The Lions Best Draft Year
by Budro2010 on Apr 19, 2011 9:08 AM EDT
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Considering the track record Mr. Millen had for the better part of the decade, virtually any draft would seem better than the ones we had. I read through Sean's list again this morning and I don't know how many times I read somebody in the bottom half and said "Oh yeah! I remember him." What so many people don't realize outside of Detroit is that it wasn't so much as to how many times Millen screwed up the 1st round pick; but its the rest of the draft where he drafted very questionable players at very questionable times.
It's no secret that the last two years under Mayhew, we have actually drafted very well. Has it just seemed that good because Millens were so bad? Or did it seem that good because they were THAT GOOD.
This morning I thought to myself, when was the best draft we've had? Now before anything; I think it's safe to assume that most of us were born after 1980 so just for the sake of a good argument, please don't come in with crap from the 1950's or something. Nobody was alive so nobody remembers.
My first thought this morning was 1995. In that draft we managed to snag Luther Ellis, David Sloan, Corey Schlesinger, and Stephen Boyd. For those of us who can remember back to the good ol' 90's with Wayne Fontes and then Bobby Ross, in this draft were some of the all time fan favorites of the Lions. Luther had a pretty good 5+ years with us including a Pro Bowl appearance(I know he was with us longer but he was injured quite bit after Millen came in so I'm just guessing) and he David Sloan was a solid tight end, huge and made some big plays. Corey was basically our version of Mike Alstott and I don't think we'll ever be able to replace him. Boyd was an enforcer at MLB; that guy could flat out play and hit. If he would have stayed healthy, he would have been right up in the Chris Spielman class.
As much as I loved that draft class, I have something more recent in mind.
I have to say that 2009 was the best drafts the Lions had ever had. This is when we brought in Stafford, Pettigrew, Delmas, Levy, Sammy Hill and Zack Follett. Zach might not have been the best starting LB we had but I would say he definitely panned out in a lot of useful ways for being are second to last 7th round pick! Remember how we actually had 4 picks in the 7th round that year! Obviously the verdict is still out on Stafford because of injuries. Pettigrew, despite his drops has actually turned into a very useful TE for us and might just be a breakout this year. Delmas has been solid since day 1 but obviously it's overshadowed by the lack of talent in our secondary. Levy was a pleasent surprise his rookie year and last year (when healthy) had some good games and could probably do better with an established SAM and WILL next to him. Sammie Hill is probably my favorite pick out of that draft. He was fairly decent his rookie year and was basically starting because he actually was better than anybody we had on the DL... that wasn't saying much that year. But this past year is what was crazy... all I kept reading about was how Hill showed up to camp and was an absolute animal and the coaches could tell after 2 minutes that he put in some serious work in the off season. Hill is an example of one of those players who won't make an immediate impact but has an A grade for potential. The only disappointment out of that draft is Derrick Williams. I swear nobody has good luck drafting players out of Penn State!
I know there were probably others that could make an argument but I'm looking at the BEST COMPLETE DRAFT and 2009 was successfull all the way down to the 7th round. With 9 total picks, 6 of them ended up being starters.
Anyone got anything better?
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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1967 (Sorry, I know I look young but I was born before 1980. Shhhh...)
Mel farr – offensive rookie of the year, 2 time pro bowler, 1 time all-pro
Lem Barney – defensive rookie of the year, 7 time pro bowler, 7 time all-pro, Hall of Fame
* Farr and Barney also sang back up vocals on Marvin Gaye’s “Whats goin on”
Paul Naumauff – Pro bowl linebacker
Mike Weger – All pro Safety
It's pronounced "en-DOM-ah-ken", but you can call me Kenny.
"The Detroit Disassembly Line" - Bring Your Hard Hat!!
by TheMiniBarAtTheStaffordArms on Apr 19, 2011 9:56 AM EDT reply actions
Ha! Mel Farr Superstar!
The sad part is I didn’t even know he was a former Lions RB until I was probably 9 or 10. I grew up watching him doing those car commercials for his lot in Pontiac.
This is the draft...
that I was thinking of as I read the restriction placed on drafts after 1980. I feel that you cannot put on limits like that because success can speak for itself. I would challenge anybody to find another draft were the Lions got four Pro Bowl players with one of them going to the Hall of Fame.
And a Gold Record
For those of you born after 1980, a record was a flat, grooved piece of vinyl that had music on it. You may be able to find pictures of one on your interweb.
It's pronounced "en-DOM-ah-ken", but you can call me Kenny.
"The Detroit Disassembly Line" - Bring Your Hard Hat!!
by TheMiniBarAtTheStaffordArms on Apr 19, 2011 6:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Record???
You mean like this?
P.C.P. supporter since March 2011
I am the GM of a millenesque 29 % approval rating for taking Patrick Peterson 1st overall as Carolina in the 2011 POD community mock.
2010 Fantay Football Champion of yahoo 20 team Pride of Detroit Fantasy league with a record of 16-0!! Thank you Arian Foster.
I know right
P.C.P. supporter since March 2011
I am the GM of a millenesque 29 % approval rating for taking Patrick Peterson 1st overall as Carolina in the 2011 POD community mock.
2010 Fantay Football Champion of yahoo 20 team Pride of Detroit Fantasy league with a record of 16-0!! Thank you Arian Foster.
Awesome record
Prefer it to Vulgar.
RIP Robyn Bailey 1961 - 2010. I love you mum.
by Hyperion Ecta on Apr 20, 2011 10:11 AM EDT up reply actions
I'll nominate the draft of 1992 as the best ever.
With seven picks the Lions got:
Rd. 1 @ # 26 Robert Porcher DE – an all time great for the Lions. 13 years and 96 sacks.
Rd. 2 @ # 53 Tracy Scroggins OLB – a great rusher off the edge. 10 years and 61 sacks.
Rd. 2 @ # 56 Jason Hanson K – still going? BEST KICKER EVAH!
Rd. 8 @ # 221 Willie Clay DB – played for eight years; four in Detroit and three with the Pats. I remember him as a ballhawk. Unfortunately, three of his best years were in New England. Not sure why the Lions let him go, as his last year in Detroit he had 8 INTs.
Two of the guys were complete washouts, while the third, Larry Tharpe T, kicked around the league for eight years being a sometime starter. I immediately recognized his name and thought he had a better career than this.
"I read one article, I said, 'This guy doesn't know what he's talking about,' " Mayhew said. "Then I read another one, and I thought, 'Wait a minute, they're all saying the same thing.' -Martin Mayhew 2011 regarding Draft Gurus.
Well played sir!
I forgot about Tracy, for some reason I thought he came a lot later but still. A great draft!
I'd say it's fair to say
A lot of us were born before 1980. I’m not one as I was born in 85 but there are quite a few that were. Also Aaron Brown was in the 09 class. As were Lydon Murtha(who Miami stole off our practicve squad) and Dan Gronkowski( who got us The Phonz)
P.C.P. supporter since March 2011
I am the GM of a millenesque 29 % approval rating for taking Patrick Peterson 1st overall as Carolina in the 2011 POD community mock.
2010 Fantay Football Champion of yahoo 20 team Pride of Detroit Fantasy league with a record of 16-0!! Thank you Arian Foster.
by Enforcer on Apr 19, 2011 10:08 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
ah! Aaron Brown
I’m still waiting for that kid to break and really do something for the Lions. I always get so excited about him when he lights up in the preseason but he never seems to see the field during the year.
I would bet that he will be gone before the season
This is the Motor City. And this is what we do...
P.C.P ... Now with a Richer, and Bolder flavor
Sorry guys gotta go old old school on you and bring up 1953
Joe Schmidt HOF
Pete Razleff
Harley Sewell
Ollie Spencer
Lew Carpenter
Charlie Ane
21 pro bowl appreances between that group/
This is the Motor City. And this is what we do...
P.C.P ... Now with a Richer, and Bolder flavor
1989 Draft with Barry Sanders, Mike Utley, and Ray Crockett is one of the best
in my opinion. Anytime you draft Barry Sanders in ANY draft, that draft is automatically the best in team history.
Absolutely one of the best running backs the game has ever seen, undeniably the best Lions running back in team history, arguably the best of all time.
From 0-16 to the Superbowl baby!
Yeah, thats what I was gonna say.
1989 is the ONLY draft in consideration. Barry was worth all the players in any draft.
'The reality is - the police become necessary in human society, only at that junction in a society where it is split between those who have, and those who ain't got' - Omali Yeshitela
"In the absence of logic it is not uncommon that sanity can only be found by embracing lunacy." – Leonuro, circa 2011
I vote for the 2011 draft ;)
The draft that takes us from pain in the ass to NFL teams trying to make the playoffs. To team that makes the playoffs.
"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)
"I didn't say you needed to be better than everyone else, but you got to TRY, and that's what character is . . . it's in the trying."- Coach Eric Taylor
PCP 4 LIFE
2011
1st Akeem Ayers
2nd Bruce Carter
3rd Casey Matthews
4th Adrian Moten
5th Lawrence Wilson
RIP KURTIS CHAIVRE
lol
Per Nate D. I don't want to be a schmuck blogger-type. So I have a signature now.
by BarkingLions on Apr 19, 2011 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Nice sig, hahahaha
'The reality is - the police become necessary in human society, only at that junction in a society where it is split between those who have, and those who ain't got' - Omali Yeshitela
"In the absence of logic it is not uncommon that sanity can only be found by embracing lunacy." – Leonuro, circa 2011
thanks
glad you noticed. Kinda loses its meaning with you changing your sig. Oh well, I will have to work on something else.
Per Nate D. I don't want to be a schmuck blogger-type. So I have a signature now.
by BarkingLions on Apr 19, 2011 3:28 PM EDT up reply actions
atleast 2 of those guys will start
just sad it won’t be the 1st round pick LOL
"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)
"I didn't say you needed to be better than everyone else, but you got to TRY, and that's what character is . . . it's in the trying."- Coach Eric Taylor
PCP 4 LIFE
by The Profiler on Apr 19, 2011 1:19 PM EDT up reply actions
solves the LB problem
don’t know if this is the place, but DET32 sorry to hear about your friend
by BillySimsMadeMeDo on Apr 19, 2011 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions
1988 draft
round 1 Bennie Blades all pro
round 2 Chris Spielman all pro
round 3 Ray Roundtree Wide Receiver never palyed waisted pick
roundd 4 William White Defensive Back soild DB
round 5 Eric Andolsek Guard Great guard killed tragicly doing lawn work on his home when a semi truck hit him could have been an all pro.
"In a perfect world, you look for the big, fast guys who can play" Jim Schwartz
1980 - Eric Hipple
no for real, I say 1980 because of Billy Sims
which got me to be a Lions fan for life
by BillySimsMadeMeDo on Apr 19, 2011 2:18 PM EDT reply actions
2009 was another memorable one as of recently.
Matthew Stafford – Future franchise QB Starter
Brandon Pettigrew-Future pro-bowl TE Starter
Louis Delmas-Future probowl FS Starter
DeAndre Levy-Future pro-bowl MLB Starter
Sammie Lee Hill- Futures Starter DT to replace Corey Williams
Zack Folett-Current Starting WLB and special teams standout
Aaron Brown-Situational player with great speed and upside
Derrick Williams-WR? Who knows with this guy
2010 may not be too shabby either
Ndamukong Suh-Current All-Pro DT, Future Hall of Famer?
Jahvid Best-Future pro-bowl RB, led all rookies with 1,042 scrimmage yards in 10’
Amari Spievy-Former CB turned safety with alot of potential to start in 11’
Jason Fox-Groomed to replace Jeff Backus?
Willie Young-Too raw yet
Tim Toone-same
2011 should be interesting!
From 0-16 to the Superbowl baby!
What?
This morning I thought to myself, when was the best draft we’ve had? Now before anything; I think it’s safe to assume that most of us were born after 1980 so just for the sake of a good argument, please don’t come in with crap from the 1950’s or something. Nobody was alive so nobody remembers.
You really aren’t serious are you? Consider that people born after 1980 are no more than 30 years old. Do you really think the majority of posters are under 30? I think you are seriously wrong about that.
There are quite a few I know that for a fact
Not sure what the Majority would be though tought to say.
"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)
"I didn't say you needed to be better than everyone else, but you got to TRY, and that's what character is . . . it's in the trying."- Coach Eric Taylor
PCP 4 LIFE
by The Profiler on Apr 19, 2011 4:25 PM EDT up reply actions
thats why some of the comments
and opinions are not as seasoned as others……
"I feel a whole lot more like I do now,than I did a while ago"
by randalljwhite on Apr 19, 2011 4:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Sure, I don't doubt that there are quite a few posters below 30 years old.
But if you think about it there are probably very few that are fifteen or younger. That means that the vast majority of posters on PoD under thirty are really born in about a fifteen year span. Now consider that the life span of the average American male is over 70 years. If you put all that together you are really trying to say that there are more people on PoD that were born within those fifteen years than there are in the 40 years before it. I just don’t think that is likely. Especially when you consider that birth rates were higher in the 1950s and 1960s than they were after that.
I think the younger generation has some kind of illusion that older people don’t use the Internet. But the truth is that most people use the Internet these days, regardless of age.
Maybe so...
But My mother is over 70 and she uses the Internet regularly. My wife and I are both over 50 and we use the internet regularly as well. I would venture to say that I have many more friends that are over 30 years old than you do and almost everybody I know uses the Internet. The idea that the Internet is dominated by the young is outdated thinking. That certainly would be the case on certain sites, or a even few years ago. But it is not impossible for an old dog to learn new tricks. The old fogies have invaded your territory and you should not get so stuck in the mud that you cannot realize we are here in pretty big numbers too.
and I am just saying I disagree
I am confident that the demographics favor my position. Unless there is a way for Sean to get stats and he is willing to post them, we will never know.
not for POD... i mean for the internet..
there are more 1-30 year olds that use is the 31-60… or 61-90
RIP KURTIS CHAIVRE
Well here is a POD poll
to find out.
http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2011/4/19/2121219/age-poll
P.C.P. supporter since March 2011
I am the GM of a millenesque 29 % approval rating for taking Patrick Peterson 1st overall as Carolina in the 2011 POD community mock.
2010 Fantay Football Champion of yahoo 20 team Pride of Detroit Fantasy league with a record of 16-0!! Thank you Arian Foster.
i cant remember his name.. but we have a 65 year old
was telling us about the day ford bought the lions and jfk was killed(happened on same day)
RIP KURTIS CHAIVRE
Wow, that was a really bad day, lol.
I was pretty young when JFK was assassinated so I didn’t remember that tidbit.
I'd be willing to be the majority of the users of this site are in the 18-34 demographic
which, aside from the top end of the range, would be born since 1980.
'The reality is - the police become necessary in human society, only at that junction in a society where it is split between those who have, and those who ain't got' - Omali Yeshitela
"In the absence of logic it is not uncommon that sanity can only be found by embracing lunacy." – Leonuro, circa 2011
I still doubt it.
But since it is impossible to determine, one way or the other, I will concede that you could be right. Nevertheless, making an artificial limit to the discussion of drafts after 1980 is still wrong IMO. As I said, the success of the players can speak for them.
But I will tell you why the OP really bothered me...
When you make an artificial limit like only drafts after 1980, then say you don’t care about the earlier drafts, it is insulting. It is saying that you don’t give a damn about anything that happened before you or how other people see things. It is arrogant and exclusionary. You might as well just say that you are discriminating based on age.
Don't even play the discriminating card
That’s not even what this post was about. I’m not trying to be arrogant or exclusionary and I care about the Lions history just as much as the next guy. But seeing as I am 30 and have NO knowledge of the drafts before I was born I decided to base it on my life time and probably worded it wrong. Regardless of the situation, this is a FAN POST, not a civil rights movement. You’re ranting and raving about something that we do for fun. If you don’t like the things that I say or disagree with them, then don’t read it. I get comments from the same few people every time I post who constantly argue and debate me every time and the only reason I keep posting is because I like what they have to say whether its factual or ridiculous.
Bottom line is if you don’t like what you read then read go read something else. There’s plenty of Lions postings out there that our far more ridiculous than mine.
I think you missed the point...
You seem to be unable to step out of your own skin, so to speak, to see how your statements look to others. Just because you intend it to be a particular way does not mean that your words will mean the same thing to people who read them. Regardless of what your intentions were, you made a statement that devalues the people that have experiences from before your time. You said…
please don’t come in with crap from the 1950’s or something
So does calling a person’s memories “crap” sound respectful to you? That statement doesn’t even have a hint of devaluation or degradation in it, does it? If you don’t like people coming after you for what you say then don’t say insulting “crap” to them.
Oh, and by the way...
what do you call it when you tell somebody else that their contributions are not important, or even wanted, based on the idea that the nothing important happened before your birthday?
Self-absorbed much?
i agree with both of you.. it was very disrespectfull what he said... but some things can be ignored...
i cant say weater the is one of thoes things or not b/c i am not 30…
RIP KURTIS CHAIVRE
1968
Charlie Sanders, Earl McCullouch, Greg Landry (our last pro bowl QB).
Among that, some guys who never went on to play with us, including an Olympian and a CFL player.
Im 26yrs old and I have to say this site is very diversified
With a good mix of age and different types of people with different points of view. I love this site because of that and the fact that these loyal fans are as knowledgeable as they are considering the history of losing. I’m proud to be a Lions fan and I’m proud that every poster, younger or older, has an opinion and care about this team.
Go Lions and Monday night is the beginning of the kind of exposure the Lions will get, as soon as they prove they belong their.
And my hunch thinks they will…
From 0-16 to the Superbowl baby!
by DLions4Eva on Apr 19, 2011 9:47 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Ain't that the draft where the Lions got a HoF QB?
Ndamukong Suh - Bringing 50's football back to Motown!
Bloody well hope so
RIP Robyn Bailey 1961 - 2010. I love you mum.
by Hyperion Ecta on Apr 20, 2011 11:04 PM EDT up reply actions
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