My eyes are still a little bleary, I tend to see everything – from grocery lists to the day’s to-do schedule – as a giant board with the ever-changing priorities rearranged and moved to the top, and I can’t seem to stop using terms like “major reach, sleeper, steal, ‘tweener, value pick, and best athlete available.”

Seems like a clear cut case of post-draft separation anxiety.

That’s the chance you take when you sit in one room for the better part of two days, watching 15 hours of NFL Draft coverage on ESPN and ESPN2 while surrounded by piles of newspapers, newsletters and other draft publications.

Another NFL Draft is in the books, and it seems only fair that the network that prides itself on wall-to-wall coverage complete with instant analysis and second-guessing should itself be evaluated and graded.

It seems that every year ESPN tries to add something to its marathon coverage of the draft, but this year might have been the year to think about the too-many-cooks axiom.

In this case, too many would-be draft analysts were spoiling the broadcast’s broth.

There is never a shortage of talking heads more than willing to provide their insight or share the latest rumor about an upcoming pick or trade, but when the hosts and analysts start to become the show and the picks – the whole point of the event – are either glossed over or totally ignored as they’re being made, it’s time to go back to the drawing … uh, make that draft board.

Last week’s coverage offered two new wrinkles: the inclusion of writers/commentators Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon providing mini-versions of their “Pardon the Interruption” show at various points during the draft, and a segment featuring current and former NFL players offering their opinions and insights on draft picks, players, and strategies to interviewer Andrea Kremer.

In short, the Kornheiser/Wilbon segment should make the final cutdown for its humor and sarcasm alone, but the other one is a draft-day bust for the most part.

Although one of the player panelists – former Boston College and current Oakland Raiders linebacker Bill Romanowski – showed flashes of camera camaraderie and provided proof that he’s definite pre- or postgame show host material after his playing days are over, the rest of the crew couldn’t quite pass muster.

For the most part, New Orleans Saints running back Deuce McCallister was silent, simply sitting in the middle of the group and listening … or nodding off.

Even with Minnesota cornerback Corey Chavous having to wither a storm of criticism after his Vikings took so long to make their pick, two other teams were able to jump ahead of them and pick players before the Vikes were able to submit their selection card, this segment at best needs some work. Chavous also occasionally offered criticisms of other teams’ selections, but also acted like the Vikings version of the late Johnny Most while defending everything Minnesota did.

Overall, the coverage was fairly solid, but the producers should keep the concept of addition by subtraction in mind the next time they think about possible additions to the format.

Travel taking Road Trip

Those who have the Travel Channel available on their cable or satellite television channel lineup will get a chance to tour some of America’s top, sports-related destinations.

Sports Fan’s Road Trip will debut Thursday, May 15 (10 p.m.) and feature Baltimore Orioles star Cal Ripken Jr., narrating a visit to his museum and new Little League complex in Aberdeen, Md. The Babe Ruth Museum and Camden Yards will also be toured. Also on the premiere, a look at Yankee Stadium, Dallas legends Roger Staubach and Tony Dorsett take a look at Texas Stadium and the Cowboys, and New York Knicks luminary Walt Frazier tours Madison Square Garden.

Andrew Neff can be reached at 990-8205, 1-800-310-8600, or ANeff@bangordailynews.net