For me, the draft is effectively the start of the 'football year'.

What's the football year?  Basically, the football year is the 12 month period bookended by the Super Bowl.  Each year, once the Super Bowl champion is crowned, I'm usually ready for a break from football - 17 regular season weeks plus 5 post-season weeks are enough to drain my football spirit.  Free agency will pique my interest some, but lets be real: all too often, free agent signings are money down the drain.  Free agents are getting paid for past performance (albeit good) in a different system.  Free agents already have learned habits, have been tuned to function for another coach's requirements.

Nobody wants to remodel another's house.  We all want to start with an empty lot and build exactly what we want.

That's what makes the draft great.  The draft is about combing through hundreds of college players to find just what you need.  The draft is used to build the core of your team, brings in youth which, if all goes as planned, can contribute for a decade or more (or, at least the first rounds picks will).  The draft is the moment of truth for a team's GM and scouting department.

And I love having Tim Ruskell as the 'Hawks GM.

I was happy to be surprised by the Lawrence Jackson pick.  I'll place trust in the John Carlson pick, that he was the best fit for their needs among the top tier tight ends.  Red Bryant appears to be Brandon Mebane v2.0 (potentially with a touch of Tatupu's leadership).  How do you not love Owen Schmidt?  We got the best long snapper available, who didn't botch a single snap in college, can block, and can tackle.

I know we didn't get any offensive linemen, specifically tackles.  Well, they all went early .  Who could they have got in the fourth round or later that would be more adequate than Pork Chop?  Is it worth next year's number one and one of this year's late round picks to get Sam Baker?  No.  Grab a tackle next year.

As for this year, I love the 'Hawks on paper.

I've heard nothing but positive comments on new O-line coach Solari.  I'm hoping that translates into progress for Spencer and Sims (assuming he's the starting RG).  The offense should be able to run first, get the tough yards with Duckett following Schmidt, and supplement with a possession receiving game appropriate for Holmgren's swan song.

Our defense looks equally great.  A first round end and a run-stuffing tackle are the perfect medicine for the D-line.  The linebackers, even with an aging Peterson, are beyond solid.  Trufant will keep the left side locked down, Jennings will complement, and the safeties will provide the risk management.

And so begins the journey towards the Super Bowl.

I love the honeymoon period.