NFL Draft to expand to three days

[JLEW1818]

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.

A total of 39 million viewers watched the draft this year.

The NFL said the first round lasted just under 3½ hours in 2009, which would fit neatly into a prime-time slot.

From 1988 to 1994, the NFL held its draft on Sunday-Monday two-day blocks. From 1995 to 2009, the league made it a Saturday-Sunday event.

Information from ESPN.com's John Clayton and The Associated Press.


http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4351601

[Crucifax Autumn]

So now more people can see who will be whining about hangnails, playing without heart, and badmouthing teammates in the future?

ALLSOME!

[badger]

If they really wanted to give something back to the fans, they would bid out the location of the NFL Draft so it isn't a bunch of d@mn New Yorkers booing everyone in sight that isn't drafted by the Jets or Giants... or in some cases, the ones that the Jets and Giants pick that NY'ers don't agree with.

Seriously! The Super Bowl isn't in the same location every year! Why should the draft be?

As for the three-day thing, I don't really care. I'm not sure Must-See-TV Thursday is the First Round of the NFL Draft... unless, of course, it's a bunch of Sooners like it will be in 2010 :D

[stoops the eternal pimp]

I think it will definitely help teams out, giving them an extra day to sort out what gems are still left towards the end of the draft. An extra day to see who has slipped down and why....oustanding move

[badger]

It might also give more face time for players with fans and coaches and owners and such. There's still only 65 roster spots, but it would give the less-hyped players (the un-Timmy Teehees, if you would) a chance to get drafted or get a free agent deal... or just a tryout.

[DMAFB_Sooner08]

We get to see our big 3 drafted in primetime next year!

[Curly Bill]

If it keeps ESPN from showing poker during that time why not.

[stoops the eternal pimp]

no cricket tho

[Curly Bill]

cricket > NFL draft > poker

[stoops the eternal pimp]

just more confirmation

[stoopified]

So now I havethree days of draft to ignore?

[JLEW1818]

We get to see our big 3 drafted in primetime next year!

big 4!

[badger]

big 4!

Sam Bradford
Jeremy Grish-am
Gerald McCoy
Demarco Murray/Chris Brown

:les:BIG FOUR![hairGel]

[JLEW1818]

Trent Williams?

[Curly Bill]

If he gets healthy and has a good year Granger may go higher than Murray.

[Curly Bill]

Trent Williams?

One would think.

[soonerfan28]

If he gets healthy and has a good year Granger may go higher than Murray.

Only if they both run a 4.7.:D

[JLEW1818]

hahaha... I'll give my lefty, it Trent runs a 4.7 at the NFL Combine

[stoops the eternal pimp]

Granger most likely would go before Murray....DTs are more sought after in the draft than runningbacks...

[JLEW1818]

funny how Granger is possibly a first round pick, yet does not start for the Sooners?

[stoops the eternal pimp]

if he's healthy and not starting by the 3rd or 4th game, I'll be shocked..and the way they like to rotate DTs, starting doesn't mean that much

[bent rider]

I think it will definitely help teams out, giving them an extra day to sort out what gems are still left towards the end of the draft. An extra day to see who has slipped down and why....oustanding move

Another day of agonizing waiting for players who were convinced by an agent that they'd go in the first or second round, but did not.

Buy stock in Tums ... or Budweiser.

[JLEW1818]

gotcha

[soonerfan28]

Granger is big run stuffer, but this year they are wanting better speed on both sides of the ball. Don't get me wrong I think if Granger is healthy he will play a lot, but Adrian Taylor is someone who I think is going to be very impressive this fall. The guy is a G-Mac clone and he was a projected DE out of HS. Taylor will get as many minutes as any other DT w/the acception of McCoy. I think OU's DT position is going to be one of the scariest positions for opposing teams to face. We may not have a lot of depth(especially if Granger doesn't recover), but the players that play will be very, very good.

[JLEW1818]

OUr entire DLine will be sick ... a lot of Our backup DTs would start for most other big 12 schools..

[soonerfan28]

A 4-man DE rotation that doesn't even include RJ Washington (at this point) is pretty damn good.

[JLEW1818]

yup, don't forget bout big ole McFarland coming in... he will play as freshman I'm sure....and he is wearing number 97.....somebody else wore that i think... hehe

[Crucifax Autumn]

Well, the good thing is that the draft is more exciting than 99% of the games, so there is that.