- Mel Kiper, Jr.
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Kiper at the 2009 NFL Draft.
Mel Kiper Jr. (pronounced /ˈkaɪpər/) (born July 25, 1960) in Baltimore, Maryland is an American football analyst for the ESPN television channel. He has served as an analyst for ESPN's annual NFL draft coverage since 1984, providing in-depth information on the nation's potential draft picks.
Contents
Career
With the emergence of ESPN2 and ESPN.com, Kiper's visibility increased. Kiper has said that Ernie Accorsi, the general manager of the then-Baltimore Colts, encouraged him to become a draft analyst. He says that Accorsi told him that there was a market for draft information and that Kiper should convert his expertise into a business.[1] Kiper and fellow draft analyst Todd McShay are often featured together and compare their mock drafts on ESPN programs.
During ESPN's coverage of 1994 NFL Draft, Kiper criticized the Indianapolis Colts for using their fifth overall pick on linebacker Trev Alberts, and not quarterback Trent Dilfer, whom Kiper labeled a "franchise quarterback".[2][3] In 1994, Kiper felt that the Colts, who had Jim Harbaugh, needed a quarterback, and should not have passed on Dilfer, calling them "the laughingstock of the league year-in and year-out."[4] Colts general manager Bill Tobin later shot back later in the broadcast, shouting "Who the hell is Mel Kiper?!" [5]
Kiper has established himself as one of the most famous and recognizable of all NFL Draft commentators.[6] He has played a major role in transforming the draft from a quiet meeting few fans understood or cared about into a major public event over the course of the last 25 years, earning him the ESPN draft title "King Kiper".[6]
Gary Wichard Controversy
During the 2010 NFL Draft, Kiper had quarterback Jimmy Clausen ranked as the best quarterback available and the fourth-best overall player in the draft while Scouts, Inc. ranked Clausen as the draft's 38th best player, 35 spots below fellow quarterback Sam Bradford.
Kiper's ranking prompted some whispers about his relationships with agents. Gary Wichard, the agent who represents Clausen, is a long-time friend of Kiper. Kiper had been accused in the past of "over hyping" Wichard's clients, something he vehemently denies, noting his criticism of several of Wichard's clients.[7]
Big Board
Perhaps what Mel Kiper is most well-known for his "big board" for which he ranks the top 25 players every week. During the ESPN draft coverage, Kiper's big board appears on the ticker, and updates automatically once a player is selected.
Video game appearances
- Kiper lent his voice to the videogame, ESPN NFL 2K5, as the NFL Draft expert in season mode, and also is "unlockable" as a Free Agent wide receiver in the game.
- Kiper appears in NFL Head Coach as the NFL Draft expert.[8]
- Kiper appears in Madden NFL 07-08 during the college draft workout period in the offseason.
References
- ^ Battista, Judy (2009-04-24). "The N.F.L. Draft Is the Kipers' Family Business". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/24/sports/football/24kiper.html?ref=sports.
- ^ http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=GSYqAAAAIBAJ&sjid=0iwEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6833,4971738&dq=bill+tobin+mel+kiper&hl=en
- ^ Chappell, Mike; Richards, Phil (2004). Tales from the Indianapolis Colts Sideline. Sports Publishing LLC. pp. 179–180. ISBN 1582618291, ISBN 9781582618296. http://books.google.com/books?id=7_tOoiugyxMC&pg=RA1-PA179.
- ^ Chappell, Mike; Richards, Phil (2004). Tales from the Indianapolis Colts Sideline. Sports Publishing LLC. p. 180. ISBN 1582618291, ISBN 9781582618296. http://books.google.com/books?id=7_tOoiugyxMC&pg=RA1-PA179.
- ^ ESPN.com - 18 years of draft memories
- ^ a b Maese, Rick (2010-04-19). "Love him or hate him, Mel Kiper Jr. is Mr. NFL Draft". The Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/18/AR2010041803075.html.
- ^ Maese, Rick (2010-04-19). "Love him or hate him, Mel Kiper Jr. is Mr. NFL Draft". The Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/18/AR2010041803075_3.html?sid=ST2010041803832.
- ^ Ekberg, Brian. "E3 06: NFL Head Coach Hands-On". Gamespot. http://www.gamespot.com/pc/sports/nflheadcoach/news.html?sid=6150930. Retrieved 2007-11-14.
External links
Categories:- 1960 births
- Living people
- College football announcers
- National Football League announcers
- People from Baltimore, Maryland
- People from Harford County, Maryland
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