Never write another predictions post again.
So, uh....I've got good news and I've got bads news. Bad news is I totally struck out on my draft predictions. The good news is I'm officially qualified to write for ESPN.com. Seriously though, that draft was like nothing I've ever seen in my time as a Lions fan. I'm not entirely sure what to make of it. There were a few picks I liked, a few that had me completely baffled as I feverishly checked online while at my day job and one pick that I wasn't a fan of at all. Yet, I can't bring myself to cast any judgment. Was that just a "winning teams" type of draft, hence my utter confusion as to what just happened? Or was that a rookie GM being overly aggressive towards only two positions of need and over zealous once his team was on the clock? Any thoughts Lions fans?
I think we just witnessed a draft that wasn't predicated on putting butts in seats. I can't say if this draft will work or not. I won't grade it because the very idea of grading a draft without seeing at least 2 years of production is offensive to me. But I can say this, it doesn't stink of the same flaws as a typical Mayillen draft. Who knows, in a couple years we might see new flaws that we didn't expect but it is patently clear. This draft was different. Only time will tell if it was better.
ReplyDeleteand time will tell if different will continue
Deleteor by next draft it could be all baubles.
of course if all these picks work out, drafting all baubles in the coming draft may not be a bad thing.
seems like a long time since Lions had a draft like this. Tufflynx mentioned '85 when they took glover and brown (i think).
it's the draft I've been whining for since 2008
and now that it's here , I still find it fascinating.
I remember that draft. A nice one. How about 2001? Backus, Raiola and Rogers. It was Evil ****** Sr's first draft and the only one that was really worth a shit.
DeleteNah, even if this draft goes all aces, there will still be plenty of work to do in the trenches next off season. The Great Barrier Reiff is on his last year and I could easily see someone overpaying for his services ala Gosder The Gozarian Cherilus. Ngata is on basically a one year deal. Any DE we get now to play across from Ziggy will be on a one year deal. Walker is on a one year prove it deal and if he does well, we will have to pay him too.
The importance of this draft can't overstated. We need a very good portion of these guys to hit it running and produce. We can't go into next year with 1 or 2 starters from this group or we will just end up back where we were this year. Filling holes with one year deal guys and drafting heavy in the trenches again.
Truth be told, no matter what happens with this draft class, we will be investing in the trenches again next year too if Quin is truly committed to building strength from the inside out. This was one of Mayillen's problems. He had something that resembled a plan but he never committed to it. He picked Suh, Young and Fairley in two consecutive years (2010&11) and then didn't draft a DT or DE again until 2014 in the 5th round. That is not how you build positional strength. That is how you end up loosing your positional strength.
I hope Quin is a man of this word. I hope he keeps pouring resources into the trenches. His plan is clear to see. Now we have to wait to learn if he is truly committed to it.
yea pretty much
Deletebut there's changes on teams every year
and there's one or two year stop gaps needed about every year.
it'll be interesting if they stick to this committment or if they feel they've done enough in the trenches for the next 4 years
Love the positions drafted.... and I love the attitudes of those drafted.... Looks like the Lions found a KVB type DE. A loud leader LT and a 40yr old looking bad ass DT. excuse me while I go get something to clean up this drool
ReplyDeleteAs long as I can remember, I have wanted the Lions to build the team year after year with big uglies. Eventually, the talent, skill and competition will leave you with dominate players on both sides of the LOS. That wins you ball games. Big ugly dudes. I am happy with this draft.
Delete