Martin Mayhew: 1 of the Best General Managers in the NFL

The Detroit Lions are one of the most recent examples of the NFL's trend of sudden uprisings.

This doesn't refer to the standings that count wins and losses, but to the change of the captain of the ship—the general manager. Matt Millen's follies are well-documented and it would be unfair in a positive Detroit Lions article to rehash the misery here. 

Many Lions fans groaned when the decision to make Martin Mayhew the general manager was announced. They feared that his time as an "understudy" of Millen would lead to another decade of Jay Leno jokes. However, Mayhew has shined in his new role and, at the very least, is now arguably among the most skilled at his craft.

While this list could easily be made into a 3,000-word article, the following seven slides will provide a quick overview of why Detroit is buzzing about the Lions. 

7. Attitude Always Starts at the Top

There has been a buzz surrounding the Detroit Lions throughout the offseason, but there was nary a peep from the front office or coaching staff.

A few of the Lions' players have been somewhat boisterous, namely Ndamukong Suh and his 16-0 comment, but players must exhibit confidence in order to effectively do their job on game days.

What can get lost in such comments is the reason behind them. The slow, steady progress of the Lions is a direct result of the demeanor and attitude exhibited by the team's principles.

Much like Ted Thompson of the Green Bay Packers or Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots, Mayhew goes about his work and keeps everything close to the vest.

When you're good, you don't need to say anything and the players pick up on that quiet confidence. 

6. Martin Mayhew's Dedication to Depth

The stockpiling of talent is the most important task entrusted to general managers.

As the 2008 Detroit Lions can attest, the enthusiasm (remember Rod Marinelli's "My shovel is sharp" fiasco?) of the head coach cannot overcome a lack of skilled players. However, the next priority is depth. Injuries are a static reality for every team and the only way to overcome them is by building depth.

A great example is Mayhew's ability to add late-round draft picks to trades.

For instance, when the Lions gave up first-round bust linebacker Ernie Sims, Mayhew was able to bring in a valuable tight end in Tony Scheffler as well as a seventh-round pick.

While that solitary pick alone is not significant, the dedication to gathering as many picks as possible leads to the type of depth that allows teams such as the 2010 Green Bay Packers to overcome the inevitable injuries. 

Yet, the best example is the drafting of defensive tackle Nick Fairley. Prior to the draft, not a single mock draft had examined the possibility of a top-five talent falling so far in the draft.

Most "experts" had already decided that the Lions would address their secondary. However, when faced with the decision of Nick Fairley or Prince Amukamara, Mayhew made the right decision in continuing to build top-tier depth on the defensive line.

5. Roy Williams Highlights Martin Mayhew's Savvy Trading

General managers have to exercise discipline by not falling into the trap of trading for former draft flame-outs on a consistent basis. Such decisions can sink any chances for a turnaround. Unless, of course, they guess correctly. 

Martin Mayhew has been active in the trade market since taking over the reins from Matt Millen.

Among his first moves was the trade of former top-10 pick wide receiver Roy Williams to the Dallas Cowboys for first, third and sixth round draft picks.

In addition, Mayhew was able to shed more of Millen's fat by trading away Corey Redding's albatross of a contract. Julian Peterson, who the Seattle Seahawks offered for Redding, never became an impact player while in Detroit, but his contract was much less onerous.

Lastly, as mentioned above, Mayhew has made some smart, bargain moves to bring in former busts that have blossomed upon their arrival in Detroit.

Alphonso Smith was brought in from the Denver Broncos for tight end Dan Gronkowski.

While Smith was directly involved in seven takeaways last year and figures to be a contributor once he heals from a foot injury, Gronkowski is no longer with the Broncos.

Moreover, the trade of a sixth-round pick for defensive end Lawrence Jackson has been another example of the steady approach to depth building discussed previously.

4. Mayhew Is the Anti-Daniel Snyder When It Comes to Free Agency

If big free agent signings were the key to success in the NFL, the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskins would be in the NFC Championship Game every year.

Daniel Snyder has become famous (or infamous if you live in the D.C. area) for making the big splash in free agency every year. Yet, spending $100 million dollars on a prima donna defensive lineman doesn't always equal success.

Martin Mayhew's approach to free agency has been similar to his approach to everything related to the Detroit Lions.

All of Lions' nation was clamoring for the team to add the big piece, whether it be Nnamdi Asomugha or Jonathan Joseph.

Much to the fans' chagrin, Mayhew addressed the secondary by retaining undervalued Chris Houston and brought in another first-round castoff in Eric Wright.

The season is only one game old, but the secondary more than held its own against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

Furthermore, the additions of Stephen Tulloch and Justin Durant have provided the run-stopping presence that the Lions have sorely lacked the last few years. Both were brought in for what is widely accepted as team friendly contracts.

Though Tulloch is only signed through the 2011-2012 season, he has already made his presence felt by spearheading the run defense that shutdown highly-touted running back LeGarrette Blount. 

3. The Selection of Jim Schwartz as Head Coach

Often times, a general manager's decision regarding a coach forever links his own job security with his selection. Matt Millen was lucky enough to be allowed to choose three during his tenure, but that is the exception rather than the rule.

The choice of Jim Schwartz has provided a legitimacy that the Detroit Lions have lacked since the 1950s.

A poll of Lions' fans under 50 taken a few years ago would surely have indicated that their favorite coach is Wayne Fontes.

That is not a positive.

Yet fans are taking notice of the first-time head coach. He has brought in an excellent staff that includes Scott Linehan and the fiery Gunther Cunningham. Both have had success in prior positions as offensive and defensive coordinators respectively and have continued that success in Detroit.

Finally, Schwartz's background in scouting has proven to be an invaluable asset that Mayhew seems to draw upon when making personnel decisions.

It is very likely that the key point in the turnaround of the moribund franchise may be the head coach-led acquisition of Kyle Vanden Bosch.  

2. The Detroit Lions Haven't Selected a Wide Receiver in the Top 10 in Years

It seems it would have been easy for the Detroit Lions to build a winner consistently picking in the top 10 as they did throughout the 2000s.

Quite obviously, there is more to drafting than just picking the best wide receiver on the board.

The upgrade in draft selections since Mayhew took over in December of 2008 has been drastic. He has only been at the helm for three years so it can be difficult to evaluate how well he has drafted, but only one higher profile pick has not panned out.

Also, he has been able to pull some talent in the later rounds as well as from the undrafted free agency pool with the selections of Willie Young, Sammie Hill and the signing of contributing corner Aaron Berry.

His most impressive attribute has been his boldness. Despite the Lions' depth at defensive line, he made the correct choice of bringing standout defensive tackle Nick Fairley.

Mayhew has also displayed the fortitude to pull the trigger on trades in order to select running backs Jahvid Best and Mikel Leshoure. 

1. Mayhew Is Built Ford Tough

Many of the prior slides all tie into one common theme, a lack of panic. The "panic button" is common parlance in the sports world, but hysteria-induced moves rarely, if ever, result in positive production.

Throughout his tenure as commander-in-chief of the Leos, Mayhew has shown a resolve that cannot be broken by a lengthy losing streak.

Mayhew believes in the moves he makes and that has developed into the confidence that exudes throughout the franchise and the city.

When everyone was clamoring for a renovation of the offensive line, Mayhew stood strong and believed in the players that were here. That continuity led to the stifling of the Tampa Bay Buccanners young, athletic defensive line as they produced zero sacks and no hurries as Peter King has pointed out.

Mayhew is not going to blow his budget to bring in the so-called "prizes" of free agency. He is not going to select a corner at the 13th pick because everyone else believes he should.

His deliberate style and the fortitude that accompanies his moves demonstrates that he is a young general manager on the rise.