As if the NFL draft wasn’t already overhyped enough already, the NFL is now going completely interactive. Verizon Wireless is giving fans a front row seat at the 75th Draft on April 22nd, 2010 with more interactive features, exclusive video, and information than ever before on NFL.com. The NFL is opening “Fan War rooms” where fans can express how they feel about their teams draft strategy with other fans of the team. NFL Network is planning 38 hours of draft coverage, some of which will be posted as videos on NFL.com.
I’d like the NFL to offer the fans exclusive video from the actual team war rooms, but evidently, the teams don’t want to give away their drafting secrets. It would probably be especially difficult to get inside access into Al Davis’ closed off world on draft weekend. Still, I think the NFL should force teams to allow us into their world on that weekend. It would be awesome to see the real inner workings of the event through the eyes of those closest to your favorite team.
As a tribute to the 75th NFL draft, the NFL is opening a poll for fans to vote for their top 75 draft picks of all time. You can go vote for your favorite Raiders like Gene Upshaw, Fred Biletnikoff, Shane Lechler, Howie Long, Cliff Branch, and Dave Casper by clicking this link.
In primetime on opening night, Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Dhani Jones will bring fans to the draft floor through a variety of exclusive videos on NFL.com. This behind-the-scenes material will include features on the Draft prospects on location in New York City, live shots of the team tables as they make their selections and exclusive video interviews from team headquarters throughout the weekend. To follow the NFL’s coverage on the internet, click this link.
In addition to the exclusives from Dhani Jones, NFL.com analyst and former Raider Bucky Brooks will offer pick-by-pick analysis through all seven rounds. Analysts Gil Brandt, Vic Carucci, Pat Kirwan and Steve Wyche will report on the picks, trade possibilities and all the moves by the teams during the Draft. I’ve always enjoyed the NFL’s online coverage. For those of us with Time Warner Cable, NFL.com gives us an avenue to try and keep up with the folks who get their inside info through NFL Network.
The NFL is also bringing back the Predict the Pick Game, where fans can attempt to forecast the entire first round of the Draft. The winner of the game will win a trip to the 2011 Pro Bowl in Hawaii.
Immediately following the Draft, fans can voice their opinions by grading their teams’ Draft results through an interactive Fan Ballot.
For fans on-the-go, 2010 Draft coverage will also be available via NFL Mobile on Verizon Wireless. Mobile features such as a real-time draft-tracker, expert analysis and a live video feed of NFL Network’s coverage will be available.
Sounds like a ton of fun. It could be a challenge to keep up with, but we here at TFDSSports.com hope this article will make it easier for you to access the new features going into the new decade of NFL action. Be sure to submit who you think the Raiders will draft this year for your chance to be crowned 2010 Raiders Draft Master. Whoever guesses the most Raiders picks correctly, will be mentioned in a post draft article and get a “Draft Master” mention on our homepage which will stay up a month following the draft. We will shoot you an email to ask exactly how you would like to be credited on the homepage. Then it is bragging rights and your little piece of draft history as everyone who visits TFDS can see your accomplishment in all its glory.
–Bret Armstrong, TFDS Guest Contributor
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See more from me @ www.silverandblackpride.com
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