Then there are the Lions. After the success of the Saints and Cardinals the past two seasons, the Lions are undoubtedly the worst franchise in NFL history. Forget a Super Bowl, the team has just one playoff win since 1957. The Lions were fatefully purchased by William Clay Ford (Henry’s grandson) on the day John F. Kennedy was shot in 1963. It’s been downhill ever since. The franchise is comically bad – its best player, Barry Sanders, essentially retired before the ’99 season rather than continue playing for such a loser. The 2000s were a lost decade when Ford was duped into hiring television commentator Matt Millen to run the club (into the field turf). Millen was so unenthused by the job, he never moved to Detroit from his home in Pennsylvania. And Ford allowed it. Two seasons ago, the Lions became the first team to ever go 0-16. This year the team “improved” to 2-14. Lions fans wish they could be the Browns. While their rookie head coach Jim Schwartz has shown promise, Ford has never made a declaration like Lerner, has never cleared out the front office of Millen descendants and has never even bothered contacting turnaround specialists such Bill Parcells or Holmgren when they become available. The only hope Lions fans have rests in the presence of Ford’s son, William Clay “Bill” Ford, Jr., the 52-year-old vice chairman of the team. It was his public criticism of Millen that finally caused his father to pull the plug on that experiment three games into the ’08 season. Ford Sr. is 84, and like with the Cardinals and Saints, him handing over full control to his son might be the only thing that can shake the franchise. Right now, if you were betting on which will be the last franchise to reach a Super Bowl, Detroit would be the favorite.
I'm sure he did. I don't think he slept at Ford Field. But he flew back home every week to visit his family.
With the responsibility of that job comes accountability. With Ford not having him MOVE to the area, he conviently avoided the spotlight. That is what I resented most about his tenure. He never had to be accountable, nor explain what was going on.
Todd McShay has McCoy going 1st. This is the first time I have seen Suh not being the first pick: St. Louis Rams Record: 1-15 Gerald McCoy*, DT, Oklahoma The Rams have a poor track record when it comes to drafting defensive linemen early, and now they have a tough choice to make between the stronger, more instinctive Ndamukong Suh and the quicker, more disruptive McCoy. Coach Steve Spagnuolo is looking for defensive linemen who can penetrate, which is why we think McCoy could be the top overall pick. Detroit Lions Record: 2-14 Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska The Lions will gladly take Suh here. He won't provide the pass-rush production of McCoy, but he is a force versus the run and he consistently disrupts passing windows thanks to his excellent instincts and long arms.
CONTEST ! : What is the stupidist thing the Lions could do with the 1st rd pick? I'll go first. -pass on the pick until the 5th pick in the draft.-
Trade the first round pick and Calvin Johnson to the Bears for Jay Cutler, Lovie Smith, Rod Marinelli, and Mike Martz. :nerd2::nerd2:
A collection of various Mock draft picks for the Lions: Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma - ESPN's Mel Kiper Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska – ESPN's Todd McShay Geral McCoy, DT, Oklahoma - SI's Don Banks Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State - NFL.com's Bucky Brooks Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma - cbssports.com's Rob Rang Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma - cbssports.com's Chad Reuter Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma - foxsports.com's Peter Schrager Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska - walterfootball.com Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma - walterfootball.com's Matt McGuire Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma - draftsite.com Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma - nfldraftdog.com Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma - draftcountdown.com This is our guy
Source: Receiver Nate Burleson agrees to 5-year, $25 million deal with Detroit Lions - ESPN 2009 STATS Seattle Seahawks Rec: 63 Yds: 812 TD: 3 Avg: 12.9 Long: 44 YAC: 266
Lions are Spending the Money: Sources: Cleveland Browns to trade Corey Willliams to Detroit Lions for draft pick - ESPN Williams could also be part of a revamped defensive front-four for the Lions and would free them up to select Nebraska's Ndamukong Suh over Oklahoma's Gerald McCoy if both defensive tackles are available at No. 2. Suh is considered by many NFL evaluators to be more versatile along the defensive front. The Lions also have not ruled out trading down a few slots to collect an extra draft pick and still land another impact player, either on defense or the offensive line. Detroit Lions, Kyle Vanden Bosch have contract agreement, player says - ESPN The three-time Pro Bowl player will be reunited with Lions coach Jim Schwartz, his former defensive coordinator with the Tennessee Titans. Schwartz visited with Vanden Bosch on Thursday. Worst defense in the league is getting better.
I really can't muster up any faith for any player who would conscientiously and knowingly sign with the Detroit Lions as a free agent.
