Goodell says the NFL Draft will go on as planned except it won't be the star-studded spectacular in Las Vegas that was envisioned. It will be done as a televised conference call. While some teams protest they haven't had enough time and access to accurately assess potential draft picks but I think teams are already overloaded with data and analysis and they still select busts from time to time (Paxton Lynch, anyone?)
The draft is a crapshoot. I suppose if I were the head of scouting, I wouldn't want my job hanging on kids I couldn't interview but, heck, you had the combine and you still have a telephone. Drop a dime on the kid or his coach.
What I like is that the NFL's ratings for the draft ought to be as big as ever because it's the only newsworthy sports event in town. The draft normally competes with baseball, NBA and NHL playoffs, tennis golf and whatever else. Little to none of that will compete for eyeballs this April.
Plus, I appreciate one league that is trying to keep on schedule in this moment of panic. True, it's a blessing of good timing. The NFL is not in part of their season like the other sports but, hey, you play with the hand you are dealt.
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