File Under: Vernon Gholston, DraftTek, Dan Riback
02/26 — The NFL draft gets all the league's fans salivating. And in some cases, the draft spurs fans into action.
Dan Riback contacted me recently. He's a self-described Jets fanatic — "I bleed green," he states simply — since the 1970s, having grown up in Fair Lawn, N.J., a short drive from the Meadowlands.
He's bicoastal now with a home in California and an apartment in Chatham, N.J., not far from the site of the Jets' new training complex in Florham Park. He attends a couple of games every season, always wearing his iconic No. 12 jersey (which didn't help him or the Jets for his two games last season, vs. the Patriots and Giants, but at least he got an early preview of Super Bowl XLII).
For employment, Riback is a CPA working in the financial markets. He says he specializes in insurance and is fascinated with financial modeling.
All of which drew him recently to a new concern.
"I follow the Jets for DraftTek and I am starting to take an active role in running the business and marketing operations of the organization," he told me in an email. "This is DraftTek's second year of operation. What started out as a labor of love is currently evolving into a business."
DraftTek operates a simulation model that projects what the NFL draft might look like — in fact, how several drafts might unfold based on "what-if" scenarios. And it incorporates the input of knowledgeable team followers such as Riback in determining team needs.
I checked out the site and it's clean, well-organized and looks like fun for draftniks, especially because the simulation doesn't stop after one round but goes for the full seven.
The Jets, newyorkjets.com and I don't endorse DraftTek and its selections for the Jets or any other team, but feel free to check out the site's latest simulation, just posted today, here.
And if DraftTek hits the Jets' first-round pick on the head — they're going with Vernon Gholston at No. 6 at the moment — plus a few more of the Green & White selections in the later rounds, you can give Riback a pat on the back.
mgunabatedDroxx Said:
Fri, February 29, 2008 - 11:22pm EDT"now its the time for the jets to bounce back hard this draft will determine the futur or the faillure of this team i pray and hope they pick the best defensif player in my opinion the beast of this draft future pass rusher fenomenon VERNON GOLSTON he is the perfect fit for the 3-4 scheam remind me of ADALIUS THOMAS who have a monster season for the pats GOLSTON run a 4.6 -37.rep pick him pleas"
Jack Said:
Sat, March 1, 2008 - 10:22pm EDT"After seeing who the Jets got So far in F/A was real nice. Jets defense should be much better you would think if the Jets should now need to draft DE, Gholston inless they can get DE, Calvin Pace then no for Gholston. then they should try get RB, Darren McFadden or if Jake long or Ryan Clady still there keep building the offense of line. I would be real happy with any of the guys Gholston McFadde"
I bleed green blood Said:
Sun, March 2, 2008 - 12:51pm EDT"Do the Jets get a 5th round pick in this years draft for Pete Kendal or a 4th round pick in 2009?"
Randy Lange Said:
"I bleed, if I may call you that, in the Pete Kendall trade the Jets got an undisclosed 2009 pick from Washington."
damone Said:
Tue, February 26, 2008 - 11:24am EDT"LET ME SCHOOL SOME OF MY NOT SO SMART FELLOW JETS FANS OUT THERE.THERE IS A DROP OFF IN TALENT AT THIS YEARS DRAFT,PLEASE STOP SAYING DRAFT O-LINEMAN AND DT'S(TO REPLACE D-ROB) IN THE FIRST ROOUND.NOW I CAN SEE MAYBE MOVING ONE OF THOSE DT'S TO DE IN OUR SCHEME BUT WE'RE NOT GONNA GET JAKE LONG AND FOR WHAT ANYWAY.HE CANT PLAY RT AND IT WOULD BE POINTLESS AT THIS POINT TO MOVE BRICK TO RT."
Offensive Comment?