SB Nation User Blog: wumanchu01

With the first pick in the 2009 NFL Draft....

wumanchu01 — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 04:14:06 -0000

Ok maybe it's just me but it feels like just about everything has been said about not drafting Stafford and everything has been said about why Aaron Curry is great. There has been some mention of taking a left tackle but there seems to be some disagreement as to who is the better prospect between J. Smith and Monroe. So let's have it out. Let's hear what everyone has to say about these two guys (if for no other reason but to take a break from all the Stafford/Curry talk).

Here's what I've heard about these two:

J. Smith - Great athlete, hard worker, long arms and excellent footwork. In a lot of ways he's the prototypical pass blocking LT. The knock on him seems to be that he doesn't have an overpowering lower body which could hurt him in run blocking.

E. Monroe - Another great athlete, powerful lower body, gets great leverage. He seems like a total mauler. Perfect for the run game but also still very good in pass blocking.

What I think the Lions should do:

Draft Jason Smith. They (hopefully) got their mauler last year in Gosder Cherilous. They need to protect the QB's backside. Whether it's Culpepper, Stanton, or (please god) Cutler, they need to get better in pass protection. Period. Also, Jason Smith is a converted TE that has only been playing LT for 4 years and he's been improving his game every year. He can work on his lower body strength and become an elite run blocker. Monroe can't make his arms grow longer to help his pass blocking. Smith would give the Lions a rare combination of being an immediate difference maker while at the same time having an even higher ceiling. I think he's the right choice.

Alright let's have at it everyone!

A quote from everyone's favorite "expert" Mel Kiper

wumanchu01 — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 19:44:07 -0000

"This guy was overhyped at the combine, he was overhyped at Senior Bowl week, he's been overhyped before he was drafted. The media, they love Jay Cutler. Jay Cutler can do no wrong. I've been saying he's overrated since day one. Everyone's been pounding their chests saying, 'Oh, I love Jay Cutler, I'm a genius.' They have egg on their face now."

Last I checked, Culter had a pretty good second year. Maybe if Kiper wiped the Matt Lienart, Vince Young egg off HIS face he could've seen that.

Trading Down?

wumanchu01 — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 00:10:36 -0000

Okay so I know the idea of trading out of the #1 pick has been beaten to death. No one wants the pick badly enough and there's no way the Lions will get full value for it. But I wanted to get thoughts on trading out of the #20 pick. There is typically a lot more movement in the middle to end of the first round than there is at the top. I wouldn't mind seeing the Lions trade down from #20 and draft a guy like Peria Jerry and maybe pick up an extra late 3rd round pick. Hell if they package it with the Dallas 3rd rounder they might even be able to pick up an extra 2nd rounder.

An argument for drafting a LT

wumanchu01 — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 20:48:52 -0000

An argument for drafting a LT

All things being equal (and I can't emphasize that enough) I'd prefer a LT

Sources: Sanchez plans to enter NFL draft

wumanchu01 — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 23:12:22 -0000

Sources: Sanchez plans to enter NFL draft

Looks like our options just got a little better!