More Draft Eve Notes

by Sean Yuille on Apr 24, 2009 12:47 PM EDT in Notes Comment 39 comments

According to Peter King, Matthew Stafford will be a Lion.

Busy night. Very busy night, as the Lions and agents for Matthew Stafford moved closer to a deal to make the Georgia quarterback the first pick in Saturday's NFL's draft.

I think the financial parameters of a deal will be done in principal by late this afternoon, though it may not be signed for a while because of its complexity. But you can take it to the bank: Stafford's going to be a Detroit Lion.
I think those of you that have said Tom Condon is simply waiting until the last minute to see if he can get more money or a better deal from another team are correct. I think Stafford will be a Lion, as I highly doubt there is a better deal out there for him. Right now more teams are interested in Mark Sanchez it seems like (see below), and I don't think any teams with a high pick want Stafford anyways.
While waiting for word to come down from the Matthew Stafford camp, the Lions will be passing the time by running through multiple mock drafts to prepare for tomorrow. It is just another sign that Martin Mayhew and company are doing everything possible to be ready for the draft, which is something I definitely like to see.
There is a ton of interest in Mark Sanchez. The Denver Broncos may be looking to move up to draft him. The Redskins may also be interested in trading up for him, and it has been reported on ESPN that Jason Campbell would request a trade if Washington drafts a QB.
Also reported on ESPN was that the Giants are looking to move up to draft Maryland wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey.
The Pats are reportedly looking to move into the top 10 of the draft, possibly to select LSU defensive end Tyson Jackson. Jackson's stock has gone off the charts in the last couple of days, as some have him being drafted as high as the No. 3 pick.
Larry Fitzgerald and Troy Polamalu are the cover boys for Madden 10.

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Interest in Sanchez

not Stafford, Sean.

by Trysdor on Apr 24, 2009 12:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah I just changed it

Pride of Detroit, SB Nation's Lions Blog

by Sean Yuille on Apr 24, 2009 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry for Polumalu and Fitzgerald

WEll the Madden curse is BACK and ready to do more damage lol. Pray for these guys cause there hasnt been a pro bowler in a very long time the year the boys are on the cover

by Liontotheextreme on Apr 24, 2009 12:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yup Poor Larry Fitzgerald, and Troy Polumalu

They should use Hall of Fame players on the covers. Anyone who doubts this is a curse, is kidding themselves.

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

by Leapin Lion on Apr 24, 2009 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I Think, I think....

Peter King is as bad as Mel Kiper…. I’ll believe it when I see it.

Anyone could right that and not be wrong…. Please file under “Lame”.

by CLF on Apr 24, 2009 1:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Sorry about that....This is how I really feel ....Sarcasm on

by CLF on Apr 24, 2009 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs

Classic!

rec’d

Drafting a quarterback first overall is like watching your mother-in-law drive over the edge of a cliff in your new Mercedes.

-Brian Billick

by Nate D. on Apr 24, 2009 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well this could be good news for Curry fans

Because that last time I took something to the bank, they lost a lot of my fricking money. Banks are now more wrong than right.

by qbdoyle1 on Apr 24, 2009 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That Madden cover...

is frickin amazing

Check out nickandroll.blogspot.com

by n1ck34 on Apr 24, 2009 1:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

Looks fantastic

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

by Hyperion Ecta on Apr 24, 2009 7:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rachael Nichols report..

Is a little less absolute….

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>CLICKY FO VIDEO

by CLF on Apr 24, 2009 1:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

So Polamalu AND Fitzgerald get the Madden Curse next year?

They’re risking two players this year?

And I was thinking with our luck as Lions fans that next year will be the year Goodell will limit how much rookies can be payed. But who knows because also with being a Lions fan it could probably help us next year with another top 5 pick. I’m crossing my fingers that won’t be the case though.

by ImPuLsE on Apr 24, 2009 1:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Wow...

…Stafford….

…I am not convinced, guys. At all. I don’t think we are to the point where they can just start Stafford off the bat, and paying him the money his agent wants will require him to start immediately.

Large, exasperated sigh

GO LIONS! RESTORE THE ROAR!

by Twon82 on Apr 24, 2009 2:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Birks Eye View Final Mock

Has Detroit taking Pettigrew #33

http://davebirkett.blogspot.com/

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

by Leapin Lion on Apr 24, 2009 2:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Pettigrew

Interesting….I don’t really see TE end as a dire need, but I wouldn’t be opposed to this pick. Pettigrew is far and away the best TE, and he is a beast blocking. However, he reminds me a little of Vernon Davis

Check out nickandroll.blogspot.com

by n1ck34 on Apr 24, 2009 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

what's wrong with Vernon Davis?

he hasn’t exactly been a part of a fantastic offense in San Fran…as we know, Mike Martz doesn’t care too much about tight ends

by Boney on Apr 24, 2009 6:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't see him making it out of round one

But I wouldn’t be opposed to taking him at this spot at all as long as we take the best defensive prospect available at #20.

by AZ Yooper on Apr 24, 2009 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

How awesome is it?

That there is no interest in Stafford from other teams…
Sorry Drews and all the other people who want support for the guy…I’ll cheer for the Lions and all but everyone seems to have forgotten about the ESPN formula, the GM’s across the league who have said they woouldn’t be comfortable building around the kid and his garbage stats…
Sucks that the year the Lions have 2 first rounders and the #1 pick is the year that there’s no clear cut player and no standouts in the eyes of most “experts”
2 steps back and one leap back to go with it…

by MattyZ on Apr 24, 2009 3:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yup

I found that little nugget to be the most interesting piece of news. Apparently most teams like accurate QBs. Whodathought?

by WBL on Apr 24, 2009 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Garbage stats?

Listed below are Matt Ryan’s stats from his junior year at Boston College:

YEAR….TEAM…CMP…ATT…PCT….YDS…AVG…TD….LNG…INT…RAT
2006…..BC……..262….425….61.6…2939…6.9….15…..79……10….126.67

Compare them with Stafford’s last season at Georgia (also his junior year):

YEAR….TEAM…CMP…ATT…PCT….YDS…AVG…TD….LNG…INT…RAT
2008…..UGA…..235….383…61.4….3459…9.0…..25…..78…..10….153.54

Strikingly similar, wouldn’t you say? In fact, Stafford threw 10 more TDs in his junior season, averaged 2.1 more yards per completion, and threw for 500 more yards than Ryan on fewer throws. Even if you look at Ryan’s senior season for comparison, the numbers still lean substantially in Stafford’s favor:

YEAR….TEAM…CMP…ATT…PCT….YDS…AVG…TD….LNG…INT…RAT
2007…..BC…….388…..654….59.3…4507…6.9….31…..71…….19….127.04

Sure, he threw for far more yards than Stafford in his last college season, but he attempted 271 more passes. His average yards per completion was still 2.1 lower, and he only threw for six more TDs. Keep in mind also that Stafford faced tougher competition in the SEC than Ryan in the ACC.

I’m not seeing the concern over stats here. Sure, there are other reasons to worry about taking a QB #1 (namely, money), but in this case, stats are not one of them.

by AZ Yooper on Apr 24, 2009 4:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm concerned about

accuracy. And the fact that it took Stafford 3 years to put up numbers comparable to the ones Sanchez put up in his first. I’ll take Drew Brees over Jeff George every time.

by WBL on Apr 24, 2009 4:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Garbage Stats

in the games that meant something. big time opponents. His best game was against Gerogia Tech. His numbers were inflated in games against lesser opponents and brought down against good teams.
His bad games all came in the SEC, I’m tired of everyone pointing to that as a plus…i.e. He played in the toughest conference in college…where he performed poorly. Best game he played in SEC play was against tenn. after that he didn’t throw for more than 300 yards against anyone besides teams outside of the conference.

by MattyZ on Apr 24, 2009 5:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Every quarterback has their best games against weak teams.

That’s why they’re weak teams. Their stats always average out with the games against strong teams. That’s the nature of statistics. There are fluctuations that result in an average. The numbers are there: Stafford had a strong season, on average, in 2008.
That said, I’ll grant you that he had a terrible game against Florida. Their defense ate Georgia for breakfast. That game was an entire team failure, however, not just Matthew Stafford; and you have to ask how much of that can be attributed to poor coaching and preparation.
I’m not trying to make excuses for Stafford, though. The point I was making is that college stats don’t always dictate how successful a QB will be in the NFL. Ryan had the exact same problem with big games as Stafford did in college, many times to an even greater extent (check his game stats, I’m too lazy to post them). I think that you have to look past that and see the bigger attributes he brings to the table: leadership, intelligence, humility, passion for the game, and yes, arm strength, as well as the other physical tools he possesses.
Because of these things (and surely other factors), the Lions brass is obviously confident that this is the right guy, even after putting him through the wringer. That is why I fully support drafting him.

by AZ Yooper on Apr 24, 2009 6:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks Mr. Obvious

Go find some articles not written in the last month about his leadership skills. His humility? Yeah, bragging about his contract to buddies before the thing was even written up? that screams humility. I’ll agree he has a cannon, which he relies on heavily to make passes.
Screw it. I don’t care anymore. Pick him Lions do it now before the clock runs out and the rest of the league rushes the podium to pick him up before we can. Can’t wait to see you all at his HoF party.

by MattyZ on Apr 24, 2009 7:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yooper, look at Stanton's stats

His are extremely comparable to Stafford and Ryan’s. That being said, what do stats tell us. Drew is still on the bench, hopefully he’ll have another good pre season.

by BIGWalt2990 on Apr 24, 2009 10:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Matty, you think that no one is interested...

but do you really know that? Maybe Detroit has fielded some calls about the pick, but just not enough compensation-wise. Also, it’s probably because it’s a foregone conclusion that Stafford will be in a Lion’s jersey at 4:15pm tomorrow. If Stafford screws this up and Curry is the Lion’s pick, I think you will see all of the behind the scenes interest in Stafford start to show.

I know you are disappointed in the Lion’s decision here, but I think (hope) that you’ll be looking back at this moment in four or five years and say that this was one of the better decisions in many years. Have some faith, my friend.

And yes, I just finished brewing a very large vat of Kool-Aid. Drink up, ya’ll!

by DrewsLions on Apr 24, 2009 8:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

lol

by WBL on Apr 24, 2009 8:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

ESPN Has Just Reported That

Mel Kiper is under the weather, this is devastating if he cant talk tomorrow. Who will i get my worthless draft crap from.

by Curse of Bobby Layne 50 Years Strong on Apr 24, 2009 4:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I don't even plan to turn on ESPN unless

the Lions don’t take Stafford. Then I’ll tune in just to see Kiper’s head explode, over and over, on instant replay. Otherwise, I’ll be on the NFL Network. Much better coverage and no Mad Mel.

I has a blog

"A child of five would understand this. Send someone to fetch a child of five." ~Groucho Marx

by Jettero2112 on Apr 24, 2009 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs

+1

by CLF on Apr 24, 2009 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Seconded

I’m pretty sure Kiper and McShay are functionally retarded.

by AZ Yooper on Apr 24, 2009 4:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’m only planning on watching ESPN if the LIon’s do not trade Stafford first overall, I want see Kipers reaction and then watch to see if Sanchez gets drafted before Stafford, just think that it will be classic, once those two are rafted it will be over to NFL Network for some real coverage of the draft.

by Curse of Bobby Layne 50 Years Strong on Apr 24, 2009 6:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'll be watching NFL Network!

Gotta show my support for my favorite network!

by DrewsLions on Apr 24, 2009 8:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think its just cover

He probably ran out of hair gel.

by WBL on Apr 24, 2009 8:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

No cause his wife does his hair,

by Curse of Bobby Layne 50 Years Strong on Apr 24, 2009 9:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm tired of Chris Berman saying

“the Detroit Lions have seemingly been on the clock since Halloween”…

by Boney on Apr 24, 2009 6:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

and Rachel Nichols with the latest report

“Matthew flew coach, but after this deal is done he should be able to buy his own plane”

stfu you hack…

by Boney on Apr 24, 2009 6:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

oh and...

isn’t Martin Mayhew looking at all these other teams that are jockeying for Mark Sanchez and wondering to himself “gee, maybe this Sanchez kid may be better than haggling over this 2:1 TD/INT ratio guy”

by Boney on Apr 24, 2009 6:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs