Detroit Lions Weblog

OT Thomas Continues to Impress, Bly to Falcons, Lions Reported Interest in DE Bazuin, QB Stanton

Joe Thomas continues to impress at the NFL draft combine in Indianapolis.  Apparently, he ran a 4.92 40-yard dash and his arms have been measured to be longer than was previously recorded.  You may scoff at the importance of arm length measurements, but apparently if someone is going to be a franchise left tackle, the added leverage and push gained from longer arms is an advantage.  In regards to Thomas’ 40 time, Charles Rogers reportedly ran (this from a player who used to run a low 4.3!) about a 4.8 40-yard dash in a recent tryout with the Chiefs.  The Lions will not likely have the luxury of attempting to trade down if they want Thomas, in fact is not beyond the realm of possibility that they would have to trade up to draft him to prevent another team from doing so, if you believe a recent report in Pro Football Talk’s Rumor Mill .  In regards to drafting an offensive linemen, Matt Millen recently said that they would not shift OT Jeff Backus if they selected another tackle.   That may be the case now, but Thomas may very well change that situation by his own accord if his combine performance is to be taken as an early indicator. 

NFL Network analyst Adam Schefter has reported that Falcon’s CB DeAngelo Hall has been lobbying with the Falcon’s front office to trade for Lions CB Dre Bly.  Hopefully, with Hall’s input the Falcon’s will cough up the draft pick(s) necessary for the Lions to consider moving Bly.   Millen has also said that a couple of teams have inquired about acquiring Bly.  The Lions will likely want the four players whom they have given permission to pursue trades to be off the roster before March 18, when off-season workouts begin. With that in mind, free agency will determine a lot when it comes to future Lions moves.  If all of the major CB’s come off of the market early, Matt Millen will receive more calls from desperate GM’s as they run out of options.

Matt Millen told MLive.com’s  Tom “Killer” Kowalski that the Lions were really impressed with Central Michigan DE Dan Bazuin and QB Drew Stanton.  Bazuin, who may be more suited to be drafted by a 3-4 defensive team, appears to be a bonafide pass rushing prospect.   Stanton has also had a really productive combine, but one has to wonder, if the Lions are so enamored with their current QB’s (as has been reported) why are they looking at another long-term project like Stanton? 

A couple of players who have garnered little immediate attention but who I believe should be intriguing to the Lions are Pitt CB Darrelle Revis and Penn St. LB Paul Posluszny, should they slip into the 2nd round.  Revis has the size and talent to thrive in a cover-2, if he is willing to be actively involved in run support.   Posluszny could eventually slide to the middle and serve a role similar to that of Brian Urlacher and use his athleticism to provide the range that the Bears have enjoyed with Urlacher.