Approaches to NFL Draft coverage

Now this is an interesting — too soon to say effective — way to wrap up your NFL Draft coverage. The Oakland Tribune, like other outlets, Twittered its in-the-moment thoughts.

But it took it a step further this morning when it compiled its weekend Tweets into one in-print story, here. It’s a modern take on the old timeline story, and it supports my belief that Twitter holds far more potential to help newsrooms of all formats than the already outdated and clumsy Facebook.

I like the Tribune’s attempt for two reasons. One, it’s always nice to see a publication try something new. Second, it’s a great way to create some media cross polination. A good portion of the Tribune’s daily readers no doubt weren’t following Cam Inman’s Tweets, which is too bad, because to be inside of the head of a writer, which Twitter allows, gives you a whole different insight.

Now the stubborn print readers have the whole story without the in-paper annoyance of, “For more Raiders/49ers coverage, follow us on Twitter.” Readers hate that. They shouldn’t hate it, but they do, and for now we have to respect that.

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The Miami Herald (miamiherald.com screen capture above) found a nice way to turn the usual Day 2 doldrums into an interesting package. The Herald’s “Pieces of the puzzle” concept captures the eye with its design, then gives the usual strong analysis Herald readers want out of Dolphins coverage.

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The grades are out. Readers love grades. Writers love grades.

A very small sampling:

• Sticking in Miami, the Herald asks readers to give their own grade.

• The Atlanta Journal Constitution’s Mark Bradley saved Falcons fans the trouble of jumping from site to site. He compiled the national sites’ Falcons grades, here.

• How do you grade a team that didn’t even have a pick in the first day? The Chicago Sun-Times’ Mike Mulligan does just that with an “A” for the Bears, who dumped their first-round pick a few weeks back on the Denver Broncos in the Jay Cutler trade.

• ESPN’s Mel Kiper, still the most knowledgeable member of the mainstream sites, gives his grades (registration required).

• Sports Illustrated’s Peter King gets more in depth than most with his Monday Morning Quarterback. Really good stuff, and a great way to kill time at work.

Other NFL Draft headlines of note:

San Francisco Chronicle: Singletary fails to address biggest needs

Denver Post: Meet the Broncos’ new Mr. Nice Guys

Indianapolis Star: Colts’ 8 draft picks address several manpower issues

Boston Globe: Not in a rush to do something here (Patriots)

Tennessean: Titans load up on offense on draft’s second day

Detroit Free Press: Please, Matt, help this city. Yikes — I usually like Drew Sharp a lot, but this effort seems excessive. Writes Sharp about Matthew Stafford, the Lions’ new quarterback and the top pick overall of the draft:

“There’s resentment that a franchise long cursed with futility and representing the city mired deepest in the depths of economic despair just handed an unproven rookie $41.7 million with the stroke of a pen.

“Stafford’s a Detroiter now. The richest rookie contract in NFL history ensures that he’ll never share the economic upheaval gripping many in his newly adopted city, but it’s important that Stafford proves that he at least hears their pain. He must prove himself worthy of the work ethic that still defines Detroit, especially in crisis.”