Note: This is a team-by-team look previewing the 2007 season. These are my official thoughts on how I think things will play out.
Last year: 3-13 (fourth in NFC North)
Best addition: Edwin Mulitalo (G, Ravens)
Key personnel loss: Dre' Bly (CB, Broncos)
2007 outlook: I hate to say a guard is the biggest addition when the Lions made dozens of moves this offseason but it seems Matt Millen has added another vice to his penchant for drafting WR's as this year he signed two more RB's to go along with Kevin Jones (who's potential is only matched by his lack of durability).
On defense even more questions remain as the Lions let 7 players go from last year's squad and didn't do much to replace them. Bly may not be the player he is hyped to be but was still better than any other option Detroit had - and to trade him for a RB they didn't necessarily need makes me question Millen even more. But that is another topic for another time.
The one positive this year is that many fans will actually be paying attention to Detroit to see how 1st round pick Calvin Johnson meshes with super WR Roy Williams. At least the Lions will have something worth paying attention too.
Key to success: Where to begin. Seeing what progress the Lions were actually making would be a lot easier if anyone actually knew what type of team and/or emphasis Millen was trying to build and work towards. Whether it's drafting WR after WR in the first round every year or picking up two starting caliber RB's to compete with the back they already have, it seems Detroit's money would be better spent elsewhere. There is no way this team has success until a clear vision is defined.
Against Washington: After having its bye week four weeks into the season, the Skins will host the Lions the following week on Oct. 7. The two teams last met in Detroit in 2004, a 17-10 win in which Mark Brunell threw for only 58 yards.
Fantasy sleeper: Johnson. While Williams will get all of the fantasy publicity, Johnson will probably get a lot as well and could compete to be the NFL's offensive rookie of the year which should translate into big TD numbers. While rookie WR's can often be a gamble, Johnson is 6'5" and should have no problem using that height to score multiple red zone TD's, provided the Lions can actually get into the red zone. Look to take a flier on Johnson in the middle rounds when other team's No. 2 receivers start to come off the board.
Showing posts with label Calvin Johnson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Calvin Johnson. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Friday, April 20, 2007
Let the mind games commence
Before I start with today's post, I have to admit that writing a daily blog on your team is a lot harder than it seems. As a writer, I know how long it takes to get thoughts down and between a new baby, going back to work, helping my wife recover from labor and a two-year-old, I have to admit that I have been remiss in my duties. Hopefully I will get things back on track and there will be no more delay to the posting of my thoughts.
Now on to the rant:
As coverage of the draft heats up, I find it amazing how contradictory the media reports are. But that is to be expected considering the draft is probably the biggest crap shoot in all of sports and sometimes even the teams don't know what they're doing until after the fact. However, because this is the case, I think bringing on expert after expert to talk about what a team's real strategy is tiresome. No team in their right mind will divulge what their strategy is with their picks unless they have the No. 1 overall pick and have him signed to a contract before they are on the clock.
But because this information is so subjective, fans - including myself - love to salivate at any mention of a possible scenario that could favor yielding a top prospect after the first two or three picks. I mean, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have to be completely besides themselves thinking the prospect with the best upside and the most ready to play in the NFL could fall to them at No. 4. If Calvin Johnson slides to the fourth pick you know he won't be on the board for pick No. 5.
Washington fans are hoping the best defensive lineman in the draft, Clemson's Gaines Adams could potentially fall to the Redskins at No. 6. But even if someone snatches him before then, there will still be plenty of defensive potential on the board as most of the team's in front of them will probably focus more on improving their offenses with the first pick.
As stories come out tomorrow and Saturday morning on the different scenarios that may play out, I urge you to approach them with a sense of caution. These stories are written by guys making educated guesses just like the rest of us and even if they have access to the front office, you can guarantee the reporter is not getting any real information that may tip off other team's to draft strategy. So sit back and enjoy your Friday realizing that by Monday morning your team will have a whole slew of new reasons why they should be considered a preseason favorite to win it all.
Now on to the rant:
As coverage of the draft heats up, I find it amazing how contradictory the media reports are. But that is to be expected considering the draft is probably the biggest crap shoot in all of sports and sometimes even the teams don't know what they're doing until after the fact. However, because this is the case, I think bringing on expert after expert to talk about what a team's real strategy is tiresome. No team in their right mind will divulge what their strategy is with their picks unless they have the No. 1 overall pick and have him signed to a contract before they are on the clock.
But because this information is so subjective, fans - including myself - love to salivate at any mention of a possible scenario that could favor yielding a top prospect after the first two or three picks. I mean, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have to be completely besides themselves thinking the prospect with the best upside and the most ready to play in the NFL could fall to them at No. 4. If Calvin Johnson slides to the fourth pick you know he won't be on the board for pick No. 5.
Washington fans are hoping the best defensive lineman in the draft, Clemson's Gaines Adams could potentially fall to the Redskins at No. 6. But even if someone snatches him before then, there will still be plenty of defensive potential on the board as most of the team's in front of them will probably focus more on improving their offenses with the first pick.
As stories come out tomorrow and Saturday morning on the different scenarios that may play out, I urge you to approach them with a sense of caution. These stories are written by guys making educated guesses just like the rest of us and even if they have access to the front office, you can guarantee the reporter is not getting any real information that may tip off other team's to draft strategy. So sit back and enjoy your Friday realizing that by Monday morning your team will have a whole slew of new reasons why they should be considered a preseason favorite to win it all.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Just Another Mock Draft: Picks 1-6
To start off my week-long draft rantings, I have decided to break the draft up, starting with the first 6 picks - this is a Redskins blog after all so I at least have to get to their pick in the first day - in Saturday's selection special. But rather than trying to guess who each team is going to pick, I am going to mention why each team should pick the player listed. Oakland is on the clock:
1. Oakland Raiders - JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU
Aaron Brooks wasn't the answer. Neither was Art Shell. Or Randy Moss. Or anyone else on Oakland's 2006 squad. But with QB being the most glaring hole and with the Raiders passing on both Jay Cutler and Matt Leinart last year, they have to take Russell don't they? Russell came out early with the knowledge that he would probably end up in Oakland so if he is willing to go there, the Raiders should make him the QB of choice.
2. Detroit Lions - Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame
Because you can't draft a new general manager, the Lions should look for a QB that can develop some chemistry with all of those receivers the Lions have used their past first-round picks on so that Detroit can hope to win some games in the next decade. And because Quinn is nothing like Ryan Leaf, Detroit should feel confident that Quinn will be their quarterback later on down the line.
3. Cleveland Browns - Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma
Cleveland probably needs a lucky clover more than anything else here in hopes of avoiding the slew of injuries the Browns sustained last year, but Peterson will be a good substitute ... as long as he can - say it with me - stay healthy. With Jamal Lewis only tied to the team for one year, what a perfect opportunity for the Browns to have a grizzled vet teach a young guy the NFL ropes.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech
Another offensively challenged team, Johnson is the best player in the draft and the Bucs would be lucky to have him fall to him. With Joey Galloway already over the hill in football years and Michael Clayton still trying to figure out what he's doing, the Bucs need some sort of downfield weapon and Johnson is easily the cream of the crop. No matter who ends up quarterbacking the team, they will definitely have an easier time is Johnson is the guy catching the ball.
5. Arizona Cardinals - Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin
Unlike the teams ahead of them, the Cardinals arguably only need to upgrade one spot to make a playoff run for this season. The problem is, they need to upgrade the entire offensive line. The place to start is by replacing departed left tackle Leonard Davis and the guy to do it is Thomas. With a solid replacement available here, if the Cardinals want to see Matt Leinart duplicate the success he had at USC, Thomas is the guy they need to start building with.
6. Washington Redskins - Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson
With no pass rush and the defense in shambles, the Redskins need to find a way to pressure the quarterback this year and Adams seems to be the guy who can get that task done. With obvious holes in the secondary as well, Adams could help hide some of those problems by getting to the quarterback quickly. That point is especially important since after this pick we won't hear from the Redskins again until Day 2.
1. Oakland Raiders - JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU
Aaron Brooks wasn't the answer. Neither was Art Shell. Or Randy Moss. Or anyone else on Oakland's 2006 squad. But with QB being the most glaring hole and with the Raiders passing on both Jay Cutler and Matt Leinart last year, they have to take Russell don't they? Russell came out early with the knowledge that he would probably end up in Oakland so if he is willing to go there, the Raiders should make him the QB of choice.
2. Detroit Lions - Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame
Because you can't draft a new general manager, the Lions should look for a QB that can develop some chemistry with all of those receivers the Lions have used their past first-round picks on so that Detroit can hope to win some games in the next decade. And because Quinn is nothing like Ryan Leaf, Detroit should feel confident that Quinn will be their quarterback later on down the line.
3. Cleveland Browns - Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma
Cleveland probably needs a lucky clover more than anything else here in hopes of avoiding the slew of injuries the Browns sustained last year, but Peterson will be a good substitute ... as long as he can - say it with me - stay healthy. With Jamal Lewis only tied to the team for one year, what a perfect opportunity for the Browns to have a grizzled vet teach a young guy the NFL ropes.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech
Another offensively challenged team, Johnson is the best player in the draft and the Bucs would be lucky to have him fall to him. With Joey Galloway already over the hill in football years and Michael Clayton still trying to figure out what he's doing, the Bucs need some sort of downfield weapon and Johnson is easily the cream of the crop. No matter who ends up quarterbacking the team, they will definitely have an easier time is Johnson is the guy catching the ball.
5. Arizona Cardinals - Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin
Unlike the teams ahead of them, the Cardinals arguably only need to upgrade one spot to make a playoff run for this season. The problem is, they need to upgrade the entire offensive line. The place to start is by replacing departed left tackle Leonard Davis and the guy to do it is Thomas. With a solid replacement available here, if the Cardinals want to see Matt Leinart duplicate the success he had at USC, Thomas is the guy they need to start building with.
6. Washington Redskins - Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson
With no pass rush and the defense in shambles, the Redskins need to find a way to pressure the quarterback this year and Adams seems to be the guy who can get that task done. With obvious holes in the secondary as well, Adams could help hide some of those problems by getting to the quarterback quickly. That point is especially important since after this pick we won't hear from the Redskins again until Day 2.
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