[dthomas53]

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By Rich Cimini | ESPNNewYork.com
Updated: April 21, 2012, 11:25 AM ET

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Starting next Thursday night, 13 people -- and only 13 -- will sit around a long, rectangular table inside the New York Jets' sprawling facility and make decisions over a three-day period that will affect the franchise for years to come.

The draft room is the most sacred place in the building. Only a select few are granted access, and the security is so tight that not even Rex Ryan can enter by himself. His assistant coaches, including coordinators, aren't allowed.

Only three people have a key -- vice president of college scouting Joey Clinkscales, college scouting coordinator Dan Zbojovsky and security director Steve Yarnell.

It's a windowless room on the second floor, fairly non-descript. You could walk by it a dozen times and not realize what happens inside because there is no sign on the door, nothing that calls attention to it. It could pass for a broom closet.

There's no chance of a maintenance worker or a secretary strolling into the room and taking an innocent peek at the draft board on the wall. When unoccupied, the room is always locked. In fact, the board itself is covered and locked at the end of the day.

If Mark Sanchez had been protected this well, the Jets' 2011 season might have turned out differently.

"We don't want anybody wandering in," said Terry Bradway, the senior personnel executive -- and one of the chosen 13. "It's too risky."

Teams will do just about anything to protect their secrets, because the draft is serious business. The amount of information compiled over nearly 12 months is staggering, and it's all done with the hope of finding five or six good football players -- if you're lucky.

For the upcoming draft, the Jets scouted 1,450 players, visited 265 schools, conducted more than 300 interviews and wrote 6,000 reports. They have 10 draft picks, an unusually high number for them.

General manager Mike Tannenbaum and his lieutenants have spent the last three weeks in 12-hour draft meetings, sorting through a year's worth of intel, debating and ranking more than 200 players on their draft board.

They've invested an incalculable number of man hours, hoping they get it right. When the door closes behind them Thursday night, they'll be on the clock.

...

Found this very interesting:

"We do everything humanly possible," Clinkscales said.

Get this: Every member of the Jets' support staff that has contact with a prospect is required to write a report. If a staffer is dispatched to Newark Airport to pick up a player for a visit to the facility, he chronicles his observations.

Was the player rude? Did he play the radio too loud? Did he yap incorrigibly on his cell phone?

Back in '07, the Jets received a glowing report on Revis, who was respectful and courteous to his driver. A well-mannered player doesn't mean he's destined for greatness, but it's a small part to the overall puzzle.

Obviously, the Jets have a track record for taking chances on problem players, such as Santonio Holmes, so their words might sound hollow. But they believe they make informed decisions, placing an emphasis on character.

[JetsUK]

I would love to be a fly on the wall of that room over the draft.

[gsulli5861]

Great job on the article by Cimini. Would love to spend a day in a draft room. By the way, do the other beat writers know the draft is in 5 days.

[MarkyMark]

Originally Posted by JetsUK

I would love to be a fly on the wall of that room over the draft.

Same. I find the whole process of the draft to be so intriguing. Great article from Rich.

[Tenn_JetsFanatic]

that would be amazing, just to see it and how they score players

[Axel3419]

If Hard Knocks doesn't work out, maybe the new HBO hit, "War Room" will give the Jets some excitement that they desperately need.

[Burnz]

Cimini getting praise? Omg the world is really ending

[JetsNation]

I just read the entire article, it really makes me wonder what the hell get said, as the process goes along especially when days 2 and 3 come around, a player falls, guys disagree

[jilozzo]

Well folks back in the day I was able to observe some of the draft room charades from the jets during the 90 to 93 seasons. It doesn't matter what capacity but let me tell u folks - it's really a self indulging operation as the team executives almost convince themselves they need to work almost undercover. Really an interesting psychology behind It. I remember saying to myself wtf are they doing? They should spend more time evaluating the player than traveling here and there in secret fashion. Back then the jets spent more time trying to deceive other teams then actually sitting down with a player and/or his coach and asking the right questions.

Anyway so be it and it still amazes me to this day that these teams treat the drafty like some sacred altar where no one is allowed to penetrate.

We all need to realize these people don't know much more then a well versed fan and are given a well funded budget to find players that many of us can evaluate just as good, maybe better.

Jil

[Laszlo Kovacs]

Funny how an article about a locked room contains more substance than 99% of the pre-draft articles.

[displacedfan]

He couldn't resist "If Mark Sanchez had been protected this well, the Jets' 2011 season might have turned out differently."

I like the article. I also like how they take everything into account, like a job interview. A lot of companies will ask the receptionist how they potential hire treated them and made conversation. Take everything into account.

Obviously you would have to take a person's phone away from them, but wouldn't it be cool if a fan could win a trip into the draft room on draft day?

[nyjetsrule]

Originally Posted by displacedfan

He couldn't resist "If Mark Sanchez had been protected this well, the Jets' 2011 season might have turned out differently."

I like the article. I also like how they take everything into account, like a job interview. A lot of companies will ask the receptionist how they potential hire treated them and made conversation. Take everything into account.

Obviously you would have to take a person's phone away from them, but wouldn't it be cool if a fan could win a trip into the draft room on draft day?

you'd also have to ductape the fans mouth shut as well, and probably lock them inside of some plexi-glass box as well. These guys don't want any input from outside sources. They trust their guys, and thats it.

[LongTimeJetsFan]

Surprisingly good article from Dick. I like the bit towards the end on Tanny, prior to becoming GM, getting so pissed at a draft pick that the launched his notebook across the room.

[JetsNation]

This makes me appreciate the work they do even more