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The biggest argument this off-season seems to be what to do with that oh so precious first overall pick. The biggest misconception seems to be what this team needs and wants. Let’s break down the Quarterbacks we have under contract in Detroit, for the moment.
John Kitna – The team’s veteran starter from past couple years very average at best.
Daunte Culpepper- Brought in midseason to replace injured starters, did not perform well but can’t really judge his performance as he started within a week of signing.
Drew Stanton- Plagued by injuries this second round pick out of Michigan State has gone through two OC’s and a significant lack of playing time.
Drew Henson- A project at best. It really is a shame he went baseball and was out of football so long. Who knows what could have been.
We also have Dan Orlovsky as a pending FA saying he wants to return. He is a game manager and could be serviceable as a starter while we rebuild.
Now let's take a look at our Tackles.
Gosder Cherilus- Starting right tackle that showed improvement as a rookie I think he has promise to be a solid starter for years to come.
Jeff Backus- Starting left tackle still under a huge contract. We all know by now his weakness and he is average for his position.
George Foster- False start Foster is backup at best and if we can upgrade I’m all for it. He is also a free agent.
Damion Cook- Also a backup.
So heading into the draft we have the QB/LT debate going on all over the state of Michigan on radio, web, sports bars, TV. NFL talking heads are arguing over what they seem to think the Lions are/should do. Every once in awhile we hear LB/WR/DT, but those don’t seem to fit what the first overall gets paid or don’t grade out to the first overall pick this year.
Jim Schwartz was quoted as saying “Its time to find Bobby Layne’s replacement”.
Scott Linehan was quoted saying “I think (the center is) one of the hardest positions to find guys that have that mentality and that ability to be the quarterback of the O-line,” said Linehan. “I’ve always admired (Raiola), playing against him and seeing him, even though I was on the other side of the ball. "
“Jeff Backus is a guy who’s been around and played good football for this team. I know he didn’t grow up here, but a (University of) Michigan product coming down the road to the Lions – I know it’s really special for him to be part of a big turnaround which we’re planning on doing.”
Cherilus is a player Linehan and his staff targeted in St. Louis. They wanted to add a tackle to their line-up and had Cherilus highlighted as a player they would like to bring in. But they were sitting with the second and 33rd picks in the draft and didn’t have the opportunity to snag him.
“He played and went through that learning curve as a rookie and showed some real improvement,” said Linehan. “We’ve watched 14 games; I’ve got two more to go. But in the last four games that I’ve seen him on film, I’ve really seen a young player start to come around.”
As of right now, Linehan sees some important building blocks in place on the offensive side of the ball and is optimistic moving forward.
What does this all mean?
We are not taking a Tackle at #1.
Where does that leave us?
I think the front office is trying to keep everything close to their vest in hopes some team is dumb enough to offer us the moon to trade up. If we cannot get a trade we are almost stuck with no choice but to draft a QB.
» Lions RedZone Original - To Draft a QB or Not
To draft a QB or not, that is the question
Jon "Chewie" Phelps
www.LionsRedZone.com
Feb. 5, 2009
Most Detroit Lions fans will give you that famous stink eye if you even mention drafting a QB number one overall in the draft. I blame it on Joey Harrington, but on the other hand, am in favor of drafting someone like Matthew Stafford first overall. The Lions do have another pick in the first round, at number 20 . This position is optimal for an offensive linemen or a linebacker. While it could be argued that linemen (on both sides of the ball) are the most important part of a football team, are you really going to want to invest that kind of money in a linemen when you could draft someone just as good a few picks later?
Lets look at Matthew Stafford a little more. Standing 6'3 and weighing in at228 lbs, he's a monster of a man. When his arm cocks back its like watching a 12-Gauge load up, because after he propels that ball foward its like watching a rocket fly over the feild. His stat have grown consistantly better in his years at Georgia, and he's been in a pro style offense. He's an NFL ready prospect and could potetionally be the QB of the future of the Detroit Lions.
The largest argument in drafting Stafford is that we need help elsewhere. This is where the second pick comes in. Due to Stafford's talent being a rare one, you take him #1 overall and use that second first round pick on a tackle like Jason Smith or Eben Britton. The drop off between most of these tackles isn't a huge one. It's like the four aces in a deck of cards, the only difference is are you going to get the Ace of the Spades?
I'm for the Lions taking Matthew Stafford because he's the best chance for winning more games. Look at Matt Ryan, even now with Sam Baker, the Atalanta Line isnt great, and he still produces. In fact, his first NFL pass was a TD againist the Detroit Lions. Calvin Johnson is going to be begging for Stafford like Jon Kitna was for Johnson two years ago. Imagine Stafford and Johnson. The combo could turn out to be a modern day Moss and Culpepper. Johnson going deep and Stafford bombing it to him. That would be a sight, wouldn't Lions fans?
Don't get me wrong, I'm a huge fan of Stanton and want to see what he can do, but this is a new coaching staff and they're going to do things their way. Stanton may or may not be a part of this equation. This is a chance to finally land that franchise quarterback that the Lions desparately need and quit picking up washed up, retired players for a quick fix. Screw the patch job and start from the bottom and work your way up.
"Stafford steps back, Johnson's going long..the balls up in the air, Johnson nabs it and TOUCHDOWN DETROIT LIONS!" - Maybe the future..
» Lions Redzone Original - Pros and Cons of the Big 3 in Detroit
Pros and Cons of the Big 3 in Detroit
Jim "millenbacker" Cone
www.LionsRedZone.com
Feb. 1, 2009
Head Coach Jim Schwartz:
Jim Schwartz has served as the Titans Defensive Coordinator for the past eight seasons, and was runner-up to Mike Nolan for the SF head coaching position in 2005. In January, 2008, he interviewed for head coaching positions with the Redskins, Dolphins, and Falcons. Schwartz interviewed twice for the head coaching job with the 0-16 Detroit Lions and on January 15, 2009 was named the Head Coach of the the Lions.
Schwartz's defenses have been notoriously successful on third down against the run. He does, however, continue to receive criticism from Tennessee Titans fans who blame him for the decline of their once dominating defense. Others argue that the decline of the Titans' defense is a result of the loss of numerous defensive stars from 2003-2005 due to salary cap considerations. Indeed, Schwartz's defense rebounded into the top half of the league during a 10-win 2007 season.
Jim Schwartz got his start in the NFL doing research for Bill Belichick on the Cleveland Browns staff in the mid-1990s.
Schwartz, according to team president Tom Legwand, will be able to give the Detroit Lions the needed qualities that are needed to change the Lions into a "Championship Contender". He grew up in Halethorpe, Maryland and is a graduate of Mount Saint Joseph in Baltimore.
Pros: Eight years experience as DC for the Titans, building one of the better defenses in the NFL for that span. His ability to adjust the defensive style around the talent was key in rebuilding the defense after the loss of key players in the 2003 to 2005 salary cap purge seasons. With scouting experience from working under Bill Belichick, Jim Schwartz is arguably the most qualified HC the Lions have had in a long time.
Cons: No HC experience.
Assessment: I am very happy with the hiring of Jim Schwartz. He is determined to build the defense around the talent rather than force a style on them that they don't totally fit. That to me will pay faster dividends on the field.
Defensive Coordinator Gunther Cunningham:
Gunther Cunningham has presided over some of the most successful defenses in NFL history (1995 & 1997), typically ranking at the top of the league in many statistical categories.
Cunningham was born in 1946 in war-torn Munich Germany to an American serviceman and a German mother before moving to the US at age ten. He attended the University of Oregon, where he played linebacker and placekicker before beginning a coaching career that has now spanned almost forty years. In 1995, Cunningham was hired by the Chiefs as the defensive coordinator after spending the previous four seasons as a coach with the Oakland Raiders.
During his original tenure as defensive coordinator, Cunningham's defenses allowed an average of only 16.4 points per game, the best mark in the NFL and had a turnover margin of +30, tops in the AFC. Under his lead, a number of players excelled, including stars such as Derrick Thomas, Neil Smith, James Hasty, and Dale Carter. Cunningham's defenses led Kansas City to an overall record of 42-22.
After the Chiefs missed the playoffs in 1998, head coach Marty Schottenheimer resigned, opening the door for Cunningham's promotion to the head coach position. After finishing two seasons with a .500 win percentage, Cunningham was fired and replaced by Dick Vermeil. Cunningham went on to become a successful linebackers coach for the Tennessee Titans. Under Vermeil, the Chiefs' offense exploded, but its defense struggled, resulting in the firing of Vermeil's choice of defensive coordinator, Greg Robinson. Cunningham was hired again to revitalize a defense that had finished near or at the bottom of the overall rankings since Schottenheimer and Cunningham departed.
For the 2008 season, Cunningham coached the Chiefs' linebackers as well as serving as the defensive coordinator.
Cunningham was hired as the Detroit Lions defensive coordinator on January 21, 2009, about a week after the Lions hired new head coach Jim Schwartz, who he worked with on the Titans from 2001-2003.
Pros: With almost 40 years coaching football, Gunther brings a wealth of experience to the Lions. Gunther has consistantly built some of the better defenses in the NFL as a Defensive Coordinator. He admits to running a very agressive defense built arount the talent rather than any specific style, much to the liking of Jim Schwartz. With a past history of working together Cunninham and Schwartz should be in sync with the rebuilding of the Lions defense.
Cons: Gunther has has average to less than average success as a HC.
Assessmant: With his history of success in building top quality defenses and his agressive attitude as a DC, I feel he is exactly the type of DC the Lions and the Lions fans need.
Offensive Coordinator Scott Linehan:
He previously held the head coaching position of the St Louis Rams. He also served as the OC for the Miami Dolphins in 2005 and the Minnesota Vikings for three seasons (2002–04).
Linehan began his coaching career as a volunteer coach at Sunset High School in Portland in 1987.
His college coaching career began in 1989 as the wide receivers coach at his alma mater, Idaho. He also coached in the college ranks at UNLV, Washington, and Louisville. He took his first NFL job as the offensive coordinator/ wide receivers coach with the Minnesota Vikings in 2002. He served in a similar capacity with the Miami Dolphins in 2005 before being handed his first head coaching position by the St Louis Rams in 2006.
As HC of the Rams he experienced on and off the field disputes with star players such as Steven Jackson, Torry Holt, and most notoriously, QB Marc Bulger whom he benched for his final game as head coach. Linehan was fired early in the 2008 season.
On January 9th, 2009, Linehan interviewed with the 49ers as a candidate for the open OC position. A second interview with the 49ers was held on January 15, 2009. He then declined the offer of the offensive coordinator position of the 49ers.
Linehan was announced as the offensive coordinator of the Lions on January 23, 2009 by new head coach Jim Schwartz.
Pros: He has has success as OC with the Vikings and Jim Schwartz likes his ability to move the offense against defenses. Linehan runs an attack style spread offense which could fit the Lions nicely with Kevin Smith and Calvin Johnson as his main weapons.
Cons: Limited NFL experience and a poor record as HC. He also had issues with some players as the Rams HC.
Assessment: Not sure.I'll give HC Jim Schwartz the benefit of the doubt in this one. Linehan has had some success as OC so time wil ltell if he was the right hire for OC of the Lions.
Over all I am happy with the hirings as they have the most overall experience of any staff we've had in many many years. Hopefully this is the beginning of the championship team we have all been waiting for.
Baby, It's Cold Outside
Ty "policyvote" Schalter of The Lions in Winter
www.LionsRedZone.com in collaboration with http://thelionsinwinter.blogspot.com
Feb. 12, 2009
Yesterday, I took the minivan out for a desperately-needed car wash. The family truckster was smothered in a chalky, dingy coat of salt and dirt; three straight rounds of "I'll wash the car when it stops snowing and warms up", only to have niether happen, had taken their toll. Well, I happened to be out and about, it was a bright, beautiful day, and the little ones always enjoy the big floppy cloths and the "rainbow soap" and the roaring flamethrower turbine dryers. With the mercury rising dangerously close to what we Michiganderanians consider T-shirt weather--fifty degrees--it seemed like the perfect thing to do on a lazy Sunday. Then, I got to the parking lot.
Fifty other people'd had the exact same idea. The line for the car wash extended all the way out into the street, and people were just parking in one of the driving lanes with their turn signal on. Everyone had followed the same thought process I had: beautiful day, been putting it off for months, doing nothing else . . . wash the car. It's one of the things about the long, cold winter--it synchronizes our thoughts and actions. It adjusts our expectations. It makes us thrill for the merest hint of warmth. It messes with our heads.
It's been funny as this year's NFL Draft Circus puts up the big tent. The mockers are mocking, the analysis is flowing, and guys are rising and falling up the chart as the only real piece of info anyone has to go on--the Senior Bowl--has created almost unstoppable momentum. Some of you might remember, I'd identified B.J. Raji as a guy we should look at with our 1.20 . . . he had a good practice in the Senior Bowl--he was completely invisible in the game--and he's now a lock for the top ten, according to most mocks. This, despite the fact that he wasn't graded as a top ten guy mostly because of his inconsistency.
It's funny, because with all the Lions fan mocks, comments, analysis, reaction, blogpost, blog comments, forum threads and replies, texts, tweets, and smoke signals, they all say the same things: "we need linemen", "we need corners", and my favorite, "we need five immediate impact players in this draft". It's the same thing we do every year: we look at the team, and we think about the team we wish it was. It's part of where we've grown up: we want tough. We want a vicious, stingy defense. We want to be stout against the run and relentlessly attack the pass. We want to control the ball, control the clock, control the game. Hit people in the mouth so hard they can't hit back. We all follow the same, reasonable thought process. We look at the 2008 Lions, and subtract, at least, Mike Furrey, Leigh Bodden, Edwin Mulitalo, and Dan Campbell. Then we examine the differences between the 2008 Lions and the mythical, "2000 Ravens + QB + Megatron" we wish they were.
Then, we look at the pool of available candidates and start trying to check them off. Crushing OT: Andre Davis, check. Dominant MLB: James Laurenitis, check. Smothering cover corner: D. J. Moore in the second . . . check? Pair of RB-eating defensive tackles: Um, maybe we trade up for B.J. Raji? And, uh, I guess we sign Haynesworth? You're dreaming. Double-digit-sack DE? Brian Orakpo. Come on, you've already spent your two first-round picks three times. Well, uhm, uh, is Julius Peppers going to be available? Not to the Lions he isn't!
Hey, nice to see the National Football Post has been reading and agreeing. Hey, fellas, what's up?
Seriously though, some of the reaction I've gotten on my Freeman pick in the NSS Interblog Mock Draft has gotten me thinking. It's funny, because I often take a rap as an "optimist", an "apologist", a "sucker", or even an "idiot" because I never stop cheering for the Lions. I never call the players bums, I never call the coaches or morons or idiots. I never loudly proclaim that "I'm done with them", threaten to kill them, or root for the Reaper to come swiftly for Big Willie Style. But then a lot of the so-called 'realists', the loudest complainers and most aggreived moaners, are right in line with me at the car wash! We're all in a big herd saying, we need OT, we need DT, we need CB, we need LB, we gotta get five impact players, we need more talent, we gotta get bigger, we need, we gotta, we need, we gotta . . . whoa, whoa, WHOA! I'm going to say something I never say during the season:
The Lions suck.
They suck, folks! Our team, the Lions? They suck out loud. They blow goats. You cannot add enough 23-year-old fatsoes to this roster to turn them into the 2000 Ravens. You have to step back. You have to take a breath. Throwing rookies at pressing needs is not going to help--rookies, for the most part, can't fill those needs. If you need Ray Lewis now, you can draft eleven MLBs and not get the one Patrick Willis that would help. If you need Jonathan Odgen now, you can draft eleven offensive tackles and not get the one Jake Long that would help. SO FEW rookies make an immediate impact! First-rounders play like top starters as an exception, not as a rule.
Well, what about free agency? Not much better. This isn't the 90s anymore--good teams aren't shedding veteran starters in their prime for the rest of the league to gobble up. The great dynasties of this era are all ten or twenty million under the cap. Nowadays, almost by definition, if free agents were worth the amount of money they're asking for, they'd still be with their original team.
So . . . what, then? You build for the future, because it's all you can do. You have to take the players that you want to build up. That you want to build your team around. Coming into the 2011 training camp, these players should be the core of the team. But coming into the 2009 camp, these players should--and will--be learning, and growing. One or two of them might catch fire and contribute right away--but they will be hope for the future, not the foundation of a contending team. We can't grade the players drafted this April by what happens on the field this September.
What we WILL get to grade, though, is the way Martin Mayhew and Tom Lewand handle this draft. We can see how they feed the roster, what positions need attention, if they appear to be working with the coaches, if they make trades, if they stand pat, how they react to the board unfolding in front of them. THAT is what we should really be anxious to see in April--not eleven new Lions, but the performance of the men charged with drafting, teaching, coaching, and leading them
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