Hey Detroit, Let Me Help: You Don't Have Matt Millen to Blame Anymore

It has become almost painful to watch the Lions operate every off season. It was funny for a while, but the ineptitude has boiled over to just being annoying. We shouldn't be surprised though, every corporation in Detroit has had the same business model for the past five years. SUCK.

But Matt Millen got canned just like Freddie Mac's CFO canned himself yesterday, except Matt Millen has a new job and that guy just has a funeral. Either way, it is safe to say that both organizations are moving in a different direction.

Anything that has disassociated itself from Matt Millen can only get better. So listen up Mr. Mayhew, I am here to turn around the titanic failure that is the Detroit Lions, starting with the number one overall pick of the 2009 draft—and getting rid of that new logo, how about a Liger?

Numerous reports already have them picking Matt Stafford and beginning contract talks with him. STOP NOW. I have said this before, but I will say it again; there are ten other guys that the Lions should take before Stafford.

First of all, the Lions can't draft quarterbacks. Let's just take a little trip down memory lane—Stanton, Orlovsky, Harrington, McMahon, Batch, Ware. What a shit list. The best QB the Lions have drafted in the past 20 years is a lifetime backup, Charlie Batch. Call Stafford back and tell him you can't draft him until his parents get back together, he'll understand.

Daunte Culpepper is perfectly capable of playing quarterback for one more year. It's not like you are really asking that much out of him. Just hand the ball off to Smith or throw it 50 yards down the field to Calvin, not too complicated. If he can just win one game he will be a success. You can't possibly expect to win a game with Stafford, can you?

The best situation for the Lions would be to trade down and pick up some more draft picks. This draft is loaded with quality throughout the first and second round, but doesn't have any "can't miss" prospects.

Unfortunately, that's not an option. Nobody wants the first pick this year, because Stafford sucks and nobody wants to pay a Linebacker $60 mil. So that leaves the Lions with only three options: Draft Curry and pay a linebacker $60 mil, draft Jason Smith, or draft B.J. Raji.

If you bring in Curry he will start at SLB immediately and eventually replace Paris Lenon at MLB the following year. This is the safest pick. He doesn't have a high ceiling for potential, but you are getting a solid, consistent starting LB for the next seven years. This wouldn't be my move, but I could handle it if I were a Lions fan.

If you bring in Jason Smith he will replace Backus at starting LT immediately. Smith has all the potential to be a top LT in the league, but is that really what you want with the No. 1, potential? We aren't talking about Jake Long here. Smith still has some improving to do before he can be trusted at the all important LT position.

If you bring in B.J. Raji he replaces Chuck Darby at Nose Tackle and lines up right beside Shaun Cody in the middle. Adding Raji to the Defensive Line will make an instant impact on defense.

The Lions were the worst team in the NFL against the run last year, Ron Dayne could roll for a 100 yard game against that D. Raji is a space eater with the ability to disrupt plays in the backfield. The run defense would be a huge improvement.

I know this won't happen, but I think Raji is the pick that makes the most since for the Lions right now. Jim Schwartz loves defense and the first key to defense is stopping the run.

The most important thing to remember about all of this is that the Lions will most certainly have the No. 1 pick in the 2010 draft. There will be three quarterbacks coming out that I would take over Matt Stafford in that class. Just wait until then and ruin one of their careers.

I'M OUT

ASALAMALAKUM, ONE LOVE