Originally Posted by
Pickford-Bentler
The tight end the Lions drafted and put on IR is supposed to be a great blocker. So I see Pettigrew and Sheffler gone after this season. Fauria creates red zone size mismatches that should help out Calvin. Ever since Brain Xanders came on board, it seems to me the talent finding by the Lions had went up. Fauria and Waddle are both undrafted free agents. It would not surprise me if Waddle ends up at right tackle by seasons end. Warford and Waddle, with some experience under their belts, could give us an O-line that can put some hurt on the opposition D-line. Brian Xanders left Denver because he wanted to be GM. Eventually, there could be some friction with Mayhew. The Fords, if they were smart {how likely is that}, would find a way for Mayhew to save face and give Xanders more control. This is what he did at Denver: The Broncos executed high-producing NFL Draft classes over the last three years, which finished #1 in the NFL in playtime and #2 in games started during 2010-12. There were nine primary starters from those draft classes, including three Pro Bowl players: LB Von Miller, WR Demaryius Thomas and OG Zane Beadles. There were also eight other Pro Bowl players who were acquired, signed or extended during his tenure: QB Peyton Manning [[FA, 2012), SS Brian Dawkins [[UFA, 2009-11), WR Brandon Lloyd [[FA, 2009-11), RB Willis McGahee [[FA, 2011), CB Champ Bailey [[re-signed, 2011), DE Elvis Dumervil [[re-signed, 2010), WR Brandon Marshall [[re-signed, 2010), and OT Ryan Clady [[1st round, 2008).