Tuesday Notes: Lions Could Legally Delay Top Pick to Move Down Draft Order

by Sean Yuille on Apr 7, 2009 9:00 AM EDT in Notes Comment 28 comments

If the Lions wanted to, they could purposely not turn in a pick on time to move down in the draft order. There was a column written by SI's Ross Tucker back on April Fool's Day suggesting this exact strategy with the No. 1 pick, but many wondered if the Lions could get away with it. As it turns out, they could legally delay their pick and wouldn't have to pay No. 1 money. That means that if they wanted to draft Matthew Stafford, theoretically they could wait to turn in the pick until after the Chiefs made their selection. Stafford won't be selected by the Rams of Chiefs, so the Lions could wait a couple picks to save some money.

While this strategy certainly would be interesting and smart for saving money, it is highly doubtful that the Lions would employ it on draft day. Aside from the perception that the Lions couldn't even turn in the top pick on time (I doubt most would realize what they Lions were doing), there's the risk of passing up one of the players selected during your delay and having him turn out to be a Pro Bowler or a great player. While picking one player over another and in hindsight wishing you could go back and do a certain draft all over again is a common occurrence, it would be worse to look back and know that you let another team swoop in and pick a Pro Bowler while you were trying to save some money.
Offensive tackle Ephraim Salaam left Detroit without signing a contract. He is thinking over his options and may wait to make a decision until after the draft. That way he can see exactly what each team's situation is, allowing him to pick a team where the chance for playing time exists.
Shortly after Salaam left the Lions, the team re-signed offensive tackle George Foster to a one-year deal. The team also signed center Dylan Gandy to a one-year deal, adding depth to the offensive line at multiple positions. Neither of these two players are starting material, but both provide needed depth. As some of you pointed out, they are more than likely "training camp bodies." They will be around during training camp for depth and practice reasons but probably won't make the team. That is the most likely scenario, so these signings don't seem like a very big deal to me, not that they should.
B.J. Raji's agents released a statement refuting multiple reports that their client tested positive for a drug (reported to be marijuana) at the combine. SI.com and NFL Draft Bible reported that Raji tested positive for a drug, and the latter of the two specified that it was marijuana. NFL Draft Bible is standing by all of its recent stories about players testing positive for marijuana and steroids, so it will definitely be interesting to see who turns out to be telling the truth in this whole situation.
Mocking the Draft has the Lions selecting Jason Smith and Peria Jerry in the first-round of its most recent mock draft.
Jeff Garcia signed with the Raiders to be JaMarcus Russell's backup.
Despite being released by the Ravens on March 18, the team re-signed cornerback Samari Rolle to a four-year deal on Monday.
I want to give myself a pat on the back for winning the Pride of Detroit tournament pool. I tied for first-place with Swish, who had 138 points just like me. I won the tiebreaker, though, as my prediction for the total amount of points scored was only a single point off the actual total.

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Comments

"sliding down"

what would happen if the Lions waited for STL and KC to pick? Would Seattle then be able to pick immediately—would it be a race to the podium to turn in our pick right after the Chiefs? Or would there be a time cushion of some sort?

by n4ry4 on Apr 7, 2009 9:12 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'd just hate for the Lions to botch the draft slide

It would go down in NFL lore right with “0-16” and Dan-O’s “112-yard pass attempt”

by n4ry4 on Apr 7, 2009 9:14 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I would be a race.

I think the whole letting the clock expire is a nice bedtime story, but the Lions would never let that happen. It would be a PR nightmare even if it worked out for them. Plus, look at it from a player perspective. Let’s say they still want Stafford, but they want him at pick #4 instead of #1. That tells him, “look, we like you, but just not enough to pay you for the #1”. Stafford is then a bit peeved and his agent will hold him out, arguing that the Lions held the number one pick and Stafford should be compensated as such. Big mess insues. Bad idea.

by DrewsLions on Apr 7, 2009 9:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

What kinda race would U b?

IT..& they r livin n a PR nightmare. I could c it happen, just cuz they’re cheap & always lookin 4 the next deal, much like the automobiles the owner produces, they try 1 up the consumer w/ low quality, hoping U won’t notice it’s a POC because the price is so high. There’s an old sayin that applies here & it is ‘U can’t polish a turd’ & that seems to b their whole philosophy, from Ford motor 2 the Lions, the just try 2 pass 1 off by givin it a little spit shine.

by LTownDown on Apr 7, 2009 10:46 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

how...

are the lions cheap. Millen was one of the top paid GMs EVER, not to mention the reoccuring theme with the Lions is overpaying players, not underpaying.

by lions_sucker on Apr 7, 2009 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks for catching that...

I would be a slow race.

by DrewsLions on Apr 7, 2009 7:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Terrible Idea.

This has incompetence and stingy written all over it.

Not to mention cowardice. For once I would like the Lions to be positive and clearly show that they have done their homework and are confident in who they are picking and where they are headed.

NO COP OUTS!

by NorthLeft12 on Apr 7, 2009 9:24 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

what if they "do their homework" and the final results say nobody is worth it?

Just because a team works really really hard at scouting doesn’t mean that there is magically a talented player who is worth $35 million guaranteed from the get-go.

If they do their homework and don’t find anybody more likely to succeed that the next guy in the top-5, then logically it makes sense to slide down.

There are a lot of other factors at work (and honestly I don’t think it’s a good idea for other reasons), but I don’t think it’s “stingy” or “incompetent” to not pay somebody what they’re not worth when you can get them cheaper, preserving money for veterans who have actually played in the NFL.

by n4ry4 on Apr 7, 2009 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I stand by my comment.

By waiting it means you don’t really have a plan or direction because your first choice could be gone. So, did you want the QB? Or the OT? Maybe the LB? Who knows, because its obvious that the team passing does not. There is no difference between Stafford and Sanchez? J. Smith and Monroe? Really?

No matter how hard you spin it, the Lions will still look like idiots. Again.

And lets face it. No rookie is worth the amount of money the top ten picks will be getting. Just the fact that this idea is getting any kind of airing shows how badly a rookie salary cap is needed.

by NorthLeft12 on Apr 7, 2009 10:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

totally agree with your last statement

but I’m worried a rookie salary scale will never happen as long as loser teams keep lining up like sheep to overpay at the top of the draft.

by n4ry4 on Apr 7, 2009 10:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

There are four or five guys...

that are worth the first overall pick. Just because there is not that one standout, doesn’t mean no one is worth the pick. The Lions will make a choice… within the alotted time – if not before the draft even starts… just like every team at the top of every draft in the history of the NFL. They just went 0-16, you think Mayhew and Schwartz want to open their careers in Detroit with a trick play. Not a chance.

by DrewsLions on Apr 7, 2009 7:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

In context to the first bullet

If the lions could pull off a move like that I would be proud. It was just be a stubborn move, something I would do myself. Not only would it annoy the NFL world, but it would be hilarious to watch Mel Kiper’s, Todd McShay’s and Roger Goodell’s confusion. I am fairly open to sliding because of the 5 players I would be content drafting 1st overall Raji, Stafford, Smith, Monroe, and Curry. I just hope if the scenario took place, that player would be professional enough to understand the logic behind it. Unlike a player like Jay Cutler. Zinger?

BTW. Nice tournament picks Sean, I’m glad i wasn’t in that pool.

by BtotheLT on Apr 7, 2009 9:58 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'd feel proud too--even though I think it's likely to hurt us

I would feel good on Draft Day if it was my team that said “We’re not playing the agents’ game—screw the agents!” and it eventually led to a fair rookie salary cap.

In reality though, I could see this really hurting the Lions. There will be a lot of fans and people in the media who don’t understand why we’re sliding down.

Suppose Jason Smith goes #1 to STL and Aaron Curry goes #2 to KC and we take Matthew Stafford at #3. Imagine if Stafford busts and Smith and Curry go on to have extremely productive careers, multiple Pro Bowls, etc. Ten years from now, are Lions fans going to think “well good thing we saved like five million dollars way back in ’09!”.

Take Houston in 2002. It sucks that they drafted Car #1 and Julius Peppers became a great DE at #2. It would be a whole lot worse in they eyes Texans fans if they slid down to #2 just to save a little bit of money, let somebody else jump in front and take Peppers for free, and then took Carr.

The system is unfair, but I don’t think sliding down can fix it.

by n4ry4 on Apr 7, 2009 10:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If we did this the point is...

That we want to take Stafford and not Smith or Curry so it wouldn’t matter if we got Stafford at 1 or 3 we would have gotten him either way. Even if Stafford is a bust at 1 and Curry and Smith tear it up and go to pro bowls Lions fans would have the same reaction on picking Stafford over them at 1 than if we waited and took him after them at 3.

I think this idea is brilliant but would it really work? Since St. Louis knows we want Stafford and probably don’t want to pay Jason Smith #1 money would there just be a standstill at the podium?

I think it would be hilarious but it wont happen, its too unprofessional and Stafford would feel disrespected as he should. Lions should just pay up and take him #1, he hasn’t showed anything for the Lions not to. His stock has just gone up since his workouts so just take him Detroit and be happy. We need a QB and he has the gun to get it to Calvin deep as he will for many years to come.

by lionsfan22 on Apr 7, 2009 1:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I would feel proud of the Lions if......

They actually do something on the football field. You know, win some games? Be competitive?

Making asses of themselves in the national spotlight is not my idea of something to be proud of. Why don’t they just boycott the whole draft? Yeah, that will show them! Who? Who knows? Who cares?

by NorthLeft12 on Apr 7, 2009 2:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I've been agreeing with you a lot lately North

You are beating me to the comments.

With the Lions, it’s always like when your in-laws open their mouths in public… you just cringe and hope they don’t do or say anything stupid. I’d like to get past the point of being embarrassed and starting nearing a little respectibility.

by DrewsLions on Apr 7, 2009 7:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree, but I hope my wife does not see this comment.

Good one Drew.

by NorthLeft12 on Apr 8, 2009 6:06 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm hoping we have someone signed before the draft

So I hope that ‘sliding down’ won’t be an option.

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

by Hyperion Ecta on Apr 7, 2009 10:07 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I could not agree more

It’s time for the Lions to put on the big boy pants. Who ever they pick will expect number one money regardless of the shenanigans they try to pull. The most important thing is that they have the top pick signed before the draft. NO HOLDOUTS. That’s Oakland Raiders football!

by tigerfaninChicago on Apr 7, 2009 11:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think they will

They have said as much on several occasions that they would like to have the pick signed and that makes a lot of sense. The last thing they need is a lengthy holdout. Get the guy in there on day one.

by DrewsLions on Apr 7, 2009 7:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

This doesn't make any sense

cuz even if you do move down, the guy’s gonna hold out in order to get #1 pick money, even tho he wasn’t really selected “#1”

And if the hold out lasts too long……….

by FreeBradshaw on Apr 7, 2009 10:32 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

You are right FB.

In the end you end up with a pissed off #1 to #4 draft pick. PERFECT!

by NorthLeft12 on Apr 7, 2009 10:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't think it's a foregone conclusion

that this has to happen. If a guy was just passed up by two or three NFL teams who had the chance to take him and chose not to, how can he argue that he is the top pick?

“No kid, you’re not the top pick, two teams could have had you, and they passed. You’re the #3 overall pick, sorry.”

by n4ry4 on Apr 7, 2009 10:38 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It happened

the with the team that did this, aka the Vikings. McKinnie was one and Im pretty sure Kevin Williams was the other. They were both select at around the 10th pick, but Minnesota was the 7th pick and these guys held out a bit cuz they wanted more than the guys that “went ahead” of them.

I don’t think they got their money, but they held out. Especially if the guy you choose is a Rosenhaus client, you can bet its a foregone conclusion. This is the way agents think. And Id be scared if this happend. It may make economic sense to save a few million now, but your increasing your chances the guy’s gonna holdout and then suck.

by FreeBradshaw on Apr 7, 2009 11:35 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Thanks Sean

For stealing the thunder on my Fanshot nine hours after the fact. Actually that’s cool. This way they’re are more comments on it.

by James L on Apr 7, 2009 11:51 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Lol

Just because it’s a FanShot doesn’t mean I’m not going to talk about it.

Pride of Detroit, SB Nation's Lions Blog

by Sean Yuille on Apr 7, 2009 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Lions

have said that they want to have the #1 pick signed by the draft. Whether that happens or not remains to be seen. Still, I think they are genuine in wanting to get a contract in place. I still don’t know if they plan on making it public knowledge before draft day. It seems as though there has been a hushed atmosphere about who they’re negotiating with. It makes me wonder if they’ve asked the potential picks and their agents to keep a lid on it as well. Have any of you guys found news that talks about who, exactly, the Lions are negotiating with? You’d think that some agent would’ve had a slip of the tongue by now.

by James L on Apr 7, 2009 12:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

My last comment on this subject.

Since when did people identify more with NFL owners and management? Seems to me like the players are more like us, working joes who through their own hard work and talent have an opportunity to make a lot of money for awhile [five to seven years or so?] playing a game they love and potentially getting crippled in the process.

I’m sure most owners/managers think their employees are overpaid, whether they are accountants, engineers, autoworkers, carpenters, welders, salesmen,…. and would love to pay them half of what they now earn.

But I guess a lot of us here can identify with someone who was born into a billionaire family and gets to run an NFL franchise to keep him out of trouble.

by NorthLeft12 on Apr 7, 2009 2:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs