What happened today in the draft

For those of you who had trouble following all the trades today, here's a simple breakdown of just one of the Eagles' moves:

-- The Eagles start the day with a 3rd round pick (#91) and a 5th rounder (#141), among other picks.

-- They traded the 3rd to the Giants for a new 2009 3rd and a new 2009 5th.

-- They traded the Giants' 3rd to the Seahawks for a 2010 3rd, another 2009 5th and a new 2009 7th.

-- They traded the Seahawks 5th and that #141 pick to the Patriots for CB Ellis Hobbs.

-- They traded the Giants' 5th to the Saints for a 2010 5th and a new 2009 7th.

-- They traded that 2009 7th to the Colts for a 2010 6th.

-- They used the Seahawks' 7th to draft OG Paul Fanaika.

Or, to make it even clearer for you:



Don't know why folks had trouble understanding that.

Later on I'll cover the drafting of LB Jason Phillips, who was selected by the Ravens with the pick they got from the Patriots who got it from the Eagles who got it from the Seahawks who got it from the Lions. I predict he'll be traded to the Packers by June, and to the Lakers a week later.

Draftsgiving Eve

Fort Awesome is ready.



Are you?

Proposed Draftsgiving TV schedule

All TV viewing is subject to change, depending on the whims of the crowd.

1200pm
      TV1 -- ESPN: Draft preview (in HD)
      TV2 -- PS2: NHL Hockey
      TV3 -- ESPN2: College FB All-Stars

100pm
      TV1 -- CNP: Phils vs. Marlins (repeat)
      TV2 -- PS2: NHL Hockey
      TV3 -- ESPN: Nuggets at Hornets (NBA)

200pm
      TV1 -- DVD: 2008 World Series, Game 5
      TV2 -- PS2: Mortal Kombat II
      TV3 -- CBS: Legends of Golf

300pm
      TV1 -- NBC: Flyers vs. Pens (in HD)
      TV2 -- NBC: Flyers vs. Pens
      TV3 -- CNP: Delaware at Drexel (Lacrosse)

400pm
      TV1 -- NBC: Flyers vs. Pens (in HD)
      TV2 -- ESPN: NFL Draft
      TV3 -- ESPN: NFL Draft

500pm
      TV1 -- NBC: Flyers vs. Pens (in HD)
      TV2 -- PS2: NHL Hockey
      TV3 -- ESPN: NFL Draft

600pm
      TV1 -- ESPN: NFL Draft (in HD)
      TV2 -- PS2: Home Run Derby
      TV3 -- TNT: Spurs at Mavs (NBA)

700pm
      TV1 -- PS2: NHL Hockey
      TV2 -- ESPN: NFL Draft
      TV3 -- CSPAN: Book Festival

800pm
      TV1 -- FX: Snakes on a Plane (in HD)
      TV2 -- NICK: Spongebob Squarepants
      TV3 -- ESPN: NFL Draft

900pm
      TV1 -- ESPN2: NFL Draft (in HD)
      TV2 -- PS2: NBA Basketball
      TV3 -- ESPN: Lakers vs. Jazz (NBA)

1000pm
      TV1 -- SPEED: Motorcycle racing
      TV2 -- PS2: Simpsons racing
      TV3 -- ESPN2: NFL Draft

1100pm
      TV1 -- ESPN2: Baseball Tonight (in HD)
      TV2 -- PS2: NHL Hockey
      TV3 -- ESPN: Sportscenter

1200am
      TV1 -- TCM: The Lion in Winter
      TV2 -- SPIKE: From Dusk til Dawn 2
      TV3 -- ABCF: Jurassic Park III

Please note: The 705pm Phillies game will be shown via webcast.

Grading the 2008 Eagles draft the right way

To understand where we're headed, we must examine our past. So let's take a look back one year...

2^nd round – Trevor Laws
Actual performance: Poor. 11 tackles on the year, though he did record a safety
Anagram performance: Fair. “Wort slaver” and “Straw lover” are fun, but don’t really say much.

2^nd round – DeSean Jackson
Actual performance: Great. Top WR on the squad, and a special teams threat.
Anagram performance: Great. “One jackass end” perfectly captures that pre-TD fumble.

3^rd Round – Bryan Smith
Actual performance: Poor. Did not appear in a game
Anagram performance: Fair. “Brains myth” and “Many births” cover two potential future scandals.

4^th Round – Mike McGlynn
Actual performance: Fair. Only appeared in three games, but could have a role in 09.
Anagram performance: Poor. “Men Gym Clink” gets you nowhere, but there aren’t other good options.

4^th Round -- Quintin Demps
Actual performance: Good. Solid return man, needs to improve at DB quickly.
Anagram performance: Good. “End mint quips” doesn’t make much sense, but it’s catchy.

4^th Round -- Jack Ikegwuonu
Actual performance: Incomplete. Spent the year injured, could be a solid DB.
Anagram performance: Poor: Neither “A Juice Gunk Wok” nor “I Nuke Wacko Jug” show true insight.

6^th Round – Mike Gibson
Actual performance: Poor. Did not appear in a single game.
Anagram performance: Great. “Mike is bong” is awesome, as is “Big smoke-in.”

6^th Round – Joe Mays
Actual performance: Poor. Six games, no tackles from this LB.
Anagram performance: Good. “Some joy” is boring, but “Jam ye so” is great for an LB.

6^th Round – Andy Studebaker
Actual performance: Poor. Cut from the team.
Anagram performance: High. “Astray Debunked” and “Add Turkey Beans” are both hilarious in their own way.

7^th Round – King Dunlap
Actual performance: Fair. He hasn’t done anything, but he’s still on the team.
Anagram performance: High. They guy’s name is already ridiculous. You have to reverse anagram it to “Dan Glunnik” just to make sense of it.

Pre-Draftsgiving quiz

Are you ready for this weekend? Find out by testing your NFL knowledge with the quiz below:
-------------------------------------------------

Draft prospect or Star Wars character?

Pannel Egboh

Draft prospect Star Wars character

Nom Anor
Draft prospect Star Wars character

Natasi Daala
Draft prospect Star Wars character

Kaluka Maiava
Draft prospect Star Wars character

Fenuki Tupou
Draft prospect Star Wars character

Irek Ismaren
Draft prospect Star Wars character

Captain Munnerlyn
Draft prospect Star Wars character

Bren Derlin
Draft prospect Star Wars character

Wopamo Osaisai
Draft prospect Star Wars character

Keyan Farlander
Draft prospect Star Wars character

-------------------------------------------------

Scoring Key
9-10 pts -- 3rd Round pick Brian Westbrook
7-8 pts -- 2nd Round pick DeSean Jackson
5-6 pts -- 3rd Round pick Stewart Bradley
3-4 pts -- 2nd Round pick Winston Justice
1-2 pts -- 1st Round pick Freddie Mitchell
0 pts -- 2nd Round pick Kevin Kolb

If you don't believe me, you can check for yourself here and here.

Getting ready for Draftsgiving 2009

We're just a few days from Draftsgiving, so it's time to start making your preparations. If that doesn't include a trip to Fort Awesome, here are a few changes from the past you need to be aware of:

** The draft starts at 4pm this year. This means the Eagles likely won't pick until after 7 pm. But drinking is still scheduled to commence at 11:45 am.

** Speaking of the Eagles, we're rooting for the Broncos this year. I think the reasons are pretty obvious. Appropriate attire will be your favorite Denver jersey. In lieu of that, pick the jersey of your favorite former Eagle.

** You still need at least three TVs to properly celebrate the holiday. Five is preferable. Seven is just ridiculous.

** There is only one obvious choice for the #1 pick this year. His name is Chase Utley. He already plays for your World Champion Philadelphia Phillies. His preferred sport is irrelevant.

** When in doubt, have another beer. Or another steak. Either will help you get in the holiday mood.

More instructions to come.

There is no joy in Mudville

Today I got to see my first Phillies' win of the season -- unfortunately, it was also the first Phillies' win of my life that I know Harry Kalas wasn't announcing.

I can't name a more beloved Philadelphia sports figure than Harry. Until I compose myself and think of something better to post, here's one of the highlights of my journalism career.


Click on the picture to read it. Make sure you check out the last few paragraphs.

T-shirt suggestions

It's just a few minutes before the opening game of the Phils' title defense -- if you haven't decided what T-shirt to wear yet, why not make your own? Here's some logos you're free to use: