Dr. Bill Chackhes, SBS Personality, and Managing Partner of Football Writers Online.com took time to talk with me about the 2008 NFL Draft. Bill is a 34 year NFL Draft veteran; 22 years as a credentialed media member.
Bill Chackhes and I sat down to talk with Wil Mara, the author of the book "The Draft" at the 2007 NFL Draft.
Wil Mara has been writing and publishing books since 1988. He began with a manuscript about herpetology, a childhood hobby, and sold it to TFH Publications, who at the time was the world's largest publisher of animal books. Several months later he gave them a second one, at which time he was offered a position on their editorial staff. He would go on to write a total of 18 titles during his tenure.
Wil turned to writing fulltime and secured a deal with NYC publisher St. Martin's Press for a string of mainstream titles—his "NFL novels." Mixing real-world factuality and behind-the-scenes detail with imaginative storytelling, these books are expected to garner a loyal following of football fans worldwide. The first in the group, The Draft, was released at the end of October 2006, with a second book due to arrive about a year later.
Brady Quinn, the new quarterback of the Cleveland Browns and formerly of Notre Dame, was the focus of a recent article in the humor newspaper "The Onion."
This is the text:
DUBLIN, OH—Top draft prospect Brady Quinn, a strong-armed quarterback out of Notre Dame who is expected to be taken with one of the first five picks in the draft, told scouts interviewing him at his family home Monday that he would in all likelihood be a huge NFL bust. "While it's true I have impressive arm strength, and that I'm willing to stand up in the pocket against the rush, the fact remains that my lack of downfield accuracy gets me in trouble on the deep throws and my field vision is suspect," Quinn told draft evaluators from the Raiders, Browns, and Cardinals."Combine that with the enormous starting bonus I'll receive and the tendency for teams to try and develop quarterbacks long after they should give up, and I really just have 'bust' written all over me." While Quinn recommended teams look to solid prospects such as quarterback Jamarcus Russell, tackle Joe Thomas, and running back Adrian Peterson, Raiders owner Al Davis is reportedly more interested than ever in signing Quinn."
So, I decided to ask Quinn what he thought of the Onion in this video.
I met Bill Chackhes and Wil Mara, at the famous Murray's Bagels shop at 242 8th Avenue in New York City and just before we ventured over to the NFL Media Luncheon at Chealsea Piers. This was on Thursday, April 26th, 2007. We -- I'm Zennie Abraham -- had a lively time talking about the upcoming draft. Take a look!
