Customer Reviews

The Draft

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

At last, a story on the NFL that has real credibility as to what a NFL GM has to deal with and encounter during his time in the golden chair. There's pressure in any meaningful job but the kind depicted by Wil Mara in this novel is the type you can actually feel and, for me, experience a vicarious kinship with the GM. But, Mara goes deeper into the psyche and motivation of the agent, player, coach, capologist, owner and even the team physcian.

Being a devout NFL fan for many decades, I started the book with skepticism as to how authentic the storylines would be and unfold. After about 10 pages, I was hooked and could barely put the book down. Mara is a skilled writer and excellent story teller plus he obviously knows a great deal about the inner workings of the NFL at the franchise level. The only criticism I have, and it's a minor one, are the trade scenarios the various GMs either put together for a package offering or the one team, San Diego in this case, asking for deals that would make the old Herchell Walker trade from the 'Boys to the Vikes back in the day look mild in comparison.

A little unrealistic in this modern NFL that a team would forfeit that much talent and picks for one player. Other than that, a first rate story and read.

but I am biased since I'm a Ravens fan. It was great for me simply because the fictional story revolves around the Ravens, but I wouldn't be surprised if most people found the book less than satisfying.

This book was great if you want to see what its like behind the scenes in the NFL. I read this is just 2 sittings. It was impossiable to put down. It is very well written. It brings you into the book from the start.
It starts with a General Manager who just won back to back Super Bowls and takes you thru the off season and his desire to win a third straight, but his QB is injured in a car accident. Well I won't give the rest of it away but it is a great book.

I read all the time. To me I'll read anything from Clive Cussler to Salmon Rushdie (granted there are a lot of in-betweens there). My point is, I'll read pretty much anything someone puts in front of me. Since Brian's Song (which I know was non-fiction), I can't remember the last time I was able to read a sports-related book and actually enjoy the plotline as well as the real-life parallels. Luckily for me, Wil Mara's The Draft skillfully combines both. To be honest, I'll have to admit that I didn't know many details about the draft, besides what I saw in Jerry Maguire. However, in this book, you really get a behind-the-scenes look. Also, as a plus, these details don't bore you to death or distract from the story-line.

There are several plotlines going on here, and Mara seems to be able to switch between them easily, while not losing the reader. Jon Sabino's rivalry with Brendan Cavanaugh (the Bronco's GM) is interesting and full of twists and turns. Even when you think you know how it's going to end, you're wrong. Mara is just one more twist ahead of you. The Pressner family angle is full of surprises too! I don't want to give anything away here, but suffice to say, you will not want to put the book down.

On the minus side, I'm a life-long Jets fan (we've all got our burdens to bear). So, I've got to say I wish the Jets were in here more, but then again, I'll remember that this is fiction and that the Jets are always the underdogs. Maybe in one of Mara's future NFL books, he'll bring them in. I know, I know: A long shot.

Summed up: A fresh look on the NFL (especially its less-publicized side). I really enjoyed it and I think both men and women (yes, women) all over will too! Better get your copy while you can!

Baltimore Ravens General Manager Jon Sabino has been toasted as the latest genius as his team has won the last two Superbowls. He plans to make history with a trifecta and many professional football pundits make the Ravens the favorite the three-peat.

During the off season, the star quarterback Michael Bell is injured in an accident that leaves him out for the season and the team without a strong player at the key position as neither the back up nor free agency provides the leadership needed to go all the way. Jon knows the best chance lies with the upcoming college draft by taking a chance on a rookie adapting to the NFL right away, which he believes Wolverine Quarterback Christian McKinley can; as he has the talent and played well in the major bowls and Big Ten games. However, without him the Ravens go nowhere. To get him means working a deal with San Diego who has the first draft pick and is willing to sell the rights to the highest bidder of the McKinley Sweepstakes. Sabino plans that to be him at all costs.

Though the intrigue elements (industrial espionage and a quarterback thinking of passing on the pros) seems more like a forced throw into coverage, NFL fans will enjoy the look behind the scenes of a successful professional football franchise. When the plot focuses on Sabino's efforts to insure an opportunity for the historical third ring, the tale is fast-paced and fascinating; when the story line focuses on other characters like a rival General Manager, it becomes time to punt. Still since much of the tale centers on Sabino trying to keep from being sacked, football fans will enjoy THE DRAFT especially with its parallels to Brady (Michigan QB) and Roethlisberger (bike accident).

Harriet Klausner