If The player has a star by their name I am still trying to verify source of contact with team. Otherwise the player has met with GM, Coach, Pro day Scout, Combine Interview, or had a Draft Visit with the Lions.
0. Jake Long OT Michigan
1. Keith Rivers OLB USC
2. Derrick Harvey DE FLA
3. Chris Williams OT Vandy
4. Rashard Mendenhall RB ILL
5. Jerod Mayo ILB TENN
6. Jonathan Stewert RB ORE
7. Brandon Albert OG/OT Virginia
8. Felix Jones RB ARK
9. Leodis McKelvin CB Troy
------------------1----------2------------------
10. Gosder Cherilus OT Boston Coll
11. Curtis Lofton ILB Oklahoma
12. Antoine Cason CB Arizona *
13. Carl Nicks OT Nebraska
14. Chris Johnson RB ECU
15. Jamaal Charles RB Texas
16. Cliff Avril DE Purdue
17. Anthony Collins OT Kansas
18. Xavier Adibi LB Virginia Tech *
19. Bruce Davis DE UCLA
-------------2-----------------3----------------
20. Geno Hayes LB Florida State
21. Kendall Langford DE Hampton
22. Letroy Guion DT Florida State
23. Jordon Dizon LB Colorado
24. Kevin Smith RB Central Florida
25. Andre Fluellen DE Florida State
26. Matt Forte RB Tulane
27. Jason Jones DT/DE Eastern Michigan
----------------3--------------4------------------------
28. Johnny Dingle DE West Virginia
29. Jo-Lonn Dunbar LB Boston College
30. Darius Reynaud WR West Virginia
31. Jeremy Geathers DE UNLV
32. Bryan Smith DE Mcneese State
33. William Hayes DE Winston Salem State
----------------4--------------5---------------------------
34. Joey Haynos TE Maryland *
35. Caleb Campbell S Army
36. Hilee Taylor LB North Carolina
37. Tim Hightower RB Richmond
38. Adrian Smith RB Bethel College
39. Landon Cohen DT Ohio
40. Nick Cleaver TE New Mexico State
41. Shawn McMackin OL Hofstra
42. Justin Tryon CB Arizona State
-----------------5----------?--------------------------------
43. Jerome Felton RB Furman
44. Jayson Foster RB Georgia Southern
45. Cory Boyd RB South Carolina
46. Dan Ziedman P Idaho State
47. Kalvin Mcrae RB Ohio *
48. Marcus Buggs OLB Vanderbilt
49. Brian Johnson DE Gardner Webb
Monday, April 21, 2008
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Some draft thoughts.
LB. The Lions "could" start the season with Lewis at SSLB and Lenon at MLB, similar to last year. They want to and need to upgrade at least one of those positions, but, Marinelli tends to not start rookies at key positions. Thus, I truly believe they will draft a LB that can start at SSLB assuming he can beat out Lewis for that job, then he will get moved to MLB next year. I truly believe that Lenon IS the MLB this year unless the draft pick is stellar and beats Lenon out (moving Lenon to SSLB). Mayo, Rivers and Connor seem to have "it" but I am not ready to bet the farm on that just yet.
DE. The Lions "could" play White, Smith, 5-0 and DeVries but that combo didn't get a decent pass rush at all last year. A pass rush is CRITICAL to this defense. Fixing the LB and CB spots won't matter if there is no pass rush. Again, Marinelli has a tendency to not start rookies, and rookie DEs tend to not be dominate their first year. I'm looking for a ready made immediate starter like Harvey, Gholston or Long... or someone who will be lucky to be activated and rotate in this year.
RB. Calhoun and Cason as depth behind Bell is a horrid thought. The lions must MUST get another RB and the guy HAS TO beat out either Calhoun or Cason for a job... then preferably be able to take the job away from Bell as well. Rookies can play RB fairly well (except for blitz pickups usually) and of any draft pick I would think the RB has the best chance of actually becoming a starter.
RT. The Lions are set at Guard. A drafted guard has almost no chance of making the roster. They like Raoila. They love Backus. That leaves RT. They have Foster and Scott. They may not play a rookie here anyway. The Oline is pretty much set (in the Lions' eyes, not mine) but they will get a tackle for depth and we can only hope the guy can earn a starting job sometime this year.
DT. I do not see a solid DT group on the team. I truly feel they need to draft a decent DT who can first make the team, then make the active roster for the games, then help in the rotation.
I see no reason to draft a TE, Guard, Center, WR, S or CB unless the guy has a reasonable chance of taking a roster spot away from someone who is more or less nearly guaranteed to make the team. That last WR or CB spot who can be the return guy does have some potential, and I hope they do try to go that route.
LB, DE, RB, RT, DT and a return guy. Potentially 2 starters (RB and Return guy) potentially 2 rotate in (DE, DT) and the LB will need to be VERY good to see the field (barring injuries).
I'm not trying to be "down" on the Lions. This is truly how I see it.
DE. The Lions "could" play White, Smith, 5-0 and DeVries but that combo didn't get a decent pass rush at all last year. A pass rush is CRITICAL to this defense. Fixing the LB and CB spots won't matter if there is no pass rush. Again, Marinelli has a tendency to not start rookies, and rookie DEs tend to not be dominate their first year. I'm looking for a ready made immediate starter like Harvey, Gholston or Long... or someone who will be lucky to be activated and rotate in this year.
RB. Calhoun and Cason as depth behind Bell is a horrid thought. The lions must MUST get another RB and the guy HAS TO beat out either Calhoun or Cason for a job... then preferably be able to take the job away from Bell as well. Rookies can play RB fairly well (except for blitz pickups usually) and of any draft pick I would think the RB has the best chance of actually becoming a starter.
RT. The Lions are set at Guard. A drafted guard has almost no chance of making the roster. They like Raoila. They love Backus. That leaves RT. They have Foster and Scott. They may not play a rookie here anyway. The Oline is pretty much set (in the Lions' eyes, not mine) but they will get a tackle for depth and we can only hope the guy can earn a starting job sometime this year.
DT. I do not see a solid DT group on the team. I truly feel they need to draft a decent DT who can first make the team, then make the active roster for the games, then help in the rotation.
I see no reason to draft a TE, Guard, Center, WR, S or CB unless the guy has a reasonable chance of taking a roster spot away from someone who is more or less nearly guaranteed to make the team. That last WR or CB spot who can be the return guy does have some potential, and I hope they do try to go that route.
LB, DE, RB, RT, DT and a return guy. Potentially 2 starters (RB and Return guy) potentially 2 rotate in (DE, DT) and the LB will need to be VERY good to see the field (barring injuries).
I'm not trying to be "down" on the Lions. This is truly how I see it.
Friday, January 4, 2008
They fired Martz?!?!?!? And promoted who?!?!?
I can understand wanting to keep the system. I really can.
I can understand that it's not likely anyone can do this system as well as Martz has.
I can understand not going outside the team for an OC if they don't want to give someone a long term contract (which be a requisite from higher up, it would have to be, Marinelli certainly didn't decide this part of it).
I can understand covering up for a guy's inadequacies by promoting a 2nd guy to help out in some manner. I mean, you got to cover as many bases as you can if you are stuck.
I can NOT understand firing Martz (or coming to an agreement on it) in the first place unless the team is rebelling against him... and if the "team" is primarily Backus and Raoila (it sure aint' Kitna, Roy or McDonald) and I find out ever that it was, I may go totally phycho. In fact, for my sanity, I better never find out any of this had anything to do with Backus and Raoila (for they should be gone, not Martz).
I can not understand promoting the inexperienced in the NFL bad college OC to the Lions OC and not promoting the experienced NFL OC, unless his job is actually ABOVE OC.
I can not understand why they, or anyone else, thinks that any of this is a good idea.
I also, for the life of me, can NOT understand why Kwam is still a Lions coach.
I can understand that it's not likely anyone can do this system as well as Martz has.
I can understand not going outside the team for an OC if they don't want to give someone a long term contract (which be a requisite from higher up, it would have to be, Marinelli certainly didn't decide this part of it).
I can understand covering up for a guy's inadequacies by promoting a 2nd guy to help out in some manner. I mean, you got to cover as many bases as you can if you are stuck.
I can NOT understand firing Martz (or coming to an agreement on it) in the first place unless the team is rebelling against him... and if the "team" is primarily Backus and Raoila (it sure aint' Kitna, Roy or McDonald) and I find out ever that it was, I may go totally phycho. In fact, for my sanity, I better never find out any of this had anything to do with Backus and Raoila (for they should be gone, not Martz).
I can not understand promoting the inexperienced in the NFL bad college OC to the Lions OC and not promoting the experienced NFL OC, unless his job is actually ABOVE OC.
I can not understand why they, or anyone else, thinks that any of this is a good idea.
I also, for the life of me, can NOT understand why Kwam is still a Lions coach.
Saturday, December 22, 2007
2008 Roster / Depth Chart
I have created a 2008 Roster / Depth Chart based on the current 2007 one. Names in red are free agents, names in blue are restricted free agents and would need to be tendered an offer, and guys in black are already signed for 2008. The blank yellow boxes are the "holes" that need to be filled, preferably in free agency (I prefer to use the draft for depth and for competition to the guys already on the roster... let them win the job and the whole team is better for it).
http://www.thenetrat.com/2008%20Depth%20Chart.xls ( a link to which can be found at http://www.thenetrat.com )
DE being the number one need. Backup DT (to rotate in) being important as well. MLB and SSLB and RCB all should be found in free agency, the current roster doesn't contain anyone I would wish to start in 2008 at those positions.
I truly hope that Woody gets re-signed to play RT. He is better at it with no training camp and little practice then anyone the Lions have had playing there in at least a decade, longer actually.
http://www.thenetrat.com/2008%20Depth%20Chart.xls ( a link to which can be found at http://www.thenetrat.com )
DE being the number one need. Backup DT (to rotate in) being important as well. MLB and SSLB and RCB all should be found in free agency, the current roster doesn't contain anyone I would wish to start in 2008 at those positions.
I truly hope that Woody gets re-signed to play RT. He is better at it with no training camp and little practice then anyone the Lions have had playing there in at least a decade, longer actually.
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Couple thoughts... on 2007 and 2008
First, the Lions are not winning or losing the games I expected them to, and at this point in time I had them at 7-4, losing the next 3, and winning only one more. Instead, they are 6-5, and can potentially win more then 2 more and make the playoffs. It won't be easy, but they have lost some games this year they could have won with better play from various members of the team.
Having said that, my first thoughts of the coming off season are like this:
In free agency look to retain some of the current depth who will hit free agency without new contracts, and also look around the league for a starting cornerback, a starting linebacker, and a starting right tackle. It is unlikely they will be able to do this all in one year, but it sure would take care of some "holes".
After that, go into the draft trading and targeting players to take the job of starting DE (bye-bye Kalimba Edwards), potentially (as in eventually) starting linebackers, O-Tackle (bye-bye Backus), Center (bye-bye Raoila), and cornerback.
That'll leave a few picks to locate an honest to goodness speedy, dependable, return man.
Now, this is all going to change as things progress of course, but this is my preliminary line of thinking on the 1st of December 2007.
Oh, and why am I thinking that the only two reliable players on the O-Line need to be replaced? Because the O-Line has stunk for all 7 Millen years and there are only two constants ... Backus and Raoila. Mulitalo is doing very well, so neither can use the excuse that the LG needed help.
Having said that, my first thoughts of the coming off season are like this:
In free agency look to retain some of the current depth who will hit free agency without new contracts, and also look around the league for a starting cornerback, a starting linebacker, and a starting right tackle. It is unlikely they will be able to do this all in one year, but it sure would take care of some "holes".
After that, go into the draft trading and targeting players to take the job of starting DE (bye-bye Kalimba Edwards), potentially (as in eventually) starting linebackers, O-Tackle (bye-bye Backus), Center (bye-bye Raoila), and cornerback.
That'll leave a few picks to locate an honest to goodness speedy, dependable, return man.
Now, this is all going to change as things progress of course, but this is my preliminary line of thinking on the 1st of December 2007.
Oh, and why am I thinking that the only two reliable players on the O-Line need to be replaced? Because the O-Line has stunk for all 7 Millen years and there are only two constants ... Backus and Raoila. Mulitalo is doing very well, so neither can use the excuse that the LG needed help.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Forgot to post my Win / Loss Prediction online (game by game)
Sunday, September 9 at Oakland Raiders FOX 4:15 p.m. Win
Sunday, September 16 MINNESOTA VIKINGS FOX 4:05 p.m. Win
Sunday, September 23 at Philadelphia Eagles FOX 1:00 p.m. Lose
Sunday, September 30 CHICAGO BEARS FOX 1:00 p.m. Lose
Sunday, October 7 at Washington Redskins FOX 1:00 p.m. Win
Sunday, October 14 *** BYE WEEK ***
Sunday, October 21 TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS FOX 1:00 p.m Win.
Sunday, October 28 at Chicago Bears FOX 1:00 p.m. Lose
Sunday, November 4 DENVER BRONCOS CBS 1:00 p.m. Lose
Sunday, November 11 at Arizona Cardinals FOX 4:15 p.m. Win
Sunday, November 18 NEW YORK GIANTS FOX 4:15 p.m.* Win
Thursday, November 22 GREEN BAY PACKERS FOX # 12:30 p.m. Win
Sunday, December 2 at Minnesota Vikings FOX 1:00 p.m.* Lose
Sunday, December 9 DALLAS COWBOYS FOX 1:00 p.m.* Lose
Sunday, December 16 at San Diego Chargers FOX 4:15 p.m.* Lose
Sunday, December 23 KANSAS CITY CHIEFS CBS 1:00 p.m.* Win
Sunday, December 30 at Green Bay Packers FOX 1:00 p.m.* Lose
Total = 8-8
(hopefully I'm being conservative)
Sunday, September 16 MINNESOTA VIKINGS FOX 4:05 p.m. Win
Sunday, September 23 at Philadelphia Eagles FOX 1:00 p.m. Lose
Sunday, September 30 CHICAGO BEARS FOX 1:00 p.m. Lose
Sunday, October 7 at Washington Redskins FOX 1:00 p.m. Win
Sunday, October 14 *** BYE WEEK ***
Sunday, October 21 TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS FOX 1:00 p.m Win.
Sunday, October 28 at Chicago Bears FOX 1:00 p.m. Lose
Sunday, November 4 DENVER BRONCOS CBS 1:00 p.m. Lose
Sunday, November 11 at Arizona Cardinals FOX 4:15 p.m. Win
Sunday, November 18 NEW YORK GIANTS FOX 4:15 p.m.* Win
Thursday, November 22 GREEN BAY PACKERS FOX # 12:30 p.m. Win
Sunday, December 2 at Minnesota Vikings FOX 1:00 p.m.* Lose
Sunday, December 9 DALLAS COWBOYS FOX 1:00 p.m.* Lose
Sunday, December 16 at San Diego Chargers FOX 4:15 p.m.* Lose
Sunday, December 23 KANSAS CITY CHIEFS CBS 1:00 p.m.* Win
Sunday, December 30 at Green Bay Packers FOX 1:00 p.m.* Lose
Total = 8-8
(hopefully I'm being conservative)
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Updated Estimated Roster and 2007 Cap Charts are Online
Since Eric Beverly decided to retire, and then Robinson ended up on IR and lost for the season, then Bryson and Swancut got cut... well... I had to make some changes.
Go to http://www.theNetRat.com for more information.
In addition to the updated 2007 Salary Cap Chart, I've added two new links in the salary cap section, one is a link directly to the actual xls file that I use to make the Salary Cap Web Page... and the other is to another excel spreadsheet that contains Salary Cap History, everything from 2000 to 2006. The figures were obtained from USA Today, then sorted by myself into it's current format, I then added things like percentage of total cap per player, dead cap hits, available cap, year the most recent contract was signed, how many years the most contract is for, how the player was originally acquired, and some other notes and items.
My updated estimated 53 man roster also contains salary cap information, and if my roster were correct, the Lions would have $10 million in cap available at the beginning of the season. I am curious to find out what they plan to do with it, sign someone new or maybe extend a contract or two. Perhaps they plan to rewrite a contract or two with Likely to be Earned Bonuses (that really aren't all that likely), allowing the greater share of that amount to be carried into next year should the player not actually earn the bonuses.
One final note: CJ is the only draft pick that hasn't signed. He seems to be content allowing his agent to handle the negotiations regardless of how long it takes. That may be a mistake, an agent will wait a long time for every nickle he can get, at some point CJ will need to simply tell his agent to get the deal done, now.
Go to http://www.theNetRat.com for more information.
In addition to the updated 2007 Salary Cap Chart, I've added two new links in the salary cap section, one is a link directly to the actual xls file that I use to make the Salary Cap Web Page... and the other is to another excel spreadsheet that contains Salary Cap History, everything from 2000 to 2006. The figures were obtained from USA Today, then sorted by myself into it's current format, I then added things like percentage of total cap per player, dead cap hits, available cap, year the most recent contract was signed, how many years the most contract is for, how the player was originally acquired, and some other notes and items.
My updated estimated 53 man roster also contains salary cap information, and if my roster were correct, the Lions would have $10 million in cap available at the beginning of the season. I am curious to find out what they plan to do with it, sign someone new or maybe extend a contract or two. Perhaps they plan to rewrite a contract or two with Likely to be Earned Bonuses (that really aren't all that likely), allowing the greater share of that amount to be carried into next year should the player not actually earn the bonuses.
One final note: CJ is the only draft pick that hasn't signed. He seems to be content allowing his agent to handle the negotiations regardless of how long it takes. That may be a mistake, an agent will wait a long time for every nickle he can get, at some point CJ will need to simply tell his agent to get the deal done, now.
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