I've been thinking of starting a blog for some time and with the draft this weekend, now seems as good a time as any. I was asked to appear on a radio station in Phoenix last night to be part of a mock draft.
Naturally, I was asked to make the Texans selection at 10. The mock played out much like many that have been posted all over the web. However, Calvin Johnson somehow slipped to number six where the Redskins quickly snatched him up. I think we can be pretty certain that's not going to happen tomorrow.
As I waited on the phone, Miami made their selection, and to my surprise, their rep chose Patrick Willis, the linebacker out of Ole' Miss. I was relieved because then I knew who i would pick for the Texans, Levi Brown, the offensive tackle from Penn State.
Do I think that the Texans are targeting Brown at 10? No, not necessarily, but as a PSU alum, I felt obligated to take Brown and the pick made sense. Of course, we were not allowed to trade picks and I really think that's going to happen tomorrow sooner rather than later for a couple of teams in the top-10.
I'm in the camp that believes that the Texans would love to trade down and pick up extra selections, but doesn't everyone? During one of my first interviews with Texans general manager Rick Smith I asked him about his "draft philosophy" and also about trading down to get extra players. I'll never forget his response.
"Everyone would like to trade down, that's easier said than done. You have to have a trade partner."
It makes sense. How many teams have you heard that want to trade down?... a whole bunch. How many have shown a legitimate interest in trading up?...not many. The Texans might want to move out of the 10th position Saturday, but as they say, it takes two to tango and if no one wants to dance with Houston when they go on the clock, it doesn't really matter what Smith wants to do.
One of the best aspects of working for the team is that you get to interact with the front office almost on a daily basis. I like talking to our scouts, picking their brains, and trying to get a feel for what might happen this weekend. I will say this, the staff has worked hard and I would find it hard to believe that any team is more prepared than the Texans this weekend.
Nick and I will be all over the building Saturday and Sunday, covering press conferences, peeking in the war room, all while keeping the website up to date. If you're like many and plan to veg out in front of the T.V. this weekend to watch the draft, set up your laptop alongside and follow our coverage.
We'll broadcast every Texans press conference live and are also debuting some cool features that you will have to wait to see this weekend on the homepage.
