You knew it was just a matter of time, but starting next April, the NFL Draft will be moving to a three-day format. Both ESPN and the NFL-N will still be covering those days, but they now have an extra day to work with, and will also be given a Thursday primetime starting point. Via John Clayton at ESPN....

The audience for the NFL draft has been growing, and the league has responded by expanding the event from two to three days.

Commissioner Roger Goodell notified teams Thursday that the draft will be spread over three days in 2010, running Thursday, April 22, through Saturday, April 24.

In addition, the first round will start in prime time at 7:30 p.m. ET.

"We continue to look for ways to make the draft more accessible to more fans," Goodell said in a statement. "Moving the first round to prime time on Thursday night will make the first round of the draft available to fans on what is typically the most-watched night of television."

ESPN and the NFL Network will televise the entire show.

The second and third rounds will start at 6:30 p.m. ET on April 23.

Rounds 4 through 7 will be on April 24, starting at 10 a.m. ET.

So there you have it. Obviously it's the right decision on multiple fronts, with the two biggest being ad revenue and ratings. It's the right decision, and should cause more media outlets to cover it, with the start time being on a Thursday evening.

Draft to expand to three days (ESPN)

Hearing the news that Stephen A. Smith was let go by ESPN must have hit the "SAS Society of Heckling Gentlemen" extremely hard, but that didn't stop them from having fun at the 2009 Draft. Get your Cheez Doodlez ready, and enjoy the latest installment from the "SASSoHG"! Via Rockin' Steady....

The Alanis song just put that one over the top. Too funny. It's also good to see that I wasn't the only person who found that Draft extremely boring. And always remember...."When life gives you Stephen A., make StephenAde."

Stephen A. Smith Heckled at the 2009 NBA Draft: The Final Chapter (Rockin Steady)

Well here we are folks. It's one of the most enjoyable nights of the year and it's become a fun tradition here at AA. There will be photos, videos, analysis and fun all evening long, so comment early and comment often. We'll get underway around 7pm but in the meantime feel free to click through last year's live blogs, and leave your predictions in the comments.

NBA Draft Live-Blog 2008
NBA Draft Live-Blog 2007

Okay all, I'm here and ready to go. Was just checking out all the MJ news, and the support in LA is amazing. Whether or not you believed the allegations against him or not, there wasn't a person in the world who wasn't touched by his music at some point or another.

With that said, what's the over/under on the number of minutes before ESPN tries a tribute piece?

"I believe it's a very deep draft!"- Dick Vitale

You hear that Bilas? Vitale is trying to best you for biggest over-statement of the Draft! Don't take that nonsense!!! David Stern is kicking this thing off with his cheesy "hard work" speech and we're underway!

"It's a very rowdy group tonight."- David Stern

YES! Thank goodness something in this Draft will be entertaining. DANNY MANNING, CLAP CLAP CLAPCLAPCLAP!!! Clippers on the clock.

"Clippers frantically looking over their notes to see if they should take Griffin or a new prospect they just discovered, Patrick Chewing." (Via Lammy)

Hahahaha. Too funny.
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1. Blake Griffin
PF, 6'10", 248 lbs
Oklahoma

You think the Clippers could have gotten Griffin to wear red or something. That purple is a little nasty. Oh and the Clippers Draft Room is clapping for themselves. Really? REALLY?!?! That took a lot of thought. Oh and eff you Clippers for wasting five minutes of our lives!

"Mark Jones is just a horrible host. He used to be good but he has gone off the cheesy end." (Via SS Reporters)

Ain't that the truth! ESPN now scores an interview with Bill Simmons' new nemesis, Mike Dunleavy. Who ironically is the only GM-Coach combo in the NBA.
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2. Hasheem Thabeet
C, 7'3", 267lbs.
Connecticut

"Did the Commissioner just say Tanzania? Yes he did!"- Stuart Scott

Ugh. Stuart Scott just broke the annoying sound barrier. This could be a worse pick than Kandi Man. He's just too slow for the NBA. Basketball has been berry berry good to Hasheem!

"They took Brian West.....er, Russel Westbrook"- Mark Jackson
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3. James Harden
SG, 6'5", 222lbs.
Arizona State

I love the Mark Jackson assessments down the bottom....Sacramento "Need a Point Guard"

Harden is another person I predict as a bust in the NBA, but I like the kid, so I hope he proves me wrong. If the Kings don't take Rubio, they deserve to have the most lottery balls for their existence.

"His shorts are going to be a lot lower than Byron Scott's." - Stu Scott (Via SS)

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4. Tyreke Evans
SG, 6'5", 220lbs.
Memphis

"He's got size, he's got amazing length."- Jay Bilas

And now we watch Ricky Rubio fall to New York, the only team that can pay his fee. Damn, the Wiz could have had Jason Williams 2.0!
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5. Ricky Rubio
PG, 6'5", 180lbs.
Spain

There's not a chance in hell that Rubio weighs 180lbs, ESPN! Oh and the Knicks fans chiming in with the USA chants was priceless. If the Timberwolves select Stephen Curry next, I'm going to lose it. Hey, a Fran Fraschilla sighting! Drink!!!

"He's got a Gretzky like feel for the game of basketball."- Fran Frashcilla

"Oh THATS where Spain is? Thanks ESPN." (Via Lammy)

Great use of the World Map, ESPN. And Jemele Hill's tweet comparing Rubio to Balky from Perfect Strangers was priceless.
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6. Johnny Flynn
PG, 6'1", 196lbs.
Syracuse

Wow. Didn't think they would pick two point guards, especially playing in the West. Johnny Flynn is going to be a good NBA player.....when he gets traded away from Minnesota. If anyone can get me that ESPN puzzle piece in front of Mark Jones, I will pay them top dollar. I want to hang that above my fireplace.

"He's got one of the best smiles in this Draft class"- Mark Jones

Great analysis there.
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7. Stephen Curry
PG, 6'3", 181lbs.
Davidson

"I didn't realize there were so many fans who hated the Golden State Warriors."- Stu Scott

I know the Knicks fans are booing now, but TRUST ME....this is for the best. Pick DeMar DeRozan and love watching him dominate over the next few years. Oh and get this little rumor....Rubio is heading to the Knicks. So just relax.

"He's got real good maturity."- Jay Bilas (Via 49er16)

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8. Jordan Hill
PF, 6'10", 232lbs.
Arizona

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

That shows you how much Knicks fans know about Basketball. I think DeRozan would have been the better pick since they already have David Lee, but Hill is a beast. Good pick, but he might be traded to Minnesota soon.

Is it just me or does Donnie Walsh look like he's in the mob?
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9. DeMar DeRozan
G, 6'6", 211lbs.
USC

Hello Tracy McGrady 2.0! Great pick for the Raptors there. Wait, did DeMar just use the word "defensicality"? Jay Bilas would like a word with you!!!

"People leaving draft in droves. Only in NY. Come to boo and leave." (Via Darren Rovell on Twitter)

Thanks for the infomercial on the public transportation, Mark Jones. Signed, Toronto (Via 49er16)
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10. Brandon Jennings
PG, 6'2", 165lbs.
Compton/Italy

Well I guess you can now say averaging 4.0ppg in Europe will help your draft status. Sorry David Stern.

"He's got a chance to be very very good."- Jay Bilas

Ummm....can't you say that about everybody in the Draft?

"He didn't go to Europe to improve his draft status! He went to Europe to GET PAID." (Via Free Darko on Twitter)

Good point. And now he gets to go to Milwaukee. Screw Italy....Milwaukee is where it's at!!!!

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11. Terrence Williams
SG, 6'6", 212lbs.
Louisville

"Terrence Williams says he doesn't watch ESPN...."- Stu Scott

Guess who's my new favorite player! Lebron and Williams in 2010!!!

"Shout out to Jay Bilas. He's a great guy, even though he went to Duke."- Terrence Williams

And now it's time to watch Michael Jordan botch a draft pick! Who's ready for Tyler Hansbrough!!!!
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12. Gerald Henderson
SG, 6'5", 215lbs.
Duke

I'd just love it if one year the Bobcats would draft out of state.

Of course Jay Bilas loves Henderson. Bilas proabably thinks he should have been the first pick. (Via 49er16)

Henderson is one of only a few players Jordan actually saw for Charlotte. Can't believe he made this pick without doing any leg work. (Via TheJonLee on Twitter)
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13. Tyler Hansbrough
PF, 6'10", 234lbs.
UNC

And the Knicks fans are right on queue with the chant of OVER-RATED!!! Is anybody completely bored with the Draft at this point?

"It's okay if you want to stay all four years."- Jeff Van Gundy

Well not normally, but okay. Tyler already has the standard/boring answers down pat. 110% Baby!!!!!! Where's Dickie V???

There are going to be tons of mormons rioting in the streets of Salt Lake tonight because Hansbrough didn't go to the Jazz. (Via Lammy)
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14. Earl Clark
SF, 6'10", 226lbs.
Louisville

Oh my god!!!! That's Brandon Jennings music!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What a random appearance. Oh and Jay Bilas....STOP SAYING THE WORD "LENGTH"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No one even cares about the great pick of Earl Clark because Jennings now gets to talk about his decisions. Good times, and that's the end of the lottery.
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15. Austin Daye
SF, 6'11, 192lbs.
Gonzaga

Length, Length, Length, Length, Wingspan....Tayshaun Prince clone....yada yada yada. Next pick please.

Surprise! Dickie V likes the picks of Hansbrough and Curry, and he even says Curry will be the ROY next year. Ugh.

"Daye makes Prince look like the Hulk."- Jeff Van Gundy
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16. James Johnson
PF, 6'8", 258lbs.
Wake Forest

Not a bad pick there at all. A big man that can shoot is what you need in the league, and with Deng hurt all the time....Johnson might be able to step in right away.

It's time for ESPN to lose the draft rights and put it on Versus or something. I'm tired of these bozos managing to screw up every draft by the verbal diaharrea they spew out. (Via SS)

Yeah, this is pretty damn boring and pointless.
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17. Jrue Holiday
G, 6'4", 199lbs.
UCLA

Yawn....Minnesota is getting ready to select another Point Guard, so let's brace ourselves!

Nice wide tie Jrue where did he pick that thing up, 1985? (Via Lammy)
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18. Ty Lawson (Traded to Denver)
PG, 6'1", 199lbs.
UNC

Ummm....when did the Timberwolves become the Lions??? There's no doubt that Rubio is heading to NYC, right? Oh wait....Ty Lawson is going to Denver apparently.

wanna bet that last Minny pick was part of a trade ??? anyone ? (Via Mark Cuban on Twitter)

"You can't play everyone." - JVG (Via JFein)

GENIUS!!!!
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19. Jeff Teague
G, 6'1", 175lbs.
Wake Forest

Worst defender in the draft. Terrible pick of Teague by the Hawks, who just traded for Jamal Crawford. Just a terrible pick. Got a dollar says the Jazz pick BJ Mullens....
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20. Eric Maynor
PG, 6'3", 164lbs.
VCU

Wow. Interesting pick since they already have Deron Williams in the backcourt. They could send Brewer to the three though, and have a two guard lineup. Intriguing.

Great....a Larry Brown interview. And thank you Knicks fans for once again booing on queue.
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21. Darren Collison
PG, 6'1", 166lbs.
UCLA

Yes! We have our first player who wasn't invited to the Draft making his way through the fans!!! Always the best move at the Draft. Nothing like having hostile New York fans throwing stuff at you as you surprise David Stern on stage. Good times.

Seriously, how do the Hornets take this guy ahead of Blair? You can get a reliable 10-minute backup PG for $1M this summer. (Via John Hollinger on Twitter)

I don't know about that one. I like the backup point guard move at this point. Plus I want Blair to slip to the Wiz at the top of round two.
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22. Victor Claver
F, 6'9", 224lbs.
Spain

Forget the Portland foreigner....Shaq is talking about Mike Jackson! Couldn't ESPN have done better than a conference call with Lisa Salters!?!?!?! Stop talking over the Diesel, woman!!! Worst. Interview. Ever.

Shaq says "I've always been a team player." Somwhere Kobe is laughing out loud. (Via Skip Bayless on Twitter)
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23. Omri Casspi
F, 6'9", 211lbs.
Israel

The fact that someone was holding up a "Jordan" jersey in front of all the Israeli flags in the stands. MIDDLE EAST REPRESENT!!!!


"They better have good flafel in Sacramento!"- Fran Fraschilla
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24. BJ Mullens (To OKC for Rodrigue Beaubois)
7'1", 258lbs.
Ohio State

Wow....Mark Cuban has been focusing all of his attention on bloggers, and not on the Draft. When have the Mavericks ever had a real center on their team? Answer....never.
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25. Rodrigue Beaubois (To Dallas for BJ Mullens)
G, 6'2", 182lbs.
Guadeloupe

Pass.

Oh wait.....the two teams drafting in back of each other just traded the last two picks. Why does the draft suck so bad now?
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26. Taj Gibson
PF, 6'9", 214lbs.
USC

Annnnnnnd.....it's commercial time. No more commentary for the rest of the night from ESPN.
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27. DeMarre Carroll
F, 6'7", 207lbs.
Missouri

"Here's a guy who has a liver disease"- Stuart Scott

Must Improve: Drinking Tolerance
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28. Wayne Ellington
G, 6'5", 202lbs.
UNC

I finally agree with Jay Bilas. I think Ellington will be a better pro than Henderson, but there's a problem. What do you do with Corey Brewer and Rodney Carney?

***Knicks trade Quentin Richardson to Memphis for Darko***

Sure....why not?!?!?!
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29. Toney Douglas
G, 6'2", 183lbs.
FSU

Not a bad pick at all for the Knicks. But now the Cavs get DeJaun Blair, and the Wizards will never beat them in a Playoff Series.
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30. Christian Eyenga
G/F
Congo

"With the 30th and the final pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, the Cleveland Cavaliers select...."

Even Stern doesn't want this to go to a second round.

Christian Eyenga: 0.8 PPG. Stat of the night. (Via Dan Shanoff on Twitter)
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That's it for me tonight. Just don't have it in me to stick with this for a whole second round full of foreign players. Thanks for joining in, and I'll have some quotes and videos tomorrow. I'll be on Twitter @ http://www.twitter.com/awfulannouncing, so we can all continue this party there if you'd like.

The NBA Draft is tonight as you know (and yes there will be a third annual live-blog), and teams are thinking of various ways to let the public know of their picks as they come in. Well according to Sports Business Daily, one the ways that won't be allowed however, is tweeting.

The NBA has notified its teams to not disclose on Twitter picks made in tonight’s Draft before they are announced on stage. The league has traditionally prohibited teams from using any sort of local or club media outlet, particularly digital forums such as an official Web site, from tipping off their selections in advance. A notice recently sent to clubs reminding them of that provision was expanded to include the wildly popular microblogging service. Several picks in the NFL Draft in April were leaked out by clubs to their Twitter followers.

The NBA, meanwhile, plans an extensive rollout of social networking-based content for the Draft, focusing primarily on behind-the-scenes content such as candid photos, offbeat interviews with draft selections and other similar material. Extensive sharing of content is also planned between the league’s feeds on Facebook and Twitter and those of the individual teams. “The guiding idea is to use social media and be complementary to what’s happening on ESPN, on NBA.com, and so forth,” said NBA Dir of Marketing Dan Opallo. “We’re not using Twitter, for example, to simply tweet pick by pick. That’s not what this is about for us. We want to supplement that traditional coverage and get into some additional places where fans haven’t been.”

Considering that every player, and NBA exec is already on Twitter, it seems like a bad move for the NBA to use the social networking platform. Also, it doesn't really seem like a big deal to me, as long as teams what until the selection is announced on ESPN, but whatever works for the NBA.

NBA Warns Teams Not To Announce Draft Picks On Twitter (Sports Business Daily - $)

Every year, I post this little rundown of ESPN's Draft plans, and every year the number of people covering the event grows by four or five. We know that they've lost one person this year, in Stephen A. Smith (frowny face), so who are they going to replace him with? Well the answer is actually nobody. In fact, there are only going to be eleven ESPNers covering the event this year. Here's the list....

Main Stage: Stuart Scott, Jay Bilas, Mark Jackson, Jeff Van Gundy
Other Analysts: Fran Fraschilla, Dick Vitale
On-site Reporters: Ric Bucher, Andy Katz
Green Room Interviewers: Mark Jones, Lisa Salters, Rachel Nichols

Pretty obvious group there, but I'm surprised that neither Jon Barry, Magic Johnson or Michael Wilbon, is involved. But why would you need the majority of your studio team at the Draft? Other than that, it's going to be your pretty standard ESPN Draft production. You'll still have the crawl going during commercials, Bilas' "Best Available, Fran Fraschilla on the International prospects and video conferencing with fifteen NBA teams (Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Indiana, Los Angeles Clippers, L.A. Lakers, Memphis, Minnesota, New Jersey, Phoenix, Portland and Washington). Oh and here's your early look at the intro for this year as well....

I can't stand sifting through draft grades, because they're even more pointless than mock drafts. You don't know what the criteria is (Did the team fill needs? Did the team draft the best player in that spot?), and teams drafting for defense always seem to score lower (see: Skins, Red). Well ESPN has taken such grading to a whole new level. They are grading the graders.

ESPN took a handful of people from various publications (USA Today, CBS Sportsline, etc), and averaged out their grades, to give each team a "GPA" for the draft. The Eagles scored the highest, while the Raiders failed miserably. There's only one problem....they didn't take the time to look closely at each grader's work. Larry Weisman's piece from the USA Today is from 2008. Heck he even has a photo up top of Glenn Dorsey, Chris Long and Matt Ryan....


Don't you think they would have noticed that Wiesman gave the Raiders a "C"? Well, FoxSports.com's John Czarnecki gave them one too, but you know what I mean. Plus, now all of the GPAs are completely off. Such a shame too.

Consensus NFL Draft Grades (ESPN)

(Thanks to reader JP for the tip)

I don't know if it's ESPN's terrible Day One coverage, the length of the thing or the lack of suspense during picks, but I think the NFL Draft is now officially unwatchable. Hour after hour, it's picks being ruined by ESPN or the NFL Network showing kids getting calls on their cell phone, and analysts making up ridiculous phrases to describe said draft picks. I mean, Steve Young described Mark Sanchez as "Presidential". What the hell does that even mean?

This year was also marred by the Erin Andrews "green room" experiment. While I understand the need for interviews, you really didn't need to send her to New Jersey on Day Two, to talk to the Cosbys....

That was fun right? Especially considering Quan Cosby didn't even get drafted! I know see the difference between having someone like Suzy Kolber asking picks about their workout regiment, and Erin Andrews asking Michael Crabtree about how many texts he's received.

I know I'm going to continue to watch the Draft, but I might just stick to Day Two from here on out.

What: The 2009 NFL Draft
Where: Radio City Music Hall
When: 4pm (ESPN/NFL-N)

So another Draft is upon us and this year's should be just as fun as the last few years. We already know that Matthew Stafford will be the first pick, but the rest of the first round is up in the air. Matt Sanchez and Michael Crabtree are the current names rumored that teams are going to trade up for (the Pats are interested in Crabtree apparently), and who knows when the crazy Andre Smith will go.

Predictions, quotes and thoughts are welcome throughout the day, and feel free to make fun of my Mock Draft below, which is sure to be completely useless....

1. Detroit Lions: Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia
2. St. Louis Rams: Jason Smith, OT, Baylor
3. Kansas City Chiefs: Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest
4. Seattle Seahawks: Mark Sanchez, QB, USC
5. Cleveland Browns: Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia
6. Cincinnati Bengals: Andre Smith, OT, Alabama
7. Oakland Raiders: Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech
8. Jacksonville Jaguars: Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri
9. Green Bay Packers: B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College
10. San Francisco 49ers: Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU
11. Buffalo Bills: Michael Oher, OT, Mississippi
12. Denver Broncos: Robert Ayers, DE, Tennessee
13. Washington Redskins: Brian Orakpo, DE/OLB, Texas
14. New Orleans Saints: Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State
15. Houston Texans: Aaron Maybin, DE, Penn State
16. San Diego Chargers: Chris "Beanie" Wells, RB, Ohio State
17. New York Jets: Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas State
18. Denver Broncos (from CHI): Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Rey Maualuga, ILB, USC
20. Detroit Lions (from DAL): Brian Cushing, OLB, USC
21. Philadelphia Eagles: Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia
22. Minnesota Vikings: Percy Harvin, WR, Florida
23. New England Patriots: Clay Matthews, OLB, USC
24. Atlanta Falcons: Peria Jerry, DT, Mississippi
25. Miami Dolphins: Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State
26. Baltimore Ravens: Kenny Britt, WR, Rutgers
27. Indianapolis Colts: Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland
28. Buffalo Bills (from PHI, which received from CAR): Donald Brown, RB, Connecticut
29. New York Giants: Hakeem Nicks, WR, North Carolina
30. Tennessee Titans: Everette Brown, DE, Florida State
31. Arizona Cardinals: Phil Loadholt, OT, Oklahoma
32. Pittsburgh Steelers: Darius Butler, CB, Connecticut

Quan Cosby is a potential draftee out of the University of Texas. You may remember him from his Fiesta Bowl performance, where he had 14 catches, 171 yards and 2tds (one coming with :16 left). Well, while Mark Sanchez is being followed around Southern California, Quan Cosby will be hanging with legendary comedian (and certifiably insane now), Bill Cosby! The wide receiver will be in Englewood, NJ, hanging with Mr. Huxtable, before he performs that night. Of course ESPN will be there to capture all the Cosby (no relation) goodness....

Cosby will watch the draft with actor/comedian Bill Cosby at a theater in Englewood, N.J., where the elder Cosby (no relation) will perform that night. Bill Cosby was impressed with the Texas receiver’s play in the Fiesta Bowl, so he had his representatives contact Quan and they struck up a friendship. Quan even introduced Cosby when the comedian performed in Austin, Texas. They will watch the draft together this weekend and if Quan – projected as a late-round pick – is selected when Cosby is performing Sunday night, Cosby has pledged to stop his show and introduce Quan on stage. ESPN will be there to capture the moment.

That sounds ten times better than having to sit inside Radio City Music Hall on day one, or have your family bugging you when you drop to the third round. Plus, Bill is likely to do something completely batty when Quan finally gets picked.

Here are the slew of other players ESPN will show remotely....Sanchez; Connor Barwin (Cincinnati); Donald Brown (UConn); Everette Brown (Florida State); Vontae Davis (Illinois); Darrius Heyward-Bey (Maryland); Malcolm Jenkins (Ohio State); Jeremy Maclin (Missouri); Clay Matthews (USC); Aaron Maybin (Penn State); Knowshon Moreno (Georgia); BJ Raji (Boston College); Andre Smith (Alabama); Chris “Beanie” Wells (Ohio State); Darius Butler (UConn); Louis Delmas (Western Michigan), Cornelius Ingram (Florida); LeShon McCoy (Pittsburgh); Alphonso Smith (Wake Forest); Ian Johnson (Boise State)

From time to time, I like to get interviews with certain media members or player, and today's one is perfect for Draft Week. ESPN gave me the opportunity to ask NFL Draft Producer, Jay Rothman, ten questions about the "Leader's" coverage of the Draft, and here were his responses. Hope you enjoy, and gain some insight as well....

Q&A w/ ESPN Senior Coordinating Producer Jay Rothman, who will oversee ESPN's NFL Draft telecast for the 15th year in 2009:

1. Having worked on the NFL Draft with ESPN for multiple years, what are some of your favorite memories?

Every year it’s intriguing because there seems to be a different controversy of who the better quarterback is. We had the year with McNabb, Couch, Culpepper, Akili Smith and Cade McNown to Eli and Phillip Rivers and Roethlisberger. Then there’s Leinart and Young, and Aaron Rodgers and Alex Smith, and Rodgers dropping and Brady Quinn’s drama. Even Harrington and Carr. Although it was a forgone conclusion, we debated that. And who really knows with Stafford and Sanchez. Stafford seems to be the bona fide No. 1 and Sanchez the hot guy that everyone is going after. The easy thing that sticks in your head is the quarterback debate that always comes up, everybody looking for that franchise quarterback. So I would say the quarterbacks and how we broke it down.

Other memories that stick out are the crazy things: when Parcells threw Sal (Paolantonio) out of the New York Jets camp. I think that was the year Keyshawn was drafted. The lights going out at Madison Square Garden, and the show going pitch black. The Lawrence Phillips debate with Theismann and Mel. Stuff like that.

Needless to say, the best stuff is some of the unique moments that we capture, Joe Thomas fishing or David Carr’s plane landing in Houston. Somehow, some way, the bizarre seems to fall into our lap. When the Vikings failed to make a pick before the clock went out, that became absolutely frenetic. When they forgot the card and the cards started flying at the table, it made for unbelievable drama, but all of a sudden for us the planes are stacked up. It makes it really difficult for us to get out of that turbulence. Great TV can be very complicated for us, and that’s kind of the stuff that happens.

One year we had Boomer Esiason on the set and we were ready to introduce him as the new voice of Monday Night Football, and we were set to do that with the Jets on the clock. Peyton Manning was drafted that year and we came out of the break and Boomer’s on the set, the Jets traded the pick and Peyton was there on the second set ready to be interviewed. A couple of coaches popped up on the video conference ready to be interviewed. That’s the nature of the draft. You go from what you think is logical to all this stuff that happens in a moment’s notice and it’s chaos.

2. How soon before the Draft do you begin the planning and scheduling?

There are things that go on that keep the process going year-round, and it never leaves your thought process, but it really begins in earnest once the college and NFL season ends. We go full-on. It’s getting to Mel and now McShay right away to try to flush out who are the top players in this class. It’s getting a team of people together to compile the best and worst of these players on video. This year it was how can we better clean up the screen and be more innovative by going in HD – having the SD feed in the 16x9 format to take advantage of the screen. Each year we try to successfully implement the technology we used during football coverage over the last year, so this year we will utilize the EA Virtual Playbooks and ESPN Axis technology and repurpose some of it in the draft show. We also try to find those unique wrinkles to consistently raise the bar year after year. Our goal is always to create a better, more innovative presentation. We have days and days of storyline meetings, team by team, so we are on point with all 32 clubs. We also talk about how to properly highlight the great moments of the last 30 years and even our history and tradition that makes us really the voice of the draft, which we take great pride in. We also spend a lot of time on talent. What’s the best pool of talent and how do we deploy our talent in the smartest and most efficient way? How do we break them down and have them deliver information?

3. What are some of the stats that you can give? (i.e. - number of cameras, number of personalities, total coverage hours)

Well, it’s challenging on tight 51st Street in New York City. For the first time we’ve taken up both sides of the street. But it’s not so much the number of cameras per se like it is for an NFL game that’s a ‘wow.’ In Radio City we have multiple sets – three sets – plus the green room, Todd McShay back in Bristol working the “magic board,” day 2 we’ve got another set fired up. Between 32 sites of video conferencing, and 17 remotes, we are looking at close to 60 locations all told when you include player locations and draft parties that are seamlessly integrated into the show. That stat probably impresses me the most.

4. It seems like in years past, ESPN has tried to fit various different personalities into the program. What makes this year's group special?

We have scaled down the talent in the actual draft show so that on day 1 we are really bouncing from our main set of four guys to Herm and Trey, Mort for news and information, Erin Andrews in the green room, and Todd McShay on the video board, and everything else is live shots and reporters. We are more fleet-footed. We’ve scaled back. We’ve reduced the number on the main set to move the ball around and keep the show in Radio City on day 1 where the buzz is, with the exception of showing the dozens of players and their reality unfold.

Mel is the staple. He is our E.F. Hutton. It’s groundhog day for Mel, and with draft fans there’s an expectation on Mel. McShay is a guy who’s earned his stripes. He’s as credible as Mel when it comes to breaking down players and he’s done so for a while. He deserves this stage, and finally we have a foil for Mel. We’re going to give them an opportunity to debate. Todd gives us the ability to have another credible go-to guy in terms of breaking down players and educating fans about who these kids are and identifying their strengths and weaknesses. We have the ability to do some unique things with Todd and Mel together and with Todd separately with the “magic board” and the ability to forward spin the show.

This is Berman’s 29th draft and that just shows his passion for this event and for the NFL. This is the most difficult studio job out there – bar none. As we’re flying by the seat of our pants behind the scenes, he’s got to do it seamlessly in front of a camera and as flawlessly as possible. There’s a big difference there. To dance like he dances for a big guy, and rock and roll based on this unscripted, unformatted show for the length of time that it is, it’s a very difficult thing to do. And I would argue that he and Mel really made the draft what it is today. Mel certainly did for his unique skills but there’s no question Berman helped make the draft what it is today. All those years of doing this thing and to keep wanting to come back year after year.

When Steve (Young) opens his mouth, it’s a ‘wow.’ What we did unique this year is we have made Steve the lead-off hitter for the NFC teams and Keyshawn the lead-off for the AFC teams. Aside from the obvious of having Steve break down the quarterbacks and Keyshawn break down Michael Crabtree and the receivers, we split up the league with them to help us balance their roles.

By moving Mort from the main set to another set, we are basically giving him the opportunity to focus on more news and information – who’s moving in, who’s moving out, what are the trade rumors he’s hearing? He will have the ability to aggressively work the phones during the show. We’ll get to him often but it further defines his role and allows him to do what he does best and not be prohibited by sitting on a main set. Inevitably, when you have less, less is more. By sheer numbers, it will allow us to be more fleet-footed, moving from set to set rather than being mired in a large set of talent.

We want to utilize Herm as a head coach and as a guy who sat in the draft room, especially on day 1. Put us in these draft rooms and give us that perspective. What do you look for in certain types of players? What he has given us in the meetings up to this point has been great. He spent four years as a scout, so he has a unique perspective that we plan to utilize. And Trey Wingo has proven himself as the year-round voice of our NFL studio show by taking on NFL Live like he has. Obviously, he’s proven his abilities as a very able host, his ability to ad-lib and his knowledge of the game. He can set up his analysts and he’s a very good interviewer as well. He has all the skill set to do an incredible job and he takes great pride in the fact that he’s doing this show.

5. Erin Andrews is close to College Football, but she hasn't covered the NFL for the network in her tenure at ESPN. Why make her the Green Room Host?

The decision really started with Suzy (Kolber) whose responsibilities shifted from day 1, where she is part of the preview show and hosting an A-list group of analysts with Cris Carter, Tom Jackson and Trent Dilfer during the first two hours of the draft on ESPNEWS. She is also essentially co-hosting day 2 on Sunday with the same group. Therefore, she was taken out of the mix. It was best for Trey to remain with Herm on that second set in Radio City, so we felt Erin would be the best person to be in the green room. She’s got a great personality, she’s aggressive, she’s well-liked by the players. It was really a no-brainer to have her back there. She is eager and doing her homework, and truthfully she has a lot of contacts that we don’t necessarily have, and she’s using those contacts within the world of college football to get a lot of unique and different information for us, whether it’s calling Mark Richt at Georgia or Pete Carroll at USC. She’s going to not only do interviews but her ability and skill-set as a sideline reporter is going to lead to unique nuggets and information that she is gathering. She will also react on the fly to the drama and tension of the green room. We’re relying on her sensibilities and smarts to help us translate to the viewer the tension and drama and excitement of that room, and to react accordingly. The players’ familiarity with her from college football makes her a great fit.

6. Along those same lines....Why no Kornheiser this year?

The big reason we had Tony in 2007 was really to introduce the new Monday Night Football team, and that clearly was the play. It was a new booth and a vehicle to recognize that and introduce them in a highly-rated show to sort of get the buzz out, and that was the only year we did it. We’re actually two years removed from that, so it’s really a non-factor.

7. How has the NFL Network's broadcast of the Draft changed ESPN's approach in recent years?

It really hasn’t changed our approach. The good thing is it has made us hungrier and put our radar up to not take for granted our success. It’s great to have another player in there. It makes us sharper and makes us work harder – to be more aggressive and want to differentiate. It’s not so much what are they doing versus what are we doing. It’s just made us work harder to ensure that we are indeed the network of choice.

8. Much talk has been made of a move to primetime for the Draft. Do you feel that would be a wise timeslot, and do you see it happening anytime soon?

Given the length of the two rounds on Saturday with the start time at 4 p.m. and the off-time around 11 p.m., it already is in primetime, and I think we are in a better position right now to get more eyeballs.

9. The Draft will be aired in HD for the first time ever. Why the wait in producing the program in high def?

It really came down to a truck and facilities that we were able to obtain in New York. The picture quality will be better, and, for the HD audience, there will be an additional bar of information and Draft-related content that the SD audience will not be getting. However, the SD screen is going to be in a 16x9 letterbox format. We are giving a bigger screen to the SD audience and taking away some of the clutter by fine-tuning some of the information along the BottomLine. We probably could have gone HD a year ago but this year we were able to obtain the same truck that we use for Monday Night Football and we decided to go for it. In the past we had left and right columns of information, in addition to the BottomLine, and it was just too busy. This year we have built everything into the BottomLine, kept more video in the 16x9 and provided the HD. In using the MNF truck, we are also using a bigger truck, which we realized we needed to do this show.

Note: the Radio City and Bristol portions of the Draft will be in HD, along with taped elements. Remotes and team videoconferencing will continue to be in SD.

10. Any other surprises planned for this year's telecast?

We’re up to 17 remotes on day 1 with players in the draft who will be outside of Radio City, which is a record for us. We’re really excited about that and feel it will be a point of differentiation with our coverage. Between the nine who will be in the green room and being with 17 players, we almost have half the draft’s players on day 1. A great surprise to me is that one of our cameras will be with receiver Quan Cosby of Texas, who will be with Bill Cosby at a theater in New Jersey. They’re not related but they struck up a friendship. If Quan gets picked when Cosby is there performing his show at the theater, he’s going to stop to introduce Quan. That’s a unique twist that’s in the line of Joe Thomas fishing with his dad. We’re also going to be with the top four running backs in the draft – Beanie Wells, Donald Brown, Knowshon Moreno and LeShon McCoy.

Drew Rosenhaus will also have a group of players he’s representing with him in Pennsylvania. He’s got a group of 2nd round guys -- McCoy (Pittsburgh), Darius Butler (Connecticut), Alphonso Smith (Wake Forest), Louis Delmas (Western Michigan) and Cornelius Ingram (Florida) – so we have depth into the second round, which I like. It’s not just at the top and the buzz is over. The other big thing is that Rosenhaus represents Anquan Boldin, Plaxico Burress and Chad Johnson, so storyline guys like that who may be traded before the draft or on draft day, we have a beat on the NFL angle too.

The last thing I would add is that we had access to the Combine for the first time, which allowed us behind the scenes with 43 players. For us, it’s more of the glam that we got out of it, not so much sit-down interviews or features, per se. It allowed us to do the magazine-type poses and things like that that help the elements of our show, both in the front-end highlight package and in the bumpers coming in and out of commercial breaks. We did some really unique stuff with motion and still photography. It elevates our look and feel.
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Many thanks to Jay, and ESPN, for taking the time out of their busy week(s) to answer those so thoroughly.