Last week’s winner: Erica Metzler

sports@thedaily.washington.edu

Who won big in this year’s NFL draft? Who lost out?

Schleicher In my opinion, the Raiders won big. JaMarcus Russell should develop into just the type of QB that will fit into their program. The Titans also made a nice decision by taking Michael Griffin.

Mayers Oakland. They got a franchise quarterback in JaMarcus Russell that’s not a little patsy (read: Brady Quinn), a quality running back in Michael Bush that has first-round talent and some other quality prospects (Zach Miller, Quentin Moses). The Raiders almost ruined it by drafting a Cougar, but I’ll let them slide this time.

Dion I always hate listening to the analysts give out their grades to teams on how they think they did in the draft. Each team has a different group of scouts and talent evaluators. Let’s wait to see how those guys turn out before you applaud or criticize a team. I think it would be more accurate to discuss the drafts of teams from three years before. But, if I were to say something right now, I’d have to say I like what San Francisco’s done; they scare me right now. Also, as much as it pains me to say it — New England did well for itself.

Cameron I’m not big on immediate draft analysis, but I’d say Miami did the right thing skipping Quinn for Beck, and despite getting the wrong player first with Ginn, they still pulled a sweet fast one. Big-winning rascals. I wonder what the Lions are doing continuing to draft receivers? It seems stupid of them. They’re stupid, and they’re losers.

Are you a Cowboys fan now that Isaiah Stanback is on America’s Team?

Schleicher I’ve been a Cowboys fan since my days of watching Troy Aikman and Emmitt Smith win their rings. My first Super Bowl memories are ingrained with Jimmy Johnson getting the Gatorade bath, back in the days when that actually meant something (it’s time for football to develop a new victory celebration). Stanback will be another great target for Romo to hit.

Mayers I’m a Stanback fan, so I’ll root for him to do well. If that means the Cowboys are going to win more, then so be it. Unlike other ex-Huskies in the NFL (Tui, Reggie, etc.), I actually have a vested rooting interest in Stanback since getting to know him a little through covering football. I wish him well.

Dion I’ll never be a “Cowgirl” fan for as long as I live; hating them is like hating the Yankees. But I think I can still be a fan of Isaiah Stanback and root for his success just like I’m still a fan of Alex Rodriguez, no matter how much it hurts to see him tearing it up for the Yankees when he should be doing it for the Mariners. We found him! We drafted him!

Cameron I’m a total Stanback supporter. He was a positive presence at the UW on and off the field. I would be stoked if he was catching Romo’s touchdown passes by season’s end. That said, I hate the Cowboys. Boo Cowboys. Trade Stanback somewhere cooler.

Kentucky Derby this weekend — any chance we see a Triple Crown this year?

Schleicher My handicapping brain does not really start running at full speed until I spend a few hours watching Kenny Mayne and his compadres give me some important data. I’m also still reeling about Funny Cide not winning the crown three years ago (he deserves the title “America’s Horse” over Barbaro). It seems like almost every year, we have a horse that wins the first two, only to choke. I am not getting excited about this possibility until the last straight of the Belmont Stakes.

Mayers If a horse could find a way to juice up before every race — or is empowered by of the ghost of Barbaro — I could see it happening. But other than those two circumstances, it’s not going to happen. But here’s to funny-looking hats and mint juleps!

Dion Any chance? Well, of course there’s a chance — I just would say it’s not a very good one. A Triple Crown horse is easily the most sought after and highly hyped thing there is in sports by sports writers. There’s nothing writers want to see more than a Triple Crown winner. I would like to see it happen, but without even knowing the merits of any of the horses in the field this year, I can’t say.

Cameron Horse races are fun for drinking beer and gambling, but to follow professional horses racing around a track seems weird to me. Again, that said, I did some research and — if I was reserved — I would say Curlin is too young and too inexperienced to win. I’m not reserved. Do it up, Curlin.