FanNation - The Republic of Sport

*BEFORE READING, PLEASE READ ROUND 1 TO GET BACKGROUND INFO*

First and Second rounds without commentary 

Berman: Welcome back to the ESPN 12 coverage of the NFL Mock Draft, we will no longer go to commissioner Goodell for the picks, they will be bolded and in red type on the scroll on the bottom of the screen. (#32 Miami-OT Sam Baker-USC) Like that. You guys like the Baker pick? (#33 San Diego-RB Chris Johnson-ECU)

Kiper: Yeah, it will improve the offensive line of the Dolphins immensely, but the Chargers did the right thing by taking Johnson there. After trading away LT to the Rams, they needed a star RB like Johnson can be.

McShay: (#34 Atlanta-TE Fred Baker-USC) That was a great pick for the Chargers there. Johnson is a guy that can be great in the future, but it might take a while, and the Chargers might have some issues having to rely on only Darren Sproles this year. (#35 Kansas City-RB Ray Rice-Rutgers)

Berman: Thanks guys, Chris Mortensen is with John Madden right now. Chris?

Mortensen: Thanks Chris. (#36 New York Jets-DE Calais Campbell-Miami) I'm here with John Madden right now. So John, what do you think about this year's draft class?

Madden: Well, You got a lot of big guys out there that will be trying to make some big plays. (#37 Oakland-WR James Hardy-Indiana)

Mortensen: Do you like Matt Ryan's ability?

Madden: Well you know when I look at Matt Ryan I see a guy that needs to throw Touchdowns. (#38 Baltimore-OT Gosder Cherilus-Boston College) If he can throw a bunch of touchdowns and win a bunch of games I think he will do well in the NFL.

Mortensen: How do you see next year stacking up? (#39 San Francisco-WR Early Doucet III-LSU)

Madden: I really think that the team that goes out and wins the most games will have the best shot at winning the whole thing. You know unless POW, some underdog wins in the playoffs. But if I'm picking a team, I'll say the Packers will win the title next year. I think that Favre will lead his team back to the title in 2008. 

Mortensen: John, Favre retired a week ago...

Madden: Yeah, I had heard that rumor a few weeks ago, but I wouldn't pay any attention to that. He says he may retire at the end of every year. Like I said, Favre and the Pack win the title in 2008.

Mortensen: (#40 New Orleans-CB Brandon Flowers-Virginia Tech) I think he really means it this time, he was choking up at the press conference....

Madden: Ha, that Brett, sometimes you never know what he is going to do. But in all seriousness, he will win the NFL MVP award next year and start for both the AFC and NFC in the Pro Bowl.

Mortensen: If Brett WERE to retire...who is the best team in the NFL?

Madden: Well, that's not going to happen. But I will say that the second best team is the Patriots. They won something like 16 games last year in the regular season. That seems pretty good. I'm thinking that this year they should work on plays in the Super Bowl where they score more points than the other team. then WHAM, you are brining home a title. But that will be hard, because defending Favre and the Packers really can't be done. (#41 Buffalo-TE John Carlson-Notre Dame)

Mortensen: The final score of a game is 20-13, which team won? (#42 Denver-DT Kentwan Balmer-North Carolina)

Madden: This is a hard question, but I'm going to say that the team that scored 20 would have won the game.

Mortensen: Why?

Madden: Well in my time in football I have learned two things. #1- ACE is ALWAYS THE PLACE. And #2- the team that scores the most points usually wins the game.

Mortensen: What are your thoughts on the Patriots videotaping scandal?

Madden: I was a little shocked. I mean I have been a part of taping games with FOX, ABC and now NBC. So I really don't know what the big deal is. If anything they should pick up a copy of MADDEN 08, they can see the plays from any angle they want.

Mortensen: What will be new in Madden 09?

Madden: I'm hoping to have Brett Favre on the cover, and a new feature where all of Favre's passes will go for TD's, then he and I go to Outback Steakhouse for a Blooming Onion after the game. But then again I don't have much to do with the actual game, they don't even use my voice anymore. Then again I'll put my name on about anything, have I mentioned that ACE is the place? or that I love to eat at Outback Steakhouse?

Mortensen: Thanks for your time, have fun this year.

Madden: It's always fun working with Pat Summerall. (#43 Carolina-WR Devin Thomas-Michigan State) 

Mortensen: Chris, back to you.

Berman: Thanks Chris, I'm here with New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick. How will Keith Rivers come in and help your team?

Belichick: He's young, talented, and looks to be a perfect fit for our defense. We will see how it goes. Next question.

Berman: (#44 Chicago-QB Brian Brohm-Louisville) Any regrets about losing the #31 pick? Would that have improved your team anymore?

Belichick: We will work with what we have, just like we always do. Next question. (#45 Detroit-DT Dre Moore-Maryland)

Berman: You signed Randy Moss to a new deal. Do you think having him back next year will get you guys back to the Super Bowl?

Belichick: Randy would be an asset to any team, and as far as getting back to the Super Bowl, we will take that one game at a time. (#46 Cincinnati-ILB Jerod Mayo-Tennessee)

Berman: Any regrets about the 2007 season?

Belichick: No thats the past, and we are looking forward to and preparing for the upcoming season.

Berman: Can your team go 16-0 again next year? (#47 Minnesota-TE Dustin Keller-Purdue)

Belichick: We play it one game at a time, thats all.

Berman: Any comment on the videotaping scandal?

Belichick: I have said all Im ever going to say on that matter. Any more questions?

Berman: No, thanks for your time. We now go to Todd McShay with Dan Connor. (#48 Atlanta-QB Joe Flacco-Delaware) 

McShay: Thanks Chris, How does it feel to be born and raised in Pennsylvania, and now to be playing for the Steelers?

Connor: Its a great feeling. Growing up I always wanted to play in the state when I got to the NFL, but I never dreamed it would actually happen. I was never really a big Steelers fan, since I grew up outside of Philly, but I think I can make a pretty easy transition in loyalty.

McShay: (#49 Philadelphia-OL Anthony Collins-Kansas) Do you think that it will help your transition to the NFL to still be able to play in the same state?

Connor: Of course. The most important thing in my life is my family. and now they will still be close to me. They can come to all of my home games without much trouble, and I think that will really help my confidence. (#50 Miami-DL Trevor Laws-Notre Dame)

McShay: Now the tough questions....Were you happy with where you were drafted? Or do you think you should have gone higher? (#51 Washington-S DaJuan Morgan-NC State)

Connor: In one sense I was happy, and in another I wasn't. I thought that I would have gone a bit earlier, especially with the success of my Penn State teammate Paul Posluszny before his injury last year, because he play a very similar style. On the other hand, I am very excited to go to one of the best organizations in sports, and a team that has had recent success, and they have a very bright future. It makes me feel even better that they gave up so much to be able to draft me. (#52 Tampa Bay-CB Charles Godfrey-Iowa)

McShay: Any big plans with the money from that first contract? (#53 Green Bay-CB Michael Grant-Arkansas)

Connor: I first plan on buying a new cars for my parents. Then I am going to go to the Pittsburgh subarbs and find a nice home, somewhere outside of the Central Catholic or West Allegheny School Districts. Then I plan on donating some money to my alma mater Strath Haven, to get new equipment for the football program. Its a powerhouse program and I want to see it stay that way. (#54 Tennessee-CB Patrick Lee-Auburn)

McShay: Any special goals for this year? Besides Defensive Rookie of the Year?

Connor: I would like to become a starter by our first game, and I would like to show people that we have one of the best groups of linebackers in the NFL. And of course, I want to help take the Steelers back to the Super Bowl.  (#55 Seattle-OG Chilo Rachel-USC)

McShay: Thanks for your time Greg, we know go to Mel Kiper Jr. with Mike Shanahan. (#56 Denver-WR Harry Douglas-Louisville)

Kiper: Thanks Todd, So Mike, What did you like about Ryan Clady more than the other Tackles that were available in the draft?

Shanahan: Well, we liked Clady for a number of reasons and obviously I have to protect my franchise guy in Jay. As far as Clady goes, his 6'6" 317 Frame will hold up against most DE's.  He is more lanky than an average Tackle, so he should fit into our run blocking as well as our pass protection. The guy has played both RT and LT, which shows that he is versatile. And the fact that he has started since his Freshman year, which he was an Freshman All American shows he can elevate his game. All in all I think Clady will give Jay more time and seal the edge for out running game. (#57 Miami-CB Tracy Porter-Indiana)

Kiper: Were there any other positions you were looking at? Or were you set on taking a tackle the entire time?

Shanahan: haha, well we were set at "tackle", now which tackle that was up in the air. We could have gone OT or DT. Luckily Clady fell to us, who was who we were hoping for. And we got our DT in the second round with Balmer. (#58 Jacksonville-DT Joseph Anthony "Red" Bryant-Texas A&M)

Kiper: How do you see the AFC West stacking up this year? Do you guys have a serious shot to win the division title?

Shanahan: Well, I wouldn't have a job too long if we didn't. I really think that last season was plagued by injuries as well as a team that struggled to find an identity. One week we would beat a playoff team, the next we are getting crushed by a non-contender. I really think we have addressed most all of out flaws and can not wait to get this next season started. (#59 Atlanta-LB Erin Henderson-Maryland)

Kiper: Brandon Marshall seemed to really come into his own out there at the end of the year. How do you think he'll do in his first year as your #1 receiver?

Shanahan: Brandon really showed us what he can do as a #1 WR. I really think that with the addition of Clady to our line this will allow Brandon to get further down field. There is really no limit to what this kid can do. I have to admit that I'm excited to see what he accomplishes in the next few years. (#60 Green Bay-TE Craig Stevens-Cal)

Kiper: Who, besides you, do you think has had the best draft so far? (#61 Dallas-CB Justin King-Penn State)

Shanahan: That is a tricky one. You know on draft day it is hard to tell what guys are going to produce the most for their teams. If I'm picking a winner thus far I would have to go with the Atlanta Falcons. They have really done a great job of landing the top guys at every position they have picked. Jake Long was easily the top LT if not the top prospect overall on most team's boards. (#62 New England-CB/S Reggie Smith-Oklahoma) Fred Davis is the top rated TE in this draft as well. And after his pro day and combine workouts Joe Flacco made his way to the top of over half the team's board at the QB position. This team has done a wonderful job of filling their needs with the not just the best guy available, but the best guy overall.

Kiper: Thanks for your time....

Shanahan: No problem, we will see you when the season starts.

Kiper: Chris, back to you.

Berman: (#63 New York Giants-LB Ali Highsmith-LSU) And with that, so ends the second round of the 2008 Draftniks NFL Mock Draft, we hope to see you back for round three.

*Credit for interviews*

John Madden-BSchwartz07*

Bill Belichick-Tracy00214

Dan Connor-Bigdleech

Mike Shanahan-BSchwartz07*