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1/21/09

Lions May Not Draft A Quarterback In The 2009 NFL Draft

Everyone Is Talking About Matt Stafford To The Lions, But It Might Not Happen. Nor Should It.

NFL, Jon Kitna, Drew Henson

Pat

more posts by author

The Detroit Lions had the worst season in the NFL last year. Everyone knows it. Part of the problem was at the QB position, where a rash of injuries and incompetence led them to send out 5 different QB's at one point or another in the year.

Jon Kitna, Dan Orlovsky, Daunte Culpepper, Drew Stanton and Drew Henson all took snaps for the Lions last year. None of them were terribly effective, as they combined for less than 3000 yards and a 71.3 QB rating. Due to the high profile of the QB position, many people are projecting Georgia QB Matt Stafford to be selected by the Lions with the #1 overall pick. However, the Lions may wisely choose to move in a different direction.

One of the keys to the success of a QB is his protection. With one of the better offensive line units in the league, Trent Green put up some excellent numbers for the Chiefs through the years. Running backs like Priest Holmes and Larry Johnson also enjoyed immense levels of success. Ever since the core of that line retired, the Chiefs have never been the same. Some people thought the Dolphins should have taken QB Matt Ryan with the #1 overall pick last year, after they went 1-15. They instead chose Jake Long, an offensive tackle. The result was a 10 game boost in wins and an AFC East title.

The Lions quarterbacks were sacked 52 times last year. Could a rookie succeed under those conditions? Most likely not. Would a QB like Stafford do any better than someone like Kitna? Probably not.

Brian VanOchten of MLive believes the Lions should wait it out and try to pick up Colt McCoy, Sam Bradford or Tim Tebow in the 2010 draft, and build up in the trenches for now. While I'm not sure that any of those guys are the answer either, I do agree that the offensive and defensive lines need to be addressed before anything else.

Alabama OT Andre Smith would be a much better choice as the #1 overall pick, and the Lions look like they might decide to go that route. ESPN also mentions guys like Eugene Monroe, Aaron Maybin and Brian Orakpo being options. With the conservative nature of coach Jim Schwartz, this would not only be the sensible move, it would be the right one.

When the draft rolls around, we'll see if the Lions have changed at all, and if they are interested in really turning around the franchise, or if they are just bound for more of the same.

Lions shouldn't waste the No. 1 pick on a QB [MLive] via [E$PN]

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1/21/09

Pat

14	streetballer123 wrote: Well, obviously, a coach who is stupid enough to let his team go to O-14 will make the same dumb error as not to draft a QB. The team went 0-16. That coach is gone. There is nothing dumb about not drafting a QB, especially when you have 20 other positions that need work as well.

1/21/09

MarkTheShark

4	Preachin to the choir....Smith is the choice...MAYBE Orakpo...if he grades as high as everyone thinks during the combine.

1/21/09

jevinusmc

3	Another member of the choir here, OT or even a middle linebacker like Curry and then an OT with the 20th pick and I'd be happy.

1/21/09

MarkTheShark

2	jevinusmc wrote: Another member of the choir here, OT or even a middle linebacker like Curry and then an OT with the 20th pick and I'd be happy. Oh yeah...I forgot about Aaron Curry...that wouldn't be bad 'atall

1/21/09

RJ_500

4	Jake Long was just added to the Pro Bowl squad. Clearly the Dolphins made the right pick, and the Leos need to be smart and do the same. OT in 09.

1/21/09

MrNFL

5	I'll never believe the Lions will be smart with a choice. They'll absolutely go QB.

1/21/09

matto214

3	Detriot can get Andre Smith for OT. or Herman Johnson from LSU OG. they need offense lines seriously. I agree with detriot dont need QBs more.

1/21/09

mavsoccer23

The Lions have two First Round Picks not using one of them to draft a QB would be stupid, Andre Smith Didn't even play in the Bama Bowl Game because he was suspended that tells me there is something wrong and we have had more than enough problems with players behavior. I'm going to admit I don't know a lot about Andre Smith and maybe I'm not giving credit where credit is due but I just don't think he is all that, I'm not saying we don't need help on that O-Line he is not the only talent Offensive Line man in the draft I think it would be smart to wait to later in the draft to draft an O-lineman. We Need a QB, Jon Kitna he doesn't even deserve a roster spot in my opinion and Drew Henson well maybe 4 years ago he would have been a better option he belongs on the practice squad and Drew Stanton can't stay healthy to save his life. Daunte Culpepper is washed up, The Best QB on our roster is Dan Orlovsky and while I like him a lot I'm just not convinced he can be a starter in the NFL but he had his moments. I think it would in the best interest in the Lions to Draft a QB.

1/21/09

das3cr

6	Shoot. The Lions need to draft more than just some new players, they need to draft a whole new philosophy.

1/21/09

HULL_17

2	WE DON'T NEED TO DRAFT A QB. WE NEED DEFENSE

1/21/09

mathsys

The only thing the Lions could do that would be dumber than drafting a QB would be repeating history and drafting another WR. They need to fix the offensive line, NO quarterback can be effective behind that bunch of losers. I don't care what QB you put back there, that line still gives up 50 sacks. No RB can be successful behind that group either. Until they fix that, we're going to see the same ole crap we've been seeing for years.

1/21/09

spartymon

3	With this so-called "new" front office staff, I wouldn't be surprised if they drafted a kicker (they are probably worried that Jason Hanson is getting old)

1/21/09

Raider_Dave

They have drafted QB's high in the draft, and it hasn't worked out too well for them. Even taking Drew Stanton last year early in the 2nd round. They have far too many holes, and a young QB on that team would be doomed. Give a team a great defense first and a running game, so the pressure isn't on the young QB so heavily. Baltimore set out the blueprint for a typical young in the league this past season. Detroit's got a long way to go, and it won't happen in one season. Work with what you have, because they will most likely be drafting high again next year.

1/21/09

streetballer123

0	This comment was voted poor quality by FanIQ (Show anyway) Well, obviously, a coach who is stupid enough to let his team go to O-14 will make the same dumb error as not to draft a QB.

1/21/09

Pat

14	streetballer123 wrote: Well, obviously, a coach who is stupid enough to let his team go to O-14 will make the same dumb error as not to draft a QB. The team went 0-16. That coach is gone. There is nothing dumb about not drafting a QB, especially when you have 20 other positions that need work as well.

1/21/09

MrNFL

2	streetballer123 wrote: Well, obviously, a coach who is stupid enough to let his team go to O-14 will make the same dumb error as not to draft a QB. I'd love to see any QB in the league succeed without a competent offensive line. Oh wait, THEY CAN'T!

1/21/09

matto214

Pat wrote:

The team went 0-16.
That coach is gone.
There is nothing dumb about not drafting a QB, especially when you have 20 other positions that need work as well.

Detriot has new coach already named Jim Schwartz but is he smart to pick draft future top prospect? He is inexperienced draft, Lions need new front office seriously. Look at Dolphins Miami did move new front office and coach before they won afc east! good luck for Lions... it will might 0-16 next year, who know?

1/21/09

kantwistaye

2	The Lions should just draft whoever is #1 on their board regardless of position. No matter who it is, he'll be an upgrade.

1/21/09

spartymon

Pat wrote:

The team went 0-16.
That coach is gone.
There is nothing dumb about not drafting a QB, especially when you have 20 other positions that need work as well.

But the same people who worked in the front office with Matt Millen are still there. Until they prove otherwise, there is a pretty good chance the Lions will make the same mistakes as in the past. I haven't heard of any kind of an overhaul in the scouting department, so talent evaluation out at Allen Park may still be lacking as well. Hopefully, the new regime will prove otherwise, but until they do, I am prepared to see more of the same out of that organization. It's actually quite sad.

Also, as was probably already noted - there may be better QBs next year. The Lions really should shore up that offensive line and defense. defense, defense. If they take Stafford #1, the poor kid will get killed because that offensive line can't block anybody!

1/21/09

MarkTheShark

mavsoccer23 wrote:

Yeah, but Amanda, wouldn't you rather get your team ready for one of those guys like Tebow, Bradford, or McCoy by building an OL NOW. What good is it to start a rookie QB if he's on his back every other play?

1/21/09

MarkTheShark

1	He's fragile.

1/21/09

Pat

2	To me, it comes down to this: With the #1 pick, is Matt Stafford (or Mark Sanchez) the BEST possible player that you can get in this draft? Honestly, I don't think so. If Stafford falls to their 2nd pick (#20 I believe), then Stafford's a good pick. Otherwise, it's not worth it. There are too many holes right now, and they need the best players available at ALL positions.

1/21/09

WhoDat12

1	You take Smith with the #1 pick and you get the best available player on the board at #20. They need help at almost every position, so there's not many ways they can go wrong, besides, Matt Millen isn't in the War Room this year.

1/21/09

Heyhey1970

2	I agree with taking an O-Lineman. To draft one of those high-profile quarterbacks would give you more media sizzle, but they tried that with all of those highly-touted wide receivers. That didn't work out, so build the foundation first.

1/21/09

lebronjameshayes

you sed the dolphins picked up jack long and thats the only reason they had 11 wins? no! new head coach, new quaterback in pennington and other people that were picked up over the off-season.....but i do agree here the o-line is deff the way to go, and then take the best avalible at every pick for the rest of the draft, you never know they could get a tom brady late or a brady quin who fell into the 20's for the browns.

1/21/09

Variant

1	odds are they will be in the hunt for next years 1st draft pick of the first round... they need to shore up the dam and stop the leaks on both sides of the ball before they can put time and effort into a QB for the future...

1/21/09

ruvian

And with the NUMBER 1 pick the Detroit Lions select Michael Crabtree from Texas Tech University.....That is what would've happened had they not fired Matt Millen. The Lions need to trade the #1 pick. Try and get some picks for next year. Sanchez is not NFL ready, he own coach said it. I believe so also. Stafford is ready but the team that drafts him will need to have patience with him during his development. But without a line that can protect their QB no matter if you got Young, Moon, Cunningham or Elway that offense is not moving cause there is no protection up front.

1/21/09

jef_luch

2	jevinusmc wrote: Another member of the choir here, OT or even a middle linebacker like Curry and then an OT with the 20th pick and I'd be happy. Dude... your in a *choir*? i didnt know you sang!

1/21/09

woody050681

3	Drafting a quarterback first overall would be the dumbest move they could make... and with that I'd like to be the first to welcome Matt Stafford to the Detroit Lions...lol

1/21/09

JBrenn

ruvian wrote:

The way Millen wasted draft picks, he would've taken Uri Hravbosky (K) from the University of Kiev...

1/22/09

chicachericola

Heyhey1970 wrote:

I agree with taking an O-Lineman. To draft one of those high-profile quarterbacks would give you more media sizzle, but they tried that with all of those highly-touted wide receivers. That didn't work out, so build the foundation first.

I agree. While in a perfect world they would be able to draft an entirely new team, they can't. You have to stop the bleeding to save the team. Right now, QB is the equivalent of a paper cut in comparison. While there isn't a shining star, there's decent talent there that can get them by until next year. Hell, they are already 0-16. It's not like they can go any lower than they are right now.

1/22/09

CMAC

0	The good news is, if their pick ends up being a bust, next season can't be any worse.

1/22/09

jacobmrley

i could not click 'smart' on this fast enough. they need to get out of that top spot and trade for as many picks as they can get. they need quality AND quantity. they need to get a top 10 pick and some other 2nd and 3rd rounders and rebuild the defense. look at the patriots, they have made it a habit to trade down for as many future picks as they can get, and look what that spawned - 3 super bowls. this would be the best model to follow. with a #1 QB pick, you might get peyton manning or you might get tim couch. it is too much to gamble with a team with this many needs...

1/22/09

mavsoccer23

0	MarkTheShark wrote: Yeah, but Amanda, wouldn't you rather get your team ready for one of those guys like Tebow, Bradford, or McCoy by building an OL NOW. What good is it to start a rookie QB if he's on his back every other play? Yeah I guess you have a point I would love to have Colt McCoy but I still don't like taking Andre Smith with the number one Pick.

1/22/09

MarkTheShark

mavsoccer23 wrote:

Yeah I guess you have a point I would love to have Colt McCoy but I still don't like taking Andre Smith with the number one Pick.

Rarely is a top OL a complete bust (Tony Manderich). It is way more often that a top QB is a bust (Ryan Leaf, Tim Couch, David Carr, Alex Smith..I could go on and on. Hey if not an OL, what would yo think about Aaron Curry? ..he is a beast of a LB from Wake Forest

1/23/09

mavsoccer23

MarkTheShark wrote:

I want the lions to trade down and see if they can get a decent player we could trade down to say the 10th spot and Take Jason Smith out of Baylor or Malcom Jenkins out of Ohio State. But if the Lions don't trade down they should take Aaron Curry.

1/24/09

gossberg

0	detroit could always trade their 20th pick for a young lineman that has alread proved himself in the nfl and still draft a q.b. right away

1/26/09

malibuster

0	They should pick Andre Smith. If the quarterback doesn't have time you can't blame either one for sucking. This goes back as far as I can remember with the Lions originazation, blame the coach and blame the Quarterback. They need to stay away from any skill positions until later in the draft.

1/26/09

Raider_Dave

mavsoccer23 wrote:

Yeah I guess you have a point I would love to have Colt McCoy but I still don't like taking Andre Smith with the number one Pick.

Because Jake Long was so terrible for the Dolphins? A Pro-Bowl caliber rookie OL is nearly impossible to pass up, since it is their job to protect the focal point of any franchise in the QB. The Dolphins had the fewest turnovers in a 16 game season, a lot of that has to do with the offensive line that was anchored by Jake Long.