The NFL draft is a made-for-TV event
A GRIP ON SPORTS
I didn't get to watch the NFL draft yesterday – as a fan of fine menswear, I rarely miss it – but because the Seahawks were not involved, I didn't think it was that big a deal. However, because I was driving around a lot, I was able to listen to it on the radio. And it was better than listening to golf on the radio. But not by all that much. Read on.
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• Yes, I have listened to golf on the radio. Quit laughing. I remember quite clearly the 1985 U.S. Open. I had 5,000 square feet of sod delivered that week and my buddy Steve and I put it all in while my radio – with the then-available TV sound – was belting out the Open's Saturday round. This is what you heard: "Strange has an 8-iron, wind slightly in his face." "Whack." (Long silence.) (Sound of clapping.) "Wow, a magnificent shot. Back to you Verne." OK, I had a problem. But I got better. When satellite radio came around, the play-by-play on the golf channel was much more descriptive. Here is what you hear now: "Mickleson has an 8-iron, wind slightly in his face. The lie is good but not great. There's a little grass between his ball and ... " "Whack." (Long silence.) (Sound of clapping.) "Wow, a magnificent shot to within 3 feet. Back to you Verne." See, isn't that better? Anyhow, I was thinking of that last night while listening to the first-round of the draft. (Though, to be honest, my first thought was how hard Mel Kiper Jr., must work. After all, there has to be about 500 guys who might be drafted and Kiper seemingly records a short description of each one's abilities. That has to take some time, considering no one is perfect and there has to be an outtake or two.) The radio version of the NFL draft is akin to golf on the radio. You have to really use your imagination to envision what really isn't all that action-filled of an event. There is, of course, more than enough conversation about the merits of taking a three-technique tackle as opposed to a pass-rushing defensive end, but the nuts and bolts of the evening is a bunch of soon-to-be millionaires walking up some steps to a stage where they hug the commissioner. Now that's made-for-TV action. On the radio, it is a little less compelling.
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• Washington State: Though school is almost out and the news is starting to dry up a bit, Christian Caple still has enough to put together a morning post. ... ESPN's Pac-12 blog has this piece on linebacker Daryl Monroe, one of my favorite Cougars (we spent a lot of time talking during his redshirt season as we watched practice together, me in my chair, he on crutches). ... The College Football Playoff is just about all set and there are some interesting opinions about what it means. Bottom line: The rich get richer.
• Gonzaga: Christian also has his weekly college baseball notebook today and it leads with the two horses atop Gonzaga's pitching rotation. ... The Zags broke a three-game losing streak by defeating Mike Littlewood's BYU team. I know of one producer at SWX that news will make very happy.
• Whitworth: The Pirates have a discus thrower who is so much better than the competition, it is hard to fathom. John Blanchette has more on Carter Comito (pictured). ... The Pirates also have a new soccer coach. Jim Allen has the story.
• EWU: The Eagles will hold their Red-White spring game on Saturday and Jim Allen has this story leading up to it. ... Jim also held a live chat yesterday.
• Preps: Chris Derrick's weekly softball notebook leads off with a nice feature on Central Valley pitcher Carli Riordan (pictured). ... Mike Vlahovich also has his weekly baseball notebook, leading with the news U-Hi's Scott Sutherland has resigned as coach.
• Mariners: That's all the M's needed. Get away from those powerful Astros and face someone weak, like the Angels. Or get home. Or shake up the lineup. Or something. Whatever, it worked last night as the Mariners earned a 6-0 victory. The best antidote to poor play: A well-pitched game and a couple home runs. The former came last night from Brandon Maurer. ... Some of the M's feel they are putting too much pressure on themselves. ... Ryan Divish has a long blog post with some thoughts on the Mariners' season. ... What will be good enough this season?
• Seahawks: The Hawks had a bye yesterday in the first round of the NFL draft. Today, they get to take center stage. Well, at least in the Northwest.
• Sonics: David Stern talked to an APSE group yesterday and reiterated one city is going to be disappointed when the NBA finally gets around to deciding the Kings' fate.
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• Today is TNDOTYSF. Or, how it's known in English, The Nicest Day Of The Year So Far. Enjoy it. I will. Until later ...
