Michael Lombardi - whose opinions can vary, but whose "I Knows" are typically "He Knows" writes that the Lions have opened dialogue quietly with Phil Savage -- the Browns former GM -- for the position of VP of player personnel (as I've said before, the Bill Polian/Scott Pioli position of team-building)
Lets take a look at how Savage did over his time with the Browns in drafting. Keep in mind, there are some people who work better when they are answering to others. It helps keep their Ego in check, and makes them take a second look at their own ideas, as well as the ideas of others. Any time you get one person controlling everything surrounding themselves with people they refuse to listen to all you get is a great big pile of Millen.
On his Wiki Page (always questionable, but there nonetheless) it indicates he was the top personnel assistant to Ozzie newsome in Baltimore when they had their great drafts from 1995 - 2005 of defensive talent. Also, he was brought into the league originally by Bill Belichick with the original Cleveland Browns. He was GM of the Browns for the 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 drafts. It's hard to judge some of those drafts because they were so recent. Also, it seems to be coaching issues more than just personnel that have taken down Cleveland recently as they were 10-6 in 2007.
Of course I'm going to try anyways. Sure, he's not with Detroit yet, but thsi gives us an idea as to what type of person Mayhew is looking at to handle personnel. This is his Draft History with Celveland (2005 - 2008).
While I seem to be fine with his choices overall I REALLY don't like the not having picks in rounds 1-3 in 2008, and it really came back to haunt them as they didn't have a way to fill the ever appearing roster holes in 08 and it hurt the team down the stretch --- that being said, there was no way to know what kind of season Derek Anderson was going to have in 2007, and his moves to get Quinn and Joe Thomas in the same draft were commendable. As he would be working with Mayhew, I think the check-and-balance would help make sure that deals that get done are in the best long-term interest of the franchise.
Anyone have knowledge of the players he drafted? (outside of risks on B. Edwards and K. Winslow -- moves I think were riskier than what Mayhew is going to be looking to do. He knows all about those 1st Rnd WR stats...) I'd like to know your thoughts/views on some of his other players he drafted --- good, bad, neutral??
Obviously, almost anyone could pick better than Millen, but how does he stack up league-wide??
your thoughts???
(thanks for the compliments, and keep the ideas/comments coming!)
Friday, January 9, 2009
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Defense Stats; Nat'l "Champs"
BCS Fed-Ex Whatever game was pretty good tonight -- but I'm on of those guys who loves watching great defenses. Give me a 9-6 slugfest any day!
I'm going to first repost a comment by 5BakerStreet on the last blog post (read the other great comments there too!). He did a lot of great computing for this, and it deserves a top billing:
Its been a while since I've posted and with the National collegiate championship game coming up featuring two QB's, now seems like the time to post. Along with Stafford, many, many Lions fans think we should draft a quarterback with that first pick.
I'm here to tell you, supported by statistics that in no way should we draft a QB with that pick, and we should draft defense, defense, and more defense this year.Using Yahoo Play-by-Play online statistics of the Lions season I've crunched the numbers and arrived at whats posted below.
They are skewed because of special teams points or Orlovsky running out the back of the endzone, etc., but otherwise they are reasonably accurate to the point of discussion.This may get long and detailed, so if you are already bored, you might as well move on.
The defense was on the field for a total of 168 opponents drives this year, 81 at Ford Field, 87 during away games.
For the year, the Lions gave up 517 points, they scored 261.
The Lions gave up 28 TD passes for the year, 14 at home and 14 away. 16.7% of the time the Lions defense took the field they gave up a TD pass.
The Lions conceded 31 TD runs this year, 16 at home, 15 away. For the year, every time the Lions defense took the field they gave up a running TD 18.5% of the time.
The Lions had 23 FGs against them this year, 14 at home, 9 away. Thats 13.7% of the time the Lions defense took the field they gave up a FG.
Of the 168 times the Lions defense took the field they gave up a passing or running TD or held, giving up a FG. {caps for emphasis only} FOLKS 48.8% OF THE TIME THE LIONS DEFENSE TOOK THE FIELD THEY GAVE UP POINTS.
Conversely, and realizing that the numbers are skewed just a tad, the Lions stopped opponents that same 48.8%. The stops breakdown this way.
54 punts, 1 missed FG, 9 times the opponents had the ball last and took a knee to end the game, 9 fumble recoveries, 4 interceptions, 2 fourth down conversion attempts stopped, 1 safety, and 2 blocked field goals.
So in a nutshell, one out of every two times an opponent had possession of the brick, they put points on the board.
And to me DEFENSE, defense, and more defense is the way we ought to go this year. I don't care what positional order the guys are drafted just so long as their defensive guys. We have a serviceable offense that can be addressed next year and if we can reduce that 1 out of 2 times an opponent scores to 1 out of 3 or 1 out of 4, then we are going to begin winning games.
Go Lions!
5Bakerstreet
Great Stuff! And it really drives home the point. Taking his stats a touch further, if the defense gets to stopping 3 in 4 drives, even the offense doesn't capitalize on it, you will have cut points against by half --- which would be 259 against versus 261 for. In other words, just a 50% increase in efficiency by the Lions Defense (from 2/4 stops to 3/4 stops) makes Detroit roughly an 8-8 team, statistically.
If they re-sign DanO they have a QB who is, as far as I could see from the game tonight, a better overall passer under pressure and much better at progressing through his reads quickly than the supposedly pro-ready Bradford. I saw a guy tonight in Bradford (and Stafford was even worse) who couldn't make it through his progressions in the college game, from the shotgun, with all day to throw. Keep DanO, see what Stanton has, and draft a guy next year if you need to.
Best players I saw on the field tonight: Tim Tebow, Brandon Spikes, Major Wright, and the OK RB Brown. I also thought both Olines were excellent, giving plenty of time to their QB's and opening up running lanes. Neither offense was able to get above this as dropped passes plagued both teams. I will say, the knock on Tebow is his accuracy in passing -- either he was having an off night (meaning accurate is unusual) or he is overlooked because they run so many option plays.
Honestly, I think if he's a guy who is there next year (gut says he doesn't come out early) and the Lions have a QB need go for it. But this year??
Remember, the talking heads gush about and fall in love with the top couple QB's EVERY YEAR. They compare them to guys like Montana, or a "young Favre" -- but ignore how they stack up against prior classes. They throw out how they have a cannon arm (so did Jeff George) or intangibles (So did Ryan Leaf).
At #1 the Lions are going to need to think unconventional -- because it is going to take unconventional to get anywhere fast (meaning 2 - 3 seasons versus 5) with this team. I don't mean unconventional in the draft 3 WR in a row sense, but more of breaking with past "conventions" that aren't in line with the reality of today's NFL. I will do a full piece on this later
[notice I never seem to run out of Ifseason storylines... the thoughts just keep on coming!]
Go Lions!!! Go Chargers!!!
I'm going to first repost a comment by 5BakerStreet on the last blog post (read the other great comments there too!). He did a lot of great computing for this, and it deserves a top billing:
Its been a while since I've posted and with the National collegiate championship game coming up featuring two QB's, now seems like the time to post. Along with Stafford, many, many Lions fans think we should draft a quarterback with that first pick.
I'm here to tell you, supported by statistics that in no way should we draft a QB with that pick, and we should draft defense, defense, and more defense this year.Using Yahoo Play-by-Play online statistics of the Lions season I've crunched the numbers and arrived at whats posted below.
They are skewed because of special teams points or Orlovsky running out the back of the endzone, etc., but otherwise they are reasonably accurate to the point of discussion.This may get long and detailed, so if you are already bored, you might as well move on.
The defense was on the field for a total of 168 opponents drives this year, 81 at Ford Field, 87 during away games.
For the year, the Lions gave up 517 points, they scored 261.
The Lions gave up 28 TD passes for the year, 14 at home and 14 away. 16.7% of the time the Lions defense took the field they gave up a TD pass.
The Lions conceded 31 TD runs this year, 16 at home, 15 away. For the year, every time the Lions defense took the field they gave up a running TD 18.5% of the time.
The Lions had 23 FGs against them this year, 14 at home, 9 away. Thats 13.7% of the time the Lions defense took the field they gave up a FG.
Of the 168 times the Lions defense took the field they gave up a passing or running TD or held, giving up a FG. {caps for emphasis only} FOLKS 48.8% OF THE TIME THE LIONS DEFENSE TOOK THE FIELD THEY GAVE UP POINTS.
Conversely, and realizing that the numbers are skewed just a tad, the Lions stopped opponents that same 48.8%. The stops breakdown this way.
54 punts, 1 missed FG, 9 times the opponents had the ball last and took a knee to end the game, 9 fumble recoveries, 4 interceptions, 2 fourth down conversion attempts stopped, 1 safety, and 2 blocked field goals.
So in a nutshell, one out of every two times an opponent had possession of the brick, they put points on the board.
And to me DEFENSE, defense, and more defense is the way we ought to go this year. I don't care what positional order the guys are drafted just so long as their defensive guys. We have a serviceable offense that can be addressed next year and if we can reduce that 1 out of 2 times an opponent scores to 1 out of 3 or 1 out of 4, then we are going to begin winning games.
Go Lions!
5Bakerstreet
Great Stuff! And it really drives home the point. Taking his stats a touch further, if the defense gets to stopping 3 in 4 drives, even the offense doesn't capitalize on it, you will have cut points against by half --- which would be 259 against versus 261 for. In other words, just a 50% increase in efficiency by the Lions Defense (from 2/4 stops to 3/4 stops) makes Detroit roughly an 8-8 team, statistically.
If they re-sign DanO they have a QB who is, as far as I could see from the game tonight, a better overall passer under pressure and much better at progressing through his reads quickly than the supposedly pro-ready Bradford. I saw a guy tonight in Bradford (and Stafford was even worse) who couldn't make it through his progressions in the college game, from the shotgun, with all day to throw. Keep DanO, see what Stanton has, and draft a guy next year if you need to.
Best players I saw on the field tonight: Tim Tebow, Brandon Spikes, Major Wright, and the OK RB Brown. I also thought both Olines were excellent, giving plenty of time to their QB's and opening up running lanes. Neither offense was able to get above this as dropped passes plagued both teams. I will say, the knock on Tebow is his accuracy in passing -- either he was having an off night (meaning accurate is unusual) or he is overlooked because they run so many option plays.
Honestly, I think if he's a guy who is there next year (gut says he doesn't come out early) and the Lions have a QB need go for it. But this year??
Remember, the talking heads gush about and fall in love with the top couple QB's EVERY YEAR. They compare them to guys like Montana, or a "young Favre" -- but ignore how they stack up against prior classes. They throw out how they have a cannon arm (so did Jeff George) or intangibles (So did Ryan Leaf).
At #1 the Lions are going to need to think unconventional -- because it is going to take unconventional to get anywhere fast (meaning 2 - 3 seasons versus 5) with this team. I don't mean unconventional in the draft 3 WR in a row sense, but more of breaking with past "conventions" that aren't in line with the reality of today's NFL. I will do a full piece on this later
[notice I never seem to run out of Ifseason storylines... the thoughts just keep on coming!]
Go Lions!!! Go Chargers!!!
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Garrett Interviewed...Then Pulled Out...
Interesting that several sources have confirmed that Jason Garrett had already interviewed with the Detroit Lions before announcing he was going to withdraw his name from consideration -- according to Schefter, on Monday. What a piss-ant to make it seem like he was turning down an opportunity to interview (which is the impression his withdrawal gave) with the "lowly lions" when he had already done so. I didn't want him in the first place, and want him less so now.
This does mean the current regime has once again to manage not telegraphing what they are doing to the rest of the league so well that no one knows until after the fact. Brilliant! They did it with the Roy Trade no one -- and I mean NO ONE - thought would get done, and now with their coaching interviews. They are keeping it low key and direct. I like that.
Seriously, they got him interviewed early, and then went on to interview other candidates without anyone else so much as knowing for three days -- a near eternity in this 24 hours news cycle.
I also find it interesting that the Denver Broncos are also interviewing Todd Bowles and Leslie Frazier. It appears that this time, the Lions are ahead of the coaching interview curve.
If I had to place money on it (which I don't) -- I think that Schwartz from Tenessee is the leading candidate right now, followed by Spagnuolo. Also, after yesterday's piece notice that the Browns hired Eric Mangini to be coach -- before having a GM. They are going to find someone who can work well with the coach they picked. So once again, the coach is not going to be the personnel guy. [update: this came out when I went to skim headlines after blogging indicating I'm not the only one thinking Schwartz is the leading candidate.]
I also noted from Killer (and a news release) that Scott Loeffler jumped ship to a college program after taking advantage of a loophole that makes it easy for NFL assistants to hop down to the college level. Not sure, from watching Stanton, that his one year in Detroit did a whole lot. I think that kind of thing would take more time --- can't blame him for not wanting to stick around and see if the new head coach wanted him or not.
Finally, in the one deserving nod (after getting shafted for the pro-bowl) to Jason Hanson's NFL record setting season, the jersey, shoes and ball used to kick his 8/8th 50+ FG for the record breaker against Indy is in Canton. I think it is hard for a kicker to get in, but his body of work despite being on some pretty awful teams will work in his favor. If anything, that he has accomplished so much with the Lions should make him MORE of a candidate, when the time comes.
This does mean the current regime has once again to manage not telegraphing what they are doing to the rest of the league so well that no one knows until after the fact. Brilliant! They did it with the Roy Trade no one -- and I mean NO ONE - thought would get done, and now with their coaching interviews. They are keeping it low key and direct. I like that.
Seriously, they got him interviewed early, and then went on to interview other candidates without anyone else so much as knowing for three days -- a near eternity in this 24 hours news cycle.
I also find it interesting that the Denver Broncos are also interviewing Todd Bowles and Leslie Frazier. It appears that this time, the Lions are ahead of the coaching interview curve.
If I had to place money on it (which I don't) -- I think that Schwartz from Tenessee is the leading candidate right now, followed by Spagnuolo. Also, after yesterday's piece notice that the Browns hired Eric Mangini to be coach -- before having a GM. They are going to find someone who can work well with the coach they picked. So once again, the coach is not going to be the personnel guy. [update: this came out when I went to skim headlines after blogging indicating I'm not the only one thinking Schwartz is the leading candidate.]
I also noted from Killer (and a news release) that Scott Loeffler jumped ship to a college program after taking advantage of a loophole that makes it easy for NFL assistants to hop down to the college level. Not sure, from watching Stanton, that his one year in Detroit did a whole lot. I think that kind of thing would take more time --- can't blame him for not wanting to stick around and see if the new head coach wanted him or not.
Finally, in the one deserving nod (after getting shafted for the pro-bowl) to Jason Hanson's NFL record setting season, the jersey, shoes and ball used to kick his 8/8th 50+ FG for the record breaker against Indy is in Canton. I think it is hard for a kicker to get in, but his body of work despite being on some pretty awful teams will work in his favor. If anything, that he has accomplished so much with the Lions should make him MORE of a candidate, when the time comes.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
A Good Coach Will Come
I'm taking a day off my bright spots on the team article. First, there was more trouble finding them than I thought. Secondly, ended up not having as much time to watch the tape. Thirdly, my pick was a little blunt, and my shovel needed polishing. Finally, I keep getting tired of seeing this comment:
Lions won't get a good coach because they will have NO say in personnel, and no self respecting coach will work for Mayhew.
There are so many things wrong with this statement, I'm not sure where to start.
1. Lewand will handle cap, and Ford Field, operations, that sort of thing. The business side. Bean-counter doing bean-counter things.
2. Mayhew is head of "football operations" which is everything from the weight rooms, ifseason programs, the Allen Park facility staffing, coaches, and the player and personnel departments.
3. They fired the head of the personnel department and are actively looking for someone who will be able to come in and handle the bulk of the organizing and details of the personnel work, with Mayhew as the guiding force. They don't just want scouts who report to Millen -- they want someone to be VP of Player Personnel and handle that part of the football operations. Then Mayhew will be in charge of that person and the new HC - including evaluating performance and most importantly making the final call when they disagree.
4. The above structure is more and more being adopted by a majority of teams around the league. Why? Because in today's NFL there are too many responsibilities for just one man to do all of those jobs AND be a real HC. So this is the norm, not the exception.
5. The coach they hire or look for will be someone whose philosophy fits with the type of team they want to build. Who says the coaches and the GM have to be on different wavelengths if they are not one and the same? They didn't say the coach will have NO say in personnel matters -- just that they are looking for someone to be a coach, and someone to be VP of Personnel. 2 people. 2 jobs. Not one person doing both.
6. Doing great as a coach and poorly as a GM is what got Mike Shannahan fired. There are plenty of great coaches who prefer working with a personnel focused guy. The personnel guy knows what the coach needs (communication) the coach knows what type of team he is building, which fits the view of the big picture painted and maintained by the GM (communication) and what building blocks he needs. The Personnel guy tries to fill those holes, without putting the team as a whole in jeopardy.
7. Don't think there will be the same problems with rookies not being given a real shot with playing time to develop. All the coaches on their interview lists are creative architects and playcallers with an overall philosophy that they adapt to the players they have. Especially Schwartz of the Titans and Spagnuolo of the Giants. It is a MUST in the age of the cap and free agency. You can't build a solid talent-overload team like the dynasties pre-cap era. Even the modern day "dynasty" of NE is built on a base of above average players, with a few great pieces in important positions all working together, and used to the best of their ability by the coaches.
8. I know there is more - patience in ownership, the facilities, and the chance to really be the hero and show how good you really are, and 5 picks in the first 82 to get restocked with young talent, and the solid small core of players in place that can be built upon the direction you choose. This last is most important. The Lions' offensive talent is mostly vanilla enough with good enough toppings that you can take it in quite a few very positive directions with only a few tweaks. The defense is even more malleable. The core players you would keep could fit a 4-3, 3-4 and any number of hybrid defenses. It is how you fill the gaping holes that will dictate what you can do with it.
What all of the above tells me is that the Lions are looking for a coach who is imaginative in his playcalling and schemes, who wants to coach and leave the nitty-gritty of personnel up to others, who is looking for a challenge, who will be respected by the players, who will be hungry for his chance and make the most of it, and who above all has not just the will, but the way, to win.
Can Lewand and Mayhew find it as they fly across these great United States interviewing coaches? I'm hoping so. As a Lions fan, IF they hire the right guy...
Lions won't get a good coach because they will have NO say in personnel, and no self respecting coach will work for Mayhew.
There are so many things wrong with this statement, I'm not sure where to start.
1. Lewand will handle cap, and Ford Field, operations, that sort of thing. The business side. Bean-counter doing bean-counter things.
2. Mayhew is head of "football operations" which is everything from the weight rooms, ifseason programs, the Allen Park facility staffing, coaches, and the player and personnel departments.
3. They fired the head of the personnel department and are actively looking for someone who will be able to come in and handle the bulk of the organizing and details of the personnel work, with Mayhew as the guiding force. They don't just want scouts who report to Millen -- they want someone to be VP of Player Personnel and handle that part of the football operations. Then Mayhew will be in charge of that person and the new HC - including evaluating performance and most importantly making the final call when they disagree.
4. The above structure is more and more being adopted by a majority of teams around the league. Why? Because in today's NFL there are too many responsibilities for just one man to do all of those jobs AND be a real HC. So this is the norm, not the exception.
5. The coach they hire or look for will be someone whose philosophy fits with the type of team they want to build. Who says the coaches and the GM have to be on different wavelengths if they are not one and the same? They didn't say the coach will have NO say in personnel matters -- just that they are looking for someone to be a coach, and someone to be VP of Personnel. 2 people. 2 jobs. Not one person doing both.
6. Doing great as a coach and poorly as a GM is what got Mike Shannahan fired. There are plenty of great coaches who prefer working with a personnel focused guy. The personnel guy knows what the coach needs (communication) the coach knows what type of team he is building, which fits the view of the big picture painted and maintained by the GM (communication) and what building blocks he needs. The Personnel guy tries to fill those holes, without putting the team as a whole in jeopardy.
7. Don't think there will be the same problems with rookies not being given a real shot with playing time to develop. All the coaches on their interview lists are creative architects and playcallers with an overall philosophy that they adapt to the players they have. Especially Schwartz of the Titans and Spagnuolo of the Giants. It is a MUST in the age of the cap and free agency. You can't build a solid talent-overload team like the dynasties pre-cap era. Even the modern day "dynasty" of NE is built on a base of above average players, with a few great pieces in important positions all working together, and used to the best of their ability by the coaches.
8. I know there is more - patience in ownership, the facilities, and the chance to really be the hero and show how good you really are, and 5 picks in the first 82 to get restocked with young talent, and the solid small core of players in place that can be built upon the direction you choose. This last is most important. The Lions' offensive talent is mostly vanilla enough with good enough toppings that you can take it in quite a few very positive directions with only a few tweaks. The defense is even more malleable. The core players you would keep could fit a 4-3, 3-4 and any number of hybrid defenses. It is how you fill the gaping holes that will dictate what you can do with it.
What all of the above tells me is that the Lions are looking for a coach who is imaginative in his playcalling and schemes, who wants to coach and leave the nitty-gritty of personnel up to others, who is looking for a challenge, who will be respected by the players, who will be hungry for his chance and make the most of it, and who above all has not just the will, but the way, to win.
Can Lewand and Mayhew find it as they fly across these great United States interviewing coaches? I'm hoping so. As a Lions fan, IF they hire the right guy...
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Chargers Win! Go Lions!! [updated]
Slow Lions news day - unless interest in Mike Mularkey and lord knows who else in the coaching search that can only be termed as "exhaustive" - literally. Jason Garrett, of Dallas, has reportedly taken himself out of the running. I'm actually happy about this as I was less than impressed with his offensive unit this season, and of the coordinators the Lions are interviewing, I think he is among the least ready to be a HC no matter what all the buzz is.
The Chargers are one game away from helping bump the Lions draft pick up one slot in the first round -- and the third. Glad to know one team we're all pulling for in Lions land came through!
See, the Chargers at 8-8 are technically above the Dallas Cowboys and 5 other teams tied at 9-7 records. Arizona made the playoffs, so they will always pick last in that band. The other teams in the band (in round 1 order) are:
17. New York Jets
18. Chicago Bears
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
20. Dallas Cowboys [to Detroit Lions - Roy Williams Trade]
In round two it will go as follows:
17. (49 overall): Chicago Bears
18. (50 overall): Tampa Bay Buccaneers
19. (51 overall): Dallas Cowboys
20. (52 overall): New York Jets
In round 3 it will go as follows:
17. (81 overall): Tampa Bay Buccaneers
18. (82 overall): Dallas Cowboys [to Detroit Lions - Roy Williams Trade]
19. (83 overall): New York Jets
20. (84 overall): Chicago Bears
And so on through the draft, with the highest team in the band cycling down to the end, and each team moving up one spot in that band.
Where it gets good for Detroit: If the Chargers go to the Superbowl, they will pick at #31 in round one (Superbowl loser) or #32 (Superbowl winner). They will also be in the last two picks, in that order, of every round (before compensatory picks are awarded -- which is how Detroit got Ramzee Robinson a couple years back)
What this means is we need to root for the Chargers to beat the winner of Dolphins/Ravens and go to the Superbowl. This means that the band of teams Dallas is in with 9-7 records would all move up one draft slot in every round!! This would improve the Lions to:
#19 overall in round one
#17 (81 overall) in round three
So while it is only a small change, it gives us Lions fans a team to have a rooting interest in the playoff games next weekend! So Lions fans, your goal now is to be Chargers Fans for one week and really root for them to beat the winner of Miami/Baltimore. If the Chargers go to the Superbowl, then Detroit moves up one pick with their 2nd 1st and 3rd rounders.
So Go Chargers on to the Superbowl! Us Lions fans are with you 100% -- we'll even root for you to win when you get there, just as a little payback for all the help you gave us.
Go Lions!! Go Chargers!!!
PS - best of luck chief -- we're all pulling for you. Same to you JJ. Welcome back Nubs -- we missed ya, but what you were doing is more important than this by far! And a general thanks to everyone for a great year on the Blog!!
For those longtime readers wondering about my absence this fall, and off and on it had to do with my health and my eyesight. Health is going great. As for eyesight, lets just say I'm getting used to being a pirate, and things are slowly improving, so we'll see how it goes over the long haul. (Anyone calls me cyclops I be banning you -- it be pirate names or nuthin fer me. Arrr.) No other permanent damage so I consider myself a very lucky man.
Happy New Year once again!!!
The Chargers are one game away from helping bump the Lions draft pick up one slot in the first round -- and the third. Glad to know one team we're all pulling for in Lions land came through!
See, the Chargers at 8-8 are technically above the Dallas Cowboys and 5 other teams tied at 9-7 records. Arizona made the playoffs, so they will always pick last in that band. The other teams in the band (in round 1 order) are:
17. New York Jets
18. Chicago Bears
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
20. Dallas Cowboys [to Detroit Lions - Roy Williams Trade]
In round two it will go as follows:
17. (49 overall): Chicago Bears
18. (50 overall): Tampa Bay Buccaneers
19. (51 overall): Dallas Cowboys
20. (52 overall): New York Jets
In round 3 it will go as follows:
17. (81 overall): Tampa Bay Buccaneers
18. (82 overall): Dallas Cowboys [to Detroit Lions - Roy Williams Trade]
19. (83 overall): New York Jets
20. (84 overall): Chicago Bears
And so on through the draft, with the highest team in the band cycling down to the end, and each team moving up one spot in that band.
Where it gets good for Detroit: If the Chargers go to the Superbowl, they will pick at #31 in round one (Superbowl loser) or #32 (Superbowl winner). They will also be in the last two picks, in that order, of every round (before compensatory picks are awarded -- which is how Detroit got Ramzee Robinson a couple years back)
What this means is we need to root for the Chargers to beat the winner of Dolphins/Ravens and go to the Superbowl. This means that the band of teams Dallas is in with 9-7 records would all move up one draft slot in every round!! This would improve the Lions to:
#19 overall in round one
#17 (81 overall) in round three
So while it is only a small change, it gives us Lions fans a team to have a rooting interest in the playoff games next weekend! So Lions fans, your goal now is to be Chargers Fans for one week and really root for them to beat the winner of Miami/Baltimore. If the Chargers go to the Superbowl, then Detroit moves up one pick with their 2nd 1st and 3rd rounders.
So Go Chargers on to the Superbowl! Us Lions fans are with you 100% -- we'll even root for you to win when you get there, just as a little payback for all the help you gave us.
Go Lions!! Go Chargers!!!
PS - best of luck chief -- we're all pulling for you. Same to you JJ. Welcome back Nubs -- we missed ya, but what you were doing is more important than this by far! And a general thanks to everyone for a great year on the Blog!!
For those longtime readers wondering about my absence this fall, and off and on it had to do with my health and my eyesight. Health is going great. As for eyesight, lets just say I'm getting used to being a pirate, and things are slowly improving, so we'll see how it goes over the long haul. (Anyone calls me cyclops I be banning you -- it be pirate names or nuthin fer me. Arrr.) No other permanent damage so I consider myself a very lucky man.
Happy New Year once again!!!
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