Wow...the Detroit Lions...there are no words

[zippo59]

LIONS PLAN TO PICK JOHNSON

Adam Schefter of NFL Network reports that the Lions have decided that, barring a blockbuster offer, they will use the No. 2 overall pick in the draft -- and they will select receiver Calvin Johnson if, as expected, he is available.

Schefter says that offensive coordinator Mike Martz was one of the key cogs in the decision, based on his explanation to the the powers-that-be as to how he would use Johnson.

We'd previously heard that the Lions will draft Johnson and then maybe trade him. But maybe, just maybe, the Lions will use their fourth first-round pick in the past decade on Johnson, and keep him.

http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm

The pick itself is a good one but what makes it so crazy is that by my count doesn't that make it four wide receivers taken in the first round in five years by the Lions. This team is a joke.

 

[Fixit]

In the Lions' defense (can't believe I just said that) all of their picks were good ones. Each receiver they chose was ranked as the best or second-best receiver in the nation that year.

Having said that: break the cycle, Detroit. WR's just don't work out for you.

 

[Pats726]

It is also rumored that HE will be traded...so it is NOT a Lion pick..but a pick for maybe..Oakland...OR Tampa...and teh Lions will get Gaines who they like..but NOT at 2

 

[goalkeepr]

http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm

The pick itself is a good one but what makes it so crazy is that by my count doesn't that make it four wide receivers taken in the first round in five years by the Lions. This team is a joke.

You could argue, however, that after 4 receivers in 5 years, they still have reason to draft one.

I mean, what's the alternative, to concede, "Oh well, guess our receivers are just gonna suck?"

 

[VJCPatriot]

You could argue, however, that after 4 receivers in 5 years, they still have reason to draft one.

I mean, what's the alternative, to concede, "Oh well, guess our receivers are just gonna suck?"

Except that they already have TWO 1,000 yard receivers from last year. Roy Williams and Furrey. I know that Martz loves offense but when does the insanity stop? I think CJ is the best player in the draft but he doesn't make sense for the Lions. They need to trade pick #2 because Calvin Johnson does not play defense and until that team can stop someone on D they are gonna continue to be horrible.

http://www.nfl.com/stats/leaders/NFC/RECYDS/2006/regular

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

smokescreen, believe nothing you hear at this point

 

[patchick]

OK, here's what makes sense to me, assuming I understand the system right...

The Lions want to trade down in a big way. The only guy teams want to trade up for is Johnson. So the the potential trading partners say, "I'll wait and make the deal IF he's still on the board." The Lions don't want that, they want to know where they stand in advance. So they tell anybody who asks that if they wait until draft time, the Lions will take Johnson themselves and make teams trade for the player rather than the slot. Uh oh, financial nightmare.

Remember the bind the Giants were in once they pulled the Eli/Rivers deal? Each team is allotted a rookie cap based on their draft slots. If you're, say, Atlanta with a #8-sized rookie cap, how do you come up with a #2-sized contract? So maybe Detroit will force somebody's hand this way. Worst-case scenario, they end up with the best player in the draft.

 

[salty]

They should trade down a couple of spots (TB seems like a logical trade partner) and go with Joe Thomas.

 

[Michigan Dave]

I love the Lions' futility. It makes my life here that much more humorous.

 

[PatsDparty]

I don't see why everyones criticizing the Lions (media more than anyone) if they take Calvin Johnson. Rogers is no longer on the team, Mike Williams sucks, and Roy Williams has turned out well. This is an investment decision, and in any investment decision, you don't look at sunk costs. You look forward, and if they feel that Johnson will give them the greatest benefit going forward, then you pick him.

 

[g-fresh]

Except that they already have TWO 1,000 yard receivers from last year. Roy Williams and Furrey. I know that Martz loves offense but when does the insanity stop? I think CJ is the best player in the draft but he doesn't make sense for the Lions. They need to trade pick #2 because Calvin Johnson does not play defense and until that team can stop someone on D they are gonna continue to be horrible.

http://www.nfl.com/stats/leaders/NFC/RECYDS/2006/regular

Yep, if this is true then the argument could be made that this is worse than drafting those other WR because they really don't need another one and obviously need help else where.

smokescreen, believe nothing you hear at this point

But it's the Lions, they could really be that dumb...

 

[dhamz]

This would be the first good move they have made in years. Rogers and Mike Williams are irreleant. Those ships have sailed. Do you think BB and Pioli would worry about going with a DE in round 2 because Marquis Hill stinks?

Johnson is the clear cut #1 prospect in this draft. You don't pass on him because you have Mike Furrey. If they can't get a fair deal to trade down, the only smart move is to stay at 2 and pick the best player on their board.

 

[primetime]

Roy Williams is a stud, but Mike Furrey is better suited to taking a slot receiver role. I don't know if I like it, but they can't afford to pass on him because of recent history (they took Roy Williams the year after Charlie Rogers, when Rogers had looked like a star his first few games before getting hurt). What if he becomes an absolute superstar?

 

[Kdo5]

I dont see why not really. People are saying Calvin Johnson is the best there is in the draft. MW & CR sucked but Roy Williams turned out to be a really good pick. I dont think Calvin Johnson will be a bust at all. He can be as good as Roy Williams someday, maybe better. If they want then go for it. There is a difference between Rodgers, Williams vs Johnson. People are hyping this guy up to be a superstar early and one of the best WR prospects in years.

Also Williams and Furrey are the Lions WR corps....M. Williams, Drummond, Bradford, Ellis & McDonald. None of them had more than 20 receptions.

 

[Crazy Patriot Guy]

Count me in the group that thinks it would be very smart to take him. I actually brought this topic up about a month ago.

As others have said, Rogers is no longer there and Mike Williams isn't going to be there much longer. Those players don't count.

Look at it this way. Let's say we were never able to extend Seymour and he was gone at this point and we didn't have Jarvis Green as a backup. If a fantastic DL had fallen to one of our spots, much like Wilfork did, should we stay away from that position because we've spent 1st round picks there recently?

I honestly don't see how this would be any different than New Orleans taking Reggie Bush. They didn't "need" Bush but he definately made that team better. Johnson would do the same. Rogers and Mike Williams won't.

 

[TruthSeeker]

I wouldn't count Mike Williams out just yet, He may not make it in Detroit, but he may make it elsewhere. I think Calvin Johnson is the closest thng to a sure thing in the draft, it's a good move by Detroit, IMO.

 

[RayClay]

http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm

The pick itself is a good one but what makes it so crazy is that by my count doesn't that make it four wide receivers taken in the first round in five years by the Lions. This team is a joke.

Another "can't miss" receiver, eh? Go Lions!

 

[RayClay]

Count me in the group that thinks it would be very smart to take him. I actually brought this topic up about a month ago.

As others have said, Rogers is no longer there and Mike Williams isn't going to be there much longer. Those players don't count.

Look at it this way. Let's say we were never able to extend Seymour and he was gone at this point and we didn't have Jarvis Green as a backup. If a fantastic DL had fallen to one of our spots, much like Wilfork did, should we stay away from that position because we've spent 1st round picks there recently?

I honestly don't see how this would be any different than New Orleans taking Reggie Bush. They didn't "need" Bush but he definately made that team better. Johnson would do the same. Rogers and Mike Williams won't.

I'm all in favor of it. It's picks like these that have made Detroit great!

 

[primetime]

I wouldn't count Mike Williams out just yet, He may not make it in Detroit, but he may make it elsewhere. I think Calvin Johnson is the closest thng to a sure thing in the draft, it's a good move by Detroit, IMO.

The problem with Mike Williams was he got screwed over by the NFL. He left school because it looked like he could get into the draft, and then the NCAA wouldn't let him play. So he was caught in limbo and didn't play football for a year and got rusty. I think if he had been allowed to come out that year (which he should have been; they should have made an exception because they did screw him over royally... he had no character issues like Clarett did), he'd be a stud WR by now. And not for the Lions (there's a chance he would've been good if he had been picked by someone else, too).

 

[RayClay]

What is it about receivers that makes me wonder about the "can't miss" label?

They can run, jump make good cuts and catch the...wait a minute, they need a quarterback who needs an offensive line etc. etc. or they're just running around.

I think receivers can always miss...even when it's not their fault.