got a text afterwards it was for Graham. I told the 2 Philly fans infront of me that and they told me I was wrong. they started celebrating Earl Thomas. Then when the announcer said Graham the two guys looked at me and everyone started booing. This was on top of the "eagles suck" chants. I told the eagles fans that they just traded for Tapp, and Graham is a slightly version of Tapp. There's a theory going around that shorter DE's beat up bigger OT's due to leverage. And maybe that's ther eplan as the NFL east has some big OTs. I don't know, it was confusing. But it gave Seattle Earl Thomas!
That pick saved me from the ledge. I still would have been happy with JPP, but Morgan would have upset me. Thomas has all pro potential, he was a dire need and a good value pick. Good enough for me.
So, I'm going to cover some of my friends favorite teams.
Cinci takes Gresham. Josh was right, but I kept hearing Gronkowski is rated higher on everyones boards, and he was there day 1 and Gresham wasn't. I was told by 3 different people Gresham in the 40's. So I was shocked that 1.) They passed on Bryant and 2.) they took Gresham over Gronkowski. But, I'm assuming Josh is happy so I'm happy for him
Denver takes Tebow and Demaryius Thomas. I like Thomas a lot, and I understand they couldn't take Bryant (they just traded away a stud with problems, they couldn't justify drafting one right after wards, and they weren't the only team I heard with Thomas ahead of Bryant). Oh wait, they also took Tebow. I know Eric Walsh is upset. But, Tebow is a great fit for Denver. I went from the biggest Tebow detractor to seemingly defending him all the time. He's got the best work ethic, willingness to listen and wants to improve and show everyone wrong. He's going to a team with a coach who will game plan his ass off to your strength, and is a QB guru. He also can sit for a few years. This is an ideal situation for him. And he plays in the Stadium closest to Heaven.
Miami takes Odrick. Yup, standard. he's a 3-4 DE who fits there scheme nicely.
Baltimore made out like a bandit in that Tebow trade though. They essentially traded Tebow there 3rd and 4th rounders for Boldin, a 2nd rounder and traded up in 3rd and 4th. Jackpot.
Chargers got the guy they wanted at a position they wanted. They still feel like they can win it all. And they can.
The Jets took another CB. They realize they need 3 to stay up with NE and Indy. Revis, cromartie and Wilson is a killer 1-3. Wilson is also from Jersey.
The Cardinals got the best value pick of the draft getting Dan Williams. Killer steal for them.
The 49ers took 2 OL. I love what they did. First I was stoked because Spiller wasn't going to fall to them. Didn't want to face him twice a year. Then, they draft Anthony Davis to play RT (where he's better suited), and then Iupati to solidfy the inside.
The Seahawks took one of 2 OL I thought could go in round 1 who I was comfortable playing LT (the other being Brown), and I don't think we could draft someone I thoght would be a RT and play them at LT. That's what I was worried about. And I trust that we know what we're doing with Okung. And we got Earl Thomas. EARL THOMAS! Woooo!
Cowboys getting Dez Bryant, it's what they do. He's a stud and people will regret passing on him.
After the draft we met up with two of the guys (George and Jared) who were from Queens (one a Ravens fan the other a Jets fan). They showed us where to get good pizza. They were right, it was delicious. We're meeting up with them to watch day 2.
Luke and I then spent an hour wandering around down town New York trying to find somewhere to buy shampoo and toothpaste. Finally we found somewhere, but boy did that walk at 1am suck. New York just puts all there garbage out on the streets at night and it makes the city smell bad. There were still tons of people walking around and lots of cars on the road at 1am. It was weird. Also I would forget how late it is because of all the flashing lights and billboards at Time Square.
Okay, now it's time for more pizza or street food as we prep for day 2. Hopefully it's happy Donald Butler day for someone (wearing UW shorts for him) and then happy Arrellious Benn day for the Seahawks. I'm wearing my Cortez Jersey today.
- Patton
