"M" is for Moron."There is no way the Detroit Lions draft Calvin Johnson this year. Absolutely NO WAY."
This had been my mantra in the five months leading up to the 2007 NFL Draft, one in which the Lions could have finally begun to rebuild their sorry excuse for a professional team.
Obviously, I once again underestimated the stupidity of Matt Millen.
But then again, I seem to remember two other ex-Lions who I still consider the best college wide receivers I've ever seen. Where are they now? One is out of football, and the other is doing his best to make JaMarcus Russell look in shape in Oakland.
Rewind to 2006. The Lions ranked last in the league in rushing, gave up 63 sacks, and had only 30 sacks themselves. Their franchise quarterback and undisputed starter is Jon Kitna. Jon. Kitna. Believe me, I've heard all the pro-Kitna, "he's really not that bad" arguments. To those people who make them, let me just as this:
Do YOU want Jon Kitna as the future of YOUR team?
Me neither.
Fast forward to 2007—specifically, around 1 p.m. last Saturday. The following players are still on the board: Joe Thomas, Brady Quinn, Adrian Peterson, Gaines Adams, and Calvin Johnson.
We'll start with Joe Thomas. The Lions currently have Jeff Backus at left tackle, a player they franchised a year ago and signed to a six-year, $40 million deal. While he lacks Pro Bowl talent, Backus is still a player who gets the job done week-in and week-out. By drafting Thomas and moving Backus to right tackle, the Lions could have solidified their offensive line—a problem area for as long as I can remember.
Brady Quinn. As with the offensive line, I haven't in my lifetime watched a decent (let alone franchise) quarterback lead the Lions offense. Take a look at this parade of bumbling idiots (since 1989): Rodney Peete, Andre Ware, Erik Kramer, Dave Krieg, Gus Frerotte, Ty Detmer, Scott Mitchell, Charlie Batch, and Joey Harrington. By comparison, Jon Kitna looks like Joe Montana. So when a player who could be the face of your organization, an NFL-ready quarterback who spent two years under one of the greatest offensive minds the game is still on the board, how can you pass?
But what's that? You say they took Drew Stanton in Round Two? The guy has CFL written all over him. Martz is going senile if he thinks he can make something out of that walking disaster.
Adrian Peterson. It's true, the Lions made major moves in the offseason and are currently staring at a crowded backfield, due mainly to the NFL's current love affair with the "running back by committee" system. But let's take a look at who comprises this "crowd":
We'll start with Joe Thomas. The Lions currently have Jeff Backus at left tackle, a player they franchised a year ago and signed to a six-year, $40 million deal. While he lacks Pro Bowl talent, Backus is still a player who gets the job done week-in and week-out. By drafting Thomas and moving Backus to right tackle, the Lions could have solidified their offensive line—a problem area for as long as I can remember.
Brady Quinn. As with the offensive line, I haven't in my lifetime watched a decent (let alone franchise) quarterback lead the Lions offense. Take a look at this parade of bumbling idiots (since 1989): Rodney Peete, Andre Ware, Erik Kramer, Dave Krieg, Gus Frerotte, Ty Detmer, Scott Mitchell, Charlie Batch, and Joey Harrington. By comparison, Jon Kitna looks like Joe Montana. So when a player who could be the face of your organization, an NFL-ready quarterback who spent two years under one of the greatest offensive minds the game is still on the board, how can you pass?
But what's that? You say they took Drew Stanton in Round Two? The guy has CFL written all over him. Martz is going senile if he thinks he can make something out of that walking disaster.
Adrian Peterson. It's true, the Lions made major moves in the offseason and are currently staring at a crowded backfield, due mainly to the NFL's current love affair with the "running back by committee" system. But let's take a look at who comprises this "crowd":
1. Kevin Jones. He's the Chevy Chase of the group—the center of focus most of the time who still has the ability to forget who and where he is. Jones' career has been a perennial disappointment due mainly to his fragile body. Despite showing promise at times, he has yet to play a full season.
2. Tatum Bell. The Steve Martin—good compliment, but then you remember he did two "Cheaper by the Dozens." Like Jones, he shows flashes of brilliance at times, but his problems holding onto the ball generally negate any positives. Bottom line: If you can't even dominate on the ground in Denver, you might want to think about another position.
3. TJ Duckett. The Martin Short—most of the time you just want him to shut the hell up, but every once in a while he pulls something good out of nowhere. He'll be utilized exclusively as a short-yardage back. That is, of course, until Jones gets injured, and then he'll be good for his usual poor-man's Brandon Jacobs performances.Peterson was impressive in his workouts, and his combination of speed and power would have been an asset regardless of any offseason moves. He isn't the ideal choice among the blue chips available, but still would have provided more value than the Johnson pick.
Gaines Adams. There was a lot of talk about the Lions' interest in Adams. Makes sense, considering he's a true pass-rusher who would have provided an outside threat to match the Lions" two very good tackles"Pro Bowler Shaun Rogers and Cory Redding, one of last year's few bright spots. The Lions ranked second in passing completions and fifth in passing yards, but no higher than 21st in any meaningful defensive category (they ranked 14th in passing attempts allowed). Apparently, no one told Matt that defense wins championships.
Personally, I think the Lions should have traded down and taken one of the players above. I think Detroit will look back on this draft and kick themselves for not making a deal work.
Would any of those players have been the savior of the Detroit Lions? Probably not—it's hard to save a team that is 24-72 since 2001. However, any one of them would have gone a long way towards filling some of the gaping holes this team is looking at coming into the 2007 season. Unfortunately, that's a lot more than I can say for Calvin Johnson.
Matt Millen. Marty Morningweg. Mike Martz. Moeller. Mariucci. Marinelli.
In Detroit, "M" really is for moron.
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about 1 year ago
Yes, it defies logic to look back at what the Lions have done over the past several years. But if you're Matt Millen with the 2nd pick, I don't think you can let your previous blunders with WRs affect your future decisions.
Calvin Johnson was the best player in this draft, and you don't build winning football teams by passing on these types of talents. Had they done so, Lions fans would really be justified in calling for Millen's head - again.
about 1 year ago
Sunk cost...I buy that to a degree. Here's the problem:
Johnson will disappear at times with the Lions just like he did at Georgia Tech. Productivity doesn't lie.
And for just one second, let's think about a little issue called need. Roy Williams just had a breakout year as a number one wide out in Detroit. Bringing in another number 1, no matter how good he is, will not result in more wins (just ask the Arizona Cardinals). Mike Furrey (and I hate to say this) will be a competent number 2 for a couple of years.
Winning football games in the NFC North is about winning the battle at the line of scrimmage. And if Millen had something against Brady Quinn, then he sure as hell should have taken Joe Thomas.
about 1 year ago
Bill, I'm with you man. I think of the wide receiver as a luxury pick. If you can afford to draft one in the first round, that should mean that the rest of your football foundation is solid. That's certainly not true of Detroit.
I don't doubt Johnson was the best player in this draft, but Quinn or Peterson would have had more of an impact in Detroit. The Lions almost copped to their need by taking a QB in the 2nd. And as you point out, Stanton doesn't do it for me. Nice that he's from in-state though. I'm sure that will sell 15 extra tickets.
Plus, Roy Williams proved he can be an elite receiver. Do you really need 2 to win in the NFL? Not if you have Tom Brady instead of Jon Kitna. Hell, Cinci may have more than 2... where has that gotten them??
about 1 year ago
@Johnson Schmonson
I assure you, GT would not have one half the games they did if it was not for Johnson. Like you said, productivity does not lie, and Johnson produced about 60% of GT's touchdowns.
However, a WR can make a bad QB look only so much better. But in this draft, the only QB we are talking about is Quinn, and I am quite confident (as are a bunch of NFL teams) that Quinn is highly overrated. Just look at how he played whenever ND played decent opposition. ESPN love him because they had him on their cover (which was because ND sells). Even they agree that he has failed to perform in 'big games', by which they mean 'games not against bad teams'.
about 1 year ago
The only thing that held Johnson back at GT was Chan Gailey and Reggie Ball. Johnson's "disapearing" acts in some games had nothing to do w/ Johnson. If any of you had ever watched a GT game you would realize how good this guys is to be able to put up the numbers he did w/ a career sub-50% passer. CJ will dominate w/ a true passing QB and no doubt help the Lions' dreadful red zone stats because at 6-5 and a 43 inch vertical, no CB or even 2 CB's can stop him from catching a well thrown ball, it's pure physics baby.
about 1 year ago
The Lions had the 2nd pick of the draft. They took the #1 player on EVERYONE's board. No one offered them the bonanza of draft picks you say they should have taken for the pick, which makes it rather difficult to trade down, don't you think?
Quinn's draft position tells you everything you need to know about why he wasn't drafted at #2. Adams wasn't a #2 pick, even #4 was a stretch for a guy who is weak against the run and doesn't play hard every down. Thomas would have been a great pick, however, the fact remains...Calvin Johnson is considered by most experts to be a can't miss, once-in-a-lifetime player. This is Randy Moss with muscle and none of the foolishness.
Anyone who claims that CJ disappeared in games either didn't ever watch him play or knows little about football.
Millen's draft has been rated as an "A" by most national publications, btw. Mainly on the strength of drafting the best player in the draft. Period.
about 1 year ago
Mel Kiper's Lions grade: C
I did watch the majority of GTech's games last year, and if Calvin Johnson was drafted by the Patriots I'd be in complete agreement.
I'm not saying that John Kitna is the NFL's equivalent of Reggie Ball, but he's not exactly going to get the most out of Johnson's abilities...and neither will Drew Stanton - future interception champion.
And a note about Brady Quinn: He did not struggle in big games. In fact, he probably played at the highest level against USC. Rip me all you want for saying that, but it's pretty hard to put up good stats when your O-line breaks down on every play, your receivers can't get separation, and when they do they drop perfect passes (thanks to Rhema "undrafted" McKnight).
Quinn definitely has some flaws - namely an inability to throw an accurate deep ball and a happy feet tendency under pressure. But with a good O-line, I guarantee he holds down a starting job for a long time.
Bottom line: The Lions should have drafted Leinhart last year, Thomas this year, starved Mike Williams, and not given Charles Rodgers so much coke. Then everything would be gravy.
And to stress this again to anyone who thinks that Johnson was the right pick: WATCH THE ARIZONA CARDINALS!
about 1 year ago
Me personally i think that the lions had one of the best draft picks this year. Them picking an awsome WR like Calvin Johnson is a great idea with his insane ability to catch a ball that was thrown by Reggie Ball, he is the best WR to come into the draft in 10 years. Give Millen some credit he isn't as stupid as you think, with them taking Drew Stanton and letting him sit for about 2 years and train a little more while let Kitna finish out, this will let Stanton get good enough to take on the NFL. The lions wont win the superbowl but this will improve there game.
about 1 year ago
I disagree. I think it was a great draft by the Lions and I think you failed to leave out the steal pick with Drew Stanton. Some NFL scouts rank him ahead of Quinn because of his NFL-ready talent. It has been said that Martz likes Stanton more than Quinn as the Lions future qb. That being said they pick up the best receiver in awhile and the quarterback they wanted. I think thats a pretty good job.
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