MMQB - Gil Brandt: The Draft Guru Who’s Seen It All

[Plankton]

http://mmqb.si.com/mmqb/2016/04/26/gil-brandt-nfl-draft-history

Gil Brandt’s first NFL draft was 1955, back when he was a part-time scout for the Los Angeles Rams. Fast-forward six decades, and much has changed both in the draft and in scouting—and Brandt has been there every step of the way. In 1960, when the Dallas Cowboys were born, he became the team’s first vice president of player personnel and helped create a new scouting and evaluation system that is still used across the NFL today. He’s currently a senior analyst for NFL.com and, each spring, oversees which players the NFL invites to its green room on draft night. There might not be anyone with a better perspective on the evolution of the draft than Brandt, who spared some time to talk with The MMQB during his busiest calendar month.

 

[erod]

And that's why he is Gil Brandt.

So much is said about Landry and Schram, but that was a three-headed monster that took the Cowboys to greatness. Innovative personnel man with an innovative head coach on BOTH sides of the ball. That equals greatness. Then add Schram, who knew how to market the NFL before anyone else even thought about it that much.

 

[casmith07]

I want to know who this is:

 

[jazzcat22]

I want to know who this is:

You do mean the woman don't you?......

 

[erod]

I want to know who this is:

Co-star on Mad Men.

 

[YosemiteSam]

I remember when fans cussed Gil Brandt with ferocity.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

I remember when fans cussed Gil Brandt with ferocity.

He didn't draft all that well at the end.

 

[Plankton]

I remember when fans cussed Gil Brandt with ferocity.

From 1978 to 1987, his drafts were ridiculously bad. Like a man who literally unlearned everything that he knew before. A large part of it was the draft moving from January to first May, then March, back to May, and then April. Those extra months allowed the other teams to close the gap considerably, and Brandt began to reach for players (Rod Hill, Howard Richards, to name a few). Injuries cost them Robert Shaw, Billy Cannon Jr. and Mike Sherrard as well.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

He didn't draft all that well at the end.

Nope. He fell in love with his legend (and computer) and forgot to measure heart, will and passion in a player. At the end of Brandt's reign, too many great draft athletes walked through the hallowed halls of Valley Ranch but few could play football.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

From 1978 to 1987, his drafts were ridiculously bad. Like a man who literally unlearned everything that he knew before. A large part of it was the draft moving from January to first May, then March, back to May, and then April. Those extra months allowed the other teams to close the gap considerably, and Brandt began to reach for players (Rod Hill, Howard Richards, to name a few). Injuries cost them Robert Shaw, Billy Cannon Jr. and Mike Sherrard as well.

Two of my favorites: Kevin Brooks and Aaron Mitchell. And who the hack is Darryl Clack!!!

 

[Direwolf63]

Love what he did for this franchise. He will always be considered one of the greats.

But I pretty much ignore what he says nowadays regarding the draft.

 

[casmith07]

You do mean the woman don't you?......

I love me some women, lol.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

I want to know who this is:

That's Lola; IBM Model 10121. She comes in five skin tones, three eye colors and four hair types. She wasn't very popular so IBM stopped producing her model.

 

[jnday]

I love me some women, lol.

You just love to lust over them. Me too!

 

[DFWJC]

He didn't draft all that well at the end.

He ended up a bit out there in the last few years as well.

That was fun read though.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

From 1978 to 1987, his drafts were ridiculously bad. Like a man who literally unlearned everything that he knew before. A large part of it was the draft moving from January to first May, then March, back to May, and then April. Those extra months allowed the other teams to close the gap considerably, and Brandt began to reach for players (Rod Hill, Howard Richards, to name a few). Injuries cost them Robert Shaw, Billy Cannon Jr. and Mike Sherrard as well.

The drafts seemed bad because the coaching turned unbelievably bad from 1980-89.
Bad coaching from the sidelines too, bloke, with coaching exhortations such as "No Danny, No, Danny, No!"

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

That's Lola; IBM Model 10121. She comes in five skin tones, three eye colors and four hair types. She wasn't very popular so IBM stopped producing her model.

Stop it bloke. Sir Jones is going to think you are serious, get drunk and look for her (and her different looks).

 

[Fletch]

I want to know who this is:

She's hot!

 

[Stash]

Love me some Godfather! Gil Brandt is one of my favorite people in any way affiliated with the NFL. The man is an institution and a tremendous wealth of knowledge. Live listening to him on Sirius NFL radio!

 

[casmith07]

You just love to lust over them. Me too!

That too, LOL.