My latest fantasy team...I obviously need another rb for backup purposes...but had to share as I almost fell out of my chair laughing when I looked at my final roster...I would take as a dream fantasy team any day!

I for one, am among many who can reflect back on the last eighteen months as truly enlightening when it comes to being a fan of the Detroit Lions.  This team had needed a facelift for several years, but never had either the brains nor the ball nor any combination there of to make it happen.  Perhaps it is because we witnessed such utter mismanagement of this team that we are so enamoured by what Mayhew, Schwartz & Co (what a great business name btw) have been able to do with this team & how far they have come, albeit on paper, from where they were.

That being said, this offseason has been no different.

However, and this is about the only however I have been able to muster, I have been and continue to be a large proponent of finding Delmas a playmate back in centre field.  My only disappointment thus far in the offseason & through the draft is we have not found a partner to play safety.  For a defense that was so abused last year, we have added much to stop the run.  But aside from figuring those same run stuffers will also create added pressure in the pass game, we have only tried to kill to birds with one stone, in this case approach.  But one strategy rarely overcomes two challenges. 

So, we have made moves to be much more effective vs the run.  Sharper, a veteran savvy safety is still available but interest is picking up post draft.  He isn't happy with the Saints & "their lack of love for him".    Personally, I would love this kind of veteran leadership to guide Delmas through his early years, to ground him...kind of.  Adding a veteran like Sharper back there would allow Delmas to fly around & do his thing.  Sharper can read plays, make tackles & disrupt passes...let alone pick them off.  This would give the support necessary to our young db corp, who although have a line that can push in front of them, is still inexperienced.  I was a big fan of drafting a safety as the position was deep in the draft.  Alas we did not.  We now have a chance to sign a top notch, although perhaps past his prime (not by last years numbers), safety to lock down the third level of our defence. 

If this were to happen, we would have a solid first line/level of defense & a solid third line/level of defense.  Again, allowing our youth in our lb's & our db's to develop with support in front & behind them.  I say bring Sharper in & let him continue his NFC North tour, he knows & loves the Black & Blue division!

Just sayin...so have at it!

i think this draft is almost predictable now...

Rams: released Bulger before his roster bonus was due, clearly admitting the need for a new franchise qb...campbell may be brought in, although i highly doubt it, to give some competition to Bradford...a la Stafford vs Culpepper

Lions: trade for Sims...thus to end the arguement, Backus stays at LT.  No move on Hargrove, or one that will only cost them more now leaves open a spot for a huge dt rotation w/ suh (or mccoy), williams & slh with vdb & avril off the edges.  avril can take advantage of his speed with the big boys up the middle.  pacman will be signed, to which i am indifferent again to add competition to a young backfield with another db drafted in round two or three.

Redskins: mcnabb...so no need to be in the top five unless they are drafting okung to protect mcnabbs a$$.  enough rb's to start an expansion team...they add a wr in rd two for  5 to play with (he needs someone other than cooley) cuz even though there is some talent at wr, they are very unproven in the nfl

KC: with no OT or offensive threat in the top five, here goes Berry.  simple enough

Seattle: makes a move for marshall with his value diminishing as the days go by, marshall becomes the guy that breaks in rookie qb's...they give clausen a treat to throw to in his rookie year.

Bucs: with no suh, they still get their dt in mccoy.

now the rest of it is a crap shoot i think...but i truly think todays events all but locked down the top five picks...i know i got the order wrong, but you get the idea.  As much of a proponent I have been of bringing in Berry, I accept that it just isn't going to pan out that way.  In saying that, I am glad that Staff will not be facing him regularily at all.

 Welcome to the honalulu blue Mr Suh...where the kool-aid flows like ... well like water over niagara falls!

Fire away!

With all of my excitement and I am sure plenty for others too, with all the talk of Berry's skill set and performance I figured the Lions would for sure be in line for a vist/private work out with him.  So not sure what to think of this...perhaps Berry no matter what isn't part of the Lions strategy after all.  Per nfl.com, Berry is scheduled to make visits with 5 teams in the next two weeks.  No word yet of a scheduled visit with the Lions, but this could be one that is done closer to the draft itself. 

http://www.nfl.com/draft/story?id=09000d5d8173b496&template=with-video-with-comments&confirm=true

Perhaps the race is down to DT vs OT...thought I'd share quickly and stir the first round pot up once again just for giggles.

First let me say, it is nice to see POD nation growing...Congrats Sean & fellow POD'ers...this is a great time of year for Lions fans, and a better time for them to unite & discuss fanhood and the future.  I haven't been around much over the last two to three months as I have started a new job in Toronto and have been commuting from London (a two hr drive each way).  Although the new job is an awesome opportunity for my family, it has sucked a lot of time away.  Not to mention the added stress of finding a new home to move to and all the packing a family of four needs.  But I have jumped on here and there as no matter what, I need my kool-aid drinking POD fix.  So with that, I will continue to jump in when I can...but here is a thought that has been running through my head that I'd like to open up as I really don't have too much knowledge past round two...

There has been plenty of discussion about the first choice the Lions will make...or could make...or should make. ..but what if we step down through the draft and look at some later round options...specifically round two and three ande even round four; as in my opinion, everything after is a crapshoot.  Positionally we may have an idea, but much of what unfolds in now day three of the draft is highly dependent on what happens in the first three rounds.  So, with that, let us discuss life after day one of the 2010 draft. 

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To me, this is a golden opportunity.  A couple of years back, I thought the 49ers were in a birds eye position to watch Patrick Willis...and what a hit they made.  They have since had a couple solid drafts after being involved in this two years in a row (i believe).  Now, not sure what the roster will look like...but I have to admit, I love getting Schwartz & Co up close & personal the North Seniors...if nothing else...it will help them get some great looks at guys who could be late round gems...looks that few other teams will get.  How do guys respond in drills vs play...how do they pick up instruction & coaching...priceless evaluation that few others will get with this group of prospects.  I am very happy with the 09 draft and the gems that were found there, especially in the late rounds.  I hope that this offers some insight so that we can repeat.

What North Seniors are you looking forward to Schwartz & Co getting up close & personal with?

Per PFT...however reliable that may be...Marc Bulger may very well have played his last NFL game.  Due to injury & a downturn in his career he is contemplating retirement.  I think that we here at POD should send him a card of encouragement, urging him to relax and enjoy retirement.  Not like he needs the money from playing another year anyway...time to live life & not risk further injury...so as to not be able to enjoy life after the NFL.

This would go a tremendously long way to the Rams passing on Suh and allowing the likelihood of him dropping to #2 to increase :)  Lets keep that kool-aid fridge stocked as I think we will need a few taps off the keg this winter.

Yeah sure spags would LOVE, and I am sure has woke up drooling about the idea, to add Suh to his front four...but...look what is already in place...

DT Adam Carriker, 13th overall pick in 2007
DT Dorrell Scott, 4th round (103 overall) pick in 2009
DT Ryan Clifton, 5th round (154 overall) pick in 2007
DE Chris Long, 2nd overall pick in 2008

The only area of need on this line is to replace the aging Leonard Little who is 35.  One can argue that Carriker was a DE in college & is the heir to Little's side...however I don't see it.  Plus, just as the lions are not likely to invest huge $$ into more OL due to existing contracts on the line (a la Backus, Cherilus, Raiola); the Rams have many positions of need and their D-line is certainly not one of them.

Then you look at their QB situation...
Marc Bulger (1686h overall pick by Saints in 2000)
Kyle Boller (19th overall pick in 2003 by Baltimore)
Keith Null (6th round 196 overall pick by St Louis in 2009)
Mike Reilly (signed from GB practice sqaud)

Boller is not the long term answer in St Louis, and next to getting an actual big "go to" WR (Donnie Avery is a Welker-esque WR#2.  Bulger year after year has been fading skill wise and health wise.  SJax is a beast of a back, but he needs a pass game that can relieve some of the pressure from him.  Spags knows this as a DC guru, if there is only one weapon on offense, a RB, it makes the defenses life much easier.  Rams were in love with Jake Locker and were rumored to take him above any other QB.  Now, it would seem like Clausen is the choice du jour even though I think Bradford may sneak in here.  Either way, since there is no stand out WR and the tackle position has depth to grab in the second round...similarily on the defensive side...there are many safeties to complement Atogwe and the d-end position has depth too in order to get the replacement for Little if they are not happy with the others they have in line now...the only pick that makes sense is QB.  The Rams are in the same draft boat the Lions were in last year.  Yeah they could pick up Suh...yeah they could draft Okung...they need their franchise QB.  They were incredibly lucky under Martz, they pulled Warner from the frozen food section & plucked Bulger up as a FA after spending time on the practice squad in both St Louis & Atlanta.  The Rams have not had to draft a QB in a long time.  They have spent many recent picks upgrading & developing their dline.  This pick is all QB.  Bulger still has three years left on his contract, thus in drafting the next QB they have a luxury that if Bulger continues to be injury prone they have their heir apparent in the wings.  If the heir apparent out plays Bulger in the offseason/preseason as we witnessed Stafford do, then they have a vet who has performed w/ the team and who knows the Rams system well to guide their young padawon.

It is a possibility, don't get me wrong.  I just don't see them passing up on the QB.  The Bucs were the only team I was truly worried about taking Suh.  At the end of the day, the Rams are rebuilding just as much as the Lions.  RB & DL are the two positions least in need of building.  Their needs as I see them are:

QB

OL

WR

OLB

DB

Again I will reiterate, Spags would love Suh as his pick.  Looking at what he had in NY on the defense it does make sense.  But, the difference here is that he doesn't have the offense he did with the Giants.  An offense that can allow the defense to rest.  My call here is Clausen or Bradford.  And with the #2 pick, the Lions select Suh.  I'll admit, I didn't think we would see this even as a remote possibility; now I think it is probable.  

There are two potential glitches:

1. Spags says defense wins, and completes a formidable Dline

2. Rams draft Clausen/Bradford which creates pannick in other teams looking for a new QB (Carolina, Washington, Raiders, Seattle, Cleveland) and we trade down.  But this has become less likely as the Lions have moved up the draft order with a better shot at Suh, I think there are other trade partners now.  I think we may just luck out like we did when the Raiders chose Jamarcus Russell & we got Megatron.  IMO, we just drafted Beast (X-men based nickname :) ) 

I really like the way this is starting to shape up for us...and so, in the great nature of mocking...here is my first three (dream) picks...plus where I hope the team drafts after:

1. Suh DT

2. Lupati OG

3. Earl Thomas/Reshad Jones S

4. DE

5. CB

6. RB

7. OL

All right, your turn, have at it.

Sorry, Sean already has it...

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At the end of a day when all i could think was Lions Football...all I could talk was Lions Football...craving one more set of highlights...there is Chris "Boomer" Berman on ESPN Monday Night Football...calling out names like Bobby Layne and Otto Graham.  How they provided some of the best games of the fifties.  HOLD ON...who's name did I just hear you say Chris?

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Per PFT....Calvin Johnson will start...first time in a long time all starting weapons will be in the line up together...

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/category/rumor-mill/

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that it is too soon to talk about the draft and the offseason.  Sorry, I suffer from OFS...better known as offseason football syndrome as I saw on another site.  None the less...the only way to deal with it is to let it out.  So...the consensus is that the Lions will most likely have a top ten pick in next years draft.  Barring some wonderful games ahead, this seems to be the common ground.  With all that said, there are still many holes despite the job that Mayhew, Schwartz & Co have done in the last year.  We have our QB of the future developing game over game.  We have a running back that can play all three downs with Kevin Smith, with back up from Aaron Brown (with some maturation here).  The FB position is one of question, but one that I think can be grown in Jerome Felton.   The offensive line, however not great, is performing light years ahead of the 50+ sacks per year over the past two or three years...but still some definite room for upgrade...almost right across the line.  Defensively, well, the LB corps looks solid; easily maintainable with little year over year change needed.  The secondary, well half of it works well...Louis Delmas has some growth & maturation ahead of him, but should he stay the course I see a solid safety developing...and the other half is Anthony Henry.  I thought going into the year this unit would hold its own with Buchannon, King and James.  But none has played well enough to hold their spot from one week to another.  Then there is the D-line.  IMO, performing much better than expected going into the season...evidence through the run defense (minus the half dozen big gashes).  Now this also has a lot to do with the LB's behind them, but, in order for the LB's to be free to make those down hill plays they must be free of blockers.  So although upon first glance the dline doesn't appear to be doing much they are freeing up the LB's to make plays.

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Hello Steeler Nation!

I am not sure if our site guru Sean will be here to share some info...I am sure he will...but I was talking with SteelerVT (if I recall) on a thread and he encouraged someone to come over to open a chat here.  So, sorry in advance if someone else is already on this.

Although we have many upgrades over last year...hard not to have this...but from our games thus far I can only hope for a full 60mins against the Steelers.  So far this year we have done well through the first half...being in the game vs the Saints going into the half...beating Minn at the half...beating Wash at the half...tied w/ Chicago at the half.  But we have had our struggles in the second half.  If the Lions can put out a full 60mins on Sunday, we could be right there in a competitive game.  With the track record so far that is a big if.  However, Jim Schwartz has done a great job in the HC role thus far, and I expect him to have corrected the fallout in the second half of games.

I have many friends who are Steeler Nation members...so here's hoping for a great game.

Aside from that, on behalf of my friends @ POD, thank you Steeler nation for travelling as well as you do & making this game a sell out to avoid the dreaded blackout.

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As part of my routine of reading anything Lions all day long...I came accross this article from ESPN.  It looks at the average yards per completion across the NFC quarterbacks.  I have to admit, I was surprised by the stats & where Matt Stafford stands not only in the division, but in the NFL.  He has more completions than Aaron Rogers.  He is ranked 14th in the NFL for yards per attempt.  Now in doing the math myself...it doesn't add up...so I don't know how credible this is.  It is a "new way of measuring the difficulty of a throw" apparently.  None the less, statistically other than the td/int ratio, he is performing better than average in the NFL so far.  Which is quite a feat for a rookie where ever he plays.  Link to the espn article is after the jump.

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Call it a man crush...so be it.  But I have nothing but respect for this guy.  I saw this on nfl.com, and thought to myself, this story could go on the big screen.   Not just for the turmoil this team has gone through in the last two years, not just for the dispair, the trials & tribulations...but for all of the great moves in the last 12months.  At the end of this video, go ahead call me a wuss...I literally got goose bumps & teared up.  Ok, now I need to man up...let me hear your roar!  Lets see how well these '09 Schwartz led Lions travel!  Enjoy!!

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-videos/09000d5d8130b6f5/Sound-FX-Schwartz-mic-d-up

For the second week in a row I have missed the game live but watched it off the PVR later in the day.  I have avoided POD in the mean time so as to keep it interesting as I watch & catch up.  Upon completion, as many of you have also felt, I let out a big sigh; look at the schedule and start to look at the coming match ups.   I come on over to POD to see the recaps & comments...and short of a few, I have had more disappointment reading than I have had in watching the games.  No offense to anyone here...but can we collectively rewind for a few minutes here, remember where each of us were four months ago...heck even ten months ago.  Lets remember what we were concerned with then, what we were hoping for come the regular season and perhaps most importantly where our expectations & excitment were placed.  I appologize in advance for the excessive use of the word "collectively".

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I really don't like this move...he can make another roster so hoping he sticks for practice squad material i think will prove to be the wrong move.  Too bad...thought he had a great preseason

http://profootball.scout.com/a.z?s=127&p=9&c=2&cid=895539&nid=4327155&fhn=1

I hope that this is the only surprise.  The others so far make sense:

Chuck Darby

Aveon Cason

Spencer Smith

I will try to update through the comments as I find more...please help share the info as it breaks...although all are still unofficial.

According to my second favourite website...http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/rapid-reports/team/DET Schwart has named Stafford as the starter for the game this weekend.  since i am now officially on the stafford bandwagon, here is hoping he will again out perform Dante.  we can only pray that his receivers can catch this week.  Do you think he will out perform Dante, or do you think this is when Dante steps up and really makes a case for the starting spot?

I am going to appologize in advance as this is a topic I found in an article about a month or so back (roughly when the blackhawks were ousted from the playoffs), but I have not been able to find it again.  The reason I wanted to bring it up, is that the article spoke of how losing, specifically years of losing, may easily be linked to generational ownership.  The example the article spoke of was the Chicago Blackhawks.  The passing of Bill Wirtz, Chairman of the team, left the team in the hands of his son Rocky.  However in the previous years, the team never seemed to make the right draft picks nor did they make even value trades for the talent they had.  They would bring in proven talent, only to see careers come to a screeching halt while on the team.  The result was years of losing and being ranked as one of the worst franchises in all of pro sports.  Since Rocky has taken over though, in three years or so, the team has sharply turned itself into a young, up and coming, talent everywhere team.  Making great draft picks, picking up solid contributors on the FA market and making smart even trades.  Not to mention, doing all of this as the NHL has evolved & the Blackhawks have been ahead of pace in adapting to the new NHL.

So then I got to thinking about the Millen firing.  Blah, blah, blah, Millen sucks & should have been fired sooner.  Ok, now that we are past that point, who was the greatest influence (at least from what we saw in the media) in getting rid of Millen?  Ford Jr.  Now this may have been a play so that when Ford Sr passes the franchise down the family tree there is a history of a different mindset, but I don't think Sr is that strategic...or smart.  I think that Ford Sr has run this team with his influence & what he thinks his team should look like for too long...and I don't think I am alone in that sentiment.  His view of a succesful team is outdated vs. what is current in the NFL, I am giving Sr the benefit of the doubt that his vision would be successful in another time. 

We have all talked about that mysterious and contagious "different feel" the kool-aid is providing this year...and I have too look at perhaps the influence of the next generation of ownership being right around the corner.  If Ford Jr was brash enough to speak out enough in the media about his thoughts on Millens employment, one can only imagine the dinner table conversations.  And I don't think those conversations stopped there.  Once Jr realized his influence on his aging father, I think a lot of the front office choices & team philosophy have stemmed from him.  The new, and/or promoted head office is more in sync than an F1 pit crew.  They hired a HC with the same mindset, who brought in a top knotch (experience wise) coaching staff that has continued in that same philosophy.  This has led to a very smart & strategic offseason with key FA pick-ups, draft selections, trades and more FA pick-ups.  I think we have a backseat driver in Ford Jr.  I am sorry that I cannot give Sr credit for being even a tad responsible for more than signing off on these moves...but I have to believe that performance stems from the top.  If the right people at the top are making the decisions, the right people will be put in place to succeed.  We see players (Foote & Janson)coming back to restore pride in the team and in the city.  People are coming here with purpose and drive, something that I don't think has been so clear in all my time rooting for the team.  We have seen glimpses, but again, there is something different about this years version. 

I for one hope that this holds to fruition.  I hope that Sr passes the reigns to Jr, if this is any indication of what influences Jr actually has.  And if this is so...I think we can see a young, fast, hard nose and explosive team.  Again, this could be the kool-aid speaking...but there are some parallels that I don't think can be overlooked.

Again I appologize for not being able to provide a link to the original article that spoke of this & directly speaking of the Blackhawks organization...but it sparked more hope in all that we have witnesses our team go through in the last 7months.

Here's to the hope for a generation of celebrating Lions triumph!!

I saw this on the nfl blog site...

http://blogs.nfl.com/2009/05/16/free-agent-cb-hood-to-visit-lions-monday/

I know that the Lions have already signed Buchannon & Henry & King...but Rod Hood would make a solid one two punch between him & Buchannon leaving Henry & King to battle for the nickly back.  I continue to be impressed with the guys Mayhew & co. continue to bring in.  I don't know if he will sign, but the fact that he is visiting is in my eyes encouraging considering he went to the Superbowl last year & has invaluable experience because of that now.  Do you think he will sign?  Where do you think he will fit in?

In looking back at the last few months, I must say that I have some great mixed emotion.  On one hand, I am sure that I am not alone in saying congratulations to Mr. Mayhew & co; I am beyond excited with the work he has done with his and our team in a very short period of time.

But my extreme frustration with the Millen era grows.  In knowing that Mayhew & Lewand we part of the Millen staff, to say I was skeptical at first would be an understatement.  But to look at the moves they have done since taking over, they are nothing short of in tune with what should have been and could have been done a long time ago.  Imagine, the gall of Millen to have had these two on staff & vito ideas and moves like they have put into place in the last eight months.  Imagine where this team could have been had Millen listened to his support like any good Manager does.  I cringe at the thought.

Having said that, I think it is safe to say that these two have stepped out of the Millen shadow with some tremendous moves:

1.  Roy Williams trade to Dallas ~ the first move, quite possibly the best move in acquiring key draft picks

2. Hiring coaching staff: Jim Schwartz HC, Gunther Cunningham DC & Scott Linehan OC ~ yet to be seen how great of a hire these are, but by all indications this is exactly the mindset the Lions needed to be infused with, three coaches that have great experience in high level positions & have had success within their respective systems.  Most importantly, they are focusing within their strengths (we don't have a make-shift o-line coach as an OC!!)

3. Free Agency: no superstar pick-up, but as per their motto they picked up key additions & improved several positions (CB, LB & DT starters, HB2, WR2 & 3).  These moves especially on defense were key.

4. Jon Kitna trade to Dallas: Mayhew must have had some IOU's to cash in w/ Jerry Jones...cuz if not, Jones was made to be a fool in making these trades & Mayhew made to look genius-esque.

5. Draft: at first glance I gave this draft a B-, key picks & potential starters in top three picks & lots of depth and special teams players later in the draft

6. Larry Foote: this one sealed the deal for me, it makes my overall grade of the draft go to an A-...call me crazy but I think that Mayhew & co. had some inside information in that L Foote would become available, this was a story early last year so not surprised it came around again & the more I think about it, the more I think this may have been a pre-meditated draft knowing that Foote would be available.

I said in a post a few months back that at the end of the day our defense led to the 0-16 record.  The offense scored enough points to keep them in most games.  But because the Lions were down by 21pts more often than not, defenses could pin back their ears & attack.  The second half of the season our offensive line actually look like a unit that could move the line and consequently K Smith started moving the ball well (also helps that he saw regular starts).  But it was the defense that looked out classed almost on an every down basis.  The LB's now have 3 solid playmakers, guys that can trust eachother not to be out of position, to make plays so that no one needs to play out of their position to cover someone elses mistakes.  The d-line now has a run stuffing big body that should allow for the high motor (sorry for the Marinelli'ism) DE's to pinch in from the edges.  They may not be top tier DE's, but they can be effective in this role; especially with support behind them in the LB's.  On the corners, again not shut down guys, but all guys that have skill & one big intangible: a chip on their shoulder.  They all have something to prove.  And now that there is a lot more rush potential on opposing QB's, they shouldn't (key word) be left on an island to cover for 6-7+ seconds.  They all have some speed & ball hawk ability.  And at the safety spot, I love the draft of Louis Delmas.  I can't get the picture of A Peterson breaking our safeties ankles out of my head.  I love the fact that the front 7 now has a rocket backing them up, a guy that will add strong run support; but will also make some great pass break ups over the middle with some huge hits on receivers.  I am excited to see our defense be at the very least middle of the road.  The only piece that really sucks is that the NFC North as a whole got a whole lot tougher competition wise at the same time.

All this being said, I beleive that the Lions actually made huge strides this offseason and dare I say maybe even kept pace with the rest of the division.  And all of this has been said without a mention of Pettigrew who will only help the two existing playmakers from last years offense (Megatron & K Smith) and Matt Stafford.  With Foote now on board, this pick is actually really growing on me.  I think that if all works out well, and my collective fingers & toes are crossed, Mayhew & co. may have just recreated the Culpepper/Moss early years scenario.  And who better to teach young Jedi Stafford how to get the ball deep to his big man than the QB who was there & the OC that put it all together.

With all of this, I have great anticipation; and from reading the other posts, I am not alone.  But perhaps lost in all of this is the quesion, where would the Lions be had Millen listened to his support in years past?  Where would we be as fans had Mayhew & Lewand put forth ideas & moves such as these two or three or four years ago?  I know hind sight is 20-20, but the moves made this year aren't a one time shot; I am sure that suggestions like these had been made previously only to be trumped by Millen.  Look how he ruined Mooch by forcing him to play Joey Piano-Fingers.

None the less, we are in a new chapter and one that in my opinion is not only long over due, but one that is reading very well and has become a page turner.  I for one cannot wait for the season to start.  Should the Lions even make it to 5-11, which I think they have a great chance of bettering, I for one vote the Mayhew & Lewand GM of the year.  Well done gentlemen, well done...and thank you for helping us keep the roar alive!!

I was reading a post that talked about the fact that our defense wasn't the only reason the Lions were down 21pts so regularly, and that our offense was to blame just as much.  Here is my take...

Yeah our offense didn't look coherent at many points...but what offense can when the defense knows you have to pass 80% of the time?  All the defense has to do is rush 5 & drop 6 into coverage...let the d-line "pin their ears back" and rush the qb.  You can't run the ball back into those games.  And yes, 5 qb's later, of coarse the offense is not going to be in sync.  Add to the mix the fact that the o-line didn't consistently play as a unit game in and game out until week 12.  It is any wonder Calvin put up 1400yds & 12 tds...let alone Kevin Smith tallying up nearly 1000yds after not starting until what week 5?  Yes we still have Mr Offside himself, Backus I'm looking at you here...but the o-line actually came together in the home stretch & it showed in how the offense moved the ball.  If Calvin can put up those numbers from 5 different qb's, imagine what he can do with some steady getting to know my qb time in practice & game time.  Imagine what Mr Smith can do with regular starts.  Offense did not perform great...but they had an o-line coach at the helm...someone who doesn't want to develop anyone but his o-line...one who will blame the rest of the offense for making his o-line look bad.  I say the offense does wonders this year with little tweaking...in comparison to last year that is.  Our offense scored & will continue to score enough to keep the team in a position to win games.  Despite being down early & often, several games still came down to a difference in a play or two (most games do, but you wouldn't expect that kind of statement about an 0-16 team).  In fact, our offense was better than those with only a couple of wins like in Cincinnati, St Louis, Seattle, KC, Oakland. 

In the mean time ... the defense ... how many broken ankles did they get trying to stop the run?  How many times were the db's on an island in coverage for 5-7+ seconds?  The lb's were out of position on every play because they couldn't trust the guy beside them to be in the position to make a play or to make it even if they were in position to.  They all overcompensated & none of them trusted any other player they played defense with.  None of them played their position well...as they all tried to help someone else play theirs.  Julian Peterson will be the best thing to happen to Ernie Simms carreer.  They will provide support for the d-line for the run stop & pass rush.  Ultimately, what is a DB's best friend...what makes an average DB look great...a strong front 7.  The Lions have good, not great, but good DB's...now the team just needs to add depth there & really shore up the front 7.

At the end of the day, the bottom line as I see it is this...our defense let the team out of games early and often...causing our offense to be predictable and hence vulnerable, allowing mistake to compound.  Schwartz/Mayhew & company have put a nice dent in changing the culture of the defense.  Now the final pieces need to be playmakers.  Guys the rest of the defense can trust to make plays the position calls for, so they each can take care of their own.  With that said...in my humble opinion...one of the first three picks needs to be on o-line and a later pick 4th round or later a receiving te or 3rd wr and all other picks need to go to the defense, for positional playmakers & depth.

Ideally...a lot of "or" picks below...but with so much smoke & mirrors & needs out there anything along the below would give me a lot of faith.

1a ~ Curry LB or J Smith OT or E Munroe OT

1b ~ Maualuga MLB or Hood DT

2a ~ Laurinitis MLB or A Smith CB or R Brace DT

3a ~ C Barwin DE or P Loadholdt OG

3b and beyond...picks need to be for depth, character, committment to the game, guys who have something to prove & can play with a chip on their shoulder for dropping this far...not guys that are just happy to have been drafted.

One final note on the offense...please...please...please let a qb coach grade the progression & game readiness of our qb's...not any other coach.  In that, I mean I hope the team gives Stanton a good long hard look.  He was the only qb to hit Calvin in stride last year.  From everything I have seen, he has all the tools except stamina which comes from conditioning & game time.  Last year they wouldn't let him play out of fear that he would embarass himself.  Really?!?  More so that Dan-O running out of the back of the endzone?  Or would his mobility confuse his o-line after having Jon "I'm as easy to sack as a tackling dummy 'cause I can't step out of the pocket effectively so I'll let my blocking break down" Kitna & make the OC/Oline coach look bad?  See what you have in this kid legitimately...then draft a QB next year if it is still the number one need.  No rookie qb is worth all the gauranteed money the first pick demands if his defense doesn't keep him in games or put him in position to win games.  No rookie qb this year is going to take this team above .500.  This offense performed best when it saw consistent play time together...so give them just that and in the mean time; put a defense in place that will put the team in a position to win & be in a game later that the opening kick off.

With all of this attention to the o-line & supporting cast in free agency...will the Lions look to the 3-4 scheme sooner than anticipated?  How does this look:

Draft:

1a Curry

1b Maualuga (if he continues to slide on boards) or Laurinitis

2a Alphonso Smith

3a Connor Barwin (Cincinatti DE/OLB)

Starting 3-4:

OLB: Avril & Curry (Connor Barwin & Dizon to spell)

MLB: Simms & Maualuga or Laurinitis

DE: Devries & Redding (White & Francis to spell & for nickel pass rush)

NT: Grady Jackson (Fluellin to spell him)

CB: Buchanon & Henry (Alphonso Smith nickel back)

S: Alexander & Bullocks (perhaps test Dizon here too)