NFL Draft

The Fan Teaser: Week 79 Solution

DouglasTHillLeave a comment
Ever wonder what’s going on inside this man’s head? Who is this man?

Forty years ago, the television viewing world became acquainted with Mel Kiper Jr., NFL Draft analyst for ESPN, and he’s not stopped infiltrating our Draft Day since

Kiper’s a quirky fella – no cheese but mashed potatoes on his pizza? how about no cell phone? – but he’s built an industry out of quirky and taking a deep dive into college football prospects that began while he was still in high school. That first gig with ESPN back in 1984? He earned a whopping $400.

Mel Kiper Jr.
Almost unvelievably Mel Kiper has been ESPN’s draft expert since 1984. (ESPN Photo)
Some of Mel’s greatest, er, worst hits.

Just to review, The Fan Teaser comes courtesy of longtime buddy, Pat Schutte. The cropped photo below and the accompanying clue give you an idea as to who or what the image is of. We invite you to use the Comment option to take a crack at solving the Teaser and, if you’re so inclined, participate in some good-spirited banter with your fellow sports fans. The Fan Teaser will appear each Friday morning with the reveal coming to you Sunday.

NFL Draft Week Cometh (aka Lions Super Bowl Week)

DouglasTHillLeave a comment
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Maybe, just maybe, the headline of this post is now antiquated?

Following decades of futility, the NFL franchise found in my area – the Detroit Lions – showed signs of promise last season. No, there was no promise in the beginning, what with the 1-6 start. But finishing the season by winning eight of their final 10 games, posting a winning record of 9-8, and eliminating the Green Bay Packers from the playoffs in primetime (at Lambeau Field, no less!) on the season’s final Sunday … well, that’s given the faithful reasons for optimism this off season.

And I suppose I count myself among them.

Though as I commented on a Tweet from the fellas over @ROTL_UK (Roar of the Lions UK) about this week’s NFL Draft in Kansas City:

“I find myself hopeful which, when it comes to the Lions, usually doesn’t end well. Here’s hoping Brad’s got himself a KC Masterpiece up his sleeve.

Doug Hill, April 2023

My hometown gridiron heroes have nine selections over the six round draft later this week, including four of the first 55 (Picks 6, 18, 48, and 55). Here’s hoping General Manager Brad Holmes and his team have a winning plan this week to build on what was an optimistic conclusion to the 2022 season.