I wanted to start a discussion on the contract lengths we've seen the Lions give out this off-season.  People smarter than me will have better thoughts, but I'll give a few pros / cons / things to think about.

Pros:  Players will be playing for bigger contracts.  That's good!

Cons:  Might not be able to keep everyone if they're all good.  That's ok because there are always new bodies coming up.  

Things to think about:  Are the players saying "ok, give me shorter length, I don't want to lock in at your rate" or is it Mayhew saying "I'm giving you shorter length, deal with it."  - I think it's probably the players, because wouldn't it be in Mayhew's interest to say "ok Mr Tulloch here's 25/5 and if you're no good, I'm cutting you."  The only reason maybe Mayhew doesn't want to do that is because there's a negative connotation to cutting players, and he wants the Lions org to be one that's considered to treat players very well.  But I've been reading a lot of stuff praising Mayhew for shorter length and I thought "hey does that even matter in the NFL, where athletes have next to no rights?"

Curious to what you all think - even you Malek.

This will be the fourth year that Mercury Bar (33rd and 3rd) will host the Lions Bar.  The game will be on the big screen, but I'll let you know that we don't often get the sound feed.  They do show all the games at the bar which is sometimes helpful (BAL game last year), and there are drink specials for Lions fan.

So if anyone is looking for a place to watch lions games with lions fans, we have anywhere from 5 (week 12) to 50 (week 1) people every week.

I won't post this again on POD but if you wanted to join our facebook group, we do update regularly.  It's something like Detroit Lions Fans - NYC Chapter.

***i am just a fan that started this group and i don't receive any compensation for this, so please don't consider it an advertisement

I've been an out-of-market Lions fan for 26 years (thanks dad).   Being out of market means that I usually get news about what happened on Sunday instead of what happens Monday through Saturday.  This site has been a great way of filling the gap.  Thanks for doing it.

Like you all, I'm pretty excited about the direction of the Lions.  Most notably, I think we have a bunch of guys that care to be good football players.  This is a stark contrast to many of the clowns we've brought in the past 10 years or so.   A good "culture" or "chemistry" is especially important when developing players.  A bad culture breeds Mike Williams and Charles Rogers.  A good culture breeds guys like... oh I don't know, pick anyone on BAL, PIT, IND, NE.  Do they draft better than us?  Probably.  But more importantly, I think they get their draft picks to maximize talent.  Which Suh would you rather have - the one that plays along side Redding and Rogers or the one that plays along side KVB?  I'm pretty sure the latter will turn out to be a better pro.

There are probably a lot more names that belong here but:

Guys that really care:

Stafford - Cleveland game was enough for most of us last year.  He seems to be a true leader.  I think his football skills will improve along with the team.

Kevin Smith - I like him because he said the 2008 team had high school talent.  At least he calls a spade a spade.  Roy Williams still thinks Roy Williams is the best WR in the game.

KVB and C. Williams - I read the "working out together" post - first, because they were working out, which Cory Redding never did, and second, because they seem concerned with winning, which is nice.  I have never seen a complete defensive line in Honolulu Blue.

Suh - I believe he will be one of the hardest working #2 overall picks.  (Side Note, Stafford really surprised me with his work ethic, I misjudged him from my recliner).  Not exactly what I expect out of him, but I think being an important piece on a good defensive line will be good enough for me.

Delmas - Had never heard of him before he was announced as our pick last year.  Seems like a great leader.

Follet - Crazy is good with me.  

Sammie Lee Hill - I met Gunther before the @GB game last year, and he told me that the defense only had a few "NFL players" - he specifically named SLH and Delmas.  

Ryan Sims - This guy seems way too happy to be on our team.  Glad to have him.

Who else belongs on this list?  I left CJ out because I don't really think of him as a vocal leader.  Certainly leads by example.  Maybe I'm wrong too - I have a limited attention span.  But who else really cares about winning / will make everyone else around him a better player?

i don't know much about football so correct what's wrong.

Assuming 5 offensive lineman, 1 QB, 5 play makers

1st down package "A":

Megatron, Recepticon, both TEs, Jahvid Best.

We will be a fairly pass heavy formation, since I don't think Best is going to take too many handoffs as a single back.  I think we'll use him in the flat, and as a distraction 

1st down package "B"

Megatron, Recepticon, one of the TEs, Jahvid Best and Kevin Smith (or substitute someone else for Smith.  we're also assuming it's the first game of the season and Best isn't hurt)

This is the more balanced offense.  Can hand off to either RB or throw it.  I'm ok with handing off to Best here with a lead blocker.  On that note, couldn't use a fullback?  Did Barry use one?  Would it help Best survive?

3rd and short package:

Megatron, Recepticon, both TEs, Kevin Smith (or substitute)

3rd and long package:

assuming this is a 3 or 4 WR set.  Northcutt drops it.

so until Best gets injured, we have a few different teams we can throw out there.  In order to score points, Stafford needs to complete a high percentage of short throws to Recepticon and the TEs.  Calvin provides a solid deep threat, and Best keeps the defense honest.   We're not going to be great in the 3rd and short scenarios.  In a worst case, we won't GET to many third and short scenarios (either first down pass or 3rd and long).   

Offensive strengths:  Balance.  Two home run threats, seemingly decent mid-range game (if Stafford can complete those passes)

Offensive weaknesses:  I don't think we can salt away any game.  I don't think we will come from behind too many games either.  We are more station to station with this personnel.  We'll need the defense to keep it close.

Defensively, I think we'll be pretty good against the run.  I don't think we can stop the short pass to the flats yet.  We need two CBs and at least one LB.  Probably a pass rushing DE too.

Next year's draft needs.

1) CB or T

2) CB or T

3) LB or S or CB

4) LB or S or CB

5) LB or S or CB

6) RB or FB

7) RB or FB

btw i've done no work for two straight days, even though i have stuff i could be doing.  this was more fun.