What Should the Lions Do with Number 1?
Since everybody is weighing in on this decsion, I felt it necessary to do the same. However, my analysis of the situation stems from my logical meditations as opposed to an “expert” analysis of stats and what not.
First of all, this draft seems to have a top QB, Matthew Stafford. However, not everyone seems sure that this guy can be the Matt Ryan of this year’s draft. There are some huge questions about his decision making and arm accuracy. Those seem to be huge reg flags to me. Also, the chances of this guy being better than Daunte Culpepper are fairly slim in his first season. Having said that, the sky is the limit for a guy with the arm strength of Stafford.
Secondly, offensive tackle remains the most important position on a football team. Yes, this is a strange opinion, but I stand by it. So, taking an OT with the first overall pick could be a great choice. Jason Smith is a smart and experienced option to take over an offensive line. Look at what Miami got in Jake Long. That arguably got them over their awful season and into the playoffs. I just would hesitate on this kind of pick because it would be more unpopular than taking a flashy QB.
Finally, defense wins championships. Taking Aaron Curry as the first pick would be risky but smart. This guy is the most NFL-ready player in the draft and could immediately impact the Lions defense and become a force in stopping the run. The Lions are going to have trouble scoring again no matter who the QB is so maybe it makes sense to bolster the defense first.
What I think is going to happen is different than what I think SHOULD happen. Therefore, I will go on record saying Stafford will be the first pick, but Jason Smith SHOULD be the first pick. The Lions can’t afford to swing and miss on this first pick, and Stafford has more risk involved than Smith. There have been plenty of QBs with great arm strength who haven’t panned out because a) their suffering accuracy or b) because they have no time in the pocket. Taking an OT at number one is the smartest thing this pitiful Lions franchise can do. As long as they don’t take a WR, I will be able to rationalize the decision.
TNT & Twitter, NCAA Top 25, Shaq to Mavs?, SEC Guys
Social networking sites are growing more popular everyday. Therefore, it’s no surprise that TNT is getting involved by setting up accounts on Twitter and Facebook to help promote the “40 games in 40 nights” slogan regarding the NBA playoffs. It’s not a bad idea as the anchors and analysts who cover the playoff games are pretty much celebrities as it is so they’re sure to get some good follower numbers.
Linked on Basketball
-TNT is getting involved in social networking to help promote the playoffs.
-Shaq wants to go play for Dallas? No way…
-A closer look at the SEC players coming out this year in the draft.
Brady vs. Manning, Top 5 Picks, Position Rankings
Only two NFL QBs over the last decade have really stepped to the forefront and dominated the league, Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. I was never a really a big fan of Brady so perhaps by default I’d give the nod to Manning. However, Brady’s success in the post-season is better than Manning’s so that’s another aspect you’d have to examine. This first article does a nice job of breaking down the head-to-head comparison of the two.
Linked on Football
-Brady vs. Manning. Who is the best QB of this decade?
-Right now it looks like the Top 5 picks are determined…just not necissarily the order.
Lions’ Needs, NFL Updates, Draft Prospect
I guess having the number one overall pick is kind of a big deal. That’s why everyone in the NFL world must continue to keep talking about the Lions. Therefore, here is an article examining the needs the Lions have. Something tells me that the number one overall pick will not accomplish everything the team needs. However, drafting a franchise player will at least get some fans back on board with the struggling franchise.
Linked on Football
-What are the the Lions’ biggest needs? Is that a rhetorical question…?
Cop Quits, Free Agency Recap, NFL Mock Draft
Oh, the mock drafts. The amount of these that come out is amusing. The funniest thing is that most people are totally wrong. This fact doesn’t make them any less entertaining, but it does lose them some credibility. It has hearby been decided that LinkedOnSports.com will do an analysis of correct and incorrect mock drafts. Be on the lookout for an announcement!
Linked on Football
-Not a good ending to the Moats story.
-A free agency recap. Did your team land any big names?
-NFL mock draft. A good perspective on where the top players will go.
On Our Minds
Dan says:
- I hope Seth Davis has UConn and UNC heavily favored this week. That means Purdue and/or Gonzaga will end up in the Elite 8, which is just fine by me. Oh, and Arizona has no chance versus Louisville, right? Just like the Badgers had no chance against FSU and VCU was for sure going to beat UCLA. How’d those games turn out for you? Just keep talkin, Seth…keep talkin.
Scott says:
- The Wonderlic scores were released yesterday. As many of you have seen, Matthew Stafford did a great job, and many of the top receivers did well also. It is tough to take these scores too seriously, but the best example of them being important leads to Vince Young. After that fiasco, all skeptics had to take a step back and realize there may be some validity to these tests. If nothing else, we have to at least take notice.
