Interesting Take on Okung

by giggy09 on Mar 17, 2010 2:31 PM EDT

http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcnorth/post/_/id/10891/have-at-it-okung-for-economic-reasons

It doesn't seem as far fetched as you'd think after looking at all the factors and weighing-in the current economic conditions of the city. We've already upgraded our D-line through free agency, a much cheaper way than by building through the draft (especially with the #2 overall pick).

I'd still like to see the Lions trade down regardless, not necessarily for economic reason, but also for personnel purposes.

Just thought it was an interesting article from a sports business standpoint that sometimes us fans seem to overlook.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pride of Detroit or its writers. FanPosts are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable fans.

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Interesting article

What’s funny, is looking at that chart, DT barely edges out…. that’s right…. SAFETY…. by a half a mil….

Hmmmm

by Nate D. on Mar 17, 2010 2:40 PM EDT reply actions

I definitely noticed that, as well...

Kevin Seifert wrote:

The facts are clear: In the realm of NFL economics, left tackles are far more valuable than defensive tackles.

and added:

Left tackles are paid more because they’re more difficult to find and, in the view of many NFL people, impact the outcome of games more than defensive tackles.

Seifert won’t get any argument from me on his comments. Okung should be the pick.

Check out the Franchise Tag Values by Position here:

by BriansLions on Mar 17, 2010 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions

It is interesting that WR is higher than RB

http://cmufootball.blogspot.com/

by CapitolLions on Mar 17, 2010 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Simple reason to why WR is more the RB

Think if it like this 32 teams, 32 RB and like 80 WR. Plus a WR shelf life is higher then a RB. CJ commands a triple team. Guys like that help a offense that dont show up on paper as much.

by Joey-P on Mar 17, 2010 6:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Ultimately, though

these sorts of arguments ignore the most vital part of drafting.

The choice isn’t OT or DT. It’s Okung or Suh. If the Lions feel that Suh will be a elite, all-pro player and that Okung will be an average LT, then obviously, Suh is he far more valuable player and would be the pick. It’s all about what they think of the players.

by Trysdor on Mar 17, 2010 4:19 PM EDT reply actions

Agreed

And if they think Eric Berry is better than both of them, BPA that fits, then Berry will be the choice. Like Schwartz says, draft the BPA that fits…..draft the PLAYER, the PERSON, not the position. Listen to Schwartz.

It’s funny that safety and DT are about even. Not surprised, though…..I expected that. So not only would a Dt or a safety cost about the same at #2 due to the salary slotting of draft picks, but a DT and a safety would also cost about the same if we had to use the Franchise Tag on one somewhere down the line.

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by GRLion on Mar 17, 2010 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Mostly agree, you have to consider your current level of play at that position as well.

Okung fits to needs, starting LT for years as well as LG via Buckus. I fully agree that Suh is the better player. Its team needs vs BPA.

by Joey-P on Mar 17, 2010 6:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Great point

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by Hyperion Ecta on Mar 17, 2010 7:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Interesting article

by Hyperion Ecta on Mar 17, 2010 7:11 PM EDT reply actions

First round pic

Left tackle has to be the first pic if we stay in the top five.Okung is a top five pick,that means he is not a reach.Would like to see us trade down and maybe still get him.You dont draft BPA,you draft BPA that helps you win!

by rocketman989 on Mar 17, 2010 8:54 PM EDT reply actions

Okung looks to be legit

by coolbreeze42 on Mar 17, 2010 8:56 PM EDT reply actions

Still not sold on Okung

Like I have been saying for months. I want boo the kid if we get him I just think at number 2 we can do better. Berry or Suh on has to be availible.

How do you keep a running back out of your secondary? You put up a LEVY.

by The Profiler on Mar 17, 2010 9:13 PM EDT reply actions

I think it's funny

I remember the first time I suggested taking Okung, I got some pretty severe backlash. Looks like POD’ers are starting to come around to the idea.

by motown313 on Mar 17, 2010 10:36 PM EDT reply actions

+1

I did this post back on March 1st. It’s really interesting to read the comments then (I got lambasted), and the comments now, not even 3 weeks later.

Because of the endless mock drafts and draft boards with Ndamukong Suh at the top, I think many have just simply scoffed at the idea of selecting anyone other than him. I’d expect POD’ers to be smarter than the average Lions fan, and in the least have the capacity to entertain the idea of selecting Okung 2nd overall. In my opinion, he’s the best choice for this team.

by BriansLions on Mar 18, 2010 8:07 AM EDT up reply actions

Still not here motown

Still want Kong/Berry!

How many lumps you want Doc?

by davis0169 on Mar 17, 2010 11:16 PM EDT reply actions

It dont matter, we are going to be picking at 6 or 7 once we trade down.

by Evilsmurf on Mar 18, 2010 4:48 AM EDT reply actions

Hell yeah Evil "papa" Smurf

I think the exact same thing all this chatter about Suh;and Okung is going to be for nothing, since neither of them is going to be there when we draft.

How many lumps you want Doc?

by davis0169 on Mar 18, 2010 12:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Think BERRY

How many lumps you want Doc?

by davis0169 on Mar 18, 2010 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Honolulu Blue-Berry!

by GRLion on Mar 19, 2010 6:20 PM EDT up reply actions

The question is not at the general level but the specific...

…I don’t see Okung being different than any of the ordinary tackles that we can take any draft (honestly, if we don’t take him, he isn’t going to make us regret it, and we can get someone just like him next draft). And I heard the same thoughts before the drafts when we took Aaron Gibson, STockar McDougle, and even Backus himself. This doesn’t mean that just because others failed we should avoid him, just that there are tackles just like him every off season.

Suh, however, is really coming off like the second coming of Warren Sapp, and if we don’t draft him we will regret it, and none of the admittedly good crop of DT coming out this draft are on his level.

If we could trade with Seattle for their 2 first rounders, I’d consider splitting them between a DL and an OL, but that isn’t likely to happen. So the choice is between a once in a lifetime DT or a very, very ordinary OT.

by Mister Gloom on Mar 20, 2010 1:51 PM EDT reply actions