Now that the combine and many pro days are over the sports media are busy cranking out the latest editions of their mock drafts. It has always amazed us how a player who after two or three years as a starter in college could drop like a rock because his 40 time was .005 slower than some player we've never heard of before. The whole "science" behind the draft can be quite humorous as the media vacillate over which team will make the big surprise move. While we are not prognosticators, nor do we care to be, we do have more than a passing interest in these mock drafts and how they relate to what actually happens.

Defensive end Marcellus Wiley took the road less traveled to the NFL via the ivies. A running back when he arrived as a freshman at Columbia he would go on to be a two way player his junior year making the full time switch to defensive end and moonlighting as a short yard specialist. A member of Columbia Athletics Hall of Fame Wiley would lead the Lions to a 8-2 record while recording 63 tackles, 6.5 sacks and 5 touchdowns in his senior season.

Today the Pittsburgh Steelers signed QB Ben Roethlisberger to a 8 year, $102 million extension that contained $36 million in guaranteed money. Roethlisberger was the team's first round draft pick in 2004 and was the third quarterback taken in draft behind the likes of Eli Manning and Philip Rivers. He has been the starter for all four seasons he has been with the team and has led the Steelers to two AFC Championship games and one Super Bowl victory. The 11th overall pick in the draft he has exceeded expectations since coming of our Miami of Ohio.

When the 2008 free agent season began many assumed that Patriots wide receiver Randy Moss had a verbal agreement in place with the team to remain since New England chose to not use the franchise tag on him. Complicating the situation the Patriots could not resign Moss prior to free agency due to league rules regarding extensions on renegotiated contracts. Four days later Patriot Nation was on pins and needles with every report on Moss and his contract status. Rumor and innuendo swirled that Moss was frustrated with negotiations and was field offers from other teams with possible destinations including Dallas, Green Bay, or worse, the New York Jets.

After three offseasons of the annual "will he" or "won't he", we finally have our answer. Ladies and gentlemen turn out the lights, the party's over.

The NFL's ironman, Brett Favre, announced today that he is retiring as the quarterback of the Green Bay Packers. After 17 seasons the NFL's all time leader in touchdown passes, interceptions, passing yardage and consecutive starts leaves the game as the only three time MVP and a Super Bowl champion.

How does a second round draft pick turn into a first round draft pick? When that second round pick is former Super Bowl MVP Deion Branch. Mired in a bitter contract holdout as a restricted free agent with New England, Branch found himself shipped off to Seattle in exchange for a first round draft pick and ultimately the free agent like payday he desired from the onset.

BIG-10 Nuggets

Ohio St. has had 120 NFL selections since 1987, the most of any Big 10 School.

The most popular position for Ohio St. picks is defensive back (26)

The defensive half of the Barber Twins, Ronde has been a stalwart at cornerback since being drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. A full time starter since his second season in the NFL he became part of the Pewter Power movement in Tampa. Barber, a four time Pro Bowl selection, is the team's career interception leader with 33 career picks.

In a stark contrast to the Giants, the 2007 draft class was not as impactful for the New England Patriots. Armed with twelve total draft selections, the Patriots made nine draft selections and traded three picks in two different transactions.

This past offseason the New York Giants made eight draft selections and had a stunning six rookies in impact roles. Some of their contributions came in the regular season while others were late bloomers that caught on during their four game march to glory.

(See the rest of the story at www.draftnuggets.com)

As the Big Tuna prepares to overhaul the Dolphins roster there are plenty of areas that need to be addressed. Having the first round draft pick can be both a blessing and a curse for the team that possesses it.