NFL Draft 07: Arrival in NYC

Photos by David Kindervater

I arrived safely in New York City (JFK Airport) this morning around 7:05 and shuttled (as in SuperShuttled) my way to Radio City Music Hall for today’s 2007 NFL Draft. I’ve been up since 2:30 a.m. Booking a 5:50 a.m. flight when you live an hour and a half from the airport is not a good idea. Naturally, I was running late and had to rush to even make the plane. Of course, as is typical for me, I found enough to do yesterday that I was up until 11 p.m., so I’ve only had a few hours sleep. I figure it’s only one day, so here goes.

After checking-in and setting up here on Radio Row (we have free Wi-Fi this year!), I roamed around Radio City Music Hall and took pictures. I’ve been here twice before — for last year’s Draft and the Rockettes’ Christmas Spectacular in December — so I pretty much know where everything is. It’s really a beautiful old building. The NFL really has this place decked out for the event. Reebok is setting up a big sales display in the lobby so fans can get the new Draft caps and tees. ESPN and NFL Network each have competing big production areas in the middle of the main room. I wonder if they talk to each other? There is such a competition there. Until the Network appeared on the scene a couple years ago, ESPN had cornered the market on TV coverage for the Draft. I’m in the same spot I was last year on Radio Row, Row RR, Orchestra, Stage left. We get a lot of traffic here. I shook hands and spoke with ESPN’s Chris Berman. I see him at just about every NFL function I attend, but I’ve never actually talked to him. I’ve always been a fan of his broadcasting style and commentary. Commissioner Goodell has made several passes through here, but he is mobbed. ESPN Radio is right next to us. John Clayton is typing away on his laptop right now. They have their own little booth across the aisle from us, but we’re on the end of our aisle so you can visualize the proximity. Other notables here are from Yahoo! Sports, the NY Times, GQ, ESPN the Magazine. The list goes on and on.

I’m going to wander down to the NFL Draft Fan Central presented by Burger King. It’s across the street. I’ve taken a lot of pictures. I’ll post some now and later. And of course, I’ll post updates throughout the day. I’m playing the role of blogger, podcaster and photographer today, so bear with me.