We Are Finally Here!
Howdy to all of you out there in Lions Land!
To start off immediately the Lions and Georgia Quarterback Matthew Stafford have come to terms and Stafford will be our number one draft pick, the face of our franchise and our QB of the future. Here is the late-breaking story from MLive that broke at around midnight.
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/04/lions_matthew_stafford_agree_t.html
Here are a few audio interviews with Tom Kowalski about drafting Matthew Stafford.
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/04/kowalski_on_wdfn_they_say_you.html
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/04/tom_kowalski_on_the_huge_show_1.html
Well everyone we have finally arrived at the 2009 NFL Draft. I know a lot of you are feeling nervous, apprehensive, worried, concerned, excited and or optimistic. I would have to say I feel a little of each. I put a lot more weight on optimism than the others. If the Lions had not had come to an agreement with Georgia Quarterback Matthew Stafford then there were a couple of contingency fall-back plans with Wake Forest LB Aaron Curry or Baylor OT Jason Smith.
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/04/source_lions_have_aaron_curry.html
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/04/if_jason_smith_enters_talks_it.html
I know a lot of the Lions fan base would have liked OT Jason Smith or LB Aaron Curry. I am sold on pretty much ANYONE providing it’s not a WR or RB. We have multiple needs and we really can’t screw this draft up. You would really have to try in order to do that. Now that the Lions have drafted Matthew Stafford then they will most likely go Defense the rest of the draft with the possibility of snagging the last really good OT Michael Oher at pick 20 if he is available or LB Rey Maualuga to plug the gapping hole at middle-linebacker.
Here are a couple of Mock Drafts from Brian VanOchten of the Grand Rapids Press in regards to who goes where in the first round.
http://blog.mlive.com/twominutedrill/2009/04/nfl_mock_draft_lions_to_land_q.html
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/04/nfl_mock_draft_lions_to_land_q.html
What we need to remember is this is the first post-Matt Millen draft. This is GM Martin Mayhew and President Tom Lewand’s first draft and they deserve the benefit of the doubt. I sincerely believe the decision to draft Matthew Stafford is Head Coach Jim Schwartz’s call because he realizes our QB depth chart will make you laugh until you cry. Now before Jon Kitna was traded to Dallas I was of the opinion that we stick it out with Kitna for one more year and snag our QB next year when some others would be finishing up there senior year i.e. Sam Bradford from Oklahoma, Colt McCoy from Texas or Tim Tebow from Florida.
When Jon Kitna was traded to the Dallas Cowboys, Dan Orlovsky signed as a free-agent with the Houston Texans and Schwartz was named Head Coach, that was a given we were taking a QB in this draft. Now I believe that because of the Lions awful history, other QB prospects decided to return to their colleges out of fear of getting drafted by the Lions. WOW what a bunch of scared schoolgirl cowards! Not Matthew Stafford though! He welcomes becoming a Lion and wants a challenge.
Even if we didn’t hold the number one overall and we were somewhere in the top ten, I suspect he would be holding out hope beyond hope that the Lions pick him. I think he has more courage and commitment then most other QBs and he is accountable. In one of Georgia’s few losses under him as a starter, he was asked about his performance; he manned up and said “I didn’t play well” not making excuses, or throwing his teammates under the bus. That is accountability and that is a rare quality.
Some of you are scared that he is another Joey Harrington disaster waiting to happen. I won’t and can’t believe that. I believe he is the real deal. I am 100% behind the Lions decision to draft Matthew Stafford. Just like a presidential primary, different sides need to unite for party unity and get behind the party’s candidate. It is truly a great day to be a Lions fan and we need to unite as a fan base and support the Lions and Matthew Stafford.
I like to reference a lot of stories from MLive which is why I like to share the links with all of you because unlike other media sources, they are local insiders that have some really keen insights.
Here are some stories from MLive about the logo and uniform change and speculation about what they will do in the draft.
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/04/photo_gallery_lions_unveil_new.html
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/04/tom_lewand_lions_new_logo_will.html
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/04/whats_new_about_the_lions_logo.html
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/04/lions_transformation_continues.html
This one also has Dan Miller discussing the draft.
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/04/dan_miller_on_wzam_new_logo_is.html
These few have Lions President Tom Lewand discussing the draft.
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/04/tom_lewand_on_wdfn_new_lions_l.html
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/04/lions_president_tom_lewand_wer.html
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/04/president_tom_lewand_gives_rar.html
Let’s talk a little defense. Something the Lions were sadly lacking in the past two years. There are some real potential pro-bowl defenders the Lions can pick up this weekend. Here is an article from Tom Kowalski about a few of those picks. We do need to target a Defensive Tackle to upgrade our run defense and they will have to snag one this draft especially with the departure of DT Cory Redding to the Seattle Seahawks.
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/04/questions_about_defensive_line.html
Here are a couple of articles from MLive about the needs of Corner Back.
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/04/cornerback_isnt_worst_of_posit.html
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/04/sean_smith_lions_might_eye_you.html
Here is an article on the need for the Middle Linebacker.
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/04/lions_hoping_to_grab_middle_li.html
One of the Lions many needs on Defense is a Safety for our awful secondary that got a whopping one interception last year! WOO-HOO! And by the way I am being extremely sarcastic in that enthusiasm.
Here is a story from Tom about Missouri Safety William Moore, some pros and cons and another article examining the Safety situation.
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/04/william_moore_at_safety_he_can.html
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/04/lions_still_in_need_of_gamecha.html
Though it’s a done deal with Matthew Stafford here are a few stories on arguments on drafting defense and not taking Matthew Stafford. The first is from Mike Schottey of www.DraftTek.com Check out this site also, it has some interesting mock draft scenarios. The other audio interview comes from the Huge Show with former Lions QB Greg Landry.
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/04/nfl_draft_expert_interview_mik.html
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/04/greg_landry_on_the_huge_show_t.html
Here is an interview from MLive by Rick Gosselin an NFL Columnist on what the Lions should do in the coming draft.
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/04/nfl_draft_expert_interview_ric.html
Here is another story about meeting the need for a Tight End but I suspect we won’t be able to get one this draft.
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/04/nfl_draft_expert_interview_dan_1.html
Here is a podcast from Brian VanOchten of the Grand Rapids Press on what the Lions will do in the draft.
http://blog.mlive.com/twominutedrill/2009/04/twominute_drill_podcast_lions.html
Here is an interview from the Huge Show with Bill Simonson interviewing Head Coach Mark Richt from Georgia making his case for QB Matthew Stafford.
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/04/mark_richt_on_the_huge_show_ma.html
Here is an interview with Lions GM Martin Mayhew on the coming draft, an article from Tom Kowalski about the job Mayhew is doing and a video of Dan Miller interviewing Martin Mayhew.
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/04/lions_gm_martin_mayhew_very_co.html
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/04/lions_gm_martin_mayhew_showing.html
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/04/detroit_lions_gm_martin_mayhew.html
I know I might have gone overboard with all of the links that have lots of audio links but they are worth taking the time to listen too. This is a new dawn for our Detroit Lions. We can only hope that the coaches and the front office are all on the same page and will meet all of the critical needs for this team. Best of luck to the team and everyone have a safe and fun weekend. I will be at Ford Field for the Lions Draft Day Party. I will have a post-NFL draft most likely on Monday night reviewing the Lions draft picks. Until then take care, God Bless and GO LIONS!
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Hope your hungry for Detroit Lions News
Howdy all in Lions Land,
One week to go until the draft! WOO-HOO! Happy days are coming I can feel it! We are now 7 days away from the NFL Draft and thus far the Lions have not signed the number one overall. Does this mean a trade is in the works for the number one? We can only speculate because the Lions front-office has been so tight lipped about everything, we can only guess. I would have thought the Lions front office would have the player signed since Martin Mayhew wants it done before the draft. Maybe they have a preliminary deal in place and are just waiting on getting a few i’s dotted and t’s crossed. This is one of my biggest entries on my blog filled with lots of links. There is a tone of info so please eat up and enjoy.
The Lions have released their 2009 schedule which you can check out here.
http://www.detroitlions.com/section_display.cfm?section_id=13&top=21&level=2
I am always the optimist when it comes to the Lions so I am going out on a limb and say the Lions will go .500 an even 8-8 record. But if they achieve between 5 and 7 wins that is a good step in the right direction towards getting some respectability in the league, avoiding the number one overall pick next year and opening the doors for free-agents that want to come to a competitive team and not a complete burnt-out wreck. The schedule is difficult the first half, starting with a game on the road at the New Orleans Saints but it gets easier as it goes. Thankfully our bye week is after week 6 and not an early bye like we are always stuck with.
Brian VanOchten from the Grand Rapids Press assessment of the Lions schedule is a bit bleaker and you know maybe he is a realist. I am a kool-aid drinking, ready to leap off a cliff with the other lemmings fan so I cannot be too objective when it comes to the Lions expectations. Here is his story from MLive about the Lions schedule including an interview on the Huge Show with Bill Simonson. We are not going 1-15 like Bill Simonson is suggesting. He is nothing but a Lions basher so you cannot take anything is says as credible. Just like Drew Sharp of the Detroit Free Press, both men have grown so bitter that they believe nothing good will ever become of the Lions.
http://blog.mlive.com/twominutedrill/2009/04/early_look_at_the_lions_schedu.html
On Monday the Lions will have a press conference on the new logo and uniform change. Check out the press release from the Detroit Lions web site.
http://www.detroitlions.com/document_display.cfm?document_id=483516
http://blog.mlive.com/twominutedrill/2009/04/readers_respond_lions_right_to.html
Lions QB Daunte Culpepper is back to old-form, getting in much better shape and ready to be the teams’ leader. It’s not that I dislike Daunte Culpepper but he is not the long term solution. He is short term; especially if they draft Matthew Stafford they will guide him and prepare him to be the starter. Here are a couple of articles from MLive about Daunte Culpepper preparing himself in camp.
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/04/daunte_culpepper_looks_good_ot.html
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/04/daunte_culpepper_looks_sharp_a.html
As most of you have heard John Madden has decided to retire as a football broadcaster which leaves Cris Collinsworth as the voice of football. I am sure going to miss John Madden. I really enjoyed him calling Monday Night Football with Al Michaels. I wish him all the best in his retirement. Here is that story from MLive.
http://blog.mlive.com/twominutedrill/2009/04/cris_collinsworth_replacing_jo.html
Coach Jim Schwartz is mixing it up in the locker room and working hard to build team chemistry. They have assigned parking and have made new locker assignments. The team needs to be much better cohesively. I believe they are making great strides in that area.
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/04/gerald_alexander_practices_lio.html
The Lions have added a couple of new faces to the locker room, WR Ronald Curry and FB Terrelle Smith.
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/04/lions_view_ronald_curry_in_slo.html
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/04/lions_sign_free_agents_wr_rona.html
Here is a Podcast from Brian VanOchten about draft possibilities.
http://blog.mlive.com/twominutedrill/2009/04/_matthew_stafford_jason_smith.html
The decision to draft Matthew Stafford, Aaron Curry, Eugene Monroe or Jason Smith is a crossroads. If you take Jason Smith or Eugene Monroe you have immediate payoff on the O Line. If you take Aaron Curry you get a pro-bowler linebacker. If you draft Matthew Stafford you have a franchise quarterback for the next ten years. Matthew Stafford was on the Jimmy Fallon show this past Thursday doing a little skeet shooting with a football. You need to check out this video it is pretty sweet.
http://blog.mlive.com/highlightreel/2009/04/video_skeet_shooting_matthew_s.html
Pat Kirwan senior draft analyst from the NFL has a story about team needs in the NFC North which also includes a video from Lions beat writer Tom Killer Kowalski about the Lions draft possibilities. The information is somewhat old but a few valid points are still relevant.
http://www.nfl.com/draft/story?id=09000d5d80f808a3&template=with-video-with-comments&confirm=true
Mel Kiper from ESPN believes the Lions should draft Matthew Stafford. I also need to sort through some confusion. I was initially against drafting Matthew Stafford because as anyone can see the O Line and D Line have major gapping holes in them. Matthew Stafford is just too good to pass up. A lot of fans out there are against this because we have been so bad in drafting QB’s Joey Harrington, Andre Ware and Chuck Long as some prime examples. We need to get over that fear collectively.
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/04/mel_kiper_sticks_to_his_guns_a.html
To further solidify the argument of taking Stafford with the number one overall there is little chance of getting a QB with the 20th pick in the first round. If the Lions draft Curry, Monroe or Smith with the number one overall, Mark Sanchez, Josh Freeman and Matthew Stafford will all be gone by the time we get to the 20th. So then they might take a QB in a later round like Graham Harrell from Texas Tech. Here is an interview with Chad Reuter, a draft expert who explains the depth of QB’s in this draft class.
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/04/nfl_draft_expert_interview_cha.html
Here are two articles from MLive highlighting pros and cons if the Lions play it safe with Aaron Curry or Eugene Monroe. Here are those articles by Tom Kowalski about risks and rewards with both of those players.
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/04/aaron_curry_will_the_lions_go.html
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/04/eugene_monroe_still_in_the_run.html
So much attention has been given to the Lions number one spot but what about the 20th pick? Well it depends what they do with the first and what other teams pick before they get to the 20th which is the most obvious. We can hope that the last good OT Michael Oher is there at 20 but if not there is hope of taking LB Rey Maualuga to play middle.
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/04/rey_maualuga_will_lions_finall.html
So with the Second Round pick I would like to see the Lions take James Laurinaitis to play middle if they take OT Michael Oher at the 20th spot in the first round. Then take the best DE and DT or a Safety with the two picks in the third round. Well that’s about it. I am going to have another post sometime mid-week after the new colors and logo have been announced and hopefully we know the number one pick. Until next time GO LIONS!
One week to go until the draft! WOO-HOO! Happy days are coming I can feel it! We are now 7 days away from the NFL Draft and thus far the Lions have not signed the number one overall. Does this mean a trade is in the works for the number one? We can only speculate because the Lions front-office has been so tight lipped about everything, we can only guess. I would have thought the Lions front office would have the player signed since Martin Mayhew wants it done before the draft. Maybe they have a preliminary deal in place and are just waiting on getting a few i’s dotted and t’s crossed. This is one of my biggest entries on my blog filled with lots of links. There is a tone of info so please eat up and enjoy.
The Lions have released their 2009 schedule which you can check out here.
http://www.detroitlions.com/section_display.cfm?section_id=13&top=21&level=2
I am always the optimist when it comes to the Lions so I am going out on a limb and say the Lions will go .500 an even 8-8 record. But if they achieve between 5 and 7 wins that is a good step in the right direction towards getting some respectability in the league, avoiding the number one overall pick next year and opening the doors for free-agents that want to come to a competitive team and not a complete burnt-out wreck. The schedule is difficult the first half, starting with a game on the road at the New Orleans Saints but it gets easier as it goes. Thankfully our bye week is after week 6 and not an early bye like we are always stuck with.
Brian VanOchten from the Grand Rapids Press assessment of the Lions schedule is a bit bleaker and you know maybe he is a realist. I am a kool-aid drinking, ready to leap off a cliff with the other lemmings fan so I cannot be too objective when it comes to the Lions expectations. Here is his story from MLive about the Lions schedule including an interview on the Huge Show with Bill Simonson. We are not going 1-15 like Bill Simonson is suggesting. He is nothing but a Lions basher so you cannot take anything is says as credible. Just like Drew Sharp of the Detroit Free Press, both men have grown so bitter that they believe nothing good will ever become of the Lions.
http://blog.mlive.com/twominutedrill/2009/04/early_look_at_the_lions_schedu.html
On Monday the Lions will have a press conference on the new logo and uniform change. Check out the press release from the Detroit Lions web site.
http://www.detroitlions.com/document_display.cfm?document_id=483516
http://blog.mlive.com/twominutedrill/2009/04/readers_respond_lions_right_to.html
Lions QB Daunte Culpepper is back to old-form, getting in much better shape and ready to be the teams’ leader. It’s not that I dislike Daunte Culpepper but he is not the long term solution. He is short term; especially if they draft Matthew Stafford they will guide him and prepare him to be the starter. Here are a couple of articles from MLive about Daunte Culpepper preparing himself in camp.
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/04/daunte_culpepper_looks_good_ot.html
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/04/daunte_culpepper_looks_sharp_a.html
As most of you have heard John Madden has decided to retire as a football broadcaster which leaves Cris Collinsworth as the voice of football. I am sure going to miss John Madden. I really enjoyed him calling Monday Night Football with Al Michaels. I wish him all the best in his retirement. Here is that story from MLive.
http://blog.mlive.com/twominutedrill/2009/04/cris_collinsworth_replacing_jo.html
Coach Jim Schwartz is mixing it up in the locker room and working hard to build team chemistry. They have assigned parking and have made new locker assignments. The team needs to be much better cohesively. I believe they are making great strides in that area.
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/04/gerald_alexander_practices_lio.html
The Lions have added a couple of new faces to the locker room, WR Ronald Curry and FB Terrelle Smith.
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/04/lions_view_ronald_curry_in_slo.html
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/04/lions_sign_free_agents_wr_rona.html
Here is a Podcast from Brian VanOchten about draft possibilities.
http://blog.mlive.com/twominutedrill/2009/04/_matthew_stafford_jason_smith.html
The decision to draft Matthew Stafford, Aaron Curry, Eugene Monroe or Jason Smith is a crossroads. If you take Jason Smith or Eugene Monroe you have immediate payoff on the O Line. If you take Aaron Curry you get a pro-bowler linebacker. If you draft Matthew Stafford you have a franchise quarterback for the next ten years. Matthew Stafford was on the Jimmy Fallon show this past Thursday doing a little skeet shooting with a football. You need to check out this video it is pretty sweet.
http://blog.mlive.com/highlightreel/2009/04/video_skeet_shooting_matthew_s.html
Pat Kirwan senior draft analyst from the NFL has a story about team needs in the NFC North which also includes a video from Lions beat writer Tom Killer Kowalski about the Lions draft possibilities. The information is somewhat old but a few valid points are still relevant.
http://www.nfl.com/draft/story?id=09000d5d80f808a3&template=with-video-with-comments&confirm=true
Mel Kiper from ESPN believes the Lions should draft Matthew Stafford. I also need to sort through some confusion. I was initially against drafting Matthew Stafford because as anyone can see the O Line and D Line have major gapping holes in them. Matthew Stafford is just too good to pass up. A lot of fans out there are against this because we have been so bad in drafting QB’s Joey Harrington, Andre Ware and Chuck Long as some prime examples. We need to get over that fear collectively.
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/04/mel_kiper_sticks_to_his_guns_a.html
To further solidify the argument of taking Stafford with the number one overall there is little chance of getting a QB with the 20th pick in the first round. If the Lions draft Curry, Monroe or Smith with the number one overall, Mark Sanchez, Josh Freeman and Matthew Stafford will all be gone by the time we get to the 20th. So then they might take a QB in a later round like Graham Harrell from Texas Tech. Here is an interview with Chad Reuter, a draft expert who explains the depth of QB’s in this draft class.
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/04/nfl_draft_expert_interview_cha.html
Here are two articles from MLive highlighting pros and cons if the Lions play it safe with Aaron Curry or Eugene Monroe. Here are those articles by Tom Kowalski about risks and rewards with both of those players.
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/04/aaron_curry_will_the_lions_go.html
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/04/eugene_monroe_still_in_the_run.html
So much attention has been given to the Lions number one spot but what about the 20th pick? Well it depends what they do with the first and what other teams pick before they get to the 20th which is the most obvious. We can hope that the last good OT Michael Oher is there at 20 but if not there is hope of taking LB Rey Maualuga to play middle.
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/04/rey_maualuga_will_lions_finall.html
So with the Second Round pick I would like to see the Lions take James Laurinaitis to play middle if they take OT Michael Oher at the 20th spot in the first round. Then take the best DE and DT or a Safety with the two picks in the third round. Well that’s about it. I am going to have another post sometime mid-week after the new colors and logo have been announced and hopefully we know the number one pick. Until next time GO LIONS!
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Are We There Yet?
Hidy Ho to all of you out there in Lions Land,
Remember when you were a kid on a road trip with your family and you would ask “are we there yet?” over and over again? This is what it feels like waiting for the Lions to sign their number one. Well my Lionettes we are 1 week and 6 days away from the NFL Draft which will start the process of our team rebuilding through the draft and getting competent, quality football players.
So far the Lions have not signed the number one pick but the front-office will want the deal done before the draft. It is either going to be OT Jason Smith from Baylor or QB Matthew Stafford from Georgia. Either one will be a good thing, no let me correct that, a great thing for our team. I have said that Matthew Stafford is no Joey Harrington and will be a franchise QB which we sorely need. If they draft Jason Smith our OL gets an immediate shot in the arm and Culpepper will get needed protection. I feel this is a win-win whichever direction the Lions front office goes in.
If they do sign Stafford the downside will be that he will carry a clip board for the coming season and see if any playing time barring something happening to Culpepper like injury or failing to lead the team. Culpepper, Stanton and Henson will all be gone after this year. Henson will most likely be cut when the NFL mandatory roster cuts are made at the start of the regular season. Stanton and Culpepper both have a year left.
So in terms of long term strategic planning they sign Stafford, have Linehan and Culpepper guide him and get him ready for next year. However, the question arises if they draft Stafford do you draft one of the high-profile QBs next year like Colt McCoy or Sam Bradford? I would believe they would draft one of them and then have them battle it out for the starting job when the lines to protect and defend are better met.
Here is a link from MLive with Mel Kiper from ESPN suggesting the Lions should take Stafford.
http://blog.mlive.com/twominutedrill/2009/04/mel_kiper_lions_must_take_matt.html
Here is a link from MLive by Tom Kowalski about Coaches Schwartz and Linehan need to put the stamp of approval on Stafford. I am OK with Stafford if Schwartz and Linehan want him. They are both intelligent coaches that know talent. If they say he is our guy then we need to back them up and support them on this draft decision. I am starting to get the impression that Mayhew who ultimately has the final decision is getting what the coaches want. If we take Stafford the implication in this year’s draft is we need to take the best LB available at pick 20 in the First Round and target Defense with the Second Round, and two Third Round picks. We do not have any picks in the 4th or 5th rounds unless we trade our two 6th round picks to trade down and get another teams extra 4th or 5th round pick. To be honest I am not sure if that scenario would even be likely.
Here is an interview on MLive from Bob Gaunt a draft expert with some of the possible directions the Lions might go in for the coming draft. It is a really insightful interview and answers quite a few questions.
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/04/nfl_draft_expert_interview_jer_1.html
Here is another interview from Tom Kowalski on MLive about the Lions not drafting anyone until they are signed first.
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/04/tom_kowalski_on_wghn_lions_won.html
I was going to host a draft day party but I am going to Ford Field for the Detroit Lions Draft Day Party. Here is the link with some of the details if anyone is interested in going. Maybe some of you want to work out a carpool. It’s one of those things that should be on your Bucket List if it isn’t already.
http://www.detroitlions.com/document_display.cfm?document_id=483448
Tuesday the NFL will announce team schedules and I will have comments on that in my next post and also when the Lions will most likely announce their choice for the number one draft. Well everyone until next time GO LIONS!
Remember when you were a kid on a road trip with your family and you would ask “are we there yet?” over and over again? This is what it feels like waiting for the Lions to sign their number one. Well my Lionettes we are 1 week and 6 days away from the NFL Draft which will start the process of our team rebuilding through the draft and getting competent, quality football players.
So far the Lions have not signed the number one pick but the front-office will want the deal done before the draft. It is either going to be OT Jason Smith from Baylor or QB Matthew Stafford from Georgia. Either one will be a good thing, no let me correct that, a great thing for our team. I have said that Matthew Stafford is no Joey Harrington and will be a franchise QB which we sorely need. If they draft Jason Smith our OL gets an immediate shot in the arm and Culpepper will get needed protection. I feel this is a win-win whichever direction the Lions front office goes in.
If they do sign Stafford the downside will be that he will carry a clip board for the coming season and see if any playing time barring something happening to Culpepper like injury or failing to lead the team. Culpepper, Stanton and Henson will all be gone after this year. Henson will most likely be cut when the NFL mandatory roster cuts are made at the start of the regular season. Stanton and Culpepper both have a year left.
So in terms of long term strategic planning they sign Stafford, have Linehan and Culpepper guide him and get him ready for next year. However, the question arises if they draft Stafford do you draft one of the high-profile QBs next year like Colt McCoy or Sam Bradford? I would believe they would draft one of them and then have them battle it out for the starting job when the lines to protect and defend are better met.
Here is a link from MLive with Mel Kiper from ESPN suggesting the Lions should take Stafford.
http://blog.mlive.com/twominutedrill/2009/04/mel_kiper_lions_must_take_matt.html
Here is a link from MLive by Tom Kowalski about Coaches Schwartz and Linehan need to put the stamp of approval on Stafford. I am OK with Stafford if Schwartz and Linehan want him. They are both intelligent coaches that know talent. If they say he is our guy then we need to back them up and support them on this draft decision. I am starting to get the impression that Mayhew who ultimately has the final decision is getting what the coaches want. If we take Stafford the implication in this year’s draft is we need to take the best LB available at pick 20 in the First Round and target Defense with the Second Round, and two Third Round picks. We do not have any picks in the 4th or 5th rounds unless we trade our two 6th round picks to trade down and get another teams extra 4th or 5th round pick. To be honest I am not sure if that scenario would even be likely.
Here is an interview on MLive from Bob Gaunt a draft expert with some of the possible directions the Lions might go in for the coming draft. It is a really insightful interview and answers quite a few questions.
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/04/nfl_draft_expert_interview_jer_1.html
Here is another interview from Tom Kowalski on MLive about the Lions not drafting anyone until they are signed first.
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/04/tom_kowalski_on_wghn_lions_won.html
I was going to host a draft day party but I am going to Ford Field for the Detroit Lions Draft Day Party. Here is the link with some of the details if anyone is interested in going. Maybe some of you want to work out a carpool. It’s one of those things that should be on your Bucket List if it isn’t already.
http://www.detroitlions.com/document_display.cfm?document_id=483448
Tuesday the NFL will announce team schedules and I will have comments on that in my next post and also when the Lions will most likely announce their choice for the number one draft. Well everyone until next time GO LIONS!
Friday, April 3, 2009
Dodging A Bear
A very good morning/afternoon/evening to my fellow Lions fans,
Since Tom ‘Killer’ Kowalski is MIA, I will have to fill his shoes in the interim until he resurfaces. There has been very scant news from MLive and other sources which befuddles me because we are three weeks away from the March Madness of the NFL, the draft. There have been no free-agent signings, potential draftee visits or any other major announcements. So maybe Tom Kowalski is on vacation and will return soon.
There hasn’t been much attention give to the Lions as of late since most sports coverage have been on the Red Wings, Pistons, Pre-Season Tigers and of course our Michigan State Spartans in the Final Four!
Thanks to two of the bestest Chiefs of Staff in the Michigan State Senate alerting me to the Jay Cutler trade that went down on Thursday late afternoon, I will give my input on this breaking news trade. The Denver Broncos have traded QB Jay Cutler and their 5th round pick to the Chicago Bears in exchange for QB Kyle Orton, their 1st and 3rd round draft picks in this years draft and their 1st round pick in next years draft. Wow, that price tag is extremely high and there wasn’t a chance the Lions could or would match that.
Here are a couple of articles from the Detroit Free Press Online and MLive about the Jay Cutler trade.
http://www.freep.com/article/20090402/SPORTS01/90402116/1049/Jay+Cutler+traded+to+Bears
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/04/broncos_deal_jay_cutler_to_the.html
The Lions could have matched that deal but it would have been a colossal gamble to give that many picks plus a player in exchange for a late round and a whiny QB. I wish he hadn’t had been traded to the Bears since they are a division foe. We now have to face him twice a season for the foreseeable future. So we will have our work cut out for us on Sundays when we face the Bears. That is the bad news but the good news is the Lions dodged that roll of the dice. Like the rest of you we can only hope that after years of taking beatings from Brett Favre and the Packers that Jay Cutler and the Bears aren’t following in that tradition.
I could not imagine a worse scenario if the Lions traded under those conditions. That would have been totally contradictory to the Lions front office philosophy of building this team through the draft, not free agency or trading draft picks away. The situation with the Bears is their OL is not the greatest although they signed OT Orlando Pace which will bolster their OL. However, they do not have a solid core of WRs, their DL is rebuilding and with surrendering draft picks they won’t have much depth. The Broncos will be able to stack their team with good players and add depth. The Bears got the worst of this deal. I am so thankful to God that the Lions didn’t take this bait.
I can only imagine Matthew Stafford jumping and screaming with excitement over this trade announcement. He wants to be a Lion. Even if he wasn’t a potential number one I sincerely believe he is hoping beyond hope that the Lions acquire him. He believes it is his destiny to lead the Lions. To me that is very hard to argue against. A lot of players are shunning the Lions because of our dismal past but he welcomes it.
Here is a scenario where I can see Stafford wearing Honolulu Blue on Sundays. Say the Lions draft Jason Smith the OT from Baylor with the number one overall. Stafford will in all probability be gone by the time we get to our 20th. Damn you Cowboys for not having a crummier season! Say the 49’s or another team drafts him, the Lions could make a trade on draft day to them and give them our 20th and hopefully we can bait them with one our 6th rounders but most likely it will be one of our 3rd rounders. I know some you might say “then why don’t we just draft him number one overall and be done with it?” The reason is Jason Smith is WAY too good to pass up and WILL BE gone within the first few draft picks. He will give the Lions immediate pay-off value for at least ten years.
If the Lions do draft Matthew Stafford number one overall I am OK with it. We do need to get over the fear of him being a potential bust like Joey Harrington. I believe he is a solid QB that we will get value out of. I will eat my hat if he is a bust but I am going to go out on a limb here and say he will be good for our team. I just might even pre-order a Stafford jersey. Hell I used to have a Joey Harrington and a special thanks to my brother Kevyn for taking that one off my hands.
Other than that there is nothing else to report on as far as the new logo, schedule, and draft scenarios other than my tid bits that I just gave you all. I would like to share Kenny’s version of the NFL if I controlled the NFL world, which like I sometimes say ‘it can happen, it can happen’.
NFC
EAST
A. New York Giants
B. Philadelphia Eagles
C. Washington Statesmen
WEST
A. Seattle Seahawks
B. Arizona Cardinals
C. San Francisco 49’s
NORTH
A. Detroit Lions
B. Minnesota Vikings
C. Chicago Bears
SOUTH
A. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
B. Dallas Cowboys
C. New Orleans Saints
CENTRAL
A. Cincinnati Bengals
B. St. Louis Rams
C. Green Bay Packers
ATLANTIC
A. San Antonio Scorpions
B. Atlanta Falcons
C. Carolina Panthers
AFC
EAST
A. New England Patriots
B. Buffalo Bills
C. New York Jets
WEST
A. Denver Broncos
B. Oakland Raiders
C. San Diego Chargers
NORTH
A. Baltimore Ravens
B. Pittsburgh Steelers
C. Cleveland Browns
SOUTH
A. Richmond Rebels
B. Jacksonville Jaguars
C. Miami Dolphins
CENTRAL
A. Houston Texans
B. Tennessee Titans
C. Indianapolis Colts
PACIFIC
A. Portland Rhinos
B. Los Angeles Lynx
C. Kansas City Chiefs
As Porky Pig would say 'That's All Folks'. From what the players are saying, there is a new attitude and culture forming and our team will be far better come September. Until then take care, God Bless and GO LIONS!
Since Tom ‘Killer’ Kowalski is MIA, I will have to fill his shoes in the interim until he resurfaces. There has been very scant news from MLive and other sources which befuddles me because we are three weeks away from the March Madness of the NFL, the draft. There have been no free-agent signings, potential draftee visits or any other major announcements. So maybe Tom Kowalski is on vacation and will return soon.
There hasn’t been much attention give to the Lions as of late since most sports coverage have been on the Red Wings, Pistons, Pre-Season Tigers and of course our Michigan State Spartans in the Final Four!
Thanks to two of the bestest Chiefs of Staff in the Michigan State Senate alerting me to the Jay Cutler trade that went down on Thursday late afternoon, I will give my input on this breaking news trade. The Denver Broncos have traded QB Jay Cutler and their 5th round pick to the Chicago Bears in exchange for QB Kyle Orton, their 1st and 3rd round draft picks in this years draft and their 1st round pick in next years draft. Wow, that price tag is extremely high and there wasn’t a chance the Lions could or would match that.
Here are a couple of articles from the Detroit Free Press Online and MLive about the Jay Cutler trade.
http://www.freep.com/article/20090402/SPORTS01/90402116/1049/Jay+Cutler+traded+to+Bears
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/04/broncos_deal_jay_cutler_to_the.html
The Lions could have matched that deal but it would have been a colossal gamble to give that many picks plus a player in exchange for a late round and a whiny QB. I wish he hadn’t had been traded to the Bears since they are a division foe. We now have to face him twice a season for the foreseeable future. So we will have our work cut out for us on Sundays when we face the Bears. That is the bad news but the good news is the Lions dodged that roll of the dice. Like the rest of you we can only hope that after years of taking beatings from Brett Favre and the Packers that Jay Cutler and the Bears aren’t following in that tradition.
I could not imagine a worse scenario if the Lions traded under those conditions. That would have been totally contradictory to the Lions front office philosophy of building this team through the draft, not free agency or trading draft picks away. The situation with the Bears is their OL is not the greatest although they signed OT Orlando Pace which will bolster their OL. However, they do not have a solid core of WRs, their DL is rebuilding and with surrendering draft picks they won’t have much depth. The Broncos will be able to stack their team with good players and add depth. The Bears got the worst of this deal. I am so thankful to God that the Lions didn’t take this bait.
I can only imagine Matthew Stafford jumping and screaming with excitement over this trade announcement. He wants to be a Lion. Even if he wasn’t a potential number one I sincerely believe he is hoping beyond hope that the Lions acquire him. He believes it is his destiny to lead the Lions. To me that is very hard to argue against. A lot of players are shunning the Lions because of our dismal past but he welcomes it.
Here is a scenario where I can see Stafford wearing Honolulu Blue on Sundays. Say the Lions draft Jason Smith the OT from Baylor with the number one overall. Stafford will in all probability be gone by the time we get to our 20th. Damn you Cowboys for not having a crummier season! Say the 49’s or another team drafts him, the Lions could make a trade on draft day to them and give them our 20th and hopefully we can bait them with one our 6th rounders but most likely it will be one of our 3rd rounders. I know some you might say “then why don’t we just draft him number one overall and be done with it?” The reason is Jason Smith is WAY too good to pass up and WILL BE gone within the first few draft picks. He will give the Lions immediate pay-off value for at least ten years.
If the Lions do draft Matthew Stafford number one overall I am OK with it. We do need to get over the fear of him being a potential bust like Joey Harrington. I believe he is a solid QB that we will get value out of. I will eat my hat if he is a bust but I am going to go out on a limb here and say he will be good for our team. I just might even pre-order a Stafford jersey. Hell I used to have a Joey Harrington and a special thanks to my brother Kevyn for taking that one off my hands.
Other than that there is nothing else to report on as far as the new logo, schedule, and draft scenarios other than my tid bits that I just gave you all. I would like to share Kenny’s version of the NFL if I controlled the NFL world, which like I sometimes say ‘it can happen, it can happen’.
NFC
EAST
A. New York Giants
B. Philadelphia Eagles
C. Washington Statesmen
WEST
A. Seattle Seahawks
B. Arizona Cardinals
C. San Francisco 49’s
NORTH
A. Detroit Lions
B. Minnesota Vikings
C. Chicago Bears
SOUTH
A. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
B. Dallas Cowboys
C. New Orleans Saints
CENTRAL
A. Cincinnati Bengals
B. St. Louis Rams
C. Green Bay Packers
ATLANTIC
A. San Antonio Scorpions
B. Atlanta Falcons
C. Carolina Panthers
AFC
EAST
A. New England Patriots
B. Buffalo Bills
C. New York Jets
WEST
A. Denver Broncos
B. Oakland Raiders
C. San Diego Chargers
NORTH
A. Baltimore Ravens
B. Pittsburgh Steelers
C. Cleveland Browns
SOUTH
A. Richmond Rebels
B. Jacksonville Jaguars
C. Miami Dolphins
CENTRAL
A. Houston Texans
B. Tennessee Titans
C. Indianapolis Colts
PACIFIC
A. Portland Rhinos
B. Los Angeles Lynx
C. Kansas City Chiefs
As Porky Pig would say 'That's All Folks'. From what the players are saying, there is a new attitude and culture forming and our team will be far better come September. Until then take care, God Bless and GO LIONS!
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