2009 NFL Draft -- Live Blog from the Press Pit

After a bit of technical difficulties with the provided wireless network, I am on-line and running, ready to give you my first hand account of what is happening in New York, as it happens, from just below the ESPN crew here is Radio City Music Hall.

To get you up to speed, everything was moving along just fine until the Browns issued Mangini's Revenge on the New York Jets.  I mean, come on!  3 players and 2 picks for Mark Sanchez??!?

Not to be outdone, however, was Al Davis who stretched deep, deep, deep into the first round by taking Darrius Hayward-Bey.  What more is there to say other than Al Davis just doesn't get it.

The Jags followed, and despite rumors that the Broncos might make a move here, they choose to stand pat and the Jaguars selected OL Eugene Monroe from Virginia.  Monroe fell to the Jaguars in alot of ways after the Bengals did what Cincinnati does, take a chance on a player with character issues, Andre Smith.

The Broncos pick is getting closer, and we'll soon see how Josh McDaniels and Co. are going to rebuild the Orange and Blue!

One of the Broncos hopes, B.J. Raji, leaves the board to chants of Go Pack Go in the crowd.  There are plenty of Broncos targets on the board, so this draft seems to be going well for Denver.

Michael Crabtree's wait in the green room comes to an end with the 49'ers taking him at #10.    Not much longer to wait...

Buffalo has made their pick(Aaron Maybin), though the Michael Crabtree posse is still on stage.  Denver is officially on the clock!

  With the 12th pick, the Denver Broncos select Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia....WOW!

My initial reaction to the pick, not good.  The Broncos need defense, and alot of it.  I will say this.  Sometimes the best friend of a defense is a solid running game and Moreno was the best back in the Draft.

What is funny, I was a proponent of getting a stud running back this year before Shanahan was fired.  That changed after the firing, but it still fits what the Broncos are going to try and do, especially with the situation at quarterback -- run the ball, run the ball, run the ball.

  Jenkins goes to the Saints, and just like that the Broncos are quickly approaching again. 

  Brian Cushing on the phone, meaning he will be the pick of the Houston Texans.  Cushing would have looked great in a Broncos uniform, but old pal Gary Kubiak snaps him up.

The Chargers are up next, and there are several different directions they could go.  Larry English was not one of the players I was thinking of......

The Browns move again, this time trading down a couple of spots with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  Could Josh Freeman being going off the board now??

Maybe the Bucs thought the Broncos could go after Josh Freeman becuase they made the move to go and get him.  Broncos are on the clock.

  With the 18th pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, the Denver Broncos select... Robert Ayers, DE, Tennessee

There is no doubting Ayers' ability to get to the QB.  My one concern, however, was the guy only started one season for the Vols.  He does provide instant athleticism to the defense and for that I am grateful!

  The Browns are stockpiling picks, getting a free pick from the Bucanners a few minutes ago, then taking making a move with the Eagles.  Browns are the story of the Draft so far...

  Lions fans, chanting 'DE-FENSE' before the pick, loudly BOOOOOO when the pick of a Tight End is announced.  The Lions have done nothing to address their putrid defense with their two first round picks....

Could the Cleveland Browns try the LeBron James approach and take a local kid in Beanie Wells??

  Well, Cleveland takes a Center, and the Vikings take Percy Harvin.  This draft has flipped upside down to be sure.

  Much of the early energy has left the room now that every player in the green room has been picked.  Kind of bummed out that the Broncos didn't take on of the players present.

Vontae Davis to the Dolphins.  Parcells must know something I don't....

The First Round comes to an end with the Steelers taking Ziggy Hood.  Time of the first round - 3 hours 30 minutes.