Considered a likely top 10 pick heading into draft day 2007, Brady Quinn had a much longer wait than anticipated. He fell all the way to No. 22 before the Cleveland Browns traded up to acquire the Notre Dame quarterback. Quinn offers his five-point plan for surviving draft day.

1. Enjoy the moment.

For me, the nerves started rattling about a month before the draft. I was sitting in class listening to other Notre Dame students talk about what jobs they were going after and where they were going to move after graduation. That's when it hit me: "I have no idea where I'm going to live." By the time I got to New York on the Tuesday before the draft, I still had very little sense of where I'd be calling home.

Not that I had much of a chance to sit back and think about it. To all the players who are in New York this week: The NFL will keep you very busy. Enjoy the trips to hospitals, make the most of your time talking to kids who look up to you, have fun meeting all those famous people and eating all that great food -- but don't get so caught up in it and/or worn out that you fail to appreciate how fortunate you are to be in this situation. You are about to experience one of the greatest days in your life -- the culmination of a ton of hard work you've put in over the years.

2. No matter what happens, you've got to look the part.

I took some flak for my appearance -- gum in mouth, hair a little messed up, tie kind of crooked -- when I walked on that stage and shook Roger Goodell's hand. See, I'd just been on the phone for probably 12 minutes with several executives and coaches at the Ravens, who were telling me they might trade up from the 29th pick to take me. I hung up the phone, popped in some gum -- and all of a sudden I got a call from the 216 area code: "Hey, this is Phil Savage, G.M. of the Browns. We're taking you right now with the 22nd pick." It was such a gift; Cleveland is the team I grew up rooting for. I jumped up and rushed to the stage. That had to be one of the best feelings I've ever had.

Just remind yourself that you are making the transition from college to the NFL, where things are much more professional. Wear a nice suit, look your best and stay positive -- those cameras will be on you at all times.

3. Eat, drink and be hydrated.

A word to the wise: There are some bright lights shining in that greenroom, and it is hot. I mean, it is steaming in there. There were some sandwiches in the greenroom last year, which came in handy over a long day. (One of my friends was also cool enough to run out into the streets of New York and bring me some Subway subs, which was big.) But the key is water. Drink it, then drink some more. It's stifling under those suits, especially for you linemen.

4. Be ready -- remember, you're still a football player.

You want a reality check? It'll come at you in a hurry after the draft -- I was in Cleveland for the Browns' rookie minicamp the following weekend. Fortunately, I'd gotten up at 5 a.m. or so each day in New York and worked out at the hotel. That helped me get ready for what was coming next.

5. Love the ones you're with.

I had my entire family with me in New York, plus my best friends from high school and my girlfriend. I barely got to see them in the days leading up to the draft, so the best thing about draft day was getting to spend it with the most important people in my life.

This will sound funny, but in a way, not getting picked early in the first round turned out to be a blessing in disguise. When Miami didn't take me with the ninth pick, I figured it might be a while and so I headed for the bathroom. As I came out, I ran into the commissioner. He said, "You're probably tired of being on camera. I know I'm tired of seeing your face on camera. Why don't you and your family come with me?" We sat in a nice room off to the side and just tried to relax. I'm pretty sure my dad nodded off for a little bit. It wasn't quite like being at home, but we were together -- and looking back, that was special because things were about to change so dramatically.

A few hours after my selection, Browns owner Randy Lerner's private plane came down from the Hamptons and whisked my family and me away. We swung over to Wisconsin to pick up our other first-round pick, Joe Thomas, who really had things figured out -- he spent draft day fishing with his dad. And then it was off to Cleveland.

I wish I could turn back the clock a year and say thank you and goodbye again to everyone who was there with me. As for being "that guy" who slipped in the 2007 draft, I wasn't that upset then and it doesn't bother me now. I truly believe that everything happens for a reason and Cleveland is the place I'm supposed to be. And in the end, it doesn't matter where Joe Montana or Tom Brady went on draft day. It's all about how they performed in those Super Bowls.