Life Without Calvin: A Detroit Lions Franchise (Madden 17)
Life Without Calvin: A Detroit Lions Franchise
With Madden 17 being 15 days away, because I am so hyped for the new franchise mode features (specifically the ticker and full player editing) I couldn't resist the temptation to start this thread early.
I know I have started 4 other Detroit Lions franchise threads on here (3 were in the same franchise save, one from Madden 12), I just couldn't think of another team that would be as fun as my favorite team. While it used to be fun to create myself at QB and throw the ball up to Calvin, something I've been doing since Madden 10, Calvin is now retired and now the fun is finding a guy to replace him. Something I also love is drafting a franchise QB, and while Matt Stafford will begin as the guy he is up for an extension at the end of 2016, and if he struggles I won't hesitate to replace him.
I do intend to use the NFL Primetime style game recaps I've been using in my Bears franchise, shoutout to Aaerios for the idea. These are quicker than typing up a game recap article, and quite frankly more fun. While my commentary is pretty bad now lol, it should get better with the more game recaps I make.
I'll be starting my freshman year of college this fall so the updates will be a bit slower then my Bears 'chise currently, but my goal is to make this last 8-10 seasons. I'll also be editing players for real life draft classes, and then I may do a CAP draft class down the line.
Re: Life Without Calvin: A Detroit Lions Franchise (Madden 17)
2017 Detroit Lions Draft Class
5. Teez Tabor CB/Florida
The Lions figured out relatively quickly that Quandre Diggs isn't a #2 corner. Hopefully Teez Tabor is one.
31. Samaje Perine HB/Oklahoma
Detroit had to trade up to get Perine, but they filled their other major need with a future 3 down back if Dwayne Washington doesn't work out.
69. Demarcus Walker DE/Florida State
Dwight Freeney is 37, and Devin Taylor is decent but that's his ceiling. Walker has 1st round upside, but as a tweener it isn't how clear how he'll preform at the NFL level.
133. Taco Charlton DE/Michigan
A BPA pick, but Charlton can serve as a rotational pass rusher.
165. Corey Smith WR/Ohio State
Smith should serve as good WR depth with Anquan Boldin retired and Corey Fuller now a Patriot.
177. BJ Singleton DT/Houston
Another BPA pick, but Singleton can serve as good defensive tackle depth.
224. John O'Korn QB/Michigan
With the Mr. Irrelevant pick, Bob Quinn gets another developmental QB from Michigan. Problem is O'Korn didn't even start for the Wolverines and he'll be lucky to make the practice squad.
Last edited by NewscasterNews4; 09-22-2016 at 12:50 PM.
Re: Life Without Calvin: A Detroit Lions Franchise (Madden 17)
2017 NFL Draft | 1st Round | Mel's Live Reactions
Watch the 2017 NFL Draft live here!
1. Browns (2-13-1): Deshaun Watson QB/Clemson
Believe it or not, this is the Browns' first #1 overall pick since 2000 as they have finally hit rock bottom. After passing on Carson Wentz last season, the Browns now (hopefully) finally find their franchise QB in Deshaun Watson.
2. Bears (3-13): Brad Kaaya QB/Miami (FL)
The Bears were hoping they could keep kicking the QB can down the road, but Jay Cutler was so bad they couldn't pass on his replacement.
3. 49ers (4-12): Myles Garrett EDGE/Texas A&M
With Arik Armstead out for 2017 with a long term injury, the 49ers would be dumb to pass on a once in a generation talent like Garrett.
Tajae Sharpe is a good #2, but Marcus Mariota needs a true #1 receiver.
7. Buccaneers (5-11): Mike Williams WR/Clemson
With Vincent Jackson now on the Ravens, the Bucs draft another WR named Mike with the #7 pick.
8. Bills (5-11): Christian McCaffrey HB/Stanford
A bit of a surprise pick, but LeSean McCoy is 29 and not getting any younger. Here's a passing back for Tyrod Taylor to throw to.
9. Steelers (5-10-1): Desmond King CB/Iowa
The Steelers did draft Artie Burns last year, but here's insurance in case he doesn't pan out and if William Gay suddenly takes a sharp decline.
10. Texans (6-10): Malik McDowell DT/Michigan State
McDowell was the best prospect on the board and he fills a need for Houston.
11. Falcons (6-10): Jamal Adams S/LSU
The selection of Keanu Neal paid off last year, so now Atlanta chooses to replace Sergio Brown here.
12. Ravens (7-9): Dalvin Cook HB/Florida State
Baltimore cannot afford to have another year of running back by committee, especially with a guy like Dalvin Cook on the board.
13. Dolphins (7-9): Marlon Humphrey CB/Alabama
Byron Maxwell is not a #1 corner.
14. Cardinals (7-9): Luke Falk QB/Washington State
Carson Palmer is now, 37, and it appears the Cardinals have missed their Super Bowl window. So its time for Arizona to find his replacement.
15. Vikings (8-8): Nick Chubb HB/Georgia
Sorry Vikings fans but Adrian Peterson can't play forever.
16. Colts (8-8): Derek Barnett EDGE/Tennessee
With the retirement of Trent Cole, the Colts finally find a young edge rusher to get after the other young QB's in the AFC South.
17. Broncos (8-7-1): Pat Elflein G/Ohio State
If the Broncos want Paxton Lynch to be their QB long term, they need to protect him a lot better.
18. Panthers (8-7-1): Roderick Johnson T/Florida State
Mike Remmers was finally cut loose, and the Panthers finally find a proper replacement for him.
19. Giants (9-7): Jarrad Davis LB/Florida
New York finally finds their first serviceable ILB since Jon Beason way back when.
20. Redskins (10-6): Charles Harris EDGE/Missouri
Washington finds another pass rusher to terrorize Eli Manning, Dak Prescott, and Carson Wentz.
21. Jaguars (9-7): Jabrill Peppers S/Michigan
The Jaguars decided to play last year's 1st rounder Jalen Ramsey at corner, so they still have a hole at safety until now.
22. Packers (10-6): Raekwon McMillan LB/Ohio State
Green Bay can finally move Clay Matthews to outside linebacker again.
23. Jets (11-5): Cam Robinson T/Alabama
The Jets have chosen to roll with Christian Hackenberg at QB going forward, so they need to protect him. Cam Robinson's fall finally ends here as teams haven't forgotten about his felony weapons arrest last spring.
24. Cowboys (11-5): Jake Butt TE/Michigan
Jason Witten will be hanging it up very soon, so the Cowboys hope to find Dak Prescott his own reliable TE for the years to come.
25. Saints (9-6-1): Jourdan Lewis CB/Michigan
Besides Delvin Breaux, the Saints have nothing at cornerback.
26. Bengals (10-6): Conor McDermott T/UCLA
After Andrew Withworth retired this offseason, the Bengals hope they have his replacement.
27. Browns (via Eagles): Malachi Dupre WR/LSU
After losing Josh Gordon in free agency, the Browns hope free agent signee Kamar Aiken and Malachi Dupre can replace his production.
28. Chargers (13-2-1): Travis Rudolph WR/Florida State
Besides Keenan Allen, the Chargers have nothing at receiver. That is, until now.
29. Titans (via Rams): Demetrious Cox CB/Michigan State
Like the position pick, don't know if I agree with the player though.
Following another disappointing season, the Ravens finally moved on from John Harbaugh and brought in Arizona's OC/QB Whisperer Harold Godwin. Now, the Ravens have made a statement by moving on from Joe Flacco, who has been very inconsistent since his 2012 postseason run and they've brought in one of the most coveted prospects of all time in the Rosen one, UCLA's prodigy Josh Rosen.
2. Redskins (3-13): Deshone Kizer QB/Notre Dame
Even after going 10-6 in 2016, it wasn't enough to save Jay Gruden's job after a horrendous 3-13 2017 campaign. The new head coach now is former Cleveland OC Pep Hamilton, and his first act of business was to bring in his QB, something Jay Gruden never got a chance to do, and Hamilton's guy is Deshone Kizer. Kizer should fit in well with the offense Deshaun Watson ran with ease in Cleveland last year, and he should start day 1 barring injury.
3. Bears (4-12): Martez Ivey T/Florida
Da Bears had a tough decision to make: take a franchise left tackle to help your young QB or go BPA with pass rusher Arden Key. Chicago chose to take the safe, smart route, and Ivey will start at LT day 1.
4. 49ers (via Ravens): Arden Key EDGE/LSU
While the 49ers did great value here, how many edge rushers does one team need? The 49ers seem to have an abundance of them, and you have to wonder if they trade one of Lynch/Armstead/Buckner for future draft picks for the next regime once Chip Kelly gets fired.
5. Broncos (5-11): Christian Kirk WR/Texas A&M
Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders are both 30 or over, and there's no weapons besides them on this roster. This pick was a no brainer, and hopefully Paxton Lynch can pick up his play next season.
6. Lions (5-11): Malik Hooker S/Ohio State
Another no brainer pick here. The Lions desperately need secondary help, and they get that with an elite prospect such as Malik Hooker.
7. Jets (6-10): Calvin Ridley WR/Alabama
With the retirement of Brandon Marshall, the Jets had to get Christian Hackenberg some more help. They get that in a big way with yet another Alabama receiver in Calvin Ridley.
8. Dolphins (6-9-1): Daylon Mack DT/Texas A&M
Besides Ndamukong Suh, the Dolphins have nothing at DT. At least until now.
9. Titans (7-9): Quincy Wilson CB/Florida
2017 1st round pick Demetrius Cox hasn't done much, so the Titans look again for secondary help.
10. Raiders (7-9): Gareon Conley CB/Ohio State
Sean Smith is getting older, Conley could be his replacement.
11. Buccaneers (7-9): Marcus Williams S/Utah
It's high time Tampa Bay realized Chis Conte shouldn't be a starting safety in the NFL.
12. Falcons (7-9): TJ Watt EDGE/Wisconsin
The Falcons have finally stopped neglecting their pass rush.
13. Browns (8-8): Geron Christian T/Louisville
The Browns started Mike Remmers at RT last season. This pick was a must to make sure Deshaun Watson doesn't get injured again in his sophomore campaign.
14. Cowboys (8-8): Marshon Lattimore CB/Ohio State
With Morris Claiborne officially being a bust, Dallas finally nabs his replacement.
15. Bengals (8-8): Curtis Samuel WR/Ohio State
Yet another Suckeye....whoops I meant Buckeye goes off the board as Cincinnati needed another receiver badly.
16. Eagles (8-8): Mitch Hyatt T/Clemson
With the retirement of Jason Peters, the Eagles needed to find his replacement to protect Carson Wentz.
17. Colts (8-8): Saquon Barkley HB/Penn State
This seems like a match made in heaven. The Colts finally find their franchise HB to help take the pressure off of Andrew Luck.
18. Panthers (8-8): Minkah Fitzpatrick CB/Alabama
The Panthers secondary remains putrid since releasing Josh Norman, but hopefully Fitzpatrick can help change that.
19. Cardinals (9-7): Jordan Thomas CB/Oklahoma
Arizona continues to look for a corner to play across from Patrick Peterson, and they are hoping Thomas is that dude.
20. Jaguars (9-7): Malik Jefferson LB/Texas
Dan Skuta should not be a starting LB in this league, and he won't be one anymore.
21. Steelers (9-7): David Moa DT/Boise State
The Steelers choose the bolster their defensive line here, a good choice.
Trade: Bills - Vikings
Bills Get: Pick 22
Vikings Get: Pick 25, Pick 89
22. Bills (via Vikings): Lamar Jackson QB/Louisville
Tyrod Taylor has posted two subpar seasons since his good 2015 season, and while the Bills did make the playoffs for the first time since 1999 this past season, they did it in spite of Taylor's 21 interceptions. Looks like Lamar "Action" Jackson will be Buffalo's official franchise QB.
23. Texans (10-6): CeCe Jefferson DE/Florida
The Texans find yet another pass rusher to add to their already lethal pass rushing unit.
24. Rams (11-5): Adonis Alexander CB/Virginia Tech
Los Angeles has yet to find their replacement for Janoris Jenkins, but maybe they have that guy now.
25. Vikings (via Bills): Skai Moore LB/South Carolina
The Vikings add some depth to an already great linebacking core.
26. Giants (10-6): Jake Browning QB/Washington
Eli Manning is now 37, so as his career comes to a close the Giants find his era parent in Washington's Jake Browning.
27. Chargers (11-5): David Sharpe T/Florida
The now Los Angeles Chargers get Phillip Rivers some more protection.
28. Saints (13-3): Royce Freeman HB/Oregon
With Drew Brees being 39 and on the franchise tag, the Saints are willing to go all out to get skill position players to make one last Super Bowl run.
29. Packers (12-4): Antonio Callaway WR/Florida
The Pack let Davante Adams walk in free agency, so Callaway will come right in and take his place.
30. Patriots (13-3): Jabari Zuniga EDGE/Florida
New England addresses the lone weakness on their team: their pass rush.
31. Chiefs (10-5-1): Tyquan Lewis EDGE/Ohio State
You know the Chiefs love their rotational pass rushers.
32. Seahawks (9-7): Cam Serigne TE/Wake Forest
The defending Super Bowl champs get themselves a 2nd reliable TE to pair with Jimmy Graham.
2019 NFL Draft Live Reactions | 1st Round
Watch the 2019 NFL Draft LIVE here!
1. Vikings (3-13): Gregory Little T/Ole Miss
Minnesota has enough defensive help and with Teddy Bridgewater returning from his torn MCL infection they don't need a QB, so for the first time since 2013 the #1 pick in the draft is spent on an offensive tackle as Gregory Little goes off the board here.
2. Rams (3-13): Rashan Gary DE/Michigan
For the first time since 2015, the Rams missed the playoffs due to a slew of injuries. To help their defense get back right, Los Angeles spends the #2 pick on the best pass rusher prospect since Myles Garrett in Gary.
3. Redskins (3-12-1): Ryan Daugherty WR/Eastern Michigan
Washington is an old team now after their years of free agent signings, and the biggest case of this is at the receiver position. Desean Jackson and Pierre Garcon have really regressed, leaving Josh Doctson as the only viable outside threat. The Redskins nab Ryan Daugherty, the best WR prospect since Sammy Watkins, who can go up and get anything and will be a big help to second year QB Deshone Kizer.
4. Browns (4-12): Levonta Taylor CB/Florida State
After a disappointing 4-12 campaign last year, the Browns spent a ton of money in free agency, specifically at the CB position. With Joe Haden regressing, the Brownies signed Ronald Darby to fill the CB #1 spot, and with the #4 pick they find their #2 corner in Levonta Taylor.
5. 49ers (via Ravens): Dexter Lawrence DT/Clemson
With the Ravens' 1st round pick from the Josh Rosen trade, the 49ers find themselves a nose tackle to go along with all the other edge rushers they've drafted over the past 4 seasons.
6. Steelers (6-10): Jacob Eason QB/Georgia
Big Ben has not stayed healthy for all 16 games since 2014, and he's 37 now. The Steelers hopefully find their emergency backup in case Roethlisberger goes down again, and Big Ben's future sucessor in Jacob Eason.
7. Broncos (6-10): Ed Oliver DE/Houston
Denver's defense has regressed over the past few years, so to help out their pass rush they select the disruptive interior defender from Houston in Ed Oliver.
8. Texans (7-9): Sam Darnold QB/USC
The Texans ended the Brock Osweiler experiment by cutting him, and to replace him temporarily they signed Alex Smith to a 2 year deal. However, Smith is only really a stopgap at this point, so for the first time since 2002 the Texans spend their 1st round pick on a QB in 2018 Heisman trophy winner Sam Darnold.
9. Jaguars (7-9): Willie Allen T/LSU
Jacksonville gets some more protection for Blake Bortles going forward.
10. Jets (7-9): Saivion Smith CB/LSU
The Jets need another corner opposite Darrelle Revis, and eventually New York hopes Smith can replace Revis once he retires.
11. Raiders (7-9): Jonah Williams T/Alabama
The Raiders also look for some offensive line help to protect whoever will be playing QB for them next season.
12. Bears (7-9): Ben Davis LB/Alabama
Jurrell Freeman is getting up there in age, so the hope is that Davis can be his long term replacement.
13. Giants (7-9): D'Onta Foreman HB/Texas
After tearing his ACL in 2018 and coming back for another season, Foreman tore it up for the Longhorns and the Giants have needed a bellcow HB for a long time.
14. 49ers (8-8): Ben Bredeson T/Michigan
With their second 1st round pick, the 49ers finally look offense in the 1st round as they get some protection for Chad Kelly.
15. Panthers (8-8): Baveon Johnson C/Florida State
Carolina didn't have a competent center on roster until now.
A bit of a shocking pick as the Lions seemed to be intent on taking Wilton Speight with their 1st round pick, but instead they go with Henderson. Many appear to not be happy with this selection.
17. Dolphins (8-8): Nick Bosa DE/Ohio State
The Dolphins get a huge steal in Bosa as he should start day 1.
18. Buccaneers (8-7-1): Patrick Hudson G/Texas
Tampa Bay gets themselves some protection for Jameis Winston and a guy who can free up running lanes for Jeremy Hill.
19. Seahawks (9-7): Benito Jones DT/Ole Miss
Seattle addresses the trenches here with a guy to start alongside Jarran Reed in Benito Jones.
20. Patriots (9-7): Deionte Thompson S/Alabama
New England let Patrick Chung walk, and they replace him with Thompson.
21. Falcons (10-6): Kendall Sheffield CB/Alabama
Besides Desmond Trufant, the Falcons are thin at corner so they take Sheffield to be their #2.
22. Bills (10-6): Canton Kaumatule DE/Oregon
Devin Taylor hasn't quite had the impact he was expected to, so Buffalo replaces him with Kaumatule.
23. Eagles (10-6): Josh Sweat DE/Florida State
Philly also takes a pass rusher as Josh Sweat was simply too good to pass up on.
24. Chargers (11-5): Landon Dickerson T/Florida State
The Chargers will continue to try and prolong Phillip Rivers' career by getting him some offensive line help in Dickerson.
25. Cardinals (9-7): Shane Simmons DE/Penn State
Arizona continues to build a scary defense as they take another edge rusher in Simmons.
26. Cowboys (9-7): Equanimeous St. Brown WR/Notre Dame
Dallas gets a big bodied #2 receiver to replace the mediocre Terrance Williams across from Dez Bryant.
27. Bengals (9-7): Issac Nauta TE/Georgia
Cincinnati gets a TE to pair up with Tyler Eifert.
28. Chiefs (12-4): Mique Juarez LB/UCLA
With the retirements of Derrick Johnson and Tamba Hali, the Chiefs need linebackers desperately, and they get that with Juarez.
29. Titans (10-6): Michael Divinity LB/LSU
Tennessee gets another inside linebacker to pair with Average Williamson.
30. Saints (11-5): Chuma Edgoa T/USC
New Orleans begins the Patrick Mahomes era by getting him a franchise RT to pair along with Terron Armstead.
31. Packers (12-4): Deon Cain WR/Clemson
With Jordy Nelson leaving, the Packers just go out and get another WR in the 1st round.
32. Colts (12-4): Kahlil McKenzie DT/Tennessee
Jamie Meder shouldn't be starting in the NFL, so the Colts hope to replace him with McKenzie.
Last edited by NewscasterNews4; 01-16-2017 at 11:45 AM.