Draft Recap: Season 3

I thought we got through last year's draft in record time but it barely took us two days this time around. I'm pretty sure most of us didn't really know half the cast but I'm thinking that's exactly what will make this season's Challenge the best season yet. We were forced to draft solely based on prior knowledge, the precious few previews MTV released, and just gut instinct. I'm so tired of the Kenny-Wes face off anyway, I'm delighted they're gone.

Draft order: Dan, Victor, Kim, Yasmine, George, Jon
Link to draft results

Round 1
There were a lot of possible ways to go here with the number one pick. Grab a steady veteran guy or maybe go with some of the girls who proved their mettle on Fresh Meat 2? In a move that shocked everyone, rookie owner Dan took Theresa from FM2. While Theresa did go pretty far last season, it was largely because Ryan socially navigated her through the treacherous Challenge waters. I'm thinking Dan wished he was in the Kenny-Wes-Theresa love triangle last year and wanted to secure Theresa's allegiance early for Cutthroat. We do think Theresa is stronger than people think and she's sure to score major hook up points so maybe Dan knows something we don't. We can't wait to hear Dan's rationale here.

Victor quickly took Laurel next. My odds on favorite for number one, Laurel proved she was far and away the best female last year and it doesn't look like anyone can stop her this season. Remember, Dave Jacoby called her "the Michael Phelps of the Challenge!" Plus, Laurel's a sloppy drunk who racks up major bonus points.

Johnny is all alone this season without his usual cohorts Kenny and Evan around. I'm really curious how he'll fare slugging it out by himself. Will he curb his tongue in an effort to form new alliances or will he just continue assholing his way to the top? He's the most intriguing player in the draft. I think Kim is out for blood this season as she wilted to a last place finish last year but now that she's got her bearings, she's ready to win.

Somehow I totally forgot how good Abram was in past competitions. He was a winner in Inferno 1 and 3, and this is his seventh Challenge. I had to friend threaten Yasmine not to select Cara Maria and thankfully she didn't and she took Abram instead. This looks like a pretty great pick after I saw more of the previews as it looks like Abram is a power player throughout the season. Plus, he and Cara Maria definitely start something so that's hook up points aplenty knowing the two of them.

George took Jenn, last year's surprise high scorer in FM2. There was really no question she'd select her since we know all about George's undying love for Jenn. I asked her if there was any chance she'd draft someone else. Her answer: "Only if Veronica was playing." In an equally obvious move, Jon took Cara Maria, who he probably would have been willing to sell an entire equestrian farm for. We're high on both of these girls -- even if CM was probably a reach for her lack of a track record -- and think they'll perform well.

Round 2
Oh Brad Brad Brad. Lovable loser Brad is back again and if he doesn't win this time he should really retire. He and Tori are now married so that could provide him with the stability he needs for a victory. Last time we saw Brad he instigated a fight with Darrell which caused both of them to get tossed off the show, costing his good friend lots of guaranteed cash. Jon took Brad because he feels like a lovable loser and would want to be there when Brad finally wins it all.

The rest of round two was all name brand veterans. George scooped up Derrick, Yasmine is rolling the dice with Sarah, Kim took the craziness that is Paula, and Dan surprised us again by taking Eric. Big Easy almost died on the last Challenge but he's back thirty five pounds lighter. While I'm personally shocked he went this high, Victor pointed out that due to Eric's fun loving nature and huge girth, he tends to stick around for awhile.

Actually this entire round of players should be around for awhile, as they all have the social network to avoid being eliminated early. The big question mark for me is Sarah. She had a lackluster Fresh Meat 2 season after an outstanding rookie showing at Ruins 2. Crawling out from under the shadow of Kenny, can she make another strong showing?

Round 3
Here we go with people I'm not familiar with. Dan took Derek Chavez, who's from RW: Cancun. Derek's bio says that he's an all around athlete and I think he has a nice smile so maybe he'll survive while? I mean, being a nice guy athlete has to count for something right?

Victor selected Vinny next, who is a physical powerhouse but not the smartest kid on the block. No matter, the ladies love Vinny so that's hookup points, and he should just outmuscle most of the competition. Until a math question or something. There was a brief cry "I wanted her!" hubbub when Kim selected Emily from DC. She was definitely the better of the two Emilys and it seems like she could be Laurel-lite. Her past relationship with Ty will probably provide some good drama and maybe a hookup point or two.

Yasmine's home for the repentant welcomed Dan of RR: Viewers' Revenge fame, who is a recovering alcoholic and was on the Island last time around. He's been clean and sober for seven months, which really isn't that long, and this Challege will either make or break him. When I hear "recovering alcoholic" that seems kind of boring but maybe his renewed focus will make him better at the events. Or he'll totally flame out and just start drinking like a fish again. I'm not sure which one Yasmine wants.

George has a soft spot for the couples on the show. With Melinda and Danny divorced, is she ready to party and go wild? She's been locked up in relationship hell for years and years so maybe this Challenge is the one where she'll make her mark. Or maybe she'll just be a shell as she tries to pick up the pieces after the divorce. I don't remember her as a competitor but she must be decent right?

Camila was Jon's dark horse due to her victory during the Spring Break Challenge. He was super high on her but has since changed his mind, with details to come during his individual team post.

Round 4
Another round of mostly unknowns, at least to me. Dunbar, Luke and Mandi were on the recent challenges but weren't overly impressive. Luke got screamed at by Evelyn and is stoned all the time (where does he get/hide his weed?). Dunbar is the Dummy Bear and is only good for one hook up session per season and a guaranteed mid-season exit. He defines "veteran boring" for this show.

Mandi is intriguing as she proved to be an excellent endurance runner during her FM2 Exile, but this Challenge is more combat orientated and nobody really knows if she's good at those tasks. George has both Jenn and Mandi, so let us relive their fantastic fight last season. "You fucking chicken headed, horse headed bitch, you fucking Tori Spelling reject!" (Edited: Whoops, Victor has Mandi, not George)

Ty from RW: DC, JD from RW: Brooklyn, and Ayiiia from RW: Cancun are all rookies and unlikely to make it very far. My favorite trivia for this group is that JD works at a dolphin trainer in San Diego. Basically he works at Sea World and as a season ticket holder, I'm hoping to see him and say hello soon. We have high hopes for Ayiiia because according to Bill Simmons' theory, girls with multiple (and useless double) vowels in their name are bound to make trouble. "Ayiiia" has five vowels in a six letter name with consecutive triple i's. Spells like Challenge gold to me.

Round 5
Wrapping up the last round are the people nobody really wants. However, there's always been at least one gem out of this group. Last year Carley was a revelation and the year prior, Cohutta outplayed his draft position by a country mile. And let's not forget that a weak player is usually dragged along for the season to serve as the sacrificial lamb. It's the "Casey rule." This year that person is likely to be Emilee or Shauvon. The bigger the chest size the worse they are at these Challenges usually (except Coral). Emilee is an ex-Hooters girl and Shauvon is well, Shauvon. They need to start hooking up right from the get go to score some points.

I think the really intriguing last round picks are Katie by Kim and Tyler by Yasmine. Katie is loud, brash, and while she sucks at events, she's definitely a social cog this season. With nine Challenge apperances under her belt -- the most ever I think -- she could a tremendous value pick. And Tyler from RW: Key West seems to be the new Ryan. Gets in good with the girls, stirs up a little trouble, and is just fun, gay, and sassy. I don't recall if he's good at Challenges but every preview has a lot of Tyler in it. I think he'll be sleeper good. I could only dream of having Tyler in this round.

Given the choice between Brandon and Shauvon, I don't know who I would've picked. Brandon is sort of a boob and Shauvon popped her boob. Of course since Shauvon offers no physical skills whatsoever, George selected Brandon, leaving me with Shauvon -- again. At least Shauvon's appearances have been memorable. A rooftop hook up session with CT and her epic fall in Ruins 2. What could befall her this season?

Speaking of CT, who's going to get him?! Wait, everyone knows he's going to replace Chet right? One of the previews shows Chet headed to the ambulance on a stretcher with a neck brace. That will open the door for the ferocious Chris Tamburello. Maybe Dan drafted Chet first in this round gunning for his eventual replacement? Sounds like a risky strategy to me, but genius if it works out. Most importantly, in this Challenge Dailies clip, Tyler says that he "would do Chet if he put some meat on his legs." Also in that clip: Chet's handsomeness is defended, his virginity debated, but yet nobody suggests that he needs to absolutely lose those glasses. Some friends they are.

One final thought: Where's Noor?! (And Pete)