April 26, 2007

This weekend is Mel Kiper's favorite time of year. It's the NFL draft, baby, as we find out where the stars of tomorrow will play. Mel does a super job analyzing and evaluating the talent. Being a big football fan, I really get a kick out of it.

I am not an expert like the Mel Kipers of the world, but I do love the sport. I follow it closely as a season ticket holder of the Tampa Bay Bucs. I also have season tickets for the Golden Domers of Notre Dame. It is always fun to see how these players fare in years to come.

I can tell you that I have gotten to know Brady Quinn over the years, and it will be a mistake for the Oakland Raiders if he is not taken uno number one. They would come to regret it big time.

Quinn has the whole package. He is a flat-out winner and I don't care about those who question the big ones. Go check out the college career of Peyton Manning, who was criticized for his inability to beat Florida. How has he turned out, my friends? Did you watch the Super Bowl?

I feel Quinn will be another coming of Manning, another Tom Brady. I see him as a bonafide genuine productuve winner. He has all the qualities you would want.

I have nothing against LSU's JaMarcus Russell. He has a lot of potential too. I just like what Quinn brings to the table.

I also admire quickness, athletic ability, size and strength. Those are things you cannot teach. That's why Calvin Johnson will be special at the next level. Throw a ball in his vicinity amd he will find a way to catch it. I hope he can somehow slide all the way down to number four to the Bucs.

There are a few insights heading into the draft. I love the game and I feel Quinn and Johnson will be standouts in the pros. Hey, Al Davis, just win baby and take Mr. Quinn! Don't make a mistake, the name on the draft card at pick one should be Brady Quinn!

Dick Vitale coached the Pistons and the University of Detroit before broadcasting ESPN's first college basketball game in 1979. Send a question for Vitale for possible use on ESPNEWS.