NFL Draft will be different

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

If you love the National Football League, then it's pretty fair to think you also enjoy the draft.

What players are your favorite team going to draft? Are they going to trade out of their first-round slot to move up or down? Who are they targeting? 

The draft buzz starts months before the actual draft, and every year the draft seems to be getting bigger and bigger.

So the NFL went to its instant replay and came up with a new rule change: the NFL Draft, starting in 2010, will be spread out to three days instead of two.

I think the big difference is that ONLY the first round will be on the first day -- on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. It's all about ratings obviously, and the draft will be in a prime-time slot, so it seems like a no-brainer for the NFL to take advantage of its popularity. It will be televised on ESPN and the NFL Network.

It's not like the borderline fan will sit through almost 3 1/2 hours of a first round, but the diehards will and currently do it.

Under the new rule, the second day of the draft will be for the second and third round, and Day 3 is for the fourth through the seventh round (I'm willing to bet there won't be too many viewers on the final day).

Currently the draft is on Saturday and Sunday, so farewell to the NFL Draft parties around the country that start early on Saturday and last throughout the early evening. It looks like a new plan will have to be a Thirsty Thursday, just like the old college days. But if you have to work on Friday, it might not be a great idea unless you take a sick day.

My question is after the first round, will you tune it and watch the entire Day 2 and Day 3, or check back in periodically to see who your team selected?

I think it's a great format for the first round and puts even more of a emphasis on the top players in the draft and actually might pull in more viewers, even the so-so fan who just might develop into a diehard after watching all the hoopla. But I'm not so sure three days of a draft, which can be boring at times with all the experts chiming in on every topic under the sun, is the best idea. 

I consider myself a diehard NFL fan, but I'm not even going to sit through three days of the draft. Yes, it's boring at times. I think it's a little overkill, but the first round should be an extravaganza and even Day 2 with the second and third round will be outstanding since the majority of these picks need to help your team out if you're going to be any good. 

Do you like the new format?

Fantasy Baseball: Frozen Ropes

By Jim Ingram

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Welcome back to the first Frozen Ropes of the 2nd half of the season. Luckily we have had a solid week of play so far in the 2nd half. As always, we'll start with the good.

The Good:

1. Matt Holiday - .393, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 9 R, 2 SB

Is it just coincidence that Matt Holiday gets really hot come trade deadline time? Despite the fact Holiday is in the middle of an OK season, it would be best served to trade him instead of hold on for the two draft picks. Unless he goes to a hitter friendly park, hello New York Yankees, he will not top 25 homers this year.

2. Yunel Escobar - .480, 3, 12, 6, 0

Speaking of another person who's name has been on the trade block. Escobar has been as hot as a hitter can get right now, and maybe he's finally feeling the pressure of having a reputation of being a bit lackadaisical. Either way, he's sure to come down to earth, but is still a pretty good fantasy producer.

3. Miguel Montero - .440, 4, 9, 6, 0

If Montero hadn't shown up in the top 5 this week, he would have slid nicely into the under the radar portion of this blog. He's been on fire since before the All Star break and is making the most of playing regularly. If you need help at catcher, get him and ride while he's hot. A .287, 9, 28 line is also not something to scoff at.

4. Garrett Jones - .379, 4, 6, 6, 0

If you don't know you Jones is, he's a 1b/OF for the Pirates. I have also been pulling for him since his days in the Twins minor league system. I used to work part time for a company named Baseball Info Solutions and saw Jones play a ton of games while scoring games when he played for the New Britain Rock Cats. He's always had a ton of power, and finally looks like he's getting a chance to play. I doubt he'll ever be a full time player in the MLB, but it's nice to see him get a chance.

5. Justin Morneau - .346, 3, 9, 7, 0

Of course Morneau is the reason why Garrett Jones never got a chance to play in Minnesota. Morneau is having another solid season and this week is no different. He's on pace to have one of, if not the best, seasons of his career.

The Bad:

1. Andruw Jones - .167, 0, 2, 2, 0

Andruw is finally coming down to Earth. Personally, I can't stand him for getting fat, out of shape, and tanking it during his time with the Dodgers. Hopefully, he continues to play awful and break down in the heat of Arlington.

2. Derek Lee - .208, 0, 2, 4, 0

Lee is having a fine season, but this week has not gone so well. He does need be an impact bat if the Cubs want to stay in the Divisional race. I wouldn't be too worried about Lee's resurgence.

3. Vernon Wells - .167, 1, 1, 2, 0

If you are a regular reader of this blog, than you know of my utter disdain for Vernon Wells. I have no idea how the Jays can get rid of him when there's $124 million left on his contract and he's a marginal big league player. .260, 10, 39 is not a line I want for someone hitting 7th or 8th in my lineup, much less 4th.

4. Hank Blalock - .208, 0, 4, 1

Hank's had a pretty good year so far hitting 19 home runs, but has never fully returned to his early form of a few years ago. He's been rumored in various trades, but I am not certain they'll move him unless they get pitching in return because they're still in the AL West race.

5. BJ Upton - .233, 0, 1, 1, 1

BJ continues to be out shined by his younger brother Justin this season. For all we know, he's not healthy and that's caused problems all season long. He still has 32 stolen bases on the year, so he can help your fantasy team.

Under the Radar:

Do you need help at the shortstop position? If so, take a look at Erick Aybar. Over the past month, and 83 at bats, he's hit .410, 1 HR, 17 RBI, 18 Runs & 6 stolen bases. He'll help your team just on the batting average right now. Josh Willingham will get traded by the Washington Nationals. He's also helped himself out by hitting .357, 4, 16 over the past month. He's a corner outfielder with power and that is what a lot of teams need right now. If you need a utility man, and we know how much Chad & I love these guys, than look now further than Martin Prado. He's eligible at 1B, 2B & 3B and has hit .373 over his past 102 at bats. He's a former top prospect who's finally getting some playing time. Why don't we stay with the middle infielders today. The White Sox's Gordon Beckham is eligible at both 2B & SS, and is hitting .356, 2, 15 the past month. He's only owned in 24% of Yahoo Leagues and is a good keeper if you play in that type of league. Casey McGehee is still only owned in only 18% of leagues. He's now the starting 2nd baseman for the Brewers and hit .286, 5, 16 the past month. Give him a shot. He's hitting for average and has some pop from the 2nd base position.