ESPN's 17-hour, weekend-long coverage of the NFL Draft
"succeeded beyond reasonable expectations," according to
Phil Mushnick of the N.Y. POST, who notes the fans in
attendance at the MSG Theatre and writes, "In addition to
superb coverage of the draft, ESPN issued a recurring but
unwitting warning about all sports: Fans who prefer not to
be surrounded by young men behaving badly should stay home."
Mushnick: "ESPN's telecast might as well have originated
from an insane asylum, a prison or a freshman dorm on Friday
nights" (N.Y. POST, 4/17). In AZ, Jim Gintonio wrote that
Joe Theismann and Mel Kiper "came through with quality
efforts, and Theismann continues to prove that he is on the
top rung of football analysts." Gintonio: "What ESPN does
with the draft is solid but not spectacular. ... Overall, a
grade of B" (AZ REPUBLIC, 4/16). In Boston, Howard Manly
wrote, "With so much experience, it's surprising that there
were blemishes throughout [Saturday's] coverage. ... Even
the reliable Chris Berman stumbled and fumbled and bumbled
his way through some ad-lib time." But Manly added that the
"minor potholes ... didn't negate the wall-to-wall coverage
ESPN provided throughout the day" (BOSTON GLOBE, 4/16). In
Cincinnati, John Fay wrote, "Berman can wear you out at
times with his screaming, but you need someone like him to
keep the draft lively." But Fay wondered, "Is there
anything Mel Kiper Jr. doesn't know about the prospective
picks in the draft?" and "Could they possibly have a busier
screen?" But Fay concluded, "Overall, ESPN did a good job
on the draft" (CINCINNATI ENQUIRER, 4/16).
TRUE COLORS: In Pittsburgh, Chuck Finder notes that
ESPN "twice showed an ESPN Zone restaurant in the
broadcast's opening 47 minutes Saturday." ESPN also
"constantly played the Sunday/Monday Night Football theme,
further muddling the musical trademark -- 'MNF' needs a new,
exclusive ditty" (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 4/17).
WEB USE: NFL.com & ESPN.com's "Draft Central" site
generated more than 23 million page views and nearly three
million visits over Saturday and Sunday, compared to last
year's 13.1 million page views and 1.6 million visits.
Overall, activity was up 80% from last year (NFL).
