[Wednesday Edition]
TUESDAY (FOOTBALL) TALK
So who is number one?
This time of year and with the main event just days away, is there really anything else we should be talking about other than the draft, maybe; perfect steaks, fast cars, hot chicks, and good cigars? Okay, all that other stuff aside (but only for a moment) the NFL draft this coming weekend has to be on every football fans' mind. We are just days away, I'm so excited, but I still don't know "Who's going number one?"
If you've been following all the commotion online as I have, you are probably as confused as well. Some say it will be Matthew Stafford, others say defense, and then there are still others that think considering the team's (Lions) draft history a safe approach will be the way to go by selecting an offensive lineman.
While this is all pure speculation, consider the choices Detroit will have come draft day.
If the team sides with the pro-Stafford camp, it's likely going to cost the team considerable millions to sign the star quarterback from Georgia. Another high dollar risk that this team has not had much success with, consider their past 1st round picks since 2003; Charles Rogers (out of the league), Mike Williams (did not play in 2008), Roy Williams (traded to the Cowboys last season), and Joey Harrington (with the Saints). None of which ever panned out well for Detroit. If Stafford is signed, does he start right away? Considering his new contract that he'll receive, how long does he sit? All indications are the team will select Stafford nonetheless, but it still remains a risky play.
A more conservative approach would be to consider an offensive lineman, a choice the team made last season with the 17th overall pick (Gosder Cherilus). Cherilus played in all 16 games, starting in 13 including the last 10. The top prospects the Lions will consider are Jason Smith (Baylor) and Eugene Monroe (Virginia). Both players are ideal size at 6'5' and 6'6" respectively and could easily step in and start at left tackle for whatever team drafts them. If the team is buying into Culpepper's comeback or Stanton as a possibility for the future, this could be the way to go.
Defense typically seems to great direction of focus for a team looking to rebuild. What is it they say, "Defense wins championships", maybe for a team that was not 0-16. If the team's brass is considering this move, there seems to be one unanimous choice for the top defensive prospect in this year's draft; Aaron Curry (Wake Forest). Curry is considered an outstanding all around player, who could make a big splash on the defense as a pass rushing outside linebacker. With Detroit playing a 3-4 in 2009, he's a shoe-in to start for the Lions.
(AP Photo)
There's no question that the Lions GM Martin Mayhew and Head Coach Jim Schwartz could go several directions with their first pick and with four picks in the top 65 overall, there's just no telling. Even with some sources (The Oakland Press) reporting the team is close to a deal with Georgia's quarterback Matthew Stafford, according to MLive.com a team spokesman said "the report is absolutely untrue."Stafford, Smith, Monroe, and Curry, tough decisions and no clue to the answer, but it sounds like the smart money may be on Stafford. There are some that actually rank Southern California's quarterback Mark Sanchez higher than Stafford, but there doesn't seem to be any sign that the Lions would make that pick. And while the number one pick comes along with a lot of pressure, there are no signs yet that the Lions will be trading down (but you never know).
So we're back to square one, "Who's going number one?" We may not know, but we've got a pretty good idea of who the Lions may pick. So it's okay that we don't know, because Saturday is already gearing up to be a big day and the unknown only adds to the excitement.
Next up, Draft Day!
Check back with me every Tuesday for more of my "Tuesday Football Talk."
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