The Giants have been one of the more active teams in utilizing the Supplemental Draft and every year it comes around it's always something which seems strange as everyone's focus is on the April draft.
The most famous Supplemental Draft pick was Bernie Kosar, who was at the University of Miami as their QB. Anyway, Kosar was in a rare position because he was graduating early and our old friend Ernie Accorsi shows up because he was the GM of the Browns at the time. Anyway, the bottom line was if Kosar entered the standard 1985 draft, the Oilers were picking 2nd. Bruce Smith was the consensus #1 pick going to the Bills. Kosar was #2.
The Vikings, looking for a QB, made a trade with Houston to get the #2 pick. Since Houston was in Cleveland's division, they wouldn't trade with the Browns. But Ernie got in Bernie's ear, and told him if he doesn't come out in the April draft, and waits for the Supplemental Draft, the Browns agreed to a trade with the Bills (who remember, picked #1 in the Supplemental Draft too), the Browns would make a deal with Buffalo, giving them their #1 pick in 1985 and 1986, plus other picks. The Browns would use that pick to take Kosar.
That set off lawsuits, and ultimately Pete Rozelle let Kosar decide what he wanted to do (basically, pick Minnesota or Cleveland). Since Kosar was from Ohio, he picked the Supplemental Draft and the Browns.
A few interesting tidbits from this point on
- As a result of the Kosar craziness, the NFL prohibited trades of Supplemental picks go forward
- Bernie ended up starting as a rookie in 1985 when Gary Danielson got hurt, who was traded for to act as Bernie's mentor
- The Bills would use those picks to take Derrick Burroughs as a corner, and Will Wolford, who would turn into a Pro Bowl tackle and help them on their Super Bowl run
- And the focus was Ernie Accorsi. Ernie got 3 Franchise QBs in his career in the draft, and all were involved in controversy. From the Elway draft in Baltimore in 1983 where Irsay would trade him and Accorsi would quit. To the Kosar deal. And lastly getting Eli with the Chargers trade. Lest we forget, Gettleman is an Ernie disciple. Ernie in this spot said it as follows "without the great QB, you aren't going to contend for championships". Is there a great QB in the 2019 draft? I don't see it. But Gettleman himself said "no guts, no glory". His mentor was aggressive in trading up for QB he believed in. At some point, in this draft or next year with Fromm, I would expect Gettleman to do the same.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVZOSSF6HS4 - (
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It was a sign of Belichik's football genius -- he was unconventional didn't give a shit what the fans thought. Kosar was ok but BB saw his limitations and basically said "We can do better."
BB, I don't disagree necessarily. He will do what he thinks is right. But there is something to be said about learning lessons from your mentor and applying them. When Ernie had a shot at what he felt was a franchise QB, he went after them. I would think Gettleman will do the same. I'm coming around more and more that the Giants won't do it in this draft. I think they are going to fill out everything else around Eli with guys who can play and rebuild the defense. And then in 2020, they will trade the farm to get Fromm.
Still, what was crazy about this Kosar story, was how Ernie basically manipulated the process and found a loophole to get him. I'm sure he didn't make friends in Minnesota or Houston along the way, but he did what he felt was right for the Browns. And as a result of Ernie finding that loophole, the NFL closed it by not allowing Supplemental picks to be traded anymore and starting this "silent auction" type thing.
I'm coming around more and more that the Giants won't do it in this draft. I think they are going to fill out everything else around Eli with guys who can play and rebuild the defense.
It was a sign of Belichik's football genius -- he was unconventional didn't give a shit what the fans thought. Kosar was ok but BB saw his limitations and basically said "We can do better."
That isn't true though. After cutting Kosar in 1993 the Browns lost the next 3 games and a playoff shot. Kosar was the better QB and Belichik made a mistake. Vinny is turnover machine who had one great season in 1998 at age 35 for the Jets. He was not good with the Browns.