Week 1 @ Bucs

The Lions have looked stellar this preseason. For me as the season has gotten closer I have gotten less optimistic. You can make all the predictions you want, but we all know health has a lot to do with the W column. Injuries are part of the game and you have to overcome them to be a winner in this league.

Aaron Brown played so well in the preseason. For those of you who watched the preseason games are probably a little curious why Brown is gone. I know you all understand why they made the move for Williams over Brown. I know you guys (maybe some gals) saw a guy in Brown that looked so explosive with some shake and bake. Saw swing passes that went for 10 yard first downs because he just simply outran people. Here is the thing he has done that every preseason. He just doesn't get incorporated in the regular season. I'm not going to really question why. Linehan is a better OC than me. There has to be a point where you produce in the regular season. He may have not had the opportunity that D Williams had to produce but you still have to produce sooner or later.

The Bucs on the other hand have not looked good this preseason. We will be going on the road as we did last year. Are starting QB will step on the field this time. I'm going to be honest this has to be a W. Suh had a great game last year and hopefully he can do it again with KVB back and healthy.

The Bucs have two key changes from last year. Adrian Clayborn at DE and Mason Foster at MLB. As you know I was extremely high on Foster in the third or fourth round. Foster lacks superior athleticism but he just gets to the ball and makes tackles. He was a tackling machine and doesn't have miss tackles something Lions LBs can't say for the passed few years. To me Foster is an undersized MLB and should play the weakside. Bucs just didn't really have anyone else there and they have two quality OLBs. I had to watch a lot of Iowa games and notice something consistent out of Clayborn last year. When the game was on the line and their D was on the field with the lead he ran out of gas. It really seemed consistently that when that team got to the 50 yard line he was gassed and came off the field. That is why I just wasn't very high on him. They may have gotten a steal on Bowers in the second round. I don't know where he is sitting at health wise, but I bet the Lions staff got a good enough look at him that they probably have a decent idea.

As much as I don't like comparing things based on last year it's week 1. I leave you with this, week 1 on the road inter division really was a season changer. It wouldn't be as big but week 1 road win is big. People are pretty high on the Bucs, I'm not. We'll see how good both teams are I really believe. I think the if the Lions play decent and don't shoot themselves in the foot they will win. Penalties have been a huge problem for a long time and has continued this preseason. I am a believer that penalties can be cleaned up week to week, it hasn't happened yet. Corey Williams stay on sides! Lets start the season 1-0

Cornerback

I put corner at priority number 2 and 3. Yes, I do believe that LB is a more integral part of the game, but a third LB can be hidden more than a second CB. You see several times in a pass happy league a CB get picked on. You cannot hide two LBs though, like we tried to for most of the year.

I think we have all heard enough about Nnamdi. For good reasons as he is willing to switch teams and can. Nnamdi probably is worth the money.

The free agents that are number one type backs are probably going to get resigned minus Nnamdi. Just too name them, Jonathon Josepth, Brandon Carr, Brent Grimes, Chris Carr, Josh Wilson, and Ike Taylor. I'm not sure that all these guys are number one type guys, but they are better then Houston.

Houston is someone who has to get resigned. I am still a firm believer in team chemistry. Not that I ever liked chemistry. If he did resgin, he will probably be our number one CB.

There is any intriguing CB in Carolina. It seems like they have an abundant of top tier free agents on a bad team. I don't know how many of them will want to resign. Richard Marshall has a little beef with the organization and might want out. He asked for a long term contract and didn't get it. He didn't have a very good year. Lets face it, CBs lose one step is a big deal in this league. If he has lost which he probably hasn't then he isn't worth the money he is going to get. It really going to matter how these free agents look at the Lions as far as talent. Will people say that the Lions D line will help me look good and get a big contract down the road? It could possibly be, yeah they are close but not over the hump. They are not that elite team even when they do get over the hump possibly.

A couple of interesting guys that can play, but sometimes just aren't quite there are Kelly Jennings and Eric Wright. They are almost Alphonso Smith on a higher level. It is tough to say that they won't resign.

Here are my top targets from greatest to least.

Nnamdi - I don't think you pull a Snyder (Redskin's owner and overpay)

Chris Houston - There is something to be said about chemistry

Kendric Burney - For the price and the talent, it just makes sense

Antonio Cromartie - He is a good player, but he has enjoyed the Rex Ryan like team he will want to stay

Josh Wilson - The Ravens have two CBs on the market which always makes things more difficult, especially when they are the top guys on the market

Richard Marshall - 26 years old could be solid someday

Fabian Washington - A third CB from the Ravens

Eric Wright - Very physical guy which we could use

Kelly Jennings - Would be a good pickup

Three CBs kind of the number we need to sign. Here is a more realistic list of the 3.

Chris Houston

Fabian Washington

Kendric Burnery

Fabian Washington doesn't sign with the Lions it could be a long ways down that free agents list. When I say a long ways down that list I mean Tye Hill could be that second signing. There are a lot of number two guys out there. Lets hope we get a couple of them.

Linebacker

I put linebacker at 1 and 4 on the needs list. I figure we will talk about both right now. The reason I put one LB ahead of the CBs because it is not as important as a position. The only reason I was tempted to put a CB at one is because we do a have a middle linebacker. Lets start at OLB.

Thomas Howard from Oakland seems to be the most realistic fit at OLB. The Raiders has a good LB corps and he is one the outside looking in there. Don't get me wrong. He is a good LB.

Manny Lawson is someone we have talked about before. He will probably want out of San Fran and into a 4-3. Probably the top OLB entering free agency and still appears to be.

It is tough to say which other OLB won't be back with their 2010 team.

Now onto MLB.

We know Tulloch and we have talked about Poluszny. So, am not going to go there.

Barrett Ruud seems like an extremely attractive and realistic. He is coming off a bad year and I don't think Tampa wants him back. He is 28 and still has sometime left in this league if he doesn't have another bad year.

It seems like the other top guys in this free agency class are older gap filler guys. Guys like Takeo Spikes and Dhani Jones.

On the other end of the spectrum there are rookie MLBs that could be good, but they weren't drafted for a reason. Just to name a few Mark Herzlich, Scott Lutrus, and Central Michigan's Nick Bellore.

I think it is tough to say that you could put any of these rookies in a starting MLB start at year one. You could maybe put them behind an older guy or Levy. I think that is the big question. Would you sign an older guy and just move Levy over now sign if you sign a Herzlich because you expect him to start next year but not this year? Or do you let a Herzlich sit behind a Levy and see what the situation is next year.

Lastly I do think you take a small chance on Vernon Gholston. It really matters how much he wants and for how many years.

If it ends up being Barrett Ruud and Thomas Howard, that wouldn't be a terrible thing. Levy would move to the outside I believe. Yeah, Tulloch and Manny Lawson would be ideal, but they really do have several choices open to them. I hope Schwartz pulls another KVB with Tulloch, but we will see.

Needs

I am going to go through every position and decide what our major needed areas are and then my other posts will focus in on that position. Yes, I do realize that our major areas are obvious. A post might be about one player. I do not think we need anymore information about Nnamdi. There are plenty of posts  about Nnamdi and his possibility with Detroit. I don't think we need to really dive in to deep there.

Quarterback
Need a third string qb not a major needed area.

Running Back
We need to decide who to cut not who to sign.

Wide Receiver
Same as RB.

Tight End
Nothing needs to be done.

Offensive Tackle
Backus is good and hopefully Cherilus will come around.

Offensive Guard
Sims is good and Peterman isn't. I think one guard is a needed area, but not the highest priority. We will decide how high this is when we have went through everyting.

Center
Raiola whether you like it or not.

Defensive End
I think we need one. I am going to leave this off the needed area for Avril reasons.

Defensive Tackle
Gosh I hope not.

Middle Linebacker/Outside Linebacker
I want to combine these two because Levy can play either position. Also, he is are only linebacker that should be seen in a defensive formation in this league on that roster. Put us down for two on that major needed area.

Cornerback
Two please

Safety
We need a free safety and I will delve into the roles each player will be playing now that more information has been made available.

Kicker
Come on Jason.

Punter
None for me, thank you though.

One guard
Two linebackers
Two corners
One safety

I would list them from highest priority to least

LB
CB
CB
LB
S
G

I would leave guard off the needed area list, but I will still address it.

Position Moves

I will go through every position and what we need, who we can get, and who to cut if anything.

Quarterback

We will need a third stringer. Bringing back Stanton would be ideal, but ideal isn't very realistic. I don't think we necessarily need someone to groom. A journeyman I think would probably be the best bang for our buck here. The younger guys are now turning into journeyman.

-Rex Grossman

Running Back/Fullback

Well this was once a lower needed area. We got the top running back in this draft class. I do think you have to wonder a little bit about Best's health, but I also think that maybe they didn't see much in the 3rd and 4th rounds to be available. I think you need to keep Maurice Morris around and let Aaron Brown go. Kevin Smith is definitely gone now, I wish the best for him. I think Jerome Felton is the guy to keep at fullback and nothing else needs to be done. This is a pretty simple position, cut Brown.

Wide Receiver

I think this is a pretty simple position as well. This was a lower area needed as well addressed in the draft. I think you have to believe Titus is the guy. He will be the number 3 receiver, but will play the 2 spot in 3 or more wide sets. You give a guy like Tim Toone a chance in camp. You have to cut Bryant Johnson. I would like them to keep Derrick Williams around. Keep in mind we have 3 great tight ends, so we don't need 5 wide recievers.

Tight Ends

Like I said we have 3 great tight ends and they are all diverse. One a pass catching tight end, blocking tight end, and an all around guy. Nothing needs to be done here.

Offensive Line

I know some of you are upset about not drafting a tackle. Get a franchise tackle and kick Backus inside or play him at right till Backus is gone. I get the theory, but we have a franchise tackle that will give us a few more years to get a guy to replace him. I think you try and resign Hillard, but that will be tough. Hopefully Jason Fox is ready. Johnny Culbreath sure is getting a lot of talk. I hate to be the wake up call, but there is a reason he was drafted so late. He will be a work in process. I hope he isn't to much of a project. He will have time. Jason Fox or Johnny might be the replacement to Backus, while the other one is the backup to the tackle position. Signing a big time guard would be huge. It won't be an easy task. Atlanta has two guards free agents. One deserves a big payday. They will do their best to keep him. The other one is 27 years old. Blalock isn't anyting special, but he is one of the best guards available. Blalock is a solid player that doesn't shine anywhere.

-Corey Hillard

-Justin Blalock

Defensive Line

I think you try and trade Corey Williams. Maybe get a starting LB or CB out of the deal. He is coming off a great season and is worth a decent amount. There's a chance we can keep all of the defensive tackles. I am fan of rotating tackles with Schwartz. Suh will play less downs, but will be more effective in the downs he does play along with his sub. Fluellen right now is the odd man out to be cut if anyone is. There is some versatility playing DT and DE that will help keep him on the team. Due to the plethora of tackles it could take out an end. I think keeping Fluellen and not resigning Turk is the way to go. Avril is a got that needs to be resigned or someone of his quality. At tackle i would like it to be Suh, Fairley, Williams (if can't trade), Hill, and Fluellen. At end I would like it to be from last year Avril, KVB, Jackson, and Young. Meaning we could sign another end.

-Vernon Gholston

I feel like I need to explain why Gholston. We are not spending a 6th round pick on him like the Jets. He is 25 and was playing in 3-4. Switching system works for a lot of players.

Linebacker

I'm going to assume Levy and Hogue are the only guys on the roster. Zack Follett will try and come back and if he can it will be with the Lions. I hope for his health before anything else and you need to not count on him, becuase his health needs to come first not because he doesn't want it. Hogue is a WIP (work in process). Levy is a versatile guy that can be moved from inside to outside if necessary. I didn't think I would every say this, but I think the team is comfortable with him calling the plays and being a leader. There's a lot of good linebackers that may or may not be available based on restricted free agency rules. The Panthers and Falcons have two good outside backers that are free agents. The biggest problem is that injury problems is a big factor with most of these free agents. We need to stop signing gap players. Manny Lawson is the guy you try and get at outside backer. He is the best available. He should be looking for a 4-3 team which raises our chances. 3-4 teams might not want to be in the mix anyways. I think he would play on the strong side. Ernie Sims is available to play the weakside.... just kidding. Justin Durant is 25 that plays the weakside. The Jaguars will probably want to resign him, but he has major injury issues. A guy like Herzlich needs to come in and tryout.

Now moving to the inside free agency situation. Tulloch is obviously the guy we want. Kick Levy to outside. Manny strong side, Tulloch middle, and Levy weakside would be ideal, not realistic. It would probably be to much money to spend anyways. I would have to imagine that linebackers would want to play with this front line though. Player like Tulloch realize that he would make this team so much better. You say you want to go to a winner and then if your a guy like Tulloch, I fill a huge hole for this team. Poluszny would also be a great fit in D town. If Tulloch is available, I think Schwartz pulls his magic and gets him. I think you bring back Ashlee Palmer and Bobby Carpenter. Your going to need one more guy if you sign two starting backers and resign four (Follett, Palmer, Campbell and Carpenter). Just one more backup/special team guys. Maybe Campbell doesn't get resigned, but someone like him get signed. Campbell should be able to contribute on special teams or at least practice squad.

-Tulloch

-Justin Durant

-Mark Herzlich

Defensive backs

If your Nnamdi, the Lions are terrible in the secondary I want a winning team. With me on the team they are no longer terrible in the secondary in fact their great. It is similar to the linebacker position. They will realize how much better they make this team and fill a huge hole. When a front line can make your job easier, it has to be quite enticing to go there. We know corner back is a huge hole for us. Right now we have nobody. If we get a chance at Tulloch, that means Houston is available to the market.

Lets start of with the easy position of safety though. CC needs not to be resigned. You can keep last years rookie Philips around. John Wendling is a special teams all star. Do you let Spievey and Coleman battle out for the safety position or do you move Spievey back to corner. This is a call for the coaching staff. I haven't seen enough of him at either position. With my small knowledge never seeing him at practice I'd keep him at safety. We lose CC and we already gained Coleman.

Now the huge hole area. We tried to get Patrick Peterson and passed on Prince. There's a huge difference between Peterson and Prince. We need two starting corners. Berry will be the only one that should stay that is not a free agent. Possibly keep Vasher and Prince Miller. I would let Prince go and ideally let Vasher too. Hill should not be resigned. Vasher can stay. Signing Nnamdi really hurts your chances at signing backers and corners. He will cost a fortune. His words will say winning matters, but money talks to him. I think the Lions need two major targets this offseason, Nnamdi and Tulloch. Manny would be just behind those two. It will be interesting to see the offers Houston gets. Will he be looked at as a #1 corner or a #2? Eric Wright would be a young guy that is looking for a new home. Pairing up Houston and Wright would be wonderful I think. I got us signing an elite backer and second tier backer. Making it really hard to sign Nnamdi. We need to sign 4 corners. Kendric Burney is a guy that can play in the tampa 2 and would be an excellent signing. He is similar to Herzlich, but was expected to go much earlier. Fabian Washington might be a guy that the Ravens are willing to part ways with. They drafted Jimmy Smith and Fabian has had injury issues.

-Houston

-Wright

-Burney

-Washington

-Maurice Leggett

This would make Houston and wright are starting corners but no real #1 guy. Burney would a rookie similar to Spievey last year. Washington would be the nickel and backup guy. With Berry right there as an insurance policy with Washington's injury issues. Leggett would be a young talent to groom.

There is a lot to do once free agency starts.

Lion's Post Draft

Nick Fairley

It was nerve racking with that first pick.  You at first want Patrick Peterson to fall to maybe where you  can trade up and get him. Then your holding your breathe with literally every pick the Prince doesn't get drafted. The Vikings pick Christian Ponder I think we all were so joyous. That's the QB we will be going up against and that was their terrible first round selection. Prince still on the board. Supposedly they were trying to trade down which made sense. The pick came in rather early and I'm sure they were trying to get rid of the pick while the Vikings were on the clock and they might of known by then that there wasn't a trade to be had. I still don't know what to think about it. I think a DT needs to be traded. Don't get me wrong Corey Williams is a good player, but he was offsides so many times. Corey Williams might not be worth a high draft pick, but he is worth a good player. Fairley is a 3 technique, so he fits the scheme, and Suh is a 1 technique. I think it has to help in free agency getting a LB. If I was LB and especially a 4-3 type LB. You know your pretty much going to start and boy your going to be filling a huge hole to put this team over the top. I know you have all heard and had the thought Suh and Fairley will have their reign for a while. Fairley needs to work his butt off and prove he is more than a one year wonder.

Titus Young

What was heard a lot was he is a DeSean Jackson like WR, but he didn't run that 4.3 (he ran a 4.4). He is not DeSean Jackson. It will be a long time till there is another DeSean Jackson. People rated him wrong in the second round including me where he got drafted. If these two were coming out of college at the same time I would have mistakenly taken Titus over Jackson. The reason is Titus has strong hands and really concentrates on the ball while he catches it. He does a good job of not running before catching it. I was afraid Jackson would be like Troy Williamson. Titus doesn't worry me there, he just has such a small frame. Titus fills a need for us at WR and fills it perfectly. Burleson is still the two receiver, but I think you will mainly see Burleson in the slot in 3 wide or more sets. Sadly guys like Akeem Ayers, Aaron Williams, and Bruce Carter were picked just a few picks front of us. Looking back I would say we were just a few picks to high. This might have been the right pick. Martez Wilson really slid down. We wouldn't have had a chance at him in round 3. With hindsight that is good to know.

Mikel Leshoure

My top RB in this class. He runs high, but apparently so did Peterson. This is great value pick and boy is he special. Best and Leshoure are great complements to each other. They are both feature back type guys that should take punishment of each other. I think you could see sets with them both in and send Best out wide. Sets in the shotgun could definitely include them both. It would be a 2 RB 3 wide shotgun set. One of our TEs is not getting on the field. What I love about this set most is you really have to respect the inside handoff, but a LB on Best is already a tough matchup. You fake the handoff inside to freeze the LB and Best is running out to the pass and he already has a few steps on  the LB. Could also send Best out wide were someone would have to slide and really respect him and then run it at that LB who is already out position. If you get man coverage, Mikel Leshoure is picking up good yards. Mikel isn't the best blocker in the world, but I think he can get there. He should eventually be able to help with blitz packages. He can catch the ball out of the backfield, this guy is a great threat. I think the best thing about this offense now is if someone goes down there is already a starter to fill in. Last year if CJ was out of a play it was tough. If he is out you run 2 WR sets with 2 TEs or 1 TE 2 RBs. If Best is hurt Mikel can fill in. I'm not saying Titus is a fill in #1 starter for CJ. What I am saying is Pettigrew comes in as a starter at TE. It restricts your sets, but they are all still good sets. Someone is getting a breather. We were always able to rotate the TE position. Now we can rotate WR or TE with a RB. This should keep guys fresh. My biggest complaint is that we are overloaded at the skill positions that they all can't get in, but someone will always be fresh. I contemplate say trading Heller, but I actually say no here. Heller is a good goal line TE who can catch the ball. I do think 4 wide sets would include a TE wide, probably Scheffler. Special RB we got here.

Douglas Hogue

Interesting pick here. Jones, Herzlich (undrafted), Lawrence Wilson, and  Quan Sturdivant still on the board. This guy got moved from RB the LB. Don't think of Ernie. Ernie is kind of an idiot and I think the Eagles are realizing that. He ran one of the fastest 40 times, looked excellent in the combine drills, and he catches the ball. He is a work in process. I don't think he necessarily fills a need, but he could start. He needs time before he will be good enough to fill that gap even if he is starting. I think playing him right away might be the best thing for him. This is the type of guy that will dramatically increase his skill set in year 2 in the NFL. He should definitely be a good special teams guy. In that situation I'm taking Jones, Herzlich, and then him. Speaking of Herzlich I wish the best for you, but boy you would look good in Honolulu blue and silver. Best of all you would have a great chance at seeing the field. Hopefully we can get Hogue coached, and hopefully he is excited to be in Detroit.

Johnny Culbreath

Didn't get this pick. Unless they think Fox is ready to backup and is ready to start next year. This would be there new project. If Fox is ready Hilliard sadly won't be back and they won't go after a tackle in free agency which would be nice. If they sign a free agent this guy is not going to make the team unless they are going to move him to guard. Lee Ziemba was on the board. I had him rated well above this guy. I would have loved this pick to have been Herzlich. Culbreath has potential so we will see. Not that many 7th rounders turn out the way it is.

Overall I give the Lions an A based on talent. Based on everyting I give them a C. They drafted the best players available, so how can you say they had a bad draft. They really didn't fill need areas, but maybe that was smart. Fairley was the first pick after he won the National Championship. We will see. We will be talking free agency next.

Janoris Jenkins and Explaining the Supplemental Draft

A well kept secret that the Lions secondary is awful. For people that don't know Janoris Jenkins is no longer with the Florida Gators, as Muschamp has kicked him off for getting caught with marijuana. By the way, this is his second time in less than 3 months. Someone likes to "eat sandwiches." I thought I would throw in a How I Met Your Mother reference.

Janoris has 3 choices. He can redshirt and try and play somewhere else at the D-1 level. He could go on and play at a different level. He would go and play D-1AA. His third and final option and why we are talking about him, is because he could enter the supplemental draft. This is more than likely what he is going to do. He entered the draft and then changed his mind. I don't see him sitting out an entire year. I think it is most likely he enters the supplement draft, then play D-1AA, and it is least likely he redshirts.

Why we have the supplemental draft is quite brief. It is basically a way that underclassmen that didn't petition early enough to enter the draft have a way entering the league. It is much more systematic and fair for all teams and both sides. It is a way for a player to say hey I'm in the league and just like the draft the teams with the worst records have the best chance to get the best players. The supplemental draft is after the actual draft. I realize that might be obvious with the draft this Thursday and boy am I excited. Also, you can stream the draft at NFL.com. I have a more exact link if you need it. 

The supplemental draft is not common knowledge, but not to confusing once you know it. Majority of people learn best by examples and dealing with numbers something physical. There is just to prime of an example not to use. The NBA draft has a lottery. If your familiar with it and you know skip to the sentence with the "*." In the NBA lottery each team is bacically awarded ping pong balls. The lowest record is awarded the most ping pong balls, and vice versa the team with the best record is awarded the least amount of ping pong balls. Now just like your local lottery, the ping pong balls are randomly chosen. The first ping pong ball chosen is the team with the first pick and so on. So, the team with the most ping pong balls has the best chance of getting the first pick. *The NFL supplemental draft is almost identical. Every team is split into 3 groups. The first group is 6 wins or less, then the second group is non-playoff teams, and then the third group is playoff teams. The first group will get the first set of picks and so on. So, the Packers have to get one of the last 12 picks. On the other end of the spectrum, the Lions have to get one of the top 13 picks. Now within each separate group each team is awarded a different weight (ping pong balls). Like the NBA the worse record you have the better chance you have of getting a higher pick.

Now the order has been determined, this is where things get pretty hush hush. If some of you do remember a supplemental draft, it was probably because there was a new franchise (Texans). That was handled different for the reason of the new franchise. Each team can choose to send in a name of player(s). I want to make this clear, you do not have to send in any names. With that name you have to put a round number. For example, Janoris Jenkins 4th round. Now the team that puts the highest bid on a player (when I say bid I mean round basically) is awarded the player. If two teams choose the same player and round obviously whoever had the higher pick gets the player. Here is the kicker, and why the supplemental draft is rarely used. The round you used to get that player you will lose in next years NFL draft. Maybe a better way of say it is, if a team uses a pick in the supplemental draft, they must forfeit their pick in the corresponding round of next years NFL draft.

Lastly, what is Janoris worth? I'd say he is worth a 4th round pick no higher than a 3rd. If it was my decision I would put in a 4th round pick bid for him. At the very least the Lions need to put in a 5th round pick for him. I would understand a 3rd, but not a 2nd on a guy that just got caught with mary jane again.

Lockout Lifted, but What Does That Mean?

With the judge ruling in favor of the players it is obviously a win for the players. What exactly does that mean though? It means a couple of things. First of all I am shocked that the union is getting away with not being a union. The ruling actually means money for some players if the ruling is upheld. Some players trigger bonuses by showing up for workout bonuses. The ruling doesn't mean much about the actual lockout. It gets quite confusing, but once you think about it, it makes sense. The NFL has appealed that ruling. I think the best way to think about this is there is several decisions that need to be made from restricted free agents, rookie cap, and etc. Then there is also a lockout from the players. Technically, you go back to the old collective bargaining, but the players didn't like the old collective bargaining and that is what the players are trying to change. So, in small terms the players aren't locked out. The appeal by the NFL basically can overrule the judgement within a couple days here and say the lockout was never really lifted. It would be a retroactive move if the NFL does win. So, the players wouldn't get their workout bonuses. Then it goes back to court and will take a while again.

Now the US appellate court doesn't have to take this case. In my opinion this just needs to be compromised between the two parties. The players and the NFL were just way to far off to agree to something. The NFL supposedly meant the players halfway and the players must have rejected that if it was true. What halfway means, we have no way of knowing. Halfway could have meant extending the season by one game which is something the players understandably aren't willing to change.

It is a jumbled mess. If there is any questions please just email me. I'll be shocked if this doesn't go up the circuit and the NFL gets a short term win and regains the lockout. Which just means we are right back to screw one, but we know one judges feelings.

Lions Schedule

Anyone else think that may Austin Jackson should sit for a while. We have plenty of options at center. I think the best two being Wells or Clete. Magglio getting healthy is going to be a pivotal on making that decision especially with Victor on the 15 day.

Well we open up in Tampa. Boy are we going to need a hot start. Your going to hear about a certain streak and how just last year something happened in Tampa. I don't care about that, that streak is over. It's a new season everyone is 0-0. Beat them last year and appear to be in better position to improve in this off season. Starting QB hopefully back and ready for a full game. If we are a playoff team this is one we should have. Have to imagine that we would be favored in this game.

Week 2 rolls around and it's our first home game against the Chiefs. All I have to say is that we need it and we should be favored.

Week 3 at Vikings. I think we need to sweep the Vikings. It will be interesting to see where they are at when the season begins.

Week 4 at Cowboys. Realistically we need to be 3-0 and can lose this one. This will be a tough game but winnable. We can beat the Cowboys on the road, but we need to play well.

Week 5 home Bears. 3/4 are on the road. I think we should have a fair assessment of this team by then. If we have a winning record by the time we play the Bears, it should be an exciting season. Right now I would have to imagine that we are the underdogs in this game. We come in 3-1 and I think we will be favored. I keep saying to myself that we should have beatin them if Stafford was healthy. Really need to stay away from if statements. The Bears know how to win. A win is a win is a win. Should be a good game. Also, who gives a crap if ESPN wants us or not. Screw them and NBC for not wanting us on "prime time." Only ESPN would come up with a stat of how long it has been since the Lions have been on prime time. The Lions had some very exciting games this last year, it is your fault for not carrying them. If we want the division, we need to at least split with the Bears. We could use this one.

Week 6 home 49ers. At worst be at 3-2 with a time to lick our wounds. At home against a team that will be very interesting. I don't see the 49ers being good because of drafting errors and new coaching staff. They will take a QB in the first two rounds. If he isn't starting in this game it is either a good or a bad thing for us. Troy Smith was good and may have something to prove to the team for drafting a QB. He might also feel is just a buying time to pass the torch onto their new QB. You have to figure they aren't going to spend a bunch of money on a player and not expecting him to play. At home we should get this one.

Week 7 home Falcons. This will be a tough game. A win here would be a significant help. Hopefully the home crowd makes the difference as we win.

Week 8 at Broncos. Need this one. An awful team last year. There are some games you circle and say this is a winner and this is that one. You have to beat the awful teams. Teams that waste a 1st round pick on guys that give locker room speeches tend not to be very good.

Week 9 bye. A well placed bye week. Will hopefully be looking at a worst case scenario of 5-3. 6-2 would be looking really good and not a stretch of the imagination at all.

Week 10 at Bears. This will be a tough one on the road. You have to win on the road to be successful. We don't need this win, but as always they would be nice. Every game is winnable as the movie Any Given Sunday tells us.

Week 11 home Panthers. Can't lose this one as a playoff team. They have the number one pick, and Andrew Luck is not available. There is no way this team should beat us especially at home.

Week 12 home Packers. Only one team can win the division. We need to try and split with the Packers as well. You need and try and get the home wins at least. First goal is to win the division. Thanksgiving day special for the Lions.

Week 13 at Saints. Extremely tough game. Be a good test for our back 7.

Wee 14 home Vikings. Need to finish the sweep at home.

Week 15 at Raiders. Interesting match up here. It will be a long travel and probably a tough game. It is hard to figure out where the Raiders will be. Nnamdi is there best player and could be on the other side of the field.  Everyone says playoff teams win on the road. Here is a game that could make or break the playoff scenario.

Week 16 home Chargers. A good team that could be who knows where at this time. We will see if they even care. You like to build up wins late in the year, it provides a lot of momentum. Good team would be a good win.

Week 17 at Packers. There could be a lot on the line here. Defending Super Bowl champs shouldn't be to bad. Should be a close and exciting game.

Every game really is winnable. Will the Lions win every game? no. Lions should be able to take care of the Panthers, but you never know.

To make the playoffs they need to beat the:
-Bucs
-Chiefs
-Vikes (2)
-Bears
-49ers
-Broncos
-Panthers
-Raiders

That puts them 9-7  and probably on the outside looking in at the playoffs. Be nice to get the Falcons, Packers, and Chargers at home. Packers game will be on Thanksgiving. If we won those home games that would put us at 12-4 and a playoff team. You would like to win on the road in the division, but those wins won't come easy. Cowboys, Raiders, and Bucs are road games that should be close and be nice to walk away with a win.

Toughest Games (hardest-least)
at Packers
at Saints
home Packers
at Bears
home Falcons
at Cowboys
home Chargers
home Bears
at Bucs
at Raiders
at Vikings
home Chiefs
home Vikings
home 49ers
at Broncos
home Panthers

Your thoughts might be different. Let me know what you think.

Lions Draft

Needs
I have prioritized them from most important to least.

1. LB
2. CB
3. LB
4. CB
5. G
6. WR
7. RB

1 and 2 are very close, but I lean towards LB for a couple of reasons. It's a harder position to hide, and I think we have a better chance at signing a top CB then a LB.  I think LB at 3 is pretty clear. LB is a more important position than a #2 CB. Now 4 and 5 were close in my head till I actually thought about it. Guard isn't as high of a need as #2 CB. We can still be a great team without 6 and 7. Now I think Morris could be a good backup RB. RBs really are a dime a dozen. The Adrian Peterson's of the world aren't but RBs are.

The first two picks have to be starters. We can't continue to miss in the first two rounds. Third round pick needs to be able to get significant playing time. Fourth round pick needs to be a sub. Realistically we can get a starter in the first four rounds, but they need to be quality starters. Terrence Holt was a starter but not a quality starter.

First round
There is a lot of talk about drafting a tackle. Now drafting a tackle will hopefully make one of the tackles kick in and play guard and fill that gap. I think Patrick Peterson is the best guy in the draft for us. Sadly I don't think he is worth trading up for on what is probably realistic. Prince Amukamara is clearly the most realistic best pick at 13. If he isn't there, I think you have to trade down. If trading down isn't a possibility I guess you look at Aldon Smith, Tyron Smith, Julio Jones, Bowers, and Ayers. Now if they can trade down I think the target is Ayers. We have a huge need at CB and LB. Really want to walk away with a 1st round talent at one of those two positions. If we get Prince at 13, those wins actually helped us get our guy at a cheaper price.

Second Round
Now based on who might be available I like Wisniewski even though it isn't a LB or CB. There are some obvious picks in the second round. Mikel Leshoure would not be a bad pick or one of the top WR. These aren't necessarily obvious picks, but they are needed. I don't think a pick this high on a RB is needed, but Mikel Leshoure is deserving of the value. I'm really not that big of a fan of any of the top WR. I like Jon Baldwin, but people are saying he has character issues. You would like to trade down if you went after on of the guards if Pouncey or Wisniewski wasn't available. I think Wisniewski will be available. Brandon Harris, Jimmy Smith, Bruce Carter, and Martez Wilson would be the best need picks. If Prince was the first pick I think Wilson is the best pick here and then Carter.

Third Round
Mason Foster, Mason Foster, and Mason Foster. If he is available I don't think I want to hear anyone else in the third round. If you went Ayers in the first round, I think ideally you get Harris or Smith in the  second, and then Foster.

Fourth Round
I don't think your getting a starter at CB or guard here. Probably not getting a starter at LB unless one falls. This is where you could take a chance at a RB or a WR here. I have said how high I am on Shaun Droughn. Then I would look at Demarco Murray. I don't think there is another RB your going to take here, which is fine. Tandon Doss, Greg Little, Vincent Brown or Greg Salas would have to be the WR pick. There should be a few good LBs available. Greg Jones, Lawrence Wilson, and Kelvin Sheppard would be the LB pick. There could be some decent guards available here. I don't think any of them would be instant starters but could be good. Brandon Burton would be the ideal CB if he was available. I think based on the other picks Shaun Drough or Brandon Burton might be the best pick here. Greg Jones would also be a good pick based on need.

Fifth Round
I just saw Herzlich and Vincent Brown in the 6th round in a mock draft. If Vincent Brown is available here I think he needs to be the pick. This is where Casey Matthews should go and he would be a good pick too, but I don't think he will be available. You need depth at LB or CB for special teams irregardless who was taken earlier. As I said earlier Vincent Brown is the ideal pick.

Sixth Round
I hope Herzlich isn't available, but he would be a great pick. Also, I guy I love is Akeem Dent. For some reason I have seen a few Georgia games. Dent really stuck out. The Lions don't have a sixth round pick, but I do want to go over it in case there is a trade. With the lockout and not being able to trade players it makes it more unlikely that we will acquire a sixth round pick.

Seventh Round
As I have adamantly said there is where you draft your speedy receiver. In the ideal draft the Lions would get Vincent Brown though. Kicker could be the pick in the seventh round. Henry is the only one that is said to be worth a pick. He didn't handle kickoffs at Nebraska which leads me to question if he is right for us. My seventh round top pick would Alex Wujciak. This is my seventh round crush. I'm yet to see his name pop up anywhere, but you guys are going to have to trust me on this one. His measurables aren't the best, but you put in the tape and you go wow. He could be a special player. If I honestly thought he was that special I would mention him earlier. The only thing he is missing to me is speed. Which means he might not be the best special teams player at the very least. If there is a LB that is going to make it from the seventh round I think it's this guy. If you can find some film on him I think you will see why I like Wujciak so much.

Recap
Prince fills need at CB leaving one needed to be signed in free agency. Mason Foster and Martez Wilson fill the need at LB. I think you clearly get three starters there. Brandon Burton might not be a starter, especially if we sign someone. He should definitely get some playing time though on special teams and nickel or dime situations. If we didn't sign any CB he would compete for the second spot. He is a little bit of a project compared to Prince. Shaun Droughn would be a good fit with Best if he is the pick there. Vincent Brown would be a great pick for the Lions. He would be our kind of two receiver. Burleson would still be the two, but in three WR set (which would be run a lot) Burleson would play the slot where he would thrive. Brown could catch a ton of balls with the attention to CJ. Wujciak might be able to make special teams. If he shows the coaches I think he could be a sub. Him being a sub would be ideal. With a bit of coaching and experience he could eventually possible be something good.

Based on this we would need to sign a CB. You would like to sign possibly another RB, but it might not be needed if Morris can continue where left off or if we drafted one. It would be nice to sign a starting guard. Now I think you resign a Carpenter to backup the LBs you drafted and possibly start if one of them doesn't work out or needs time.

Lion's Draft, Rookie Contracts, and Random

Going off topic, I saw Jenn Sterger on Kevin's lackadaisical blog. Man is she a babe or what. She says something about looking like Favre's wife, yeah a younger thinner and hotter version. Don't get me wrong I believe in the sanctity of marriage, but Jenn Sterger is a 10.

Last off topic issue I wanted to talk about were a couple of products I got from one sale a day. I don't know how many of you are as skeptical as I use to be. I've boughten two great products from there. Delivery is slow, about two weeks. I never really need anything that fast when I'm bargain hunting anyways. Now the two products I got I had been looking on eBay for a while. First is the redeye mini from Thinkflood. Good product, it takes sometime to get everything right. I haven't set to much up yet. There are somethings that make this product awesome. I can scroll through a TV guide on my iPod then touch and it switches the channel. For people like me, that have to turn the channel and wait for them to go through one by one on the guide channel it sucks. Now you can download the app for free and use the guide, but there is a better app that I use to use, i.TV (free). Part of the reason I like i.TV better is because I'm use to it. I think redeye looks more customizable though and I will eventually like it better. It can also do multiple things with one click. What I mean by that is I can set it up to turn on the TV, the DVD player, switch the AV, and then play the DVD. All this with just the touch of one button. Going into the last thing I want to mention is that it can supposedly communicate with all devices that use infrared. I have only setup my TV. I will setup other stuff when I get situated. The second thing I bought on one sale a day, was a cooling pad. It is a thermapak heatshift cooling pad. First of all they do an amazing job and they are so easy to transfer. I know $30 is pricey, but it is worth it. I have a newer laptop, so overheating isn't much of an issue. Now for both these products I got them for $15 and that included shipping.

Free agency never seems like it is going to start and we are never going to know what we have. This lockout situation is really going to be tough when signing draft picks come around. I wonder how teams are going to deal with it. You can start negotiating with your draft picks, but when push comes to shove it is going to hurt one side. How do you estimate what the cap is going to be if there is one at all. An estimate actually will not give you that good that good of a number to go by. The reason it won't is because you have to include zero, which would be a huge difference compared to the other numbers. Now if it's a remote chance of being zero it wouldn't affect it much.

Lets get onto our Lions

Needs
2 CBs
2 LBs
G
WR (down field threat)
RB

I would hope they could sign a free agent at CB and LB. We have 6 picks and 6 needs. The only chance you really have at filling a need area in the 7th round is a speedy receiver and we do have that need. Lets remember the hype that came with Tim Toone. Who is still on the practice squad which isn't terrible for a 7th round pick. Ideally we could fill 3 in the draft and 4 in free agency. Now I've talked about the guys we can get in free agency and we will take a look at that again soon, possibly not until after the draft though. A CB and a LB has got to be two of the first 4 picks. Now you can't caught on a guy drafted in the 4th rounder as a starter, a 3rd rounder on this team at those two positions has got to be though. Later rounds is a ideal to try and get a WR or a RB. I've seen Shaun Drough left out of a lot mock drafts and I really like him. If he is there in the 4th round I would love that pick. I would love the first 3 picks to be CB, LB, LB though too and that is going to be tough. It's tough for teams to get WRs and RBs right, that is why you need to try and get these in the later rounds, also because it's less of a need. Lastly Stefan Wisniewski would be a great pick in the 2nd round for this team.

Prince
Fills a huge hole for the Lions. If they can resign Houston or maybe someone else, Nnadi. It would be a strength for the Lions very fast. It is really tough to say that Prince will be available to them. Ideally I think moving down and getting Ayers would be the best thing. DE might be the best available pick, and you almost have got to pull the trigger. Problem is, it doesn't fill a need.

Martez Wilson
This might be a stretch of a pick. It could definitely happen. The reason that moving down was good for the Lions is because there were so many 4-3 LBs still on the board and they saved money. They also would get a 2nd round pick next year which will help with a lot of maneuvering. One time 1st round pick slips to the 3rd round. Like I said in an earlier post, there is always that guy that shockingly falls. I wonder if the 3-4 teams pass on him. I see a lot of DTs to come off the board for the 4-3 teams. Also, a lot of 3-4 teams need NTs as well. He had a horrible pro day according to everyone, he might be the faller. I like to call that person the Rey Maualuga. I will say this, boy was I wrong about him. I still remember gushing over him when I watched film of him.

Mason Foster
As some of you know this is my dream guy in the 3rd round. It is like having a high school crush all over again. I might have to get a foster jersey if he gets drafted by the Lions. Excellent fit for the Lions here. I have posted about him earlier. Some people grade him in the 4th round, I just can't believe that. Early 3rd round is my estimation where he goes. 4th and 5th round picks you could look at Matthews and Herzlich. I don't think either one is an immediate starter, but could eventually be. Matthews at the very least will be the special teams stud, which the Lions shouldn't pass on him if he is available to them.

Out of this draft you get two great LBs with versatility. Martez or Levy can play the inside or outside position. Foster would be on the outside. All 3 LBs would be great in pass coverage, very fast guys. Prince would be a great in pass coverage. I think the only huge hole on the defensive side of the ball is that last CB spot. Corey's offside penalties this year might be relevant and kill is much more when they wouldn't have actually scored anyways. Lets face it Corey got free passes on his penalties because they were going to score anyways.

Round 3

Lions have two picks and several of their LBs they want still on the board. Keep in mind based on the trade they also receive a future 2nd round pick.

Carolina Panthers
Have their QB of the future in their minds, now the tackle
-James Carpenter

*Detroit Lions
Lions gave up the Raiders 3rd round pick and their 4th round pick to get here. Need LBs and there is 3 currently available that would be amazing. They take the top available even though they believe in their MLB. Either way depth never hurts.
-Martez Wilson

Denver Broncos
A guy that the Lions were going to plan on to move up and get is off the board. They couldn't string up enough mustard to get here. I think it's a good thing though. Mason Foster is the guy they need to key. They never really release the names of guys that they are really interested in anyways. Broncos transitioning into a 4-3 need guys like this and they wouldn't pass him up here.
-Bruce Carter

Buffalo Bills
Same thing as the Panthers. They added a weapon for their new QB in the 2nd round who is really not a Pettigrew who can block as well, so they need to help the offensive line many people believe with that new QB.
-Marcus Gilbert

Arizona Cardinals
The OL are going crazy. Every at the top of the 3rd round needs major help there. This guy might go higher. It's hard to draft guards early when you need help at the tackle position as well.
-Rodney Hudson

*Detroit Lions
Lions gave up their 3rd round pick and 5th round pick to get here. We are going to recap there draft at the end of this. This guy is a sure tackler and boy am I high on him. Lets face it, we haven't seen a sure tackler on the team in a long time. Now just because he was a sure tackler in college doesn't make him one in the NFL, but it doesn't hurt and we need it.
-Mason Foster

Dallas Cowboys
Tough for me not to eventually pick a skill position for the Cowboys, but lets face it they don't need it.
-Quinton Carter

New Orleans Saints
Looking to improve that defense.
-Davon House

Houston Texans
They got Aldon in the first round. I think they see a 2nd round talent fall into their laps. Are the doubling up at the position? yes, but they still need more.
-Jarvis Jenkins

New England Patriots
They have made the defense younger and improved at a skill position. I think they eventually have to address the OL. Just in case they have trouble with free agency and this will at least give an eventual replacement to.
-Clint Boling

Cleveland Browns
They moved back and still got the got they wanted.
-Will Rackley

San Fransisco 49ers
They will be looking to take the best available player here. I think it would be wise of them to consider a RB.
-Quan Sturdivant

Tennessee Titans
Should be a skill position at this point.
-Abilene Christian

St. Louis Rams
This needs to be a target for Bradford. I have to say I'd be surprised if they hadn't picked a WR by now, but based on the picks they shouldn't
-Lance Kendricks

Miami Dolphins
They get their RB they wanted. If they think Ingram is worth a mid 1st round pick they will take him. The thing is you can get some good RBs late. This guy is not high on a lot of peoples list, but he is high on mine. Which leads me to believe someone will like him as much as I do. I think he is the third best RB in the draft and getting him here would be a steal. Just for the record I rate Leshoure ahead of Ingram.
-Shaun Droughn

Jacksonville Jaguars
Might be reaching, but they are looking at upgrading their defense. Now it might be tough for them to draft 3 straight on the defensive side. The thing is it is a much more needed area for them. Especially if they don't like any of the WR left. DT could be the pick, but I think they target a LB. Remember they need fans and this could be an exciting pick on the defensive side. I guess not really.
-Casey Matthews

Cincinnati Bengals
This needs to be on the defensive side based on the other two picks. The thing is I see them taking a RB here. This will give them a lot of leeway.
-Demarco Murray

San Diego Chargers
Interesting most of the picks in front of the Chargers that took a LB were 4-3 teams. They get a good deal here because of it. Never have enough OLB/DE in a 3-4.
-Dontay Moch

New York Giants
This is a tough one. I think they would look at defense at this point. Too much of an offensive draft for the Giants, I agree. I am just having trouble seeing them draft a defensive player here.
-Jordan Cameron

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Haven't gone offense here for their young QB. Shane Vereen or Jacquizz Rodgers would be an interesting pick that would make sense to me. It would make a good one two punch for them at RB. I think WR is a heavier need and they could look to get a RB in the 4th round. This could possibly be a TE also. Their crush Kenricks is gone though.
-Tandon Doss

Philadelphia Eagles
They need a safety.
-Robert Sands

Kansas City Chiefs
Desperately need a WR. They just saw several TEs and WRs come off the board. Usually this is the WR pick that nobody has heard of. I am not going to go in that direction though.
-Greg Salas

Indianapolis Colts
They need a safety worse than anyone.
-Ahmad Black

New Orleans Saints
Still overhauling that defense.
-Chimdi Chekwa

Atlanta Falcons
This actually could be a RB. I think they will go defense though even though a lot of the top guys are gone.
-Kelvin Sheppard

New England Patriots
Looking for a tackle. They tend to go at no name schools. Maybe kids in smaller schools have better attitudes.
-Kenrick Ellis

Chicago Bears
Hate to admit it, but if this guys is available here they would take him. All the 4-3 teams took a LB, letting this guy fall into the Bear's lap.
-Terrell McClain

New York Jets
Need subs at NT. Sione Pouha 32 meet.
-Sione Fua

Pittsburgh Steelers
They have their guard and CB. Now they are looking at tackle.
-Joseph Barksdale

Green Bay Packers
I'd be surprised if this wasn't a RB unless a couple more are off the board which would be tough.
-Daniel Thomas

Carolina Panthers
This needs to be on the defensive side of the ball. Really could be any defense of position.
-Brandon Burton

I will be assessing the Lions mock draft results in my next post. The only pick they have left is a 7th rounder. I would have them taking another Tim Toone. They have a OT project, so I don't see them going  in that direction.

Round 2

There always seem to be one guy that just falls past everyones expectations and then some surprises. I think QBs are going to come off the board fast in the second round. Teams are either going to trade up into the late first round or stay put.

2nd Round
*Tennessee Titans
This pick is going to be traded to the Titans for a future first round pick to the Pats. I don't know how they are the only team to find a trading partner, but they do it every year. The Titans want to get their QB.
-Jake Locker

Buffalo Bills
Try and help their new QB. He is no Pettigrew and we all hate him whether you cheer for UM or MSU.
-Kyle Rudolph

Cincinnati Bengals
Wanted their guy in the first round but wasn't there. You would wonder if the Vikes would trade with the Bills to get ahead of the Bengals to get their QB.
-Ryan Mallet

Denver Broncos
They got their DT. I don't think Elway will be foolish enough to look away from that DL. I wouldn't be surprised if they went back to back DTs.
-Brooks Reed

Cleveland Browns
Went defensive first round. I think they would be looking WR here, but I don't know if they like any of them here.
-Titus Young

Arizona Cardinals
They need to get their QB.
-Andy Dalton

Tennessee Titans
They have their QB and still kept their 2nd round pick. Probably go back to the defensive side of the ball here. I want to put Stephan Paea here, but two DT is tough pick to make. They can still revamp the DL though.
-Cameron Heyward

Dallas Cowboys
They need to look Defense the rest of the draft. Lion's fans might not be to happy, but can longhorns deal with the cold well.
-Aaron Williams

Washington Redskins
They got a weapon for their non existent QB now who is it going to be.
-Colin Kaepernick

Houston Texans
Boy are they happy. They can go either Paea or Taylor. I think they take the safer NT.
-Phil Taylor

Minnesota Vikings
I think the Vikes admit they have a problem and try and address it.
-Christian Ponder

Detroit Lions
A lot of this will based on who they take in the first round. If one of the top 5 CBs is here and no CB in the first round, that will be the pick. I would be happy if they doubled up on CB here, but no top 5 available here. If they didn't sign a safety this would be Rahim Moore. Don't like any of the tackles here. Almost every position could be used with this pick. There are so many guys left that would fill a gaping hole, they have to look to trade down. I truly believe that the Chargers would be afraid of everyone wanting a WR in front of them. Lions trade down with the Chargers and get a 4th round pick.

San Diego Chargers
They get their WR.
-Randall Kobb

San Fransisco 49ers
I think at this point they should pass on QB. Personally I don't think they should consider anyone but Gabbert, but they have a new regime in and we'll see if he likes the QB he has. They might be upset that they passed on Prince and didn't get a chance at Peterson. They are going to come out and say they liked this guy better in the second round.
-Ras-I Dowling

Denver Broncos
Tough pick here. I think they will take someone that the Lions would have considered, but not taken at 44.
-Mikel Leshoure

St. Louis Rams
Look for them to look at the Lions for a model. Shocking statement I know. They like the DT available but they already drafted one.
-Allen Bailey

Oakland Raiders
Another guy off the board the Lions would have considered and maybe taken at 44. Just not a big enough needed area and plenty of other good guards available. This could be one of the DTs.
-Stefan Wisniewski

Jacksonville Jaguars
It is nearly impossible to get second round picks right, but this is one that should be the pick if he is available.
-Rahim Moore

Detroit Lions
I think the Lions have to be targeting Bruce Carter, Mason Foster, and Martez Wilson. Saying that they need to get down farther. They could also take one of the guards if they aren't available, but that is saying a lot. Wait the Raiders are on the clock again. I think the Lions can get a future second round pick and a third round pick. I know it sounds like much, but not really. I've seen a future 1st round pick and a 2nd round pick for a late 1st round pick. There is a big difference between the 2nd and 3rd round.

*Oakland Raiders
They get their DT.
-Marvin Austin

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
They still need more at DE help.
-Jabaal Sheard

*Kansas City Chiefs
They are surprised he is still available. This pick got traded from the Giants to the Chiefs so they can get their guy.
-Stephan Paea

Indianapolis Colts
There seems to be a consensus that this pick will be a WR. Problem is the top WR aren't available anymore.
-Jerrel Jernigan

Philadelphia Eagles
Desperately need help at CB. Went offense first round.
-Curtis Brown


*New York Giants
They got this pick and a 5th round pick from the trade. They need help at RB irregardless of free agency.
-Ryan Williams

New Orleans Saints
Still need to work on the DL. They will look at taking back to back Iowa boys or maybe a DE.
-Christian Ballard

Seattle Seahawks
They got help on the line in the first round. I would think they would target a G and a CB with their first two picks.
-Johnny Patrick

Baltimore Ravens
The Atlanta Falcons are going to take a WR next. The Ravens will take the best WR or Martez Wilson. I think they will go with the more immediate impact player.
-Leonard Hankerson

Atlanta Falcons

They need help at WR. They will be taking the top WR available, but so many of them flew off the board this round they may pass. They wanted Hankerson but right in front of them.

-Greg Little

New England Patriots

I would be surprised if this wasn't the pick and he is available.

-Sam Acho

San Diego Chargers

The Pats took the guy they wanted right in front of them.

-Chris Carter

Chicago Bears

I think this is a pick in the trenches. They could have moved up and gotten a good DT, but they figured they could get a DT or a G. They stayed put and got the guard.

-Marcus Cannon

Pittsburgh Steelers

OL line help that they couldn't get in the first round. Watkins is 27, but they were just in the Super Bowl. I think he fits in perfect.

-Danny Watkins

Green Bay Packers

Another guy taken right in front of a team. Watkins would also be a perfect fit for the Packers.

-Orlando Franklin

Round three will be coming up where the Lions will have two mid picks and be looking to move up.

Draft and Tax Day is Getting Close

The draft is just 17 days away. Also, taxes are due on April 18th. Now, the tax day is April 15th, but they were slow on getting out the  new laws so they gave you an extra 3 days. I heard a H&R Block commercial I found a little deceiving. They said that they would get your taxes deferred for free and then go on to say stuff  really fast. A little tax advice. Anyone can get their taxes deferred for free and you will be granted the deferral. It is talking about the return and not the payment. No matter what the payment is due on the 15th (18th this year). So, when you ask for a deferral you need to send in a payment (estimation) of what you think your liability is.

The draft is not well timed for me. Sadly, I have my Audit final the Friday of the draft from 3-7. At least I can see rounds 4-7 on Saturday, maybe. Next week I have to prepare for all my other finals, then the first Friday in May I have my first CPA exam, and lastly commencement on Saturday. I have tried and talk my mom out of not wanting to come so I don't have to sit through commencement. They did get Michelle Obama to speak which is cool, but they are now combining it into one ceremony for everyone and it will take forever.

Onto draft talk. It has been a long time since I saw a mock draft and boy am I excited.

1st Round
Carolina Panthers
People are finally starting to wise and put a QB here. Called that a long time ago. This pick really could be anyone, but I think it comes down to Gabbert or Newton. If it is was me I wouldn't take either one. I would take Patrick Peterson or AJ Green. I think here I would lean towards Peterson. If QB was my only choice I'd take Newton over Gabbert and I think they will too.
-Newton

Denver Broncos
How is Tebag working out? Obviously well when your drafting several spots in front of the Lions. Once again I'd take Green or Peterson, but lean towards Green. In this case I think they should try and build an offense, were as I think the complete opposite of the Panthers. I think they would have to consider Bowers, but if I recall he has injury issues. I wish I got to get more sportscenter in. Sounds like Dareus is odds on favorite for them to pick.
-Dareus

Buffalo Bills
I truly wonder how they really feel at the QB position. They are not in terrible shape, but then again not good enough to win a Super Bowl. They may consider Fitzpatrick a bridge guy and say Gabbert or Newton or both aren't they guy we're looking for. Buffalo needs someone to get their fans excited and that might have to be a QB. Von Miller might do that to though, to some extent. I think if I'm the Bills I would take Miller, even though I believe Peterson would be the right pick. I say this because Miller would be more exciting. Based on the belief of the other two picks it is going to come down to Miller or a QB, maybe Peterson. I think they will go QB. Now if Poluszny leaves before the draft they may draft Miller based on that alone, but free agency before the draft seems unlikely.
-Gabbert

Cincinnati Bengals
This undoubtedly would be Green in my mind if Palmer was threatening the team. I won't be shocked if they take a QB here, even if two are off the board. Not that I want to say it, but they might be able to learn a lesson from the Browns. Then again there was less teams looking desperately for a QB. Green, top 2 QBs, or Peterson are the likely candidates. I think they go for Green still if both QBs are gone, but contemplate the third one.
-Green

Arizona Cardinals
I think it is going to be tough for one of the two QBs to still be here. If there is one, I think he will go here. Then next in order they would take Miller, Green, and then Peterson. Based on above Miller is still available.
-Miller

Cleveland Browns
Green, Miller, Peterson in that order I believe. They probably won't be a happy camper if the QBs don't get taken and those three are all gone. If that was the case they would almost have to go DL. Do the Lions give up a second round pick to move up and get Peterson here? That is definitely a tough call. I'll give up a every pick combined except for the 2nd round pick for Peterson. I think this would be a tough trade to pull off without a player that the Browns would want. A they would have to want him and B not everyone is under contract until free agency starts. So, you really don't want to trade away the players you do have. I think a DL or TE would make sense for both teams. The Lions really don't need 3 TEs and the Browns need one. You really don't want to trade Sammie Hill or Willie Young and a pick, but for Peterson I am willing to. I think ideally I'd give up Heller and a 3rd rounder. Then Willie Young and a 3rd.
-Peterson

San Francisco 49ers
Can't see Newton going here. I think Gabbert is the pick if he is here. I could see Locker here. I know it sounds crazy. I can't see Peterson, Miller, or Green getting out of the top 6. I think without Gabbert here is comes down to Prince, Quinn, and Bowers. Sounds like Quinn had a good pro day so am going to take Bowers out of the mix. It's a tough decision, you can hide your secondary with a good pass rusher (Lion fans might understand this concept). I think you go with the better defensive player. I would take Prince if it was me. Definitely a tough call though.
-Quinn

Tennessee Titans
I have to believe they would be taking a QB here if one of the top two are available. Right now I could see the 49ers getting back into the first round to get Locker. With the Vikings, Titans, and everyone else I have trouble seeing Mallet and Locker getting out of the 2nd round and possibly the first, because everyone is afraid of the other guys getting a QB unlike last year when it was the Panthers and the Browns when the Rams took Bradford. Please don't tell me about Tebag I know and he is not QB. Top defensive player or Julio. There is one guy that just makes too much sense for this pick to be.
-Nick Fairley

Dallas Cowboys
I am jumping on the bandwagon with this pick late and I agree with it. I think this makes the most sense and what they should do. If I were them I would take Solder. He looks better in pass protection potentially.
-Tyron Smith

Washington Redskins
The last three picks really could be Prince. Redskins want Julio and the Lions want Prince. Redskins take a 4th, 5th, and 7th maybe a future late round pick or something, I don't know. They would take a 3rd round pick, which is just too high I am thinking. Be nice to throw in a player that can't play for us anyways and a 4th round pick. I would definitely give up a 4th rounder and a little bit more for Prince. Julio should be there at 13 so it just makes sense that they will get to pay Julio less and get another draft pick. Right now I don't think the Redskins will take less than a 3rd round pick for the risk of losing out on Julio and I think the Lions wisely don't lose on value.
-Julio Jones

Houston Texans
Big question is are the Texans willing to trade back. According the ESPN chart it would be a 4th and a 5th. I think the Lions would have to pull the trigger if the Texans are willing to. They can also have the 7th round pick but no more. The Texans pick last year was CB Kareem Jackson, can they pull the trigger on a CB two years in a row? They are installing a 3-4 system. I think they trade with the Lions get their guy Aldon or take Prince. I have to imagine Wade Philips will want Aldon, but don't they have to jump at the opportunity of Prince? Maybe the Lions figure they have a good chance at getting Bowers or Prince. They need guys to change over into the 3-4 system.
-Aldon Smith

Minnesota Vikings
With Jones, Aldon, and Tyron Smith gone, it could be anyone. I think it comes down to DE or Prince.
-Bowers

Detroit Lions
This would be Bowers if Prince isn't available and he is.
-Prince

St. Louis Rams
This is another tough one. Most mock drafts agree who is gone at this point, unless AJ Green falls to the Redskins at 10 and then Julio falls here. I hate to be the bear of bad news but Julio is not a lock to get past the Lions which is a good thing. It should scare the Rams to moving up one spot and Julio would not be a bad pick.
-Corey Luiget

Miami Dolphins
This pick seems Ingram's to lose and apparently he lost it. I have to think a pick in the trenches or Ingram. Right now I lean towards they will take the best player available.
-JJ Watt

Jacksonville Jaguars
Don't see anyone for them to trade with at this point, maybe someone looking for a OT. The thing is there is quite a few still on the board.
-Ryan Kerrigan

New England Patriots
Year after year they are apparently the only team that can trade down. Maybe it is because they are always willing to take a 1st round pick next year. I don't see many bidders for this pick. I don't see them taking a OL. I think at this point it's Jordan, Wilkerson, and Ayers. I might be stretching for this pick, but it seems the only time the stay put and draft is for a LB they really like.
-Akeem Ayers

San Diego Chargers
This is a DL pick, unless everyone they want is gone.
-Cameron Jordan

New York Giants
I get the feeling someone is going to pull the trigger on Pouncey because of his brother. This should be OL or Ayers. There is talk of Ingram which I agree with, but I think they will wisely pass.
-Anthony Castonzo

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
I think if the Pats or Jags want a trading partner this is it. I still think the Bucs are happy with their choices. They should like Clayborn or Houston. As a hawk hater how can I put Clayborn here. Seriously though I just saw him take to many plays off late in games where you couldn't drag me off the field.
-Justin Houston

Kansas City Chiefs
This is going to be a pick in the trenches if they stay here. I think they should consider Ingram. If they feel that Ingram is fine I don't know if they should take him, but definitely consider him. I don't like the Phil Taylor pick I've been seeing here. I think it's Paea or Wilkerson on the defensive side. Then Carimi or Pouncey on the offensive side. My question is does Paea or Wilkerson fit into what KC wants if not this probably is Taylor.
-Wilkerson

Indianapolis Colts
Taking a tackle.
-Gabe Carimi

Philadelphia Eagles
Tackles get flying off the board. I don't know which tackle this will be.
-Derek Sherrod

New Orleans Saints
I think this has to be DL.
-Adrian Clayborn

Seattle Seahawks
Pete Carroll is going to fall in love with someone different everyday it just matters who he is in love with on draft day.
-Pouncey

Baltimore Ravens
Defensive defensive and more defensive. They need help at the CB position.
-Jimmy Smith

Atlanta Falcons
They are look at OL, WR, and DE. If they are smart they will take the best available of a decently needed area. I love Solder. I know I have him late, but he doesn't necessarily fit as well with other teams. I think he would be a great fit with Indy as well. These are who I think they would take not who I would take. Solder in pass protection needs work, but will be the best from this class.
-Nate Solder

New England Patriots
I have to think they will get on skill position and a defensive pick if they stick with their top two picks. No way they stick with all 3 of their top 3 choices.
-Mark Ingram

Chicago Bears
They have to take an OL here. Sadly Solder is gone.
-Ben Ijalana

New York Jets
In a 3-4 you can never have enough LBs and DEs. Cameron Heyward is a likely pick here.
-Torrey Smith

Pittsburgh Steelers
Top OL off the board make this pick tough. This could be Stefan Wisniewski. I think Stefan would be a great fit for them. It might be a reach, but it makes them better at the end of the day.
-Brandon Harris

Green Bay Packers
WR is likely this pick.
-Jon Baldwin

I will try and get the second round out soon, but I am getting close to crunch time. As you can tell the the posts have really slowed down, but they should be coming back up here in a couple of months.

College Football Scholarships

I want to go off subject a little and talk about the college student athlete situation. I don't think the facts are very clearly stated. Now we are only talking about the NCAA. Each level you go down the ladder of the D1, D1AA, D2, and D3 (haven't learned what I'm still calling the new names) the less scholarships awarded. At the D3 level there are 0 scholarships awarded to student athletes. Now lets not kid with ourselves the money is at the D1 level and that is where people have a problem. These kids sign contracts (national letters of intent) that are one year contracts. There are programs where they honor your contract for 4 years irregardless that it is a one year contract, but there are also the other programs that are cutthroat (SEC football programs). I think a prime examples is the kid in the movie Hoop Dreams that goes to Marquette and because of off the court issues he couldn't play basketball anymore. Marquette continually renewed his scholarship. Now there are also over signing football schools that don't have the ability to renew some scholarships.

Now I side with the NCAA on the current subject. It is hard not to write biased and that is I feel I should state who I side with right away. Now people feel that these college athletes are being exploited. There is a millions of dollars to be made by the NCAA and it is based on the athletes performing. Now the other side of that is that they are receiving scholarships that help them make the big bucks. There have been accusations against that student athletes are forced to choose easier majors to stay eligible. I am still young and probably don't know better, but I consider kind of that early manhood. You need to start making decisions on your own with others influences. There is going to people that steer you in the wrong direction and the right direction in the real world. I know how impressionable college students are, but if you want to be a doctor and your capable of it then do it. Now if you aren't capable of it, coaches might be doing you a favor. Lets also be honest with ourselves some of these athletes are going to make it the pros and just to point out the obvious, the athletes that are going to make the big bucks at the next level is where the money is at in college athletics.

This is my argument. Public colleges have to abide by government laws. You can't say that these athletes are being exploited and believe in Title IX. Why? because of Title IX the students are paying full tuition are paying for womens sports. If you start paying college athletes, it will become so much harder for the underdog. You think every schools alumni bases is the same. One school has Nike backing them up. I agree that the underdog argument shouldn't be considered, as your talking about fairness to the athletes. My point I am trying to get to is the colleges as a whole really don't make money. Without subsidies 14 schools turn a profit. With subsidies that number jumps up to 60. I attend a school that all athletic events are free to students. It probably makes sense for them to do that because they can at least get money off the concessions stands and a good team will bring in season ticket holders. Who knows if fans really help a team be a good team, but no recruit likes seeing a bunch of empty seats on a visit. Here's my point, how is my university suppose to compete athletically with the 14 schools that are actually making money. We're not making money on football here. You have schools like Florida that are bringing in bank on football just to even out the losses across the board. The way Title IX is setup is based on scholarship for scholarship and football takes up a lot of scholarships, but that is where the money is at. Personally if you want to pay the athletes then let the colleges run it like a business and not have to make up programs for woman. I think women athletes should be allowed to play in the men's if they are good enough.

My reason for agreeing with the NCAA really boils down to the contract and options. They are signing a contract and they know what they are getting out of it. If it is a bad deal don't sign the contract. If you want to go pro, the NCAA tends to give scouts a good look at you. If you don't well I'm paying for full tuition and apparently think it is worth it. Here's the kicker, nobody is forcing these kids to sign the contracts. They do have options. As I recall there is more than one place to play a sport after high school. Some kids are going over to Europe to play basketball and then coming back and entering the draft. I have to say that football is definitely different, but there is still options out there. If people are signing there national letter of intent, they must apparently believe it is the best deal for them. If you want to pay the athletes then I think you should agree that this should be looked at as a business decision. From a business standpoint, if your offering the best deal to 99.99% of the people why would you just offer them more. Football is really where the money is at and it is going to get costly and then how are you going to abide by Title IX? Especially when football's profits are paying for every other sport on most campuses. Football doesn't bring in jack here, so we really can't compete.

Patrick Peterson Controversy and Auburn Controversy

This makes things very interesting. If you haven't heard yet, Peterson supposedly cost around $80,000 for his services in college. Former Texas A&M DB coach (now at Tulsa) reported that he got a call saying that it would cost around $80,000 after a visit from Peterson. What does this mean? This really won't affect his eligibility. There is to much of a gap between NCAA and the NFL for there to be sanctions. This will probably be less of a distraction than the Bush case.

The only thing you can question is his character. I think by the time the draft comes about Peterson will still be looking decent. It's tough to say that Peterson falls based on these allegations. It may help a team like the Broncos that have a very tough choice pass based on this. I still think it is tough to say that he falls past 6. If he does get past 6, I would have to imagine this was a factor, but it is still possible that it wasn't.

It's possible that he doesn't even know money exchanged hands. Peterson's father has already came out and said, "This is my first time hearing this... It Could have happened." Willie Lyles is the guy that supposedly called. Willie is already under investigation from the NCAA. Maybe I'm gullible, but I believe him. Now lets get one thing straight, Peterson's signature is his own and it was his decision alone where he went. These people like Willie probably are in his ear. This guy might be calling all the places a player is considering and saying it costs this much to get him. When the player signs a guy like Willie gets paid and the player and family never knew about it. NCAA teams can call these scouting payments and it doesn't look that bad. When the money comes from random alum, it is tough to follow the money trail especially when it comes in cash. It would be tough to pay someone $80,000 in cash and hold onto it. Probably shouldn't say this, but this is how I would do it. I would deposits of cash in the amounts of $9,000. The dollar amount is a precise amount and those of you that know the law, know the reasoning for that. Getting back to the point though, it is tough for these scouts to make a player sign without knowledge of money.

I would also like to touch upon Chizik's words about the Auburn players receiving money. Now one of the play said he received money from MSU during the recruiting process. Chizik was upset that only one side was reported. Saying that several players were interviewed and said they didn't receive money. I do agree that you should show both sides, but it still only takes 1 case of a player receiving money for this to be inappropriate. In my opinion, good for you if only pay 10% of your players and 90% of your players aren't paid. No, 0% of the players should be paid, zero. That is my biggest problem with Chizik's words, he basically concedes that these guys probably got paid but not all of them do. I am extremely sadden by the allegations against MSU. These Auburn players got paid to talk about this, and most (almost all) receive compensation based on face time. It makes a little sense for them to make this up, but I don't think they would.

More Draft Talk

Till free agency hits, we don't really have more to talk about. Here are a few guys in the first round I think we need to talk about.

Da'quan Bowers

There has been a few mock drafts that I have seen him falling to the Lions. I realize this isn't a high priority area. This guy is a beast and would give the Lions amazing value at 13. There is some guys you don't pass on no matter where your needs our at, he is one of them. Lets keep in mind that Avril is not signed and it never hurts to have depth at the DL position, because games are won in the trenches. I am definitely the type of guy believes that you target need area guys. Lastly, KVB will eventually and sadly need to be replaced.

Patrick Peterson

We will have to trade up to get to him. If there is the tinniest percentage of Peterson falling to the 13th pick, the Lions shouldn't take that chance. There is a point where the Lions would stupid not to trade up and get him. A 4th round pick has got to be given up for Peterson but that's not likely possible. What is possible is a second round pick to move up to the 6th pick. Teams can get really desperate and not want that pick and take much less for that pick. Now with a rookie wage scale it makes higher picks more valuable. I think you give up a 3rd round  pick for Peterson and a 2nd round is questionable. A 3rd round pick according to the ESPN chart is the 9th pick, which really isn't that realistic. I certainly would not have a problem giving up a 2nd round pick for Peterson, I don't believe it is more than likely the best thing to do.

Prince Amukamara

I have seen it and it does make sense where Prince does fall to us. I still believe the Cowboys won't take him, but no way he gets past the Texans. Still believe it makes sense for the Redskins to move back and the Lions to move up if both Julio and Prince are still available. Now according to the chart we have to give up a 3rd round pick and and get  a 5th and a 6th. A 3rd round pick might be a little bit high but a 4th round pick might be a steal. Lets keep in mind the Lions get who they want. The Redskins get who they want, a 4th round pick, and also get to pay him less money. It really is a smart move for the Redskins to move down and still get Julio. There only concerns would be about someone trading up and taking Julio.

We need to avoid drafting a tackle at pick 13 and get Wisniewski in the second round to improve our OL.

Production or WIP

Would you rather have a number 3 WR get on the field and produce right away or have a work-in-process? The link below from the NFL network crew got me thinking.

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-draft/09000d5d81eeea1c/Which-receivers-will-be-draft-day-steals?module=HP_headlines

Production
We need a WR that can step in and be a vertical threat. If we have a guy that is so fast that a safety has to constantly be on him, it is going to do a lot of good. You have to double team Megatron, no ifs ands or buts about it. Burleson is a slot receiver, not a number 2. Burleson would kill a nickel CB. Oh yeah, Best out of the backfield with a LB on him. A wheel route with him would be tough for a LB. Oh yeah again, Pettigrew, Scheffler, and Heller are pretty darn good TEs. When you got LBs, CBs, and safeties worried about pass coverage and they have to cheat with their alignment, should, really open up the running game. Stefan Logan is definitely a X factor back. A guy that can get on the field right away would immensely impact this offense.

WIP
With a WIP you may have to carry an extra WR to get production. Maybe you just throw a WR out there like we did this past year that did nothing. Do you take a big risk reward guy and at what round do you take him. We know how Derrick Williams has been nothing but a disappointment. A guy that had everything we are currently looking for coming out of college and that hasn't worked out. These speedy receivers in my opinion it seems like a very small percentage of them work out. Do we really throw away another pick in the first 4 rounds on a speedy receiver. Now 5-7th I really don't mind the risk reward pick there. Hopefully we see some of the WIPs like Jason Fox in the next couple of years. The WIP Willie Young worked well. Andrew Fluellen was another good later round pick. For the reason of getting guys that actually work out. I believe in that later rounds you draft the best possible player. Now the word possible is the key word int there. Not every player fits in your scheme and it includes potential. I don't think we reach for a speedy WIP WR unless he is the best possible player available, maybe as early as round 3.

Draft talk

There has been a lot of players moving up and down the draft board across mock drafts. It seems like the most consistent pick is sadly the Lions taking Tyron Smith. Bowers dropping to me seems like hogwash, this guy is a beast. QBs taken will decide a lot. Teams know  which QB they want. They will stay put and take their guy or they will try and trade down. I think there is going to be a lot of trading. Patriots realistically could trade up for Von Miller and then do there usually trade down with their other pick. Kevin Kolb is a big trading piece for the Eagles and probably will get traded to a team like the Cardinals for their pick. I would expect the Cardinals to get more in return for that trade but we'll see. Akeem Ayers has been really dropping in these mock drafts. Jimmy Smith as should be expected is talked about everywhere, but mock drafts safely put him late first early second.

What should the Lions do? They guy they want most is going to go in the top 6. The next guy they want most will go top 10. Other guys they really need are going 10-30 picks later. Picking at 13 would not be good for them. Thankfully Julio Jones and Mark Ingram will be wanted commodities and will be threatening takers right behind the Lions. I also think their could be traders for a tackle. I think the tackle will be trading up for a is Carimi at this point. Teams over the years seem to see where the first tackle or two is taken. They try and get the guy where they feel there is a big drop off. I think most teams feel the drop off is at Carimi. You don't want a second rate tackle in the NFL. If the Lions can stock up with late first round picks and early second round picks they could have an amazing draft. I'm not only talking trading down, but also up with their second round and other picks.

The Bears desperately need a tackle and the Lions need to stock pile draft picks. I realize the a trade within the division is tough, but it's about the area of a late first round pick. The Bears would give up their entire draft except their 7th round pick. Lions would now be drafting at 29.

I think you would see another 6th round pick traded to another team for a player in the wrong system,  but we'll see if they can keep those magical trades going. The Lions move up to 36, giving up their mid second round pick and a fourth rounder.

They use the Bears late second round pick and their mid 3rd round pick to move up to 40. The Lions end up drafting at 29, 36, and 40. Instead of 13 and 44, where every guy they want is gone. Now their 3rd and 4th round picks would be 16 spots lower also. I'll take three guys over two. Guys that we would want here are Akeem Ayers and a CB with the first two. The CB could range from Aaron Williams to Brandon Harris to you guessed it, Jimmy Smith.

It's the 40 pick that is still a high pick that is interesting. The Lions filled two gaping holes. They still have a need at LB and maybe CB. They have a good chance at signing at least one good player at CB and LB. Now they very well could sit back late in the second round and take Mason Foster that would be a good pick. At 40 though you could get a star player. They could take a RB if Mike Leshoure is there. They could get a WR, Titus Young, the Maryland speedster Torrey Smith, or Jon Baldwin. Another option is what they were stuck with at 13 a OL. The tackle would be Benjamin Ijalana. A guard is much more likely. Pouncey would a dream pick, but Wisniewski is a guy I love and should be there. Watkins and Cannon are late second round guys that would be taken if we don't trade the bears pick, especially is Mason Foster is gone.

A guy that could be taken at anyone one of those spots is Martez Wilson out of Illinois. This is a guy I bashed a bit and mock drafts do have him falling. I think a team will love his speed and take him earlier than he should, but he could easily fall. The past few years a LB has really fallen. Rey Mauluga is the best example of a LB falling. I think ILB have been falling because of the 3-4 systems out there, Martez can play in both systems so he shouldn't be hurt. I have seen Martez as late as 61. Which to me is a good value pick there. I also think it's important that he go with a team that is more established to  not put too much on his shoulders right away. He needs to become a more instinctive player to be one of the greats and that is going to take time. With the Lions D line it wouldn't be that bad of a fit for him. He's built well and has good combine numbers to prove, but can his speed make up for instincts at the next level. I don't think so, that's why I say he needs more time. He's a guy that could explode in year 2 or 3 of his NFL career.