6:00pm - ESPN's panel is engaging in more discussion of whether or not Sam Bradford should start right away. I think he should - the Rams might as well find out what they don't have as soon as possible. By the way, the forgotten man in all of the quarterback talk that's taken place in the last 22.5 hours is clearly Jake Locker. The Rams made a huge mistake, not just because they passed on Suh, but also because even if they didn't get Clausen (who they would have) or Tebow (who they would not have) at the top of the 2nd round, they'd be a definite contender to take Locker, who is a better QB prospect than any in this draft - I can't believe I just said that about a draft class that includes Tim Tebow. But seriously, at this point, if I'm running an NFL team, if I need a QB, and if I'm probably going to be woeful this season whether or not I draft a QB in this draft, I'm inclined to be patient and wait for my chance to get Jake Locker - or Andrew Luck, Ryan Mallet or whomever.
35. TB - Brian Price, DT UCLA
Didn't the Bucs take a DT yesterday? I guess this is insurance in case McCoy disappears in NFL games the ways he disappeared in college games (likely).
36. KC - Dexter McCluster, RB Ole Miss
And after 7 minutes of debate over whether or not the Chiefs should take Clausen, they of course do not take Clausen. I like this pick though - the Chiefs lack offensive weapons and McCluster is one of those guys who could score anytime he touches the ball.
6:41pm - I can't believe Oakland just traded down. The draft had fell perfectly for them to take Clausen at 39. Maybe they can still get him at 42?
42. NE - Rob Gronkowski, TE Arizona
Solid pick for the Pats. They lost Watson and needed a playmaker at the TE position. I still think they need to address their pass rush, but this is a huge help to Tom Brady.
So the Raiders trade down again, and then pass on Clausen when they do pick. Seriously?! If they were to take him I'd pick them as my AFC playoff sleeper for next year.
45. DEN - Zane Beadles, G Utah
I was hoping that the Broncos would add depth on the interior O-line.
48. CAR - Jimmy Clausen, QB Notre Dame
Won't be long til he's their starter. There's a great running game to support him there, but they need to find more weapons for him to throw the ball. But I still can't believe Oakland blew three opportunities to draft him.
49. SF - Taylor Mays, S USC
Another great pick by the 49ers - they're having a stellar draft. Critics say Mays didn't show up last year, but watching USC's games that's definitely not the case. Mays played a deep centerfield for the Trojans all year, similar to how Darren Sharper played for the Saints in the Super Bowl. As a result, USC gave up few, if any, big plays last year. Unfortunately and also as a result, teams moved the ball down the field on the Trojans in 5 and 10 yard chunks with relative ease.
51. MIN - Toby Gerhart, RB Stanford
Interesting pick for a guy to spell Peterson, and even more interesting that Houston, who also needs a RB, would trade to the Vikings for them to take him.
53. NE - Jermain Cunningham, LB Florida
54. CIN - Carlos Dunlap - DE Florida
The Gators' defense didn't really bring it last year, but the year before they were dominant and made Oklahoma's renowned O-line look pedestrian in the National Championship game. Personally, I would have liked the Pats to take Dunlap, who is an athletic freak, but Cunningham has the better motor and is probably a better fit.
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I lost momentum with my running journal because I was pleasantly surprised that someone special wanted to watch the draft and share the experience with me. As personally investing as I become in this event, it was great to have a viewing companion - someone to whom I could offer my thoughts and reactions first-hand. I also enjoyed having someone ask me questions about the players and what was happening. It was like having my own Chris Berman here for me to play Mel Kiper Jr./Todd McShay - though that is certainly the last time I'll compare her to Chris Berman.
Anyway, allow me to recap some of the rest of rounds 2 and 3...
57. BAL - Terrence Cody, DT Alabama
And the Ravens have drafted Tony Siragusa's cousin.
60. SEA - Golden Tate, WR Notre Dame
Hard to understand why this guy fell all the way to pick 60. Yeah he's a little short, but he showed he has top-end speed at the combine, and Golden Tate is a playmaker, simple as that.
62. NE - Brandon Spikes, LB Florida
The Patriots disappointed me in round 1, but I love their round 2 picks. Putting Spikes and Mayo together at ILBs in their 3-4 defense make them stout up the middle, and it gives them two of the smartest and most physically-gifted MLBs in the game.
75. CHI - Major Wright, S Florida
I think this is the Bears' first pick in this draft, and it's a good one. Their defense really has not been the same since injuries derailed Mike Brown's career. And though Wright was not as impressive last year as in previous years for the Gators, I still think he's up there with Eric Berry and Taylor Mays as the best safeties in this draft.
84. CIN - Jordan Shipley, WR Texas
Shipley has the appearance of a polished, slot receiver. It'll be interesting to see if he can translate from Texas' bubble screen offense to the NFL.
85, CLE - Colt McCoy, QB Texas
The wait for young McCoy is finally over, and yet he still went 3 or 4 rounds too early in my opinion. The ESPN guys seem to have conceded that McCoy's arm strength is a fraction of Chad Pennington's so long ago that they've forgotten about it. I just don't see it happening for him. Besides lacking the arm strength, I was disappointed he couldn't return to the National Championship game last year. And I don't think he ever had to make a read at Texas. He might prove me wrong and good for him if he does, but I don't think he can play QB in the NFL.
On a positive note, the fall of McCoy allowed the ESPN guys to finally start talking about Jake Locker and Andrew Luck. I still can't get over the Rams taking Bradford. He's not going to be a winner in the NFL, they're going to be right back at the top of the draft next year, but they won't be able to take the better prospect in Locker because they took Bradford this year. They completely botched this. They could have had Suh and Locker and been a winning team again inside three years.
87. DEN - Eric Decker, WR Minnesota
I love what Denver is doing! It's clear - Tim Tebow is their guy, and all of their picks in this draft are built around him. Thomas is an electric, athletic downfield threat while Decker is a possession receiver who will compliment Thomas and Eddie Royal.
Well, the rest of day 2 concluded in uneventful fashion. I'm looking forward to catching some of day 3 tomorrow and will try to write a recap Saturday night or Sunday.
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