2009 NFL Draft Thread(Stafford goes #1 to the Lions)

[Dr. Sak]

I'm hearing rumors that the Eagles are dangling Shaun Andrews out there.

John Clayton reported:

Shawn Andrews, Sheldon Brown, #21 to Cleveland for:
Braylon Edwards and the #5.

[JPhillips]

As a bitter Bengals fan, it would be sweet to see Stacy Andrews' quest to play with his brother taken away from him.

[B & B]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

As a bitter Bengals fan...

Are there non-bitter bengals fans? Just the way they handled the TJ + OCHO thing is enough to have a bowl of urine soaked breakfast flakes.

[Ronnie Dobbs2]

That's quite the trade. What do the Eagles do with #5? Hope Sanchez is still on the board?

[Eaglesfan27]

Originally Posted by Ronnie Dobbs2

That's quite the trade. What do the Eagles do with #5? Hope Sanchez is still on the board?

I see little chance of them taking a QB that high. If they do it, it is either to target Curry or one of the tackles.

[Ronnie Dobbs2]

Oh no I meant hope Sanchez is on the board to trade down for more picks. No thought that they'd actually take him.

[JAG]

Originally Posted by Dr. Sak

I'm hearing rumors that the Eagles are dangling Shaun Andrews out there.

John Clayton reported:

Shawn Andrews, Sheldon Brown, #21 to Cleveland for:
Braylon Edwards and the #5.

This sounds like the typical crazy trade stuff that gets thrown around before the draft.

[Fighter of Foo]

Sounds like John Clayton was listening to WIP.

[stevew]

#5 in the 2nd round, right? I know the Browns need players, but that seems like they are getting fleeced.

[Mustang]

My guess is if Sanchez is there at the #9 pick the Packers will trade with the Redskins, pick up an extra #3, Redskins take Sanchez and then trade Campbell for whatever to replace the picks. Packers then take whatever D lineman falls to them out of Maybin, Brown, Orakpo...

[Passacaglia]

Report: Lions To Use No. 1 Pick In NFL Draft On Ryan Leaf | The Onion - America's Finest News Source

[Eaglesfan27]

I would have gone with Jeff George but funny article. I do think that he is going to be a relative bust (i.e. not worth #1 pick status.)

[Matthean]

There is a local(Lansing) sports talk radio guy who I loath and on his show yesterday he was ripping on the possible Stafford pick for the Lions and during my lunch every single caller openly ripped on the Lions if they took him. If they do take Stafford, I don't think it's going to be even remotely viewed as a good pick by them from a fan's point of view.

[Ronnie Dobbs2]

Pats supposedly looking to move into the back end of the top ten.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...x.html?eref=T1

Any thoughts about who? Smart money says Jackson, dark horse would be Maclin.

[Ronnie Dobbs2]

dola,

Also Kiper now has Jackson going 3 to the Chiefs. Talk about rocketing value.

[Sun Tzu]

I see Crabtree as being another Fitzgerald. The guy is rediculous on the field. I'd love to see him drop to 10 and have my Niners pick him but, but there's a very slim chance of that happening.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Originally Posted by Ronnie Dobbs2

dola,

Also Kiper now has Jackson going 3 to the Chiefs. Talk about rocketing value.

Peter King has this as well in this week's issue of SI.

[Fighter of Foo]

Originally Posted by Matthean

There is a local(Lansing) sports talk radio guy who I loath and on his show yesterday he was ripping on the possible Stafford pick for the Lions and during my lunch every single caller openly ripped on the Lions if they took him. If they do take Stafford, I don't think it's going to be even remotely viewed as a good pick by them from a fan's point of view.

From a team/management perspective, giving a shit about how your fans feel about a draft pick is a surefire way to fail as a franchise. If they think [player] is the best player in the draft, they should take him.

Unrelated, why is the draft starting at 4:00? The first round won't be over until 9 or 10. That's retarded.

[Ronnie Dobbs2]

Ok, if Jackson goes at 3 to the Chiefs what happens to Curry?

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by Fighter of Foo

Unrelated, why is the draft starting at 4:00? The first round won't be over until 9 or 10. That's retarded.

they changed the format from 2 years ago and each team get less time to pick.

I think they get 8 minutes now and only do 2 rounds day 1. Last year was much faster IIRC.

Still, does seem like an oddly late start.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Originally Posted by Ronnie Dobbs2

Ok, if Jackson goes at 3 to the Chiefs what happens to Curry?

5 to Cleveland?
8 to Jacksonville?

[mckerney]

The media in Minnesota thinks that the Vikings are targeting Percy Harvin at 22, please let this happen.

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by mckerney

The media in Minnesota thinks that the Vikings are targeting Percy Harvin at 22, please let this happen.

I heard the like Heyward-Bey (sp?) and the Colts are targeting Harvin

[Racer]

Originally Posted by Suburban Rhythm

5 to Cleveland?
8 to Jacksonville?

In addition to those, 7 to Oakland, maybe? Curry certainly has the forty time and workout stats that Al Davis likes.

[Fighter of Foo]

Originally Posted by Lathum

I heard the like Heyward-Bey (sp?) and the Colts are targeting Harvin

Minny already drafted him when he was called Troy Williamson

[Samdari]

I voted 'other' being that the chances are overwhelming that the best player won't be one of 9 guys.

EDIT: LOVE the Troy Williamson joke. I remember hearing of him, from someone with the vikings - "we know he knows how to run in a straight line real fast, so we're going to have him do lots of that" How'd that work out?

[JAG]

Originally Posted by Fighter of Foo

From a team/management perspective, giving a shit about how your fans feel about a draft pick is a surefire way to fail as a franchise. If they think [player] is the best player in the draft, they should take him.

Eagles' fans are still cursing their team for missing out on Ricky Williams and taking that no talent McNabb instead.

[johnnyshaka]

Originally Posted by JAG

Eagles' fans are still cursing their team for missing out on Ricky Williams and taking that no talent McNabb instead.

LOL...exactly what I thought of reading the comment.

[Lathum]

Cards reduce their demands for Boldin, I hope the Giants can nab him.

[Thomkal]

Originally Posted by Lathum

Cards reduce their demands for Boldin, I hope the Giants can nab him.

ESPN now saying Ravens and Eagles are more likely to get a deal for Boldin with Giants and Jets less likely. I vote for the Ravens or Jets, sorry Lathum.

A specific deal for a 2nd rounder next year, 3rd this year and a backup tackle from the Eagles has been reported. Which I don't like-if they are going to drop down to a 2nd rounder for Boldin, they should try to get one for this draft.

[Arles]

New story posted here in Arizona:

Official Site of the Arizona Cardinals

It's 99% posturing, but I can't imagine Arizona trading Boldin for less than a first at this point. With Arizona, you never know, but I think a team like Baltimore will send them a first if it comes down to it.

[stevew]

I'm curious to see if Baltimore can make enough cap room. They have slightly less than a million right now.

[B & B]

What better: Tony Gonzales for a 2nd rounder or Anquan Boldin?

[Passacaglia]

NFL.com Blogs » Blog Archive Source: Nothing will stop Lions from taking Stafford «

[Sublime 2]

Originally Posted by Ronnie Dobbs2

Pats supposedly looking to move into the back end of the top ten.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...x.html?eref=T1

Any thoughts about who? Smart money says Jackson, dark horse would be Maclin.

I'd rather the Pats stay away from Jackson, I'm just not a fan.

I'd much rather see OT Smith, DE/OLB Maybin, or OLB Brian Cushing.

[Thomkal]

Originally Posted by Arles

New story posted here in Arizona:

Official Site of the Arizona Cardinals

It's 99% posturing, but I can't imagine Arizona trading Boldin for less than a first at this point. With Arizona, you never know, but I think a team like Baltimore will send them a first if it comes down to it.

I can't either Arles, but as you say this is the Cardinals we are talking about. And its not like this is the last year of his contract either. They can still keep him for this season and trade him then if they can't agree to a new deal. Boldin and his agent probably won't like that, but that's too bad.

[MrDNA]

Originally Posted by Dr. Sak

I'm hearing rumors that the Eagles are dangling Shaun Andrews out there.

John Clayton reported:

Shawn Andrews, Sheldon Brown, #21 to Cleveland for:
Braylon Edwards and the #5.

I would say Braylon Edwards is worth more than the #21 (as in, you're not getting a WR that good at #21) and Andrews and Brown are not worth the #5. Bad deal for Cleveland if it happens - so it probably will, because it's Cleveland (sigh).

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by Sublime 2

I'd rather the Pats stay away from Jackson, I'm just not a fan.

I'd much rather see OT Smith, DE/OLB Maybin, or OLB Brian Cushing.

100% agree

[Matthean]

Originally Posted by Fighter of Foo

From a team/management perspective, giving a shit about how your fans feel about a draft pick is a surefire way to fail as a franchise. If they think [player] is the best player in the draft, they should take him.

Considering we are talking about the Lions, I think it's fairly safe to say they might be right more often than their GMs.

And yes, I think the Stafford pick is a bad pick.

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by Matthean

Considering we are talking about the Lions, I think it's fairly safe to say they might be right more often than their GMs.

And yes, I think the Stafford pick is a bad pick.

I am curious. It is because you don't think he is capable of being a good QB or do you think that the Lions coaching staff is not capable of coaching him up to being a good QB?

[Logan]

Stafford and the Lions agreed on a deal. Think I saw $42 million over 6.

St Louis, you're on the clock.

edit: Glazer from Fox Sports says that $42 million is the GUARANTEED amount. $78 million total.

[Schmidty]

I AM SO FUCKING PISSED.

I've watched a lot of Stafford lately, and I can honestly say that he's a late 1st or 2nd round pick any other year.

Another fuck up for my Lions. Instead of drafting an impact player like Curry, that take a scrub like Stafford. Thanks fucking Georgia. I hate the Bulldogs now.

[mckerney]

Report: Lions To Use No. 1 Pick In NFL Draft On Ryan Leaf | The Onion - America's Finest News Source

DETROIT—Reports coming out of the Detroit Lions camp indicate that the organization is set to make retired NFL quarterback Ryan Leaf the first pick in the 2009 NFL Draft. According to Lions general manager Martin Mayhew, Leaf, who in his brief four-year career threw 14 touchdowns and 36 interceptions for three NFL teams, is exactly what Detroit needs. "You can build an organization around Ryan Leaf," Mayhew told reporters, adding that Wake Forest linebacker Aaron Curry, Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford, and Baylor offensive tackle Jason Smith lack Leaf's professional experience. "We think the people of Detroit are going to go crazy when Roger Goodell calls Ryan Leaf's name this Saturday." Leaf told reporters he hadn't even been notified by the Lions about their decision, but when asked if he would play for the struggling team, he responded, "Sure, okay."

[Schmidty]

Pretty much.

[Matthean]

Originally Posted by miami_fan

I am curious. It is because you don't think he is capable of being a good QB or do you think that the Lions coaching staff is not capable of coaching him up to being a good QB?

The coaching staff and even what's around him is a separate issue since somebody like Archie Manning was considered a good QB, but just on a bad team. Georgia was hyped as the number 1 one team, or around there to start last year. Looking back they had three top notch games last year outside of their bowl game. All of them were at home. All of them were losses. Two of them were of the near embarrassing kind. The game against 'Bama was over so quickly that he basically got to pad his stats in the second half. Against Florida he had 3 INTs and 0 TDs. The GT game neither defense decided to show up and rival games can be kind of quirky was well. How is he described? Big arm, but a little inconsistent. Inconsistent. Lions. Repeat those two words until they sink in.

I think it's also a bad pick because the Lions spent a 2nd round pick on Stanton and seem so hell bent on moving past him. I'm not saying Stanton is amazing. I'm born and raised in Spartan country so I got to see plenty of the guy, but at least give the guy a chance. The most passes he threw in a game last year was 8. He also was 6 of 8 for 94 yards and a TD in said game. Did he suck in his other two short stints? Yes he did. Still, you spent a 2nd rounder on him and he's thrown all of 17 passes and yet when the new shiney QB comes around you instantly move onto the new QB. Let's not forget the Lions could be one of the better improved teams next year in terms of wins, let's say 4, and still be back in the top 5 next year drafting, so a top noth QB will be there as well and you'll have a year to find out more if you think Stanton has any potential.

I would say grab one of the tackles and then spend pretty much the rest of the draft getting defense because they need about 3 new starters on it and a couple credible backups. Curry would have been decent as well, but I'm not sold on the phrase "safest pick" as somebody you want to give 1.1 money too. He would have been cheaper though considering Stafford got $41.7 million in guarantees.

[Galaxy]

Why do junior quarterbacks seem to flounder in comparsion to 4-year, senior quarterbacks? Is it they are unable to learn once they reach the NFL? It seems like a great wide receiver, tackle, cornerback will be great regardless of when they declared for the draft. I just am not overly impressed with either Stafford or Sanchez.

The NFL needs to fix this salary BS with rookies.

[Matthean]

Originally Posted by Logan

Stafford and the Lions agreed on a deal. Think I saw $42 million over 6.

St Louis, you're on the clock.

edit: Glazer from Fox Sports says that $42 million is the GUARANTEED amount. $78 million total.

Richest contract ever for a pick and it's in a city that's trying to find a leg to stand on economically. Yeah, this is going to go over real well.

[Logan]

Originally Posted by Matthean

I think it's also a bad pick because the Lions spent a 2nd round pick on Stanton and seem so hell bent on moving past him. I'm not saying Stanton is amazing. I'm born and raised in Spartan country so I got to see plenty of the guy, but at least give the guy a chance. The most passes he threw in a game last year was 8. He also was 6 of 8 for 94 yards and a TD in said game. Did he suck in his other two short stints? Yes he did. Still, you spent a 2nd rounder on him and he's thrown all of 17 passes and yet when the new shiney QB comes around you instantly move onto the new QB. Let's not forget the Lions could be one of the better improved teams next year in terms of wins, let's say 4, and still be back in the top 5 next year drafting, so a top noth QB will be there as well and you'll have a year to find out more if you think Stanton has any potential.

Well, you have to remember that the "you" you're referring to isn't there anymore. New GM, new coaching staff...they may not like anything about Stanton. Kinda like how Mangini and the new Browns GM seem to want nothing to do with Quinn...and the prior regime used a first on him.

Originally Posted by Galaxy

Why do junior quarterbacks seem to flounder in comparsion to 4-year, senior quarterbacks? Is it they are unable to learn once they reach the NFL? It seems like a great wide receiver, tackle, cornerback will be great regardless of when they declared for the draft. I just am not overly impressed with either Stafford or Sanchez.

I think that's one of those "correlation doesn't imply causation" things. Just because a guy came out early, it doesn't mean he is any less experienced than a senior depending on when they took over the job. I think another part of it is that underclassmen tend to come out with more hype, which equates to them being drafted higher, which forces senior QBs lower.

[Swaggs]

I may be in the minority, but the Lions did exactly what I would have done in their shoes. Quarterback was the only position worth the amount of cash they had to spend in the #1 spot, no one was going to trade up this year, and Stafford is the best quarterback in this draft.

People always like to find faults in the top guys in the draft and overscrutinize them, but Stafford is a guy that has all the tools and won 30 games (while playing in the SEC) in 3-years. Folks can criticize the 2008 Georgia team, but they broke in an almost completely new offensive line.

I think Schwartz is a pretty cerebral guy and will be able to develop Stafford's game, specifically taking care of the ball. Hopefully, they'll get him a couple of linemen to help protect him and I think he'll be a good starter within a few years.

[JohnnyBGood]

OS poster here who has been lurking FOFC for a while.

I was thinking the other day about the ridiculous nature of rookie contracts, mainly at the top of the draft (Top 5 picks). With details of this new Stafford contract, if a wage-scale is not put in place at the next CBA and rookie contracts continue to grow at this nauseating exponential rate, how long is it until we start seeing teams in the top-5 PASSING on their picks? Remember what the Vikings did (by accident) years ago? I think that becomes a legitimate strategy for teams who don't want the burden of those top-5 pick contracts, assuming that no one actually wants to trade for them (thats becoming more and more likely).

Also, Stafford has got to be the worst #1 pick in some time. We are talking about a guy who wasn't even particularly good in college. What is going on with these monumental reaches at pick #1? This will be the 3rd time in 5 years where a player who is arguably not even in the Top-10 most talented in the draft-pool goes number one (JaMarcus Russell, Alex Smith, and now Stafford). It seems like all 3 of these guys were "consensus" #1 picks, but no one could even really give a good or legitimate explanation as to why (except that there is a premium for QBs); it was just assumed. It seems like most teams wouldn't even want them and scouts didn't even think they were very good.