The Sock 'Em, Bust 'Em Board Because that's our custom

Mel Kiper Jr. speaks. Erroneously … but still …

I try to be careful where I get my news from and television is sometimes not the best option. Something about one person arguing with another in hopes that I don’t change the channel seems less than reliable. That said, what’s not to like about Mel Kiper Jr.? I’d watch him talk about North Korea on CNN. Seriously.

A colleague of mine says that if he was any good, he’s be working in the NFL. I happen to think the NFL couldn’t match what he’s got with ESPN — pay, schedule, exposure, the whole package. Anyhow, the start of holiday season is also the start of Kiper Jr. season because the man will be on your television from now until the day after the 2008 NFL Draft, which is when he starts talking about the 2009 draft.

He answered a few questions Monday about the upcoming draft and included our very own Steve Slaton.

 West Virginia’s Steve Slaton did not have a strong finish to the regular season. He has great speed, but Slaton is a guaranteed first-round pick because he’s not an everydown back, but more of a situational-type player. There are plenty of incentives for going back to Morgantown for his senior season — he will have a chance to win the Heisman Trophy and the Mountaineers should be in the national title picture once again.

Obviously, there’s a word missing there because Kiper Jr. doesn’t think he’s a first-round pick. What that means, I have no clue. He could go and rip up Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl and keep running right to the green room in New York City. Or he could struggle and come back, likely with many, of not all, of his teammates facing a similar decision and chase the ultimate prize again in 2008.

He is, however, one of The Clash guys in this draft: Should I stay or should I go?