Interview with New Era Scouting's David Syvertsen

by Sean Yuille on Apr 2, 2009 7:45 AM EDT in Detroit Lions Interviews

I recently interviewed David Syvertsen of New Era Scouting, and he answered many questions about what the Lions should do in the draft and analyzed a few specific players as well. He also gave his thoughts on the Matthew Stafford debate, making his opinion on the situation pretty clear. Take a look:

Pride of Detroit: The biggest debate among Lions fans is whether or not Matthew Stafford should be the top overall pick. Early on this year, almost every member of the media had the Lions taking Stafford. The majority still do, but there are now many more people out there that have the Lions taking someone like Jason Smith instead. What is your opinion on Stafford? Is he a good enough prospect to spend the top overall pick on, and even if he is, should the Lions be worried about a quarterback right now?

David Syvertsen: The classic answer to this debate is that when you rebuild a franchise, it all has to begin with the quarterback. To an extent that is a true statement, especially if you take the time to examine the rosters of the perennial contenders in the NFL. They are all secure at the quarterback position and it all transpires from there. It is without a doubt the most vital position in all of sports. The Lions need to do this the right way, meaning they need to get their future signal caller on the team as soon as possible. Now, the problem with the three, almost four, months in between the season and the draft is the extent to which people will over-analyze the same thing about a prospect, especially one that is slated to be a top pick. What we know now about Stafford is exactly what we knew in January. He has a cannon for an arm that can make all of the throws in the NFL, he moves very well with the ball in his hands, he is a tough competitor that plays through pain, and he has the smarts to handle the complexities of opposing NFL defenses and his own playbook. I fully understand the position of a nervous/hesitant Lions fan when considering the Joey Harrington debacle but Stafford is head and shoulders above him from every angle. I feel the most important thing to look for in a quarterback before all else are the intangibles he brings to the table. Stafford receives the highest possible grade there on my sheet and his actual physical ability cannot be questioned. When a poor team does not have their franchise quarterback and there is one available for the taking, you don't pass on the opportunity. End of discussion. There are no other players, Jason Smith included, that are rare prospects that should even begin to contend with Stafford's spot at the top of the Lions board.

(Rest of interview is after the jump.)

POD: If the Lions opt to go in a direction other than Stafford, most believe they will draft an offensive tackle, specifically Jason Smith. Once a tight end, Smith's stock has really been on the rise since the beginning of his senior year at Baylor. What makes Smith such a great prospect, and how is he different than someone like Eugene Monroe?

DS: The number one thing a scout will look for in a left tackle in terms of performance is the prospect's footwork. Not necessarily from a technique view point, as it can be taught with good coaching, but his ability to get out of his stationary stance and reach the edge with natural, effort less knee bend and balance. If a coach wants to show his young left tackle how to do this, all he would have to do is pop in a Jason Smith game tape. With the speed of the NFL game where it is and where it is heading, Smith seems to be the best option for a team looking for a blind side protector. There are a few differences between Smith and Monroe, but the one that separates them the most in my book is his ability to stay balanced at all times. Rarely will you find him lunging after a defender whether he is pass or run blocking. He has excellent body control and gets the most out of every hit he makes, an essential aspect of the position.

POD: A recent poll on Pride of Detroit indicated that Lions fans want Aaron Curry to be the top overall pick. That seems unlikely since Curry would have to switch to inside linebacker, but how big of a gamble would that be for the Lions? Curry seems like he is talented enough to handle the switch well, but is it not worth the risk to use the top pick on someone that would be moving positions?

DS: Aaron Curry is a special linebacker. His transition to the middle would be a minimal risk because a lot of the traits he displayed as a SAM at Wake Forest fit in with what Schwartz will want out of his man in the middle. However, to be honest, any selection of a player at #1 overall is going to be a major risk no matter how you spin it considering the financial commitment that has to be made. While Curry is one of the "safer" prospects in this class, he may not be the one that can pay the highest dividends. A middle linebacker playing next to Sims and Peterson will not need a ton of range, just reliability within the tackle box. The best route to take here is Stafford or Smith, in that order.

POD: Shifting our focus to the Lions' other first-round pick, what position do you think they should address when they go on the clock with the 20th selection? Obviously what they do with that pick will depend greatly on what happens with the top overall pick, but do think they should address their need for a defensive tackle, defensive end, cornerback, offensive tackle, etc.?

DS: Assuming they go with Stafford at #1, I feel the next priority has to be protecting that investment. With such a deep class of quality offensive tackles, there is a very good chance of a good one being available at #20. A guy like Michael Oher or Eben Britton would be excellent selections at that point. However the Lions have to be careful and not draft someone ahead of their value because this team has a lot of needs. While you could bump an offensive tackle's grade up a bit, you have to take the best player that can help your team there. Having two first round picks does not happen very often, and taking a guy with a second round grade simply because he helps our team more right away is essentially negating the advantage you have heading into the draft. If Britton and Oher are gone, names like Tyson Jackson (DE / LSU), Larry English (DE / Northern Illinois), Vontae Davis (CB / Illinois), and Darius Butler (CB / Connecticut) are names that would fit in well with the need and value formula.

POD: One player I have selected with the 20th selection in a couple mock drafts is DT Peria Jerry. Some have expressed concern with his age -- he will be a 25-year old rookie. Is that a legitimate reason to pass on someone like Jerry, or is his talent enough to not worry about that too much? Also, how does he compare to some of the other defensive tackles that will be on the board after B.J. Raji is gone?

DS: If someone does not draft a good player because he is 25 instead of 23, that person should be revoked of their decision making responsibilities. If you are sold on a player's ability to help your team win both now and in the future, you take him if he grades out accordingly, no questions. The issue I have is just that. I'm not sold on his ability to warrant a #20 overall selection. Raji is on a level by himself as he can penetrate and wreck havoc in the backfield as well as hold his ground against a double team. Jerry's number one competitor for the #2 spot right behind Raji, Ziggy Hood from Missouri, is an awfully similar player. I still have some game tape to go over but from what I have seen already, Hood is ahead of Jerry on my board. They are both 3-technique guys that can get off the snap with explosion, but Jerry does not react well to engagement. Once he gets locked on to by a powerful blocker, it's over. Hood on the other hand plays with more of a wreckless style that fits the position. He is a slippery target and would fit in well with the new defensive system. With all of that said, neither of these guys will be the best player available at #20.

POD: If I wouldn't have selected Jerry in those mock drafts, chances are CB Vontae Davis would have been the pick. Is he the best cornerback in the draft not named Malcolm Jenkins?

DS: I really like this year's cornerback class. There are as many as six cover men that will be selected in the first round. Behind the consensus #1 Jenkins, I currently have the same grade for two players. Vontae Davis of Illinois and Darius Butler of Connecticut are those two guys. If I were on the clock and had to choose one of them, it would be Butler because of his superior intangibles in comparison to Davis. He has tremendous overall physical ability but unlike Davis, it doesn't end there. He has that knack that all good cover corners have that tells him when to gamble and when to sit back, awfully similar to Asante Samuel in that respect. Davis has the talent but I question where his head is at sometimes. There are a lot of technique issues I have with him and I saw little improvement in that realm from 2007 to 2008. When I combine that with the tidbits I've read and heard about his over-confidence and what we are seeing from his brother in San Francisco, I tend to downgrade him just enough to put him below Butler.

POD: Should the Lions decide to not pick Jason Smith, they will likely pick an offensive lineman with their other first-round pick or the second-rounder. By that time, most believe that offensive tackles Jason Smith, Eugene Monroe, and Michael Oher will be gone already. After those three, who is the best offensive tackle out there? Also, would the Lions be better off drafting a guard instead of a tackle? The latter move would likely cause Jeff Backus to switch to guard, so would it make more sense to draft someone like Duke Robinson and keep Backus at tackle?

DS: Well that is the positive that Backus brings to the table. While his level of play could certainly be upgraded, he is a serviceable lineman that gives the Lions options. If Smith, Monroe, and Oher are the only tackles off the board when #20 is on the clock, it should take less than two minutes for them to hand in their card with the name Andre Smith written inside. The character issues have been blown out of proportion to the point where he is being over-analyzed. Every year we talk about how the games are more important than the pre-draft workouts, but the second a top player such as Smith doesn't look good with his shirt off, the red flags are raised and his grade drastically decreases. Smith, on the field, is better than any offensive tackle in this class and I say that with as much confidence as I possibly can. If these pre draft blunders by Smith have caused him to fall all the way down to 20, the Lions should be rejoicing like they never have before. I don't see any guards that present top 20 value but if Duke Robinson is there at #33 overall, that could be a move that supplies them with an immediate starter and upgrade.

POD: Assuming no trades happen, what three players do you think the Lions will have picked after day one of the draft?

DS: As I stated before, I think the Lions are leaning towards Stafford at #1 overall. So considering their needs on both sides of the ball, they are in the position to take the best player available at #20 and #33. With Stafford set in stone, the Lions really need to upgrade their offensive line to avoid the torture David Carr went through in Houston. A huge reason why Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco had such early success was the quality of the big uglies protecting him. The Lions will be in a position to draft a quality left tackle at this spot because of the deep class. Jason Smith, Eugene Monroe, and Andre Smith will likely be off the board but I feel Michael Oher will be there for the taking. If that ends up being the case, Oher would be the likely selection. On to the #33 overall pick, the Lions could get a very good defensive player that will be starting caliber right away. That is a spot where a high value player usually drops and I can see a James Laurinaitis, a guy that could be a fixture in the middle of a Jim Schwartz defense for 10 years, there for the taking.

POD: Thanks to David for taking the time to answer my questions.

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Comments

Fantastic Interview

Great work Sean. I love this interview because it’s actually with a scout, who seem to be overlooked opinion-wise by people, even though they are the true ‘experts’ within the prospect evaluation area.

Syvertsen seemed to have some interesting insights. I really liked his mention of Darius Butler who I think will be a stud corner in the NFL and I secretly hope we take him. I also found his comments on Andre Smith interesting even though I still don’t want him on our team. I also thought his mock first 3 picks to be very solid indeed. Stafford, Oher & Lauraniatis would be a strong first day.

2009 = The start of the Lions Golden Age (We hope).

by Hyperion Ecta on Apr 2, 2009 8:24 AM EDT reply actions

WOW

Awesome interview! Man, there’s SO much good stuff here . . . unfortunately this is all confirming my sense of dread: it’s going to be Stafford, and there’s no chance that it’s Curry. Lots and lots and lots of great food for thought, though. Thank you, Sean, and thank you, David!

Peace
Ty

http://thelionsinwinter.blogspot.com

by ty@thelionsinwinter on Apr 2, 2009 9:32 AM EDT reply actions

This statement seems a little strong...

End of discussion. There are no other players, Jason Smith included, that are rare prospects that should even begin to contend with Stafford’s spot at the top of the Lions board.

It’s one thing to say Matthew Stafford should “probably” be the pick, or that Quarterback should receive priority over Left Tackle, or something like that.

But when somebody tosses aside everything—salary cap concerns, our O-Line situation, and everything about Detroit that seems toxic to young QB’s, Jason Smith’s incredible athleticism and intangibles, etc and says “End of discussion” Jason Smith shouldn’t even “begin to contend” with Matthew Stafford…well, doesn’t that come off as a little “Mel Kiper”-ish?

I think taking Jason Smith, getting immediate-impact defenders at #20 and #33 (instead of just #33), giving Culpepper a shot with a full healthy offseason and a better O-Line (things he hasn’t had in a while—certainly not in Detroit), giving Stanton one last shot under the new coaching regime, and finding a project QB in the middle-later rounds should “begin to contend” with taking Stafford of #1.

I don’t think it is a provably bad idea to take Stafford at #1—he may very well be a great NFL quarterback.

But when I hear “Stafford is the only way” statements, I just roll my eyes a little. Anybody else feel the same way?

by n4ry4 on Apr 2, 2009 9:59 AM EDT reply actions

Yes, I agree.

As we say up here in Canada, there is more than one way to skin a seal.

by NorthLeft12 on Apr 2, 2009 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions

I agree with you

I hope the Lions’ attitude is different. But maybe we are being naive.

Pride of Detroit, SB Nation's Lions Blog

by Sean Yuille on Apr 2, 2009 10:29 AM EDT up reply actions

By that I mean that we think the Lions are going to do something else

Either they are going with Stafford are have done the best job possible to throw people off.

Pride of Detroit, SB Nation's Lions Blog

by Sean Yuille on Apr 2, 2009 10:29 AM EDT up reply actions

here here

Common sense does not elude you friend. My only quibble with this is that Pepp will get his shot, and he’ll get hurt, which will give Stanton his shot. So we’ll see what they both can do. I’m hoping that Stanton stay’s healthy. I have a friend who insists he’ll get hurt 3-4 games in but I think his first season injury was over-exaggerated by Millen’s crew and he’s a rather healthy player.

by rmatheny on Apr 2, 2009 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions

Agreed

Stafford may well turn into a very good quarterback. If given time, it may even be with this team. But I still feel $35 million+ is a lot to guarantee a guy who will, in all likelihood, be holding a clipboard for the next two years. This is not to say I’m bitterly opposed to the guy; I’m starting to come around a bit on the idea of him at #1. I just think it would be more prudent to take J. Smith, and draftniks speaking in absolutes like this set my teeth on edge.

by AZ Yooper on Apr 2, 2009 1:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Yes, Excellent Interview.

There does seem to be a great deal of disagreement about Andre Smith though. I have read in a few different places that his footwork is really not good enough to be a Left Tackle, and is much more suited to be a Right Tackle or a Guard. David is also one of the few voices that I have heard recommending Britton for LT. The consensus seems to be that he is not ready for LT and should be a RT now, potentially a LT later. The Lions really don’t need to develop depth like that yet. Remember, we just drafted Cherilus last year to be our RT.
Ominously, David avoided mentioning William Beatty of UConn, the most likely LT prospect who will probably be available to Detroit at #20, and may still be there at #33. I would have liked to hear what he had to say about him.

I agree with him 100% on Stafford though. We need to get over our QB paranoia and move on him IF the Lions think he has the ability to be a franchise QB. Stafford has the tools and the resume [three year starter at Georgia] to be a solid NFL QB. I am not sure we will be in a position next year to get someone of equal talent.

" if you take the time to examine the rosters of the perennial contenders in the NFL. They are all secure at the quarterback position and it all transpires from there." D.S.
I don’t necessarily agree with that statement. A number of competitive and successful teams are built on running and defence and get by [ie. win Super Bowls] without HoF QBs. Yes, I would love to have a Peyton Manning, but there are not a lot of them. Conversely, if you look at the drafts of these successful teams, they usually draft QBs multiple times [fail more often than not] before finding the right one.

by NorthLeft12 on Apr 2, 2009 10:13 AM EDT reply actions

Notice that he says

that the teams are “secure at the quarterback position” not “secure at the quarterback position because they drafted a QB first overall.”

by WBL on Apr 2, 2009 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Great Interview

As others have said, this was interview was a great read. I have to admit, I’m more open now to drafting Stafford, but I’d still prefer Smith #1. The one thing I don’t like is that if we draft Stafford we’d have to take an OL (Tackle or Guard) with one of our next 2 picks, when there are so many needs on defense. But then again, this isn’t a one year rebuilding plan. No matter who we take we’re going to have big holes that still need to be filled on this team.

So if we draft Stafford and take some one along the OL with the #20 or #33 then we have to use our other 3 picks in the top 82 on defense.

by Stones1981 on Apr 2, 2009 10:15 AM EDT reply actions

Great Work Sean

Keep doing interviews like this and were gonna lose you to some Major Media Outlet.
Lot’s of information to mull over. My opinions of Butler has been confirmed. Now I’m
dumb-founded I can’t decide what to do with the #20 which leaves me hoping the
Lions trade down with that pick and get a few more picks in later rounds.

by Runnin' Rebel on Apr 2, 2009 10:30 AM EDT reply actions

Do U think?

Chad Pennington, is truely a “franchise” guy, or possibly sum1 2 fill the pos until a fcg can b attained? to me it’s the latter, & this formula appears 2 work. By taking Jake Long, they have implemented a cornerstone on the OL & in my opinion, ur QB is only as good as ur OL allows him to B. This is something no Lions fan can ? MayB if we had a OL that protected the QB, all the same things you hear about Stafford were said about JH when they took him, that didn’t happen as he was sacked more often than not, how do U throw behind a line like that, mayB Stafford can answer that 1, which he will hafta come up w/ an answer 4 it quickly, if he gets behind that OL. To me I like the Tuna’s appraoch, fix the major holes, protect ur investment. As I seen, in yet another Moch Draft, they got dTown takin Bomar n the 2nd & lettin the Tuna get Pat White, which I think he’d be thrilled @ that projection, because this guy’s the real deal. He’s like McNabb if he could run like Vick. Had a 65+% comp, 1500+ yds rush, threw 4 almost 2000yds. Even if U put this guy n the backfield as a RB/WR w/ opt. good things r gonna happen. JS immediately upgrades OL, AC makes 1 wonder how well any1 will b able 2 run against them w/ ES & JP. Pluse even a DT 2 plug the mid & absorp 2 OL is something they really need.

by LTownDown on Apr 2, 2009 11:13 AM EDT reply actions

the QB position

“The classic answer to this debate is that when you rebuild a franchise, it all has to begin with the quarterback. To an extent that is a true statement, especially if you take the time to examine the rosters of the perennial contenders in the NFL. They are all secure at the quarterback position and it all transpires from there. It is without a doubt the most vital position in all of sports.”

This is a statement I will not argue with. What I will note is the success of these perennial contenders. New England, and Pittsburgh of recent memory. The Broncos in the 90’s, the 49er’s back in their day. Now New England took Brady late, we all know that. Pittsburgh did not take Big Ben in the top 10. Aikman was a 1st rounder. Elway was 1st round pick and Montana and Young both came late. What each of these teams had in common was setting up their QB for success. Namely providing him with talent at WR, and giving him time to throw the ball. The mistake the Lions made was never drafting any O-Linemen to protect their quarterback and making terrible choices by drafting WR’s instead of defense. A good defense sets up a QB just as much as his line does. Good field position makes his job drastically easier. What I will say first and foremost is that our #1 pick should be the Baylor LT Jason Smith. He’s the kind of guy that can anchor your offensive line for years. After you’ve proven you can run the ball effectively, and protect your quarterback that’s when you bring in your “Franchise” QB. Who doesn’t have to be a 1st round pick. He can be like Brady, Montana or Young. A system guy that fits your team after you’ve got everything else you need in place.

by rmatheny on Apr 2, 2009 11:35 AM EDT reply actions

The true question to ask is...

Is Matthew Stafford better than any QB coming out of NEXT years draft. The Lions are not looking to be Super Bowl contenders this year or next year for that matter. We have an opportunity to have a serviceable QB in Culpepper who has veteran leadership and a young guy like Stanton who is still learning and has some great tools. Why not just build up our O-line and our defense right now so we can draft someone like Sam Bradford next year.

With that said, I would not be upset with the Lions drafting Stafford due to the fact that apparently he is the next coming of God as shown through his private workouts. Also, he wants to come here and help rebuild. That is a bold statement coming from someone who could get sacked 100 times this year if we don’t make some improvements.

I do understand it we are under new management but are we just giving up on Stanton? He was a 2nd round pick not to long ago, and really hasn’t had a chance to show anything due to unfortunate injuries. Seems like a waste, but I mean he was Millen’s draft pick. I, like everyone else, just don’t want another Harrington as David did say, but maybe Stafford will be our Bobby Layne, the 50 years has passed now.

by lionsfan22 on Apr 2, 2009 12:37 PM EDT reply actions

Not a big Stafford backer

But i DO believe he (and Sanchez) are better than the QBs coming out next year. Everyone keeps talking about how next year’s QB class is but I think that is more a reflection of the fact that this year’s seniors are absolutely horrible. So if you compare the classes from top to bottom then yes next year is probably better. But I think if you look at just the top 2 or 3 prospects (Stafford, Sanchez, Freeman vs. Bradford, McCoy, Tebow) I think this year gives us the better option

by wumanchu01 on Apr 2, 2009 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Bradford

McCoy is a far better QB than Bradford is, and we also don’t know what QB like Cutler or Big Ben is going to have a great senior year out of a school that’s not necessarily in the national spotlight.

by rmatheny on Apr 3, 2009 3:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Very well done, Sean.

Thanks for this. It really provides some great insight. I still feel like Andre Smith is getting shafted by all the bad press, and this confirms it. You don’t win the Outland Trophy for being a crappy lineman.
I strongly disagree on his point that the Lions have to take Stafford, but the way he contrasts him against Joey Harrington makes me feel a little better about it if they do decide on him.

by AZ Yooper on Apr 2, 2009 1:34 PM EDT reply actions

Nice Exclusive Interview

next stop for you is on the Sports Reporters show on ESPN.

My take on this scout’s answers is that he’s looking at the Dolphins and Falcons “models” for improvement. But what this scout is missing from those models is that the Dolphins and Falcons had some semblance of a defense prior to starting their rebuilds, whereas the Lions don’t giving up 400+ points for the last two years.

Realistically, regardless if you’re a football insider or just a student of the game, you know that no team is going to turnaround giving up 21 first quarter points regularly and being essentially out of the game by the 15 minute mark week in and week out.

Will Stafford change that, probably not this year or next, then comes the potential for an owner lockout year. Drafting Stafford at 1.1 has no logic to it, economically or strategically.

Will J. Smith or Monroe change the defense giving up points half the time they’re on the field. Not really even though they would be an upgrade to Backus, because even if the offense is on the field longer, the defense still can’t stop the opponent. And I don’t think the Lions would win many 40 to 35 shootouts, because of the defense.

To me, the only logical option for the Lions is to focus on the defense this year. The defense needs a quarterback also, and the trio of Peterson, Sims, and Curry would be a formible linebacking combination.

There’s no choice for the fan than to trust Mayhew on this draft, will he continue in Millen’s footsteps trying to rebuild with glitz before having the foundation in place, or will he draft the consesus of the experts’ pick of the glitzy Stafford?

I’m sticking with Curry to be the pick at 1.1.

by 5Bakerstreet on Apr 2, 2009 11:14 PM EDT reply actions

I see where you're coming from

Stafford, J. Smith or Monroe won’t fix our dismal defence. But I don’t think Curry will either. He will be a very good part of a foundation. It’s gonna take precision picks at the DT position and in the secondary to help build this defence. One way or another, our first pick will be the first of many building blocks for this team, not one that’s gonna turn it around magically.

2009 = The start of the Lions Golden Age (We hope).

by Hyperion Ecta on Apr 3, 2009 1:05 AM EDT up reply actions