Gregg Rosenthal of NBCSports.com has five reasons to watch this weekend’s NFL draft. And the feud between ESPN analysts Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay is at the top of his list.
2. Friction on the ESPN Set
A few years ago, I made an important decision that all football fans will face eventually. I choose to watch NFL Network’s draft coverage over ESPN. It’s the way to go if you want more information and less noise — more cattle and less hat. That doesn’t mean ESPN can’t provide high comedy during commercial breaks.
Watching Mel Kiper Jr. and insurgent Todd McShay battle over the last few months was like watching the icy transition from Joe Montana to Steve Young. Usually when ESPN stages debates, all the yelling is contrived. But these guys genuinely don’t like each other. After all, McShay is essentially usurping Kiper’s job and diminishing his face/hair time. After Kiper’s last contract squabble with the Worldwide Leader, McShay’s star began to rise. Now I get the sense that Kiper will snipe at McShay’s favorite players just to annoy him, and vice versa.
And if Kiper and McShay aren’t battling, you can always watch the New York fans heckle Chris Berman.
I’m not a huge Kiper fan, but I think he’s been better this year than McShay, regardless of the bickering. I think Kiper’s projections thus far have made more sense and while nobody knows if he’ll have more correct picks in the end, the wily vet seems to be outperforming the youngster.
But Rosenthal is right on one thing – NFL Network’s coverage gives you less of a headache.
