Wanna Avoid the Bust? Be Defensive!!

Tomorrow marks the annual rite of passage for collegiate superstars anywhere from BC to USC, a day when Saturday night victory celebrations with throngs of wild and inebriated coeds result in enormous pay days on Sunday's big stage, a day that management from all 32 NFL squads have spent countless hours preparing for, a day that could send an average team on a late January joyride or one that could doom a franchise for the next five years. As we at home and thousands of fanatical fans at Radio City eagerly anticipate Roger Goddell's first jaunt up to the podium, I have a suggestion for all the bright GM's and coaches league-wide to avoid the dreaded "B-word."

As much as we love a success story, our vilification of "greats" turned "goats" is legendary. Mandarich, Bosworth, Phillips and of course the man pictured above....names, that are as commonplace as Manning, Brady and Tomlinson. We love to recount their stories of unforgettable disaster...Tony's ravaging appetite for steroids, Lawrence's constant trouble with the law and Ryan's pure and unadulterated self-destruction. No doubt there will be many a general manager nervously fretting over whether their young stud will be the league's next big dud.

And so I have simply words of advice for the NFL's masterminds...think defensive. Not only has it proven time and again to be the formula for championships (i.e. the Steelers, Giants, Ravens), it's a far safer bet. For every defensive player whose promising career goes to shambles, there's three or four offensive weapons whose artillery will prove to be Toys "R" Us quality. Exotic defensive schemes, a faster pass rush, more physical cornerbacks and tighter holes than the ones discussed on Biddy Day will welcome Mark Sanchez, Matthew Stafford, Chris "Beanie" Wells and Michael Crabtree.

With near certainty that Stafford with go #1 and a number of teams vying for "Sunshine" Sanchez, teams too often go for the sexy pick. How's Reggie Bush working out in Norleans', Vince Young seeing much playing time in Tennessee?, is Matt Leinhart even the Cardinals #2 back-up QB? I guess the 30.5 career sacks by Mario Williams worked out ok for the Texans that year huh?

Of course, it'll be a few years before we can truly debate the legitimacy of the picks we see this weekend, but one thing is for sure..."D" is the way to be!

Quick Hits
- The NFL needs to institute a rookie wage scale and do it now! $600 million will be doled out to the first round as a whole, $400 million of which is guaranteed!!! Too much money given to potential, let's save some of that money to veterans who have earned it on merit! Roger, take a page out of Mr. Stern's book and stop hampering the ability for teams to re-sign their players!

- This draft will mark the first time in 15 years that a player from "Da U" will not be drafted in the first round! At last, the thuggery is stopped...at least for one year!

2009 Bust: Michael Crabtree (product of a great offensive system...welcome to the world of double-teams my friend!)

2009 Stud: Brian Orakpo (has the NFL name, has the NFL stuff...athletic, versatile and you can't go wrong with a passing rush D-End)