After spending many years watching the NFL Draft on television and/or listening to it on the radio for years, I made it a specific point to go to New York this year to attend in person. Here's one man's account of a trip to The Annual NFL Player Selection Meeting, otherwise known as the NFL Draft.

Friday - April 27th

The good news was twofold for me this year, as I would not only be going to the NFL Draft for the first time with multiple friends, but I also was able to have Press Credentials courtesy of AM950 The Fan from Denver via Lincoln Financial, the station that Cecil Lammey does incredible work for on the NFL all year. So after a quick trip from Maryland to Port Authority, I strolled up midtown Manhattan to The Benjamin to rendezvous with David Dodds, Sigmund Bloom, Marc Faletti and Johnny "nittanylion" Mikuluk. On the way I pass Radio City Music Hall, surrounded by NFL Draft signs for several blocks, but aside from one newswoman and her two man camera crew there's no activity midday on a Friday about the weekend's big event.

After settling in at the hotel, I circle up with the other Footballguys one floor below our room. This was the first I've met both Marc and the icon known as Bloom. Bloom is Bloom, and his persona and wealth of football knowledge (and general love and zest for football) that come across every day at Footballguys and now also Draftguys were easy to see. Faletti was an interesting guy as well; with a name and look like he would be more comfortable with futbol than football (can't you just hear Faletti, Totti, Totti, Faletti….GOL!!! - but I digress). Faletti knows his football (and University of Texas football in particular) but more on his pigskin acumen later.

Dodds is classic Dodds, and he's raring to go to his first draft as well. We all start talking about what we're hearing as possible trades, including a possible move up by Denver in the first round, but we can't confirm anything. Johnny joins up with us shortly and we decide to start to head to Radio City Music Hall, but we check on anyone trying to reach us either online or our phones to meet up for the line for tickets. One FBG calls Johnny just before we leave, telling us he's at the Heartland Brewery just around the corner from Radio City. We decide that the best plan is to head on down to Radio City with some gear and the camera and check out the line, then drop by the Brewery.

Halfway to Radio City, Faletti discovers that he has mechanical issues in putting together the camera and has to head back to the hotel. Dodds and I press on and tell them that we'll meet up at the Brewery. Dodds and I meet "the UFFRM", a.k.a. Anthony, and his friend Brad for a few minutes, then head over to Radio City again to check out who's there yet. A few diehards are there early, but no more than 15. Bloom and Faletti find us, and Marc has found the pieces to his camera gear on the street that we were walking, of all places. Looks like luck might be on our side this weekend.

Bloom and Johnny lead us to the spot where the line started last year, but there's virtually no one there at nearly 6 PM Feels very strange to them, but we guess that they are abiding by their word that tickets really won't be given out until 6 AM and they won't honor any lines. We do see a few guys setting up barriers, but neither seems to know the plan.

We all head back to the brewery to unwind and socialize for a bit, but by now Anthony and Brad have left. We cozy up the bar and talk football and such, getting to know each other a little better in person. We notice that Sportscenter is broadcasting from inside Radio City, so Bloom and I try to go over and get our credentials early. We don't succeed - apparently just the two TV networks are getting in - but we do note the large TV press row on the back side of the building and see that the press will be getting in a separate entrance.

After not getting in early, we all gather up our things and start to head back to the hotel before getting a bite to eat. We go by Radio City again to see about a line, and there are several more people there, but still no real order to what's going on. We regroup at the hotel and head out for some food at the Carnegie Deli, where I'm reminded that New York is one of the few places where you can't tell by the prices on the menu just how much you'll get on your plate. The sandwiches from the Deli could choke a horse, and no one was hungry after that meal. Jeremy (a.k.a. "GroveDiesel") joined us and watched the spectacle of eating put forth at our table.

As night grows closer, we all head to the hotel where Marc goes to get the camera and the rest of us head to Radio City and finally see a line formed. About 100-150 people are around the building, near where the doors opened first last year, and all of us start to work the crowd, talking Footballguys and football. Everyone seems happy and ready for the big day tomorrow.

At about 11:30, I've had enough for the day. The rest of the guys want to work the line, but I am predicting a very long day tomorrow so I decide to get some rest before Day 1. Flipping on Sportscenter (no NFL Network in the hotel) I hear more rumors and conjecture about what was going to take place tomorrow. Little did any of us know what was about to happen just a few short hours ahead.

Saturday, April 28th - Day 1 of the NFL Draft

The big day is here. I hit the ground running after Dodds and I were up far too late Friday night before talking more football (he had worked the line after midnight with the rest of the guys, but since we all had tickets we could get some rest, unlike many fans).

After we rally at Starbucks just outside of The Benjamin, I learn about the goings on the night before with security messing with the line outside the building (reordering it, causing a wee hour stampede along 6th Avenue) and then finally the distribution of tickets. I fully expect some bleary eyed fans today at the Draft. It is just after 9 AM, and Dodds, Johnny and the rest start the walk up to Radio City. We walk past the line of folks trying to get in again first thing in the morning, and I part ways with Dodds and Johnny to go after my Press Pass. I find the entrance around the back of the building and tell them I'm with 950 The Fan. Of course, she thinks I mean "WFAN", the big station in NYC, but we get past that and I get my credentials and head on in to the main floor.

The stage is set - well, actually two of them. ESPN is set about halfway between the main stage and the entrance to the lower level on the right towards the right of the room, and NFL Network is on the left. I stroll by both stages, noticing that Mike Mayock and the ESPN crew are gearing up to start the long day. I walk down the left and see Pat Kirwan setting up for Sirius NFL Network on satellite radio, but I find that my seats are on the other side. I walk past all the little tables with 32 helmets on them, and when I get to the other side of the room I finally find our spots. We're near the lower right of the floor, about 10 rows from the main stage and to the right. There are two large TV screens, showing ESPN on the right, NFL Network on the left, and FM radios get handed out to tune in to the audio feed of each. Monitors abound to tell you who is on the clock and who is the current pick. Soon we are joined on the floor by Colin Cowherd, who heads for his area, joined later by John Clayton.

Faletti and Bloom join me shortly, and we notice that Adam Schefter is already preparing for the day and on his Blackberry and cell phone. He's a fixture on the floor, standing in the middle of the floor between the two TV stations and the main stage, along with his own personal cameraman. Throughout the day, we see why Adam is the hardest working man in the NFL media - he gets info faster than anyone.

We take note of several of our neighbors, including Jay Glazer from Fox Sports on row in front of us, Brian Baldinger who is also doing radio a few rows up ahead, and also many others from Yahoo! Sports, Ourlads and several others. We strike up several conversations with many of them throughout the day.

NFL personnel walk around, checking that we have what we need and alerting us that there will be a special press conference featuring the head coach of Virginia Tech, Frank Beamer, along with three former Hokies and NFL players at 11 AM. Since I'm the closest to that program I am the one slated to cover that presser, and I prep to go, voice recorder and camera in hand. Faletti joins me to get the lay of the land of the press area. I notice the food available to the press and the neighboring press conference area, taking mental notes for future trips downstairs.

The fans are real troopers - up all night on line to get tickets to get in, they file in at 10:30 AM, get their seats and raring' to go. Jets, Eagles and Giants well represented, but Raiders and Lions are as well. Those two teams' fans have no idea how happy they will be by the end of the day. All 32 teams were represented - even Washington who could have left before 2:00.

It is a few minutes before 11 AM and Marc and I head down to the lower level for the press conference. Fans are pouring in now, as the doors opened at 10:30. NFL paraphernalia is everywhere in the main foyer, from banners to hats to a 2007 NFL Draft H3 from Hummer (still not sure of the connection, but they were a sponsor - maybe they figured with an H3 you can find guys off the beaten path).

The Hokie press conference is relatively short, as they address the horrific events of the shooting and how the program and the university will move forward. All the players there (Michael Vick, Bruce Smith, and DeAngelo Hall) comment on how they felt about the situation, and then Beamer closes the short conference. Everyone heads back up to the main floor.

11:30 - Marc and I are back in our seats, ready for the draft to start. Bloom is gathering everything he needs and noting some of his recent associates and their location - notably Russ Lande and John Murphy. Lande's book, "GM Jr." is beyond deep and in the hands of many of the press. Flipping through the telephone book-sized tome it is easy to see why Lande's one of the best in the biz.

Deion Sanders takes the main stage and introduces the five players there for the NFL Draft to await their selection - JaMarcus Russell, Gaines Adams, Calvin Johnson, Adrian Peterson and Brady Quinn. Quinn gets booed for no apparent reason, but this does foreshadow what will be a trying day for the young quarterback.

Moments later, the Virginia Tech contingent is on the main stage in an opening ceremony to honor the school they represent. After a stirring round of applause, the draft is set to start, and Commissioner Goodell takes his first of many trips to the podium. Oakland is on the clock.

12:00 - Here We Go

The moment is finally here. Surprisingly, Oakland takes nearly the full clock to announce what they have known for months. After seeing Russell on the phone, we get the word and he's the new QB for the Raiders.

Detroit takes yet another WR in Round 1, but few question their pick of Calvin Johnson, arguably the surest thing in this draft. The question remains whether they would use Calvin as trade bait, but after the next picks go the chances dwindle quickly. Either way, Lions fans are happy.

Cleveland passes on Quinn, going for the line help that they need more and taking Joe Thomas. I missed boat-cam, but I'm sure it was riveting. Attentions turn to Tampa Bay and the next few picks, which aren't too surprising. After Gaines Adams goes to the Bucs, Arizona takes Levi Brown and Washington calls it an early day with their only pick of Day 1 - LaRon Landry.

With Minnesota at #7, people start to focus on the only two players left in the Green Room behind the main stage. Both Brady Quinn and Adrian Peterson wait to hear their names called, and the Vikings make Peterson's waiting come to an end. Peterson will be in purple and gold this fall.

Speaking of falls, once again we have a QB as the last person backstage holding his breath. Quinn looks nervous and anxious all at once, but most think that the Dolphins at #9 are going to get a nice pick in a moment. After Jamaal Anderson becomes a Falcon, we expect to hear Mr. Goodell announce Quinn will be a Dolphin. We see Brady backstage on his phone, and expect the news.

"With the ninth pick…."

It's right about now when all hell breaks loose. People throughout Radio City begin to realize that they heard "Ginn" not "Quinn", and there's a brief pause then the whole place explodes in a gasp of shock. Bloom spends the next minute re-hinging his jaw and shoving his eyes back in his head.

We try and settle back down and await any drama over the next prize, LB Patrick Willis, but there is no trade between Denver and Houston. Amobi Okoye is the newest Texan, and then Willis packs his bags for San Francisco. We attempt to use our headsets and record an episode of The Audible, but the wireless bandwidth in Radio City is just too jammed.

After Marshawn Lynch goes to Buffalo, we hear that the players will be heading downstairs for some press conferences. Faletti takes his recorder and notepad downstairs to cover Russell, while Bloom preps for his first phone call with Cecil in Dove Valley. Some selected players start to mill about on press row, but they are handled so efficiently by the NFL personnel that all I can do is shake hands with Calvin Johnson and wish JaMarcus well. Neither is able to do phone interviews, only making brief stops with the bigger media outlets like Fox and ESPN Radio or Sirius.

I head downstairs after about Pick 16 to find Faletti, and he's entrenched in the midst of his third presser in a row. Marc has found a nice niche and shows no hesitation, throwing out several questions to the players. It's rather interesting later in the day when we see Marc's questions on the transcription of the press conferences for each player.

Everyone is awaiting news of a trade up by some team wanting Quinn, and rumors are flying and Schefter is on top of all the scuttlebutt. After several attempts, the Browns finally make it happen. Cleveland sells everything but its soul to move up, and Jerry Jones is more than happy to accommodate the deal. When we finally here the final terms of the deal - a 2008 first and their second - we wonder aloud how Dallas will enjoy Darren McFadden next year. I then soon realize that Cleveland appeared to paint themselves in a corner waiting on the trade, as once it was Dallas on the clock they HAD to make the move as Kansas City had Quinn written on a card and ready to go I'm sure. If they were willing to put the 2008 first round pick in play, they should have had an earlier trade partner, but they waited and Dallas won that transaction in a landslide. Cleveland and Quinn both rejoice as the hometown hero comes to Ohio, but this trade will not be forgotten 12 months from now.

Somewhere in the middle of Round 1 we begin to notice that the guy in charge of the music is amusing some of us with his city appropriate selections - "WKRP in Cincinnati" for the Bengals, "Wanna be a Cowboy" for Dallas, and later "Rocky" for Philadelphia.

As Quinn falls, we get ready for the inevitable press conference to follow. We just can't miss that, and want to cover it with video and audio. Quinn does amazingly well, and I get the strange viewpoint of having NFL Network on my radio with Romeo Crennel as Quinn addresses the media, all simultaneously. Both are happy to be where they are today even after the long afternoon, and Quinn looks extremely poised at the podium. He is ready for the press, that seems certain, but the questions of his performances on Sunday afternoon still remain.

Finally my homerism emerges as Philadelphia nears their pick, but New England thwarts yet another team by taking Brandon Meriweather. DJ Boyer of Football.com, who just happens to be seated next to us, and I are talking about the Eagles' options here and then we both realize that their best choice is to move down. Moments later it is announced that the Eagles have moved back 10 spots, and we smile - but that positioning into Round 2 leads to the worst round of my weekend experience. More on that later.

After the Eagles moved down, I catch a second wind. We begin realizing that we're not going to get a player interview for Cecil in Dove Valley. I then made it known that we were going to get the Commissioner or die trying. I start trailing Mr. Goodell as he signs a few autographs and says hi to some front row kids there for the event, and I speak with Greg Aiello about getting him on the air in Denver. Both say that, time permitting, they will try. We continue to ask (and Faletti and Bloom press on as well, Bloom setting up the call and Faletti asking everyone that strolls by our table as he goes up and down the aisle to the stage for picks). Finally, we are able to get him on.

Of course, now we have slight technical difficulties with the courtesy phone, but Bloom quickly gets the Commissioner his cell phone and he's on with Cecil. There we were with the Commissioner doing a spot for a few minutes between picks, something I think no other station had that wasn't syndicated. We're psyched.

The first round drags on for most, but not Bloom, Faletti and I. Between all the press conferences, chasing players, picks, phone calls, and lining up Goodell we're all over the place and a bit weary. I literally had no idea how long the first round took, and was quite surprised to hear it was the longest ever. It doesn't surprise me, but we were working the entire time so it flew by.

Tons of trading follows the end of Round 1, as value falls down the charts. There can only be 32 first rounders, so the start of a new round is like a brand new day for many. Trades fly everywhere and teams move up for player after player. Solid talents go off the board in Alan Branch and Paul Posluszny, making Bills fans very happy after losing out on Willis in Round 1.

Round 2 - Three Sad Faces

As the fans start to filter out of Radio City after a long day, some diehards await their team's first pick, like the Eagles. I was awaiting their selection, hoping for "Brian Leonard" to be the name read and chants of "R U" to rain down, but alas it was not to be. Kevin Kolb, QB, Houston. What? Huh? I can hear people on the Walt Whitman plummeting to the icy Delaware as we sit there, blinking, not knowing what just hit us. Surely they still wanted Leonard and could have had Kolb later, right? If not, some other quarterback with the later pick in Round 2?

The city-based theme music continues, and that's all well and good until the weary crowd breaks out their best "New York, New York" karaoke in Round 2 and I plead for the Giants to pick someone - anyone - just not Brian Leonard.

I'm not alone in my troubles - all three of the favorite teams represented by Marc (Titans), Bloom (Steelers) and myself have a miserable time on Day 1. Everyone is disappointed with the direction of their team - or lack thereof. It really seems that the lesser teams are dominating Day 1, which must have Pete Rozelle smiling somewhere.

Round 3 gets better and we grow weary, but we press on. Arizona continues to revamp their defense with Buster Davis at #69, and the Dolphins get a steal with Lorenzo Booker at Pick #71. Houston also pilfers with Jacoby Jones at #73, which then triggers a WR run as six out of the next seven picks are receivers. Philadelphia gets their linebacker in Round 3 with Stewart Bradley, and the first Hokie goes two picks later as Aaron Rouse is now a Packer. Philadelphia closes the books on their Day 1 with Tony Hunt at the next pick, which I still cannot understand.

Good picks continue to occur, but the hour is growing painfully late. The late picks in Round 3 could make a big difference for some franchises, but it seems that the Bears were a bit anxious in taking Garrett Wolfe off the board a little early. They do get a nice linebacker prospect at the next pick in Michael Okwo, so maybe they are still burning the midnight oil. The last pick finally arrives and it seems that the Raiders do very well in selecting a player Bloom likes a lot, WR Johnnie Lee Higgins of UTEP.

After 11-plus hours, Day 1 of the NFL Draft finally ends. We pack up our stuff and head back to the hotel, and then rally up for a midnight pizza. Gotta love New York for that. We start breaking down each teams' draft and how they improved (or didn't) and the relative impact to each player, and Bloom starts thinking about his next Draftguys article. We think about recording another Audible, but we're pretty beat so we call it a day. There's still over 150 picks to go tomorrow, and we have to be ready to go. I go up to the room to try and get some sleep while I can before another big day, but Dodds and I of course wind up talking football until the wee hours of the night. He shares his thoughts on the Draft and I share mine until I just cannot last any longer. A few hours of sleep and it is on to Round 4.

Stay tuned for Part 2 for Day 2 and the post-draft analysis.