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 3: The Aftermath

Ziggy Ansah. That’s the newest Detroit Lion. He’s, from what I read, a ridiculously talented athlete that has major upside.  Schwartz is saying that the Lions didn't draft Ansah as a project and they expect him to contribute right away.  Lions Brass may not view him as a gamble with the pick  but I will say that Mayhew and Schwartz have taken a gamble with their jobs because if Ansah is a bust, you can kiss them goodbye!

Ansah will provide some much needed help to a defensive line that is without edge rushers.  Yes, the combo of Willie Young and Jason Jones provide a cheaper alternative to KVB and Cliff Avril but that doesn’t mean drafting a guy who has played football for two years is the answer.  There are two potential outcomes for Ansah with the Lions.  He’s either a stud that NFL pundits say could turn into a Jason Pierre Paul from a couple years ago OR he’s just another shitty Lions pick. 

No doubt tonight in the 2^nd and 3^rd rounds they’ll need to hit OL and CB but this bottom line is a risky pick.  As I’ve mentioned in my previous blogs, I still see them taking Watson and Jones somehow someway.  They need the help across the board and considering the top flight of CB’s are off the board, I don’t think the Lions can stretch to take another CB project. 

It will be interesting to see how tonight plays out.  A lot of offense was left on the draft board last night and still a lot of players considered as first round material still available.  If the Lions can swing a trade to get another second rounder or an early third could prove pivotal for the future of the Lions.  Tune later tonight and come back Monday for the recap from the weekend. 

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 Draft Preview 2K13 Preview Pt. 1

Why Eric Fisher is not the #5 Pick

No question, this team has holes.  Offensive and Defensive Line, Linebackers, Secondary, Wide Receiver are all areas of need for the Lions.  They no question need to find a pro bowl-esque player for the next 10 years at one of those positions of need and I do not believe Eric Fisher is the answer. 

Now let me be clear, I don’t think he’ll even be there at the #5 pick anyways so all of this may be for nothing but if he is, listen to me closely Martin Mayhew - please stay away – far away from the “homer” pick.  Let Big Fish start a new life in Kansas City, Jacksonville or Philadelphia.  Don’t bring him into the circus that is the Detroit Lions franchise and put him under the microscope.  Speaking as a Chippewa Alum, I am extremely excited for Fisher and for Thursday but I don’t believe he’s the right pick because he would be a homer pick.

Ideally I think the Lions trade down. Why you ask? It’s because Joeckel and Fisher will both be gone and they've got too many holes to bank on a project like DE Ziggy Ansah.  They need to adopt the Bill Bellichek draft methodology and stockpile picks.  You have to consider that the Lions don’t have a 4^th rounder so they’re already short picked this year.  Drop down in the 1^st to maybe get another 2^nd or 3^rd would be a great move for them. 

The other likely scenario is that Joeckel and Fisher are gone, the Lions fail to trade down and they’re on the clock having to make a pick at 5.  If that’s the situation, I’d select Dee Milliner.  Their secondary has been so porous for so long I think you invest now and take talent over a project.  It’s a tired bit but the Lions have left so much talent on the board that a can’t miss defensive pick is a must.  I agree, a tackle makes sense but I don’t see the guy at #5.

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.

With the 23rd Pick in the NFL Draft

As the NFL Draft nears, I wanted to provide everyone with my projections at what I think the Detroit Lions will do in their first three picks for this year’s draft.  The Lions used a hot start last year to finish the season 10-6, make the playoffs for the first time since 1999 and captivate a city that was in dire need of a winning football program.  This fan base has taken a 180 degree turn and there is some serious excitement heading into the season.

With the draft only days away now, the Lions find themselves in an unfamiliar position because they actually had a winning season and made the playoffs.  They won’t have a pick inside the top 20 for the first time since 1994 and despite the fact that Martin Mayhew has hit on some franchise players in recent years, the Lions personnel are really going to have to work their big board when making their first selection.
This year I hope the Lions draft Defense, Defense and more Defense.  That is the major area of concern and the side of the ball that needs to be addressed before the start of the season.  They’ve resigned their entire team so far only losing CB Eric Wright who signed with Tampa Bay for a ridiculous amount of money.  This draft needs to focus on three positions of need; Linebacker, Defensive Back and Offensive Lineman.
The Lions no longer need to take the best available player because they need talent.  The Lions can focus on areas of need and really address positions that they lack skill in.  In this best case scenario, here are the three guys I think could be there for the Lions in the first three rounds of the 2012 NFL Draft.

Round 1 Janoris Jenkins CB North Alabama

You can’t teach talent and that is exactly what Jenkins possesses.  He’s got quick feet; he’s fast and has elite cover skills.  This is what the Lions need.  At 5-10 193 lbs, Jenkins is a great value pick with experience.  He played his college ball at Florida but was dismissed from the team due to drug related arrests and transferred to North Alabama for his senior season.  Jenkins plays physical bump and run football and sticks with receivers like glue.  The Lions schedule this year is loaded with Pro-Bowl receivers and they Lions will need the services of Jenkins to neutralize the passing game of their opponents.

Round 2 Mike Adams OL Ohio State

The Lions have to address their aging offensive line.  Jeff Backus is no spring chicken and it’ll be smart for the Lions to draft a young, powerful tackle to anchor to their running game and provide Matthew Stafford with protection.  At 6-7 323 lbs., Adams is very athletic for size.  He played for Ohio State and has experience playing in big time opponents in big time games.  His size and quickness would help in his dominance against defensive linemen and would be a great step for the Lions in revamping their offensive line.  Again, Adams is a great talent and if available, the Lions would be very smart to take him with the 54^th overall pick in the 2^nd round.

Round 3 Josh Robinson CB Central Florida

The Lions need another Cornerback to solidify their defensive backfield.  Robinson provides another potential answer for the Lions and gives them some sort of hope for finding a defensive back that actually is an NFL quality player.  At 5-11 199 lbs., Robinson probably has the best speed of 4.33 (40 yard dash) and the second highest vertical (38.5) of the draft.  Robinson in college played in a man-coverage defense and was an All-Conference USA selection.  He had a great combine and the Lions hope he somehow falls to them with the 85^th pick overall in the 3 round.

So there you have it, three guys that would fit the Lions tremendously for this upcoming season.  The Lions are in a position where they can focus on areas of need instead of the best available player at a position they may not need or want.  This is a sign they Lions are actually on the upswing heading in the right direction and in order to build on that momentum, the Lions should make these picks if possible.

As usual, don’t forget to follow me on twitter @sportsinthe313, like me on Facebook and come back tomorrow for Monday’s Weekend Recap where I touch on the Red Wings early exit and the Tigers troubles with the Rangers.      

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!

That’s right, we are exactly one week out from one of my favorite days of the year; the NFL DRAFT. Its been a busy week for the Lions. The 2012-13 schedule was released and I’ll be the first to tell you, I’ve got the Lions having an identical record to last year, 10-6. For those of you that had a chance to take a peek at the schedule, I love the fact that the Lions are starting to play more nationally televised games because it’s a sign that the NFL sees the Lions as an up and coming team. They have a very tough road schedule with match-ups against San Francisco, Tennessee, Arizona, Philadelphia, and Jacksonville on top of their in-division opponents. Their home dates include match-ups with St. Louis, Seattle, Atlanta, Indianapolis and a Thanksgiving Day showcase against Houston with the remaining games inside the division. This schedule is no cake-walk by any means. They will be facing the eventual champion of the AFC South (Houston) NFC West (San Francisco) and NFC East (Philadelphia) and the Packers twice. That easily could be 5 losses so they’d have to be perfect the rest of the way to best last year’s record.

CONCERNS? Well, duh! To name a few, they are getting the televised attention that team with winning records receives. The Lions on the other hand have done anything but win in the last 20 years, and frankly you would be an idiot (http://bit.ly/Jivzyt) to think that the Lions are anywhere close to being NFL Elite. NEWSFLASH they have the exact same team as last year and unless they hit a homerun in the draft (DEFENSE DEFENSE DEFENSE) I do not see them improving on last year’s win total.

My thought process is based on the Lions schedule. Aside from having to face the Packers twice, the Bears bolstered their receiving core by reuniting Jay Cutler with Brandon Marshall and the Vikings Percy Harvin is no cake walk. On top of that, the Lions face Larry Fitzgerald, Kenny Britt, DeSean Jackson, Andre Johnson and Roddy White throughout the year. When I look at that line-up of Pro-Bowl caliber receivers and I look at this Lions roster which is already weak in their secondary, I do not see how they improve from last year without major improvements.

This is all the more reason why the draft is so important. Martin Mayhew has done a great job since taking over the Matt Millen era. He’s made sound draft choices and has done well with free agency and trades. Mayhew needs to stay the course and draft defense. It’s the only way the Lions start to earn these nationally televised games. The offense will be there. Matthew Stafford is the quarterback of the future and Megatron is the best receiver in the league. I will admit there is a hole at running back but that position has now become a “dime a dozen” spot where a team can call a guy who’s sitting on his couch one week and make him their starting running back the next week (Oh wait, the Lions already did that, right Kevin Smith?)

Stay tuned for my draft special this weekend where I breakdown potential fits for your 2012-13 Detroit Lions. As always, hit me up on Twitter @Sportsinthe313, like me on Facebook and drop me a comment!