NFL Draft Conference Call Replay with Analysts Ron Jaworski,
Chris Mortensen and Producers Jay Rothman and Josh Hoffman

ESPN conducted a media conference call Tuesday with Monday Night Football and NFL Draft analyst Ron Jaworski, senior NFL analyst Chris Mortensen, senior coordinating producer Jay Rothman and producer Josh Hoffman. To hear a full replay of the call, visit: http://www.espnmediazone.com/ccc

Note: Access to the call requires a login/password.  To register, visit: http://www.espnmediazone.com

Select comments from conference call:

On ESPN’s 29th year covering the Draft …

Rothman: “We’re excited once again to bring America the draft in our continued tradition. We’re excited about the lineup that we have in terms of our talent and our presence around the country.  I think by design we’ve streamlined our talent in numbers to try to meet the demands that the draft is going to present to us given the reduced time on the clock. While that’s exciting for fans at home, it’s going to be a challenge for television.  I’ve always said we can actually do this monster commercial-free, which seems ridiculous, but it’s the truth given all the content we have and all the great information and insight we have from our cast.  We scaled down by design to be more fleet-footed, to do the kind of show we want to do.  We’re real excited about it.  The highlights for us are our theme is “less is more,” and once the draft starts its all going to come from Radio City and the buzz of Radio City with the exception of the integration of our video conferencing with all 32 clubs, reporters in the field, draft parties around the country and the aggressive tact we’re taking in being with players around the country.  We’re still working on locking them down, but our hopes are to be with all the stars and the stories. … We’re excited and we think we have the right formula in place.  We’re ready to roll.” 

Jaworski: “I really find this week very intriguing and for the past couple months I do my own evaluation of studying as many guys as I can and talking to other people in our business on how they’re evaluating and rating these players.  Clearly I enjoy the last week because pretty much this is the week where teams are stacking their board.  Coaches have already looked at their tape.  Scouts have already done their reports.  It always amazes me the different evaluations you get on a number of players from loving them or not liking them – from being a first round pick to free agent.  That’s how much the opinions vary on players.  I think that is why it’s so exciting on Saturday and Sunday because although we think we have a pretty good idea of where people are going to be slotted and they’re going to go, there’s always an incredible surprise.”

Mortensen: “Well, we now know who the first pick of the draft is and that’s Jake Long with the Miami Dolphins.  It’s going to surprise some people because there’s been so much discussion at how Parcells was not going to pay top dollar for Long and he did -- $30 million dollars in guaranteed money to Jake Long.  And that’s certainly very comparable to what JaMarcus Russell got with the Raiders.  The first domino has fallen.  It is going to be fun because in the top six and seven picks there is some uncertainty to how it’s going to fall. … There is always going to be a surprise, usually early on, that makes us think ‘uh, oh -- something’s about to unfold that we did not anticipate.’”

On the shorter time in between picks this year …

Rothman: “We found that fans love debate.  They want banter about their team, they want good information with meaning, and they want the analysis of their pick.  Having built this infrastructure for now 16 years, I know what we’ve done well and I know what we’ve done wrong.  When it becomes a show when you’re chasing cards at the podium and reacting to picks it is a less compelling TV show. The challenge is -- and again the unknown is the clock, it’s an accordion, it’s not fixed -- not knowing that and trying to stay out in front is a huge challenge.  It’s an unbelievable balancing act. … We need to keep it tight and fleet-footed and not be encumbered by multiple sets. …By being more fleet-footed and keeping it moving and tight will make it a much more compelling telecast.”

On what fans can expect from ESPN this year versus last year …

Rothman: “It’s going to be a better show. You’re going to get more of the nine guys that we have there, and they’re the best in the business, honest.  Jaworski has watched every pass every quarterback in this draft has thrown, bar none.  Herbstreit has seen them all in college.  Mel is Mel. There are a lot of guys out there who do what Mel does and I think they do a great job too, but nobody has the depth that Mel has – he’s ridiculous.  Mortensen – there’s no better information guy -- and Keyshawn and Steve are great with their opinion and glib.  Berman’s our host who has done it for the longest of times.  So, I don’t think we could do better at any position.  Fans are going to get more of them and that’s a good thing.”

On ESPN commentator on-air roles …

Hoffman: “Because of time constraints we can’t let everybody have an opinion on every topic, although certainly our guys are prepared to speak about everything.  It’s not broken up by offense, defense or position, but more each announcer has different roles.  For Mortensen, we look to the news.  For Mel, we look to introduce the player to everyone.  For our NFL guys, we look for their opinions on the teams.  Jaws certainly has opinions on the players, as well as does Kirk Herbstreit from knowing them.  So, it’s more broken up by roles than player position.”

Jaworski: “I’m really excited to be working with Kirk on this draft because he obviously is very familiar with the collegiate game, the style, the players and how they play.  He will give us tremendous insight from their college career and then as I spin forward to the team that selects them, how that skill set will fit into the style of play that team has.  He sees the spread option offense at the collegiate level.  I don’t see that working at the NFL level, and I think it will create some good debate.”

On the drama of the ‘green room” and who will last the longest?

Jaworski: “Vernon Gholston. My personal evaluation didn’t have him as high as some others.  I think he’s a rigid, straight-line guy.  When I look at tape, I don’t see a guy that shows up on every single play.  I don’t get the ‘wow’ factor.  I’m not quite sure where he’s going to play with his hand on the in the push position or play as a stand-up linebacker.  He’s a guy that if someone at the top of the board doesn’t like him, he could sit around a little bit.”

On running back Darren McFadden …

Jaworski: “It’s clear as I have spoken with coaches and general managers and player personal guys and scouts, you have to kind of sift through the lies you hear.  Darren McFadden has been all over the board.  There are some guys that love him and some guys that really don’t like him at all.  It’s obvious that the Jets are part of that group that likes him if they’re bringing him to New York and wining and dining him, and getting him enamored with the city of New York. … People get enamored by speed and clearly Darren McFadden has great speed … One thing you can’t coach is that quickness and speed that he has.

“He’s going to have to get in an offensive system that’s going to get him the football in space. He’s not that instinctive cut-back runner where he’ll see that hole and then dart through it. … Once he gets going he has incredible acceleration, and I think that’s what’s going to wow people.”

On whom the Rams will choose with No. 2 pick …

Mortensen: “Glenn Dorsey, the defensive tackle from LSU, is their top-rated player.  Chris Long, the Virginia defensive end, maybe outside linebacker, is very close to Dorsey’s rating and he fits their need more.  They’re probably leaning Chris Long but I was told they were going to have one last debate on whether it was going to be Glenn Dorsey or Chris Long.  I’m leaning on Chris Long there.”

Jaworski: “I think it’s between those two guys.  It is clearly an area of need for the St. Louis Rams.  I do find it shocking – and I do say shocking because here we are at Tuesday, five days before the draft -- that you have the second pick and you are still debating which guy you want to go with.  I think this should have been reconciled probably late last week.  When you’re the second pick, there’s only one pick in front of you.  You have to know the guy you want.  I’m surprised that Mort is saying they’re debating this pick.  Clearly Dorsey and Chris Long are two tremendous football players.  Dorsey would be a great help inside and Chris Long on the edge of the defensive end spot or linebacker spot.”

On this year’s crop of wide receivers …

Jaworski: “I have not been impressed by this wide receiving corps.  When I look at collegiate receivers I’m looking for separation.  What do they do to give the quarterback that window to throw the football?  I just haven’t seen it out of this group.  I know DeSean Jackson has the great speed … but doesn’t look like the physical guy.  Malcolm Kelly is a 6-4 guy, but runs a 4.7.  None of these guys have really jumped out at me as first round guys.   Most people have James Hardy at one, two or three. … When I went to the tape, I didn’t say, ‘man that guy’s going to be a super star.’ I just didn’t see that.”

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