Detroit Lions Draft 2K13: The Results

Well fans, another draft has come and gone and I’ve got two words to describe this years new crop of Lions: Bigger and Faster. In all my years of trying to predict how this team will draft, I don’t think I’ve ever seen them stay the course as they did this year.  Not counting the punter, Sam Martin from Appalachian State (a pick by the way I don’t mind because he’s cheap and he can’t be any worse than Nick Harris) they got bigger and longer players for both sides of the ball which is an absolute necessity playing in the loaded NFC North.

I think I like the Larry Warford pick the best mainly because the guy is a beast.  At 6-3, 333 lb. Warford is going to be like Andre the Giant in the middle of that line.  Having Bush and Leshoure cutting through the mudholes Warford will create will be a definite boost to the Lions terrible running game.  In addition to Warford, the Lions added Corey Fuller, a WR from Virginia Tech with 4.4 speed and another blocking tight end, Michael Williams from Alabama.  He reminds me of a younger Will Heller so I don’t expect much from him catching the ball, more so from blocking and helping the run game.

Defensively, everyone wants to breakdown the Ziggy Ansah pick.  A guy who has only played American football for two years will be the premier pass rusher for the Lions this season.  He’s longer, faster and more athletic which is all well and good if he pans out.  NFL Experts compare him to a Jason Pierre-Paul of two years ago which is great if that’s the player the Lions drafted.  If Ansah doesn’t mature into that type of player though, we could have another big bust on our hands.  The other DE they drafted was Devin Taylor, from South Carolina.  He played opposite of Jadaveon Clowney and at 6-7, 276lb. with 4.7 speed and 36 in. wingspan, the Lions on paper successfully upgraded their D-Line.

They also took CB Darius Slay from Mississippi State.  He recorded the fastest 40 time in the combine but is coming off a leg injury.  Slay has great speed and is a press corner, something the Lions have lacked for a long time.  He, paired with Chris Houston actually makes for a decent secondary.  Add in the FA signing of Glover Quin and the Lions might actually defend the pass this year.   

They also got a running back from Notre Dame, Theo Riddick, but he played for ND so he sucks and won't make the team.

Bottom line, the Lions drafted for needs.  They got bigger and faster and made sensible picks as opposed to going with the “best player available” approach.  The Lions have to hope that the value and talent of each draftee will work out because they were not in a “sure thing” draft position.  We’ll all have to wait a few more months before we can see these guys in action but on paper, I think they did a good job.  Winning starts from within your division.  The Lions have gone 33-87 over the last 10 years in the NFC North so the Lions have got to TCB in their division before looking at the bigger picture.  Optimism runs high for football fans this time of year.  As we inch closer to OTA’s we’ll get a better idea of what it means for the 2013 Detroit Lions.

On a sidenote, the Red Wings made the playoffs for a 22^nd straight year and Eric Fisher was the #1 Draft Pick.  Fire Up Chips and Fire Up Fisher!

Lions Draft Preview 2K13 Part 2

Predicting the Lions first 3 rounds

If any of you read yesterday, I said that if the Lions have the chance to take Eric Fisher at #5, the Lions should pass.  Just to recap, I don’ t believe in the homer pick, I’d like Fisher to start a new life somewhere else and if the Lions go 4-12 this year, I don’t want the blame put on him. 

The secondary has been atrocious and help is needed.  I like Chris Houston and the Glover Quin was a nice FA signing but the Louis Delmas and the rest of the bad company back there give me little confidence heading into the fall.  Dee Milliner would be my pick at #5 which shores up a very swiss-cheese like secondary.

For the Lions 2^nd round pick, the Lions, after overhauling their O-Line this past off-season will take Menelik Watson, OT from Florida State.  Everything I've read about this guy says he’s a potential first round pick and is fast. At 6-5 310, he’s a perfect replacement for the retiring Jeff Backus.  Watson has size and length needed for the Lions O-Line and his size, speed, strength and field intelligence lead me to believe the Lions take him with the 36^th pick.

In the 3^rd Round, I think the Lions find themselves in a conundrum.  Let’s not kid ourselves here, the Lions have had very little production out of their picks after the second round so this really is a crap shoot.  After addressing CB and OT, the Lions could go a multitude of directions.  They still need help on the O-Line, they could use a pass rusher (unless you all are fine w/ Willie Young and Jason Jones) and have linebacker needs. 

Their 3^rd round pick will be Barrett Jones, Center/OT/OG from Alabama.  Dom Raiola is no spring chicken and Jones anchored an Alabama O-Line that has produced three National Championships in the last 4 years and a plethora of solid running backs like Mark Ingram.  Jones stands 6-4 306, already taller and bigger than Raiola (6-1, 295) and Jones is only 22 yrs old.  He’ll be the anchor for the Lions for the next 10 years and his experienced college resume makes him the right choice for the Lions at 65^th overall.

The jury is out for the remainder of the draft as to what the Lions will do.  As I mentioned yesterday, the Lions have done a very poor job scouting the later rounds for talent and have not been able to draft NFL caliber players on this team.  Scouting has been a real issue for the Lions and I’m not talking about the Millen era.  We’re past that people.  I don’t put anymore blame on it because it’s just an excuse; another way to deflect blame and provide a reason why this team has been so putrid for so long. I’m not buying it anymore and neither should you.  I’ve added some highlight reels of my pick predictions.  Enjoy the tape and come back tomorrow for Lions Draft Preview 2K13 Part 3 and follow @ajcoopdeville for live tweets during tomorrow night’s draft.

Lions be Drinkin' Lions be Smokin'

I’m not going to be the first one to say how bad of an offseason this was for your Detroit Lions.  Two players, two different positions and two arrests each this offseason may have sealed the fate for both Mikel Leshoure and Nick Fairley.  Adding to this laundry list, Johnny Culbreath also was arrested for a dope charge.  It’s really sad to see these young promising players show their true maturity levels in their childish acts this offseason.  These guys are professional football players.  They are paid to perform, not to smoke pot or drink and drive.  Add these arrests to the issues with Titus Young in the past couple of weeks and you’ve got some high draft picks turning into an unmitigated disaster. 

There will ultimately be suspensions for these players.  Leshoure and Fairley for sure will receive suspension, although there is no telling the amount.  My guess is at least four games for Leshoure and maybe eight for Fairley.  Commissioner Goodell has been playing Conan the Barbarian lately, dropping the hammer on the participants in “Bounty-Gate”.  I wouldn’t be surprised if the penalty for the Lions wasn’t a bit stiffer than what we anticipate. 

I don’t mind if this team has the reputation of being the “bad boys” of the NFL.  Play hard, hit harder is just fine with me, but do I want this team to be the Bengals 2.0? Absolutely not.

This team needs players on the field in order to win games.  The Lions gave this fan base ten wins last year.  The benchmark has been set now and there has to be improvement on last year for this team to trend upwards.  Anything less will be considered a failure.  The Lions will be without these players for part of the season and it will hurt them.  How does management steer this ship and right the course? Does the team lack leadership? Does Jim Schwartz change the game plan? Any way you look at it, this offseason has definitely cast doubt on the hopes for this upcoming season.

Let me know how you think this offseason has gone for the Lions.  Are they the Bengals 2.0? Leave a comment, hit my Facebook page http://on.fb.me/INlTqF or get at me on twitter @sportsinthe313 

Detroit Sports Mount Rushmore

Detroit has had so many amazing athletes through the years and now it’s your chance to tell me who you think should be on the Mount Rushmore of Detroit Sports.  There are no restrictions on this poll.  I want to know who you think belongs and why.  Your explanation doesn’t have to be long and reasons don’t have to be justified.  Just tell me what you think. 

I’ll start it off and give you my picks.

 

Steve Yzerman: Is there a guy that better exemplifies Detroit Sports?  Yzerman spent all 23 years of his illustrious career with the Red Wings. He won three Stanley Cups, was a ten time NHL All-Star and had his number 19 retired by the Red Wings in 2007.  Stevie Y came to Detroit as a young 18 year old kid and turned into one of the most beloved Detroit sports figures of all time.

Alan Trammell: Tram was another guy that played his entire career with one team.  He spent 19 years with the Tigers highlighted by the 1984 World Series Championship and was a part of one of the best middle infield in all of baseball.  He and Lou Whitaker were the Thunder and Lightning of the Tigers during their time together.  He earned three Silver Slugger Awards (1987, 1988, 1990) and four time Gold Glove (1980-81, 1983-84). Tram will forever be synonymous with Detroit Tiger Baseball.    

Barry Sanders: I could not make list without Barry being included.  Probably the best Lion of all time, Barry left the game way too early and had so much more to give.  He won the hearts of this city with unbelievable touchdown runs and his speed and agility made defenders look stupid.  His number 20 was retired by the Lions in 2004, he owns 10 team records and I consider him to be the greatest Lion of all time and one of the best running backs the NFL has ever seen.

Dennis Rodman: Yes I know, it would have been easy to pick Isiah or Dumars but c’mon, the Worm was AWESOME! Rodman was a badass throughout his entire career, won two championships with the Pistons and earned NBA Defensive Player of the Year twice in 1990-91.  Rodman will go down as one of my favorite Bad Boys of all-time.

 

Now I want to know what you think.  Leave a comment or find me on Facebook (http://on.fb.me/INlTqF) and let me know who you think belongs on the Mount Rushmore of Detroit Sports.

Make sure to follow me on Twitter @sportsinthe313 and like me on Facebook.  Until next time, Cooper OUT  

The Ghost of Millen Past

I thought that the days of Matt Millen were over! I mean I spent ten years scratching my head on draft day wondering what in the hell was he thinking. Now the Lions are Millen-free, went 10-6 last year and made the playoffs. The real work for Martin Mayhew starts today as he takes his third draft class into the 2012 season and tries to build on last year’s momentum. Mayhew has drafted Stafford and Suh, two players that are the prized pieces for the Lions on offense and defense and then he’s also drafted bunch talentless nobodies that can’t hack it in the NFL.  2012 proved to be an important draft class for a team on the brink of success.


Results from the 2012 Draft
This year’s draft reminded me of a college beer pong game. The people that are playing are doing a fine job and then you have one of your drunken friends ask to throw a celebrity shot that completely misses the table. The Lions drafted 23^rd overall, a position that isn’t going to garner the sexy pick. Picks outside the top 20 are position addressing picks that fill a need on the field instead of filling a stadium. But the Lions, I’m convinced, were visited by the ghost of Matt Millen. It’s the only way I can justify the players that they chose.
The Lions spent their first two picks on, surprise, offensive players. They took O-Tackle Riley Reiff from Iowa and (I’m shaking my head in disgust while typing) Wide Receiver Ryan Broyles from Oklahoma. It makes no sense why they went that direction. This team has needs on defense, not offense. Matt Stafford is great and Megatron is the best receiver in the game (On a side note, I think he will break the Madden Curse). Their offense will keep them in most games but it’s their defense that will win those games. Blatantly ignoring the teams most pressing needs at Linebacker and Defensive back does not bode well for a team already thin in those positions.  I thought the Lions draft plan was simple, draft defense, defense, and more defense. What do they do instead, spend their top two picks on an Offensive Tackle and a (wait for it) WIDE RECEIVER! Welcome back Matty! We haven’t missed you one bit!

I’m disappointed (to say the least!) in the way the draft went this year. I would have liked it a lot more if the Lions addressed their needs in the secondary with the 2^nd round pick. It’ll be important for them to take some chances on undrafted free agents, a lot of whom are very talented players. They still need a running back and I wouldn’t be opposed to them signing a defensive end, one that they could pair up with Willie Young and have opposite of Cliff Avril.  I guess Mayhew and the rest of the Lions brass weren’t watching the same games as me last year.
Overall grade: C-. What is it going to take for the Lions brass to realize that defense wins championships? Top picks are meant to be starters, not works in progress.  I understand that picks in the 3rd-7th rounds were all spent on defense and I’m sure Mayhew is hopeful one or two of them pan out. My problem is that their offense wasn’t an issue last year.  Stafford threw for 5000 yards and Calvin had an MVP type season.  The Lions failed to address their most serious team needs on defense picks in 1^st and 2^nd rounds and it’ll show this season when they’re getting bombed because their defense can’t get off the field.
Make sure to follow me on twitter @sportsinthe313, like me on Facebook and check back next time when I do a special Pistons Recap for my dear friend Dan Chandonais.