Tagged: NFL Draft
30Apr
The games that people like to focus on are the final 2 games that the Lions played last season. When evaluating the team I think that fans and media members keep a short attention span. I want to open the book on the 2011 Lions season and remind fans of where the Lions stand.
If you want the Lions to do anything it should be to simply “WIN”. It’s fun to play GM by predicting the pick, naming team needs and stating what the teams strengths and weaknesses are. Newsflash to all readers; Not only do we know this but the Lions and the other 31 teams in the league know it also.
Let’s look at the 3 units of the Lions and where they rank among the NFL in 2011:- Offense ranked 5th
- Defense ranked 23rd
- Special Team ranked 29th (more…)
The Detroit Lions select Riley Reiff Offensive Tackle from Iowa with the 23 pick of the 2012 NFL Draft. Reiff is a 6’6″ 300lbs Junior that was first team All-America by Pro Football Weekly in 2011. First team all-Big Ten by league coaches and media; first team all-Big Ten by Phil Steele and second team all-Big Ten by College Football Madness. He also won three state wrestling championships. I could go on, but the real deal is the fact that Reiff was there at 23. He was rated anywhere from 8 to 15 among all the players in the draft by talent evaluators. To me this is another player that has fell in the lap of the Lions.
The buzz is really kicked in for the 2012 NFL Draft. The Lions are now 22 well 21 picks away from making their first pick of this years draft (With Andrew Luck going to the Colts and assuming Robert Griffin III will be taken by the Redskins). Martin Mayhew had his pre-draft conference last week and was ask by reporters to give a little bit of info about what he plans to do with the 23rd pick. For a guy like Mayhew these press conferences are really just to show me that he has a pulse. (more…)
NFL Scouting Combine begins Wednesday, February 22, 2012, and ends Tuesday, February 28, 2012 On NFL Network
After watching the NFL playoffs you have to know that football has so many elements that need to go right for a team to succeed. Coaching, motivation, play calling, physicality, focus, timing, etc. But the last thing that has to be done is a play has to be made. Weather it is on offense, defense or special teams that is what football comes down to. The plays that are made and those that aren’t. It doesn’t matter what you ranks in any category. It doesn’t matter how good or bad players are at certain positions. If they don’t make plays on the field it doesn’t matter if you make the pro bowl or if you are the backup. (more…)
OUTSIDE LINEBACKER
6-FOOT 3-INCHES
UNIVERSITY OF SYRACUSE
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Very Athletic
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Speed
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Explosive
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Needs to Shed Blocks Better
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Still Developing Field Instincts
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Played Running Back
RUNNING BACK
6-FOOT 227-POUNDS
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
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Tough power back with thick build
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Good vision
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Patient runner
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Elusive
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Fights for extra yards
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Hits second level with speed
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Factor in passing game
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Potential three-down back
WIDE RECEIVER / KICK RETURNER
5-FOOT 11-INCHES 174-POUNDS
BOISE STATE
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Speed to burn
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Quick start off line of scrimmage
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Deep threat
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Elusive after catch
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Dangerous kickoff returner
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Competitive and passionate
28Apr
Nick Fairley
Defensive Tackle
University of Auburn
6-Foot 3-inches 297-pounds
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Bulk with frame to get bigger; long arms
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Quick off snap
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Explosive force
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Gap penetration – makes plays behind line
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Plays angry, bull rusher
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Pursues laterally
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Solid against the run
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Decent speed for his size
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Good footwork
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Scheme versatile
Jim Schwartz Tweeted :Excited to add Nick Fairley to our defensive line.
We did a lot of mock scenarios and Fairley falling to us was one of our ideals, though we thought it unlikely.
WELCOME TO DETROIT!!!
Back again with another teeth pulling article on how Matt Millen gave Detroit Football the middle finger.
2004
Round One 7th overall Roy Williams WR Texas
Roy Williams as R.A.D. would put it was a “Longhorn Legend.” I personally wanted the Lions to stay in there original 6th spot and take Kellen Winslow Jr. This would make 2 years in a row the Lions select a Wide Receiver in the 1st round. Williams caught 54 passes for 817 yards and 8 touchdowns in his rookie season even with an ankle injury. Roy Williams had a productive year for the 2006 Lions, having 1,310 yards and 7 touchdowns and did alright in the 2007 season. Williams was traded to the Dallas Cowboys on October 14, 2008 for first, third and sixth round picks in the 2009 NFL Draft (the Cowboys also received a seventh round pick from the Lions in the 2010 draft) That 1st round pick turned into Brandon Pettigrew. Roy Williams got a contract extention from the Cowboys 6 year, $54 million, along with $26 million guaranteed.
Round One 30th overall Kevin Jones RB Virginia Tech (more…)
Jim Schwartz C+
The team is much improved top to bottom but the in game adjustments and clock management is still a question. Schwartz is only a second year head coach. Let’s hope this grade goes up.
Gunther Cunningham C
There have been injuries on defense, but this unit and Cunningham will be graded hard because Schwartz is defensive coach. For right now the Lions play a bend don’t break style zone defense. I expect Cunningham to become more aggressive with better personnel. This grade will go nowhere but up.
Scott Linehan A
With all the injuries on offense Linehan moved the ball with good play calling and put players in position to succeed. Execution is a players responsibility. This grade will become more scrutinized with Matthew Stafford under Center. The only reason there isn’t a plus with this A is because Calvin doesn’t get enough touches. This grade is likely to go down because when healthy offense is the Lions strongest unit.
Martin Mayhew & Tom Lewand B
It took some time to get Ndamukong Suh signed but not long. The trades and free agents have been key in the Lions development. I believe many of the transactions have been undervalued and over looked. Three ways this grade can go up 1.) If the Lions refrain from tampering with players. Just don’t make the same mistake twice. 2.) If the Lions are able to get players beep in the draft. 3.) Get your starting 22 as Schwartz stated.
—Smitty
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07Mar
| Player | Pos. | School | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Da’Quan Bowers | DE | Clemson | 97 |
| 2. Marcell Dareus | DT | Alabama | 97 |
| 3. Patrick Peterson | CB | LSU | 97 |
| 4. A.J. Green | WR | Georgia | 97 |
| 5. Von Miller | OLB | Texas A&M | 96 |
| 6. Nick Fairley | DT | Auburn | 96 |
| 7. Robert Quinn | DE | N. Carolina | 96 |
| 8. Blaine Gabbert | QB | Missouri | 96 |
| 9. Prince Amukamara | CB | Nebraska | 96 |
| 10. J.J. Watt | DE | Wisconsin | 95 |
| 11. Tyron Smith | OT | USC | 95 |
| 12. Cam Newton | QB | Auburn | 94 |
| 13. Julio Jones | WR | Alabama | 94 |
| 14. Nate Solder | OT | Colorado | 94 |
| 15. Cameron Jordan | DE | California | 94 |
| 16. Aldon Smith | DE | Missouri | 93 |
| 17. Mark Ingram | RB | Alabama | 93 |
| 18. Corey Liuget | DT | Illinois | 93 |
| 19. Adrian Clayborn | DE | Iowa | 93 |
| 20. Gabe Carimi | OT | Wisconsin | 93 |
| 21. Muhammad Wilkerson | DE | Temple | 92 |
| 22. Jimmy Smith | CB | Colorado | 92 |
| 23. Anthony Castonzo | OT | B.C. | 92 |
| 24. Mike Pouncey | C | Florida | 91 |
| 25. Akeem Ayers | OLB | UCLA | 91 |
| 26. Ryan Kerrigan | DE | Purdue | 91 |
| 27. Jake Locker | QB | Washington | 91 |
| 28. Justin Houston | OLB | Georgia | 90 |
| 29. Rahim Moore | S | UCLA | 90 |
| 30. Phil Taylor | DT | Baylor | 89 |
| 31. Randall Cobb | WR | Kentucky | 89 |
| 32. Cameron Heyward | DE | Ohio State | 89 |