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!