Lions Notes: Detroit Reportedly 'Really Likes' Da'Quan Bowers
by Sean Yuille on Apr 13, 2011 4:18 AM EDT
in Detroit Lions Notes
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Print- In his Monday Morning QB article this week, SI's Peter King reported the following: "Detroit really likes Da'Quan Bowers, bad knee and all, and could take him at 13." Since then there has been an array of conflicting reports about how Bowers' recent medical recheck in Indianapolis went. Some reports indicate that his knee problems are overblown, whereas others make it sound like he isn't worth gambling a first-round pick.
If the Lions are truly interested in Bowers, I'd bet on them hosting him for a visit in the days leading up to the draft to take another look at his knee. Whether or not we would actually hear about the visit I'm not so sure. - Nate Burleson stopped by the NFL Network studios last week. While there he posted for a photo to show off his mohawk and was interviewed. He also poked some fun at Rich Eisen, who had Burleson's mohawk imposed on his head in a funny segment.
- Speaking of Eisen, he recently said that the 2011 NFL schedule will be released before the draft.
- Even if the NFL lockout comes to a halt in the near future, don't expect the Lions to go out on a spending spree in free agency.
- UCLA safety Rahim Moore said that he enjoyed talking with Jim Schwartz so much that he didn't want to leave his meeting with the Lions. (via lions44)
- Scouts Inc.'s Matt Williamson said in his "soon to be stars" series that he thinks Sammie Hill could have a breakout season in 2011.
- In a study of the last five years of NFL drafts the Lions are rated 19th in the league. Their worst pick during the last five years is considered to be Ikaika Alama-Francis.
- Because of the lockout, Stefan Logan, like many players, is cutting back on his spending.
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I'm really
glad we got Nate last year he is such a good player and a good locker room guy. I hope sammie lee does have a break out year he is a good rotational player for us. I really hope for some reason rahim moore drops or we find a way to get him for a good deal. Thanks for the post sean.
Yeah I cant stop thinking about that quote
There’s just something to be said about a player that wants to work his tail off for you. Bring on Rahim!
by Home in Cleveland, Heart in Detroit on Apr 13, 2011 9:05 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
To be honest.
I don’t want a safety, I think we’re all set for this season at safety, and I think dropping a pick on another young safety would be a waste.
That said, I’m paradoxically popping a semi over the thought of Moore-Delmas over the top.
Question is what would help more.
A young safety or a young Corner?
"My perception, sort of going back, looking at the Lions from the outside in, was the Lions would always change courses and overreact. To be at the point now where we were competitive in every game ... We need to stay on that track. We don't need to change course." - Jim Schwartz
A young corner.
We already have depth at safety, our locked-in starter, and a rookie-veteran tandem competing for the other safety spot.
At corner we have a bunch of question marks. Just flagrant, glaring question marks.
Depends
On who we are comparing. PP vs Moore probably Peterson. Moore vs Williams probably Moore. We have plenty of young corners. Just none that are top corners yet. Depends on the defensive scheme used during a play too. And the offense we face.
by Home in Cleveland, Heart in Detroit on Apr 13, 2011 9:45 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Well if you are considering Safety for the Lions this year think about this
Aaron Williams is actually the best safety in the draft and if one goes in round 1 it would be him. I like his skill set, he would be a roamer type and a nice compliment to Delmas back there. He has the ability to cover a slot guy and he has the body type to hold up at the position. He will be solid, much like Delmas, a nice well rounded safety, but he is not a ball hawk.
If you want a ball hawk you then come to Rahim Moore, who in my opinion would compliment Delmas even better than Williams. Moor is a cover safety and he will definitely make plays on the ball back there. He will free Delmas up to play up closer to the line and blitz more. I expect him to last until the 2nd round but go early in the 2nd.
If the Lions opt to go for Bruce Carter in the 2nd round, do not despair. There is another corner safety hybrid out there by the name of Marcus Gilchrist that has a very similar game to Rahim Moore. He should be there in the 3rd or 4th, possibly even the 5th round.
So there are options out there and they don’t necessarily have to be first round picks.
Now with all of this safety talk I feel the need to point out how much of an impact guys like Bob Sanders (when healthy), Troy Polamalu, and Ed Reed have had on their defense. All three of those players were pivotal in players in dominant defenses that won super bowls. In fact, all three of those players happened to compliment an elite front unit with average corner backs to form dominant defenses. In the case of the Ravens and Steelers it is an elite line backer corps they play behind, in the case of the Colts it was an elite pass rush with Freeney and Mathis.
But either way you cut it, I think the impact of a game changing safety on a defense is just as much and possibly more than a shutdown corner. Now when you factor in the ability to get a game changing safety in the 2nd round it really makes you think. Bruce Carter or Rahim Moore eh? Well there is always the hope that we get an additional 2nd round pick by trading down, or we could just go for Gilchrist in the 3rd or 4th. And we should not forget about Ahmad Black either, since we are talking play maker and ball hawk here that guy has it written all over him.
I can think of lots of scenarios where we take Rahim Moore, but almost every one of them involves a trade down from 13.
Ndamukong Suh - Bringing 50's football back to Motown!
I find a problem with Gilchrist in the 3rd
Because we did that with Amiri last year. Why do it again?
I'm glad they made Flintstone's vitamins because I used to watch The Flintstones and go, "Man I bet you if I ate that dude, I would be healthy."
Agreed.
IF we’re adding more young safeties, they better be a damn stud.
by Mavyrk on Apr 13, 2011 1:09 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
As much as I like the idea of a stud safety think there are more pressing needs
Mainly at CB, C, and LB and when you get to looking at a draft that goes Harris, Carter, Moffitt, which would be just about ideal for me, there is not going to be much left at safety to work with. Hell I think WR might be more of a need than LB even, so I could even see a draft of Harris, Hankerson, Moffitt working out well for us.
So when I get to the 4th round I am left with whatever those two scenarios do not cover as a bigger need than S. Picking up Coleman gave us a solid starter and insurance in case Amari Spievey takes a step backwards. Most likely the roster bump would be Randy Phillips and I am not sure that you gain a whole lot by getting another guy who would be in a dogfight with Coleman and Spievey for that 2nd safety spot. At least not when you compare it to getting a guy who will replace Raiola in a year, or replace Bryant Johnson immidiately.
So I guess I see our needs as CB, C, WR, LB, however I think the talent in the draft is short at CB and LB compared to C and WR. So we should see a CB and LB in the first two rounds, and a WR and C in rounds 3 and 4, that is if positional need along with depth of players in the draft factors in with Mayhew and Schwartz at all. Heck I even see RB as a bigger need than S. So when it comes to the 5th round, if a guy like DeMarco Murray happens to slide I would definitely opt for him over a safety.
When I look at the big picture, I just will be shocked if we take a safety. If we do, it will be a sign to me that Spievey is heading back to corner back.
Ndamukong Suh - Bringing 50's football back to Motown!
I guess I should say that in the case of a guy like Rahim Moor slides into the 3rd or 4th then the value of the pick might outweigh positional need.
I just don’t see that happening though, there are teams like the Rams and Jets who have a fairly significant safety need and I think they will jump all over a guy like Rahim Moore in the 2nd.
Ndamukong Suh - Bringing 50's football back to Motown!
I myself think Bowers would be worth the risk in any other draft...not this one
In my humble opinion you can get a Aldon Smith(who i think will end up being the best edge rusher in thsi draft) ..then turn around and draft a Ras-I Dowling MAYBE Harris in the 2nd…then a Guard…. From that point on i would likely want BPA in the last 3 picks…trying hard to fill needs and passing on BPA can back fire…IE our attempt at getting a return man in the 7th last year.
I think we have good depth at safety.
I was against drafting a safety until the Moore quote quite honestly. The more I think about it, safeties do help in run and pass support which we could always upgrade. When we talk about the back seven, most of our focus is on LB and CB with very little about safety. Like you said, the thought of Delmas and Moore back there sounds great and could give us the best safety duo in the league.
by Home in Cleveland, Heart in Detroit on Apr 13, 2011 9:38 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Bowers aced his combine recheck
They didn’t even do an MRI or X-Ray because the tests before were so positive. I think he’s fine.
That's what his agent claims
I don’t believe him or the “the end is nigh” type reports about Bowers.
Pride of Detroit, for Lions fans | SB Nation Detroit, for Detroit-area sports fans
by Sean Yuille on Apr 13, 2011 10:29 AM EDT up reply actions
The conflict on this stuff is crazy
His agent says all is good, which he has a vested interest in saying.
Charlie Casserly of NFL Network went on record quoting inside league sources and specifically sighted swelling, arthritis, possible future surgery, limited practice reps, and the likelihood of a shortened career.
Then you have Dr. James Andrews saying that his knee is fine and that he should be able to play at full speed this year.
It is hard to decipher what is smoke screen and what is not, I am just going to have to put trust into the front office that they do their homework if we end up picking him.
Personally I don’t have enough information to make a decision on him. At one time this guy was talked about as the number one overall pick, and now, just because of the fear of what might be, he is very likely to fall into the Lions lap at 13. So my head says he is worth the shot at 13 if the medical checks, but my heart is cringing inside and fearing the worst. I am hoping that he goes before 13 so that we don’t have to make the choice. Not only because of my personal anxiety about it, but more so because I am kind of rooting for the guy now.
Ndamukong Suh - Bringing 50's football back to Motown!
Bowers is a stud in NCAA 2011...
Just like to throw the ole’ video game prospective in there…
But then again, so it Noel Devine… and he may not even get drafted lol.
All men are created equal. Its just that some men are more equal than others....
I dont like the Bowers idea..
too risky for me, esp when its not a huge area of need. Prince, Jones, Costanzo, trade down, Ingram…thats just me
Ingram has just about as many concerns about his knee as Bowers, and Tyron Smith now has a red flag on his knee too.
Honestly I would rather have Ryan Williams or Mikel Leshoure if I was picking a back high this year. Actually Leshoure is my fave for a high pick, not that I want that. I would much rather the Lions take Da’Rell Scott in the 5th, 7th, or hell maybe even as a UDFA.
Ndamukong Suh - Bringing 50's football back to Motown!
Ingram would be my 5th option..
just more of a need at rb then at de. But I also would rather take one in a later round obviously
by CR on Apr 13, 2011 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions
just going on what I have heard on NFL net
Some teams won’t take Bowers in the 1st round. He has showed signs of arthritis in his knee now and could need more surgerys in the future. This all come about after the health rechecks in indy. Red Flags with him are not unwarranted by any means. Sure he can be a great player my concern is how long. If his knee gives out before the end of a rookie contract was it worth it? If he constantly misses games and can’t practice was the 13th pick to high. I’m not Pro or Anti Bowers but the pick does scare me. I believe Mayhew and Schwartz will make the right call at the end of the day.
"Show me someone with an offseason and I'll show you someone in last place"- Ndamukong Suh ( All Pro, Pro Bowl, Pepsi Rookie of the year, AP defensive rookie of the year, Sporting news rookie of the year)
PCP 4 LIFE
by The Profiler on Apr 13, 2011 10:53 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
What a steal Sammie Lee Hill
was in the 4th round of the draft two years ago. Football Outsiders actually had him as the most effective DT on our team last year, not Suh or C. Williams.
on a per snap basis
He probably was, to be honest. Doesn’t mean much, though.
by Mavyrk on Apr 13, 2011 11:18 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Bowers vs Akumura
Imagine if we had our choice of these at 13…
If it is Bowers vs the cavalcade of OTs people have us drafting at 13, I go Bowers without blinking.
I would be pretty pissed if we passed on Amukamara to take Bowers
All I can say is that if they do that, they better be damn sure Bowers is going to be 100% for at least 2 pro contracts.
Ndamukong Suh - Bringing 50's football back to Motown!
+1
"Show me someone with an offseason and I'll show you someone in last place"- Ndamukong Suh ( All Pro, Pro Bowl, Pepsi Rookie of the year, AP defensive rookie of the year, Sporting news rookie of the year)
PCP 4 LIFE
by The Profiler on Apr 13, 2011 8:09 PM EDT up reply actions
on the last episode of Game Changers
the hinted to Prince about ball location and how important that is as a corner. Many just grade him so high by default with very little skill set evaluation….doesn’t grade as a top 10 talent in terms coverage..not even close…..decent…but not top 10.
I would not take a risk with Bowers in this draft because there are so many other options….if you want to pick a guy based on college stats then Bowers is your man…if you want to pick a based on skill sets then Aldon Smith is your man. Impact wise a dominate edge rusher can not be passed on…sacks…sack/caused fumbles…change of field position…disrupting the offence. This can allow a Edge rusher can fook up all the plans and ideas you worked on all week as a offence.
Jimmy Smith meets the value and the skill set and could be a surprize pick IF the FO determines he isn’t a Kenny Britt.
Hard to justify Brandon Harris…drafting a top 15 short and slow corner is a facepalmer
Drafting a offensive tackle would not be a terrible idea…if there was a high enough rated prospect in this draft (most can’t even agree on who is the best tackle)
J.Jones fit the most value…but would he fit the most impact?
Trading down would be the single most important move the Lions could make…safest pick to me is Aldon Smith….homerun pick Jimmy Smith
Odd I watched that episode of Gamechangers and walked away nothing but impressed with Prince Amukamara
While he is not the best all around corner, he is amazing in press coverage, and to be honest, Patrick Peterson is a press only corner as well. Julio Jones drank Patrick Peterson’s milkshake all day long when he tried to play him off coverage. Click here for milkshake reference.
As for Brandon Harris
Height: 5’10"
Weight:191 lbs.
Arm Length: 30 5/8 in.
Hand Size: 8 1/2 in.
40 Yard Time: 4.43
Exactly how is that small and slow? Are you sure that your not thinking of Kendric Burney? Because that is pretty average size for a corner in the NFL, and 4.43 is pretty damn decent speed, not to mention he has the best footwork and hips of any of the top 5 corners in the draft.
Maybe you missed this article the first time it came around….
http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2011/2/19/2003133/mike-mayock-lions-should-draft-prince-amukamara-if-they-can
Before you pass judgement you should get to know a player. Here is Brandon Harris, the person.
Now here is your boy Jimmy Smith.
I don’t know about you, but just watching these guys in the interviews makes me like Brandon Harris and brings up a shit ton of red flags with Jimmy Smith. Where Harris comes off as dedicated, hard working, humble, and appreciative, Smith comes off as cocky, a joker, possibly a head case, and probably some emotional issues, such as low self esteem. “I never pictured myself as being here?” What the heck was all of that all about? Keep in mind as well that not only did Jimmy Smith have some minor run ins with the law early on, but he also has failed four, yes that is right four, drug tests. he also is a self proclaimed “shutdown corner” and has already fired one agent before the combine even happened.
Martin Mayhew has come out and talked up Jimmy Smith a bit, but I am thoroughly convinced that was a smoke screen and I would not be surprised to see the Lions end up with Ras-I Dowling either. I dunno man, Brandon Harris might not be the most talented corner out there, and Jimmy Smith might have him beat on god given ability, but I would take Harris over him all day long. Let Smith go to the Jets or Bengals I say, he would be a perfect fit to be on an asshole filled roster like those. No thanks man, I pass on Pacman 2.0. I just hope Schwartz learned his lesson the first time around.
Ndamukong Suh - Bringing 50's football back to Motown!
One more thing on Harris being small and slow
DARRELLE REVIS MEASURABLES
Height: 5-11
Weight: 196
40-yard dash: 4.38
Ndamukong Suh - Bringing 50's football back to Motown!
by Evilsmurf on Apr 13, 2011 6:54 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Facinating point about the Team ratings of last 5 Drafts
We have so many of the worst draftees of other teams .. Turk McBride, Lawrence Jackson and Bobby Carpenter .. even one among worst mention (Phonz) .. and we have been able to get something out of them … 4 guys …
Good Job MM and JS .. and the OC/DC
amiri?
does anyone no for sure that he wont be moved back to corner as he developes?
Initial plans look to have Spievey as a safety
Lions head coach Jim Schwartz said that Coleman was brought in to compete for a starting job with Amari Spievey.
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2011/02/detroit_lions_erik_coleman_wil.html
“[Coleman] physically fits what we’re looking for, size-wise and things like that,” Schwartz said. "He also has starting experience. Amari Spievey needs to develop for us. He did some things very, very well as a rookie. Other things, he played like a rookie. He has big development ahead of him, but it helps tremendously that when you have Erik — who is still young, fits the job description, has starting experience.
http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/37800/combine11-coleman-gives-lions-flexibility
Ndamukong Suh - Bringing 50's football back to Motown!
I'm not big on Bowers, so this report concerns me a little
I hope they do some thorough checks on him.
RIP Robyn Bailey 1961 - 2010. I love you mum.
I'm not big on Bowers, so this report concerns me a little
I hope they do some thorough checks on him.
RIP Robyn Bailey 1961 - 2010. I love you mum.
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