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National Football League
Draft King Analysis
October 26, 2009
Lou Pickney, DraftKing.com
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Happy Thanksgiving to everyone -- hopefully those readers who celebrate the holiday have been able to spend it with family and friends. I've been fortunate enough to be able to make it home for Thanksgivings, though that hasn't always been the case. One of the reasons I got out of the TV news business (and I have many reasons for that) is because of the holiday hassle. The insatiable beast that is television news waits for no one, holidays or otherwise.
 | Colt McCoy may win the 2009 Heisman Trophy. (Icon SMI)
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Today proved to be a Thanksgiving double-header for me, having lunch with my family at my parents' place and then dinner with my girlfriend's family. NFL football is normally a great respite from the hustle and bustle of the day (or an escape for people like me who get overwhelmed after awhile with a house filled to the brim with guests), though sadly I haven't had the chance to give any of the three games on today the proper attention they deserve. Sometimes you just have to make sacrifices for family time.
Some noteworthy things from today's NFL (and college) action:
-Texas QB Colt McCoy all but locked himself in as the winner of the 2009 Heisman Trophy with the Longhorns' 49-39 win over Texas A&M. Don't mistake it as McCoy winning some sort of collegiate career achievement award; he has been a top-flight QB, steady under pressure, and able to run that Texas offense with precision. His gaudy stats tonight (300+ passing yards and 4 passing TDs to go with 175 yards rushing and a running TD) won't hurt his case, either, particularly among voters who demand some element of statistical impressiveness from their candidate. The performance also won't hurt McCoy's draft stock.
-Detroit QB Matt Stafford gutted things out with his shoulder injury, showing leadership by playing through the pain. Yes, he threw four interceptions, but he is a rookie. Hang in there, Lions fans. With GM Martin Mayhew calling the shots, things have already gotten considerably better than they were during the Matt Millen era.
-It shouldn't bother me that Matt Millen was doing color commentary for the NFL Network's Giants/Broncos game, but on some level it really does. One oft-overlooked fact of football broadcasting is that there are many more skilled play-by-play guys out there than there are good color commentators. Millen is a natural behind the mic, to the point where he had broadcast networks clamoring for his services despite being the architect for the NFL's first-ever 0-16 team.
-The breakout of Miles Austin as a bona fide #1 wide receiver in Dallas has been interesting to see unfold this season, and after a brief dip in productivity he had a strong game today against the Raiders. Almost as amazing as Austin's performance has been the underwhelming output by Roy Williams since being traded to the Cowboys last year. Remember that the Cowboys gave up a first and a third round draft pick to bring Williams on board. Keep in mind also that the Williams trade was one of the first moves made by the aforementioned Martin Mayhew after replacing Millen as GM of the Lions.
Sometimes things tie together quite nicely. Have a great Thanksgiving everyone.
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