Fessin’ Up to Readers about My Draft Blunders
Ask Mike | by Mike O'Hara | 04.28.2009/1:46PM
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This is one of those days of the year that I dread. If the computer has to fry itself – they do commit suicide, don’t they? – or the power goes out at the home office, this is the day.
Tax day’s a breeze by comparison. Uncle Whiskers always owes me money, even if it’s my own, or I’ve gotten an extension. I can manage the day in late January when the credit card bill comes in the mail – with all the charges for Christmas. Better to give, and pay, right?
But this is the day of reckoning, two days after the NFL draft. The e-mails have built up, and it’s time to answer for all the failed predictions and false promises. The hands shake like a 23-tequila hangover – as I recall.
Before I plow ahead, let me repeat for the record – I like the Lions’ first three picks. Matthew Stafford was the only choice with the first pick overall. Safety Louis Delmas of Western Michigan was solid to lead off the second round.
And in the middle – tight end Brandon Pettigrew was an absolutely platinum-encrusted choice at No. 20. Some day, we’ll look back on Pettigrew as the best pick of the decade.
Enough stalling. You’re asking, and I’ll try to answer:
From Randy, who said defense was the way to go: “It does no good to draft a QB if you can’t stop anyone. This has been a huge problem for years for the lions. You yourself have said that on third downs, the Lions can’t get off the field. It does no good to score 30 points a game if you give up forty. You have more access to stats than I. Go look up the past 10 years. If the lions would have reduced the points scored against them, how many more games would they have won? I would bet four or five each year. Do they need a QB? You bet, but not now. They will be able to get one next year when there are better QBs coming out than what is available this year.”
I’ll answer the last part first. The QBs next year aren’t better. Stafford and Sanchez are superior to Colt McCoy and Sam Bradford. And by drafting one this year, the Lions and Jets (who drafted Sanchez) will have a year of development before next year’s draft. You’re right. Defense wins championship. But bad offense loses them, too. If you dom’t make key runs and hit big passes, you’ll never win consistently. The Ravens should have won at least one more Super Bowl, but they failed because of the quarterback.
Also, the Lions haven’t overlooked the defense. They picked up two veteran cornerbacks, Philip Buchanon and Anthony Henry, linebacker Julian Peterson and nose tackle Grady Jackson. They’re going to have six new starters on defense from last year.
Swedish Jeff talks about the offensive line: “Why does Detroit have so much trouble putting together an offensive line? Is it coaching or an eye for talent?”
It’s been a combination of both. There’s been no stability in coaching or schemes. From 2003 through last year, they’ve had Carl Mauck, Pat Morris (2004-05), Larry Beightol (’06), Jim Colletto (’07) and Colletto and Mike Barry (’08) when Colletto was promoted to offensive coordinator last year. That’s too much change to have any consistency.
Ard reminds me that I said Drew Henson would beat out Drew Stanton. Henson has been released: “You’re mostly on the money, but the Lions just cut Henson. I’ll take you being wrong on who the third-string QB is going to be any day. You’re a helluva writer and analyst. Thanks for sticking around and continuing to write sports in this town. You “get it” when it comes to sports and the fans in the “D.“
Thanks for the nice comments, Ard. And I completely misread Henson vs. Stanton. I saw Henson holding for kicks in mini-camp and figured they might be grooming him as a backup holder behind Nick Harris. I don’t think Stanton is safe, though. The Dolphins cut John Beck, and Mike Martz preferred him over Stanton. Some people think Martz liked Trent Edwards, but Beck was his choice in ’06 – after Jay Cutler.
From Joe, who also noticed Mel Kiper’s inconsistency on tight end Brandon Pettigrew: “You took the words right off my keyboard in your note about Kiper. Right on the broadcast he clearly stated he had Pettigrew as the seventh best player (not tight end, PLAYER) in the draft. He also said the exact same thing in an ESPN chat today. For him to say Pettigrew was a reach at 21 in his “grades” is idiocy. You’re right, he, and most “gurus,“ need to remember what they write and/or say to avoid coming off looking like real clowns when they get caught.
“Now then: it appears lots of folks are jumping up and down about the Leos failing to draft loads and loads of defensive players. Seems to me the offense was also near, or at, the bottom last year. It wasn’t just the defense. Their draft was going to be damned if they did, damned if they didn’t.
“I think Pettigrew is going to be a huge help to the offensive tackles, whomever they are, and the free agents and undrafteds are out there for a look, too.I doubt they’re anywhere near done signing players yet.“I like the draft overall. Then again, I always believed Gary Hart was a yachtsman.”
I’m not coming down too hard on Kiper, though. He writes and says a lot of things, and he was mostly positive about Pettigrew. The Leos aren’t done adding players, obviously. Larry Foote could be their middle linebacker. He was just cut by Pittsburgh. He’s local. He went to Pershing High School, which has produced great athletes and at least one outstanding sportswriter (OK, average sportswriter).”
From Joe, who likes the first two picks: “For the most part, I like them. Stafford and Pettigrew were no-brainers, but after that it gets a little dicey. My sense is that Delmas will turn out to be a nice player, but I’m bothered that they need a middle linebacker more than they needed another safety. Maualuga and Laurinaitis were both available to them in the second round. What about those two caused the Lions (and other teams as well) to shy away? I’m especially surprised that Maualuga dropped as far as he did, even going 2-3 picks after Laurinaitis. My gut feeling continues to be that they should have taken one of them and may regret that they didn’t. Lots of mike linebackers are regularly replaced on passing downs. Spielman consistently was.”
I never liked Laurinaitis. Too stiff, and too one-dimensional for me. I looked at another scouting report today and saw some issues for Maualuga involving character – alcohol in particular. Maybe that’s why he dropped. It would concern me if I were drafting that high
.
One thing: I’m glad I don’t have to spell Maualuga and Laurinaitis every day. Thanks for Stafford, Pettigrew and Delmas.
From Greg, who liked the draft: I for one am pleased with the Lions’ picks, although an OL, DL, MLB would have been nice to have in the earlier rounds. All we have is hope—which is better than a crystal ball.
It depends on the crystal ball. If it’s Waterford, there’s value. Someone asked me if I’m a glass half full or glass half empty guy. Neither. I say the glass is broken. Mayhew has to put it together.
From Paul, who saw the Lions in a no-win situation: “The thing about this year’s draft is that no matter who the Lions drafted, there is going to be an outcry from the fans. The kicker to me is that whoever they drafted at whatever positions doesn’t make any kind of praise or curse until the season starts. They could have drafted Johnny Unitas. His first touchdown pass was to the other team. It’s going to take a while to see how the draft pans out. They’ve gotten some good players but, like I said, you’ve got to wait until the season starts to see how things pan out.”
I’m wondering if Bobby Layne’s first pass was intercepted. I’ll look that up. Teams like the Ravens, Patriots and Giants have built up credibility by drafting well over a period of time. The Lions don’t have credibility. Maybe Mayhew can change that, but the only way to do it is to win.
Comments [2] |
Draft Day Drama: Your Questions, Comments Answered From Round 1 through Round 2
Ask Mike | by Mike O'Hara | 04.25.2009/7:45AM
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From John, who wonders if DT Peria Jerry is big enough: “While Peria Jerry sounds like a fine player, I thought the new defensive scheme emphasized size on the line? Jerry is more of an undersized lineman according to reports, yet most mock drafts have Detroit taking Jerry if he is available at #20. Thoughts?“
I’ve seen it both ways on Jerry at No. 20—off the board a few picks ahead, and still there. I’d take him, but size is an issue. The scouts had him at 6-1.6 and 299 pounds. He plays with quickness and is suited to the three technique, not nose tackle.
From Paul, on Matthew Stafford and wanting defense next: The first pick in your scenario has hit. Now - I hope Maualuga or Jerry is there
@ #20 or that we move up to get a good defensive player like that. If not - and we miss out on a solid D player at # 20 and instead go offense again -
like say OT, TE, or WR—then, I think that terribly weakens the whole draft because the Lions’ D is still weak ! Speaking of, have you heard any mention of moving
Dizon to strong safety ? He might work there. Also, some kind of deal with the Browns to get Shaun Rogers back migh be worth looking into.
Paul: You’re up early. Must be draft fever. First thing, Stafford was an easy pick. Don’t give me any credit for that. It was the ONLY pick. One exception to making defense the priority at No. 20 is Pettigrew, the tight end from Oklahoma State. He’d solve a huge problem. Otherwise, build the defense up the middle—tackle, or linebacker, then a safety laater. No word on moving Dizon to safvety. I don’t think he fits anywhere, really. Bringing Rogers back is intriguing but won’t happen.
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