The “DRAFT” season arrives next week.
The 2020 WHL Bantam Draft has been moved up this year and will be conducted online on Wednesday.
(The PG Cougars have three first-round bantam picks, including the second overall. With their first pick, they are
likely to take either Brayden Yager or Riley Heidt who are high-scoring forwards with the Saskatoon Contacts)
The #WHLBantamDraft is less than a week away. Take a look at what our 2019 Draft Class did this past season in #WHLDraftRewind.
READ | https://t.co/2EEBqUU5h3 pic.twitter.com/1SGJHfOQN9
— PG Cougars (@PGCougars) April 16, 2020
The NFL Draft begins Thursday night (April 23rd) with round one and that will be followed by rounds two and three on Friday the 24th and rounds four to seven on Saturday the 25th.
The NFL Draft (April 23-25) takes a lot of scouting, talent evualuation and relationship building to be successful just like recruiting and hiring people for your company does. Here is my first ever #mockdraft #NFLDraft #NFLDraft2020 #MockDraft #Talent #Recruitment pic.twitter.com/bZJMYfqGhI
— Erik Swanson (@EUCRecruiter) April 17, 2020
The NHL and NBA Drafts are scheduled for late June and the MLB Draft is set for July.
When a player has the honour of having his name called, the general manager of the team that selected him likes to refer to his “Draft” dictionary.
Often the G.M. or his team representative uses clichés like “best player available”, “steal of the draft” “is honest and hardworking” or “his compete level is next to none” to describe the pick.
#Browns exec Paul DePodesta on trade-down outlook: “We think there’s going to be a very good player there for us at 10.” The chief strategy officer also weighed in on best player available vs. need & acquiring a proven veteran left tackle vs. drafting one https://t.co/CE2SWRnJbi
— Nate Ulrich (@ByNateUlrich) April 16, 2020
After all, in the public relations game that we all like to play, it’s about “putting the best foot forward” when discussing a prospect “who has character”, is “the complete package” with “plenty of talent” that, of course, “is a winner.”
Here are some of the other favourite terms when it comes to the “Draft” dictionary that is a staple in many sports.
( ) is a possible interpretation of the message:
“He is an impact player.” (We cross our fingers that continues at the next level)
“We had him rated higher.” (Is this damage control to boost the kid’s bruised ego?)
Draft postmortems are funny:
“We were happy when it was our turn that he was still on the board! We had him rated higher”-said every GM ever— Bob Wischusen (@espnbob) May 4, 2017
“We are very excited to get him.” (And puzzled why nobody else wanted him)
“The kid has grit.” (And with lots of luck could be a “diamond in the rough.”)
“He’s a scorer” (Oh, oh! Does he know the meaning of defence?)
“He’s strong defensively” (Sounds like he lacks offensive skill)
“He’s dedicated” (As long as he gets prominent playing time)
“He’s a mature young man” (Let’s hope a bigger stage doesn’t change that)
“He comes from a great family.” (A round of applause please for Mom and Dad)
“He was well worth the risk.” (Are there injury or law issues to be concerned about?)
“He has size” (That also comes in handy if he ever wants a job as a bouncer)
“He has good hands” (This is a sure sign he will deliver a strong handshake, although in the COVID-19 era handshakes are obviously not acceptable)
He Shouldn’t Get A Call No Later Than 2. Biggest Sleeper In This Class To Me. Definitely A Top Running but can Do Both. Strong. Has Quick Twitch Ability & is Very Explosive. Good Hands. He Deserves To Be drafted & Credited Where it’s Due. Tape n Numbers Show. https://t.co/R8IPHNioL1
— Mechane Slade?? (@Mr_203) April 17, 2020
“He has great vision” (Great! He can read a chart)
“He comes to play.” (Really? I thought he came to munch on a burger and fries)
“He’s a hidden gem” (Nice term for longshot)
“He has plenty of “upside” (Will he reach his potential?)
“He likes to “win” (There aren’t many players that prefer to lose)
“He is a leader” (So is Donald Trump. What does that mean?)
@realDonaldTrump @VP @SenateGOP @senatemajldr @GOPChairwoman @HouseGOP @WhiteHouse The reason for the briefings is to inform the public. Not to lie or mislead them. That incompetence kills people. When will Republicans learn that. It’s truly sick, shamefulhttps://t.co/ZegSTDXuV4
— Jeff Wittworth (@JeffW1964) April 17, 2020
..and everybody’s all-time favourite
“We couldn’t believe he was still there”. (Only because other teams don’t believe he is that good)
I am sure you have your own notable list of “draft rhetoric”.
If by some chance you know of a prospect to recommend for a team make sure “He knows what it takes” and that “he’s a competitor”.
FROM THE QUOTE RACK
EXFL.
Fark.com
If you’re unclear on ‘social distancing,’ imagine you’re defending Ben Simmons and he’s at the perimeter.
@TheCoronaMemes
Perfect example of social distancing. Using these photos as examples in guarding Ben Simmons. @SportsRadioWIP pic.twitter.com/sHWGXwgJdH
— Howard Eskin (@howardeskin) March 31, 2020
Dr Fauci said we should probably avoid handshakes for the foreseeable future, along with high-fives at sporting events. So that means Baltimore Orioles fans are probably safe to return.
*Comedy writer Janice Hough of Palo Alto, California www.leftcoastsportsbabe.com
There’s still word floating around that the NFL will start the season playing games in front of no fans. To that end, a couple of teams plan on practising with cricket noise being piped in.
*Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California
Major League Baseball is considering opening its season in the Phoenix area by having teams play in ballparks without any fans. Twenty-some teams immediately filed a protest, citing an unfair home-field advantage for the Miami Marlins.
*Dwight Perry of the Seattle Times http://www.seattletimes.com/author/dwight-perry/
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
Scientists reportedly had success testing a robot that can analyze questions, respond to gripes and can sense people’s boredom. They named it Bill Belichick.
*Canadian comedy writer RJ Currie www.Sportsdeke.com
NESN Diary: I wonder if Tom Brady wished Bill Belichick a “Happy Birthday” today (and other random thoughts).https://t.co/TikxDHdPup pic.twitter.com/KQr5ptAGSU
— NESN (@NESN) April 17, 2020
Hartley Miller is the news and sports supervisor and morning news anchor for 94.3 the GOAT and Country 97.
He also is the 94.3 the Goat radio colour commentator for P.G. Cougars home games.
His column appears Fridays on myprincegeorgenow.com.
Send along a quote, note, or anecdote to [email protected]