BIG ERN That’s why even we veteran bowlers work our way, tournament to tournament. We need the supplemental income.  ROYSupplemental income?  BIG ERNSupplemental — it means “extra.” You interested?  ROYInterested?  BIG ERNWould you be interested in some extra income?  ROYExtra income?  BIG ERNWant to make more money?(pause)Why don’t you go eat that outside and then come on back in.” – From “Kingpin“

The NFL Supplemental Draft is Thursday, which isn’t big news at all. In fact, most casual sports fans aren’t even aware of its existence. The term supplemental is also a little tricky here. There’s nothing extra or additional about the draft, really. If a team selects a player in any round, then the team has to give up the corresponding pick in the next year’s draft. For example, if the Falcons burn a third round pick on ex-Terrapin T Jared Gaither, they automatically lose a 2008 third-round pick. That, paired with having to fit the player’s salary into both the alloted rookie pool and salary cap, usually steers most teams away from making supplemental selections.

This year’s class, however, is a little bigger, and better, than the usual crop, and as a result it should garner more attention. Also, teams have more cap room than any offseason I can recall. The Browns still have $22 million to burn. Considering that some of these guys would be first- or second-rounders next year, teams could be getting a bargain if they do decided to pick them. If Gaither ends up being a force at left tackle for somebody, then sacrificing only a third-round pick on him and paying the corresponding salary will be a joke.

The problem is that there’s a stigma around these guys, like they’re all Chris Henrys in training or something. That perception, at least to me, is a little off base.

Being a student athlete is difficult (about ten years ago I was one). Being a student athlete is even more difficult when you know you’re going pro and have little interest in being a student (I have absolutely no clue about that, so I’m just making an educated guess). Some of these guys just don’t give a fuck about school any more, and that sentiment is intensified by the fact that they aren’t paid or allowed to really get a job (like they have the time to do that anyway). Each of this supplemental draft classes’ three top talents — Gaither, CB Paul Oliver and G Chris Patrick (not to be confused with Chris “Mother Fucker Looks Like The Predator” Kirkpatrick ) — aren’t major character concerns. Gaither and Oliver were declared academically ineligible due to poor grades, and the rumor is that Patrick would have been deemed ineligible due to illegal substance usage.

If you have any idea how many college football players stick needles in their asses, than you know that’s not a huge ordeal. I’m not condoning his behavior, I’m just saying that the behavior isn’t unusual at all. The San Diego Chargers didn’t flinch to draft DT Luis Castillo with the 28th overall pick a few years back, and he had just failed a steroid test. Simply put — getting busted for ‘roids isn’t that big of a deal. Just ask Shawne Merriman.

At least one player is typically selected every year. Last year, LB Ahmad Brooks was selected by the Bengals in the third round. He is the team’s projected starter at MLB for this upcoming season, and many expect him to have a breakout year. Pro Bowl DT Jamal Williams was a second-round supplemental pick in 1998. The thinking is that you can get a first- or second-round talent a round or two later than usual, not to mention on the cheap.

Patrick doesn’t really have that kind of potential, but both Gaither and Oliver do. Both players tested well enough during recent workouts to at least not discourage teams from picking them in the first four rounds. That’s saying something, considering that both were scrambling to keep their academic eligibility, and not focusing solely on workouts as most draft prospects typically do.

The big question: Is the fact that both of these kids flunked out of school a big deal?

Judging by the way Gaither and Oliver played at Maryland and Georgia, respectively, their football comprehension/IQ is at least adequate. At the collegiate level, there is no way in hell that you can become a star despite not knowing what you’re doing. Sure, not all of these guys are Mensa candidates, but they’ve at least got enough wits to grasp the game enough to excel on the gridiron.

Personally, if I were a GM who basically had carte blanche — like the Chiefs’ Carl Peterson or the Patriots’ Scott Pioli — I would take a flier on Gaither with a second- or third-round pick. According to the WWL, the 6-foot-9, 325-pound behemoth’s 40 time was better than the times of all but four offensive lineman who ran at February’s combine, and his vertical would have been seventh best overall. Considering that he was only a true sophomore last year, and that he stands at a towering 6-foot-9, what’s not to like about this kid? Even if he rides the pine in ‘07, one year from today he’ll be way ahead of any player available in the second, third or fourth round of the ‘08 NFL Draft. Why wouldn’t you take a shot on Gaither, especially at a bargain-basement price? He could end up being the next Jonathan Ogden, and players like that don’t exactly come along every day.

Oliver could also turn out to be a Pro Bowl corner in the right Tampa 2 system, and he’s certainly better and cheaper than any CB currently on the free agent market.

I guess I just don’t see what the big deal is with their academic ineligibility. It’s not like the NFL is comprised of choir boys and milk drinkers anyway, and I’m guessing the cumulative college GPA of current NFLers doesn’t even crack the 2.5 mark. Besides, who’s to say that there is any correlation whatsoever between bad grades and bad behavior. Allegedly, The Namesake himself made a 3.0 back at West Virginia (where that duschebag Bob Huggins now coaches.)

Thursday, a few savvy GMs will take chances on these guys. I’m guessing that Pioli and the Pats will take Patrick, probably in the sixth or seventh round. With as many draft picks as they have stockpiled, the Pats are just to damn clever to pass up a potential starter at that price. I think Gaither will go in the third, probably to the Jags or Falcons, and that Oliver will go in the fourth, either to the Chargers, Chiefs or Falcons. I’m also guessing that two of the three players will end up being huge steals.

Stay tuned for constant updates on this situation all the way through Thursday’s draft.