A Few News and Notes and My Great Insight and Thoughts!

The Detroit Lions and the No. 1 Pick: The Detroit Lions are on the clock, and there’s rampant speculation on who they will take.

Based on my limited knowledge as I’m not involved in draft coverage like I used to be, I’m not too impressed with the quarterbacks coming out this year, unlike the media and fanboys out there.

Oops, fangirls too! I’m talking about Mark Sanchez and Matthew Stafford. I’m not implying they will fail; it’s more about what they will cost!

Sanchez worries me because of the Matt Leinart reason. That is, Leinart had so much talent around him that it made him look better than he is, as we’ve seen from him with the Arizona Cardinals.

In fact, in recent years, and I say “recent,” meaning outside Carson Palmer, USC quarterbacks have not done so well.

Before you point to Matt Cassel, he was a project and not a high draft pick, and it took him a few years, during which he fought off replacements before showing results.

Do you want to risk $35-40 million in a signing bonus on an unproven player? NO! I’ve always been a Bobby Beathard fan and believe in trading down and using the money for proven veterans and free agents.

Yes, Beathard went a little nuts with this toward the end of his career, but it is a winning formula that I’m surprised teams don’t use more.

When I see Stafford, I see Kyle Boller, and when I see Sanchez, I see Leinart. I’m not talking style or play; I’m talking continuing hype buildup versus legitimate evaluations.

I hope I’m wrong, but I would never risk that much money on unproven players! You’ll see a general manager in the next five to 10 years begin to adopt the Beathard theory if money going to unproven rookies continues down this path.

Wide receiver Torry Holt, Jacksonville Jaguars—his value: I was discussing with KFFL Managing Editor Cory J. Bonini about his thoughts on Boldin not being a true No. 1 receiver in many situations.

I disagree, and sure it may change for Boldin if he goes elsewhere, but I believe he has answered critics if you look at his numbers. He is a No. 1 receiver for most teams out there and is not the next Alvin Harper!

The player I feel is overrated now is Torry Holt. I don’t promote competitors as it’s not good for business, but I have to let you know about Gregg Rosenthal’s piece “Jacksonville will not save Torry Holt.”

I also agree with KFFL’s own take, “Torry Holt signs with the Jacksonville Jaguars,” in that he will immediately upgrade the receiving corp.

Rams' Torry Holt" width="400" height="200" />

Odometer reading: Now a Jag, Holt is on the downside of his career

That stated, I think Mr. Rosenthal hit it on the head and has a great understanding of evaluating statistics accurately—in this case, in stating that Holt is a receiver on the downside.

For the comments under his blog, I say it’s not about age, it’s about miles on the legs and the style of offense. As Ryan R. Bonini, KFFL General Manager, always says, when a receiver goes, he goes!

Wide receiver Anquan Boldin, Arizona Cardinals—trade talks: Speculation has some saying the Baltimore Ravens are thinking of trading players and a pick to the Arizona Cardinals for wide receiver Anquan Boldin.

Don’t do it if the players are running back Willis McGahee and tight end Todd Heap as some are speculating.

McGahee is entering his seventh season, has a questionable work ethic and does not have elite running back skills. If he was all that, why was he not an every-week starter last season?

I’ll tell you: because he’s injury prone and has never been the same back after his devastating knee injury. He has been more hype than substance!

Remember, he’s also a player who after a year or two will want to renegotiate his contract. The Cardinals already have that in a better player called Boldin!

McGahee’s averages per game of 51.6 rushing yards in 2008 and 80.5 rushing yards in 2007 are not impressive!

Heap is another walking-wounded player who has not had a solid year since 2006, when he had 73 receptions for 765 yards and six touchdowns.

He has been healthy enough to play three full seasons out of the last four, but he’s not a dominant player anymore nor the pass receiver he once was. His last two seasons prove that: 22 games played, with 58 receptions for 642 yards and four touchdowns.

Those numbers average out to about three receptions for 29 yards and 0.18 touchdowns per game. The touchdowns break down into one every six games.

Why would the Cardinals even consider this offer if it was made?

There you have it, just a few notes for a quick read and a few more later this week.

As always, let the hate e-mails begin, and don’t forget, you can follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/wdelpilar.