Wednesday Notes: Lions Line Up More Visits with Free Agents

by Sean Yuille on Mar 4, 2009 9:07 AM EST in Notes Comment 10 comments

Defensive tackle Grady Jackson, who last played for the Falcons, is expected to sign today if he passes a physical. The deal will reportedly be two or three years long.
Tight end L.J. Smith, formerly of the Eagles, was reportedly headed to Michigan last night and will probably meet with the Lions today. (The story didn't specify when the meeting was scheduled to take place, but generally the formal sit-down will be during the day.)
Offensive lineman Daniel Loper, who can apparently play both guard and tackle, also was on his way to Michigan last night for a visit today.
Cornerback Chris Carr will probably end up deciding between the Titans, Browns, and Lions.
The Lions and Broncos both are reportedly interested in quarterback Chris Simms, who played for the Titans last season. No visit has been scheduled yet for Detroit, but Simms is probably going to meet with the Broncos today.
Speaking of the Broncos, they have decided to not trade Jay Cutler and have made that clear to the public. Cutler is going to have a meeting with new coach Josh McDaniels next week, which likely will be the last of this story before it fizzles out. It was a pipe dream that the Lions would somehow trade for Cutler, but it was fun to think about for a few days. Just look at the havoc Martin Mayhew helped create. Unlike Matt Millen, it wasn't to his own team.
In case you needed more incentive to not give a damn about what Mel Kiper says about the draft, check out The Big Lead, which put together a look back at Kiper's 2005 draft grades. My favorite evaluation of all is on Mike Williams.

Detroit Lions: C+
Give the Lions credit for going away from their biggest needs to take receiver Mike Williams, who was clearly the best player available at No. 10 overall, but you have to wonder if they got enough help for the defense. Williams gives Detroit perhaps the best young receiving corps in the league, but defensive linemen Shaun Cody (a versatile end-tackle combo) and end Bill Swancutt (a one-dimensional pass rusher) may not be enough of a boost up front.
While he did correctly predict that Shaun Cody and Bill Swancutt would not help the pass rush that much, how on earth do he miss so badly on Williams? On top of that, Kiper said that Cedric Benson "has all the makings of a star running back," and he offered this analysis on the 49ers' decision to draft Alex Smith.

San Francisco 49ers: B
A good first day but an average second day. There were no trade opportunities compelling enough that San Francisco wanted to give up the No. 1 overall pick, but quarterback Alex Smith is a player who's easy to like.
Since Kiper is busy trumpeting Matthew Stafford to be the top overall pick, this is only more evidence to go in a direction other than QB.

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Nice Find

“Cedric Benson had as many touchdowns as intoxication arrests in 2008, and not for the Bears.”
rofl

by BtotheLT on Mar 4, 2009 9:25 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Not like there is any mocker that has 100% accuracy, and not like the Lions look to Kiper for draft help. This offers no evidence to go with someone other then Stafford. Curry is Kiper’s #1 overall prospect so should we not draft him because Kiper likes him? If the Lions deem Stafford worthy of the #1 pick, and a franchise QB they have to draft him. If they are not high on him then they go elsewhere.

by sunnyintheD on Mar 4, 2009 9:53 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I just posted it to further prove that people shouldn’t listen to Kiper. Obviously the Lions won’t, but a few people I know of were on board with Stafford because of Kiper. (Crazy, right?)

Check out Pride of Detroit, SB Nation's Lions Blog

by Sean Yuille on Mar 4, 2009 10:29 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The fact is not that Kiper likes them; the fact is Kiper bought into the hype. Hype is not everything. Sometimes you need to look at their skills and see if they transfer well into the pros. instead of saying they are good in college, they COULD be good in the pros. Smith was a spread offense QB and flopped, now no spread QB will be taken in the top 10 until someone breaks that mold. Williams spent a year from the game before being drafted by the Lions. I will defend Kiper on one thing, Williams had the talent, he lacked work ethic and dedication.

by MPerry2008 on Mar 4, 2009 10:30 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Kiper makes the hype,

He doesn’t “buy” into anything. He is the one that is always touting QB’s to go number one overall. Kiper seems to think that the only position worth taking with the number one pick is quarterback. Obviously, I hope the lions go in another direction.

by sparto on Mar 4, 2009 11:11 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Kiper is a talking head who gets paid for the quantity, not quality, of his opinions

In order to generate (and cash in) on all the NFL offseason hype, ESPN needs somebody to spout off opinions about draft picks.

Kiper is good at tracking and sharing massive amounts of information on team needs and draft pick values. He might be able to rattle off more general information about seventh-round small-school guard prospects than anybody you know, but don’t mistake that for valuable advice in determining who is actually going to be good in the NFL.

People tend to listen to “experts” not because they’re right all that often but because they’re supposed to be “experts”. This goes for draft picks, stock picks, political predictions, anything you see on the news and elsewhere.

Kiper & McShay are just cashing in.

by n4ry4 on Mar 4, 2009 11:54 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

DUDE...

It was just for fun you need to lighten up. I think most fans would agree picking Stafford could be a mistake. We do not need to risk wasting the pick. Guys like Jason Smith and Curry are safe picks because even if they do not live up to the hype, they can still be productive. Unlike a quarterback who if he does not live up to the hype it can set your franchise back even more. (although lions could not get worse than 0-16)

by MPerry2008 on Mar 4, 2009 10:27 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Sorry if I came off as harsh, but I just haven’t been seeing a lot of constructive criticism of Stafford on here. Basically the defense against drafting him is he is gonna bust and the OL won’t keep him up. No another note, word is the Lions did not even attend Baylor’s pro day yesterday. Also, Smith had trouble with a drill that exposed a problem with his lower body strength. A similar problem our beloved Backus has making him open to bull rushes. I don’t feel we should buy into the hype of Smith like we have either. I don’t feel Smith will bust, but the road goes both ways. I personally like Monroe over Smith. Anyone that can play LT over Brandon Albert has to be doing something right.

by sunnyintheD on Mar 4, 2009 11:01 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Preach on!

Kiper is always big on the “glamor” positions. QB, RB, WR. His Mock is the least of my concern.

When angry, count four; when very angry, swear. ~Mark Twain, Pudd'nhead Wilson, 1894

by Leapin Lion on Mar 4, 2009 12:28 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

it dont matter what QB is out there and although loper was a nice pick up we still need more OT help and should be looking at trai essex so who ever is the QB 1st pick or journeyman arent running for their lives like last year when we had the most sacks in the leauge.not to mention itll open the run game which we desperately need even though the rookie did well inspite of it just think what he might be able to do with a line that can actually block and how many more passes will get off and be caught than drive ending sacks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!we could win a few coach!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by WAYNIEMAN on Mar 9, 2009 4:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs