Jim Schwartz Really Likes Jahvid Best

by Sean Yuille on Apr 26, 2010 10:29 AM EDT in Detroit Lions News

When the Lions traded back into the first round for Jahvid Best on Thursday, most of us were wondering why a move was necessary. After all, there were only four teams picking until the Lions were set to go back on the clock, and none of them had a need at running back. This led to the conclusion that there's always the possibility of another team trading up and stealing your pick, which probably was one of the biggest factors in this decision.

After hearing Jim Schwartz talk about Best, I think it's pretty obvious that the trade happened because the Lions had the former Cal running back rated so highly. Other factors undoubtedly played into the move, but my thinking is that the Lions decided that if Best was available at a certain point, they were going to trade up and not wait until Friday night to draft him. If you don't believe me, just look at this quote.

Best was the only other player in the draft Detroit’s brass regarded as an elite runner, and I knew Schwartz wanted him badly. In January, he’d confided to me that he coveted the dynamic breakaway threat to a degree that some might find unhealthy.

"Some people watch adult videos on their computer," Schwartz had told me. "I go to YouTube and watch Jahvid Best highlight clips. That’s what gets me aroused."

He was exaggerating for effect – I think.

Not there there's anything wrong with that...

Jokes aside, if you're still wondering about the trade and why it was necessary, sometimes teams just rate players highly enough that a trade like this happens to ensure they don't miss out on him. Sure, it's highly possible Best would have just fallen to the Lions at No. 34, but considering it sounds like Best was the best player available on Detroit's board that early on, I think they just didn't want to wait and take a chance. Besides, at the end of the day all the Lions lost to make sure they got Best were 28 spots in the fourth round and a seventh-round pick. Yes, you can find some great players in the seventh round and perhaps the Lions missed out on someone by moving down in the fourth, but I think if you ask Jim Schwartz, he will tell you it was worth it now that Best is on his team.

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lolol

was listening to 97.1 this morning and they asked Schwartz about that quote.

"Football isn't a contact sport, it's a collision sport. Dancing is a contact sport."
--Duffy Daugherty

by GhostManOnThird on Apr 26, 2010 10:40 AM EDT reply actions

What did he say?

“Don’t judge me”

Pride of Detroit, SB Nation's Lions Blog

by Sean Yuille on Apr 26, 2010 10:44 AM EDT up reply actions

Lollll .. I like our coach more and more .. He wanted something bad and he went ahead and got it … need that passion

by Libran on Apr 26, 2010 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions

He said

he was mis-quoted, and did not use the word “arouse”, but he instead used excited,etc.

by severs28 on Apr 26, 2010 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions

Lol that makes more sense

Pride of Detroit, SB Nation's Lions Blog

by Sean Yuille on Apr 26, 2010 11:01 AM EDT up reply actions

“My wife came home from work early and caught me in a, um, compromising position watching Jahvid Best videos, and now we’re seeing a counselor…”

Hey that's a timeout, I can play right? yeah, get me--get the F-- Help me up...I can throw the ball if you need me to throw the ball...

by n4ry4 on Apr 26, 2010 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions

1st step is addmeting you have a problem

by det32 on Apr 26, 2010 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions

Back in collgee we only had one tv and one VCR (yes VCR)

I came home one day to my roommate with his pants down and lotion by his side watching ESPN. I was a bit worried.

Later he told me he heard someone coming and he had time to either pull up his pants or turn the channel. So he turned of the porn and ESPN was what was on last. I have to say, that must have been some pretty dirty porn for you to want people to think you masturbate to ESPN instead.

by ATL Lion on Apr 26, 2010 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

HAHAHAHA

by SLPtransam on Apr 26, 2010 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions

WAIT!!!!

I hear someone coming right now. Oh it’s me!!!!!!!!!………………………………………………….

by dylan415 on Apr 26, 2010 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions

zing

by det32 on Apr 26, 2010 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Nice

I see what you did there

by ATL Lion on Apr 26, 2010 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions

LMAO!!

Oh the humility!

Oh you didn't know?? You're ass better CALLLLLLLL SOMEBODY!!!!!

by KDawg on Apr 26, 2010 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions

That's a funny story...

"Zack Follett: he will hurt your mind." - Pride Leader, Sean Yuille, wielder of the Ban Hammer.
2010 Wests Tigers : Current record - 4-2 : Current Position - 7th : Last game - Defeated by Canterbury Bulldogs 24 - 4

by Hyperion Ecta on Apr 26, 2010 7:15 PM EDT up reply actions

can’t wait to see the BEST player next to CJ on the field…. excitement awaits us all…. GO LIONS… two exciting threats … plus two TEs that can play. A year ago we did not have a scare factor…locks CJ, BEST, Scheffler, TBD Burleson, Stafford

GO LIONS in 2010! the transformation starts now.. they have much to do.

by DINORDO on Apr 26, 2010 11:25 AM EDT reply actions

well

I would love the next CJ24K but…lets be realistic…no one will be that.

I would be happy with our version of Ahmad Bradshaw or Felix Jones…for now at least.

http://cmufootball.blogspot.com/

by CapitolLions on Apr 26, 2010 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions

I think it is really hard to say...

For one thing, it is a fact that Jahvid Best is not quite as fast as Chris Johnson. However, I would also say it is a fact that Chris Johnson is not as agile or elusive as Jahvid Best. Where Chris Johnson relies heavily on his blazing speed alone, to outrun tacklers and make big plays, Jahvid Best can make people miss with amazing cuts and agility…and after they miss, he has the speed to take it to the house every time he breaks free. I think it will be rare to see Jahvid Best caught from behind, unlike one very special Hall of Fame running back who once wore our colors and won our hearts. Barry Sanders was amazing. He could turn a loss into a gain, better than anyone who has ever put on shoulder pads and a uniform in the NFL. However if you will recall, Barry did not possess breakaway speed. While he had many long runs in his career, how many of those runs were stopped short of paydirt because he did not have elite speed? That is something Jahvid Best has over Barry…he is a true homerun threat on every play.

Does Best have the agility and vision of Barry Sanders? I doubt that anyone will EVER match up to Barry ever again in those categories, but I truly believe that Jahvid Best has SOME of that ability, and he definitely has elite speed. Jahvid Best is not the next Barry Sanders, and he is not the next Chris Johnson. They are not the same people. Jahvid Best is Jahvid Best, and nobody else can be Jahvid Best either. I look forward to seeing Jahvid Best play, because I feel that he is the closest thing to Barry Sanders that we will see since Barry retired, AND he is the closest thing to Chris Johnson that has come to the league since CJ24K was drafted. If you take the best of both worlds, you have a back with a lot of the same ability as Barry Sanders, who also possesses speed akin to Chris Johnson. All I can say is look out, this kid is going to be special.

Oh you didn't know?? You're ass better CALLLLLLLL SOMEBODY!!!!!

by KDawg on Apr 26, 2010 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions

I think he has that potential

but as far as this year goes….6-700 total yards from scrimage and 6-7 TD would be well worth the pick…

http://cmufootball.blogspot.com/

by CapitolLions on Apr 26, 2010 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions

I would be happy with that

I’m hoping we do a 2-3 running back committee next year. And not just the occasional carry from Kevin Smith, but more like split the carries 50-50. 6-700 yards from scrimmage from both Best and K-Smooth would be great

by Kalzilla on Apr 26, 2010 5:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Good stuff KDawg

Best Does have blazing speed. 4.22/40 prepping for the combine. According to Jim Schwartz, CJ24K actually weighs 181 lbs., and give him his props, he’s tough too. Best weighs 199, big enough to run over some corners if they get position on him. That’s almost 20 lbs. of muscle, a huge difference for a RB that fast. And Beloved Barry weighed in at 208 for his career. It’s gonna be fun again.

by dylan415 on Apr 26, 2010 6:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Brilliantly said

by Hyperion Ecta on Apr 26, 2010 7:16 PM EDT up reply actions

+1

by Mango26 on Apr 26, 2010 7:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Gotta give the Lions FO credit for keeping this as quiet as they did.

Yeah, I know some people think they had it figured out, but really, I think they were just guessing.

This should let us know how seriously to take the “information” that the Lions give out regarding their draft intentions.

by NorthLeft12 on Apr 26, 2010 11:32 AM EDT reply actions

I can just imagine

Schwartz sitting there watching Best with a hard on.. Come to think of it that kind of arouses me

by ImPuLsE on Apr 26, 2010 11:33 AM EDT reply actions

i'll get aroused

just see 8-8 or better…. the the Lions SERIOUSLY scaring the NFC…. it’s gonna happen folks!

GO LIONS in 2010! the transformation starts now.. they have much to do.

by DINORDO on Apr 26, 2010 11:37 AM EDT reply actions

SUH

Alone scares the NFC

by ImPuLsE on Apr 26, 2010 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions

I know he does

Have you read the comments on the other POD blogs about him LOL

http://cmufootball.blogspot.com/

by CapitolLions on Apr 26, 2010 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions

I'll be happy if they win one division game.

October 28th against Chicago was the last time that happened.

My two favorite teams are the Tigers and Brewers. Drunk tigers. That sounds about right.
Me in 140 characters

by ReichardZ on Apr 26, 2010 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions

2007

Forgot to put that in there and it makes my whole argument.

My two favorite teams are the Tigers and Brewers. Drunk tigers. That sounds about right.
Me in 140 characters

by ReichardZ on Apr 26, 2010 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions

This is a

good one, shows flashes of a great RB we had at one time, making something out of nothing. Doesn’t look like he JB had a good O-line either.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FpQFBJTZB0

by Rick Chaffee on Apr 26, 2010 1:16 PM EDT reply actions

He did have Alex Mack until this past year

the top interior O-Lineman in the entire 2009 draft.

Hey that's a timeout, I can play right? yeah, get me--get the F-- Help me up...I can throw the ball if you need me to throw the ball...

by n4ry4 on Apr 26, 2010 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Best

He could some great things if we make sure to get him the ball in space and leave the dive plays to our other backs.

Light a man a fire, he'll stay warm for a day.
Light a man afire, he'll be warm for the rest of his life.

by Seer on Apr 26, 2010 2:31 PM EDT reply actions

One more thing to consider

I think that it should be noted that Kyle Wilson was taken with the 29th pick also. As far as I know, Schwartz and the front office really liked Wilson, and my assumption is that they would have kept the 34th pick as long as they were assured the opportunity to draft either Best or Wilson. But once Wilson was picked, they wanted to make absolutely sure that they were able to get their hands on one of the two. Just a thought, but it seems valid.

by sthelen_45 on Apr 26, 2010 4:35 PM EDT reply actions

+1

I absolutely agree with that logic.

Oh you didn't know?? You're ass better CALLLLLLLL SOMEBODY!!!!!

by KDawg on Apr 26, 2010 9:11 PM EDT up reply actions

I read that quote in that article ATL Lion put up in the FanPosts...

Sorta frightened me a bit. I gotta say, after reading that piece, I decided to watch some Best highlights on YouTube, and while I didn’t feel the same feelings as Schwartz did, I definitely was hugely impressed.

by Hyperion Ecta on Apr 26, 2010 7:21 PM EDT reply actions