A rough draft on Sanchez's future.

Byline: TOM HOFFARTH, MEDIA

Dang it, if the TV talking marionettes who we've come to mistrust over the years can't tell us the exact moment when USC quarterback Mark Sanchez will be snatched up in Saturday's multi-network coverage of the NFL draft, what are we supposed to do?

Actually watch this thing for ourselves?

Although Sanchez has said in several media conversations that he knows not the identity of his future employer - it could very well be Donald Trump on an appearance of "The Celebrity Apprentice" - it's curious the several well-paid draftniks, whose entire living is based on the perception of knowing how these things will piece together, are so splintered in their opinions about

what will transpire.

This is the only real dramatic storyline going into this eye-rolling affair from Radio City Music Hall in NewYork. Give us the truth.

All over this crucial Sanchez Watch, what say you, ESPN's Todd McShay:

"He could come off the board as early as Seattle at No.4. Of all the players in this year's class, right now he seems to be the hottest, moving up and teams are realizing as they meet with him and are around him more, that he just has an infectious attitude. He loves the game. He's a gym rat. He has leadership skills and I think that's playing well with a lot of teams that are spending personal time with him. Seattle at No. 4 is a strong possibility. The next spot is Jacksonville at (No.) 8 if they're willing to trade out. I think the Jets are a possibility to trade up (from No. 17). Washington (at No. 13), you never know with Dan Snyder. He's met with him twice personally.

"If he gets past No. 8, I'd say San Francisco. Whether the 49ers take him or trade that pick, I don't see Sanchez getting out of the top 10 picks."

NFL Network expert Mike Maylock has locked the Denver boot around Sanchez, begging the Broncos making the move on him from the No. 12 hole even with Kyle Orton recently purchased in that Jay Cutler fiasco:

"If they don't try to get Mark Sanchez, I think they're crazy," Maylock says. "The bottom line to me is, if their head coach goes 4-12 with Kyle Orton, he probably gets fired this year. If he goes 4-12 with Mark Sanchez, he's rebuilding. There's only six or seven franchise quarterbacks in this league. Getting rid of one of them (Jay Cutler), I don't understand the whole thing. But now you go get another one. And the guy that fits them best is Sanchez."

That said, our sense of smelling out the real story isn't complete until ESPN's all-everything Mel Kiper Jr., has the final Magic 8-Ball choice:

"I have him 13 to Washington, because I thought about putting him to Seattle and I was told not to. I still think Seattle is a possibility. And, once you don't put him to Seattle, then you have a problem.

"I had him at Jacksonville and was told that they like him but they aren't going to take him. San Francisco, I've been told, they're not going to take a quarterback. (Pick No.) 8 could be traded, (No.) 10 could be traded. That means someone can jump in there."

Or use this as a jumping point to change their opinions again.

All this busy buzz-buzz around this All-American reality show adds to the pregame jabbering, since the actual draft has been pushed back to 1 p.m. PDT on both ESPN and the NFL Network. Only one of 'em will keep it all on the same channel through all eight hours - hint: Someone has to bail out at 6p.m. to carry the Lakers-Jazz Game 4 contest from Utah.

They both drag themselves back Sunday from 7 a.m.-3p.m. to check if there are any leftover USC linebackers stuck like a piece of gum under Chris Berman's recliner.

"You have a choice of vanilla or chocolate," Jay Rothman, ESPN's draft senior coordinating producer on how to decide between where to watch it - conveniently leaving out whether ESPN was the vanilla selection.

"The new rules with the 10-minute clock is great for TV, but it makes it tougher to be out in front and be proactive with commentary."

If you really need to know exactly when Sanchez is drafted, perhaps sign up for Pete Carroll's Twitter account. Sanchez won't be in New York - he's home in Mission Viejo, and has allowed ESPN's Shelley Smith to join his draft party.

You also have the Orton option for how to spend your Saturday. When asked on Dan Patrick's syndicated radio show this week about his plans for the weekend, the Broncos' QB-in-waiting said: "Not watching the draft. It's probably the most boring 10hours I've ever seen."

Dodgers fans find their 'Bluetopia' on film

In this stereotyped world created by Hollywood, maybe it's taken a Hollywood-type documentary to try to straighten out the baseball world's perception about apathetic Dodgers fans schlepping in late, slinking out early and having no heart.

"Bluetopia: The L.A. Dodgers Movie," which premiered last Saturday to a player- and fan-filled audience at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood, was released this week ($19.99, on Amazon.com as well as Dodgers store facilities) and should find as diverse an audience to buy it as was discovered in this cast of L.A.-centric characters who relive the 2008 season as it unfolds.

If they don't live next to you, they're among you - the ones you're climbing over or bump into on the way to the grilled Dodger Dog concession stand.

Like the guy who owns the True Blue tattoo parlor. The Burbank detective and his son. The former gang member trying to follow the lead of a local heroic priest and straighten out his life, as well as his own boys. The trio of elderly ladies in the pavilion. The mom and wife losing her life to cancer.

"If anything, this proves that the Dodgers havevery passionate, loyal fans," said Mike Tollin, the veteran TV and movie producer in attendance at the premiere.

New York-based Bombo Sports & Entertainment produced it. Timothy Marx, who worked on such HBO series as "Arliss" and "Entourage," is the director.

Perhaps "Bluetopia" has a rather Utopian view of the Dodgers as an organization, but since it's from the patrons' perspective, that's understandable. If you're not feeling a renewed bond to the team's diverse fan base after watching this, you've missed the point.

CAPTION(S):

photo, 2 boxes

Photo:

Draft experts predict Mark Sanchez will be headed to Seattle after this weekend. Or Denver. Or San Francisco. Or Washington.

Scott Boehm/Getty Images

Box:

(1) WHAT SMOKES

(2) WHAT CHOKES