The folks at ESPN like to acknowledge the significance of a big event by assigning a large number of people to it. Richard Deitsch of SI.com, via SportsBusiness Daily, reports that this strategy won’t be employed during the 2011 NFL draft.
Per Deistch, the first two days of the draft will feature only Chris Berman, Mel Kiper, and Jon Gruden at the grown-ups’ table, with Adam Schefter and Chris Mortensen reporting from a separate location at Radio City Music Hall, and with Suzy Kolber doing player interviews from the green room.
On Saturday, Trey Wingo, Kiper, Todd McShay, and Trent Dilfer take over for the final four rounds.
In Bristol, Kolber will anchor on Day Three a discussion including Herm Edwards, Tedy Bruschi, and Ron Jaworski.
Of course, maybe ESPN isn’t giving short shrift to a big event. Maybe ESPN is gauging the personnel based on the anticipated interest in the draft.
A feeling has emerged that there’s less interest in the draft than usual, even though it could be the only NFL-related event through September. And possibly through February.