Detroit Lions Draft Busts Since 2001, No. 8: Ikaika Alama-Francis

by Sean Yuille on Apr 6, 2011 11:30 PM EDT in Detroit Lions Opinion

The Detroit Lions had three second-round picks in 2007, and depending on what Drew Stanton is able to do in the future, it's possible that they could end up missing on all three. Stanton is the only one left on the Lions, as Gerald Alexander was traded after the 2008 season and Ikaika Alama-Francis was released prior to the 2009 season. Alexander is not on my list of the top 10 Detroit Lions busts since 2001 because he was a low second-round selection and actually started 16 games in 2007. Francis, however, checks in at No. 8 on the list.

The Lions used the 58th overall pick on Francis (three picks before they selected Alexander). That isn't exactly a high second-round pick, but you at least expect more production than this: two starts, 35 tackles, one sack and appearances in 19 games. Those are Francis' numbers for the two seasons he spent in Detroit with the Lions. After being let go, he didn't record any stats with the Dolphins in 2009 and had 11 tackles in 11 games last year. To say the least, he hasn't panned out for being a second-round pick, not with the Lions or Dolphins.

Previously: No. 10 - Daniel Bullocks, No. 9 - Drew Stanton

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Yeah...

Wasn’t our Defensive Line Guru of a former Head Coach supposed to mold him into the next Simeon Rice? Not so much…

by Mogwai on Apr 6, 2011 11:37 PM EDT reply actions

Another player who was just picked WAY to early

Alama-Francis as a 5th or 6th round pick decent grab on a flyer. 2nd round is just stupidity but we all know who picked him so no shocker there.

Alama-Francis was born to former Green Bay Packers back-up quarterback and former high school football coach Joseph “Joe” Francis

"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 6, 2011 11:38 PM EDT reply actions

+1

RIP Robyn Bailey 1961 - 2010. I love you mum.

by Hyperion Ecta on Apr 7, 2011 12:06 AM EDT up reply actions

Joe Francis?

The Girls gone wild guy was his dad?

by ATL Lion on Apr 7, 2011 4:37 PM EDT up reply actions

lol

PCP 4 LIFE

by The Profiler on Apr 7, 2011 6:51 PM EDT up reply actions

i'm just curious, but what was everybody's thoughts on Alexander?

I was real sad when we traded him to Jacksonville, mostly because I’m a Boise State fan, but I was just curious of what everyone else thought.

My grandfather was a Packers fan, my father is a Vikings fan, I am a Lions fan, and there is no way in hell I am raising a Bears fan.
Oh, and I hate the Philadelphia Eagles

by tbl2020 on Apr 6, 2011 11:41 PM EDT reply actions

Well I will say this

I think I’d rather have kept him than get Dennis Northcutt LOL

PCP 4 LIFE

by The Profiler on Apr 6, 2011 11:45 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs

+1

by haywood on Apr 6, 2011 11:57 PM EDT up reply actions

I liked him

I thought he had potential.

RIP Robyn Bailey 1961 - 2010. I love you mum.

by Hyperion Ecta on Apr 7, 2011 12:06 AM EDT up reply actions

I was an Alexander fan

I don’t think he was worth a second round pick, and he was probably a backup/special teamer at best in the end. However, he had good work ethic and was a team player. In college he was a starting CB, he realized that they had a better CB on the team that wasn’t starting and he willingly switched to Safety to get the better players on the field. I would have rather had him then Dennis Northcutt any day of the week.

LITTLE MAN IN BACKFIELD! LITTLE MAN IN BACKFIELD! GO STEFAN LOGAN!

by BBlades on Apr 7, 2011 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Sounds familiar...

Cough… SPIEVEY…. coughcoughcough

'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

by Nate D. on Apr 7, 2011 2:55 PM EDT up reply actions