The catch that wasn't a catch.  The mishaps. The couldabeens. The what ifs. 0-2.

That is our reality right now. A reality that's become all too familiar.  Yet, Detroit Lions fans seem to be still in a fog...like this isn't real. Like we're lost between dimensions...just trying to get home. For those that need to wake up. Here's the truth.  You're not going to like it...

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I'm preparing for an intriguing upcoming season. So many stories and sub-plots and moving chess pieces... Overall, don't expect to see any teams on the verge of 16-0. This year, more than years past - is a league of parity. Most of the games will be close, which makes it that much more exciting. Injuries will be key. Teams that think they have a legit chance will be derailed if certain players are out. So with that said here are my predictions...

AFC Division Winners

AFC EAST - New England Patriots
AFC NORTH - Baltimore Ravens
AFC SOUTH - Indianapolis Colts
AFC WEST - San diego Chargers

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Alphonso Smith on NFL network right now. Denver against Minnesota. He's #22. He has a very up and down game. As up and dows as it gets. But get a sneek peek of him. Alphonso smith. Words words ords words wors djjfjjf Djjgjfdd. Edejjkd. Rejdejdjde. Djdjdjkdj djdjdjkd jddjdjd rjdjdj djdjmdj djdjdjm djdsjdj djdjdj

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I know we're all interested in whose being cut where...Thought it would be cool if we had one page for the cut players Pod'ers would like to see us go after (or at least entertain).  Already got some juicy stuff...

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Its been interesting to me over the past few days how people have different views about Madden. And to anyone who doesn't play the game to think that its similar to a Pacman's version of football. I don't claim that its just like the real thing. A video game can't judge a man's heart. Nor can it simulate how a person, whose never had any money in life, react to a multi million dollar contract. But other than that, the Madden system is as close to the real thing as a game can get. Here's why...

Madden actually tracks these players from high school thru their NCAA franchise. EA sports used similiar rating systems in its NCAA game and if a guy stays in school 3 years then they have 3 years of information on that player BEFORE they even get to Madden. Height weight speed agility acceleration toughness and even injury history, along with about 20 other indicators go into a players overall rating. This means, you can have a guy that runs really fast, but Madden actually knows if he has hands, or if he can run routes. It also allots for a certain amount of improvement (called potential) for a player. His skills will also decline as the years go by.

There are hundreds of individuals dedicated to the accuracy of the game

Players also take their ratings very seriously. If they thought it was a joke they wouldn't bother. Ea sports has been doing this for 20 years. Maybe in the beginning it was a joke. But not now.

The way I play the game is also completely different than the way 99% of people play. #1 I don't actually participate in the games... I take no joy in pummeling the computer for 16 weeks in a row. I play only in Franchise more, a mode that does not allow you to alter the players ratings. I then simulate every game, only adjusting the coach's game plan from week to week. If a player gets hurt, you have to adjust. If you've proven you have problems stopping the run, those problems will continue for most of the season. This keeps things as realistic as posible. No qbs with 8,000 yard seasons here...

So, using that system here's what your Detroit Lions have done over the next seven years. This year they went 9-7. Sttafford had a pedestrian year by my standards. Best finished just uunder 1000k yards. I actually picked up Legarette blount. As my 2nd back he had 576 yards. Teams had no rpoblem moving the ball on us. But they forced a lot of turnovers. They made the playoffs and loss in the first rd to the... Seahawks.

That offseason I had a great draft. In the first rd I picked up a cb named Raiyel Burton. He went on to define our team. He covers like Deion, but tackles like a safety. He leads the league in Forced fumbles almost every year. I also picked a rb in the 2nd rd that ends up replacing Best eventually. Next year we won the Superbowl. Over the next 5 years we win four more. Stafford has won one MVP. Suh made 2 pro Bowls,

Will that happen? We'll see. But Madden is no ordinary game, and is a good measuring stick for teams and players.

I mentioned in the other post that although I have been very hard on Staff - he really showed me something this last preseason game. It got me to thinking. Where does Stafford rank in the NFL at the QB spot?

1. Drew Brees - I'f im starting a team I want Drew. Shoot me.
2. Peyton
3. Brady
4. Aaron Rogers.
5. Rothliesberger - I love how he extends the play. And he has the IT factor. He just knows how to win.
6. Donovan Mcnabb
7. Phillip Rivers
8. Tony Romo
9. Matt Ryan
10. Joe Flacco
11. Mark Sanchez - say what? Sanchez's ability to manage the game and make good decision trumps Staffords talent.
12. Matt Stafford - My my my...I was surprised when I made this list. even with me not being a Stafford fan, I'd have to admit one could argue we have a top 10 QB in the league. In terms of talent, this guy is top 5 in the league. He just has to improve his decision making and knowing when to gun it vs. when to lay off. You have to throw a catchable ball.
13. Jay Cutler - Stafford is better than Cutler. Take that to the bank. Cutler will put up big numbers this year (because of Martz system) but he will also get sacked 50 times this year (Because of Martz system).
14. Carson Palmer
15. Matt Schaub
16. Brett Favre - his best days are behind him.
17. Sam Bradford
18. Vince Young
19. Kyle Orton
20. Jason Campbell - I'm higher on Campbell than most. Hopefully he proves me right.

Your thoughts...

Well boys & girls its that time of year. You've sweated thru 2 a days. Pain...more meetings than you care to remember...and after all of that...You're about to go home. Back to the "hood." Back in front of your annoying girlfriend who "told ya" you weren't going to make it. Back to looking for a 9-5 job. Well, I guess you could go to the UFL...

Whose getting cut & why?

I'm not going to do the full 53 man cut (yet). But I do want to make the locker room less crowded. So here we go...

Right off the bat lets get to the nitty giity... Kevin Smith, your time has ended in Detroit. I know you may not be 100% I know you've been working really hard. But the truth is, i'm more unimpressed with your intangibles than your lack of burst.
a. You don't hit the hole well. You stutter step almost every time.
b. You don't do ANYTHING special. You are average at everything. Which will at least earn you a paycheck 3rd on the depth chart on some other team. But not here.
I like the upside of Dorsey and Aaron Brown much more than yours. And as far as I'm concerned, Jerome Felton is our #2 back right now. You're a good guy. Hope you do well somewhere else.

- Maurice Morris: Seriously do I need a reason? Time to go dude.
- Derrick Williams: The first of TWO colossal 3rd round mistakes by Mayhew (he's more than made up for that though). I've never seen a more heartless football player in my life. You don't want the ball...ever. You run horrible routes. You don't do anything. You're not an NFL player. bye bye
- Ashlee Palmer: Horrible decision making. Horrible agility. Doesn't tackle.
- The cornerbacks: Guys...these corners stink. I know its impossible but I would honestly cut everyone not named Houston, Bly, & Wade. This is without question, the worst group of corners in the league. AND much worse than the 0-16 team. In fact we had pro bowl corners on that team that we let go (Bodden). We Must find help once all the cuts have been made. the fact that eric king is competing for a starting job...mind boggling.

The rest is a numbers game... TE Gronkowski, Richard Dickson, WR Contreverious Parks, Moore, RB Clapp, Nordin, DT/DE Chima Ihekwoaba, Callaway,
The rest are cuts that will require more thought for me.

I'd love to hear your thoughts guys...

The schedule is brutal. There are question marks at key positions. And there is no depth to speak of. This is a recipe that is sure to kick those drinking the Lions kool aid out of the fog.

Being honest, as is with out any changes, taking into consideration our schedule, this is a 4-6 win football team. We play the Vikings twice, the Cowboys, Jets, Giants, Patriots, Packers...I mean seriously. The New England Patriots with our schedule would only go 8-8.
Then, with the Lions potentially ready to peak NEXT year... we could (will) have a lockout.
Taking all of that into consideration, and factoring the unique situation involving a certain "once in a decade" cornerback...I make this bold statement.
Lions should make a play for Revis.

Again, this team has question marks, but our biggest is without question the secondary. If you bring in a true shutdown corner (imo there are only 2 in the league) look at what happens... You shut down HALF the football field. You now let your young inexperienced safeties shade to the other side of the field. Were going to have a good D line. Were going to be able to stop the run. Revis & Houston are 2 of the better tackling corners in the game as well. Think about it...why do people fear the jets? Because of Revis. If you take Revis away, they are a regular team. Even with Stafford being pedestrian. With an O line that can't protect. With a good running game and a dominant defense we can go to the playoffs.

so as the Lions GM I would say "hey...we want Revis. You can have anybody not names Stafford, Suh, or Levy. (Yes, a certain name is missing. Id trade him for Revis). Pay the man, which I admit is obscene money, and get it done. The Lions had a chance years ago to get Champ Bailey. And I think if they had payed him, we would still be respectable...able to get free agents etc. How much are you willing to pay for respectability? How much is momentum worth? You can change the face of the franchise with one move. One Move...and we can be the dominant team in the division. One move...we make the playoffs, and anything can happen.

Far fetched? Yes. But not out of the question. Get it done.

I have to believe the Lions Board fell apart in the 3rd. I have praised Mayhew this summer. He has made just about every move that I would make. I definitely think he is the right guy to lead the Lions for now. But I am a straight shooter. I call it like I see it. The 3rd rd pick of Speivey will prove to be a bad pick.
Its as simple as this...Was Speivey the best corner in the Big Ten this year? No. Of the players that were available. Was he the best. Big ten player available? No. Now add to that the SEC, BIG 12, ETC. So if he's not the best in his conference, or the best at his position in his conference...much less the entire NCAA...why take him? I believe Mayhew panicked and did a Millenesque reach. In fact its so out of context, I have to believe Mayhew's board fell apart.
I believe the board looked something like this... Cook
Washington
Spikes
Angerer
Murphy
All of whom were taken before the 66 pick. I believe they were distraught. And said...damn we need a corner and took the next guy by position...not talent. That's the problem I have with Organization that only draft "our guys" he's got great character. He fits our scheme. But can they play??? For eight years the answer was no. In no way am I saying Mayhew is Millen. He has proven that much. But I will say he had a "Millen Moment" The pressure is on tomorrow. That's one of the reasons why I didn't like the trade. Mayhew must find some gems tomorrow. We have needs at LB, WR, S, and I still say corner. Mayhew...make YOUR mark.

WTF? According to NFL network, the Lions have been in contact with Pacman Jones, and he's coming in for a workout this week. (Pause for surprised look)

See, this is why I hate losing. Our secondary was so bad last year, Mayhew has resolved to rolling to the hood with Wayne Brady to look for talent. I hope this isn't true. Pacman? We talkn bout' Pacman? MM, you've been doing good. Dont attach your resume to this clown. He will cut you. He will stab you in the back. He is locker room herpes. There is talent in this draft. There are trades to be made. Draft 3 corners if you like. But plese...PLEASE...Leave the thugs at the Thug Convention.

Ello Mates...
perusing the site the short time I've been here, obviously the draft is king. And it always intrigues me when people write we can get that guy in the _____ round. Especially when I have a different viewpoint. So why not put all the "Lions perfect draft" in one spot so we can commit to who we want. And then allow our fellow POD bloggers to critique it (ie everybody calls the other guy a big dummy). Well keep the mock for the first 5 rounds for this exercise. If you want to trade the first round pick you're allowed to do so. But only the 1st round pick. So here goes...

The Lions should take Okung. But this is my draft. I feel like you just can't miss on a once in a decade type player in Suh. I just don't understand how a DT gets so many tackles. Especially in the pass happy Big 12. Do you understand how good you have to be to get 89 tackles as a dt. And if you thought that was a fluke he had almost as many tackles the year before. He had more tackles in one year, than Mccoy had in his entire career. Nuff said.
1st round ...Suh
2nd round...Maurkice Pouncey
since we didn't get a top flight LT Backus needs all the help he can get.
3rd round...Ben Tate. Steal of the draft.
4th round...Donovan Warren. If Michigan won a big bowl game, Donovan would be a first rd pick. He's better than Marlin Jackson
5th round...Jared Veldheer. I originally wanted antonio Brown here, and I doubt if Veldheer falls this far...but if he does, he could save us a boatload of money next year trying to get a LT.

We get a starting Dt, a starting LG, a starting RB, a starting CB, and a LT project that could start immediately at RT.
Your turn...

This list is going to look very different than a lot of "experts" so Ill get right to the point...

1. Ndamakong Suh.
2. Dan Williams
3. Brian Price
4. Jared Odrick
5. Gerald Mccoy

Ndamakong Suh is far and away the best defensive player in the draft, much less defensive tackle. I'm going to some up his great attributes with some numbers. 89 tackes. 12 sacks.
How on earth do you register 89 tackles from the DT position in a competitive conference?? How are you involved in THAT many plays? That's just unheard of. Obviously there's talent there, but those numbers also say A. You have a motor that never stops. B. You have great stamina. A trait that is often overlooked. I'm going to predict that Ndamakong will average at least 5 sacks per year for his career. To put that in perspective, Albert Haynesworth entering his 10th year has 28 career sacks.
I'm going to skip analysis for 2-4 for now and get to the burning question...Why the hell do you have Mccoy so low??
Fact. Defensive Tackles bust more than Qbs. Why? I'm not 100% sure. But I do know that its easy to dominate in college when you are one of the strongest guys on the feild. You don't have to have great technique or great leverage, But in the pros everybody is strong and everybody is good. And once again Mccoy does not do ANYTHING great. He's not Sapp quick. He's not overly strong. He doesn't form tackle as well as he could. So with that, tell me how he's going to dominate at the NEXT level? So what do teams like? They like his passion. He looks mean. And he loves the game. That's all fine and dandy. But you don't tackle people in the NFL on emotion. You have to either be to the ball 1st, or have great leverage. Based on nothing more than his physical attributes...I'm not betting on Mccoy to do either.

I'm not saying Mccoy is a bust. But IF a top Dt is going to bust...its going to be him.

Voice

There is a reason this free agent RB class looks like a whose who of backs of the past. Ladanian Tomlinson, Thomas Jones, Brian Westbrook, etc etc all great running backs at one point in their careers. But all of them have one thing in comon... Their best years are behind them. Its time to move on.

And seemingly just in the nick of time, we have the deepest running back class in years. And ironically they all bring different things to the party. Which is why I had to spend extra time this year with my top 5 list. Again, my number one criteria is, how does a guys game translate to the pros? The reason so many of the big names in the media miss on running backs every year is because they ignore this one fact. Its not about what you did in college necessarily, its about how your game translates to the NFL. Teams will also grade differently depending on system. But overall I think these aare the top 5 backs.
1. Ryan Mathews. NFL clone: LT
2. Ben Tate. NFL clone: Frank Gore
3. Montario Hardesty. NFL clone: Emmit Smith
4. Jahvid Best. NFL clone: Reggie Bush
5. C.J. Spiller. NFL clone: Percy Harvin

First of all, I would be happy with any of these guys on my team. And most of them are better at this stage than anybody in free agency. Ryan Mathews is #1 because he is the only back of the top 5 that can do everything. Run, run away from you, catch, and pass block. He's not as fast as Best or Spiller, and he's not as big as Tate. But he has the best combination of everything.
Best and Spiller are 4 & 5 because, while they are electric, they will be limited in the red zone. As a feature back, you should be THE guy down around the goal line. These guys don't have the punch for that. Most of their tds will be from 20 yards and out. I like Best over Spiller because of his vision, and he seems to alwways run hard. Spiller seems to pick his spots.
Hardesty may lead the league in yards per carry without you ever knowing it. He's not going to break off big runs. But this guy never goes down on first contact. It seems like he's always getting 6 or 7 yards at a time. He will just peck you to death. Plus, playing against the same teams as Spiller, he had better production against almost every team.

Stay away from...
1. Jonathan Dwyer - his game does not translate. He doesn't do anything special, or even good.
2. Toby Gerhart - can be fine in a 2 back system and a short yardage back. But he's not a feature back.

Offseason Running Back Rankings
1. Ryan Mathews
2. Ben Tate
3. Montario Hardesty
4. Reggie Bush
5. Jahvid Best
6. C.J. Spiller
7. Joe Mcknight
8. Brian Westbrook
9. Darren Sproles
10. Thomas Jones
11. Dexter Mccluster
12. L.T.

This really is my favorite time of year. The grass is growing...The birds are singing...and the Kool Aid bars are filled to the brim.
Yes, at this time of year every NFL fan has high hopes for their teams. And Detroit fans are no different.

There's so much buzz about the signing of 3 slightly above average players. I mean let's be honest...Of the 3 picks, 2 guys come from some of the worst teams in the league, and the other guy had his best season 3 years ago. Its funny how fans automatically project a guy will have his best season JUST BECAUSE he switched jerseys. But that's OK. I get it.
My personal opinion is...the moves are just OK. Did we get better? Maybe...
Are we deeper? Absolutely.

But I tell you what, if the Lions organization is thinking what I think they're thinking ...these moves will SET THE LIONS BACK YEARS.

If they're thinking..." We have Corey Williams, so now we don't have to draft Suh - They're Wrong
If they're thinking..." We've got KVB so, if Brandon Graham is available we can pass on him"...They're Wrong
If the Lions think that these Free Agent pickups alter their draft needs in any way...THEY ARE WRONG.

But by most accounts that's exactly what the Lions are thinking. Multiple sources say the Lions are dead set on trading the #2 pick. Some sources say with the Browns or Bills. What this means is, the Lions don't value their 2 most important positions (DT & LT) because the top 2 players at those positions (Suh & Okung) will be gone by the 7th or 9th pick. Actually, I think the 2nd LT Bryan Bulaga will be gone as well. So who helps the Lions at 7 or 9? Joe Haden ? too high for a 4.6 corner... Dan Williams? I like him, but that's a bit of a reach as well and I'm not sure he's better than Jared Odrick who you can get much later. Eric Berry? Needs a d line to really be great. Those impact players won't be there at the key positions. So why move that far down? To get who? Now if kansas city or Tampa Bay wants to talk...I'm listening. That way you are sure you're getting a top guy at a position we need. I'm going to give it to you straight. I think Ndomakong Suh will be more productive than Albert Haynesworth (who only has 6 more career sacks than our boy Corey Williams in 2 extra seasons). And Okung has the physical attributes to be as good as Jake Long, and is a better run blocker than Joe Thomas right now.

But somehow in my gut...in one of the most "surething" drafts in a long time...somehow the Lions are going to blow it. For Detroit Lions fans sake...I hope I'M WRONG.

Adam schefter reporting deal SHOULD be done by late today. Why do I feel like the lions are stuck in quicksand?? Were getting better...but so is everyone else...and if the Bears add Chester Taylor, with Green Bay already the class of the league, the Vikings waiting for Favre (I ope he comes back because I think he will stink this year) ...My feeling is were Doomed! We need a stud RB now....aghhhhh!

First of all who is this "Voice" character that I should be interested in a top 5 list...

For those of you who don't know me, I dare not go into all the details. But heres what's pertinent... for the last 3 years that I've been tracking it, I have a 78% rate when it comes to predicting successful players in the NFL. That rate is even higher in basketball, but we'll talk about that another time. I played a little ball and actually have friends and family in both leagues. But honestly that has NOTHING to do with anything. I just have a knack for talent. Some recent proof... Just last year I said the best 2 defensive players in the draft were Brian Cushing, and Brian orakpo and actually predicted cushing to be defensive roy. This was BEFORE the draft took place. I posted this on the TLF site and would provide a link if I wasn't typing on a phone. Like a lot of you I am very busy with a job and a family. But during this time of year, any little free time I get is studying NFL hopefulls.

So here the TOP 5 cornerback list...
1. Chris Cook
2. Joe Haden
3. Patrick Robinson
4. Donavan Warren
5. Kyle Wilson
I'm sure everybody's list looks like this...
Its important to note that when I judge a players abilities, its under the guidance of this philosophy...How does a player's game translate from college to the pros. Just because a guy was great in college doesn't mean he will be great in the pros. Joe Haden is going to be a good player. But he was aided in college by a stout D line, a cornerbacks best friend. I also don't put as much stock in his 40 as other people, but it does hurt him. You can get away running 4.6 in college. Not so much in the pros. But again haden will be fine. Ill take him in a heartbeat. But Cook's size and pressing capabilities lead me to think he will be a better fit in the pros.
Now for all you Kyle Wilson lovers...I have 2 questions. 1. Did you know about him before you watched nfl network. 2. Did you know he did not play a traditional cb at his school? His OWN coaches did not trust him on the edge in college. And you're going to trust him against the best of the NFL? No thanks...