Detroit Lions Weblog

Is There A New Day Dawning in Detroit?

After the first round of the 75th NFL draft, the strong, lasting impression that I am left with is that the Lions are in better hands now, and are slowly evading the pall of paralyzing failure that so dubiously marked Matt Millen’s overwhelming dumbassery as the team’s chief executive.

Not only did the Lions make the no-brainer selection, by drafting Ndamukong Suh, but when there was a possibility that the Lions might miss on their targeted running back, Jahvid “The Jet” Best, Martin Mayhew got aggressive, and jumped back into the first round, by orchestrating a trade with intra-divisional foe, Minnesota, and enabling the team to get their man.

Jahvid the Jet, The Lions Best Post-Barry Gamebreaker?

The Lions, with the additions of Rob Sims, Nate Burleson, Tony Scheffler, and Jahvid Best have become a pretty good offense this off-season, assuming that the team’s principals (Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson) stay healthy and improve at a reasonable and expected rate from last season’s level of play.

There are also some concerns about the nasty concussion suffered by Best last season, but the Lions apparently got medical clearance from their staff to select a player that they clearly eyed lasciviously from afar, since it was no secret that the Lions had targeted him from the get-go.

I don’t for a second believe that Mayhew is finished, either. If he can find a willing partner, I would not be surprised in the least to see him jump back into the second round to nab an offensive tackle or cornerback, especially if a particualrly enticing player remains improbably undrafted.

Would These O-Linemen Projects Have the Allure Necessary for the Lions to Select Them?

The Lions could provide themselves with some Gosder “Don’t Call Me False Start Foster” Cherilus insurance (if he falters), and potentially a devlopmental heir apparent for Jeff Backus, who isn’t getting any younger, by selecting one of the many remaining offensive line talents such as Charles Brown, Bruce “Evil Dead” Campbell, Rodger Saffold, Vladimir Ducasse, or local small college product, Jared Veldheer.

In fact, I would strongly advocate the Lions pursuing more offensive line help, since there are a few players with a surprising high amount of value still remaining.

Would a Player Like CB Brandon Ghee, Who Wants to Play With Louis Delmas, Encourage the Lions to Jump Back Into the Second Round?

There are also desirable defensive backs like Brandon Ghee, Chris Cook, Jerome Murphy, Akwasi Owusu-Ansah, and Dominique Franks who all could appeal enough to the Lions for them to make the expenditure necessary to jump back into the second round and grab them, meanwhile addressing a serious personnel need.

Best Gives the Lions an Element That Their Offense Has Sorely Missed

I was recently on record indicating that the Lions should grab a bigger, more punishing back for their single-back sets that they are likely to begin implementing this season. This fact, along with Best’s concussion history (there are some “red flags” raised about his future in the NFL), doesn’t deter me from believing that the the Lions likely took the best available (and most complete) running back available in the draft this season.

Best may never become an every down, workhorse style of back, but that era of running back is fading into the horizon and becoming a distant memory. Best will give the Lions a home run threat, who is capable of scoring in a number of different ways, and at any time. Kind of like a running back, who casts an increasingly larger shadow over the entire Lions organization, as it’s greatest player of all-time.

Ultimately, time and luck will determine the Lions potential chances of future success, but after last night, we can credibly discuss potential future success for this organization, without a hint of irony, for the first time in many years. Many thanks to the Lions front office and scouting staffs, for your efforts!