Dallas is the center of the NFL cosmos this week. The Cowboys insist this is simply a continuation of their identity. They still glowingly claim their branding as “America’s Team”. They embrace the state of Texas’ “bigger” boasts. They promise that this NFL draft will be unlike any prior.
The draft has become a traveling cabaret after New York held it down from 1965 through 2014. Then for two years Chicago owned it. Philadelphia claimed it last year.
True to ravenous NFL marketing form, the draft site has become another nugget to peddle, another prize to claim among the league’s 32 teams. You bid. You build. You cajole. The next two draft site finalists are Denver, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Nashville and Cleveland-Canton.
It is a brilliant concept, really. Every NFL city cannot host a Super Bowl, but each can compete for the draft. Each can personalize a slice of this NFL experience.
Philadelphia produced a draft record turnout of more than 250,000 people. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones promises to easily top that. This will be the first draft to be held inside an NFL stadium. A draft theatre will be crafted on the AT&T Stadium field, with each NFL team represented by 50 of its fans and sectioned together. Check out the draw, the appeal for most of the other 20,000 draft seats – fans from each of the 50 states registered for lottery tickets. Intriguing murals of some of the top prospects, including Saquon Barkley and Sam Darnold, were commissioned and placed throughout the city.
The Cowboys describe the three-day event that kicks off on Thursday (the first round of selections commence later that night) as sort of a state fair, a footprint of activity, games and interactive stations surrounding the stadium that will cover the size of 26 football fields.
Let the hoopla begin.
“I am sure it is going to be a tremendous spectacle in Dallas,” New York Giants owner John Mara said. “If there is one thing the Jones family has shown that it does best, it knows how to create a circus.”
Boom!
Quite a tribute.
I think.
People want to know just how this thing worked out, how Dallas got the draft with some of the recent skirmishes between Jones and commissioner Roger Goodell over Goodell’s contract.
“Well, actually, this was set up long before that happened, as a lot of our events are,” Kansas City Chiefs owner Clark Hunt said. “As far as Jerry and Roger, there is always a little something going on within the league and lot of decisions are made independent of those things. Having it in that city in that stadium is a great showcase for the league.”
The Cowboys draft room will be in their headquarters, The Star in Frisco, Texas.
“Jerry will likely show up at the start of the draft and help welcome everyone there at the stadium,” Cowboys executive Stephen Jones said. “But we’ve got to be at The Star. We’ve got to draft players. So, I imagine there will be a helicopter ride involved for Jerry.
“Jerry has no issues with Roger. It’s water under the bridge. Jerry brought up some issues at the time that he thought were important. It’s over. And we hope it’s over for Roger, too.”
Goodell responded: “I’m always going to do what’s best for the league.
“We had 21 cities bid for the draft next year before we got down to the current finalist. More networks will cover it live this year. There is a lot of excitement that comes with the draft. I expect this one to be special.”
With Cowboys flavor.
Texas style.
The draft maneuvering leading up to the selections is expected to reach startling and possibly record levels. NFL teams are less tentative and especially bold now in trading up or down to get what they want.
The top quarterbacks, as usual, are expected to go fast.
Barkley could jolt that mix and leap above most of those quarterbacks.
The best defensive player, Bradley Chubb, has a chance to leap ahead of some quarterbacks, too.
The spirit expected around and in the place, the fanfare, the Cowboys and their fans’ energy are expected to drive it all.
“I know Drew Pearson created quite a storm last year when he challenged the Philadelphia Eagles fans while making a Dallas draft selection,” Washington general manager Bruce Allen said. “We’ve been drawing up a line of candidates to do our own version of that this time around. I think we’re going to be scripting our comments just for a zing at the Cowboys. That stadium the Cowboys have is one of the best in the world. I think we’re all in for a treat.”
Draft. Cowboys. Dallas. Texas.
It is a connected quartet that provides a rare chance in sports where hype surrounding an event keenly harmonizes with the actual event.
“It’s just a good business decision for the league to have it there,” Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan said. “Jerry is a legend. When it comes to hustle and promotion, no one can do it better.”