Detroit Lions Weblog

Larry Foote, Travis LaBoy, Kevin Carter, and Drew Henson

The post-draft free agent mercantile has officially opened for business. After doling out big contracts to newly-drafted rookies, or in order to create the available space to do so, teams will routinely release veterans either whom they are no longer able to afford, or were unable to trade for a reasonable offer prior or during the draft.

The Lions met with veteran ex-Rams and Titans DE Kevin Carter yesterday. There have been a growing number of reports connecting the Lions with former Michigan, Detroit Pershing and Steelers LB Larry Foote, too.

Foote would be a major problem solver for the Lions. He would also be the rare free agent who turns to the Lions because he would genuinely enjoy playing on the team, rather than for completely Machiavellian purposes.

I would not be surprised if the Lions talked to recently released DE Travis LaBoy, due to his having played for Jim Schwartz in Tennessee, and they are likely still in the market for a veteran QB, who would be an additional training camp body, if nothing else.

The Lions released QB Drew Henson, who indicates that he would like to remain playing, but it would seem that his chances as a designated clipboard holder are likely drawing to a close.

So briefly, at least, the Lions will still be “kicking some tires” and addressing their personnel needs, or putting some contingencies in place, in preparation for players inevitably going down to injury.

If the Lions are able to add an O-lineman, D-lineman, or Middle linebacker in the second stage of free agency, their draft will appear much more sensible, in my eyes.

The Day After: Some Thoughts on the 2009 Detroit Lions Draft

Rd. 1, Pick#1: QB Matthew Stafford Georgia

Rd. 1, Pick#20: TE Brandon Pettigrew Oklahoma St.
Brandon Pettigrew Video Highlights

Rd. 2, Pick#38: S Louis Delmas Western Michigan
Louis Delmas Pro Day Interview

Rd. 3, Pick#76: LB DeAndre Levy Wisconsin
Wisconsin Defense Highlights

Rd. 3, Pick#82: WR Derrick Williams Penn St.
Derrick Williams Highlight Video
Williams Burns Zbikowski

Rd. 4, Pick#115: DT Sammie Lee Hill Stillman College
Sammie Lee Hill at Home
Sammie Lee Hill interview

Rd. 6, pick#192: RB Aaron Brown TCU

Rd. 7, pick#228: OT Lydon Murtha Nebraska
Lydon Murtha Draft Analysis

Rd. 7, pick#235: LB Zach Follett California
Zach Follett Highlight Video

Rd. 7, pick#255: TE Dan Gronkowski Maryland
Dan Gronkowski TD catch

The Lions did very little to calm the ample concerns of many Lions fans with their perceived-to-be shaky decisions during the second day of the NFL draft.

While, they did eventually address a few positions of critical personnel need (OT, DT, LB), their decision to trade the first pick of the third round for a few more mid- and late-round draft picks to the Jets, when there were several very enticing players available at those positions of need at the time, was puzzling.

Given the fact that players like RB Aaron Brown, LB DeAndre Levy, DT Sammie Lee Hill, and OT Lydon Murtha are all projects, I am left wondering, whether the Lions made the right decision by opting for quantity over quality, by trading down for a few extra draft picks.

The infuriating fact for many Lions fans is that there were numerous rumors floated in the media that Kansas City offered the Lions the opportunity to trade up and select LB Aaron Curry, the resounding people’s choice. If this is true, the Lions decided to bypass the fortuitous opportunity to select Curry, and instead chose to select another OLB much later in the draft, DeAndre Levy.

Ironically, the Lions plan on converting Levy to MLB, much like they would have done with Curry.

Obviously, if the Lions have struck draft gold, and eventually all of their first three draft picks emerge as immediate contributors (and how could they not?), then let’s hypothesize that:

1) WR Derrick Williams meets his true playmaking potential as a slot receiver, punt returner, and a sort of “wildcat” wildcard player and

2) the raw and massively-gifted, small college DT Sammie Lee Hill actually rises to the formidable challenge of jumping from Stillman College to the NFL.

Under that scenario, the Lions draft will have taken a much different shape in many Lions fan’s eyes.

Hill is definitely the most intriguing selection. He could become a “Big Baby” Shaun Rogers-clone, obviously an unproven one, potentially with a stronger sense of motivation and an insatiable hunger for NFL success, down the line.

Brown was the most quintessentially “Lions”-decision of the day. Brown is the same kind of running back, slot receiver, and return specialist that the Lions thought that they had selected with Brian Calhoun several years ago. Brown had previously experienced a number of off the field issues, which had tarnished his draft grade with some teams.

With the presence of Maurice Morris, and the continually improbable-but-inevitable return of utility back Aveion Cason to the Lions 53-man roster, Brown strikes me as a prototypical free agent pick-up, rather than someone the Lions should have actually utilized a draft pick upon.

Ultimately, the Lions did get the three top players at three personnel positions, whether they met their overwhelming team needs, or not? Much like nearly every other the Lions draft day decision of late, some, or all of these picks will not pan out.

The Lions desperately need for Matthew Stafford to succeed. If he doesn’t, unfortunately, the Ford’s may find themselves the proud possessor’s of the Detroit “Silverdome, part II”, or experience a beautiful Ford Field becoming routinely empty on football Sundays. What a shame.

Lions Puzzle Fans With Their First Day Picks, Again

Lions fans can only be left completely perplexed in a day where the Lions selected QB Matthew Stafford, TE Brandon Pettigrew, and S Louis Delmas.

The commonly held perception was that upon the hiring of a former defensive coordinator in Jim Schwartz, that the organization would focus on improving that side of the ball during this draft.

That fact, along with the widely stated intentions by members of the Lions front office and coaching staff that they were going to “get bigger, faster, and stronger” and build the team from the trenches outward, made Saturday’s draft all the more confusing, to say the least.

I believe that it goes without question that the Lions did get good value in selecting TE Brandon Pettigrew and S Louis Delmas, yet they each come to the team with some questions.

For instance, last week arguably the greatest tight end of all-time was traded for a second round pick (Tony Gonzalez), what sense was their in the Lions utilizing a first round pick to draft Pettigrew, when compared to the mere pittance that the Falcons paid to acquire Gonzalez.

Pettigrew does give the team a solid upgrade at the position, and provides both Daunte Culpepper and Matthew Stafford (they both will eventually play this season) with an additional threat in the team’s passing game, within a new Scott Linehan-coordinated offense that often utilizes the tight ends.

It can be argued that drafting Pettigrew is like adding another offensive linemen, since he is the most complete player at the position with his ability as both a blocker and pass catcher.

Ultimately, with all of the Lions needs along the offensive and defensive lines and middle linebacker, selecting Pettigrew seems like a luxury that the Lions should have considered passing upon, in my opinion.

Following up the Pettigrew selection, the Lions selected an undersized, but productive safety in Louis Delmas.

The importance of versatile, rangy, playmaking safety can’t be overemphasized, most playoff teams will usually have one.

That being said, with LB’s Rey Maualuga and James Laurinaitis still on the draft board, and with the clear fact that the Lions needed so much help in their front seven, I really don’t like the decision to select Delmas, either.

With the Lions not currently being stout enough in the middle of their defense, how exactly will Delmas be able to make plays without getting lost in the wash, as blockers routinely get to the next level to block down field against the swiss cheese Lions defensive front seven and obstruct his path.

Stafford will become a permanent organizational lightning rod unless he excels rapidly. The Lions fan base will not see the sense in selecting Stafford, when the offensive and defensive lines remain among the weakest personnel groups on the team.

Stafford, in his defense, has deftly navigated the situation, even shrugging off the fact that the fans are not entirely sold upon his selection. Of course, $40+ million dollars also impacts your perspective on life significantly, too. Being nouveau riche, instantly makes the threatening, infinitely less DAUNTing.

I guess, at this point, I hope that the Lions are just able to find players on day two of the draft that can help them, regardless of the position. Hopefully, given day one, they may actually find players who can help them “beef up” in the trenches and maybe find the time to possibly grab a middle linebacker along the way, too.

One thing is certain, it is a little premature to rush to judgment, but I have the feeling that under the dark of night, there are already conspiracies being hatched, “Fire Mayhew” web domains being purchased, and that signs and banners are being constructed in criticism of the Lions day one draft decisions.

You Have Seen Too Many of These, But Here Goes…

Here is my mock draft. There is nothing more criminally passe at this point, but it still is so much fun!

1. Lions QB Matthew Stafford Georgia. What a shock!
and the rest…

2. Rams QB Mark Sanchez
3.Chiefs DL Tyson Jackson
4. Seahawks OT Jason Smith
5. Browns DT B.J. Raji
6. Bengals OT Andre Smith
7. Raiders WR Jeremy Maclin
8. Jaguars WR Michael Crabtree
9. Packers OT Eugene Monroe
10. 49ers LB Aaron Curry…wow, what a slide. Curry and Patrick Willis will be a devastating tandem.

No surprises, there.

11. Bills DL Brian Orakpo
12. Broncos DL Robert Ayers
13. Redskins OT Michael Oher
14. Saints RB Chris “Beanie” Wells
15. TexansLB Brian Cushing
16. Chargers RB Knowshon Moreno
17.Jets WR Darius Heyward-Bey
18. Broncos CB/S Malcolm Jenkins
19. Buccaneers QB Josh Freeman, as the league’s curators of the world’s largest Qb exhibit, they just can’t resist.

Here’s where it gets interesting.

20.Lions DT Evander “Ziggy” Hood The Lions have pledged to get bigger, faster and stronger. Hood fits the bill.
21.Eagles TE Brandon Pettigrew
22.Vikings WR/ATH Percy Harvin
23.Patriots OLB Clay Matthews
24. Falcons DT Peria Jerry
25. Dolphons CB Darius Butler
26. Ravens LB Rey Maualuga, how fortuitous, for the Ravens to get a crack at Maualuga.
27. Colts WR Brian Robiskie
28. Bills DE Everette Brown
29. Browns from the New York Giants in exchange for Braylon Edwards, WR Kenny Britt
30. Titans CB Alphonso Smith

and now, for the final few…

31. Cardinals C/G Alex Mack
32. Steelers CB Vontae Davis

round 2
33. LionsC/G Eric Wood

Look for the Lions to explore acquiring LB Larry Foote during the draft, who is rumored to potentially be available.

Bobby Layne, Now Is The Time For Your Curse To Be Lifted

About 51 years ago, the Lions traded their last franchise quarterback, who still embodies everything that is best about the Lions organization, despite his numerous personal flaws, Bobby Layne.

Upon his trade, as the lore states, Layne was supposed to have said that the Lions would not win for 50 years, after trading him. His ability to see the future may have been uncanny, if this bit if mythology is actually true, but not even he would have been able to see this strange turn of events coming–his fellow Highland Park High alum, QB Matthew Stafford being selected by the same organization, at it’s lowest point, after an 0-16 season, for a jaw-dropping 6 years and $78 million (with $41.7 million guaranteed).

The Lions are panning for some rare and elusive gold here, and it may be high time to summon Layne and exorcise the demons that have plagued the organization for such an improbably long time, if you believe in that sort of thing.

Stafford possesses every bit of the ability necessary to become a NFL success. That is unquestioned. Yet, given the Lions situation, he faces long odds for success.

The perception within the Lions fan base will always be that Stafford was thrust upon them, they made it clear that they wanted the organization to draft MLB Aaron Curry, and we will eventually see if Stafford’s performance is like pearls cast before swine or if he is in fact himself, the swine.

The Lions should exercise some caution and prudence in bringing along Stafford, but flagging ticket sales, and very likely, a poorly performing team will likely summon Stafford to the fore, by mid-season.

Hopefully, the guiding of hand of Bobby Layne, even if only figuratively, will aid Stafford with the long, difficult struggle that he faces in attempting to lead the organization from out of the wilderness.

One final note, the Lions front office does deserve a small measure of credit for actually executing the signing of Stafford pre-draft.

Now you can argue that all the resolve to sign a player entering the draft was a bit of a front, and that they hugely overpaid for Stafford. I will not disagree there.

Ultimately, the Lions determined that Stafford was their target and managed to have him signed without any sort of prolonged, nettlesome, and embarrassing contract holdout. That counts for something. Now they are in sink or swim mode, with their success largely measured by Stafford’s future success.

As Draft Approaches, Two “Best Case Scenario” Lions Mock Drafts

Martin Mayhew on Stafford, Curry, Monroe and Smith

Evidently, the Lions have decided to pull back the curtain, so that we can see who exactly is pulling the levers, and possibly giving credence to their draft process, as well as, humanizing the Lions front office among the distrusting Lions fan base.

Tom Lewand and Sheldon White show off the Lions draft war room

Obviously, within the next 26 hrs (and counting), we will know whether the Lions were able to sign QB Matthew Stafford, or if they had to move forward with a very desirable “plan B” in MLB Aaron Curry.

Here is a scenario where the Lions draft Aaron Curry:

1. MLB Aaron Curry Wake Forest: Curry is the Lions best and safest option. He possesses an unimpeachable character and is the clear fan’s choice for the Lions to select. It is arguable that allotting the amount of money to sign Curry to an already expensive Lions linebacker corps would be imprudent. Do it anyways, Curry is made for tough, hard scrabble, midwestern football.

1.20. DT Evander “Ziggy” Hood Missouri: Hood is rapidly ascending the draft board and his pick would be in the spirit of the Lions stated intention of getting “bigger, faster, and stronger“. Other viable options were OT Michael Oher, DT Peria Jerry, or CB/S Malcolm Jenkins, should they fall down the draft board. Also considered TE Brandon Pettigrew, DE Robert Ayers, or C/G Alex Mack.

2.33. C/G Eric Wood Louisville: The Lions would add candidate to play Guard immediately, and someone who could provide insurance at Center in the future if Dominic Raiola decides to move on after the season. Also considered OT’s Eben Britton, William Beatty, CB Alphonso Smith, C Max Unger and a bit of a reach, DT Jarron Gilbert.

3.65. TE Chase Coffman Missouri: Scott Linehan’s offense really likes to utilize the Tight End and Coffman is a great value here. His father was also a successful NFL tight end. Also considered: G Kraig Urbik, DT’s Ron Brace ,Fili Moala and Alex Magee, CB Jairus Byrd

3.82. QB Stephen McGee Texas A&M: The Lions get their QB who, admittedly, is a raw project whom they will be reaching for here, but he will not be available at pick 192. On McGee:

“Has legitimate NFL size and strength, despite being extremely raw…Still more of a thrower than a refined quarterback but can make deep throws with surprising touch. Natural leader who carries his team in big situations and needs to sit and learn for a while”-Pro Sports Weekly draft guide

Hmm…sounds an awful lot like a player that the team was considering taking at the top of the draft. Also considered S Rashad Johnson, G Duke Robinson, TE Travis Beckum, and WR/KR Derrick Williams.

6.192. S/PR Otis Wiley Michigan State : Had to add a hometown pick for the Lions. Wiley is very talented, but never fully reached his promise to due to injury. Wiley is a playmaker.
6.210. CB Cary Harris USC: Harris is a smart, tough player who played in an excellent USC defense.
7.255 WR Jamarko Simmons Western Michigan: A very productive college player who could unseat Will Franklin and develop as a complement to Calvin Johnson down the line. Can the Lions really get through a draft without picking a wide receiver?

Scenario 2: The more likely one?
1. QB Matthew Stafford Georgia: Stafford is a lightning rod among the psychically-damaged Lions fan base. Stafford has a big time arm, is a very smart player and has a lot of experience for his relatively young age. The guiding hands of Bobby “Rock N Roll” Layne and Doak Walker, both fellow Dallas Texans who attended Westlake High School, will look over Stafford as he engineers the improbable turnaround in Detroit. Believe!
1.20. DT Evander “Ziggy” Hood Missouri
2.33. C/G Eric Wood Louisville
3.65. TE Chase Coffman Missouri
3.82. MLB Scott McKillop Pittsburgh: McKillop is a Spielman-esque, production over projection prospect who despite any perceived deficiencies, will outwork anybody.

“Very Productive, instinctive, and efficient player. Always seemed to be around the ball, making tackles. But his value is limited by marginal athleticism will drop him into later rounds.”–Pro Sports Weekly NFL Draft Guide

McKillop would be an analogous reach to my selection of McGee in the previous draft. Despite that fact, start the presses, the new McKillop jerseys would be legion among the thronging Ford Field masses as the unmitigated Lions fan linebacker love fest continues on.

6.192. S/PR Otis Wiley Michigan State
6.210. CB Cary Harris USC
7.255. WR Jamarko Simmons Western Michigan

The Lions Hedge Their Bets With Curry-And Stafford

The Lions have erm, “curried” favor with Lions fans by choosing to strike a deal (in principle) with MLB Aaron Curry.

The Lions actual plan is to select QB Matthew Stafford, but Curry’s contract provides them with both negotiating leverage with Stafford and another draft option that they can live with, should Tom Condon and Matthew Stafford decide to forgo the Lions contract offer, which the Lions insist is the best that they will make, according to Tom “Killer” Kowalski of MLive.com.

The Lions are digging their heels into the Ford Field artificial surface and insisting that they will have their picked signed on Friday afternoon, no matter what.

The efficacy of this plan is questionable, and I am not certain how implacable the Lions will actually be as Saturday’s draft approaches, but you do have to give the Lions new front office some measure of credit. It almost goes without saying, (but I will anyhow) there is no way their predecessor, the “Mustachioed Dumbass”, would have so artfully engineered such an arguably win-win scenario.

What Stafford and Condon are doing now, according to Kowalski’s sources, is attempting to gauge what other offers there will be for them, if they eventually choose to jilt the Lions and descend the draft board. The nefarious and shadowy means that they implement to figure this out, is of no consequence to the Lions.

The Lions want to select Stafford, and likely will, but Condon will drag it out as far as the Lions will allow him. Should the Lions get tired of the process, as the draft draws nearer, they could decide to pull the trigger on Curry.

The joyousness of a Lions fan base upon the selection of Curry would be tremendous. That being said, the Lions would be roundly criticized from all corners if they choose to draft Curry, especially among the lacquer-haired, loudly, incessantly-gesticulating, draft talking heads, who would collectively pile upon the Lions for not getting a deal done with Stafford.

Again, I give the Lions credit for being willing to show the fortitude to let this process play out. The bullets are in the chamber, which could bear a portent of ominous results, or the empty chamber could eventually click, with the Lions emerging unscathed and emboldened by having executed their first post-Millen draft doing their damnedest to select the best player available, at the right price.

Lions Make Media Splash With Brand New Jersey Design, Logo

Tom Lewand\'s Dunham\'s Press Conference

Oops, that amateurish video was not in fact the Lions roll out of their new jersey and logo designs, but a parody of sorts. The spirit of the proceedings was right, but the execution, not so much…

At any rate, the much-anticipated new Lions logo is definitely much more “mean”-looking than “Bubbles” ever was, but I am very glad that the general look and design of the helmet and jersey are the same, only with subtle changes.

The only way I could have been happier would have been if the organization had decided to make the current “throwback” jersey alternate it’s regular jersey instead, but I digress.

Here is a link to an article about Lewand’s press conference, where you can also hear it. Thank you Mlive.com.

There was a rabid crowd that attended the unveiling, and it must have been exciting to see the current faces of the Lions, Calvin Johnson, Ernie Sims, Dom Raiola, Jason Hanson and Kevin Smith all doffing their spiffy new duds, as the crowd loudly chanted for the Lions to draft Aaron Curry and implored the Lions brass to avoid drafting Matthew Stafford, which according to these Lewand comments, seems unlikely:

“If we look at next year, I think that’s short-sighted,” Lewand said. “I think we have to look at-whether it’s the first pick, the 20th pick, the 33rd pick, or the 82nd pick-you need to look at guys who can come in and contribute long-term for this franchise. And that’s the goal. When we talk about building our franchise through the draft, that’s what you look at. It’s not the quick fix, it’s not who can come in and help immediately-although that’s important and you want that, too. But if you only look at that, you’re missing the forest for the trees.”

If you read between the lines, the Lions are probably going to take Stafford, with the organizational caveat for him to sit a season or two.

I believe that’s where the problem in the front office’s thinking lies. They will hold every noble intention of not playing Matthew Stafford, but fan unrest, empty seats, and injuries could, or more likely will, all conspire to force Stafford onto the field prematurely. If he fails to perform well once he’s thrown to the wolves, well, the Lions REALLY have problems then.

The Lions for whatever reason, have been close, but unsuccessful in their pursuit of quality (with all apologies to Ernie Sims) linebackers during recent years (Derrick Johnson, Patrick Willis, JeRod Mayo, just to name a few). That is what makes this scenario so painful. Aaron Curry will be a quality NFL linebacker, who will step onto the field and produce immediately, even if he is not eventually a future Pro Bowler.

Curry appears to be a genuine, stand-up individual and I am certain that there will be several tear-filled eyes when they show him sitting in the draft “green room” with a young boy who has been battling leukemia, whom Curry has befriended.

SI.com’s Peter King has issued the clarion call that the time is growing nigh for the Lions to decide:

“I think time’s growing short if you want to make a deal before draft day, Detroit. Sounds to me like the Lions are going to try and force Matthew Stafford to take a slightly below-market deal by using Aaron Curry as leverage, who would sign for less than Stafford. The problem, as I see it, is that the coach seems to have his hopes pinned on Stafford, and if the front office doesn’t deliver, Jim Schwartz could be wondering what he got himself into.”

So, basically it comes to down that same organizational bugaboo, if King is correct, internally, getting everyone upon the same page. The Lions will deservedly continue to receive “black eyes” from the media, no matter the course they choose to take.

The Ford’s, the front office, and coaching staff had all better be on the same page here (see Harrington, Joey), their memory can’t be that short. The reason that the Lions went 0-16 last season is directly related to past organizational sins, the sum total of which they were completely unable to overcome.

I admit, I was beginning to be on board with the idea of the Lions eventually taking Stafford. Selecting Stafford has to be viewed as a package deal, in my opinion, with making a significant upgrade somewhere along their offensive line.

This also is a form of being “boxed in” or “missing the forest for the trees“, so I regard Lewand’s argument as a little flimsy, due to that reality, or completely negligent, if the organization intends to move forward without significant upgrades made with high draft picks on the offensive line, once they have drafted Stafford.

With that in mind, the Lions need to be honest with themselves. Who will be the best team leader? Who will take the reins, bearing a great deal of organizational baggage, and improbably move this franchise forward, with all of the entrenched forces of resistance working against it. Thankfully, even though I think I know who may be the best option (CURRY!!!!), I am not paid to make, or live with the results, of that decision.

Bob McGinn Surveys NFL Front Office Execs About QB’s in the ‘09 Draft

Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal Sentinel recently talked to several front office executives about the general risks involved in drafting QB’s. McGinn also asked them specifically about the QB’s that are available in the upcoming draft.

“It’s a risky business,” said Eric DeCosta, director of player personnel for the Baltimore Ravens. “There is a statistic out there that is a key indicator of (QB’s) success in the NFL is career starts. You want someone with experience.”

Matthew Stafford has started 34 games in college with a .794 winning percentage and has completed 57.1% of his career passes.

Matthew Stafford 2008 highlight reelclick here

“Since the NFL granted admission to underclassmen in 1990, 43 Qb’s have been selected in the first round. Sixteen of the 43, or 37.2%, have been underclassmen. Of the 16, eight could be categorized as busts: Andre Ware (1990), Todd Marinovich (’91), Tommy Maddox (’92), Heath Shuler (’94), Ryan Leaf (’98), Tim Couch (’99), Rex Grossman (’03) and Alex Smith (’05)

Playing devil’s advocate, although Maddox and Grossman were not as successful as their pre-draft billing, calling them busts may be a little excessive(especially with the dearth of quality NFL QB’s). In regards to Alex Smith, he still might have enough time to reverse his future career course, too. Still, a 50% bust rate, out of the 16 underclassmen, is a risky $40 million proposition, for sure.

With those underclassmen, there is no “magic number” for career experience, but it does seem clear that NFL executives would prefer that a junior play another 13-14 games as a college senior, than see them leave school early.

“I’m a huge resume guy,”said A.J. Smith, the San Diego Chargers general manager. “He(Mark Sanchez) is extremely talented and I do think he will be terrific, but I don’t have the (guts) if I was the position to strike with him high. I’ve got to be 51 games, four bowl games, like Philip Rivers.”

Mark Sanchez highlight reelclick here

Atlanta Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff says:

“The maturity level is a very big thing in my mind, especially for that position.”

Again, measuring the maturity of a guy in his early 20’s is an inexact science. I certainly wouldn’t want to be left with the responsibility of making that determination, especially when other variables (like arm strength) can so easily cloud your judgment.

Tom Modrak, the Buffalo Bills vice president succinctly sums it up:

“It’s not the great year.” “You can find flies on all these guys. It gets to be a dilemma because there’s certainly a year or two of training. But if the quarterback doesn’t come in by mid-October you’re in trouble with everyone.”

That’s where the rub lies. If the Lions choose to select Matthew Stafford, over either MLB Aaron Curry or OT Jason Smith, the Lions need to commit to two things:

1. Upgrading their offensive line, especially at left tackle.
2. They need to keep Stafford off of the field until he’s absolutely prepared to play, with all of the circumstances lined up properly, despite any criticism, fan discontent, etc. to the contrary, which demands that Stafford play.

If the Lions are unprepared to execute these necessities, then, they sure as hell had better decide to select either Curry or Smith, even if Mel Kiper, Jr. spontaneously combusts with a machine-gun-rapid-fire blast of glossolalia, especially after reading the informed insight of all of these league executives.

Aaron Curry highlight reelclick here

Of course, fingers crossed, the Lions could play matchmaker, and unite the star-crossed lovers, ‘Skins owner Dan Snyder and USC QB Mark Sanchez, and pick the best player available at pick #13, whomever that may be.

Build your shrines. Chant your incantations. Implore the football gods and goddesses to fatefully intervene. OHM-Shambala-Daniel-Sanchez-Trade-Up-Ummagumma-Shangri-La, on HI-EYE!. With much supplication.

The Lions Reportedly Have Begun Contract Negotiations With Three Prospects for 1st Overall Pick

After overcoming the difficult news of learning yesterday that OT Jason Peters was traded from the Buffalo Bills to the Philadelphia Eagles, a transaction which makes it abundantly clear why the Lions will likely remain losers for the foreseeable future and confirms why the Eagles usually make the playoffs, there still may be good news on the horizon.

First, back to the trade. It’s no secret that I have been banging the drum for the Lions to acquire the former Pro Bowl OT Peters, especially if they had any legitimate intentions of selecting Matthew Stafford in next week’s draft.

The Eagles, unflinchingly, made Peters the highest paid tackle in the NFL, despite any concerns over Peters’ motivation. Only time will tell if the move was worth it for the Eagles, but I do believe that assuming that kind of risk is exactly why the Eagles are perennially in the conversation as one of the best franchises in the NFL.

Rob Rang of NFL Draft Scout.com reports that the Lions are amid negotiations with three top draft prospects hoping to procure a deal before the beginning of next Saturday’s draft. The final three (reportedly) are: QB Matthew Stafford, OT Jason Smith, and LB Aaron Curry.

The mere fact that Smith and Curry remain in the conversation is a sign of encouragement. The default pick, which most draft experts have trumpeted from day one, would be for the Lions to select Stafford.

As a cautionary tale, the Lions should refer to the recent draft where the Houston Texans were excoriated from everywhere, both far and wide, over their decision to select DE Mario Williams over the more highly-touted RB Reggie Bush and QB Vince Young. Well, in Williams’ case, the Texans clearly made the right choice, despite the potential future performance of Bush and Young.

The Lions should not be afraid to defy convention. I recently have subscribed to the idea that eventually selecting Curry would be an organizational imprudence, similar, but to a lesser degree, to the Lions selection of three first round wide receivers in three successive drafts.

Would it be any less imprudent, though, for the Lions to select Stafford, without the ability to clearly and substantially upgrade the quality of the blockers that they will be putting in front of him?

The Lions would have an inordinate amount of money devoted to the linebacker position if they eventually choose to add Curry. For example, with recent Lions Pro Bowl addition, LB Julian Peterson on their roster, the Seahawks actually had three Pro Bowl quality LB’s (LeRoy Hill, Lofa Tatupu) on their roster last year and still managed to win only four games last season.

With that in mind, I still support the Lions eventually making the decision to select Curry, and more so, Smith if that is the commitment which they would like to make. None of the lacquer-haired, wildly-gesticulating NFL draft experts competing for your attention are currently receiving paychecks from William Clay Ford. The Lions front office answers to no one else, in the long run.

One other fact of note, which has recently emerged, Redskins owner Dan Snyder (and chief organizational toadie, Vinny Cerrato)has reportedly grown very enamored of USC QB Mark Sanchez. Now, this is the ultimate longshot, but Snyder has been incredibly persistent in the pursuit of his various paramours over the years.

Snyder possesses the uncanny ability of being able to acquire every player that he wants, no matter the risk involved or which obstacles obstruct his path (see tampering, Albert Haynesworth)

The Redskins are currently a little light on the ammo (picks #13, #80)necessary to move up towards the top of the draft, where Sanchez is likely to be selected. That being said, Snyder, with an uncapped season looming upon the horizon, is not afraid to mortgage future drafts, if that is what it would take to acquire a player whom he sets his sights upon.

Don’t discount the value that Snyder places upon making a huge impression in the media, by taking such a bold, aggressive step, either.

Let’s suppose that the ‘Skins flip QB Jason Campbell for a second-round draft pick, if they can find an interested party, would pick #13, the aforementioned 2nd-rounder and pick #80 be enough to persuade the Lions to trade down, I would hope so.

‘Skins insider Jason La Canfora has recently opined on various Sanchez draft scenarios for the Redskins, too.

Where do the Lions figure into that equation, you ask? There is a widespread view that in order for the ‘Skins to be certain if being able to select Sanchez, they would have to at least jump the Seattle Seahawks at pick #4, who many believe are also interested in drafting Sanchez. That leaves the Lions, Rams, and Chiefs as potential trading partners.

Martin Mayhew, who possesses some experience in dealing with the Redskins front office, due to his having played during the early part of his career there, has engineered some early blockbuster deals for the Lions. Mayhew would effectively pull off the coup of the century, if he were to find the means to trade down, against all odds, and still be compensated adequately in the process.

I will now return to my quest to prove the existence of various chimerical creatures like unicorns, the “mothman”, the “Loch Ness” monster, and the like….