Lions Draft: Millen's Madness Brings Calvin Johnson to Detroit

"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":

"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.