Hurry-up calls for NFL draft
SOUND AND VISION
Time between picks will be shorter, which means less TV analysis.
Clock management will be a key element at this weekend's NFL draft, not only for team officials who select what they hope are future stars, but also for ESPN and the NFL Network, both televising the event from Radio City Music Hall in New York.
The NFL, in an effort to streamline and speed up the draft, reduced the time limit between picks from 15 to 10 minutes for the first round, and from 10 to seven minutes for the second. "While that's exciting for fans at home," says ESPN producer Jay Rothman, "it's going to be a challenge for television."
The first and second rounds will start at the new time of noon on Saturday. The third round has been moved to Sunday and will begin at 7 a.m.
"We've scaled down by design. We need to be more fleet-footed and not be encumbered by multiple sets," ESPN's Rothman said.
In past drafts, ESPN has used more than one set, including one staffed by analysts at its headquarters in Bristol, Conn.
But because of the shorter time between picks, ESPN's main focus will be on the set in New York, which will be anchored by Chris Berman, and a team of analysts and reporters made up of Mel Kiper Jr., Steve Young, Ron Jaworski, Kirk Herbstreit, Chris Mortensen and Suzy Kolber.
Saturday's coverage will switch to ESPN2 at 5 p.m. and last until the conclusion of the second round.
"Fans love debate. They want banter about their team and they want the analysis of their pick," Rothman said. "Keeping it moving and tight will make it a much more compelling telecast."
For the NFL Network, Rich Eisen will be the host and Mike Mayock, Steve Mariucci and Marshall Faulk will add commentary for the network's third year of televising the draft.
Also available for viewing this weekend:
Lakers at Denver Nuggets (Saturday, 2:30 p.m., Channel 9, TNT; Monday, 7:30 p.m., Channel 9, TNT). The Western Conference quarterfinal series moves from sea level to Denver, where the Nuggets hope the mile-high altitude will help slow down the Lakers, averaging 125 points in the series.
Colorado Rockies at Dodgers (tonight, 7:30, Prime; Saturday, 7 p.m., Channel 9; Sunday, 1 p.m., Prime). Joe Torre's troops open a three-game series against the defending National League champions, who in their last visit to Los Angeles in September swept a three-game series after winning four straight against the Dodgers in Denver.
