The Browns Game Changes Everything

by Puntordie on Nov 23, 2009 1:36 PM EST Comment 47 comments

I understand a lot of people think its too early to talk about the 2010 draft but as a Lions fan its my superbowl. Before the Browns game I thought we would be drafting either first or second. Now it a definate possibility that we draft anywhere from position three to five. That makes a huge difference. It means that Suh is probably no longer a possibility.

So I wanted to get everyones perspective on how winning this game is going to affect the Lions 2010 draft.

My perspective

Round 1

Okung or Berry.

Round 2

Corner or DT.

Round 3

Best Guard

Let me know what you think.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pride of Detroit's main writer, Sean, or the site in general. FanPosts are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable fans.

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An idealists' draft

But I’d love that setup. As long as we aren’t drafting for position. We need to draft for talent, wherever it comes. I’d fucking LOVE the duo of Berry/Delmas in the backfield, and I haven’t seen much of Okung, but to have a top picked LT guarding a top picked QB would be amazing.

by Nate D. on Nov 23, 2009 1:41 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

+1

i know we need help on both lines, which the draft has lots of options for…but could you imagine a secondary anchored by delmas/berry for the next ten years? there i go…i haven’t flopped completely, but seeing quinn look like yet another pro bowl qb vs our secondary…this sure would help the deep ball coverage. would love either pick. so long as we find talent on both o & d lines and find a partner for delmas in the supposed “deep” safety draft this year

by londonlion on Nov 23, 2009 1:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Basically, remember what the 'Skins secondary looked like

before Sean Taylor died. Having Berry and Delmas in there would be like having 5 linebackers in on every play.

by Nate D. on Nov 23, 2009 2:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

sure do...was very envious

one more win safely puts berry as a legit pick…i like him in that 3-5 pick range. it would certainly prevent the deep ball…and add great run support.

by londonlion on Nov 23, 2009 2:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

You Want Okung

It’s a tough choice, but he’s a shutdown LT and a four-year starter at OK St. Before his injury, Ko Simpson was developing as a safety & had a pick in the Skins game. Lions need CBs who can tackle too, and some good ones coming up lower in next years’ draft might be Trevard Lindley (KY), Patrick Robinson (FL St) or Syd’Quan Thompson (Cal). I say go with protecting your rookie QB whose jersey is already in the Hall of Fame.

Rodney Crowell

by LionFanInChiefsLand on Nov 25, 2009 9:07 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Word

by KDawg on Nov 25, 2009 7:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yes, drafting 3-5 changes everything

I think it means we CAN draft Berry. I would say that we couldn’t spend a 1 overall pick on a safety/cb, but we could spend a 3-5th overall.

That said, our line needs more help. barring help at either line, we need help at CB before Safety. But if Berry is on the board and we have pick 5, I am rooting for him to be taken.

And all this will change 20 times before April

by ATL Lion on Nov 23, 2009 2:09 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

some solid fa lineman coming this year...some sites are projecting fa lineman

and looks like some good talent out there…the biggest thing for a line is time together…we need a line that can play 16 or 32 (gasp) games together

by londonlion on Nov 23, 2009 2:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

That's another reason why I'd be surprised if Schwartz/Mayhew draft Okung.........

Schwartz has focused mostly on the seconday play in his post-game comments, along with some comments about DL, WR drops, and RB explosion. He seems content to keep this OL group together for now, patch it with a FA or 2, and concentrate on fixing the secondary first. Looks like he thinks he has bigger fish to fry than OL. It could be Berry or Suh. There are also good safeties and lots of good GIANT NT’s later in this draft.

What? He can’t block a dead gopher? Humph, details.

by GRLion on Nov 25, 2009 1:54 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Offensive line

Hi, I’m a Vikings fan. I have a couple of things to say.

1. For every Lions fan who has been sticking with the team through the past few years, you have my utmost respect. You are true fans.

2. The Lions have a lot of talent and play with a lot of heart. In every game this year they are giving everything they have for the entire game.

3. Jim Schwartz is going to be a very good head coach. You need to stick with him in good times and bad.

4. Matthew Stafford will be an elite quarterback if he stays healthy.

5. Stafford to Pettigrew for the win was symbolic of your team’s future. The Lions will be contenders if Schwartz keeps making smart moves. Be patient. It might take a few years. I don’t know.

Regardless of what happens for the rest of this season, one thing remains the same. Your top priority should be to upgrade the offensive line. Stafford is getting hit way too much, even for a young quarterback. He has already sustained knee and shoulder injuries. Pass protection must be upgraded. In the meantime, maybe Culpepper should go in for a while so that Stafford won’t keep getting injured.

You have some running backs. You need the line for them to run behind.

As a Vikings fan who, I admit, am completely inspired and awed by Stafford and the Lions coming back like they did, it would be great to see the Lions come all the way back as a team (except for when they play the Vikings). Please draft a left offensive tackle #1 in the 2010 draft. Protect Stafford and upgrade the running game.

Good luck on Turkey Day. Beat the Packers!

by medicineball on Nov 23, 2009 2:18 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

thanks!

would love to have your oline in front of staff…

would love to beat the pack on thurs…here’s hoping!!

btw…i am happy favre gets to re-write the ending to his career, was sad to see the end w/ jets…now he is getting the one more shot he wants…good on ya vikes! now, win it so that brett retires & we don’t have to face him next year. lol

by londonlion on Nov 23, 2009 2:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

For once I can say +1 to a Vikings fan

Thanks for the post – can’t say I’m a big fan of your team, but it’s always nice to see classy fans congratulating divisional foes.

Here’s to someone from the NFC North getting some respect this year.

by Nate D. on Nov 23, 2009 2:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

+1

Lets all hope for a W against GB!!!

I spray paint my dog Honolulu Blue and Silver

Pic - me vs. Bears fans

by NYCLionsfan on Nov 23, 2009 2:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

As bad as our O-Line is

Our pass defense is even worse.

We surrendered 4 passing touchdowns and got 0 ints on Brady Quinn. Brady Quinn.

Our O-Line has some decent games, some bad games, and some downright awful games (e.g. against Minnesota a week ago).

But our pass defense is consistently awful every single week.

If we went DL, CB, CB, DL, S in the draft, before taking any O-Linemen, I would not be disappointed.

Looks like, once again, we’ll have more holes than we can fill in one draft.

by n4ry4 on Nov 23, 2009 3:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Corner is just one of those positions

that’s tricky to draft well.

by Trysdor on Nov 23, 2009 3:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Let me chime in here guys.

I agree with you Trysdor, corner is way to tricky a position to draft cause I don’t care if you had an entire backfield of Deon Sanders’s if youcan’t get no presure on the QB a good qb will pick apart your secondary. We really really need a couple of young end on that D-lineto put some kind of pressure on the QB. And I would really love to see a safety drafted in the top 5 pick that we should have in the next draft.

by davis0169 on Nov 24, 2009 8:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I say...

1) Suh if he is there…if not Okung…if not then McCoy
2) Best CB/S/DT/OL availible
3) Best CB/S/DT/OL availible
4) Best CB/S/DT/OL availible
5) Best CB/S/DT/OL availible
6) Speed RB
7) Kicker

http://cmufootball.blogspot.com/

by CapitolLions on Nov 23, 2009 2:38 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Right on Capitol

That is what I am hoping Schwartz and the FO do during the draft this year. I think they will. Schwarz knows that building a team goes from the inside out so i expect him to add a lot of weight and size on both lines as well as address our porous secondary

I spray paint my dog Honolulu Blue and Silver

Pic - me vs. Bears fans

by NYCLionsfan on Nov 23, 2009 2:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Guys 1 big question to my fellow POD brothers.

Why are you all set on wanting secondary/DT help before the 2 biggest glaring holes are filled? If we pick in that 3-5 range I’m all about 1 of 2 safeties White/Blades all over again.But the biggest need on D is on the ends, we need a passrush more than anything in the world, our D-tackles have played better than they should have, we are not getting blown off the line by anyone, but we can’t get no pressure period. We need a Porchette type player on the edge once again. Now if there is a great O-tackle thn we have to jump, but I still see D as the biggest need.

by davis0169 on Nov 23, 2009 2:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Now this I can agree on

I think our DTs have played well enough – Our run D is decent, we were 19th in the league at the start of yesterday’s game.

I think people want a DT because there is no DE worth the 3-5 pick range. Therefore, to get some talent, we take the next biggest position of need, which is any DL, OL, or secondary.

by Nate D. on Nov 23, 2009 3:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

So we pass on the pass-rusher in round 1

I don’t think there will be a Tackle that looks that good either, at least not at this point in the collage season, so that kind of leaves us with another safety?? I really want one of those 2 that are coming out and the 1 from Tennessee more than USC’s. But there is still alot of football and Kiper talking to go before then.

by davis0169 on Nov 23, 2009 3:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah I think everyone is sold on Okung

But I’m not sure he’ll be there… not to mention the fact that WCF might decree that Backus deserves an extension after this season…

by Nate D. on Nov 23, 2009 3:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Okung may not be there, Suh may not be there........

Mayhew/Schwartz might even pass on Okung anyway if:

1. They (or Ford) decide to keep Backus for the “un-caphit” year rather than cutting him.
2. They patch the OL with a FA or 2 and prioritize upgrading the secondary (a pet peeve of Schwartz’s).

With no CB’s or DE’s worthy of a top-5 pick, that all points more and more towards them possibly picking Berry.

What? He can’t block a dead gopher? Humph, details.

by GRLion on Nov 25, 2009 2:04 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It is easier to find an average DE than an average DT if you ask me...

http://cmufootball.blogspot.com/

by CapitolLions on Nov 23, 2009 3:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

About Suh

guessing this far out who’s going to be the #1 pick is almost always an entirely fruitless endeavor, especially if you’re guessing it’ll be a defensive tackle.

by Trysdor on Nov 23, 2009 3:31 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

The perfect example being Glenn Dorsey in 08.

The surefire #1 pick in the draft.

Until, you know…he wasn’t.

by Trysdor on Nov 23, 2009 3:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

+1

Build up the D and O Lines Mayhew/Schwartz!!! I think they will. It all starts up front (something Millen never understood)

I spray paint my dog Honolulu Blue and Silver

Pic - me vs. Bears fans

by NYCLionsfan on Nov 23, 2009 3:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Speaking of Dorsey

Maybe we could steal him from KC. He doesn’t fit the 3-4 they’re trying to implement so we may be able to pick him up for some old coffee mugs or something. I’d be OK with that. I still think he’s gonna be good.

by WBL on Nov 23, 2009 6:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Round 1: Berry/Okung/Suh. Round 2: OL/DB/DL Round3: OL/DB/DL

nuff’ said

by BtotheLT on Nov 23, 2009 4:04 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

If the best player the Lions have on their board is a DE, DT, or O lineman when they pick..

then they will take him. The DEs are not looking worth the # 4 pick in 2010, and only one O lineman [Okung] and one DT [Suh] looks to fit in there too so hopefully one of them is available and the Lions agree with our evaluations.

I am not really sold on a Safety this early. Especially this year as there may be a half dozen excellent Safety prospects available. About half of those may be around at our round two selection [Burnett, Thomas, Jones].

by NorthLeft12 on Nov 23, 2009 4:07 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

we need a goddamn LT

i dont get ppl want to pick d-linmen so badly. we have a young, promising (though be it struggling) DE in Avril, and D-White is a solid DE when he is healthy. Sammie Hill has been vastly underated this season. I mean we talk up guys like Delmas and Levy, but Sammie Hill has helped as much as any defender the Lions have.

Anyways, White, Avril and Hill give us three solid D-lineman. The reason our pass rush has been atrocious this season isnt b/c of talent, its b/c of the ton of injuries we have suffered. I think the lions will have a decent line to work with when our line is fully healthy and playing consistently.

On the other hand, stafford has yet to play ten games in the NFL, and has already suffered through two injuries, not to mention countless hard-hits. If this keeps up, he will never ever be the elite QB that we all expect him to become. how come no one understands that fact. our defense can be crappy…we can have one or two more losing seasons, but our top priority should be to get a nucleus together, and make sure necleus-type players like staff are healthy and stay healthy.

I agree..drafting a D-lineman or a safety will probably improve the DEF, and might lead to one or two more wins than we would have with a crappy DEF, but ask yourself this question: is it worth rolling the dice? is it worth risking stafford’s career to win one or two more games??

The beginning of the end of the misery

by latif on Nov 23, 2009 8:16 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

I'm not convinced...

…that we will draft outside of the first two picks. I think we need to win another game or two to keep away from that. The chances of the 1 win teams not winning at least one more game this season is low. However, I feel we have the hardest schedule out of all of them. So we’ll see.

GO LIONS! RESTORE THE ROAR!

by Twon82 on Nov 23, 2009 9:09 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Here's my take

We will pick 4th…..The Rams, Bucs, and Browns will all pick ahead of us.

Round 1
1) Rams – QB
2) Bucs – Suh
3) Browns – Probably a RB
4) Lions – Okung

By taking a LT with our first pick, I think we should take a DT with our 2nd rounder (Fox maybe?). If we go LT/DT…..then in round 3 I think we need to look at a corner. Round 4 I would like to see the Lions looking at another interior Offensive lineman (guard). Round 5 SAFETY (this draft will be deep at this position…..Berry and Mays are both glamour picks IMHO). Round 6 WR and round 7 RB or vice versa…..

Really it all depends on who falls where…..if happenstance has a projected 1st rounder fall to round 2 at a position we desperately need, everything changes. It is too early to say anything for certain.

by KDawg on Nov 23, 2009 9:29 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

amen to dat

The beginning of the end of the misery

by latif on Nov 23, 2009 9:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

If you are referring to Jason Fox, he is an LT from Miami

He looks very good but may fall into the second round. I love to mock the draft for the Lions as much as anyone, but the bottom line is that they will go with who they think the best player available is. They have kept their board and thoughts very much to themselves which makes it harder to predict how they will go. That is the right way to approach the draft in my opinion.

Personally, I am getting less enthusiastic about trying to replace Backus. That should still be a long term goal, but we have some other gaping holes on our O line before LT. I would love to see them pick up a lineman who could play guard for a year or two before moving to LT. Anthony Davis or Barksdale [Detroit boy!] from LSU springs to mind there. I am just not sure Davis would be available in the second round and Barksdale is a project as he currently plays RT. They are both Juniors and may not come out.

I do agree with your position analysis. We have got to upgrade our secondary and O line. Unless the Lions go for a high priced free agent, doubtful, the draft is our only option.

by NorthLeft12 on Nov 24, 2009 7:21 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

yea i honstley rather have fox th okung.. just b/c we could get him in 2nd

Just Remember matt... what would Daunte do??

by det32 on Nov 24, 2009 10:32 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

My bad.....

I was still thinking Suh first then Fox in round 2……

However, since it is likely that Suh will be gone and I do not see McCoy or Cody as top 5 picks, I think the Lions will opt for the best LT at pick 4, and that is Okung.

Therefore I would be looking for us to take a DT in round 2…..like one of McCoy, Cody, Arthur Jones, or maybe Marvin Austin (if one of them falls to the second round) or one of Geno Atkins, Jared Odrick, DeMarcus Granger, or D’Anthony Smith if the other 4 are gone in round 1. The biggest problems with these guys is that Jones projects as a DE in a 3-4 (at 295 lbs), McCoy will be a solid 4-3 DT but he is not worth a top 5 pick, Cody projects as an anchor type DT in a 3-4, Marvin Austin is a Junior who may not declare at all, and the other 4 guys are marginal as prospective starters (and I am unsure of how well they fit our 4-3 scheme).

That said, if Marvin Austin delcares (and Gerald McCoy is taken in the 1st round) I like him the most of who will likely be available at pick 4 of round 2. If McCoy is still there, then it is a no brainer…..we draft McCoy.

If we were to follow this LT/DT idea, and we were looking at corners in round 3, it is quite likely that Javier Arenas, Myron Lewis, and Stephan Virgil will still be available. All three are projected as likely starters, but I definitely like Arenas best of these. Of course, we might also be looking in the opposite direction here and go for LeGarrette Blount (CLF would love this) or Jon Asamoah (the guard from Illinois).

Then in round 4, if we were looking at a guard and if we followed my idea of LT/DT/CB, it is likely that Mike Johnson (Alabama) would still be there. He is projected as a likely starter, and he is a solid interior lineman. If we went RB or G in round 3, our choices at CB will likely be pretty slim in round 4…..so much so that we would likely be looking at a safety in round 4 (such as Chad Jones if he declares (projected as a likely starter)). While Mike Johnson would be a good pick in my opinion, it may be in our best interests to take a WR such as Bryan Anderson out of CMU (6’5, 215…..sure hands) here. I think the deepest positions in this draft are at Guard and Safety, and I think we can get very good ones in the 5th and 6th rounds.

If the choices were LT/DT/CB/G, and we were then looking at safeties in round 5, it is likely that we would be reaching for a safety that we could get in the 6th or 7th round. That is another reason I say we should draft a WR in round 4 (and I really like Bryan Anderson as a WR2). If we drafted a Bryan Anderson in round 4 (so now our picks would have been LT/DT/CB/WR), it is likely that Dan Doering (the guard out of Iowa who is projected as a likely starter) will be available. Iowa has been surprisingly good this year, and Doering is one of the big reasons why.

If we were to pick LT/DT/CB/WR/G, and were then still looking at needing a safety or a KR/RB, I think we could get a pretty damn good safety in Ahmad Black (from Florida) if he delcares (maybe even in round 7!). So if Black did declare, and we thought he would fall to us in the 7th, we could look at a guy like Ben Tate at RB in round 6. I don’t know much about the RB prospects, other than the higher round ones, but I have heard Tate’s name a few times this season and I have seen him play.

In conclusion, here is a mockup (assuming everyone declares):
Round 1 – Russell Okung OT Oklahoma
Round 2 – Marvin Austin DT North Carolina
Round 3 – Javier Arenas CB Alabama
Round 4 – Bryan Anderson WR Central Michigan
Round 5 – Dan Doering G Iowa
Round 6 – Ben Tate RB Auburn
Round 7 – Ahmad Black S Florida

by KDawg on Nov 24, 2009 6:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

dont take this the wrong way here…..but i feel you are all putting way to much hope in the draft and not in other aspects of the offseason……we have a young team as it is, if we keep gettin high draft picks and starting every rookie we’re gonna have a rookie team out there…….and im sorry but an all-star rookie team has no playoff chances in the nfl……i would much rather see some good moves in trades and the free agency for some more veteran players than getting more starting rookies……now dont th=ake that the wrong way, im still hjoping for a great draft (especially in the d-line/db area) but id rather get some veterans……especially on the oline…..

by Rigormortis on Nov 24, 2009 8:05 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Rigor, I have seen too much of second rate, has been, never were, injury prone veterans...

over my decades of following the Lions to want to go down that path again. We need to develop a strong core of young starters, then fill in with low cost role players as needed. Our last decade of futility was due to an almost complete failure to draft players who would be productive starters in the NFL. Nobody is letting half decent, starting LTs get into free agency. The only worthwhile lineman available last year was Jason Brown who went from the Ravens to the Rams. He was a Center/Guard who cost them an arm and a leg. Good deal? Too early to tell yet.

I have seen some projections of who will be available as Free Agents in 2010 and it does not look very promising.

by NorthLeft12 on Nov 24, 2009 9:53 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

agree with North..

and bring in too many Vets is just a short term solution. We have to built the foundation first. Than just add a FA here or there.

Look at teams like New England and Pittsburg. 17 of the 22 starters are their draft picks. Than look at the Raiders. Only 12 of 22 are their own picks. No chemistry. And every year trying to replace a position by throw money at it.

if the shoe fits...get another one just like it - George Carlin

by JCruize on Nov 24, 2009 11:30 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

There is no doubt some good FA moves would be nice

But FA pickups are expensive and teams like to keep good players on their own team, so not a lot of guys worth picking up are up for grabs. Like North says, we should build a foundation of young, drafted players and fill the other gaps with vets.

2009 = The start of the Lions Golden Age (We hope).
Zack Follett: he will hurt your mind.

by Hyperion Ecta on Nov 24, 2009 6:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I still think...

You guys are missing how Schwartz drafts….

The Lions will pick the best available at the position needed…. If the #1 Corner is on the board, he’s it… if the #1 LB is on the board… etc…

I haven’t even started to look, but look at the rankings… then where detroit picks, and there’s your pick.

#1QB, #1TE, #1S… is not a coincident.

by CLF on Nov 24, 2009 2:54 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

true but...

i think when the lions pick, the chances are that the BPA will be either a DT or a S. I dont see the BPA being Russell Okung, although i hope, wish and pray it is.

The beginning of the end of the misery

by latif on Nov 24, 2009 3:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It does seem likely

The question becomes…who’s on top of their list?

2009 = The start of the Lions Golden Age (We hope).
Zack Follett: he will hurt your mind.

by Hyperion Ecta on Nov 24, 2009 6:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

They will go BPA

It is nice to have an idea of what the GM/Coach is going to do during the draft. I am wishy-washy on Berry but if they believe that is what is best for the team than do it.

by doctorjcmu on Nov 24, 2009 5:20 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Modified BPA

Some spots are now filled. BPA at unfilled spots. Positions of need receive more attention than in year 1.

Top needs according to fans: DL, OL, DB’s
Top needs based on Schwartz’s/Mayhew’s/Cunninghams/Linehan’s comments: DB’s, DT’s
Top needs based on the FA revolving door this season: DB’s, DT’s, some DE

What I want to emphasize is the difference between what WE want the Lions to draft and what the Lions are LIKELY to draft.

Based on this, I would expect a Left Safety and a NT as the 2 positions most likely to receive early attention, followed by CB’s shortly after. Okung, like Pettigrew, might get picked as a BPA, but Schwartz doesn’t seem to be making the OL his top priority. CB will likely be adressed sometime after the 1st Round (no reaching).

What? He can’t block a dead gopher? Humph, details.

by GRLion on Nov 25, 2009 2:20 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

If

our front office can repeat in the next draft what they did for us this year then I would be as happy as a purring kitty. Other than a certain rec from Penn State this draft was a knock out. They are all playing and playing better than we all thought they would. I don’t know when the last time I hve said this next line when talking about the lions but here it goes. . . : I have all the confidence that they will draft the best player available at the time we draft. There I said it and actually mean it.

by davis0169 on Nov 24, 2009 8:53 PM EST reply actions 0 recs