Continuing my random draft thoughts, musings, and rants:

• The Vikings take Christian Ponder in the 1st round.  Does this really mean that Brett Favre is retired for good???  Has Peyton Manning sent that congratulatory letter to Favre yet?  Please, pretty please?  I would like a “Favre-watch” free summer.  I’m sure ESPN’s Ed Werder would sign off on that one, too.

• I was actually hoping to see the Pouncey twins reunite in Pittsburgh.  Imagine all the fun the two of them would have had fooling teammates.  I wonder if Maurkice would have hazed his rookie twin brother.  Guess we’ll have to wait until one of them gets traded to see what happens.

• The Indianapolis Colts selected two O-linemen to help protect their biggest investment, Peyton Manning.  6′ 7″, 311 lbs. Anthony Castonzo from Boston College and  6′ 4″ 317 lbs Ben Iljalana from Villanova.  They’re going to need to protect Peyton and his big ole noggin from getting knocked around.

• Technically, Peyton’s not a Colt since he’s a UFA but honestly where else would be go?  Can’t see Jim Irsay letting his franchise walk out the door because of salary issues.

• The Lions not only fortified their DL but also picked up some good talent on the offensive side as well.  Boise State WR Titus Young will be a solid compliment to Megatron and another target for QB Matthew Stafford.  They also got Illinois RB Mikel LeShoure to add to their talented young backfield with Jahvid Best.

• If Detroit can keep Stafford HEALTHY and injury free they will definitely be a force to be reckoned with.  The NFC North is going to be a very competitive and fun division to keep tabs on.

• The Bengals on the other hand, are going through massive changes.  Or at least judging from Carson Palmer and Ochocinco it’s certainly looking that way.  My guess is Carson retires because Mike Brown refuses to trade him.  Ochocinco has already burned bridges with Marvin Lewis and has expressed some interest in coming to STL – not that the Rams should seriously consider 85.  No way!

• Will TCU QB Andy Dalton come into Cincy and be able to win the starting job?  Where does Jordan Palmer fit into all of this?  Maybe Jordan should hang up his cleats and focus on Rocksoftware, his booming software/app business with John Shahidi.

• I’m still not 100% certain about what took place between the Bears and Ravens during that trade gaff.  But it sounds like someone in the Bears organization dropped the ball big time.  Verbal apologies were made regarding the confirmation phone call that wasn’t made but the Ravens wanted more.

• The Ravens wanted a pick in return from the Bears.  The Bears refused such a demand and a BAD taste was left in the Ravens’ beak.  In the end I think the Ravens still got the guy they wanted but just one pick later.

• But it just wasn’t the Ravens who came away scorned.  Other teams will be weary of doing future business with the Bears and it could come back to haunt them.  Bad business karma.

• I watched the Mark Ingram interview over again and I began to get annoyed with Suzy Kolber.  Was she trying to pull a Barbara Walters on him by making him cry with that email from his father who happens to be in prison?  What won’t networks and reporters do for ratings these days.  Or were they trying to get in touch with the female audience by adding that human interest element into the draft coverage.  I’d love to hear who’s idea it was to do that to him.

• The next few days stories from the war rooms will start leaking out.  ”Bart Scott!” to read about how close teams got to making trades that never materialized.  Maybe they’ll answer some linger questions that Rams fans have regarding the draft picks.

• One thing that absolutely drove me nuts the past few months about the draft is all this talk about “value.”  ”Player X was a great value at that pick…”  or “Player Y was a steal at round x.”  Value of what?  A bargain compared to who?  Are they talking about how much talent they got from that pick?  Or maybe the value of how much they’re going to have to pay the player based on what round they were taken?  I’ve yet to see an article where someone addresses this notion of “value.”

• The UFL (United Football League) conducted their draft for the 2011 season last night.  A few players who slipped through the NFL draft were taken by the UFL.  The most noticeable name for me was Mark Herzlich.  It’s a shame that no one in the NFL had the vision to take Mark.

It’s a shame this draft was marred by the lockout.  Not only did it steal some of its thunder but it changed the dynamics of the draft.  It will be interesting to look back at this draft 3 or 4 years from now and realize its impact on the league.

I’m feeling under the weather this morning…  Not even a scone and cup of joe from Starbucks is going to help this.  But being the trooper I am here is today’s Cover 3 so at least you guys can start the day out right.

1) BleacherReport.com: Should the Rams consider Florida’s C/OG Mike Pouncey?  The genetic equivalent of Maurkice Pouncey is entering the NFL draft this year and from what I’ve read and heard he’s just as good as his twin brother, the Pro Bowl center for the PIT Steelers.

2) STLToday.com: With Rams RB Steven Jackson still in his prime, should the team make a move this draft to find his back up?

3) TheTelegraph.com: According to Rams GM Billy Devaney, the team would consider moving UP in the draft “to get a specific player they really want.”  Of course, Devaney wouldn’t say WHO those players were.