The role of technology at the NFL Draft is going to a whole new level this year with the virtual draft because of the global COVID-19 pandemic, and team leaders are ready for it.
Photos and videos of general managers’ and coaches’ at-home setups have been bouncing around the internet recently, ranging from David Gettleman’s lone computer and a giant binder to John Lynch’s six-screen rig that seems way over the top. And perhaps they can’t be too careful, should the virtual NFL Draft experience any technical difficulties along the way.
But, amazingly, none of those setups compare with what Detroit Lions general manager Bob Quinn reportedly has planned, all in an effort to help his team win more than three games in the upcoming seasons.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Quinn is planning on having the Lions director of IT camped outside his house in a Winnebago during all hours of the draft.
Lions GM Bob Quinn said Detroit’s Director of IT, Steve Lancaster, will be stationed in a Winnebago in his driveway for all hours of the three-day NFL Draft, in case there are any technical issues. Lancaster will go home each night, then return to the RV for draft’s resumption.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 21, 2020
And just in case anyone thought this poor guy would just be living in Quinn’s driveway for a few days, Schefter reported that he’ll go home each night and return back to the driveway for the next day of the draft.
That’s… a lot.
While it’s certainly not the plan for anyone involved in this year’s draft, there could absolutely be some technical challenges or bandwidth problems with so many people communicating at once — like what happened during the virtual test run Monday. No one’s done a virtual draft like this before, so we have no real idea what could happen.
But having the team’s IT director camp out in a Winnebago like Randy Quaid in Christmas Vacation seems excessive and an awful lot of effort. Although, when the team perennially struggles to even reach the mediocre mark, perhaps Quinn’s got the right idea and is giving himself any advantage he can.
Whether you think this is awesome, stupid or somewhere in between, you can still enjoy some NFL fans’ jokes about it.
Bob Quinn and his IT director getting ready for the draft: pic.twitter.com/AmVMYtCxPY
— Pride of Detroit (@PrideOfDetroit) April 21, 2020
So the Lions GM, Bob Quinn is going to have an IT guy stationed outside in a Winnebago during the NFL Draft.
I mean, that could be fun! #NFL pic.twitter.com/x9F65QTMuE
— Michael Hauff (@TheFFRealist) April 21, 2020
Using the term Winnebago doesn’t make me confident in his technical knowledge. https://t.co/g0YfIVDZax
— Bennett Karoll (@TheBennettK) April 21, 2020
Excited for Bob Quinn to walk outside and see this on Friday. https://t.co/2gaBNZEnkL pic.twitter.com/BTE8ALGWb2
— Robert Mays (@robertmays) April 21, 2020
Bob Quinn is letting Walter White park outside his house?? https://t.co/RCMrpc6AJ9
— Bob Wojnowski (@bobwojnowski) April 21, 2020
We're gonna need a Winnebago cam. https://t.co/nr9tphO6lc
— The Mock Draft Database (@mockdraftdb) April 21, 2020
Bob Quinn going to submit the pick and be like pic.twitter.com/V0gf9MzrHo
— Zac Snyder (@ZacSnyder) April 21, 2020
Never thought a Winnebago would be synonymous with the #NFLDraft but here we are. https://t.co/YW5RC0yp4k
— Michael Stets (@Michael_Stets) April 21, 2020
did winnebago pay for this name drop https://t.co/MetBN4ZjXn
— Joe (@blueandjoe) April 21, 2020
*internet goes out right before Lions pick*
Quinn, standing outside Winnebago: *tosses bullet at Lancaster*
Lancaster: *glances at bullet*
Quinn: Second one comes faster.
— Ja Mor-hand Washing (@BallFromGrace) April 21, 2020
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