I think that they had already decided on drafting Johnson, again because of Martz, who has been notoriously fickle about personnel, at least with the Lions, and would have followed that decision through unless they received an offer that they couldn’t refuse.

I really wanted the Lions to take Patrick Willis, over Johnson, Joe Thomas or Gaines Adams. Willis and Sims would have been an excellent tandem. As good as Willis was, Thomas turned out to be the most prudent pick, which speaks volumes to Millen’s job performance.

In this regard, I hope you are wrong with Millen. If he realistically did not want Johnson, he never should have selected him. Johnson, like drafting R. Williams, C-Rog, and M. Williams, really puts a personnel/financial stranglehold on the Lions. If there is anyone decision that has blown up more completely in Millen’s face, even worse than the Bly trade, I don’t know what one there could be.

The Lions are really being put into a position, out of necessity, especially considering how thin a draft it is for WR’s, that they have to move somebody between Williams and Johnson, in spite of anything the disingenuous Williams says, they don’t work well together on the field.

I hope you are correct about Anderson, I believe that where there is smoke, there is fire, though. Kowalski likely mentions the Lions pursuing Anderson because there is someone within the organization who believes that the trade is a possibility. As I have mentioned, it rings of the type of decision Matt Millen might make, too.

In regards to the “sexy” pick, or the “bright and shiny” how can you truly believe that Millen won’t be inclined to do that again, given his track record? His entire track record as a Team President indicates that he will continue to make the “sexy” pick until he is summarily dismissed.

Getting Derek Anderson is not going to happen. Nobody in the organisation is interested in making that trade. Anyway, Millen must not be to confident on pulling trade anymore.

Kitna is going to be the starter next year. Stanton and O’Sullivan/Orlovsky will be the backups. Let’s not waste our time talking about this. I still dont get how O’Sullivan had managed to surpass Orlovsky???

I have a question for you guys:
Why were the Lions so desperately trying to sign Kevin Curtis at the beginning of the season? If you remember, the Lions made an aggressive offer but he went on to sign with the Eagles. What was the plan? Would they have picked Calvin Johnson if Curtis had signed? NO. I believe that Millen’s plan was never to pick Johnson, but he didn’t have a choice. He didn’t get any interesting offers. And I can believe that. Picking a high-profiled receiver is not something general manager want to do anymore, thanks to the Lions. It’s a very high-risk investment, unlike picking a linemen or a linebacker. But linemen and linebacker are rarely considered first- or second-overall picks.

Millen will have a lot less pressure this year. He will not be forced to make a “sexy” pick.