Anyone Feel A Draft? I used to dread this time of year.

As a Football Cardinals fan, how could you not?

I would spend the season watching the Big Red go through another 4-9-1 or 5-11 season, and wind up with a Top 5 or 6 pick in the following year's draft. And as draft day would get closer and closer I would get a knot in my stomach that started out about the size of a baseball and grow to the size of a bowling ball as that inevitable time came at hand...

I think the idea with having a Top 5 draft pick is that it should be a no-brainer. And with George Boone leading the way, the Cardinals' pick often was.

Shall I run down the list?

Steve Pisarkiewicz, 1977. The Big Red needed defensive help in the worst way, yet they took a quarterback.

Steve Little, 1978. Great college kicker with impeccable college credentials, but couldn't translate that into an NFL career.

Boone and company put together a six-year run of solid (Leonard Smith, Luis Sharpe, Curtis Greer), sometimes spectacular (Ottis Anderson) picks, but then closed out the St. Louis years with four unbelievably, hard-to-describe, boneheaded choices.

Clyde Duncan, 1984. Some had him listed as the 6th best receiver in the draft, yet the Cardinals took him after Irving Fryar and Kenny Jackson. Four catches and one touchdown in two seasons.

Freddie Joe Nunn, 1985. Never looked comfortable in St. Louis, though he did manage to string together a 12-year NFL career.

Anthony Bell, 1986. Not even the best linebacker on his college team, yet the Cardinals saw fit to take him 5th overall. He came into the league with people asking, "Anthony Who?" and left it just as anonymously.

Kelly Stouffer, 1987. Subject of perhaps the most famous draft quip of all time----"Oh my god, they've drafted a girl." Another pick the Cardinals reached on, and they did so well in their preparations that they couldn't ever some to contract terms with the Colorado State quarterback. He never played a down with the Cardinals.

So you can understand why die-hard Big Red fans suddenly show a nervous tic or two when you say "draft" around them.

So as the hours count down to the Rams pick at number two this afternoon, it will be a much different feeling of anticipation. Even in the great Dorsey vs. Chris Long vs. Gholston vs. McFadden debate. A solid player will be coming the Rams' way. So while there may be some drama, it'll be nothing like the old days.

Until next time... ¶ 11:07 PM