Who will you be your first selection when it comes to following the NFL Draft on television Thursday?
Unlike the Panthers?who pick first? you can change your mind several times, taking advantage of the highest possible upside of network coverage.
From No. 1 through Mr. Irrelevant, by the time Sunday morning comes around, you should come away with enough news and analysis to actually start talking like Mel Kiper Jr.
Once again, Kiper Jr.'s employer, ESPN, will get a big challenge from the NFL Network in a battle to dominate ratings in the drafnik demographic.
While the Worldwide Leader is scaling back a bit on its coverage, the NFL Network has focused on getting bigger.
With no free-agent hot stove to worry about, it makes sense the league is pouring its resources in the one offseason event that has not been affected by the lockout.
For fans worried about the NFL not opening up in time to kick off the 2011 regular season as scheduled, the draft is a welcome reprieve, and should get considerable ratings for being a cable-exclusive event.
So when you sit back and relax in your own personal war room for close to 72 hours, Here's what to expect from each channel this weekend (all listings ET):
ESPN
Coverage
Thursday: Pre-draft at 3 pm. Round 1 from 8-11:30 p.m. Friday: Pre-draft at 3 p.m., Rounds 2 and 3 from 6-10:30 p.m. Saturday: Pre-draft at 10 a.m., Rounds 4 through 7 from 12-7 p.m. Sunday: Post-draft at 1 p.m.
Locations: New York and Bristol, Conn.
Main lineup: Chris Berman, Mel Kiper Jr., Jon Gruden, Adam Schefter, Chris Mortensen and Suzy Kolber.
Also starring: Trey Wingo, Trent Dilfer, Todd McShay, Tedy Bruschi, Herm Edwards, Mike Tirico, Cris Carter, Ron Jaworski, Tom Jackson, Keyshawn Johnson and Steve Young.
In the field: Michael Smith (Patriots) and Ed Werder (Broncos) are just two of six reporters embedded with teams, which also include the Panthers, Bengals, Cardinals and Redskins.
NFL Network
Coverage
Thursday: Pre-draft final mock at 10:30 a.m., Round 1 from 8-11:30 p.m. Friday: Pre-draft at 11 a.m., Round 2 and 3 from 6-10:30 p.m. Saturday: Pre-draft at 10 a.m., Rounds 4-7 from 12-7 p.m. Sunday: Post-draft at 7 p.m.
Locations: New York and Los Angeles.
Main lineup: Rich Eisen, Mike Mayock, Marshall Faulk, Steve Mariucci, Michael Irvin, Charles Davis and Brian Billick.
Also starring: The network has gathered a who's who of college coaches as guest stars for Day 3?Alabama's Nick Saban, Notre Dame's Brian Kelly, North Carolina's Butch Davis and Wisconsin's Bret Bielema.
In the field: With ace reporters such as Jason La Canfora, Steve Wyche, Kara Henderson and Albert Breer, you'll up to date with everything happening around the league.
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