We have bounced around a lot of scenarios for the Raiders, but what if Al Davis simply picks LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell and leaves Georgia Tech receiver Calvin Johnson on the board for the Lions. Detroit really can't trade that pick with Cleveland, Tampa Bay or Arizona. None of those teams would be willing to give up anything extra for Johnson, knowing full well that Millen will never draft another receiver that high in the draft.
Millen could be stuck, especially if Washington trades its sixth overall pick to Chicago for unsigned linebacker Lance Briggs.
Drew Rosenhaus, Briggs' agent, said Wednesday that Bears GM Jerry Angelo is too smart to pass up such a trade. "It's more than he ever thought he could get for Briggs," Rosenhaus said.
Millen's lone hope is that Washington doesn't make that trade with Chicago. How's that? Well, if they keep the choice, the Redskins definitely would be in the market to deal with Detroit for the chance to draft Johnson. At the sixth spot, Detroit still might be able to pick Wisconsin offensive tackle Joe Thomas.
Two teams told me Wednesday that if the Lions remain at No. 2 in the draft, they will pass on the quarterbacks in this draft and take Clemson pass rusher Gaines Adams, who fits what head coach Rod Marinelli wants to do with his defense. Adams could be the next Simeon Rice, a player Marinelli coached in Tampa Bay.
Am I the only one who thinks that the sixth overall pick is a VERY steep price to pay for Briggs?
[ Oh, I just noticed that the deal also included the 31st pick. So they are basically trading the equivalent of say 1.16 for Briggs. I guess that's not terrible, but still seems like a steep price to me. ]
And I tell you - it'll be an impossible decision, but Calvin Johnson and Roy Williams would be an impressive tandem for years to come. You could just about throw anyone behind center with those two :)
I have to agree about the Calvin Johnson/Roy Williams tandem. Honestly, there are enough quality O linemen and potential franchise QB's in this year's draft that Detroit can afford the "risk" of taking the mirror image (talent wise) of T.O. and The other big name Johnson in Tha Natti! They really can't lose with any top tier pick this year with all ofthe holes they need to fill. But passing up on C.J. would be an instant replay of Houston's Bush/Young snub. In the long run, taking Thomas, Quinn, or Adams won't hurt them; but it will be nothing like what they could have with two gifted and polished athletes at wideout. Who has the secondary to cover that?
Where I agree to SOME point with the Johnson/Williams receiver corp... what's the point of having good receivers if they don't have a QB to throw it to them.
Being a Detroit fan, even through the bad years (say, all my life), I keep on seeing the Lions pick up these 2nd rank QB's to try and fill a spot that is without a doubt the "leadership" role. Erik Kramer (although I liked him), Andre Ware, Charlie Rogers, Scott Mitchell, Joey Harrington, Jeff Garcia, and now... no offense (no pun intended), Jon Kitna? While Kitna probably has a few years left, draft Brady Quinn. Have a QB grow with the team. Mold him. Don't keep changing the offense to accomodate the new "kid" in town. Let's build our team for the future. Millen keeps on trying to build a team that's trying to make it to the playoffs in a year turnaround. Ain't gonna happen.
lions take a wide reciever? charles rogers and williams. how about rogers williams and williams. They would be unstoppable. Superbowls are won with defense and stud quarterbacks. Plus you can win superbowls with an OK QB. Neither Qb fits that bill. So draft stud left tackle or best defensive player laron landry/ okoye. I smell a bust with either DE.
Last edited by cashnowguy on March 29th at 8:30 AM.
Excuse me Daniel. Apparently you did not notice that Kitna threw for more yards than all but 2 qb's in the league last year. But, he had some interceptions and was sacked more than any other QB. What is the problem? Obviously it's not receivers because the yardage was there. Obviously the problem was the offensive line. Yes a QB can make poor decisions, but when you see interceptions AND sacks like that on top of outstanding yardage, it's the line causing the problem. Stop recycling cast off offensive linemen and draft Joe Thomas and a guard. Any receiver can get open when the QB has enough time to sit in the pocket. All the Lions have to do is create a line that can hold a pocket. Unfortunately, they will fall prey to the media pressure again and draft some position other than the line.
If he is there, Detroit has to pick up C Johnson. I know they have had bad luck with WR's before, but none of them (mike williams and charles rogers) performed as well as Johnson did. He is a big time playmaker that the Lions need on their Offense. A big part of football is momentum, and Calvin can make the plays to give the Lions momentum. They have improved the O-Line and worked a little on the defense...they should not even think about whether to draft Calvin Johnson or not...just do it.
Woah, #### boy! I wasn't trashing Kitna... I just said let's make someone into a franchise QB instead of creating a 2-3 year shelf life on these QB's that pretty much were back-ups their career. Oh, and yardage can be gained easily.. Joey Harrington proved that last year in Miami. Kitna just makes bad decisions in the closing minutes of the game.
Joey threw for just over 2200 yards last year, so yardage isn't free. I would make a run at David Carr, he led the league in completion percentage and draft CJ, if that isn't good trade down with ATL and draft a corner (Leon Hall)
Harrington didn't play a full schedule last year, but he had at least 2 400 yard games against good defensive teams. No team builds a winning or playoff team off a RB, O-line, or WR. They can't single-handedly win games; QB's on the other hand. When was the last time T.O. or an OT won a game by themselves. Unless you have a L.T., then no bueno. Draft Quinn!
Daniel must be Matt Millen in disguise. David Carr has a Joey-like quality and was pummeled by way of a Lion-like O-line. Take Thomas (good call monkeyboy). Kitna went for over 4K, Furrey is an overlooked weapon, Dan Campbell adds depth and our O-line flat out sucks.
I say draft Thomas or Trade and hope to get Gaines. Super Bowls and games are won on the line. It's also won with character guys and Thomas is that. As for Quinn I don't know I smell bust. I mean look at the goals he set beat USC, win a national title, Heisman and number 1 pick in the draft. Looking at that he is 0 for 4 and when he adds Super Bowl to that he will go 0 for 5. He played at an overated program and achieved nothing but winning against underachieving middle of the road programs and bottom feeders. I am sorry but probably the weakest position in this draft is QB.
Quinn is the most overrated QB since Andre Ware. How can anyone who has watched the Patriots or Colts play suggest that an Offensive Line does not win games? PLEASE! Brady and Manning are great quarterbacks BECAUSE they can stand in the pocket with confidence. Build a line on both sides of the ball and you build a team.
John Czarnecki, a former sportswriter with over 20 years experience covering the NFL, has been the editorial consultant for the Emmy Award-winning FOX NFL Sunday since its 1994 inception. Prior, he provided exclusive information to CBS Sports' The NFL Today program from 1991 to 1993, holding a similar position.
Prior to joining CBS Sports, Czarnecki was a pro football writer for The National Sports Daily (1989-91), The Dallas Morning News (1989), and The Los Angeles Herald-Examin er. An archive of work can be found here.
