Lions FA moves (1 Viewer)

[Hipple Long Ware & Peete]

Ok, now this may hurt Lions fan, but lets review.

We drafted Barry, we drafted Moore and we signed Mitchel as a FA. We also signed whats his name from the Saints as a Defensive FA. other bit players followed. We went to the NFC championship game.

Pat Swilling and he wasn't a FA signing - they traded for him. In fact, even though it looked like an okay trade at the time - in retrospect it's actually considered one of the worst trades in franchise history.

hmmm willie roaf.worse trade swilling fro roaf or alexander from smoltz?

 

[Hipple Long Ware & Peete]

So far, the Lions have proven that the more things change, the more they stay the same. Having one of the worst defenses the league has ever seen to compliment a periennially bad offensive line, the Lions go for the obvious moves (at least for them) to sign a backup running back (MoMo) and spend a lot of time working out a deal with a unproven 2nd receiver (Washington). Neither one of those guys will make a difference in turning this team around, so why waste time signing them at the start of free agency?Why are they even wasting time talking to players at those positions? They should be focusing on their biggest needs - particularly DE, DT, LB, CB, SS, and FS (I think that is all of the defensive positions). If you want to get any of the top players at those positions, you have to meet with them, which you can't do if you're meeting with WRs and RBs.No wonder nobody ever wants to play there.

What you are missing is that EVERY position on the Lions is one of need. I'm glad that we are signing cheap FA to fill the least important positions (wr2, wr3, 3rd down back) because that tells me that we're not going to waste draft picks there. The WR especially had to be addressed in FA - they basically have CJ and nobody else and they sure as hell don't want to draft a WR.

I like the Bryant move. Seems that he almost came a little cheap, especially after his break out last 8 games last season. PLus with CJ he's gonna be almost exclusively single covered. Plus Kevin Smith looked good last year, and we had a pretty young line to begin with.Call me crazy but lately I have been agreeing with not cursing the lions moves. Could the new coach have this much influence?

 

[puckalicious]

So far, the Lions have proven that the more things change, the more they stay the same. Having one of the worst defenses the league has ever seen to compliment a periennially bad offensive line, the Lions go for the obvious moves (at least for them) to sign a backup running back (MoMo) and spend a lot of time working out a deal with a unproven 2nd receiver (Washington). Neither one of those guys will make a difference in turning this team around, so why waste time signing them at the start of free agency?Why are they even wasting time talking to players at those positions? They should be focusing on their biggest needs - particularly DE, DT, LB, CB, SS, and FS (I think that is all of the defensive positions). If you want to get any of the top players at those positions, you have to meet with them, which you can't do if you're meeting with WRs and RBs.No wonder nobody ever wants to play there.

What you are missing is that EVERY position on the Lions is one of need. I'm glad that we are signing cheap FA to fill the least important positions (wr2, wr3, 3rd down back) because that tells me that we're not going to waste draft picks there. The WR especially had to be addressed in FA - they basically have CJ and nobody else and they sure as hell don't want to draft a WR.

I like the Bryant move. Seems that he almost came a little cheap, especially after his break out last 8 games last season. PLus with CJ he's gonna be almost exclusively single covered. Plus Kevin Smith looked good last year, and we had a pretty young line to begin with.Call me crazy but lately I have been agreeing with not cursing the lions moves. Could the new coach have this much influence?

I don't catch many 49'ers games, but what is this 'break out last 8 games' you speak of?

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

so it looks like the lions instead of grabbing old washed up Bucs and Rams are going to starting grabbing Titans.

 

[puckalicious]

so it looks like the lions instead of grabbing old washed up Bucs and Rams are going to starting grabbing Titans.

At least it's a step up in talent! They missed their chance w/Haynesworth, but it would've cost too much.

 

[Hipple Long Ware & Peete]

I disagree with this assessment. If you watched any Lions games last year they could not stop the run. Remember back to Thanksgiving and the Titans running through them? If the Lions are going to win games this year their defense has to greatly improve. Adding Curry, (in addition to FA and trades) will help turn around their defense. Curry is pretty much the closest prospect to a sure thing, if the Lions selected Stafford and he is a bust then they are right back where they started only 4 years later and down about 40-50 million. Unlike in previous years where their was an undisputed #1 there is alot of questions surrounding Stafford. While you mentioned the point of Stafford completing 60% of his passes you forgot to mention the unusually high amount of INT's which is cause for concern.

You're not thinking far enough ahead. Sure, drafting Curry would probably give the Lions win 1 or 2 more games in 2009 then would be drafting Stafford or Jason Smith. However, if the Lions are serious about winning a Super Bowl, the best move they can do for the long term is draft Matt Stafford or Jason Smith (or Eugene Smith/Mark Sanchez if they think one of those guys is better). You simply don't start a rebuilding process with a llinebacker. There's a reason why no linebacker has been taken in the top 3 since Lavar Arrington in 2000. LTs and QBs have a lot more impact on the score of a game then a LB does. It's also silly to say that Matt Stafford or Jason Smith aren't elite prospects. I don't think any regular fan, including me, has any idea if Stafford can become as good as McNabb or if Smith can become as good as Orlando Pace. People forget that just about every big time QB prospect, including Peyton Manning and Matt Ryan, had a lot of doubters.

The rebuilding process is started on both sides of the line first and foremost. If you put a QB regardless of who behind that current O-line he will have David Carr syndrome aka deer in headlights. I am not opposed to the Lions drafting Jason Smith, I just think that Curry is the better player and I have heard that he rates slightly higher then DROY Jerod Mayo. If you look at the succesful rookie QB's M Ryan and J Flacco they both had above average offensive lines, I really hope for the fans sake that the Detroit brass realizes why Flacco and Ryan were succesful otherwise is its another 4-5 years of doom and gloom for Lions.

and none of them were with the top 10 picks, which is my point. If you want to get the best OL, you need to draft them at the top.

in the falcons case it was turner/ryan who made that line good, not vice versa. but this is a big exception to the rule.

 

[Hipple Long Ware & Peete]

So far, the Lions have proven that the more things change, the more they stay the same. Having one of the worst defenses the league has ever seen to compliment a periennially bad offensive line, the Lions go for the obvious moves (at least for them) to sign a backup running back (MoMo) and spend a lot of time working out a deal with a unproven 2nd receiver (Washington). Neither one of those guys will make a difference in turning this team around, so why waste time signing them at the start of free agency?Why are they even wasting time talking to players at those positions? They should be focusing on their biggest needs - particularly DE, DT, LB, CB, SS, and FS (I think that is all of the defensive positions). If you want to get any of the top players at those positions, you have to meet with them, which you can't do if you're meeting with WRs and RBs.No wonder nobody ever wants to play there.

What you are missing is that EVERY position on the Lions is one of need. I'm glad that we are signing cheap FA to fill the least important positions (wr2, wr3, 3rd down back) because that tells me that we're not going to waste draft picks there. The WR especially had to be addressed in FA - they basically have CJ and nobody else and they sure as hell don't want to draft a WR.

I like the Bryant move. Seems that he almost came a little cheap, especially after his break out last 8 games last season. PLus with CJ he's gonna be almost exclusively single covered. Plus Kevin Smith looked good last year, and we had a pretty young line to begin with.Call me crazy but lately I have been agreeing with not cursing the lions moves. Could the new coach have this much influence?

I don't catch many 49'ers games, but what is this 'break out last 8 games' you speak of?

I was thinking of Antonio Bryant.

 

[teamramrod]

The worst thing the Lions could possibly do with the #1 pick is draft Aaron Curry. I don't care if he becomes the next Ray Lewis, linebackers simply don't have the impact on an NFL franchise that an elite QB or LT does.

Ummm....so the Ravens won the Super Bowl with which Elite QB? A stud at defense...... I would love that pick, not another Rookie QB...Peace

 

[teamramrod]

Ok, now this may hurt Lions fan, but lets review.

We drafted Barry, we drafted Moore and we signed Mitchel as a FA. We also signed whats his name from the Saints as a Defensive FA. other bit players followed. We went to the NFC championship game.

Pat Swilling and he wasn't a FA signing - they traded for him. In fact, even though it looked like an okay trade at the time - in retrospect it's actually considered one of the worst trades in franchise history.

hmmm willie roaf.worse trade swilling fro roaf or alexander from smoltz?

One got us a ring, one did not....

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

Ok, now this may hurt Lions fan, but lets review.

We drafted Barry, we drafted Moore and we signed Mitchel as a FA. We also signed whats his name from the Saints as a Defensive FA. other bit players followed. We went to the NFC championship game.

Pat Swilling and he wasn't a FA signing - they traded for him. In fact, even though it looked like an okay trade at the time - in retrospect it's actually considered one of the worst trades in franchise history.

hmmm willie roaf.worse trade swilling fro roaf or alexander from smoltz?

One got us a ring, one did not....

we got a ring for losing in the playoffs in 1987???

 

[Tornacl]

A TE? Brandon Pettigrew? This team will suck forever!

 

[Wyld Stallyns]

A TE? Brandon Pettigrew? This team will suck forever!

Disagree. I can't even count how many times last year I said, "If this team just had a quality TE there's no way they'd be looking 0-16 in the face right now!"Oh wait, that's right - it was ZERO. Nevermind, you're right.

 

[Tornacl]

A TE? Brandon Pettigrew? This team will suck forever!

Disagree. I can't even count how many times last year I said, "If this team just had a quality TE there's no way they'd be looking 0-16 in the face right now!"Oh wait, that's right - it was ZERO. Nevermind, you're right.

And as hard as it is to imagine, they seem to be doing just as badly so far today.

 

[mikel0254]

A TE? Brandon Pettigrew? This team will suck forever!

Disagree. I can't even count how many times last year I said, "If this team just had a quality TE there's no way they'd be looking 0-16 in the face right now!"Oh wait, that's right - it was ZERO. Nevermind, you're right.

And as hard as it is to imagine, they seem to be doing just as badly so far today.

They're not filling positions they desperately need, yet I wouldn't say they are doing that bad (at least yesterday). They've got arguably the best QB, the best TE, and the best DB in the draft... all positions they need to fill.

 

[Tornacl]

A TE? Brandon Pettigrew? This team will suck forever!

Disagree. I can't even count how many times last year I said, "If this team just had a quality TE there's no way they'd be looking 0-16 in the face right now!"Oh wait, that's right - it was ZERO. Nevermind, you're right.

And as hard as it is to imagine, they seem to be doing just as badly so far today.

They're not filling positions they desperately need, yet I wouldn't say they are doing that bad (at least yesterday). They've got arguably the best QB, the best TE, and the best DB in the draft... all positions they need to fill.

They didn't get the best DB in the draft, they got the best Safety in the draft. Jenkins is a much better DB. The big mistake is that once again they're neglecting their lines. Passing on Oher is going to a move that will be criticized for years to come. And I think that they should have taken one of the LBs at the 2.01.Maybe I'm just an idiot, but I really don't see all positions as being equal. On offense, I like the Oline and the QB (in that order). You can have a good QB and a bad Oline, and the QB will end up being bad. Once you have a decent line, then the QB becomes more important - but the Lions don't have a decent line.On defense, I think the front seven are far more important that the back 4. The Lions had one of the worst defenses in NFL history last year, and they really haven't done much to improve it - they've added a Safety, and an aging LB (Peterson). I liked the Peterson move, but I expected far more from Schwartz based on how good his defense was in Tennessee.It seems that every new regime comes into Detroit thinking that they can "do more with less" and use guys that fit their scheme. Well, call me a skeptic, I'll believe it when I see it.

 

[MSULions]

I think the Lions must have porked tornaci's sister or something. We get it...you don't like them and don't think they do anything right. you've made the point. why don't you try and go enjoy the day outside or something?

 

[Tornacl]

I think the Lions must have porked tornaci's sister or something. We get it...you don't like them and don't think they do anything right. you've made the point. why don't you try and go enjoy the day outside or something?

Actually, I grew up watching the losers. I would really like for them to do well, but it is pretty obvious that'll never happen. It irritates me that they seem to know less about football than the average McDonald's employee. I thought that maybe, just maybe, after an 0-16 season they would clean house and hire someone that knows football. Apparently that didn't happen.Just go on believing that these are all good moves, just like when they won all of their preseason games you thought they were going to be good.

 

[aardball44]

The Lions will have their work cut out for them in free agency. Might as well blackdot this sucker now.

 

[MSULions]

I think the Lions must have porked tornaci's sister or something. We get it...you don't like them and don't think they do anything right. you've made the point. why don't you try and go enjoy the day outside or something?

Actually, I grew up watching the losers. I would really like for them to do well, but it is pretty obvious that'll never happen. It irritates me that they seem to know less about football than the average McDonald's employee. I thought that maybe, just maybe, after an 0-16 season they would clean house and hire someone that knows football. Apparently that didn't happen.Just go on believing that these are all good moves, just like when they won all of their preseason games you thought they were going to be good.

i don't believe every move is good..because that would be as dumb as guys like you who insist every one is bad. it's tiresome...and frankly just lazy. You can't really complain about their first day picks...second day we have to wait a few years to have a clue. The entire business of grading drafts is silly because there are so many wildcards involved...and to sit in your basement and berate a team on draft day is as silly as it gets. The simple fact is that you, I, and everyone else have no clue how good or bad this draft was...could turn out to be sheer genius.

 

[Tornacl]

I think the Lions must have porked tornaci's sister or something. We get it...you don't like them and don't think they do anything right. you've made the point. why don't you try and go enjoy the day outside or something?

Actually, I grew up watching the losers. I would really like for them to do well, but it is pretty obvious that'll never happen. It irritates me that they seem to know less about football than the average McDonald's employee. I thought that maybe, just maybe, after an 0-16 season they would clean house and hire someone that knows football. Apparently that didn't happen.Just go on believing that these are all good moves, just like when they won all of their preseason games you thought they were going to be good.

i don't believe every move is good..because that would be as dumb as guys like you who insist every one is bad. it's tiresome...and frankly just lazy. You can't really complain about their first day picks...second day we have to wait a few years to have a clue. The entire business of grading drafts is silly because there are so many wildcards involved...and to sit in your basement and berate a team on draft day is as silly as it gets. The simple fact is that you, I, and everyone else have no clue how good or bad this draft was...could turn out to be sheer genius.

Just go on believing whatever you want to. I'm pretty sure that I've been watching the Lions fail a lot longer than you have, of course through your rose-colored homer glasses, they probably don't fail. 0-16 was actually a good thing. They were close in several games...I didn't like the Stafford pick because the Lions are always drafting QBs, and every one of them end up being bad. Did you ever wonder why that is? Its because they never have a good line and they aren't any good at developing guys, IMO. Since 1997, they've had 9 top ten picks, and NOT ONE of them have been used on either an offensive or defensive lineman. I'm a firm believer in the philosophy that you win in the trenches, obviously the Lions are not. But judging by their perennial lack of success, I think it proves it as much as any. I really didn't like the Pettigrew pick, because they really had more important positions to fill. With Oher still there, that would've been my choice, but there were a lot of guys I'd have liked to see them draft instead of a TE. I just don't view TE as a position of primary importance. Rather than trying to get Stafford weapons, I think it is more important to get him protection. And second on that list is to improve the defense. The pick didn't do either.And then with the 2.01, I would've much rather seen them take a guy that will be one of the front seven, as they are more important than a DB. I would've much rather seen them take Maualuga, Laurinitis, or Everett Brown - all three guys that were considered first round talents. MLB is the key to the defense that they plan to run, and the Lions STILL have a big hole there. And a DE that can put some pressure on the QB is always important. So yeah, I hadn't thought at all about it, I was just being lazy. The reason I didn't like their FA moves is very similar - they really need to fix the defense, yet they started Free Agency by going after a RB and WRs - it doesn't make sense.

 

[Balance]

I think the Lions must have porked tornaci's sister or something. We get it...you don't like them and don't think they do anything right. you've made the point. why don't you try and go enjoy the day outside or something?

Actually, I grew up watching the losers. I would really like for them to do well, but it is pretty obvious that'll never happen. It irritates me that they seem to know less about football than the average McDonald's employee. I thought that maybe, just maybe, after an 0-16 season they would clean house and hire someone that knows football. Apparently that didn't happen.Just go on believing that these are all good moves, just like when they won all of their preseason games you thought they were going to be good.

i don't believe every move is good..because that would be as dumb as guys like you who insist every one is bad. it's tiresome...and frankly just lazy. You can't really complain about their first day picks...second day we have to wait a few years to have a clue. The entire business of grading drafts is silly because there are so many wildcards involved...and to sit in your basement and berate a team on draft day is as silly as it gets. The simple fact is that you, I, and everyone else have no clue how good or bad this draft was...could turn out to be sheer genius.

Just go on believing whatever you want to. I'm pretty sure that I've been watching the Lions fail a lot longer than you have, of course through your rose-colored homer glasses, they probably don't fail. 0-16 was actually a good thing. They were close in several games...I didn't like the Stafford pick because the Lions are always drafting QBs, and every one of them end up being bad. Did you ever wonder why that is? Its because they never have a good line and they aren't any good at developing guys, IMO. Since 1997, they've had 9 top ten picks, and NOT ONE of them have been used on either an offensive or defensive lineman. I'm a firm believer in the philosophy that you win in the trenches, obviously the Lions are not. But judging by their perennial lack of success, I think it proves it as much as any. I really didn't like the Pettigrew pick, because they really had more important positions to fill. With Oher still there, that would've been my choice, but there were a lot of guys I'd have liked to see them draft instead of a TE. I just don't view TE as a position of primary importance. Rather than trying to get Stafford weapons, I think it is more important to get him protection. And second on that list is to improve the defense. The pick didn't do either.And then with the 2.01, I would've much rather seen them take a guy that will be one of the front seven, as they are more important than a DB. I would've much rather seen them take Maualuga, Laurinitis, or Everett Brown - all three guys that were considered first round talents. MLB is the key to the defense that they plan to run, and the Lions STILL have a big hole there. And a DE that can put some pressure on the QB is always important. So yeah, I hadn't thought at all about it, I was just being lazy. The reason I didn't like their FA moves is very similar - they really need to fix the defense, yet they started Free Agency by going after a RB and WRs - it doesn't make sense.

no matter what they drafted, you could have pointed to 5 other positions with holes. it will be a couple years before they can have enough talent to be picky.they took the BPA on their boards and came away with their #1 QB, TE, and safety. filled 3 holes with 3 picks. good job.

 

[Bri]

DETROIT LIONS

C Dan Gerberry, Ball State

DT John Gill, Northwestern

DL DJ Boldin, Wake Forest

P/K Swayze Walters, UAB

 

[meeka]

Great, not the OL and DL are taken care of. They were just waiting until after the draft.

 

[T Bell]

no matter what they drafted, you could have pointed to 5 other positions with holes. it will be a couple years before they can have enough talent to be picky.they took the BPA on their boards and came away with their #1 QB, TE, and safety. filled 3 holes with 3 picks. good job.

I have to chuckle at the Lions fans talking like this team was going to fill all of the holes in what was universally considered a very weak draft.

 

[Wyld Stallyns]

no matter what they drafted, you could have pointed to 5 other positions with holes. it will be a couple years before they can have enough talent to be picky.

they took the BPA on their boards and came away with their #1 QB, TE, and safety.

filled 3 holes with 3 picks. good job.

I have to chuckle at the Lions fans talking like this team was going to fill all of the holes in what was universally considered a very weak draft.

I don't know, I didn't see anything from Lions fans that indicated they wanted the team to fill every hole in one draft... What I saw were complaints that they'd fill the most important holes first...

 

[T Bell]

no matter what they drafted, you could have pointed to 5 other positions with holes. it will be a couple years before they can have enough talent to be picky.

they took the BPA on their boards and came away with their #1 QB, TE, and safety.

filled 3 holes with 3 picks. good job.

I have to chuckle at the Lions fans talking like this team was going to fill all of the holes in what was universally considered a very weak draft.

I don't know, I didn't see anything from Lions fans that indicated they wanted the team to fill every hole in one draft... What I saw were complaints that they'd fill the most important holes first...

Regardless of the talent available to do it?

 

[Balance]

no matter what they drafted, you could have pointed to 5 other positions with holes. it will be a couple years before they can have enough talent to be picky.

they took the BPA on their boards and came away with their #1 QB, TE, and safety.

filled 3 holes with 3 picks. good job.

I have to chuckle at the Lions fans talking like this team was going to fill all of the holes in what was universally considered a very weak draft.

I don't know, I didn't see anything from Lions fans that indicated they wanted the team to fill every hole in one draft... What I saw were complaints that they'd fill the most important holes first...

I'd rather have seen them draft linemen myself, but I can't find a single fault in the players they did pick.The #1 TE vs the #4/5 OL (Oher), #1 safety vs #4/5 LB (Mau/Laurinitis).

I think I prefer what they did when I think of it this way.

 

[Wyld Stallyns]

no matter what they drafted, you could have pointed to 5 other positions with holes. it will be a couple years before they can have enough talent to be picky.

they took the BPA on their boards and came away with their #1 QB, TE, and safety.

filled 3 holes with 3 picks. good job.

I have to chuckle at the Lions fans talking like this team was going to fill all of the holes in what was universally considered a very weak draft.

I don't know, I didn't see anything from Lions fans that indicated they wanted the team to fill every hole in one draft... What I saw were complaints that they'd fill the most important holes first...

Regardless of the talent available to do it?

Solid point. Michael Oher and Peria Jerry are definitely overrated hacks. No way either one of them would've helped the Lions lines...

 

[T Bell]

no matter what they drafted, you could have pointed to 5 other positions with holes. it will be a couple years before they can have enough talent to be picky.

they took the BPA on their boards and came away with their #1 QB, TE, and safety.

filled 3 holes with 3 picks. good job.

I have to chuckle at the Lions fans talking like this team was going to fill all of the holes in what was universally considered a very weak draft.

I don't know, I didn't see anything from Lions fans that indicated they wanted the team to fill every hole in one draft... What I saw were complaints that they'd fill the most important holes first...

Regardless of the talent available to do it?

Solid point. Michael Oher and Peria Jerry are definitely overrated hacks. No way either one of them would've helped the Lions lines...

And both slid down the board past a number of teams with needs in those positions. Doesn't that give you pause?

 

[Wyld Stallyns]

And both slid down the board past a number of teams with needs in those positions. Doesn't that give you pause?

Well they were picked like 3-4 picks after the Lions grabbed their TE, so no it doesn't give me pause. Don't get me wrong, I like Pettigrew well enough and I see why they were enamored with him... If he pans out then he'll help that team immensely. I just think that you build from the trenches out and considering that there were a couple quality lineman there for them then they should've stuck to that plan. It reminded me a lot of last year's draft when they essentially passed on Branden Albert and Jeff Otah and took Cherilus instead. Neither one of those guys were the #1 ranked OT in that draft, but that doesn't make them chopped liver either. I mean Gosder may still pan out, but passing on Albert and Otah reeked of a instance where the team was trying so hard to be the smartest ones in the room that they outsmarted themselves. Anyway, I'm sure they'll focus on the lines at some point between now and the end of the 2010 draft, so it's all good. They must've looked at Oher and/or Jerry and decided that they could land similar talent next year.

 

[MSULions]

no matter what they drafted, you could have pointed to 5 other positions with holes. it will be a couple years before they can have enough talent to be picky.

they took the BPA on their boards and came away with their #1 QB, TE, and safety.

filled 3 holes with 3 picks. good job.

I have to chuckle at the Lions fans talking like this team was going to fill all of the holes in what was universally considered a very weak draft.

I don't know, I didn't see anything from Lions fans that indicated they wanted the team to fill every hole in one draft... What I saw were complaints that they'd fill the most important holes first...

I'd rather have seen them draft linemen myself, but I can't find a single fault in the players they did pick.The #1 TE vs the #4/5 OL (Oher), #1 safety vs #4/5 LB (Mau/Laurinitis).

I think I prefer what they did when I think of it this way.

shhhhh, rational thought and logic have no place in a Lions draft discussion!The simple fact is that this is an anti-Millen draft - and his always seemed to get raves from fans - and since Schwartz/Mayhew didn't do what some fans want they are going to bash them. I couldn't be happier with this draft - because I understand it's only the first step of many still to come. Everyone who's #####ing about the lines seem to forget schwartz brought in Dan Loper - who started the last two years in Tennessee and is only in his 5th year - and Grady Jackson to help plug the middle of the D...and Julian Peterson who instantly improves the LB corps.

Scwhartz/Mayhew have been saying for weeks they won't choose based on positions - because there wasn't a position aside from WR1 that didn't need improvement. Now that they did that everyone is screaming from the rooftops that NOTHINGS CHANGED!??!!?!?!?!? What they fail to appreciate is that it has changed...the first three picks are all guys who should start for years in this league...that's the absolute best you can hope for. W/ grady jackson, Julian Peterson, and Delmas added to the D, it is improved immensely over last year. So is the O w/ Pettigrew, who instantly improves the running game along with being a sure handed TE (Michael Gaines anyone???!?!?!?!?!).

 

[Tornacl]

no matter what they drafted, you could have pointed to 5 other positions with holes. it will be a couple years before they can have enough talent to be picky.

they took the BPA on their boards and came away with their #1 QB, TE, and safety.

filled 3 holes with 3 picks. good job.

I have to chuckle at the Lions fans talking like this team was going to fill all of the holes in what was universally considered a very weak draft.

I don't know, I didn't see anything from Lions fans that indicated they wanted the team to fill every hole in one draft... What I saw were complaints that they'd fill the most important holes first...

I'd rather have seen them draft linemen myself, but I can't find a single fault in the players they did pick.The #1 TE vs the #4/5 OL (Oher), #1 safety vs #4/5 LB (Mau/Laurinitis).

I think I prefer what they did when I think of it this way.

shhhhh, rational thought and logic have no place in a Lions draft discussion!The simple fact is that this is an anti-Millen draft - and his always seemed to get raves from fans - and since Schwartz/Mayhew didn't do what some fans want they are going to bash them. I couldn't be happier with this draft - because I understand it's only the first step of many still to come. Everyone who's #####ing about the lines seem to forget schwartz brought in Dan Loper - who started the last two years in Tennessee and is only in his 5th year - and Grady Jackson to help plug the middle of the D...and Julian Peterson who instantly improves the LB corps.

Scwhartz/Mayhew have been saying for weeks they won't choose based on positions - because there wasn't a position aside from WR1 that didn't need improvement. Now that they did that everyone is screaming from the rooftops that NOTHINGS CHANGED!??!!?!?!?!? What they fail to appreciate is that it has changed...the first three picks are all guys who should start for years in this league...that's the absolute best you can hope for. W/ grady jackson, Julian Peterson, and Delmas added to the D, it is improved immensely over last year. So is the O w/ Pettigrew, who instantly improves the running game along with being a sure handed TE (Michael Gaines anyone???!?!?!?!?!).

There was nothing "anti-Millen" about this draft. They claimed to have had a plan (building from the inside out), then they didn't seem to execute it. Grady Jackson is 36 years old, with a team that is years away from being competitive, he doesn't help as much as drafting someone. Passing on Oher, Jerry, and Mack IMO will be considered a huge mistake by next year, just like passing on Otah was last year. I don't care how good of a TE Pettigrew is. Scouts were so high on him because of his combination of blocking and receiving, but with the Lions line being as bad as it is, he's going to have block all of the time, and they would've been better off waiting until the third or fourth round and drafting the best blocking TE.But obviously, you're going to love every move they make and believe that they've finally turned it around. And I'm going to know that the only real hope for the Lions is for there to be a complete house cleaning, starting with the owner. Until WCF sells the team, they'll never be good.

Do you ever wonder why Barry Sanders retired? Because they never invested in the lines, i.e. they never cared about winning. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

 

[puckalicious]

Tornacl - are you Mike Valenti from 97.1 FM? You make all the same points he makes, which are good points IMO. He's kept track of how he would have drafted over the last several years and has been blowing the Lions FO off the map with his picks vs. theirs. But I think most of us could do that. Most of us.

 

[Addai's Adidas]

I am putting the over/under on wins for the Lions at 3 for the 2009 season. 4 just seems too high. They are going to get run on again something terrible. 7 yards a pop. 17 point deficits at the half will be the norm.

 

[Tornacl]

Tornacl - are you Mike Valenti from 97.1 FM? You make all the same points he makes, which are good points IMO. He's kept track of how he would have drafted over the last several years and has been blowing the Lions FO off the map with his picks vs. theirs. But I think most of us could do that. Most of us.

Thanks, I guess. (I've never listened to him, so I'll have to take your word for it whether we have similar opinions.) No, I don't even live in Michigan any more. I certainly don't consider myself an expert, but even at that I would certainly feel confident that I could do at least as good as the Lions, just by using the information available on the internet and watching a lot of college football. The problem that I have with the Lions is that they always seem to try too hard at picking their guys, when the consensus pick turns out to be the right one. For example, last year I really wanted them to get Clady, however, the Broncos traded up to get him (excellent move). On nearly every list, Otah was listed as the next best tackle. Instead of taking Otah, they reached for Cherilus. Cherilus couldn't hold down the RT position on a 0-16 team, while Otah had a great rookie season. To me, it has always seemed to me that the Lions' idea of a successful draft is whether or not they draft the right number of guys. How else could you miss more often with top-10 picks than most teams miss with third rounders?

 

[Balance]

Tornacl - are you Mike Valenti from 97.1 FM? You make all the same points he makes, which are good points IMO. He's kept track of how he would have drafted over the last several years and has been blowing the Lions FO off the map with his picks vs. theirs. But I think most of us could do that. Most of us.

Thanks, I guess. (I've never listened to him, so I'll have to take your word for it whether we have similar opinions.) No, I don't even live in Michigan any more. I certainly don't consider myself an expert, but even at that I would certainly feel confident that I could do at least as good as the Lions, just by using the information available on the internet and watching a lot of college football. The problem that I have with the Lions is that they always seem to try too hard at picking their guys, when the consensus pick turns out to be the right one. For example, last year I really wanted them to get Clady, however, the Broncos traded up to get him (excellent move). On nearly every list, Otah was listed as the next best tackle. Instead of taking Otah, they reached for Cherilus. Cherilus couldn't hold down the RT position on a 0-16 team, while Otah had a great rookie season.

To me, it has always seemed to me that the Lions' idea of a successful draft is whether or not they draft the right number of guys. How else could you miss more often with top-10 picks than most teams miss with third rounders?

This cracks me up every time.Not interested in bagging on you, but you say you aren't an expert... you just know more than the experts?

And as I've walked through a couple times in this thread, I couldn't disagree more with the description of them trying to hard in this draft... just the contrary.

 

[MSULions]

Tornacl - are you Mike Valenti from 97.1 FM? You make all the same points he makes, which are good points IMO. He's kept track of how he would have drafted over the last several years and has been blowing the Lions FO off the map with his picks vs. theirs. But I think most of us could do that. Most of us.

Valenti is nothing but a blowhard shock jock who will take any contrarian stance if it means it will generate controversy/callers. every year he counters the actual draft by simply looking at who was taken in the few picks after detroit...that's all he does. classic monday morning QBing. Anyone could do it...ANYONE. His "how i would have drafted two years ago" is total BS....he simply looked up that draft and saw who hit it big after the Lions picks. laughable.

 

[therokie0070]

if I had the lions picks I would have traded down my first round pick for players and there first rounder and 2nd rounder and a 4th or 5th(team like the rams or seattle or the browns) then I would taken J Smith or Monroe with my new first round pick(alot of better QB in next draft ride Dante and draft a back up in late rounds). then with my next 1st round pick I would have taken Oher or A Mack if they needed a center. now the lions would have two good first rounders and probably a couple solid D players from the trade down(look what browns got from the jets). secound round is easy Rey Manauluga at 2.01 and SS William Moore with my other 2nd rounder. with these picks Lions already got an A without day 2!!

J. Smith or Monroe instant starter

Oher or mack instant starter

Rey Manauluga instant starter

W. Moore instant starter

now day two comes around and I would keep my 3rd round first pick and get RB Greene or DE Micheal Johnson. guess what now with my next 3rd I get TE Jared Cook the best TE in this years draft. now I do what ever I can to land QB Nate Davis with my 5th after this I would draft BPA or trade up in the 6th and get Cedric peerman

J. Smith or Monroe instant starter

Oher or mack instant starter

Rey Manauluga instant starter

W. Moore instant starter

Greene Good depth could push for time and keep smith fresh or micheal johnson

Cook instant starter

nate davis great raw QB with upside could develop in to starter in 2 or 3 years or back up lions top 2010 1st round pick

Peerman Cant ever have to many talented skilled RB plus he can run KR and special teams

 

[Wyld Stallyns]

Tornacl - are you Mike Valenti from 97.1 FM? You make all the same points he makes, which are good points IMO. He's kept track of how he would have drafted over the last several years and has been blowing the Lions FO off the map with his picks vs. theirs. But I think most of us could do that. Most of us.

Valenti is nothing but a blowhard shock jock who will take any contrarian stance if it means it will generate controversy/callers. every year he counters the actual draft by simply looking at who was taken in the few picks after detroit...that's all he does. classic monday morning QBing. Anyone could do it...ANYONE. His "how i would have drafted two years ago" is total BS....he simply looked up that draft and saw who hit it big after the Lions picks. laughable.

Seriously, kidding aside - we all should really appreciate MSULions here. He's got to be the last of a dying breed and I for one applaud the fact that even after an 0-16 he's still able to grasp onto his rose-colored glasses.

 

[Holland Freeze]

if I had the lions picks I would have traded down my first round pick Nice thought but did not seem there were many willing to trade with them

J. Smith or Monroe instant starter Aaron Curry instant starter and gives the team a solid trio of LBs

[b]Oher or mack instant starter Peria Jerry instant starter and between him and Jackson makes that a 2nd position of strength

[b]Rey Manauluga instant starter Louis Delmas instant starter, gives them the #1 S and with Buchanon and Henry starting at the CB positions should allow this D to compete

W. Moore instant starter Not sure I would have gone Levy here but will give Schwartz the benefit of the doubt if he thinks this is someone he can mold into the 4th LB

Greene Good depth could push for time and keep smith fresh or micheal johnson

Again the Williams selection was one I was not anticipating but he does fill 2 needs for the team and is good value at this point of the draft so I have no complaint

[b]Cook instant starter Having taken Jerry I can pass on the Hill selection and opt for S Chip Vaughn, TE Shawn Nelson, or Herman Johnson for another option along the OL

nate davis great raw QB with upside could develop in to starter in 2 or 3 years or back up lions top 2010 1st round pickThe late round picks I don't think I would take to much issue with. These are the picks you take your flyers on underrated, small school players. I am starting to really like the Murtha pick (now if we can just keep him healthy)

Peerman Cant ever have to many talented skilled RB plus he can run KR and special teams

 

[Tornacl]

Tornacl - are you Mike Valenti from 97.1 FM? You make all the same points he makes, which are good points IMO. He's kept track of how he would have drafted over the last several years and has been blowing the Lions FO off the map with his picks vs. theirs. But I think most of us could do that. Most of us.

Thanks, I guess. (I've never listened to him, so I'll have to take your word for it whether we have similar opinions.) No, I don't even live in Michigan any more. I certainly don't consider myself an expert, but even at that I would certainly feel confident that I could do at least as good as the Lions, just by using the information available on the internet and watching a lot of college football. The problem that I have with the Lions is that they always seem to try too hard at picking their guys, when the consensus pick turns out to be the right one. For example, last year I really wanted them to get Clady, however, the Broncos traded up to get him (excellent move). On nearly every list, Otah was listed as the next best tackle. Instead of taking Otah, they reached for Cherilus. Cherilus couldn't hold down the RT position on a 0-16 team, while Otah had a great rookie season.

To me, it has always seemed to me that the Lions' idea of a successful draft is whether or not they draft the right number of guys. How else could you miss more often with top-10 picks than most teams miss with third rounders?

This cracks me up every time.Not interested in bagging on you, but you say you aren't an expert... you just know more than the experts?

And as I've walked through a couple times in this thread, I couldn't disagree more with the description of them trying to hard in this draft... just the contrary.

I don't consider the Lions to be experts at anything except losing. My point is, they'd be better off listening to other people that trying to figure it out themselves, because every time they do, they fail.

 

[puckalicious]

Tornacl - are you Mike Valenti from 97.1 FM? You make all the same points he makes, which are good points IMO. He's kept track of how he would have drafted over the last several years and has been blowing the Lions FO off the map with his picks vs. theirs. But I think most of us could do that. Most of us.

Valenti is nothing but a blowhard shock jock who will take any contrarian stance if it means it will generate controversy/callers. every year he counters the actual draft by simply looking at who was taken in the few picks after detroit...that's all he does. classic monday morning QBing. Anyone could do it...ANYONE. His "how i would have drafted two years ago" is total BS....he simply looked up that draft and saw who hit it big after the Lions picks. laughable.

Instead of leveling personal attacks against you, I'll just state the facts. Valenti puts out his own selections of who the Lions should take BEFORE the draft for the last several years. And he's been right far more often than the "experts" in the Lions FO. After reading your post I highly doubt you actually listen to the show.