Friday Notes: Slowik Not Hired?
by Sean Yuille on Jan 23, 2009 12:13 AM EST
in Detroit Lions Notes
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Print- According to Tom Kowalski, former Broncos defensive coordinator Bob Slowik has not been hired as the Lions' defensive backs coach, and a hiring apparently "is not imminent," either.
- Apparently there is a "pretty strong rumor" that former Rams coach Scott Linehan will interview for the Lions offensive coordinator job.
- Mel Kiper released his first 2009 mock draft and has the Lions selecting Georgia quarterback Matt Stafford with the #1 pick and USC linebacker Rey Maualuga with the #20 pick. I would be very surprised if Maualuga dropped all the way to #20, but if he is still around when the Lions go on the clock again, there is no question that he should be the pick. As far as the Stafford selection goes, I could deal with it if someone like Maualuga was drafted as well, but I would prefer an offensive lineman or a defensive player. We have already beat that discussion to death a long time ago, though, so let's move on.
- This is sort of unrelated to the Lions, but does anyone know why Kiper had Mississippi OT Michael Oher slipping all the way to #28? I thought he would be an early to mid first-round pick rather than a late one.
- USA Today put together a team of the best players to never reach the Super Bowl, and four former or current Lions are on the roster: running back Barry Sanders, cornerback Lem Barney, returner Mel Gray, and kicker Jason Hanson.
- Former Lions defensive coordinator Joe Barry says that he is "going back to Tampa a better football coach." I disagree, but I will leave it at that.
- Shane Dronett, a defensive lineman that played for the Lions in one season during the 90s, committed suicide.
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Kiper is an idiot
I saw his mock draft too and I’d be thrilled if Maualuga fell to 20 but I’m not holding my breath. His draft stock might be dropping a bit because of some concerns in his overagressive play during the Senior Bowl practices. Todd McShay has reported that “he will occasionally guess (rather than read his key and diagnose) and attack the line of scrimmage” and that he has “limitations in coverage”. Those concerns aside, I still think he’s a top 10 or top 15 talent and he’d be a great value at 20 if he’s there. Besides, when has it ever been a bad idea to draft a Samoan middle linebacker from USC?
As for Oher, he’s apparently had a great week at Senior Bowl practices. I’m not sure why Kiper has him going so low. Or why McShay has him at 23 on his rankings. All the better though. If the Lions take Stafford at 1, it would make a lot of sense to take Oher at 20 and follow the Falcons model of last year. Seems like the biggest concern with him is his effort. McShay: “Will he want to play this hard when he’s cashing substantial paychecks in the NFL?”. Again, at pick 20 I think it’s a risk worth taking. With his size and long arms, he seems like the prototypical left tackle and would also be a great value at 20. I think he was projected in the top 10 if he came out last year. His drop could be a result of the depth at that position in this draft.
Another oddity I noticed in Kiper’s draft was Laurinaitis dropping all the way to 29. Isn’t this guy supposed to be the next great Ohio State linebacker? Why is his stock dropping? Or is it just Kiper being an idiot (I’m still pissed that he had me convinced that Charles Rogers was the second coming of Jerry Rice).
Didn't even notice Laurinatis
I would be very happy if he fell that far.
Check out Pride of Detroit, SB Nation's Lions Blog
Kiper, for the most part...
…does a decent job scouting players. It’s not an easy job and it’s near to impossible to tell who will be a bust. Now, don’t get me wrong, I can’t stand Kiper (though I like his hair) and pretty much disagree with his choices for the Lions (no way Maualuga is there at 20).
Still believe they need to take either Maybin, Smith, Curry or Orapko at #1. and defense or maybe a QB later on.
"A child of five would understand this. Send someone to fetch a child of five." ~Groucho Marx
draft
i’d be real happy for a #1 curry and #20 oher…or smith and mauluga (but agree with most doubters that he’ll fall that far)…either matchup would be huge for this team.
also in terms of LBs, having Guns as the D coordinator and his history with linebackers is encouraging. i think the biggest thing we need from round one picks is that they start opening day and not “developmental projects.” i think its safe to say that either one of those LBs would make the D significantly better and hopefully help Sims have a better year in 2009.
last note, did anybody read the Cunningham interview where he talked about leaving the Titans and Schwartz to go back to KC. Before leaving Tenn, Schwartz called him up to say goodbye and said, “I love you Gun!” maybe a t-shirt in the making?
or....
what about curry at 1 and maualuga at 20? then haynsworth and peppers through free agency. that would be one hell of a front 7!
ok there’s no way that would ever happen but it’s fun to dream sometimes
USA Today article
You missed Mel Gray too – he was mentioned at the bottom of the article. He was awesome – the reason our special teams were the envy of the league in the 1990’s.
Didn't even see that
Thanks for the heads up
Check out Pride of Detroit, SB Nation's Lions Blog
by Sean Yuille on Jan 23, 2009 10:06 AM EST up reply actions
oher thoughts
before the senior bowl McShay said there was concerns that his feet weren’t quick enough to play tackle and he may have to play guard in the nfl which would have dropped him to the second round. however, as stated by wumanchu01, oher has had a phenomenal week and this is what McShay had to say on ESPN Insider:
"Oher was able to solidify himself as a first-round pick in this upcoming draft thanks to a strong showing this week. He still has some tweaking to do in a few categories, specifically his footwork. However, while he can’t completely erase scouts prior concerns regarding his inconsistency, Oher was able to prove he has the tools to succeed protecting the quarterback’s blindside in the NFL. Simply put: Oher was clearly the most athletic and talented lineman in Mobile, Ala. Based off his performance this week, evaluators most now take a hard second look at the film to see where he stacks up against the nations’ other premiere tackles, including Andre Smith (Alabama), Jason Smith (Baylor) and Eugene Monroe (Virginia). "
I don’t trust him to be honest, i rather invest our 2nd rd pick into Britton from Arizona or take Smith 1st overall.
If Rey falls to us at 20th that would be amazing, but if he doesn’t i like Cushing a lot as well.
Has anyone come up with some potential trades to move out of that 1st pick? I love Curry but I don’t know if we would ever pick him first overall.
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