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This is from profootballtalk.com............
MILLEN, MARTZ AT ODDS?
Although, as we've previously reported, the Detroit Lions have locked onto Wisconsin tackle Joe Thomas with the No. 2 overall pick in the draft, we're now hearing that CEO Matt Millen is at least considering the possibility of using the selection on a blue-chip quarterback in the spot after the Oakland Raiders.
The reason? Starter Jon Kitna is 35 years old, and was hardly a superstar in his first season with the team.
But offensive coordinator Mike Martz is bristling at the possibility, we're told. Martz wants to stick with Kitna, and the short-term interests of the team (and of Martz, who wants to be a head coach again) would be served by drafting a guy who can step right in and play as a rookie.
Millen, however, is looking over the long term, even if he might not be part of it.
The key might come down to how much either JaMarcus Russell or Brady Quinn distinguish themselves as franchise quarterbacks in their pre-draft workouts. And don't rule out the emergence of someone who currently isn't in the conversation as to who will be claimed from the draft board first.
And let's also keep in mind the realities of disinformation at this time of the year. Even if Millen doesn't want a franchise quarterback, a team behind the lines might want the quarterback that the Raiders don't select, which could put the Lions in position to trade down and pick up an extra pick or two. The Browns at No. 3, for example, might want Brady Quinn, and might be willing to flip-flop with the Lions in order to get him.
MILLEN, MARTZ AT ODDS?
Although, as we've previously reported, the Detroit Lions have locked onto Wisconsin tackle Joe Thomas with the No. 2 overall pick in the draft, we're now hearing that CEO Matt Millen is at least considering the possibility of using the selection on a blue-chip quarterback in the spot after the Oakland Raiders.
The reason? Starter Jon Kitna is 35 years old, and was hardly a superstar in his first season with the team.
But offensive coordinator Mike Martz is bristling at the possibility, we're told. Martz wants to stick with Kitna, and the short-term interests of the team (and of Martz, who wants to be a head coach again) would be served by drafting a guy who can step right in and play as a rookie.
Millen, however, is looking over the long term, even if he might not be part of it.
The key might come down to how much either JaMarcus Russell or Brady Quinn distinguish themselves as franchise quarterbacks in their pre-draft workouts. And don't rule out the emergence of someone who currently isn't in the conversation as to who will be claimed from the draft board first.
And let's also keep in mind the realities of disinformation at this time of the year. Even if Millen doesn't want a franchise quarterback, a team behind the lines might want the quarterback that the Raiders don't select, which could put the Lions in position to trade down and pick up an extra pick or two. The Browns at No. 3, for example, might want Brady Quinn, and might be willing to flip-flop with the Lions in order to get him.
