Hidy Ho to all of my Lionettes,
Well it’s that time of the year again. No I am not talking about filing your taxes or thinking about plans for spring break. I am talking about Free Agency. Free Agency is set to start at the stroke of midnight Friday and will closely resemble the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange, instead of Wall Street traders selling and buying shares of stock there will be agents burning up the phone lines getting better deals for their clients. Now the old saying goes a ‘team builds through the draft and not through free agency’. I completely agree with that statement. However, if you have cap room and the Lions do have A LOT of cap room roughly $35 million, you can burn a few bucks on bringing in a few free agents.
I am going to give you all a little story. A little boy gets $50.00 from his dear grandma for his birthday. This little boy is so ecstatic that he asks his mommy and daddy to take him to Toys R Us so he can spend his money. Sounds simple and easy right? Upon entering the store the little boy his overwhelmed by the wide variety of toys and games! Decisions, decisions, decisions! He goes through each of the aisles finally stopping at the action figure aisle thee best aisle at Toys R Us I might add. He has finally made his decision on Batman toys. But here is the little boys’ dilemma. Should he spend his $50.00 on the Batman Cave Action Playset for $50.00 or should he spend the $50.00 on five Batman action figures that cost $10.00 each?
So that is where the Lions are at. Should they dump pretty much all of that cap money on DT Albert Haynesworth from Tennessee? Or spend it on 3 or 4 mid-level players and fill a few critical holes so you can really target the players you truly want in the draft?
Now I wish I could give you all tidbits on which free agents the Lions are considering but this is a poker game and the Lions are playing with their hand close to their chests. Here is a ranking of the top 50 free agents by Pete Prisco
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/story/11425323
Here is a quick story from Tom Killer Kowalski about the Lions on free agency.
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/02/expect_the_lions_to_strike_fas.html
A free agent QB I can see the Lions bringing in could be Jeff Garcia from the Buccaneers coming back or signing Byron Leftwich from the Steelers both possibilities are viable options. The Lions could snag a CB through free agency instead of drafting one like I have been advocating they do with one of the draft picks. Some notable free agent CBs are Bryant McFadden from the Steelers, DeAngelo Hall from the Redskins, or Jabari Greer from the Bills. A few LBs the Lions could target could be Jonathan Vilma from the Saints, Channing Crowder from the Dolphins, Marcus Washington from the Redskins or Andra Davis from the Browns. If they sign a few of these free agents this will free up the draft board a bit so they can look at some long term goals for the team not just plug holes. Well all of you fine outstanding human beings that are the Lions faithful that is my thoughts for this post. I will have another post by the end of the weekend or Monday at the latest when there is news on the Lions free agent signings. Until next time, GO LIONS!
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Saturday, February 21, 2009
This patient needs a whole new body
Howdy to all of my Lionettes,
The patient has a ruptured spleen, swelling in the brain, a collapsed lung, internal bleeding, a broken collarbone, a broken femur, both arms broken, several cracked/broken ribs and a myriad number of lacerations. No I am not referring to the medical condition of an unfortunate car crash victim from a PSA on the dangers of drinking and driving, but the condition of the Lions roster and what parts/positions need to be addressed first. There are lots of needs but I have amended my wish list of position needs in the coming draft:
1 DT, 2 LBs, 1 TE, 1 CB, 1 OT, 1 S and 1 KR
That is a pretty solid list that address the most critical of needs and I look forward to all of your suggestions on what positions you would pick with our eight picks in the draft.
Well the first day of the 2009 NFL Scouting combine is done and some interesting tidbits from today. I think OT Andre Smith from Alabama stock just dropped like the first 5 picks after today’s shenanigans. I think it would be a bad idea to draft a guy who does not show up, lift or work-out. So I do not believe our Lions will pick him with that overall pick or I should hope that they won’t. WR Michael Crabtree from Texas Tech has a stress fracture in his left foot so a small glimmer of hope that we could trade that 1st Overall pick to the Oakland Raiders since they are head over heels in love with Crabtree has pretty much evaporated. But you never know we cashed in on Jerry Jones management of the Cowboys like it’s his own personal fantasy football team to our benefit so maybe we can cash in on Raiders owner Al Davis’ senility.
Here are my suggestions for the first round in the draft.
With the 1st overall pick since our likelihood of us trading that pick away is about as likely as me bench pressing a bus would be either ILB Aaron Curry from Wake Forest or OT Jason Smith from Baylor. For our 20th pick in the 1st round, it could be either ILB James Laurinaitis from Ohio State or LB Rey Maualuga from Southern Cal.
Here is an article from Tom Kowalski about Jason Smith whom I believe could be a very good value for our number 1 pick
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/02/in_terms_of_the_lions_top_pick.html
I am not going to waste mine or your time with possibilities for the second through sixth rounds. There are more drafting scenarios than I care to count. What will happen on draft day is the Lions will have the list of players they want and will select them in order when they are on the clock.
Well everyone I will have another post tomorrow night after round 2 of the combine when RBs, WRs and QBs are going through their combine drills. Until then GO LIONS!
The patient has a ruptured spleen, swelling in the brain, a collapsed lung, internal bleeding, a broken collarbone, a broken femur, both arms broken, several cracked/broken ribs and a myriad number of lacerations. No I am not referring to the medical condition of an unfortunate car crash victim from a PSA on the dangers of drinking and driving, but the condition of the Lions roster and what parts/positions need to be addressed first. There are lots of needs but I have amended my wish list of position needs in the coming draft:
1 DT, 2 LBs, 1 TE, 1 CB, 1 OT, 1 S and 1 KR
That is a pretty solid list that address the most critical of needs and I look forward to all of your suggestions on what positions you would pick with our eight picks in the draft.
Well the first day of the 2009 NFL Scouting combine is done and some interesting tidbits from today. I think OT Andre Smith from Alabama stock just dropped like the first 5 picks after today’s shenanigans. I think it would be a bad idea to draft a guy who does not show up, lift or work-out. So I do not believe our Lions will pick him with that overall pick or I should hope that they won’t. WR Michael Crabtree from Texas Tech has a stress fracture in his left foot so a small glimmer of hope that we could trade that 1st Overall pick to the Oakland Raiders since they are head over heels in love with Crabtree has pretty much evaporated. But you never know we cashed in on Jerry Jones management of the Cowboys like it’s his own personal fantasy football team to our benefit so maybe we can cash in on Raiders owner Al Davis’ senility.
Here are my suggestions for the first round in the draft.
With the 1st overall pick since our likelihood of us trading that pick away is about as likely as me bench pressing a bus would be either ILB Aaron Curry from Wake Forest or OT Jason Smith from Baylor. For our 20th pick in the 1st round, it could be either ILB James Laurinaitis from Ohio State or LB Rey Maualuga from Southern Cal.
Here is an article from Tom Kowalski about Jason Smith whom I believe could be a very good value for our number 1 pick
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/02/in_terms_of_the_lions_top_pick.html
I am not going to waste mine or your time with possibilities for the second through sixth rounds. There are more drafting scenarios than I care to count. What will happen on draft day is the Lions will have the list of players they want and will select them in order when they are on the clock.
Well everyone I will have another post tomorrow night after round 2 of the combine when RBs, WRs and QBs are going through their combine drills. Until then GO LIONS!
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve
Howdy to all of my Lionettes,
Today as I was on the bus ride home I was thinking about all of the different cars and trucks that were on the road. A wide variety of all types, makes and models on the road. It is something that has been on my mind lately because as most of you know I am getting a new vehicle late summer/early fall. I am trying to decide since I am a truck guy to those who know me what kind of truck should I get. The Dodge Ram, the Ford F-150, the Nissan Titan, Toyota Tundra or get another Toyota Tacoma? Decisions, decisions, decisions! I know what you’re all thinking what the heck do my truck shopping comparisons have to do with the Lions? Well I am going to answer your enquiring minds right now. What do we do with our quarterback problem?
Right now we have 5 QBs on our roster; Drew Henson, Daunte Culpepper, Jon Kitna, Drew Stanton and Dan Orlovsky. We can assume that there will be three slots filled on the roster, the starter, the backup and the third stringer (unless they have a fourth on the practice squad) to complete the most important position on a team. Dan Orlovsky is a free agent and it is doubtful that he will be resigned. Daunte Culpepper just re-inked his deal so he will be returning next season. Tom Killer Kowalski is reporting that most likely Jon Kitna will be cut or traded in the next couple of weeks. So here are a few scenarios IF Georgia QB Matthew Stafford is drafted or not drafted by the Lions.
If Stafford is drafted then Daunte Culpepper would be the starter and Stafford and Stanton would battle it out during training camp for the back up spot. Another possibility would be to resign Dan Orlovsky to be the back up to Culpepper and Stanton being the third stringer in the event that Matthew Stafford is not drafted by the Lions. They could keep Kitna for his final year of his contract and have him battle it out with Culpepper for the starting spot. However, if he loses the starter job, Kitna could be in outright rebellion and become major problems in the locker room. So there are a million and one questions that the Lions front office is discussing with the coaching staff. I think Culpepper is serviceable given his past experience with Scott Linehan in Minnesota. I believe he can be a competent starter given the time to get in shape and know the Lions offensive system.
Here is a story from Tom Kowalski about the line up of pitchers for the Lions
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/02/how_about_this_lions_qb_scenar.html
Here is a story from Brian VanOchten on the Huge Show about Culpepper
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/02/vanochten_on_the_huge_show_dau.html
Here is another story on Culpepper
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/02/daunte_culpepper_is_banking_on.html
If Matthew Stafford is drafted I see it as a fifty fifty shot. He could be a Matt Ryan type leading our team to the playoffs or he could be a total bust. I don’t think he is another Joey Harrington which is good for us but the real question is can he deliver when all of the pressure is on and the kitchen is on fire? Your guess is as good as mine. He is expected to meet with the Lions and work out so we will know more in the coming days what the Lions will do. There will not be a surprise on draft day as to who the Lions will pick with that number one. It won’t be Roger Goodell making this breaking news announcement to the football world as to who the Lions are picking. The contract will be signed beforehand and the draft hoopla will just be a formality. So we will know who the Lions will draft with that number one in the next few weeks since the contract will already be hashed out.
If I were calling the shots on this I would let Orlovsky sign onto another team, keep Kitna, Stanton and Culpepper and trade Henson. I do not believe the Lions should spend that number one draft pick on Matthew Stafford. We should stick it out for another year with Culpepper and Kitna and look at the next draft class of QBs like Florida QB Tim Tebow, Texas QB Colt McCoy or Oklahoma QB Sam Bradford. Any of them would be great draft pick for the Lions considering we will most likely be snagging another top ten in the draft. We should spend this draft class on addressing the OL and DL. Those are critical to protecting the QB and keeping our defense off the field and getting pressure on the other team’s QB and forcing them to go three and out. If they are to stay true to their word about building from the inside out then that is how you do it build the lines to run the ball and stop the run.
Well I think that’s enough on the QB question for now. Moving on. The Lions have signed G Stephen Peterman to a five-year $15.5 million dollar deal. I am ok with this and he was one of the elite few free agents worth resigning. He is productive, young, and has a strong work ethic so keeping him on the OL is a good thing for our team.
Jason Hanson will retire a Lion after his four-year deal he just signed.
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/02/lions_culpepper_restructures_c.html
Here are the positions I believe the Lions should draft this year since we have 8 picks in this coming draft: 2 Corner Backs, a Tackle, a Tight End, a Free Safety, 2 Line Backers and a Kick Returner. I believe that is a balanced draft class on position needs and hoping they find the right players to fill those needs.
I will have another post after this week’s scouting combine is over and information is available on this year’s draft prospects. Until next time keep the faith and GO LIONS!
Today as I was on the bus ride home I was thinking about all of the different cars and trucks that were on the road. A wide variety of all types, makes and models on the road. It is something that has been on my mind lately because as most of you know I am getting a new vehicle late summer/early fall. I am trying to decide since I am a truck guy to those who know me what kind of truck should I get. The Dodge Ram, the Ford F-150, the Nissan Titan, Toyota Tundra or get another Toyota Tacoma? Decisions, decisions, decisions! I know what you’re all thinking what the heck do my truck shopping comparisons have to do with the Lions? Well I am going to answer your enquiring minds right now. What do we do with our quarterback problem?
Right now we have 5 QBs on our roster; Drew Henson, Daunte Culpepper, Jon Kitna, Drew Stanton and Dan Orlovsky. We can assume that there will be three slots filled on the roster, the starter, the backup and the third stringer (unless they have a fourth on the practice squad) to complete the most important position on a team. Dan Orlovsky is a free agent and it is doubtful that he will be resigned. Daunte Culpepper just re-inked his deal so he will be returning next season. Tom Killer Kowalski is reporting that most likely Jon Kitna will be cut or traded in the next couple of weeks. So here are a few scenarios IF Georgia QB Matthew Stafford is drafted or not drafted by the Lions.
If Stafford is drafted then Daunte Culpepper would be the starter and Stafford and Stanton would battle it out during training camp for the back up spot. Another possibility would be to resign Dan Orlovsky to be the back up to Culpepper and Stanton being the third stringer in the event that Matthew Stafford is not drafted by the Lions. They could keep Kitna for his final year of his contract and have him battle it out with Culpepper for the starting spot. However, if he loses the starter job, Kitna could be in outright rebellion and become major problems in the locker room. So there are a million and one questions that the Lions front office is discussing with the coaching staff. I think Culpepper is serviceable given his past experience with Scott Linehan in Minnesota. I believe he can be a competent starter given the time to get in shape and know the Lions offensive system.
Here is a story from Tom Kowalski about the line up of pitchers for the Lions
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/02/how_about_this_lions_qb_scenar.html
Here is a story from Brian VanOchten on the Huge Show about Culpepper
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/02/vanochten_on_the_huge_show_dau.html
Here is another story on Culpepper
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/02/daunte_culpepper_is_banking_on.html
If Matthew Stafford is drafted I see it as a fifty fifty shot. He could be a Matt Ryan type leading our team to the playoffs or he could be a total bust. I don’t think he is another Joey Harrington which is good for us but the real question is can he deliver when all of the pressure is on and the kitchen is on fire? Your guess is as good as mine. He is expected to meet with the Lions and work out so we will know more in the coming days what the Lions will do. There will not be a surprise on draft day as to who the Lions will pick with that number one. It won’t be Roger Goodell making this breaking news announcement to the football world as to who the Lions are picking. The contract will be signed beforehand and the draft hoopla will just be a formality. So we will know who the Lions will draft with that number one in the next few weeks since the contract will already be hashed out.
If I were calling the shots on this I would let Orlovsky sign onto another team, keep Kitna, Stanton and Culpepper and trade Henson. I do not believe the Lions should spend that number one draft pick on Matthew Stafford. We should stick it out for another year with Culpepper and Kitna and look at the next draft class of QBs like Florida QB Tim Tebow, Texas QB Colt McCoy or Oklahoma QB Sam Bradford. Any of them would be great draft pick for the Lions considering we will most likely be snagging another top ten in the draft. We should spend this draft class on addressing the OL and DL. Those are critical to protecting the QB and keeping our defense off the field and getting pressure on the other team’s QB and forcing them to go three and out. If they are to stay true to their word about building from the inside out then that is how you do it build the lines to run the ball and stop the run.
Well I think that’s enough on the QB question for now. Moving on. The Lions have signed G Stephen Peterman to a five-year $15.5 million dollar deal. I am ok with this and he was one of the elite few free agents worth resigning. He is productive, young, and has a strong work ethic so keeping him on the OL is a good thing for our team.
Jason Hanson will retire a Lion after his four-year deal he just signed.
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/02/lions_culpepper_restructures_c.html
Here are the positions I believe the Lions should draft this year since we have 8 picks in this coming draft: 2 Corner Backs, a Tackle, a Tight End, a Free Safety, 2 Line Backers and a Kick Returner. I believe that is a balanced draft class on position needs and hoping they find the right players to fill those needs.
I will have another post after this week’s scouting combine is over and information is available on this year’s draft prospects. Until next time keep the faith and GO LIONS!
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Puzzle The Together Piecing
Howdy to all of you outstanding human beings who are the ever Lions faithful,
Yes I know my headline is backwards but I did that on purpose to sound witty and clever. Did it work? Well let’s snap that ball. For starters Brett Favre has officially or should I say filed the paperwork to retire from the NFL. What this could mean for the Lions is this. The New York Jets quarterback situation is at a cross roads. With the Jets having the 17th overall pick in the draft they might be interested in obtaining Georgia QB Matthew Stafford. Would they be willing to take the number 1 pick in exchange for their first round pick and us surrendering either a 3rd or 5th rounder? Or maybe the Kansas City Chiefs having the 3rd overall pick in the first round might be interested in a QB and we can simply switch places with them in the draft order.
I have no doubt that the Lions organization will try to shop that first round pick. The first round is very exciting to have but that guaranteed money for the first overall is more of a burden than a help. If we could swap places with one of the other teams in the top 5 for the first round in the draft that would me a present wrapped up with a giant ribbon around it.
The Lions coaching staff has been fully assembled. Here is the story from MLive that you all can check out
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/02/lions_complete_coaching_staff.html
I am glad that Stan Kwan the Special Teams coach, Shawn Jefferson Wide Receivers coach and Sam Gash the Running Backs coach are staying on. Those men are good coaches who deserve a better shot under a new head coach and a system that produces. Coach Jim Schwartz has assembled a dynamic team of coaches that is night and day difference from the crop of incompetents we had this past season. You all know that I am the eternal optimist when it comes to the Lions but you all have to admit things are moving in a positive direction that gives us hope for this franchises’ future. With this crew of veteran coaches we will see better production from the players on special teams down to our dead last ranked defense.
Oh by the way a co-worker (thank you Jeff) mentioned something I failed to note in my last blog about the Pro Bowl having meaning. Another thing they can do with it is make it a skills test like the MLB has the home run derby and the NBA slam dunk contests. In the NFL have QBs throw Hail Mary’s, longest field goals kicked, etc. That would be something worth seeing.
So with the coaching staff put together, the next phase before the scouting combine is the roster cuts. There are still a lot of players that will not be back next season since some of them are Free Agents not worth re-signing with the exception of Kicker Jason Hanson. In September when they announce the final 53-man roster it will be very interesting to see who is left after these purges.
They say a team builds through the draft and the Lions will have plenty of opportunity to do so. FYI our draft picks are as follows: Two First Round Picks, One Second Round Pick, Two Third Round Picks, One Fifth Round Pick, and Two Sixth Round Picks. We had surrendered our Fourth and Seventh Round picks to Dallas which gives us 8 total draft picks plus a possible compensatory pick to be determined. 9 picks will give this team a huge face lift depending on what happens on draft day as far as moving up and down. Say I am open to suggestions to see who would be interested in having a draft day party on Saturday April 25th.
These are the positions I believe they should draft 2 OGs, TE, DT, 2 LBs and 2 CBs. We can meet all of those needs in this draft and in the 2010 draft target these positions QB, WR, RB, DE, TE and 2 LBs
Last but certainly not least GM Martin Mayhew has hired James ‘Shack’ Harris as Senior Personnel Executive. Here is the story from the Lions web site
http://www.detroitlions.com/document_display.cfm?document_id=481774
I like what Martin Mayhew is doing. He has been working really hard in trying to move this team forward from the disappointments of the past. He has over 22 years of experience as a scout and a player. His experience with the Jacksonville Jaguars will be a great help to us. I believe Martin Mayhew realizes that he cannot do this by himself and his seeking a voice to help guide him.
Well I have rambled enough. I am going to e-mail this link since some of you have requested that I do so. I hope to have another post by this Presidents Day weekend to discuss the upcoming scouting combine, more thoughts on the draft, free agency and roster cuts.
Until then GO LIONS!
Yes I know my headline is backwards but I did that on purpose to sound witty and clever. Did it work? Well let’s snap that ball. For starters Brett Favre has officially or should I say filed the paperwork to retire from the NFL. What this could mean for the Lions is this. The New York Jets quarterback situation is at a cross roads. With the Jets having the 17th overall pick in the draft they might be interested in obtaining Georgia QB Matthew Stafford. Would they be willing to take the number 1 pick in exchange for their first round pick and us surrendering either a 3rd or 5th rounder? Or maybe the Kansas City Chiefs having the 3rd overall pick in the first round might be interested in a QB and we can simply switch places with them in the draft order.
I have no doubt that the Lions organization will try to shop that first round pick. The first round is very exciting to have but that guaranteed money for the first overall is more of a burden than a help. If we could swap places with one of the other teams in the top 5 for the first round in the draft that would me a present wrapped up with a giant ribbon around it.
The Lions coaching staff has been fully assembled. Here is the story from MLive that you all can check out
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/02/lions_complete_coaching_staff.html
I am glad that Stan Kwan the Special Teams coach, Shawn Jefferson Wide Receivers coach and Sam Gash the Running Backs coach are staying on. Those men are good coaches who deserve a better shot under a new head coach and a system that produces. Coach Jim Schwartz has assembled a dynamic team of coaches that is night and day difference from the crop of incompetents we had this past season. You all know that I am the eternal optimist when it comes to the Lions but you all have to admit things are moving in a positive direction that gives us hope for this franchises’ future. With this crew of veteran coaches we will see better production from the players on special teams down to our dead last ranked defense.
Oh by the way a co-worker (thank you Jeff) mentioned something I failed to note in my last blog about the Pro Bowl having meaning. Another thing they can do with it is make it a skills test like the MLB has the home run derby and the NBA slam dunk contests. In the NFL have QBs throw Hail Mary’s, longest field goals kicked, etc. That would be something worth seeing.
So with the coaching staff put together, the next phase before the scouting combine is the roster cuts. There are still a lot of players that will not be back next season since some of them are Free Agents not worth re-signing with the exception of Kicker Jason Hanson. In September when they announce the final 53-man roster it will be very interesting to see who is left after these purges.
They say a team builds through the draft and the Lions will have plenty of opportunity to do so. FYI our draft picks are as follows: Two First Round Picks, One Second Round Pick, Two Third Round Picks, One Fifth Round Pick, and Two Sixth Round Picks. We had surrendered our Fourth and Seventh Round picks to Dallas which gives us 8 total draft picks plus a possible compensatory pick to be determined. 9 picks will give this team a huge face lift depending on what happens on draft day as far as moving up and down. Say I am open to suggestions to see who would be interested in having a draft day party on Saturday April 25th.
These are the positions I believe they should draft 2 OGs, TE, DT, 2 LBs and 2 CBs. We can meet all of those needs in this draft and in the 2010 draft target these positions QB, WR, RB, DE, TE and 2 LBs
Last but certainly not least GM Martin Mayhew has hired James ‘Shack’ Harris as Senior Personnel Executive. Here is the story from the Lions web site
http://www.detroitlions.com/document_display.cfm?document_id=481774
I like what Martin Mayhew is doing. He has been working really hard in trying to move this team forward from the disappointments of the past. He has over 22 years of experience as a scout and a player. His experience with the Jacksonville Jaguars will be a great help to us. I believe Martin Mayhew realizes that he cannot do this by himself and his seeking a voice to help guide him.
Well I have rambled enough. I am going to e-mail this link since some of you have requested that I do so. I hope to have another post by this Presidents Day weekend to discuss the upcoming scouting combine, more thoughts on the draft, free agency and roster cuts.
Until then GO LIONS!
Monday, February 9, 2009
No Bowl
Howdy to all of you in Lions Land,
The Pro-Bowl! Can a game be any more insignificant than the Pro-Bowl? I used to have a boss at one of my old jobs that put it bluntly about certain workers being ‘useless’. He posted his definition of useless as being unproductive, uncooperative, unreliable, unfriendly and unprofessional. This is exactly how I feel about the Pro Bowl.
Unlike other sports, it is the last game played of the season after the Super Bowl. In other sports the All-Star game is played half-way through the season with it being meaningful. In baseball it determines who gets home field advantage for the World Series. For thirty years it has been played at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. Except the next one will be played at Dolphin Stadium in Miami, Florida before the Super Bowl.
I am going to pretend I rule the NFL and my word is final. This is what I would do with the Pro-Bowl to make it meaningful and fair. Alternate the stadiums like the Super Bowl, so fans from various cities can enjoy the experience. Make it a fan appreciation event with autograph signing sessions, fan challenge games and other events. Each conference would have 53 of the best players like a regular team and Alternates would also be named. An independent commission made up of former coaches, analysts and former GMs would vote on the best players to fill the positions of RBs, WRs, QBs and Linemen. Fans would vote on some of the players that the commission labels pro-bowler caliber so that the fans just don’t vote for the players from their team.
For those teams that have no pro-bowlers chosen, the team will be allowed to vote for a representative from their team to go to the Pro Bowl. This past Pro Bowl the Dallas Cowboys had 13 players when the Detroit Lions had 0 although Kicker Jason Hanson was an Alternate. I don’t mean to make this sound like redistributing the wealth of talent in the NFL for the Pro-Bowl but larger fan bases have more votes. The Giants, Redskins, 49s, Cowboys and Patriots have huge fan bases and those fans obviously vote for their own players.
To make it meaningful a few suggestions could be that the winning conference of the Pro-Bowl would determine home field advantage for the Super Bowl, the MVP of the Pro-Bowl from the team they are from get a compensatory pick on draft day, the winning conference's teams would get first choice in scheduling a Monday Night, Sunday Night or Thanksgiving game. Blackout rules would not apply and cheerleaders would also be welcomed from the various teams that have them.
Just a few thoughts to actually make this game worth something! Who knows maybe someday some of these suggestions will come to fruition.
Do all of you know that before Matt Millen became President and GM of the Lions that he was the heir to the throne of football broadcasting behind John Madden? Had he not taken the GM job he would have been next in line behind John Madden to be the voice for the NFL. Instead of Madden football the greatest football game ever made I might add there would have been Millen 2009, Millen 2010, etc. One of those what ifs of history that we will never know. Kind of like how OJ Simpson was considered for the role of the Terminator but no one could picture him as a ruthless killer so the role went to Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Well my fellow Lions as Porky Pig would say “That’s all folks”. I will have another post by the end of the week in regards to the Lions roster cuts.
The Pro-Bowl! Can a game be any more insignificant than the Pro-Bowl? I used to have a boss at one of my old jobs that put it bluntly about certain workers being ‘useless’. He posted his definition of useless as being unproductive, uncooperative, unreliable, unfriendly and unprofessional. This is exactly how I feel about the Pro Bowl.
Unlike other sports, it is the last game played of the season after the Super Bowl. In other sports the All-Star game is played half-way through the season with it being meaningful. In baseball it determines who gets home field advantage for the World Series. For thirty years it has been played at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. Except the next one will be played at Dolphin Stadium in Miami, Florida before the Super Bowl.
I am going to pretend I rule the NFL and my word is final. This is what I would do with the Pro-Bowl to make it meaningful and fair. Alternate the stadiums like the Super Bowl, so fans from various cities can enjoy the experience. Make it a fan appreciation event with autograph signing sessions, fan challenge games and other events. Each conference would have 53 of the best players like a regular team and Alternates would also be named. An independent commission made up of former coaches, analysts and former GMs would vote on the best players to fill the positions of RBs, WRs, QBs and Linemen. Fans would vote on some of the players that the commission labels pro-bowler caliber so that the fans just don’t vote for the players from their team.
For those teams that have no pro-bowlers chosen, the team will be allowed to vote for a representative from their team to go to the Pro Bowl. This past Pro Bowl the Dallas Cowboys had 13 players when the Detroit Lions had 0 although Kicker Jason Hanson was an Alternate. I don’t mean to make this sound like redistributing the wealth of talent in the NFL for the Pro-Bowl but larger fan bases have more votes. The Giants, Redskins, 49s, Cowboys and Patriots have huge fan bases and those fans obviously vote for their own players.
To make it meaningful a few suggestions could be that the winning conference of the Pro-Bowl would determine home field advantage for the Super Bowl, the MVP of the Pro-Bowl from the team they are from get a compensatory pick on draft day, the winning conference's teams would get first choice in scheduling a Monday Night, Sunday Night or Thanksgiving game. Blackout rules would not apply and cheerleaders would also be welcomed from the various teams that have them.
Just a few thoughts to actually make this game worth something! Who knows maybe someday some of these suggestions will come to fruition.
Do all of you know that before Matt Millen became President and GM of the Lions that he was the heir to the throne of football broadcasting behind John Madden? Had he not taken the GM job he would have been next in line behind John Madden to be the voice for the NFL. Instead of Madden football the greatest football game ever made I might add there would have been Millen 2009, Millen 2010, etc. One of those what ifs of history that we will never know. Kind of like how OJ Simpson was considered for the role of the Terminator but no one could picture him as a ruthless killer so the role went to Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Well my fellow Lions as Porky Pig would say “That’s all folks”. I will have another post by the end of the week in regards to the Lions roster cuts.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
It's A Jungle Out There!
Howdy All in Lions Land,
Well let’s see where shall I begin? Let’s talk a bit about the Arizona Cardinals and their run to the Super Bowl. Here is a team, like the late comedian Rodney Dangerfield would say “I can’t get no respect”. Even though they won their division and had a winning record they were never given any credit. I think Jim Rome and I were the only ones who believed in that team. They beat three teams that were favored to beat them. The Falcons, favored. The Panthers, favored. The Eagles, favored. The Steelers, favored. Although the latter did prevail in Super Bow XLIII. They were called the worst play-off team ever.
They were 2 minutes and some change from winning their first Super Bowl until a late game winning touchdown drive from Ben Roethlisberger to Santonio Holmes sealed the deal. I have heard from various sources that the Steelers would lay a beat down on the Cardinals, some claiming by three touchdowns. They won by two safeties. Hardly a beat down. So kudos to the Cardinals for proving so many in the football world how wrong they were about how they didn’t deserve to be there.
You might be saying so what has this blog have to do with our ever lovable Detroit Lions? There are so many parallels between the Cardinals and Lions it is uncanny. When the Detroit Lions go to the Super Bowl I can only wonder the amount of trash spewing that will be said about our team by the so called experts. There was an article in today’s Detroit Free Press read it here about the parallels between the Lions and Cardinals and after reading it, I am feeling very optimistic about our future.
http://www.freep.com/article/20090203/SPORTS01/902030310/1049/Mayhew++Lions+could+look+to+build+like+Cardinals
There is not much in the way of news this past week because it is considered poor etiquette to make announcements during the Super Bowl weekend. Some of you may have heard that WR Mike Furrey will not be returning with the team and I can only wonder how many others have been shown the door which we will find out soon starting February 9th when the waiver process begins? If a sub-par receiver is going to be shown the door it only reasons that the players especially on the defensive side of the ball will be the terminally ill patients about to have their life-support plug pulled.
They are also still looking for an Assistant GM who would be the personnel director and could be former Jacksonville Jaguars Vice-President of Personnel James Harris. They do need to move on this hire as soon as they can because of two factors one they cannot hire anyone in this capacity who is currently employed by another team before the draft in April which would be like fixing the barn door after the horse has come home because we need that person in place before the draft and second because of the GM and coaching shuffling that is going on the candidate they want may hold out for another offer from another team. You can read Tom Killer Kowalski’s column at MLive on that here:
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/02/are_lions_delaying_announcemen.html
A couple of other tid bits are the Thanksgiving game is safe for the coming season at least and will not be taken away from us this year. There is talk of doing a rotation among all of the teams but my opinion is if they do that then let’s make the playing field level no pun intended. Every team gets a Monday Night or Sunday Night game. That is what the Lions ownership and the rest of the owners should demand from that butt face Roger Goodell. Another topic is the Lions are considering a logo and color scheme change. If they change the leaping Lion, I think they should change it to something a bit psychological like the logo for the Nashville Predators of the NHL. Colors I think could be changed to a light brown white or red.
I will have another post sometime this weekend so until then all of you take care and keep the faith. You do have to have faith as a Lions fan but I believe that faith will be rewarded someday.
Well let’s see where shall I begin? Let’s talk a bit about the Arizona Cardinals and their run to the Super Bowl. Here is a team, like the late comedian Rodney Dangerfield would say “I can’t get no respect”. Even though they won their division and had a winning record they were never given any credit. I think Jim Rome and I were the only ones who believed in that team. They beat three teams that were favored to beat them. The Falcons, favored. The Panthers, favored. The Eagles, favored. The Steelers, favored. Although the latter did prevail in Super Bow XLIII. They were called the worst play-off team ever.
They were 2 minutes and some change from winning their first Super Bowl until a late game winning touchdown drive from Ben Roethlisberger to Santonio Holmes sealed the deal. I have heard from various sources that the Steelers would lay a beat down on the Cardinals, some claiming by three touchdowns. They won by two safeties. Hardly a beat down. So kudos to the Cardinals for proving so many in the football world how wrong they were about how they didn’t deserve to be there.
You might be saying so what has this blog have to do with our ever lovable Detroit Lions? There are so many parallels between the Cardinals and Lions it is uncanny. When the Detroit Lions go to the Super Bowl I can only wonder the amount of trash spewing that will be said about our team by the so called experts. There was an article in today’s Detroit Free Press read it here about the parallels between the Lions and Cardinals and after reading it, I am feeling very optimistic about our future.
http://www.freep.com/article/20090203/SPORTS01/902030310/1049/Mayhew++Lions+could+look+to+build+like+Cardinals
There is not much in the way of news this past week because it is considered poor etiquette to make announcements during the Super Bowl weekend. Some of you may have heard that WR Mike Furrey will not be returning with the team and I can only wonder how many others have been shown the door which we will find out soon starting February 9th when the waiver process begins? If a sub-par receiver is going to be shown the door it only reasons that the players especially on the defensive side of the ball will be the terminally ill patients about to have their life-support plug pulled.
They are also still looking for an Assistant GM who would be the personnel director and could be former Jacksonville Jaguars Vice-President of Personnel James Harris. They do need to move on this hire as soon as they can because of two factors one they cannot hire anyone in this capacity who is currently employed by another team before the draft in April which would be like fixing the barn door after the horse has come home because we need that person in place before the draft and second because of the GM and coaching shuffling that is going on the candidate they want may hold out for another offer from another team. You can read Tom Killer Kowalski’s column at MLive on that here:
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/02/are_lions_delaying_announcemen.html
A couple of other tid bits are the Thanksgiving game is safe for the coming season at least and will not be taken away from us this year. There is talk of doing a rotation among all of the teams but my opinion is if they do that then let’s make the playing field level no pun intended. Every team gets a Monday Night or Sunday Night game. That is what the Lions ownership and the rest of the owners should demand from that butt face Roger Goodell. Another topic is the Lions are considering a logo and color scheme change. If they change the leaping Lion, I think they should change it to something a bit psychological like the logo for the Nashville Predators of the NHL. Colors I think could be changed to a light brown white or red.
I will have another post sometime this weekend so until then all of you take care and keep the faith. You do have to have faith as a Lions fan but I believe that faith will be rewarded someday.
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