Cory's Corner: I Applaud The NFL For Moving Forward

The NFL Draft will have the first round on April 23. I don’t mind the NFL wanting to forge ahead, despite all of the coronavirus fears.

However, there are still plenty of people that want the draft shut down. Heck, there were people that groused when NFL free agency began because the NFL didn’t fully shutdown.

First of all, there is nothing wrong with what the NFL is doing. NFL free agency came and it was glorious. For the first time in a long time, actual sports news filled my sports pages instead of how the coronavirus will continually affect the sports world. And it actually made NFL front offices work a little bit harder. Without NFL team offices off limits for physicals, many free agents were waiting in “free agency purgatory” so they could get the all-clear and join their respective teams. Packers new wideout Devin Funchess was an example of this. He waited nine days before he was officially introduced as a member of the Packers because of waiting for his physical.

Next, think of the draft at the end of the month as larger version of Wheel Of Fortune. That may be hard to imagine because the draft has been a larger than life circus in New York, Dallas, Nashville, Chicago, and Philadelphia. It was supposed to have a grand spectacle in Las Vegas this year. However, with the virus shutting a lot of things down, the draft has morphed into a television show. Only essential personnel with the broadcast will be allowed to be at the draft.

This will actually be a huge win for the NFL. It will see the best ratings ever and I know ESPN and NFL Network are currently thinking up ways to fill up air time. A neat thing could be holding a Zoom meeting with a prospect and his high school or college coach. Have both of them discuss why he is a good fit for the NFL. There could be “live look-ins” where fans of each team could win the chance to be in a “Team Zoom Room” where the networks would instantly go right after the pick is announced for reaction. Think of how over-the-top Jets fans get milliseconds after a player’s name is read.

Is it normal? In no way, shape or form is any of this normal. I don’t particularly like watching my kids not listen for the eleventeenth straight day due to boredom. But this is the best that we get.

And no, this isn’t the NFL trying to make a buck. This is the NFL trying to keep this country moving by keeping morale and spirits high. Sports play a huge role in this country and if the NFL is abiding by the rules of social distancing — which they are — there’s no reason why things like the draft and free agency cannot continue.

 

 

 

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Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on "Clubhouse Live" and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn

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11 points
 

Comments (12)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
Lare's picture

April 04, 2020 at 06:56 am

I'm glad they're doing the draft as scheduled, but knowing the NFL I'm sure they'll drag it out as much as possible.

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

April 04, 2020 at 07:20 am

It sucks these kids don't get their chance to walk up on stage and get thier jersey. But what would be even worse would be to delay the whole thing and even further erode their ability to start working with their new teams. I'm sure coaching staffs are already coming up with creative ways to start onboarding this years rookies and free agents. I'm glad thier going to start their dream on schedule.

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murf7777's picture

April 04, 2020 at 07:42 am

What is most important is the draft helps people in this country and world. I applaud the last paragraph stating what it can and will do to the moral of American’s. Nothing is more important then the health and welfare our world. Wishing everyone a healthy and bright future. We will get thru this and hopefully the NFL will help people get thru these difficult times.

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ReaganRulz's picture

April 04, 2020 at 08:21 am

Nice article. This was a bold move based on the cancellations/suspensions from so many other sporting events/etc.. It was a great decision and totally agree with the psychological effect as well. Should be fun and entertaining!!

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Packer_Fan's picture

April 04, 2020 at 08:51 am

Yes, have the draft. Make it virtual and Cory has plenty of good ideas. And yes, this will just be a start to the restart of this world.

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PeteK's picture

April 04, 2020 at 10:31 am

I believe the NFL and technical teams will be very diligent in keeping to prevention rules. However, I just hope the players don't have crowded parties at their houses which could be problematic.

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TarynsEyes's picture

April 04, 2020 at 04:44 pm

Many of these draftees fail to use common sense, especially in their MeMe moment. But, worry not, for they will be excused for being 'kids', especially if they become a Packer.

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Since'61's picture

April 04, 2020 at 10:34 am

Virtual season next! Everyone stay well. Thanks, Since ‘61

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Irish_Cheesehead's picture

April 04, 2020 at 01:01 pm

I’m looking forward to a couple nights not having to surf around Netflix for something to watch. This will bring a little bit of normalcy to our world even if the format is different, along with all the analysis for weeks after the picks are made. Can’t wait!

5 points
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scullyitsme's picture

April 04, 2020 at 05:44 pm

I’m all for having the draft, but the last paragraph of this article is very rich( no pun intended) the nfl isn’t having the draft to be the beacon of hope for the world, wow, get real. For one, it’s frickin football, two, it dam sure is about money, or losing less of it anyway. Cory you’ve been inside too long, take a walk outside, get some air.

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Lare's picture

April 04, 2020 at 06:09 pm

If they made the selections and announced them within the allotted time-frame I would watch, otherwise I'll skip it again and read about it the next day.

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jannes bjornson's picture

April 04, 2020 at 09:19 pm

They used to run 14 rounds from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM , listened for picks on the radio and you read the results in the Sunday sports section. Big deal. There are bigger things going on now than the damn NFL draft.

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