My first experience covering the NFL Draft was much more than I expected. I was always of the belief that it was one of the more pointless things to attend since as a fan your team would only be taking part in about 3 percent of the festivities. That left the rest of the time to be occupied with trash-talking and anticipating. Not most people’s idea of a good time. But I have totally changed my opinion.

Radio City Music Hall is a great venue to house the occasion and the acoustics make for a great aural experience. It doesn’t take much to gauge fan reaction when you can feel it rattle around your skull. It truly is a unique experience. But what is truly awesome about the draft experience is the fan reaction that comes with each and every pick. Here were the best that I heard Thursday while

covering the draft from about 10 rows back of center stage. Today’s NFL fans can be quite amusing.

6. Kyle Who?
Giants and Jets fans dominate the draft as expected, of course, because the draft is held in their hometown. Whenever the New York teams are on the clock the atmosphere turns electric. While Giants fans had mixed reactions with the Jason Pierre-Paul pick, the Jets fans reaction was priceless. Chants of “TAYLOR MAYS” echoed throughout Radio City for almost five minutes before Goodell hit the podium with their pick. When he called the name of Boise State cornerback Kyle Wilson instead, Jets fans didn’t know what to do with themselves. I don’t know if you’ve ever heard



what utter confusion sounds like but that is exactly what filled Radio City Music Hall and it was pretty funny.

5. Disdain for the hood.
The Patriots are notorious for trading down in the draft and that allows for plenty of opportunities for the fans to boo the simple mention of the words “New England Patriots.” Every single time Goodell mentioned the Patriots the entire hall erupted into “BOSTON SUCKS” chants. I know it's New York and there’s no love lost for Boston in this town, but it seemed like the only thing Giants and Jets fans could both agree on.

4. Overrated.
This one spoke for itself. After the Broncos made possibly the most idiotic draft day trade ever in giving up their second, third and fourth-round draft picks for Tim Tebow, the whole place whooped it up screaming “OVERRATED” in unison. The perfect analysis for the Florida quarterback.

3. Uproarious silence.
When the Chargers moved all the way up into the 12th spot, the expectation around the press area was that Tennessee nose tackle Dan Williams was their man. That is obviously what the crowd expected too because when they traded up the crowd went nuts. There was a resounding ovation for the Chargers' bold move to secure that hard-to-find nose tackle. But much to the crowd’s chagrin, they did all that moving for Fresno State running back Ryan Matthews, a player that could have been available at their original pick at No. 28. The crowd went from an uproar to an upsetting silence. An occurrence usually reserved for a big play followed by a serious injury, a fitting comparison since the fans seemed to be hurt by the Chargers' bold move.

2. She said no.
By far the funniest reaction of the evening was when the Steelers were on the clock and highlights of last season were airing on the huge monitors flanking the stage. As soon as the No. 7 jersey appeared in high definition the crowd wasted no time in belittling a quarterback who wasn’t even present for the festivities. The crowd didn’t need to be creative, but the chant of “SHE SAID NO” seemed to energize the crowd right after the midpoint of the draft and served as a shot of caffeine into a crowd that seemed a little down after the Pierre-Paul pick. The Milledge police force should have only been so assertive.

1. USA.
Serving as the seventh-inning stretch, Goodell took a break from the proceedings to honor the men and women of the military and filled the stage with those who have fought to maintain our country’s

freedom. The only time of the night where each and every person in the crowd was in full throat and total agreement was when “USA! USA!” boomed around the rafters. It was an inspirational reminder that while team loyalties divide, patriotism (obviously not the Patriots) unites. Football is just a game, but the love for our country pervades our differences. It’s one thing we can all agree on and made me proud to call myself an American. Now if only Goodell could have managed to bring the Hulkster on stage putting his hand to his ear and egging the crowd on to an inspirational rendition of “I Am a Real American” the night would have been complete. But regardless it was for all accounts the best moment of the evening.

-- BRANDON KOPCEUCH
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