2011 Detroit Lions

**firstandten** · April-29-11, 02:55 PM

I'm pleased with the Fairey pick for a couple of reasons. I think that he has a world of upside but one of the knocks on him was work ethic. With Suh becoming one of the faces of the team, this will push Fairley to gain some professionism.

Secondly I believe that the foundation of your team are the offensive and defensive lines. You must make sure they are strong because everything good that happens for your team begins with your foundation. The Lions just helped there D line but also helped the linebackers and defensive backs because a strong D line makes the linebackers and defensive backs jobs a little easier.

**gnome** · April-30-11, 06:15 AM

all I can say is that this draft officially puts me into the, you have no fucking idea what is going on, section. I feel like one of the slow kids, just put me on the short bus and let me watch a world where drafting a Mouse Davis wet dream makes sense.

**GOAT** · April-30-11, 10:01 AM

We will lose most of our games in the 4th quarter because QBs are going to throw deep on us and we won't be able to defend.

Can we stop doing the Millen draft and stop drafting the best talent at that position instead of addressing needs.

**Thruster315** · April-30-11, 12:01 PM

Originally Posted by GOAT

We will lose most of our games in the 4th quarter because QBs are going to throw deep on us and we won't be able to defend.

Can we stop doing the Millen draft and stop drafting the best talent at that position instead of addressing needs.

You're assuming that the other team's QB is even going to have time to chuck one down field. If they're not lying on their asses after getting Suh, VandenBosch, Fairley or some other defensive lineman storming their grill, they're probably going to be scrambling for their lives. We had a pretty lousy set of DBs toward the end of the season and the defensive line made up for what the DBs couldn't. It's a helluva lot easier for even a lousy corner to defend if the QB can't see and deliver.

It definitely looks like Martin Mayhew's not following the rocky course that Millen has done. He shocked me with his Titus Young pick. I've heard all the clamor for a third WR but thought the need for LB, CB or OL was more pressing. Trading up to get that bruising back from Illinois was ballsy too.

**kenp** · April-30-11, 11:50 AM

I love what they have done, the running back is exactly what we needed. We will have an excellant offense that can equally control the ball and go down field. The combination of Best and the new power runner will be awesome and lack of a quality 3rd receiver has been very evident last year. The offense will keep our D off the field more then last year.
We now have a d-line, running game and receiving corp as good and better then most teams.
Free agency will helps us in LB and O-line and pray for someone to step up on the DB position.

**firstandten** · May-01-11, 06:59 AM

Great post smogboy ! Even though I may not like all of the picks the Lions made, at least I can see a plan with Mayhew that I didn't see with Millen. I can appreciate Mayhew drafting for talent and not necessarily for need. However its great when you can find that pick that brings both to the table.

**smogboy** · May-01-11, 12:07 PM

Originally Posted by firstandten

Great post smogboy ! Even though I may not like all of the picks the Lions made, at least I can see a plan with Mayhew that I didn't see with Millen. I can appreciate Mayhew drafting for talent and not necessarily for need. However its great when you can find that pick that brings both to the table.

I don't agree with all of Mayhew's picks either but then it's not our 24/7 job to study ALL of these college players either. We don't have a staff of scouts going to games, talking to their coaches, and reviewing game tapes. None of us here have access to medical records nor have any of us here interviewed the players personally. I'm safe to say none of us here attended the Senior Bowl, the combines and/or any of the other showcase events for emerging college seniors.

But that's not to say that we don't and shouldn't have opinions about our team. We watch all the games with extreme interest. In those games we see where we've done well and we've seen weaknesses on our team that we wish management would shore up. I've heard a multitude of much more savvy pundits analyze our team. I've seen mock drafts and mock drafts and more mock drafts galore. They break down each player with their opinions and observations. The first and second round players they've done yeoman's work in breaking down their game. The players in the later rounds are a heckuva lot tougher to scout- not just for them but for us.

Needless to say, as staunch & knowledgeable fans as we may be- I'd much rather trust Martin Mayhew's judgement over any of ours. He's been pretty good so far. He's proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that while he worked for Matt Millen, he's no Matt Millen [[thankfully so). His approach seems sound so far and he seems to have a vision when it comes to building this team. I hope for his sake and ours that his choices for this team pan out.

**Thruster315** · May-03-11, 02:31 AM

Originally Posted by smogboy

The players in the later rounds are a heckuva lot tougher to scout- not just for them but for us.

Getting a guy out the later rounds to even stay on your team for more than three seasons is a shot in the dark, much less have them start. I think most teams are lucky to get a few special teams players out of that bunch.

**gnome** · May-01-11, 09:34 PM

I have a car with bad brakes, no heater, bald tires and a leak in the radiator but I'm going to get the new eminem cd cuz my blaupunkt works fine.

One point five out of five and Mel Kiper tells us the Lions rocked a solid A. A? This is grade inflation.

We'll soon be remembering all those good Charles Rogers memories. An A? Orly? A this, right here ...

**Thruster315** · May-01-11, 11:58 PM

Originally Posted by gnome

I have a car with bad brakes, no heater, bald tires and a leak in the radiator but I'm going to get the new eminem cd cuz my blaupunkt works fine.

One point five out of five and Mel Kiper tells us the Lions rocked a solid A. A? This is grade inflation.

We'll soon be remembering all those good Charles Rogers memories. An A? Orly? A this, right here ...

You forget that it was that jerk Millen that drafted Charles Rogers too. This is an entirely new crew steering the ship now. Just because the 2011 draft is done doesn't mean that this team is sitting on their hands waiting for the first snap. They've already indicated that free agency and possible trades will happen once the NFL lets them.

**kenp** · May-02-11, 10:41 AM

A third receiver, especially at the quality we got was a big need.
And what really was a huge need for us was a running game. I think our running game was one of the biggest needs we had. Now we can use Best at whats he is great at and the new guy will fill a huge void. You cant win without a proven running game.
Looking back now I think we may have been better off getting the RB on our 2nd pick and hoped the WR was still there at the 3rd round. I hate trading picks.

**gnome** · May-02-11, 10:01 PM

5 picks =
2 full projects
1 head case
1 undersized fullback
1 legit monster

**Thruster315** · May-03-11, 02:29 AM

Originally Posted by gnome

5 picks =
2 full projects
1 head case
1 undersized fullback
1 legit monster

So vague. So so vague.

We'll assume that you think that Fairley is the legit monster. Your "undersized fullback" [[Leshoure) is a running back- not a fullback. I haven't heard anything along the lines of where Best is going to be the RB to Lashoure's FB status. Who you were referring to as the "head case" I have no idea. And as far as labeling any late round draft pick a "full project"- don't all the teams drafting in the late rounds have this issue? Outside of the first few picks for all the teams- all of these young men are going to be projects. Were you expecting us or any other team to score a stud starter in the 4th or 5th rounds?

**firstandten** · May-03-11, 03:45 PM

Originally Posted by Thruster315

And as far as labeling any late round draft pick a "full project"- don't all the teams drafting in the late rounds have this issue? Outside of the first few picks for all the teams- all of these young men are going to be projects. Were you expecting us or any other team to score a stud starter in the 4th or 5th rounds?

Right, they might be projects and you need to have projects because you never know when you might get that person who is like the undrafted free agent from Detroit Central Antonio Gates on your team.

**ejames01** · May-18-11, 01:18 PM

The Detroit Lions have long been a pigskin piñata. Who didn't love taking swings at their soft, defeat-filled underbelly after every stupid move they made?
Their long-term lack of success made it easy. Some Detroit fans reveled in the treatment, hoping the humiliation would someday cause the Lions to turn over a new leaf.
Well, consider that leaf turned ... and not just because Detroit landed a stellar draft class last month.
First, you need to know that Jim Schwartz's Lions turned a huge statistical corner during the 2010 season ... and they did it in spectacular fashion, too. And, yes, they may have turned another corner at the end of April 2011, with what appears to be a small but smart, talent-filled draft class that could make the Lions -- hold your breath here folks -- a contender in the top heavy NFC North in 2011.

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/201...#ixzz1MjHcTiOo

**Thruster315** · May-20-11, 11:43 PM

ejames01, great article to read. Man, it's nice to see the Lions get some national pub for once that's positive. There ain't much happening in the football world now with the exception of a few of the Lions training together up at Country Day.

It makes me wonder how many other teams in the league are doing this and in such numbers. Call me happy slappy but it's nice to see some team building away from the Lions' facilities. It sure as hell can't hurt and it was really sweet to see a youngster like Titus Young come up and hang with the likes of Nate Burleson and Calvin Johnson. To be catching live passes from his future QB has got to endear him to his soon-to-be teammates too. Hearing how it all came about- VandenBosch getting on the email warpath just makes his acquisition last year that much better. He seriously shows balls and leadership by doing this. With this young team we need guys like VandenBosch to be the glue that holds them together as they mature.

**sirrealone** · May-03-11, 08:59 AM

I like the top three picks, which is all that will probably make any sort of an impact next year. They can now mark these positions as mostly complete: QB, RB, WR, TE, FB. That only leaves the line. If they feel Fox is really developing and can blossom into a solid guy, they're in pretty good shape.

On the defense, the line is amazing. DT and DE are good right now [[though, who knows with this GM and coach?!?). LB and CB are of concern, but let's think about this: Now that they've got arguably one of the best, if not THE best, lines, don't you think it will be a little easier for them to attract free agents at LB and CB that can contribute? You're a CB with offers from multiple teams, but here are the Lions who, with their line, are going to be sacking and pressuring the QB more than most teams. If I'm that CB, I see that as an opportunity for me to shine as I'll be able to stay more rested and not have as much pressure on me to make plays every time, which will allow me to shine when I am called upon to make a play.

Think about it this way, had free agency happened and they had already signed a LB and CB, the picks would look awesome. I still think that can happen.

**gnome** · May-03-11, 03:07 PM

Alright, you guys seem convinced, so I will set aside my 50+ years of mind numbing Lion draft choices and sip from the kool-aide fountain. Now, let us bow our heads, grasp hands in a loving circle of fandemonium, and pray that that shut-down corner from Oakland doesn't hurt himself while hauling steamer trunks of Ford cash up to his new Book-Cadillac condo.

**gnome** · May-21-11, 07:16 AM

oh maaaan! pigskin pinata, man that's great. I wonder how many Lions Pinata you could've sold during 0-16. Like hotcakes. At every tailgate, man cave and booby bar ... guys would line up and pay a few pesos to whack attack that thing.

**Thruster315** · May-21-11, 02:32 PM

Originally Posted by gnome

oh maaaan! pigskin pinata, man that's great. I wonder how many Lions Pinata you could've sold during 0-16. Like hotcakes. At every tailgate, man cave and booby bar ... guys would line up and pay a few pesos to whack attack that thing.

The only pigskin that I ever want to take a serious whack at would have to have Matt Millen's ugly face plastered on it. If there was a pinata with his mug on it, I'd go Miggy Cabrera yard on it with every single swing. I'd even be willing to pony up a few bucks to take a swing at that hideous thing.

Ideally it should've been the actual Matt Millen up there getting whacked but since he's getting fired from every third NFL job for not having credibility, it's tougher to do that now.

And is it wrong of me to still crave an apology from that creep? Doesn't he owe it to this fair area to admit he screwed up royally?

**Roq** · May-24-11, 03:58 AM

Originally Posted by Thruster315

And is it wrong of me to still crave an apology from that creep? Doesn't he owe it to this fair area to admit he screwed up royally?

Well, I don't know about owing us, but I do take great pleasure every time I hear another "Matt Millen has been released from his duties" story...

**Thruster315** · May-24-11, 07:35 AM

Originally Posted by Roq

Well, I don't know about owing us, but I do take great pleasure every time I hear another "Matt Millen has been released from his duties" story...

If nothing else, his tenure here proved that he was a phony in the front office. He might've been great as a player and even somewhat charming in the broadcast booth, but since then- he's been proven no better a football expert than my nephews who play NFL Madden on their Playstation.

Looking back at it, I'll even applaud old man Ford for thinking outside the box for a split sober second by hiring the chump, but once he imploded- his ass should've been shown the door ASAP. Instead he got rewarded for a five year contract. Regardless of what Millen was getting paid- it was a reward for being incompetent. A one year deal? Maybe. Two years was even a stretch, but five? If Millen had proven anything of being a solid front office guy I could almost see the glimmer of hope in that dope, but instead he made us even a bigger laughing stock in the league by his own actions [[calling Johnny Morton a fag, questioning players' hearts on the air, and other bouts of social constipation). It wasn't bad enough he drafted mopes like Charles Rogers & Mike Williams- he had the nerve to think somehow he was above it all.

And now validation to a certain degree, but it still doesn't help heal up some of those hideous years under that dope's rule. It really pushed some of us to the point of completely taking the big siesta from this team.

**Roq** · May-24-11, 11:41 AM

Originally Posted by Thruster315

Looking back at it, I'll even applaud old man Ford for thinking outside the box for a split sober second by hiring the chump, but once he imploded- his ass should've been shown the door ASAP.

That is one thing I've always found maddening about Ford; he won't acknowledge a mistake and waffles and vacillates for YEARS.

**Big Dog** · May-21-11, 05:22 PM

Thruster, Your posts are really good, and funny too.

**sirrealone** · May-24-11, 12:21 PM

I never had a problem with the initial five year contract. Anything less than that would have been seen as half-a$$. But, the part that never made any sense was when he was re-upped for another five years. That extension was the worst contract. Not just by the Lions. Not just in the NFL. I'm talking out of all of them ever signed anywhere.