Chapter 15: 2006 NFL Draft
From the book Defending the Shield: The NFL in the 21st Century, by Kay Adams.
The NFL in 2006 was entering a new era. The league had signed new television contracts with FOX, ABC, NBC, and CBS. ABC kept Monday Night Football, with ESPN simulcasting the games and ESPN earned the rights to cover NFL Europe. ESPN also earned the rights to share with NFL Network the Thursday and Saturday Night packages, which kept ESPN in the NFL business. The NFL also had a new commissioner, and he was someone who the owners had high hopes for.
Steve Bornstein worked at ESPN for many years before running the NFL Network. He was preferred over Rodger Goodell because Bornstein understood how to market the league and keep it relevant in a fast-changing world and the increasing fragmentation of media viewing among young people.
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From the ESPN Broadcast of “SportsCenter”, aired on February 7th, 2006.
Dan Patrick: Breaking news tonight out of the NFL. The Saints will return to the Dome in New Orleans with a new quarterback at the helm. Phillip Rivers has signed with the team after being cut at the end of the regular season by the Chargers. The Chargers felt confident in doing this because Drew Brees had a great year despite a minor shoulder issue.
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From the press conference of NFL Commissioner Steve Bornstein on March 20th, 2006.
Reporter: Commissioner Bornstein, a lot of rumors are going around that the league is considering getting rid of NFL Europe due to the finances involved. What is the future of the league?
Bornstein: Well, we have looked into the financials, but the good news is that the league is getting better ratings, and it has provided our league with chances to experiment with rules, as well as grow the game of football. ESPN has been a great partner in coming to broadcast the games and has made a number of positive suggestions for us. We are going to make some changes that should increase the stature of the league in the States. First, teams who sign a player from NFL Europe will receive a financial reward per player used, up to 5 times. This reward is an additional $100,000 towards the salary cap. Second, up to 5 players who are signed from NFL Europe will not count against the 53 man roster for 2 years, making it easier for teams to sign talent that the identify as well as allowing NFL Europe fans to have players who they can root for in the fall. Thirdly, we are going to look at having NFL teams playing a preseason game in Europe as part of adding a 5th preseason game. These games will be against NFL Europe teams.
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From the ESPN broadcast of the 2006 NFL Draft, aired on April 29th, 2006.
Chris Berman: The Texans have the first selection, and it is time to see who they picked. Let’s go to the podium right now.
Steve Bornstein: With the 1st pick in the 2006 NFL draft, the Houston Texans pick Aaron Rodgers, quarterback from California.
(We see Aaron Rodgers come out smiling and posing with a Texans jersey next to Bornstein, as a loud applause comes from the crowd.)
Mel Kiper: This was the obvious pick, and one that is going to do wonders for the Texans. Rodgers is the best player in the draft, and he has a strong arm as well as being able to move around in the pocket a bit. There is going to be a learning curve, and he is going to need some help in this draft in order to get him some weapons. If the Texans picked someone else, I would have flat out screamed. Nick Saban has found a quarterback to lead his team to greatness.
(cut to later in the broadcast)
Steve Bornstein: With the 2nd pick in the 2006 NFL Draft, the New Orleans Saints select Mario Williams, defensive end from NC State.
Mel Kiper: An interesting selection here, but Williams is a great pass rusher who is also a disrupter. I think this pick could be very sneaky and one of the steals of the first round.
(cut to later in the broadcast)
Steve Bornstein: With the 7th pick in the 2006 NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers select Jay Cutler, quarterback from Vanderbilt.
Chris Berman: This was a bit of a surprise. They must feel that this is a Brett Favre replacement, and he is going to learn for a couple of years. Sean Payton is one of the hottest offensive minds in the NFL, and I feel Jay will be happy in Green Bay.
(cut to later in the draft)
Steve Bornstein: With the 64th pick in the 2006 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings select Devin Hester, cornerback from the University of Miami, Florida.
Mel Kiper: Should be a special teams guy, and he has great speed. He reminds me of a Dante Hall and is a very versatile pick.
(cut to later in the broadcast)
Steve Bornstein: With the 120th pick in the 2006 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears select Brandon Marshall, wide receiver from Central Florida.
Mel Kiper: This guy is going to help Rex Grossman out, since he is a big physical receiver with a high football I.Q. I love this pick, and I had him going in the third round, but he must have slipped a bit due to team needs or other teams having prospects that they liked better.
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Author notes: Okay, there is a couple of changes that are going to impact the NFL. First of all, Steve Bornstein is someone who did work for the NFL in OTL during this period, and is someone who would be a realistic candidate, and most NFL fans would be happy to see Rodger Goodell not be commissioner. The roster changes are a bone to the players union, and the salary cap changes are based on the MLS salary cap and the NBA salary cap structures. Aaron Rodgers and Nick Saban together is something that is some football fan’s version of hell. Jay Cutler being a Packer is a pick that does make sense, and in OTL Cutler is the 4th best quarterback in Packers history, who helped contribute to many Packers wins. The Bears don’t have to deal with Cutler right away, and Brandon Marshall for Devin Hester seems a fair trade. Nick Saban left LSU because he got total control, but he should get more leeway since he is still loved in Louisiana for his success at LSU. Phillip Rivers is cut by San Diego because Drew Brees never has his shoulder injury, and the Chargers feel more confident in an experienced player leading them. Next update is going to be either a college football or NFL Europe update. Thanks for reading, and if you have any questions or comments feel free to post them.