The Lions WILL draft with money on the mind with the first overall pick of the 2009 NFL Draft. I know that commissioner Roger Goodell will walk out and say, “With the first pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions select Matthew Stafford, quarterback, from the University of Georgia.” What they SHOULD do is go after an anchor for their offensive line or defense.
But in reality they won’t, they need to sell tickets and offensive linemen just don’t do that. But just go with it for a second, Baylor’s Jason Smith goes first. Or even Eugene Monroe out of Virginia.
It may pain sports fans to see lineman go first overall, but the fact is that a solid offensive lineman can change your whole team. A lineman that is devoted to a franchise, that can be the foundation on which to build around, can lead to great things.
Look at the St. Louis Rams for example. Orlando Pace has been one of the best in the business since he was drafted by the Rams in 1997. Pace has been nothing short of stellar for his entire career, something the Lions should be actively searching to find in their first pick.
Though the offensive line does need help, adding another stud on defense would be a smart pick as well. Aaron Curry, linebacker out of Wake Forest, has really impressed me and fellow Lion faithful (I feel weird using the word faithful) at the NFL combine.
His combination of speed, athleticism and strength really impressed the Lions front office. Curry managed to be the top linebacker at more than half of the combine events. He ran a 4.56 in the 40 yard dash. His vertical was measured at just over three feet. Curry was also impressive in the 60 yard shuttle (11.35 seconds) and the broad jump (10 feet, 4 inches) to make him the premier linebacker in the draft. The Lions could go after Curry to flank Ernie Sims, cementing a linebacker corps that is sure to be around for years.
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I’m being completely honest, and it has nothing to do with money, but…
Sure, the Lions may go after the “sexy and trendy” pick with Matthew Stafford, it does make for a great story. It also puts fans in the seats. But it does bring a bit of curiosity to my gut. As a journalist, the relation between Matthew Stafford and Bobby Layne makes my mouth water. As a Lions fan, however, it does make me wonder if maybe fate is bringing Stafford to us, or Layne laughing his ass off from the grave.
As many Lions fans know, Bobby Layne led the Lions to three NFL Championships. In the last of the three, Layne got injured and the Lions wanted to jump ship. As far as the Lions were concerned, Layne was history; his career would soon be over. So they got rid of him. As Layne was leaving for his new team, the Pittsburgh Steelers, Layne vowed that Detroit “would not win for 50 years” and that “I’d like to win a championship for the Steelers and for myself to shove down Detroit’s throat.” This became known as the Curse of Bobby Layne.
That was 50 years ago. That’s right, in the final year of the “you won’t win for 50 years” curse, the Lions managed to do just that, not win. What many people may not know, though avid sports fans have heard the ironic relation, is that Stafford and Layne share a common bond. Bobby Layne is a member of the Highland Park High School Class of 1944, while Stafford graduated in 2006. Intriguing, right? What if, and it is a big if, the Lions can somehow turn it around (Tampa Bay Devil Rays anyone?) and make a run at the NFC North title. It is far-fetched to believe they will win a game in the playoffs, but the NFC North isn’t the toughest conference in football. Like the kid in Angels in the Outfield said, “it could happen.”
Plus it is our year, we are due.
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I’m being completely honest, and it has nothing to do with money, but…
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