NFL Draft 2012: Why the Event Needs to Return to the 2-Day Format

In regards to sports television, there aren't many things better than the NFL draft. At first glance, it seems like televising a man walking to a podium and reading a name seems over the top. However, the draft has turned into a spectacle filled with drama and surprises.

The luster is still there after the first NFL draft was televised by ESPN in 1980, but in recent years, the event seems to have less excitement. Most fans of the draft know what I'm talking about.

Beginning with the 2008 NFL draft, commissioner Roger Goodell decided to toy with the formula. That year, the NFL decided to shorten up its Saturday presentation from three rounds to two rounds. The NFL also started the draft at 3 p.m. ET rather than 12 p.m. ET.

There wasn't much fan revolt to the decision, but Goodell has never heard of the phrase, "If it's not broke, don't fix it."

Goodell saw all the dollar signs and bright lights of prime time and decided to change the format again. This time, the first round of the draft would take place on a Thursday beginning at 7 p.m. In addition, the second and third rounds would take place on Friday and the rest on Saturday.

While I know the NFL loves money, this was a bad decision for the league. Because the draft is on a Thursday, there are fewer people who stay engaged after their team makes a pick.

With most people having to go to work Friday morning, the fans decide that getting some sleep is more important than seeing every development which is what makes the draft so intriguing.

The old format was awesome in that it was an all-day festival that compared to Christmas morning. Fans rushed out of bed (and in some cases to run to the liquor store) to sit in front of their big electronic tree known as the television.

As each pick was being announced in the warm glow, the fans jumped with joy screaming things like "Wow, it's an Adrian Peterson!" or "Donovan McNabb? Really?"

The draft's move to prime time has taken some of that excitement out. Excitement is always best when it's served in one heaping dose rather than a teaspoon here and there. Could you imagine the Super Bowl being played over the course of four days? It's ridiculous.

It will never happen, but the NFL needs to bring back their version of Christmas morning.