I watched a lot of NFL draft coverage this weekend, especially on Saturday. As a person who knows very little about college football, I admit to relying heavily on the ESPN team for my information. I thought the Saturday group had a weak outing; Berman and Mortenson weren’t their usual good selves, Young wouldn’t shut up and I stopped listening to Keyshawn when he suggested that Chad Johnson wasn’t making enough money. Who’s that leave?, the self-proclaimed guru of the NFL Draft, Mel Kiper, Jr. So it got me to thinking, “Who the hell is Mel anyways?”.
Kiper is president of Draft Publications Inc., which he founded in 1981 while in Essex Community College. It is responsible for all aspects of two annual publications: NFL Draft Report and Draft Preview. ESPN Media Zone indicates that “his continuous, year-long research is aided by an office equipped with satellite dishes allowing him to pick up 20 to 25 college games each week”.
Still don’t have an answer to, “Who the hell is Mel anyways?”. To his credit, its sounds to me that he is not only “self-proclaimed” but “self-invented”, as well. The community college sports geek with no football playing, coaching or administrative experience, at any level, has parlayed his obsession into a thriving business and, even with a face (and hairdo) for radio, a national television contract. He has had his run-ins with NFL GMs, coaches and administrators, and his track record is certainly not perfect, as his Wikipedia entry clearly details http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mel_Kiper. Love him or hate him, however, he saw an untapped business opportunity and ran with it like a 4.27 second 40 yard dash. Anybody who can get rich by watching 20-25 football games a week, has done something right in my book.
I’ll admit that once the Bills picks were announced, I needed to know right away, what did the community college dropout with no football experience think? What was Mel’s grade? Why did they take the cornerback McKelvin, when Mel had someone listed ahead of him at the position?
I am sorry that I wasted your time, because I don’t think I was able to answer that age old question, “Who the hell is Mel anyways?” but I do know after watching the other analysts on ESPN that day, I came away thinking, ”I’ve got football fever and the only prescription is more Mel”. Sad to say, but I needed more Mel than ESPN was willing to give me on Saturday.
dgoodz said
*yawns
chris said
if i recall u used a word worse than “hell” when talking about the draft, also, mel’s company is called Kiper Enterprises, not Draft Publications…i think i might have to steal daves idea and do a top 5 of why i hate mel kiper, it will be posted within the next 24 hrs
Don Burtless said
mel kiper is one of the most over-rated ‘experts’ in football history. i would also like to quote his famous line from the 05? draft. “ill see you at Mike Williams (usc wr drafted by the Detroit lions then cut and signed to Oakland, then cut again and signed to Tennessee because of weight problems) hall of fame induction.”
DRSACK said
IDC (I DON’T CARE)
nagafooki said
wthima? (who the hell is Mel anyways?)
maryt4905 said
I’ve learned alot about the importance of NFL draft day since living in a testosterone filled house. I can’t quite gather the enthusiasm my four boys do, but it is an exciting couple of days waiting to hear what everybody thinks of the picks made. The matt leinert year was much more exciting, waiting to see when he would go. Also, has anyone listened to the “interview” with our first pick?? How does someone get four (probably free) years of college and a degree and speak so little English??? I can’t picture him and Trent carrying on many intelligent conversations, although I bet him and crazy Ralph will!!
qabflo said
Looking forward to the list Chris. Bad Mel is better than no Mel at all. (BMIBTNMAA)
rockbill said
So glad you did this posting because it got DRSACK, Chris, and dgoodz back in the blogosphere. We missed you, guys. Although I am like nagafooki, not having a clue who Mel is. When I saw the title and glanced at the photo, I thought it was Mel Gibson.
Any other famous Mels?
Williamsville Bob said
mel ott, mel blanc, mel brooks, mel lensenhuber,
qabflo said
Mel Earp
maryt4905 said
mel b (scary spice)
mel harris
mel’s diner
this was a toughy
rockbill said
There was a fourth Earp brother? (know affectionately as Gummo, I’m sure). Almost lost to history, if not for Barry On Buffalo.
Mel Stottlemeyer
Melvin Laird
Pell Mell
qabflo said
No one said, Mel Brooks!!!!!!!
maryt4905 said
hate to be like chris but check out bobs
Williamsville Bob said
thanks Mary. How about Harold Melvin and the Blue notes