tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878374527740897949.post3105033183935768248..comments2023-10-25T03:22:10.425-05:00Comments on NetRat's Lions Blog: Lions needs and the 2011 draftUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878374527740897949.post-19295510647663213232011-04-13T00:30:07.004-05:002011-04-13T00:30:07.004-05:00The Lions got a little better as the year went on,...The Lions got a little better as the year went on, as I predicted due to the influx of new players (takes time to integrate new bodies into a team, be they rookies or vets). However, they did even better when you consider the O was playing with 2nd and 3rd string QBs all season... and with a RB with TWO turf toes and another with a rebuilt leg (and not yet 100% ever, all season). How would that o-line look with the #1 QB and one healthy starting RB? (answer: a lot better).<br /><br />As for the D-Line, a non-stop DE attack with 3 or 4 superb DE lineup helps the defense tremendously... plus, KVB is only 1 year younger then Jeff Backus, so even though KVB is needed (desparately) in the locker room and on the field, he is no longer a 50 snap DE. Backus meanwhile has yet to miss his first game.<br /><br />Will I take KVBs eventual replacement over Jeff Backus' replacement this year? Yes! In a heartbeat... faster then I can say YES!NetRat's Lions Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08319344988881078971noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878374527740897949.post-60190020740009603432011-04-11T15:36:35.174-05:002011-04-11T15:36:35.174-05:00"I would much prefer the Lions have the best ..."I would much prefer the Lions have the best dline in the NFL then a potential left tackle sitting on the bench wondering why he's not playing."<br /><br />This is interesting, because to me it's two sides of the same coin: whether we take a DE like Robert Quinn, or an LT like Tryon Smith, neither one is going to have a clear path to start (barring, God forbid, major injuries). DEs obviously play more rotationally than OTs, but between KVB, Avril, and Lo-Jack, even a first-rounder is going to have a tough time making an impact. <br /><br />Unless you believe having a strong, deep defensive line is fundamentally more desirable a strong, deep offensive line, I don't really follow your reasoning.<br /><br />Peace<br />TyTy Schalterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07228238666916939672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878374527740897949.post-45090526182628626532011-04-11T14:43:01.445-05:002011-04-11T14:43:01.445-05:00A lot of people are saying Detroit's OL did a ...A lot of people are saying Detroit's OL did a great job in 2010 based on the sacks-allowed stat, but what's the stat on hurries? Times flushed out of pocket that resulted in an inc or int? I don't think sacks-allowed tells the whole story. <br /><br />I'm not sold on picking an OT at 13 - not thrilled with what's out there - but our OL needs to get a lot better. In terms of our OL, there's no way are we in the top half of the league, much less top six. The 2010 sacks-allowed stat may look good (and it's an enormous improvement on 2009 to be sure), but both our pass protection and run blocking are sub-par, in my opinion. We've got to get better at both in order to get to the next level. <br /><br />Just my US$0.02, which is worth less today than it was yesterday.-https://www.blogger.com/profile/04104365692112080505noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878374527740897949.post-60727704513293559972011-04-08T11:03:48.186-05:002011-04-08T11:03:48.186-05:00As I see it, taking a tackle just for the sake of ...As I see it, taking a tackle just for the sake of taking one (same applies to QB by the way) is going to hurt your team, not help.<br /><br />I do not like this class of tackles (the ones most think will go round 1), I like Tyron Smith at RT and the rest of these developmental guys in round 2. If this draft had the top 3 tackles from any of the previous couple drafts in it, none of these guys would be talked about in the top 25 (same goes for Quarterback).<br /><br />Yes, they all have potential, some even pretty great potential, but they all have an extra high bust factor this year... I'd rather take my chances and wait then pick the risky pick.<br /><br />When I gamble at the casino I only take the amount of money I'm willing to lose... when I draft I have to look at what I'm losing out on to gamble on another.<br /><br />I would much prefer the Lions have the best dline in the NFL then a potential left tackle sitting on the bench wondering why he's not playing.NetRat's Lions Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08319344988881078971noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878374527740897949.post-37735520142611864872011-04-08T10:54:53.466-05:002011-04-08T10:54:53.466-05:00NetRat--
Great piece! I responded over at my own ...NetRat--<br /><br />Great piece! I responded over at my own blog, but ultimately I both agree with you and don't. I DON'T think there is a burning need for an OT right now; in fact I'm positive that a 1.13 OT would sit at least this season out.<br /><br />However, it would be awful if the Lions' championship "window" opens this year, just to have Backus finally break down and leave them scrambling for a replacement (and no high draft pick to do it with!). Given the premium you have to pay to get an elite protector, and the unlikelihood that any of the Lions' immediate needs (CB, OLB) could be filled at 1.13, I don't see why OT should be ruled out.<br /><br />Peace<br />TyTy Schalterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07228238666916939672noreply@blogger.com