Some NFL toughts ...

Let it be known that I'm a big NFL fan. Not as much as I used to be, but there's levels of crazy when it comes to fanaticism (yes, it's a word. I think) and I'm still in the double digits there.

I say that as a disclaimer for the next couple of thoughts ...

*** I still can't believe the Seahawks cut Shaun Alexander. Period. And that was before I read about how much they were paying him. Two years after giving him an eight-year, $62-million contract, the 2005 NFL MVP was dropped. Just like that. Sure he's suffered from injuries, but, come on, just two years ago he led the NFL in rushing and scored a record 28 touchdowns. 28!!!! Unreal.

Alexander, 30, still has some tread left on his tires. Remember that. He's going to make an NFL team (cough, cough, Tampa Bay, cough, cough) a very happy franchise. 28 TOUCHDOWNS!!!!

*** What about Jake Long signing with the Dolphins. I'm for it. Heck, if you know who you want before the draft, why wait? Bill Parcells isn't playing around in Miami, he's there to turn that franchise around. And the way you do it is by building a solid offensive and defensive line. Long is a scary dude. Have you seen him?
Scary. That's all I can say.

*** The NFL draft is Saturday ... and Sunday. I don't know if you've heard. It's been in all the papers. Oh, and this network called ESPN has been talking about it for like, I don't know, months.
Here's my take on the draft ... it's fun ... for about an hour, maybe two. Then it gets old. But more than that, it's frustrating. How can a guy who didn't play well in college, or was "mediocre" all of a sudden be a "top pick" because of what he did in the combine?
I just don't understand it. How can a 40 time, bench press, vertical jump, shuttle run and an interview make a middle-of-the-road guy a star? The proof is in the pudding as far as I'm concerned. Just because a guy does well in a bunch of "tests" doesn't mean he's any better than what's on tape.
The tape doesn't lie. One good day might.

*** But, still, the draft does have it's moments. In tomorrow's Opelika-Auburn News, I'm listing the top 32 reasons (one for every NFL team) to watch the NFL draft.
Here's a sampling ...

3) Mel Kiper yelling at the TV. Is it me, or does he seem very angry when he talks? Who knew a right guard from Illinois State could make Kiper that upset, even if he did bench press 225 pounds 35 times.
4) The No. 1 jersey that all the first-round picks who are in New York hold up during the photo opt after being selected by whatever team. I wonder if Mr. Irrelevant gets to hold up a 252 jersey.
5) Mr. Irrelevant. Speaking of the last guy drafted, who knew it was such a glamorous distinction? Everyone remembers Mr. Irrelevant. Everyone. Heck, if I were the 251st pick, I’d be mad, because no one’s going to remember me, even though I was good enough to not be picked last.
6) The hats. Every player gets a hat from the team that just picked him. And they always seem to fit perfectly. I don’t know about you, but it takes a good two to three days for me to get the bill of my hat exactly the way I want it to look. Not only are these guys talented enough to be picked in the first round of the NFL draft over hundreds of others, they’ve got perfectly shaped heads. I’m jealous.
11) Kiper’s hair.
26) The phone call. Just before the selection, the team usually calls their guy. I can just imagine the conversation ... “Do I want to be a Ram? Umm, can I get back to you?”
29) J-E-T-S ... Jets, Jets, Jets.
30) Anytime Chris Berman says “The Raiders.”