Detroit Lions Weblog

MLB Buster Davis Released By Colts, Stafford Wows at Private Workout

Lions fans traditionally attach themselves to players each year that they believe possess talent and, given the team’s long-time lack of legitimate front office credibility, often second guess each player’s eventual ouster from the organization for years to come.

Recent examples of this type of player, whom the Lions eventually passed upon, would be players like RB James Mungro, MLB Buster Davis, DE Bill Swancutt, WR Shaun Bodiford, LB Johnny Baldwin, OL Clint Stickdorn and DE Claude Harriott, etc. Each of these players have showed brief, tantalizing glimpses of promise, usually during the Lions pre-season games.

Regarding Davis, he has been recently released by the Colts and one has to wonder, would the Lions give him another look, despite his failure to deliver upon any of his promise as a former high draft pick by the Arizona Cardinals. The Lions still have a need at the linebacker position, even if they eventually select LB Aaron Curry with the first overall pick on April 25th.

Matthew Stafford was given a private workout by the Lions coaching staff today. Here are Coach Jim Schwartz’s thoughts on the value of this workout, as opposed to Stafford’s recent pro day.

“We can direct it,” Schwartz said. “We can tell him exactly what to do on a play. We can make him throw into the wind. We can say, ‘Hey these are the throws we want to see.’”

Apparently, the initial reaction to Stafford’s workout was very favorable. Reports indicate that Stafford “wowed” the Lions staff, which consisted of Schwartz, offensive coordinator Scott Linehan, and quarterbacks coach Jeff Horton, among others.

Sources described Stafford, as “flawless” according to SI.com, stating that “it was significantly better than his March 19 pro-day workout.”

The Lions had Stafford make a number of throws which all pro QB’s must be capable of making and others were drawn from within the actual Lions playbook. Stafford completed 37 out of 40 passes in today’s workout.

The Lions did reportedly briefly speak to Stafford about “aiming” his passes, “which negatively affected his accuracy.”

According to SI.com:

“Overall, the Detroit brass was very complimentary about Stafford’s work today. The Lions praised his overall passing mechanics and the way he threw the ball”

Many of the observers who attended the workout were given the impression that for the Lions, after the interview process, draft combine, where Stafford set a record with his Wonderlic personality test score, pro-day workout, and now his private workout for the team, drafting Stafford first overall was now a “done deal”.

We’ll see. The endless kvetching and hand-wringing is nearing it’s end. Stafford has certainly made the Lions final decision, despite many Lions fan overwhelming wishes to the contrary, very difficult as the next three weeks are about to transpire.

Will Stafford be holding a newly rolled-out, brand spankin’ new design, Lions “1″ jersey on April 25th? With each passing day, my gut feeling is yes.

Now the 900 lb. elephant in the room remains, how will the Lions, if they eventually choose to select Stafford, which will probably make a large segment of the fan base very unhappy, address their offensive line situation.

I am of the belief, despite any of the Lions thoughts internally, that if you are going to select Stafford, that you had better place an absolute priority upon either drafting a left offensive tackle prospect, or even better yet, in my opinion, pursue and acquire this massive, yet discontented Pro Bowler, Jason Peters.

Peters can block out the sun. He would provide Matthew Stafford with the blindside protection necessary for him to enjoy a legitimate shot at success, rather than him being cast to the wolves, or Bears as it were, like his predecessors usually have been.

The Discussion About a Longer NFL Season Creates New Questions

Recent reports about the NFL extending it’s season another game or two each year opens up a lot of new possibilities for the game, mostly financial, and nearly as many questions.

The viability of playing a 17 or 18 game season, given the massive attrition (see Tim Cowlishaw’s thoughts) that occurs during the average NFL season, would likely mean that teams would be able to field expanded rosters and larger practice squads, since the loss of bodies would only pile up, rather than diminish as each season progresses.

In a league that embraces parity as it’s world view, the expansion of rosters would certainly encourage parity(in other words, dilution of on-field talent). In that process, the league would need to expand the salary cap, if it still exists, to accommodate paying more players, and the increased salary demands of individual players/NFLPA, which would certainly increase with the addition of more games played.

The expansion of the roster would provide additional strategic and competitive demands for each team’s front office, since each team will have to generate contingency plans for an expanded season, and good teams would have to work even harder to remain on top, since the roster expansion would make it even harder to field a high quality roster when injury strikes.

The other change that should occur, would be a shortened pre-season. A shorter pre-season, with additional NFL games would likely bolster league revenue, since any actual NFL game is infinitely more desirable to fans than any pre-season game.

I believe that this scenario would also induce more parity, since teams would enter a season slightly less-prepared than they would normally be accustomed to. Teams would have to condense a lot more preparation, the fourth pre-season game aside, which is more of a throwaway anyhow, into fewer weeks of time to actually do it.

Yahoo Sports Roy S. Johnson believes that teams would have to consider some sort of platoon system, or amended strategy for utilization of Qb’s, due to the increased demands due to a longer season. Johnson also thinks the implications of each player’s role, starting QB and back-up, would be viewed as less hierarchical, and teams could actually exploit opponents with the manner in which they utilize each player.

The one thing I wonder about, given the grueling league schedule, would we actually see teams deciding to make more in-season personnel moves, in-season schematic and coaching changes, and teams immediately responding to fan discontent, with the addition of more games?

For example, the 0-16 ‘08 Lions became a sociological experiment, with each passing week, as fan contempt and a vast sea of empty Ford Field seats gave the season an even darker cast, how would the season’s final weeks have played out as the Lions approached an 0-17 or 0-18 record?

For all of the positive potential financial impact of adding games, how would the league off-set, amid a flagging economy and the degradation of our financial system as we know it, the potential financial losses which could stack up for a poor team, where additional game losses would only serve to fan the flames of a festering, roiling blast of discontent in an angry fan base, or worse yet, only increase the ambivalence or disconnect among those who were only marginally-interested in the first place?

A Pair of Washed Up Ex-Players Who Might Be Delusional

It comes as no surprise, at least to this writer, that ex-Lion, MSU wide receiver, and draft bust of transcendent proportion, Charles Rogers, would find his way back to another legal brush-up, which lead to his being jailed recently. However, these comments:

“I’m just going to do my 10 days, get out of the court system and try to get in shape for a comeback“. Rogers continued, “Who knows? Maybe we’ll be talking in a year about me playing football again. It’s not like I’m 35. I’m only 27 with fresh legs and a lot of life and football ahead of me.”

Wow! It’s as if Rogers believes that the suitors are just going to line up to acquire a player who has attempted to mask a league-administered drug test, before even entering the league, been suspended as a result of failing multiple league-administered drug tests, had a metal plate inserted into his shoulder, inexplicably loses all vestiges of his once world class speed, has been convicted multiple times for various infractions, and been pursued by a former employer who was attempting to recover Rogers’ signing bonus from his initial contract, due to a breach of that contract. You’re right C-Rog, it’s long overdue that you consider a comeback!

Upping the ante, and an equally major disappointment as a professional athlete, Jeff George follows with this “I could have been a contender”-statement:

“If I was in Minnesota, I guarantee I’d be wearing a ring right now. George follows that with, “I just can’t get over why somebody like Brad Childress wouldn’t take a look at me and have me as the third guy on the roster. Put me in and I’ll pick up where I left off in ‘99, but this time with Adrian Peterson, so I wouldn’t have to throw it nearly as much.”

We all know as sports fans, that a large part of what makes these guys successful, within the field of sports, is their overwhelming self-confidence in their abilities.

That in mind, these two, at least by judging their recent comments, seem to have no understanding that time has actually transpired, that they have each aged, and their track records, based on previous opportunities, are far from spotless.

Their remorseless, oblivious comments are even more condemning, when factoring that they each have had ample opportunity to regain their footing in the NFL, and other fly-by-night football leagues(sorry CFL fans, etc), and have repeatedly blown it, especially when taken within the current social and economic climate of our country, where many who have been responsible enough to attempt to make the best of their livelihoods, or worse, people who have had the misfortune of never gaining a real chance to make something of themselves, are struggling to approach even making ends meet.

Off of my soapbox for a moment, I feel for these guys, too. At one time they were “IT”. They were on on top of the mountain, and their respective talents were unquestioned.

The struggle of looking in the mirror each day, which, in fact we all have to do, and facing the harsh fact, that they each are a load of declining promise, a commodity which has seen it’s best day unfortunately come and go, must be excruciatingly painful. The best of us have struggled, and these two are far from the best, when facing these admittedly harsh, soul-searing realities.

Whirlwind of Lions News, Amped Up Draft Speculation

Over the last few days, Lions fans have been nearly overwhelmed by innuendo, speculation, and no consideration involving the Lions would be complete without a major gaffe, as we all sadly know.

First off, the news broke that the Lions had begun negotiating deals with their potential draft picks. Near synchronously, conflicting news broke from several outlets about the Lions focus for the first overall pick:

1) Matthew Stafford, who is the nominal leader for the pick, it would seem.
2) KFFL reported that the pick was going to be Baylor OT Jason Smith
3) Pro Football Talk had a report indicating that the Lions were actually interested in USC QB Mark Sanchez, and not Stafford.

Meanwhile, Wake Forest OLB Aaron Curry simultaneously reported that the Lions had not been in contact with him about negotiating a deal to the dismay of many Lions fans, includingThe Lions in Winter.

All of this absolutely reeks of the kind of good ol’ fashioned, red herring-laying, misinformation-fueled, duck-and-dodge that leads up to the draft in hopes of disguising a teams actual plans, and cultivating an ideal environment for attaining leverage in contract negotiations.

With that all noted, the Lions have further complicated and muddied/muddled the details with Martin Mayhew’s admission that the Lions have been shopping their draft picks, in hopes of accruing even more value in the draft.

Interestingly enough, I am worried that the Lions, by creating these diversions extrinsically, they may suffer intrinsically, as part of the process, despite the wisdom of engaging in this type of process. Given the Lions penchant for lousing things up, I am afraid that may actually betray their intentions by orchestrating a dog-and-pony show with the media.

The fact that Curry has not been contacted yet, doesn’t mean that he will not eventually emerge as the first overall pick in the end.

I believe that the Lions will eventually sign a player leading up to draft day and it will be public knowledge. The Lions don’t need to help their brethren who pick lower on the draft board, in hopes of protecting their intentions at pick 20, too.

The concern about gaffes is a realistic concern, too. The Ghosts of Millen are everywhere within the Lions organization, if yesterday news didn’t make that plain enough.

The NFL shop online site hilariously displayed a children’s toy truck with the Lions “new” logo, which has not been publicly displayed by the franchise (or approved by the league?), yet. Oops!

Is there anything more emblematic of the Lions organization than them having every noble intention of making a big splash announcement about a new look, which will bring a new attitude, yada yada yada, and in the end, by accident, the league stomps on those intentions by “accidentally” attempting to sell merchandise with the new logo. Only the Lions…

Will the league provide the Lions with an additional 7th round compensatory pick as a result of helping to add the public relations nightmares that have become so commonplace with this franchise?

Lynn Henning on Matthew Stafford

Lynn Henning is probably my favorite local sports writer. Usually, Henning’s learned focus is placed upon the Detroit Tigers, Michigan State sports, or the wonders of the Michigan outdoors.

Within his extensive body of work, he has made a few, too-brief forays into analyzing the Detroit Lions. Recently, it appears that Henning has been called upon more frequently to plunge into the depths of understanding what constitutes, in my view, the most incompetent and unsuccessful franchise in the history of professional sports in this country.

Henning has recently done two excellent features about Matthew Stafford’s pro day workouts in Athens, Georgia, which took place this past week. One of the two, which I found particularly enlightening, “Is ‘The Sky the Limit’ for Mathew Stafford”, reveals a lot about what some informed voices see in Stafford’s immense potential.

From one NFL scout:

“He’s (Stafford) got an off-and-on switch,” said one scout, a former NFL standout who asked not to be identified in the tradition of scouts who choose to protect their teams and their information. “The question is can he stay interested for four quarters?” The same scout did later add, ““With the right coach, the sky’s the limit.”

In the vast gadget-packed world of fast-paced, video game-induced, twitter-length, minute attention spans, the Lions, and by proxy Lions fans, want to ask a young guy to be focused and stay on task? To be fully committed?

Obviously, to be successful at all, the franchise quarterback, who is the embodiment of, and an organization’s most outward manifestation of, the coherency and solvency of their “plan”, must be fully engaged and focused.

In the words of another scout, who provides backhanded commentary/criticism of Bulldog’s coach Mark Richt and his offense:

“Scattershot offense,” another NFL scout said. “(Stafford’s alleged meanderings) might have been the game plan. They never seemed to figure out if it (crunch-time strategy) was going to be Stafford or Knowshon (Moreno)

In response to that observation, Henning added:

But what offense can afford to be individually based, except during two minute drills? Stafford is being looked at by the Lions as an integral, dynamic piece of what they hope will at last (Steve: “cue Etta James?”) be a shrewdly constructed football roster.

Their question is whether Stafford qualifies as one of these quarterbacks of such luster that he can be a difference-maker on a team that desperately needs to select one with the 1st draft pick?

Ultimately, that is where the real risk lies, because that question will not be answered unless the Lions jump into the shark-infested depths feet first, and actually select Stafford. The speculation and projection will only answer so much.

Stafford adds (He should be careful what he wishes for, methinks):

“I think it would be an honor to be taken No. 1,” he said, “And No. 2, I also want to get a chance to turn something around.” “That would be a heck of a place for me to go.”

Since the time that Stafford provided these amiable quotes, I haven’t necessarily believed them to be transparent, but do believe they are an indicator of the overpowering influence of agents and the media-savvy, 24-hour-sports-news saturated world that big-time athletes reside within.

I don’t want to accuse Stafford of being disingenuous, but obviously, he understands his role, and plays the part as scripted, in this “movie”.

Ultimately, the best insight, comes from the strangest of places (Deadheads:Sometimes, you get shown the light, in the strangest of places if you look at it right). Henning spoke with Georgia Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity member, Scott Jackson, who is a sophomore from Greensboro, North Carolina. Jackson sums up Stafford in a few, brief words:

“If he(Stafford) can’t throw to Calvin Johnson, he can’t throw to anyone.”

On April 25th, Lions fans will be viewing first-hand the team’s decision as to whether the potential Stafford-to-Johnson connection is ultimately a success or a failure? I hope you find the time to get some calm sleep before then, Martin Mayhew, as you ponder the dream/nightmare scenarios, which are precariously straddling two sides of the same coin for the rest of us, at this point.

Addendum: Michael Lombardi wrote a great article on The National Football Post about the conspicuous absence of former Lions offensive coordinator, Mike Martz this season in the NFL.

There is, I know admittedly, I’m sick, a small part of me that wonders if the Lions were to eventually add either Jay Cutler or Matthew Stafford this off-season, with the presence of Kevin Smith and Calvin Johnson, what could the mad scientist Mike Martz conjure from the Lions offense, if he were still in charge.

There is an even sicker part of me, I’m sorry Drew Stanton, your nightmares will likely never subside, that would want a bird’s eye view of the maniacal Martz de-constructing Matthew Stafford first-hand, changing his approach to how he holds the ball, utilizes his footwork, etc.

Martz reminds me of a delirious, dehydrated conquistador searching the desert for a fabled “Lost City of Gold”, or in Martz’s case, regaining an elusive, but no less pertinent, career high point, which is located on some far off vista, but as the thirsty warrior/Martz approaches, it fades again from view, and Martz approaches madness, or at the very least uncontrollable anger as the realization that his “El Dorado” exists only within the imagination, at this point.

The Weekly Congregation

The guys over at The Church of Schwartz are doing a bang-up job with their weekly feature, “The Congregation”.

“The Congregation” is a weekly confab, where a bunch of internet know-it-all’s, who are obsessed with the Lions, myself included, pontificate on a number of topics du jour that are served up by the Schwartzians.

The Church of Schwartz is also doing an excellent draft redux, as painful as it is, evaluating the past few Lions drafts, and probably crushing beer cans, mumbling incoherently, and banging their heads into walls as a result of re-visiting the painful, failed reign of the “Bumbling Mustachioed Dumbass” who used to be in charge of such things.

People like the clergy fromThe Church of Schwartz, Ty from Lions in Winter, and Josh from Detroit Fan 1979, have all significantly upped the ante for members of the Lions blogosphere.

I know that I have enjoyed and been motivated as a result of the emergence of new voices who provide their own perspectives, ideas, and beliefs about why the Lions are so futile. One would question, though, why can’t any of us remove our respective millstones, the Lions, from around our necks?

Lions Qb’s: Past, Present and Future?

There has likely never been a weirder story to have emerged from Lions lore than the details of the last days of ex-Lions Qb Jeff Komlo’s life.

Komlo’s name will forever be attached with representing the embodiment of ultimate futility, within the annals of Lions history. Komlo was the first/earliest starting quarterback, on a 2-14 team in 1979, that I can clearly recall in my time as a Lions fan.

Komlo’s life is truly worthy of a movie, even if only for it’s many surreal twists and turns alone, the details of which were even further amplified by the fact that there was a great deal of mystery surrounding his recent death in Greece.

Drew Stanton recently gave a strong indication that he is/will be unfazed by the idea of the Lions bringing in a veteran backup or eventually selecting a Qb in the upcoming draft. Stanton appears ready to embrace the upcoming challenges that he faces, if only the Lions are willing to grant him the opportunity.

At this point, if the Lions decide to bypass selecting a Qb in April’s draft, Stanton represents as good of an option for the Lions as any remaining free agent, except for Jeff Garcia, who would not likely even consider a return to Detroit, or Byron Leftwich, who would likely balk at the opportunity to backup Culpepper, if offered.

The initial word from Matthew Stafford’s Pro Day workout in Athens, despite Martin Mayhew’s poker-faced non-response to the media, was that Stafford provided exactly the level of performance that everyone expected he would.

Stafford possesses a big-time arm, is a tad shorter than most NFL scouts would like, and has a Marino-worthy quick release to accompany his world class arm. Stafford’s comments likely tell it best:

“It’s different because this isn’t real football” he said. In the heat of the game, you’ve got bodies and guys covering people. This (Thursday’s workout) is how well you can throw in your shorts to a guy in a T-shirt with nobody guarding him.”

Entering the draft, with the Lions personal workout with Stafford still remaining, that’s the best the Lions can do, assess his abilities working in shorts. Obviously, they have likely scrutinized every ball he threw during his career at Georgia.

Ultimately, the Lions $30 M decision will largely be determined by what Stafford does during these rather seemingly innocuous sessions. Whether the Stafford becomes the next in a line of Lions Qb failures, ala Komlo, and maybe Stanton, remains to be seen. As each day passes, it looks like we might find out.

Lions Lose Out on TE Smith, Culpepper Reported To Be In Good Shape

TE L.J. Smith signed with the Ravens yesterday.

The Lions briefly courted Smith, but as Smith’s options ran out, and the Lions signed Will Heller, Smith’s reputation for being a pass catcher who was not an adequate blocker, may have hurt his status with the Lions.

Apparently, early reports indicate, that things have changed drastically around the Allen Park facility without Matt Millen’s presence. Martin Mayhew recently mentioned that there would be fewer “group hugs” handed out.

Dom Raiola follows up that sentiment, saying that the atmosphere is much more merit-based, and that everyone has a “clean slate” and that no one is “getting babied”, which he stated twice.

Jim Schwartz, coming from both the hard-line coaching tree of Bill Parcells and with his experience of D-coordinating for Jeff Fisher, is not going to let anyone rest upon their laurels. Furthermore, I would assume that there will be some behind-closed-doors mind games that exert pressure and motivate those who might get too comfortable, at any point in time.

The early reports also indicate that QB Daunte Culpepper is in much better shape than last season, and the Lions are doing their part to suggest that he might start for the entire season.

Martin Mayhew told reporters that he was excited to get a look at Drew Stanton and that the Lions would still like to bring in a veteran backup for Culpepper, even though he wouldn’t comment upon details of the Lions pursuit of Jay Cutler.

The bottom line is, the Lions will ride the rapids with Culpepper and Jeff Backus, but if they can be upgraded, they will.

(Clearing My Throat…) The Lions Might Actually Be in Good Hands With Mayhew

With the recent news that the Lions may be weighing the possibility of potentially acquiring QB Jay Cutler, there are now reports that the Lions could be checking into the availability one of the best, if not THE BEST, left offensive tackle in the NFL, Jason Peters, who is currently at a contract impasse with the small-market Buffalo Bills.

Arguably the best, and most likely options for the Lions in the upcoming draft to select with the first overall pick are Qb Matthew Stafford, or either one of two offensive tackles, Jason Smith or Eugene Monroe.

The Lions are actually being wise and financially conservative in their pursuit of two proven professionals, in lieu of acquiring players at the same positions in the draft, even if their efforts eventually turn out to be nothing more than due diligence. Especially, considering the dauntingly incredible investment made with selecting the first overall draft pick.

In pursuing Peters, the Lions would essentially be pursing a more proven version of Smith, since they both are converted tight ends. Numerous references have already been made to the superficial similarities between Cutler and Stafford and their respective attributes, too.

In either case, the Lions win. Either they commit to top collegiate talent, with measured risk, of course, or they can immediately upgrade their roster with proven players, and save money that would be committed to the draft picks.

With the general feeling of financial insecurity, and the potential uncapped ‘10 season looming, the Lions may actually be able to acquire a player of Peters’ or Cutler’s ilk, for significantly less than the market value would normally dictate.

In example, the cash-strapped Bills, who have played in Toronto due to flagging ticket sales in Buffalo, if pushed to eventually move Peters, would not likely want the first overall selection. Peters is certainly worthy of pick 1, even up, I would make that exchange today.

The Bills financial concerns, which plays into their reticence towards paying Peters what he is legitimately worth, makes their desire to receive a 1st overall pick less likely.

In another rumored deal, between the Panthers and Patriots, for DE Julius Peppers, the Panthers may actually accept less than their franchise tag demands, they are rumored to be receiving a 2nd round draft pick, instead of multiple 1st round picks, given their future financial concerns.

The Lions will likely end up with neither Cutler or Peters, but name one time in the last ten seasons when the Lions may have had the opportunity to acquire one, let alone two, of the top 50 players in the NFL entering a season, let alone be in the position to even honestly explore that opportunity.

The other aspect of these potential scenarios that speak well of the new Lions front office, is that Jeff Backus, who is one of the most tenured current Lions, and has been frustratingly dependable, is the current incumbent of the Left Tackle position. With the Lions revealing intimations that they are attempting to upgrade that position, Backus has every right to engage in a “Cutleresque” public spectacle displaying contempt for the Lions organization.

Although, I am sure Backus is tired of being the target of fan negativism, and is even less happy that the Lions are clearly attempting to replace him, internally, the Lions have handled the situation well enough that Backus has still kept his silence, at least for now.

Ultimately, the Lions clearly have a multi-layered plan. If they are unable to upgrade Backus, I believe that they can live with him at the position. If circumstances change, they will find a way to retain Backus, or move on completely, giving Backus the opportunity to find work elsewhere. It takes deft maneuvering, for all of this to happen in any way near a seamless manner.

With the news that the Lions have signed one of the league’s best, “Kleinsasser-Like” H-back/blocking tight ends, in ex-Seahawk Will Heller, who essentially serves as an additional offensive tackle, is another good sign.

The Lions already have a good blocker in serviceable Michael Gaines. They also have a valuable special teams contributor in Casey FitzSimmons. With the addition of Heller, and with the potential addition of pass catching TE L.J. Smith, the Lions have clearly improved upon a position that has never received serious, long term attention during recent seasons.

With every addition the Lions have made this season, it has become clear that the franchise has a clear plan of what the team actually needs, and they have provided themselves with a great deal more than usual flexibility to be able to add the best available player with each of their selections in the upcoming draft, rather than be beholden to immediate personnel needs.

I am not saying that the Lions are a playoff team. I am not saying that the new front office has even improved them all that much. What I am suggesting is that they appear to have a realistic, concise plan that appears to be far less patchwork than the one that comprised the previous regime’s demise.

Ultimately, the players and coaches impact the success or failure of the front office. With that in mind, I am confident that in a relatively brief period of time, that the Lions will be a better team this season than they have been in the last 1 1/2 seasons, for what that’s worth (could they have been worse?).

As Cutler Soap Opera Moves Forward, Lions Front Office Should Be Working Non-Stop

The growing detente between QB Jay Cutler and the Denver Broncos only makes the Lions off-season infinitely more intriguing, rather than less so, with each passing day.

As Cutler’s puppetmaster and agent, Bus Cook, continues to pull the strings, it will be rather interesting to see what part the Lions will eventually play in Cutler’s re-location, since the situation with the Broncos and Cutler seems unresolvable, at least at this point.

Cook is masterful at spiriting his charges through a highly-charged, media circus (see Favre, Brett) and he certainly will find a way to make the situation advantageous for his high-profile client. Cutler will obviously benefit financially, and receive overflowing amounts of ego-aggrandizement, as the situation continues to plays itself out.

Apparently, Cutler has mentioned the Chicago Bears and Tennessee Titans as his preferred destinations, when and if his trade demands are met.

I wonder what success his agent Cook will ultimately be able to have in matching his client with each of these organizations. It seems that any potential deal would have to include a QB as a prequisite, at this late juncture of the off-seaon, where the best available free agent QB’s for the Broncos to acquire are Byron Leftwich and Jeff Garcia.

The Bears should become anxious suitors for Cutler, but is a package of Kyle Orton and draft picks ample enough enticement for the Broncos? Would Vince Young or Kerry Collins potentially interest the Broncos, in any way, in an eventual deal with the Titans?

The Lions and Buccaneers will also likely be in play, gauged by their interest in being involved in a three-team swap with the Patriots and Broncos, before QB Matt Cassel was eventually traded to the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Lions will likely be holding both the draft picks necessary, and the glaring lack of success, which would potentially tantalize a Broncos franchise who now must jettison their former star franchise QB.

In other words, why would the Broncos relocate Cutler to a successful organization, in lieu of potentially facing said team at a later date? If the situation truly has reached an impasse, why would the Broncos assist Cutler’s future success, in any way?

The Lions should be, or likely will be, willing suitors, eagerly awaiting their proverbial prom date, or burgeoning franchise Qb, with a corsage (a newly-renegotiated contract) to shakily pin upon the chest of their equally nervous and excited date.

Mlive’s“Killer” Kowalski recently wrote an opinion piece stating his belief that the Lions would eventually decide to select either one of two offensive tackles with their first overall pick, Jason Smith or Eugene Monroe, because he believes that Jim Schwartz is sincere about building from the trenches outward.

The Lions will still disguise their intent as the draft rapidly approaches, both as a leverage tool in potential contract discussions with draft candidates, and as a means to garner potential trade interest from an organization who has their heart absolutely set upon the addition of one of the five or more candidates for the top overall pick, admittedly a highly unlikely scenario.

Does Cutler’s potential availability impact this situation? First off, is their any chance that the Lions and Broncos would eventually engage in a draft day trade, upon the Lions selection of QB Matthew Stafford with the first overall pick, if the Broncos are unable to move Cutler before April 25th.

Seemingly, this is the only real bargaining chip that the Lions currently possess. The Lions may essentially be forced to take Stafford, if the Broncos decide that Stafford is their best option moving forward to join with new Head Coach Josh McDaniels, as their organization begins a re-tooling process, in order to trade for Cutler.

Ideally, the Lions would be able to add a franchise left tackle with the first overall pick, and still be able to add Cutler, too. Unfortunately, the scenario will not likely play itself out so seamlessly.

The issue with the first overall pick being Stafford, and Stafford’s immediately being traded to Denver on draft day, is likely the immediate cap ramifications for the Broncos.

As the Broncos, Lions and the rest of the NFL send scouts to attend Matthew Stafford’s upcoming pro-day workouts, it will be interesting to see, will the Lions eventually decide to cast their lot with the younger, strong-armed, but unknown commodity in Stafford, or will they have the fortune of being able to add a known commodity in Cutler, albeit one who is a nominally similar kind of player as the one they could add in Stafford on draft day?

Update:“Killer”Kowlaski mentions than an unnamed NFL source has informed him that the Lions will be in contact with the Broncos, as well as a number of other franchise’s, about obtaining Cutler.

As the uncapped ‘10 season looms on the horizon, I wonder, is it too late to call Mike Martz and tell him that we are putting the “band back together, Elwood, the band!”?

Assuming the Lions safely acquire QB Jay Cutler, is it unreasonable to assume that the Lions front office, taking the role of drunken sailors on shore leave looking for a “good time”, could consider the addition of aging WR Torry Holt, or even less probably, thrust themselves into the conversation as a bidder for Cards WR Anquan Boldin’s services via trade?

I realize that these scenarios are more than a little crazy, but, with the acquisition of Cutler, the Lions will quickly become a desirable landing spot for players like Holt, Boldin, TE L.J. Smith, et al as the off-season continues to unfold…

Update, Part Deux: See Michael Lombardi’s awesome article on the The National Football Post delineating the thorny and growing thornier Broncos/Cutler standoff.