I Admit It: I'm A Draft Dodger

The NFL Draft is tonight. Each year ESPN racks their brain on how to make this event bigger than the final episode of Seinfeld. This year they have decided it deserves to be on primetime during the work week when everyone is at home. That seems rather ironic since the degenerates who watch all 200 rounds are always home because they don't have a job (unless you count 'G.M. of their fantasy football team' work).

Simply put, the NFL draft is intriguing for round one, and even that can be exhausting for many fans. The time between picks are too long and if your team picks, let's say 19th, you will be waiting longer than a RedSox/Yankee game to see their selection.

Tonight I will have the draft on a secondary television in my house with the volume down. That's perfect for me. I can keep an eye on the ticker as each selection is made. What I don't need is the paralysis through analysis in Round Three when the Pittsburgh Steelers select a defensive end from Arkansas State. I don't need to here Todd McShay and Mel Kiper Jr. use words like "upside" and "graded out well in Indianapolis." I want to see who my teams (Falcons and Packers) select early and where guys from my college (U.S.C.) end up. The best way to accomplish that is probably by looking up the results online the next morning.

I noticed this morning that NFL.com has a mock draft through round three. Really? What poor soul had to come up with selection predictions for picks 65 through 98? And how does he know the Dallas Cowboys really need Ed Wang, OT from Virginia Tech with the 90th pick? If he gets it wrong is his credibility destroyed? If he gets it right will anyone care?

I'm ready for tonight's draft to be over with. I know, it will continue on over the next few days through seven rounds. I hope most of you throw in the flag by Friday. If you are still watching and they don't have highlight packages of the selections being made --- you've been watching way too long!

So here's to tonight! Roger Goodell will be reading names off a post card. I can't wait!

Just as Stress-Phil for This Master

For most of his career he took a back seat to Tiger Woods. For most of his career he had the pressure to be his rival. Phil Mickelson doesn't need any added pressure thank you. After winning his third green jacket this past Sunday, Phil Mickelson showed that he isn't the only one on tour that can deliver in the clutch while managing off the course distractions.

"Distractions." Probably doesn't do Phil's level of stress any justice. While Tiger Woods may be dealing with sex addiction rehab, Phil Mickelson is dealing with a wife and mother stricken by cancer. Sex Rehab....Cancer. Game Over - Phil Wins. Not even close. Anyone that has been touched either directly or indirectly with a family member by cancer knows what type of impact it can have on one's psyche. There are many a sleepless nights. There is a lot of crying alone, while trying to remain strong for the loved one dealing with this illness. It takes a strong heart and a steady mind just to keep it all together. (I've been there - as I lost my mother to breast cancer 7 years ago)

Tiger didn't have his wife Elin in Augusta this week. I'm guessing that was a mutual decision or they couldn't get a hotel room with two double beds. Phil encouraged his wife to join him this week in Augusta, however, she spent most of her time laying in bed. Everytime Phil finished off an impressive round, feeling good about himself, 'cancer' would bring him right back down to earth. To wake up each day beside your wife who is battling a horrible illness and to clear your mind to go play 18 in the biggest tournament of the year -- that is stressful! Worrying about some obnoxious 'patron' lobbing a distasteful sex joke in your direction....not so much.

Tiger grabbed all the headlines this week as the entire sports world was curiously awaiting to see how this fiesty champion would perform at Augusta National. We all wondered how Tiger Woods could even focus on golf this soon, fresh out of rehab, awkward press conferences and continuous quotes from a variety of misstresses. These are problems Tiger Woods created himself. Phil Mickelson didn't ask for cancer to strike his wife and mother.

Phil Mickelson's ability to overcome his distractions off the course was as Masterful as anything he did on it this week. All due respect to Tiger, that takes a backseat to no one, no more.