Comments on: The Lions Forgotten Man, Jon Kitna, is Willing to Return Next Season http://www.detroitlionsblog.com/wp/archives/2009/01/26/the-lions-forgotten-man-jon-kitna-is-willing-to-return-next-season/ Tue, 22 May 2012 00:04:22 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7.1 hourly 1 By: Steve http://www.detroitlionsblog.com/wp/archives/2009/01/26/the-lions-forgotten-man-jon-kitna-is-willing-to-return-next-season/comment-page-1/#comment-48966 Steve Tue, 27 Jan 2009 19:21:20 +0000 http://www.detroitlionsblog.com/wp/?p=767#comment-48966 The scary thing is, Mike, that the Lions, and most other NFL scouts will be wooed by what Matthew Stafford could, stressing COULD, become with the dynamite arm that he possesses. That's the problem I see. The interview process, psychological tests, background checks, etc will also impact the Lions decision process, but they likely will always think lasciviously about the "arm". Still my biggest fear, as always is the case with scouting, the Lions scouts will drool over Stafford's "tools" and not assess his actual performance (never winning big games, poor decision-making) honestly enough so that they will be completely blinded by Stafford's admittedly bountiful potential, which may never actually be met if Stafford doesn't posses the intangibles/work ethic necessary to survive and succeed over the course of a NFL season(s). That's where Jim Schwartz enters the picture. He has been a scout and is devout student of the game. He also is well-versed in statistical analysis, so he will not be as easily blinded by the "arm", if his reputation holds true. The other factor, which can't be diminished, is the Ford's, of course. The Ford's will want to put asses in the seats at Ford Field. Stafford is the sexy, "bright and shiny" pick that could briefly resuscitate a near dormant fan base. The scary thing is, Mike, that the Lions, and most other NFL scouts will be wooed by what Matthew Stafford could, stressing COULD, become with the dynamite arm that he possesses. That’s the problem I see. The interview process, psychological tests, background checks, etc will also impact the Lions decision process, but they likely will always think lasciviously about the “arm”.

Still my biggest fear, as always is the case with scouting, the Lions scouts will drool over Stafford’s “tools” and not assess his actual performance (never winning big games, poor decision-making) honestly enough so that they will be completely blinded by Stafford’s admittedly bountiful potential, which may never actually be met if Stafford doesn’t posses the intangibles/work ethic necessary to survive and succeed over the course of a NFL season(s).

That’s where Jim Schwartz enters the picture. He has been a scout and is devout student of the game. He also is well-versed in statistical analysis, so he will not be as easily blinded by the “arm”, if his reputation holds true.

The other factor, which can’t be diminished, is the Ford’s, of course. The Ford’s will want to put asses in the seats at Ford Field. Stafford is the sexy, “bright and shiny” pick that could briefly resuscitate a near dormant fan base.

]]> By: mike http://www.detroitlionsblog.com/wp/archives/2009/01/26/the-lions-forgotten-man-jon-kitna-is-willing-to-return-next-season/comment-page-1/#comment-48953 mike Tue, 27 Jan 2009 16:48:40 +0000 http://www.detroitlionsblog.com/wp/?p=767#comment-48953 I completely agree. Kitna is more than just a stop gap measure. He is a legit reason NOT to draft a QB this year. Some people may forget about the good seasons he has logged with both Cinci and Detroit. If the Lions can provide an actual NFL caliber OL, Kitna could be very good for at least 2-3 more years. We can grab a rookie the new coaches like next year. I completely agree. Kitna is more than just a stop gap measure. He is a legit reason NOT to draft a QB this year. Some people may forget about the good seasons he has logged with both Cinci and Detroit. If the Lions can provide an actual NFL caliber OL, Kitna could be very good for at least 2-3 more years. We can grab a rookie the new coaches like next year.

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