Which football movie character would make the best draft pick?
With less than a week until the NFL Draft, NewOrleansSaints.com asks fans which fake football movie star would make the best draft pick in a 32-player bracket.
There has been an immeasurable amount of 2016 NFL Draft coverage. To take a break from the numerous hot takes and mock drafts, NewOrleansSaints.com is asking fans to give their opinion on another draft: #SaintsMovieDraft. Fans will vote in a 32-player bracket comprised of four regionals: Quarterbacks, Wide Receivers/Running Backs, Linemen/Kickers and Linebackers/Defensive Backs. This bracket only consists of characters from movies not based on true stories (So no Friday Night Lights, Rudy, Remember the Titans ETC). The Round of 32 voting finished on Friday.
Voting Schedule
Round of 32: COMPLETE
Sweet 16: Saturday, April 23-Sunday, April 24
Elite Eight: Monday, April 25
Final Four: Tuesday, April 26
Championship: Wednesday, April 27
Winner announced on Draft Day: Thursday, April 28
Below is the Bracket (Click here for a larger PDF version)
Round of 16: Quarterbacks
1. Willie Beamen vs 5. Shane Falco
QB Willie Beamen (Jamie Foxx) - Any Given Sunday
*Defeated 8th seed Uncle Rico in the Round of 32
Crazy to think that we chose someone who began as a third-string QB, reading a newspaper on the bench, who literally puked on the field before his first snap, as the top seed but there's no denying "Steamin" Willie Beamen showcased the full package: physical ability, confidence, leadership, charisma and marketability. All of those traits made him the top choice for the most competitive division of the bracket.
QB Shane Falco (Keanu Reeves) - The Replacements
**Defeated 4th seed Joe Kane in the Round of 32 *
A Sean Payton-inspired arrival to the pros as he became a starting QB after the league went on strike, the Washington Sentinel signal-caller showed all the traits you want in your quarterback. Despite some pundits saying he folds in pressure situations, Falco's leadership was highlighted in the closing minutes as he launched a game-winning bomb to Brian Murphy to send his team to the playoffs to the tunes of David Bowie's "Heroes."
QB Paul Crewe (Burt Reynolds/Adam Sandler) - The Longest Yard
*Defeated 6th seed Flash Gordon in the Round of 32
His mythical chest hair alone gets him on this list, but accuracy, quick feet and leadership skills in encouraging other prisoners to join the squad pad his resume nicely. Although point shaving allegations tarnish his stock, it's not enough to keep him off the list.
QB Jonathan Moxon (James Van Der Beek) - Varsity Blues
*Defeated 2nd seed Johnny Utah in the Round of 32
"Mox" was a debatable selection for this draft as the soon-to-be Brown University enrollee was originally a backup who enjoyed reading on the sideline more than watching the game. However, when Billy Bob went down, allowing Lance Harbor to get crushed, Moxon stepped up to the challenge. His true leadership was shown off the field – when he stood up to his football obsessed father ("I DON'T WANT YOUR LIFE!") and made his corrupt, legendary football coach stand down.
1. RB/KR Earl Megget vs. 4. RB Darnell Jefferson
RB/KR Earl Megget (Nelly) - The Longest Yard
*Defeated 8th seed WR Air Bud in the Round of 32
His Madden-esque spin moves and hurdles put him at the top of our skill players, not to mention his blazing speed that makes him double as an elite kick returner. Megget's athleticism was even more impressive once he got some proper cleats from Caretaker (Chris Rock). He also showcased his calmness under pressure when he didn't allow Stone Cold Steve Austin and Kevin Nash to bait him into a fight in the library.
RB Darnell Jefferson (Omar Epps) - The Program
*Defeated 5th seed Charlie Tweeder in the Round of 32
A highly-touted recruit for a big program that lived up to the hype. After an earlier season fumbling issue, the freshman cured his drops after the coach ordered him to carry a football all around campus. Jefferson stole the starting running back's job and girlfriend. His cold-blooded mentality helped make him an electrifying player.
RB/KR Forrest Gump (Tom Hanks) - Forrest Gump
*Defeated 7th seed RB Spike Hammersmith in the Round of 32
Gump is an All-American at Alabama who ran kickoffs for touchdowns while going untouched – need we say more? Would also own the locker room ping pong tournaments.
WR Rod Tidwell (Cuba Gooding Jr.) - Jerry Maguire
*Defeated 6th seed WR Phillip Elliott in the Round of 32
Arguably the most famous football star in the bracket. Tidwell is a proven and undeniable talent, but his personality hurt him in his seeding. It's hard to sell yourself as a team guy when the main thing you are known for is screaming "Show me the money!" The Cardinals recently chronicled his journey.
1. OT Ogre vs 5. G Ed Lawrence
OT Ogre (Donald Gibb) - Revenge of the Nerds
*Defeated 8th seed K Ray Finkle in the Round of 32
Certainly won't be getting the nerd vote in this bracket. Not known for his intelligence, the Alpha-Beta jock showcased his strength in bench press contests and throwing nerds off of frat houses.
G Ed Lawrence (John Goodman) - Everybody's All-American
*Defeated 4th seed G Rudy Zolteck in the Round of 32
Being an LSU player will help his case with the regional market. He is a crazy player on the field but crazier off of it which unfortunately led to his demise.
K Nigel 'The Leg' Gruff (Rhys Ifans) – The Replacements
*Defeated 7th seed C Manumana in the Round of 32
Insane leg strength that can boot a 65-yard game winner. However, his habit of smoking on the field and gambling on games are huge red flags.
G Billy Bob (Ron Lester) - Varsity Blues
*Defeated 6th seed K Lucy Draper in the Round of 32
How can you not love a player that drives a pickup with a pet pig named Bacon while eating waffles and chugging syrup? Unfortunately for Billy Bob, a concussion led him to blacking out during a game, allowing the star quarterback Lance Harbor to get blindsided and suffer a season-ending injury. Billy Bob was an emotional roller coaster throughout the season due to the incident, his injuries and heartless coach Kilmer criticizing his play. Billy Bob showed true grit and heart at the end though as he scored on a fluke play when he bulldozed his way into the endzone to give his team the district title.
1. LB Bobby Boucher vs. 4. LB Vontae Mack
LB Bobby Boucher (Adam Sandler) - The Waterboy
*Defeated 8th seed S Trumaine in the Round of 32
One of the heavy favorites in this bracket as a Louisiana boy and a once-in-a-lifetime talent. A legendary tackler who covers the entire field. Not an injury risk as long as he has some high-quality H2O. Don't you dare talk about his momma!
LB Vontae Mack (Chadwick Boseman) - Draft Day
*Defeated 5th seed MLB Charles Jefferson in the Round of 32
It maybe egotistical, crazy or both, but a draft pick calling the head coach of the team with the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft to tell him to select him takes guts. The All-American Ohio State LB's brass play paid off as the Browns selected him with the top pick.
LB Alvin Mack (Duane Davis) - The Program
*Defeated 7th seed DB Stefen Djordjevic in the Round of 32 Coach Winters called him the "best damn defensive player" he ever coached. He was obsessed with film study, and in a locker room full of controversy he always seemed to stay above the fold and keep teammates in check when he could. Also, it got pretty dusty when he gave his mom a doorknob for the house he wanted to buy her when he turned pro. An unfortunate knee injury halted the professional career we all expected him to have.
MLB Luther "Shark" Lavay (Lawrence Taylor) - Any Given Sunday
* Defeated 3rd seed OLB Becky "Ice Box" O'Shea in the Round of 32
Now typically sawing the star QB's car in two would be frowned upon, but that's the kind of respect that a team captain like Shark had amongst his teammates. He played like the actor (Lawrence Taylor) that portrayed him – with reckless abandon. You can't doubt his dedication and toughness as he played with a broken neck that didn't heal properly thanks to the team's shady doctor
