Comments on: 2009 NFL Mock Draft: 4.0

By: Chad Ellis

Chad Ellis — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 06:16:08 +0000

DetroitSteve…Please check out our newest draft update. In the meantime, I appreciate your comments but simply don't buy it. I've talked to many Lions fans in many different forums. As many want Stafford, if not more, than want an offensive tackle at number one. It's irrellivent anyway because I wasn't actually referring to a "Lions fan pole" showing that they want a quarterback. I was referring to the fact that revenues ALWAYS go up when a team selects and starts a first round quarterback. I've noticed that the Ford family treats their franchise less like an institution and more like a cash cow. They are not interested in spending money to win. They will only spend it if it will allow them to become more profitable, winning aside. It's a short-term approach to doing business that reduces the risk while maximizing profitability. Long term growth and success is sacrificed to obtain the profits now. It's just an observation; an objective assessment. I don't claim to know it all or to have all the answers.

At the end of the day, I agree with your assessment of the team needs and my latest mock has Detroit taking four linemen (2 offense–1 tackle, 1 guard, and 2 defense–1 tackle, 1 end) within their first five picks. I just don't agree that Detroit will go in the direction we'd like.

By: DetroitSteve

DetroitSteve — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 14:18:46 +0000

"Their strategy, from what I’ve gathered at this stage, seems to be less about winning than it does about keeping the fans interested. Matt Stafford will look better and generate more interest on a billboard than Jason Smith will. It’s a PR/marketing move more than anything, but all indications point to that being the reality of the situation"

If the above is true then the selection of Matt Stafford would be the "WORST" thing

the Lions could do. Do some research about Detriot fans' and you will find the over whelming majority DO NOT WANT Stafford. We want the Defense improved first then the OL. Wait until next year for a QB.

By: klungemonger

klungemonger — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 15:50:39 +0000

I’m not sure how I feel about Detroit even trying to bring Cutler here. He seems to be a whiny self-centered baby, we don’t need that regardless of talent level.
I hope to see the draft play out like:

1A Smith or Monroe
1B Jerry or Jackson
2 Ron Brace (or perhaps T.Taylor in rd3?)

I’d like to see them hang onto all their draft picks, especially since they have no roudn 4 or 5 selctions. After the Peterson trade those top 5 are really the only ones likely to impact the starting lineup.
Looks to me like they are doing what they ought to: signing veterans to 1 or 2 year deals to fill some gaps for now and provide leadership, with a view to revamping the whole lineup over the next couple years. I think it’s going well so far, as well as anybody could have expected out of Lions management at any rate.

By: Author, Editor

Author, Editor — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 13:50:26 +0000

check out the latest mock draft http://www.totalprosports.com/blog/index.php/2009...

By: klungemonger

klungemonger — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 12:38:17 +0000

Oops, messed up in that last post…meant that if Jerry isn't there they could take Tyson Jackson or even Michael Johnson. Wouldn't need Brace if they get Peria in the first.

By: Chad Ellis

Chad Ellis — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 02:31:53 +0000

Alex Grigsby…I did see the Benson signing. I still believe that Greene in round three is a steal for that team. I don't see Benson being a productive "workhorse" back. He has never been that. I don't think he miraculously changes in his fifth season. Greene, if given an opportunity to compete for the starting job, will win the job. If Cincinatti drafts him, worst case scenario, he is the starter by mid season.

By: Alex Grigsby

Alex Grigsby — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 19:16:22 +0000

Cedric Benson is still with the Bengals. He signed a 2 year contract recently

By: Chad Ellis

Chad Ellis — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 04:19:42 +0000

Hey, Scott. I really don't see Detroit paying that much for Cutler. I could be wrong, but if they wanted a quarterback, they'd be better off trading up from 20 to take Sanchez after they've drafted Smith at number one. Cutler has proven to be a little bit of a risk taker and highly inconsistent. He'd also be more of a cap hit than Sanchez. You could say that he's a "proven" quarterback, but my standards would be higher than what Jay Cutler has proven, if I were trying to rebuild that franchise. With Culpepper already under contract, they could afford to take Sanchez and let him sit for a year.

With the Peterson trade, the Lions could be tipping their hand a little…By trading Redding, they now must draft a DT early. Peria Jerry at 20, if he's there, is a strong possibility. Of course, if they take Stafford at number one, they cannot take Jerry at number 20 (will need a OT)…Therefor, I don't see them taking Stafford at number one at this point. Obviously acquiring Peterson puts the Aaron Curry rumors to bed. Long story short, I'm with you, it has to be a left tackle at number one. Don't be surprised if Eugene Monroe's name gets called instead of Smith. Truth be told, Monroe is the best pass blocker in the draft, though Smith has more upside. Either player will be great, in my opinion. Thanks again for your comments. 5.0 is on the way. Check back soon.

By: scott buitendyk

scott buitendyk — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 21:40:20 +0000

i think with the lions acquiring peterson from seattle. i think the lions will select jason smith….

this is a trade scenario that would make sense… trade the 20th and 33rd for jay cutler and there 3rd rd selection the 79th….

so then in the third round pick

65- chris baker dt hampton

79- darry beckwith ilb lsu

82- chip vaughn s wake forest

this would give the lions a great off-season and draft…. you added cutler and jason smith to your offense and you added peterson, grady jackson, phillip buckanon… plus those 3 draft picks too your defense……… in this scenario, we wont be drafting in the top 10………. plus we have our quarterback, and 2 bookend tackles….. we would be in good shape to compete………

By: Chad Ellis

Chad Ellis — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 13:40:58 +0000

Pace would definitely be an upgrade, but he's 110 years old. I honestly don't see a young and rebuilding team like the Lions trying to acquire him. Philly would be a better place for him. It's a veteran team who needs two tackles right now. He'd love to have a shot an another Super Bowl, which he'd have in Philly, and it would buy the Eagles some time to develop a replacement for the departed Tra Thomas. The Steelers are another possibility, in my opinion, for exactly the same reasons.