Apparently the latest trend in NFL trading cards is to gather all of the newest entrants to the league together and make them do something stupid on camera.  Earlier this year we were treated to the Upper Deck NFL Rookie Touchdown Dance-Off.  Now, Topps is now getting into the game with the Topps NFL “Rookies Got Talent” Competition.

Here we see some of the highest-profile NFL rookies – including Mark Sanchez, Matt Stafford, Kenny Britt & Knowshawn Moreno – show off their hidden talents . Most of these are pretty stupid, but check out the amazing display of hand speed by Giants WR Hakeem Nicks … I can only assume it’s a trick, but if not, my man’s got some ridiculous hand-eye coordination.

Meanwhile, while all this it taking place, 32 of 36 first round draft choices remain unsigned.  Ah, priorities.

“While we in no way condone Antonio’s decision to be in a nightclub in Manhattan less than two days before a game, we cannot understand the DA’s position that Antonio is subject to criminal charges. When this incident occurred, Antonio reacted out of concern for the health and well-being of Plaxico Burress. His first priority was to make sure Plaxico received proper medical attention for what very well could have been a life-threatening wound. There was no criminal intent on the part of Antonio, who was thrust into this predicament simply because he accompanied Plaxico that evening and because he made the decision to immediately take Plaxico to the hospital. We believe it is unwarranted for the DA’s office to press criminal charges against Antonio under these circumstances.”

By Ralph Vacchiano on July 28, 2009 2:57 PM | Comments (18)

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/giants/2009/07/mara-charges-against-pierce-un.html#ixzz0MbjSzzia

In addition to getting their pictures taken for their trading cards, the rookies were challenged to perform their best Touchdown Dance, with the winner taking home an autographed Michael Jordan jersey.

Let’s go to the videotape:

If you disregard the fact that most of these would draw a 15-yard penalty for including props (and the fact that we’ve seen half of those before anyway), there were actually some decent moves in there.  Broncos RB Knowshon Moreno taking home the prize for his lumberjack celebration … I don’t know, I kind of liked Aaron Curry‘s, myself.

New Broncos RB Knowshon Moreno and family enjoy a relaxing draft Saturday. Photo: Kissing Suzy Kolber

And so it continues.  Day 2 of the NFL Draft.  From 10am-6pm ET we’ll get rounds 3-7, and then the Free Agency feeding frenzy will begin.  These later rounds are loaded with impact players, and since the price tags are so much more reasonable, this is where teams really build out their roster. As Trey Wingo so cleverly said yesterday, “Day 1 is the Sizzle, Day 2 is the Steak”.

Need proof? 

Here’s our list of the Top 10 Late-round Draft Gems:

Colston was a final round pick in the 2006 draft

1. Tom Brady – 6th Round (199th overall)
2. Hines Ward – 3rd Round (82nd overall)
3. Adalius Thomas – 6th Round (186th overall)
4. TJ Houshmandzadeh – 7th Round (204th overall)
5. Asante Samuel – 4th Round (120 overall)
6. Marques Colston – 7th Round (252 overall)
7. Steve Smith (CAR) – 3rd Round (74 overall)
8. Brian Westbrook – 3rd Round (91 overall)
9. Marion Barber III – 4th Round (109th overall)
10. Brandon Jacobs – 4th Round (110th overall)

And here are a few more links to get you ready for the action today:

• NFL.com’s Gil Brandt lists the top-ranked players still available for Day 2
• ESPN.com’s John Clayton lists 10 things we learned on Day 1 of the NFL Draft
• Kissing Suzy Kolber has an awesome video of Jets fans freaking out over the Mark Sanchez pick, along with some great Day 1 screen shots.
  
• Blatant Homerism picks their Day 2 Steals of the Draft.