Lions always get high grades. We'be had above average drafts according to the pundits this whole decade.
I totally agree with you. That is fact. This whole draft thing is a TOTAL crapshoot. That's why I wouldn't have hedged so much money on Stafford. Millen is about the unluckiest guy I have ever met. I mean when you roll a dice 120 times, the odds are you will get about 20 of each number. He had so many draft picks that were "nobrainers" that let him down. He drafted so smart many times, yet they all basically failed. Unbelievable. Unlucky or not, he had to go. I think Millens #1 mistake was he bailed on Mariucchi a little too soon. Mariucchi was a guy who vets loved to play for. With the Lions, Mariucchi was trying to coach a bunch of young junior highers, that needed alot of structure. Mariucchi would have gotten it right if given a little more time I believe. At least 500 level anyways.
I like this Stafford kid. He looks like a less goober version of Stan Humphries. I liked Stan Humphries. He had a cannon, he was tough, and his head was so big, his helmet had to be specially made.
Were you serious or are you joking? You don't get "unlucky" 120 straight times. Plain and simple, the guy just couldn't do his job correctly. Matt Millen rankings: TV analyst: good NFL GM: bad
I have three points I am trying to make. #1. Millen deserves to be fired. #2. Millen is about the unluckiest GM I have ever seen in my life. I can't think of one who was more unlucky. All the experts were hootin and hollarin about a number of our draft picks, which ended up to be total busts. Joey Harrington, Charles Rodgers, Mike Williams, the lists goes on. On and on and on and on. #3. Don't think about #2 so much that you forget my #1.
The tackle who played on the line with him...Eric Andolsyk was a monster. He's the one who should be honored...He was headed for all-pro when he was killed in an off season freak accident.
From ESPN.com: These players might not have been drafted, but they still could find their way onto an NFL roster. Here's a look at the top 20 undrafted players: 1. Michael Bennett, DE, Texas A&M Bennett is our highest-ranked free agent still available at this point. His ability to hold up against the run makes him a solid value as a five-technique in 3-4 defensive front. 2. Gerald Cadogan, OT, Penn State Although Cadogan isn't dominant in any one area, he does possess the size and strength to come into camp and compete for a backup role. 3. C.J. Spillman, DS, Marshall Spillman's lack of fluidity brings up concerns about his overall range. However, he possesses strong football intelligence and is a reliable open-field tackler. 4. Augustus Parrish, OT, Kent State A lack of overall athleticism may make Parrish more suited for the guard position. We feel he plays with adequate leverage and has the toughness to potentially add depth to the offensive line. 5. Emanuel Cook, DS, South Carolina There are concerns about Cook's ability to hold up in man coverage and in center field. Still, his overall range in run support makes a case for him to potentially develop into a sub-package run-defender and special teams contributor. 6. Darry Beckwith, ILB, LSU Beckwith brings strong overall instincts and a physical attitude when defending the run on the interior. At the very least, he should get a chance to compete for a backup role. 7. Jonathan Casillas, OLB, Wisconsin Casillas is undersized at 228 pounds, but he has a great blend of instincts, fluidity and range. In addition, he can bring added value as a special teams contributor. 8. Brian Hoyer, QB, Michigan State Hoyer admittedly needs to take better care of the ball at times. Still, we believe he is underrated thanks in large part to a mediocre receiving corps. Teams willing to take the time could make him into a valuable backup. 9. Mitch King, DT, Iowa King is a bit of a tweener who is going to have problems finding a true niche in the NFL. That said, he may have the potential to develop into a versatile reserve. 10. Cornelius Lewis, OT, Tennessee State Lewis has excellent size, but one of the reasons he may not have been drafted is due to his lack of agility. That said, we believe he can develop into an effective guard, if he doesn't work out at the tackle position. 11. Jeremiah Johnson, RB, Oregon Johnson did not play a huge role in Oregon's passing game and there are concerns about his ability to do so at the NFL level. On the other hand, he is a determined runner who reads his blocks well and flashes ability to make defenders miss in the open field. 12. Derek Pegues, DS, Mississippi State Pegues doesn't have great size for a safety, and he lacks the fluidity in his hips to move to corner. However, he is fast enough to play the center-field type role and he possesses above-average ball skills. In addition, he has the potential to contribute on special teams. 13. Jason Watkins, OT, Florida Watkins had an underwhelming performance at the Senior Bowl, which may have been the difference between him being a late-round selection and signing as a free agent. Although he isn't an elite pass-blocker, he has the size and toughness to potentially add depth at the right tackle position. 14. Alex Boone, OT, Ohio State Boone is a three-year starter at one of the nation's most prestigious programs. Much like Watkins, he could emerge as an effective backup at the right tackle position. The reasons he fell out of the draft are concerns about his pass blocking and off-the-field baggage. 15. Ashlee Palmer, OLB, Mississippi Palmer is undersized and struggles to anchor against the run. This may be the reason teams opted to shy away from spending a draft pick on him. However, Palmer is fluid in coverage and may develop into a situational third-down linebacker. He also has the ability to be an effective special teams contributor. 16. Kory Sheets, RB, Purdue Sheets is inconsistent and more effective running outside than he is between the tackles, but he has the speed, hands and elusiveness to give a team a quality third-down back. 17. Joel Bell, OT, Furman Bell is a small-school prospect who only played two years of high school football and he is still raw at this point. However, he has the favorable frame, weight and agility to develop into an adequate No. 3 swing-tackle. 18. Dannell Ellerbe, OLB, Georgia Ellerbe lacks ideal fluidity for an outside linebacker and size for an interior linebacker. On the other hand, he's capable of developing into an adequate reserve strongside linebacker or middle linebacker for a team that can protect him with size up front. 19. Greg Isdaner*, OG, West Virginia The 325-pound Isdaner could stand to shed a few pounds in an effort to improve quickness and agility, and he needs to get stronger. On the flip side, he has the frame, awareness and tenacity to develop into an adequate reserve guard. 20. Arian Foster, RB, Tennessee A disappointing senior season and durability concerns inevitably prevented teams from pulling the trigger on Foster in the later rounds. However, the 226-pound back has the vision and size to develop into an effective short-yardage back.
Maybe the Lions should sign this Foote guy: Pittsburgh Steelers release veteran starting inside linebacker Larry Foote - ESPN
Apparently he actually WANTS to play for the Lions. Was Larry Foote in the Lions' plans all along? - Detroit Lions: News, Blogs, Photos, Audio, Schedule & Stats - MLive.com
