Game 3 @ Tennessee Titans

Blew it.

The Detroit Lions blew it, losing to the Titans 41-44 in overtime in one of the strangest games I've ever seen. The Titans scored a field goal in overtime first leaving the Lions a chance to win or tie it back up should they be able to drive down the field and score. They did drive down the field, then stalled, then while trying to draw the defense off sides on 4th down Raiola snapped the ball and a very surprised Hill (who was at Quarterback for an injured Stafford) tried a two man quarterback sneak that failed utterly for an immediate loss.

Coach Schwartz said that noise was a factor in the play. I assume that means that Raiola failed to hear that there was not supposed to be an actual snap of the ball. If so, he blew it.

I find myself unable to adequately explain all the blown plays by both teams, all the blown calls by the refs (I don't choose to use the word "replacement" since I've never been all that impressed with the full timers either), and then there's the coaches who I believe blew it as well.

My one point of criticism this week is why is this high powered offense with a quarterback who threw for over 5,000 yards last year being choked to death by called run plays which are only somewhat effective for 3 weeks straight? Who is it that is so afraid of going down the field via passing? That person may be doing what they are supposed to by the rules of their scheme, but if so, the scheme is in need of some serious adjustment as teams apparently have figured it out.

In fact, if the scheme, or play calling, or play execution, or whatever it is that is causing the Lions to blow these games instead of challenging teams (read as attacking) doesn't change immediately, then the Lions will have blew this season as well, they have roughly 12 hours from now to figure that out.

The 2012 season is in the balance... don't blow it.

Game 2 @ San Francisco 49ers

Mistakes.

Mistakes by the Lions contributed to a loss against the 49ers Sunday night in San Francisco. The final score was 19-27 but it never seemed like the game was that close, even though it pretty much was all game long. This is not to say the 49ers didn't make mistakes because they did. If you actually care about the officiating battle going on and the replacement refs then you could harp about the mistakes they made too. I'm not going there, the normal refs make errors, the replacement refs make errors, and as long as they are more or less consistent in their calls so what. I will note though that the results of not calling the holding penalties negates the Lions DLine just like it did in the playoffs last year against the Saints. (see the January blog entry on the Saints game).

So assuming the refs make nearly the same number of and same kind of mistakes for both teams, and assuming the 49ers would make mistakes regardless of the Lions, what mistakes matter?

Alex Smith was 20 for 31 for 226 yards and 2 touchdowns with 0 interceptions.

Matt Stafford was 19 for 32 for 230 yards and 1 touchdown with 1 interceptions.

Gore had 17 carries for 89 yards and 1 touchdown with the long being 16 yards.

Kevin Smith had 16 carries for 53 yards and 0 touchdowns with the long being 9 yards.

The Lions recovered 1 of the 2 fumbles the 49ers had, the Lions had no fumbles.

Backup Running Backs had the same number of total carries, 49ers produced more yards. Time of possession was nearly identical.

3rd down efficiency perhaps? The Lions Third Down Efficiency was 6 of 15 for 40% and the 49ers Third Down Efficiency was 4 of 11 for 36%. Surprised? Me too.

First downs though is where the two teams diverged. The Lions had 15 First Downs to the 49ers 24 First Downs, that 60% better and obviously from the previous stat on 3rd downs these first downs came on 1st and 2nd downs. The 49ers have a better defense (duh) and the Lions needed to play a perfect game to win, they did not and they lost. It wasn't a single player, it wasn't a single thing or call or even a big mistake... it was the total accumulation of all the small mistakes.

The good news? This IS the best defense in the league and the Lions lost by 1 score... no one else they play will have as good a defense. Bodes well for the future.

Meanwhile the coaches have material to work with, things to correct, mistakes to fix, and that will make the team even better for the time they play another good defense.

The Lions are 1-1. I am batting .1000 in my pre-season prediction, and get ready for a nice roll starting next week... assuming there are no large mistakes made.

Game 1 2012 @ home against the St Louis Rams

Confidence.

In the first game of the official 2012 season the Detroit Lions managed to win the game 27-23 in a game that should've been a lot easier to win. During the game a lot of tweets suggested that the 3 turnovers were Matthew Stafford's fault. As in completely his fault. I didn't agree with them about that then and I still don't.

I blame the new coaching staff of the Rams and the Rams players for executing the defense perfectly. Jeff Fisher (previously Schwartz's boss) had a great game plan that I hope other teams aren't able to emulate. The coaches realized that if various players on the Lions offense are in single coverage that they immediately become the target. So what did they do? They pealed off guys who were defending one guy (which originally left a player such as Calvin Johnson in single coverage) and had him flow to that single covered player, allowing the defender to make a play on the target who suddenly finds himself in double coverage.

The Lions eventually figured out how to counter those moves but not until playing more then a quarter gun-shy. Now I'm not saying that Stafford couldn't make better throws or saw the coverage shifting, but the bait and switch that was the Rams' defense was pretty ingenious.

Stafford still nearly doubled Bradford's completion numbers and except for the 3 interceptions had a much better day. The Lions also doubled the Rams first down numbers. One of the most notable stats is that the Lions kept the Rams running game to a mere 78 yards rushing. They may have had only 83 yards themselves but in their offense that is pretty much normal. Those numbers won't cut it for the Rams.

The most notable item of the game though was the lack of Titus Young for the majority of the game, and once the commissioner gets done with him, he may be a whole lot broker. Apparently Titus decided to, after a play, head butt a defender.

Special teams did well, the offense started and finished great, the defense was up and down but did enough, in the end it was Stafford who drove down the field and got the winning touchdown with less then 2 minutes to go... and I'm betting many a fan didn't think that was going to happen when the drive started. Instead of confidence in our team we are still jaded from the Millen decade (heck, even the Scott Mitchell decade) and just can't quite muster up the swag needed to root for a final drive to win the game with any expectation of the Lions pulling it off.

We fans... we need as much confidence as Stafford already has.

Detroit Lions 2012 Season Prediction

The Detroit Lions are coming off of a 10-6 season making the playoffs as a wildcard and so are back to their pre-Millen form (complete with a 1 game playoff loss), so what happens in 2012?

First, if you scroll through this blog far enough you will see that I predicted a 10-6 season last year, with that in mind, let's take a peek at the crystal ball for this year...

Week 1 vs. St. Louis Rams: New coaches should help the Rams improve this year, but this is week 1 and they still have a lot of work to do, Lions win this one before half time 27-17. Record 1-0

Week 2 @ San Francisco 49ers: The 49ers pick up where they left off and it's strength vs strength in this matchup, home field advantage helps just enough and Lions lose this one 17-20. Record 1-1

Week 3 @ Tennessee Titans: Another road game and another tough opponent, this time though things turn out a little different. Lions win 13-10. Record 2-1

Week 4 vs. Minnesota Vikings: AP can give any team fits, but the Lions have more weapons and win this one at home easy enough 24-17. Record 3-1

Week 5 is the bye week, a long long week.

Week 6 @ Philadelphia Eagles: With two weeks to prepare the Lions contain Vick and surprise the pundits 28-17. Record 4-1

Week 7 @ Chicago Bears: The Lions always have trouble with the Bears when playing them on their turf... and they do put up a good fight this time too... Lions barely take this one 27-24. Record 5-1

Week 8 vs. Seattle Seahawks: The Seahawks have a much better defense then some expected but they are on the Lions turf, Lions win 20-17. Record 6-1

Week 9 @ Jacksonville Jaguars: An away game in a warm climate ... doesn't matter, Lions win 24-17. Record 7-1

Week 10 @ Minnesota Vikings: Ho Hum, another road game, let them "Ponder" this game for awhile, Lions win 35-17. Record 8-1

Week 11 vs. Green Bay Packers: Packers are still good, Lions lose at home 24-27. Record 8-2

Week 12 vs. Houston Texans: 4 days later it's the national stage on Thanksgiving day, what a shoot out. Lions still lose 28-35. Record 8-3

Week 13 vs. Indianapolis Colts: At home playing last year's worst team, hmmm, they are better then they used to be, just not quite there yet, Lions take it 20-12. Record 9-3

Week 14 @ Green Bay Packers: Lambeau Field, ick, Lions lose to the cheeseheads again 27-34. Record 9-4

Week 15 @ Arizona Cardinals: an extremely important game for the Lions and the division record... so of course they lose it 17-20. Record 9-5 after being 8-1 not too long ago.

Week 16 vs. Atlanta Falcons: Falcons need it, Lions need it... home field advantage wins it (man was it loud) 20-17. Record 10-5

[Sidenote: at this point we must hope the Mayan Calendar actually does start over] Week 17 vs. Chicago Bears: Last game of the season, at home, playoffs on the line... good thing the Bears are old and injured (again). 31-17. Record 11-5

One caveat about my predictions... they assume that Stafford, CJ, Suh and Tulloch stay relatively healthy for the season. Any two of them gets hurt and misses more then 3 games and the Lions don't even get to 8-8.

One last prediction, call it my long shot, Lions vs Texans in the superbowl... a rematch of Thanksgiving Day... with a slightly different outcome.

The Lions have their 53... or do they.

After months of Organized Team Activities (OTAs), working out, meetings, summer camp, 4 pre-season games and 2 cut down days the Detroit Lions finalized their selections for their 2012 team. Then promptly picked up a player (Florence) who had been cut and to make room for him, let loose Ricardo Silva. Prior to that change my estimated roster was scored... getting 49 right. My best result to date.

Two of the players the Lions kept weren't even on the team when I made up my estimated depth chart a few weeks ago (prior to week 3 of pre-season, which I do every year at about that time).

The Lions had picked up WR Kasim Osgood after the 2nd preseason game and he remains on the roster instead of Patrick Edwards (who did land on the Lions practice squad). I am, of course, going by what I predicted, I have no idea what the Lions may have done had various players stepped up their special teams play.

The Lions also traded for DB Kevin Barnes causing Alphonso Smith to lose his job.

I had the Lions keeping Sean Jones but they opted for Ricardo Silva (as I said above, he lasted for one day or so).

Last, I had the Lions keeping 2 QBs and DE Everette Brown. The Lions opted to cut Brown and keep QB Kellen Moore as a third QB.

Keeping the older veteran players and releasing the younger players has already had one repercussion though... it has been reported the Lions are now over the salary cap and have until Wednesday to get into compliance.

I don't have contract figures for any of the new players (yet) so I can not confirm this, but I have no reason to believe it is in error. That means either some contracts are about to get re-worked (making issues for next year's cap) or a vet is going to be cut and/or traded.

In other words, the final 53 going into week 1 may not be all of these 53 players.

If you go to my depth chart and actually do a count you're going to add up more then 53 players. That's because Mikel LeShoure is suspended for 2 weeks and will not count against the roster until that time is served. In addition to him, Jahvid Best and Chris Greenwood are on PUP and won't count against the roster until 6 to 8 weeks into the season.

The current practice squad consists of:
Rodney Austin (G)
Carmen Messina (LB)
Ross Weaver (CB)
Stephfon Green (RB)
Patrick Edwards (WR)
Kris Durham (WR)
Lorenzo Washington (DE)
Shaun Chapas (RB)

You will note, that at least so far, no 2012 draft pick was cut. The Lions truly are trying to build through the draft.

Let the (2012 Camp) Battles Begin!!!

I have just recently finished updating my Detroit Lions Salary Cap and Estimated Depth Charts, both of which are available for your review ... links to which are on my website http://www.theNetRat.com, and in doing so I noted a number of interesting camp battles about to begin.

There are so many in fact that it is difficult to know where to start. Guess I'll start with the completely unknown. That is to say, the Lions have room on their roster for at least 1 more body. Whoever gets signed will be competing against someone on the roster for a job and a chance to make the final 53. In addition to that, at any given moment the Lions could sign someone else and cut a body to make room for him, creating even more competition. Needless to say, being the last guy (#90) on the roster is not a safe place to be! All the undrafted guys need to make sure they are not that 90th (or as the case may be right now, the 89th) guy or their NFL career could be over before the next set of OTA's if not sooner. The most expendable guy will always be competing against every player available in free agency, the rest of the unsigned undrafted ranks, and any player cut at any time by any other team. Like I said though, the Lions still have one spot available so unless they go ahead and sign two new names, the last guy on the roster (that is to say, the last guy on the non-existent depth chart) may get just a little more time to move up ahead of someone else.

Leaving off the mystery guy for now, what other hiccups are there? Well, Avril hasn't signed his franchise tag or a long term deal yet but his tag counts against the salary cap so I'm including him in my analysis. Riley Reiff hasn't signed his contract yet but he counts against the 90 maximum players a team can have in preseason so he's also being included. In fact, as the Lions first round pick this year he's guaranteed a roster spot already, it's just a matter of which roster spot. More on this in a little bit.

Now to switch gears and look at the least complicated position group. The Lions typically keep 3 quarterbacks on their 53 man roster. Obviously Matt Stafford isn't going anywhere, they re-signed veteran Shaun Hill to be his backup, and Drew Stanton who left for greener pastures (that's another story) was apparently replaced by Kellen Moore, an undrafted free agent. At this point, the Lions have no other guys who play quarterback under contract so unless something happens, these 3 players make the team and are in that order on the depth chart.

The next least complicated position group is the dedicated special teams players. 3 of the 5 will make the final roster and 2 of those 3 are practically a given. As the only long snapper on the team (that I know of) the newly re-signed Lions veteran Don Muhlbach makes the final cut. One kicker makes the team, between Jason Hanson and Derek Dimke, my money is on Jason Hanson... no matter what anyone says, as long as he can do the job he is the Kicker for the Lions. I didn't see any sign of age catching up to him and the only struggles came from having to switch place holders 3 times during the early part of the season. As for the place holder/punter, it's between Ryan Donahue who beat out Harris last year (only to get injured) and his replacement who finished the season for him, veteran Ben Graham. I prefer Ben Graham myself, I'm just not so sure the Lions do.

Since we have the quarterback situation settled let's finish up the offense.

Running back is complicated because of injury concerns with all the probable starters and the unfinished products of their backups. I think I'm looking at the RB situation a little differently then most though, I don't see it as 7 or 8 guys fighting for 3 or 4 (or even 5) spots. I see two burners in Jahvid Best and Stephfon Greene with Best making the team unless his concussions end his career. Stephfon Greene wasn't drafted and might survive the waiver wire after cuts to make the practice squad. I see two, shall we call them tanks?, in Mikel Leshoure and Joique Bell. If (and this is a mighty big if) Mikel Leshoure is completely healed up and can play at the level he was drafted for he will make the final team as the ying to Best/Greene's yang. If he isn't able to go, then Bell takes the ying. Then there's the 3rd RB, the utility guy who can do some of this, some of that, yet not quite a burner or a tank, but can catch the ball and run somewhat as well. Kevin Smith, Keiland Williams and Jerome Harrison will be fighting it out for that spot with Smith being my "most likely to make the team" pick. Could they keep more then 3 running backs? Sure, but then the guy is no longer competing against his own position group but a player from another position group as well (what I mean will become clearer further on).

Did I forget fullback James Bryant in my running back analysis? Nope, actually, I consider his primary competition to be Will Heller, Nathan Overbay, Alez Gottleib, and Austin Wells. The Tight Ends. Brandon Pettigrew makes the team and I just don't see any of these guys beating out Tony Schefler for the #2 spot. However, blocking TE, the 3rd string TE, could easily be a full back. So while Heller has the inside track of making the team, I would put James Bryant as his primary competition for the job, then stick in Overbay, Gottleib and Wells after that. One of these guys could easily be the 90th dude that no one wants to be as well (see previous discussion above on that topic). Overbay, Gottleib and Wells all need to prove very quickly why the brass needs to look at them more.

The Lions have 12 wide receivers under contract. They typically carry 5 into the season but could go to six if someone beats out a player from another position group. I'm going to assume 5 for now. Calvin Johnson has the new contract extension, the Madden curse target on his back, and a guaranteed roster spot. Nate Burleson is a favorite of the OC, a leader on the team, still very productive, and will make the final roster. Titus Young was drafted last year and shown tremendous talent when most rookies do not at wide receiver, so he'll make the team. Ryan Broyles was drafted by the Lions in round 2, was just paid a signing bonus of around $1.1 million and is going to make the team (and if he heals up, he may be the kick returner this year as well). That leaves WR#5. While Stefan Logan held this spot for 2 years running he hasn't shown much versatility in the run or passing game so it's very very possible someone else takes the spot from him this year. I'd say, at this point in time, the two most likely suspects are undrafted free agent Patrick Edwards (who can return punts too) and Nate Hughes (the Lions keep him around every year giving him chance after chance). That still leaves 5 guys fighting it out against Logan, Edwards and Hughes (and potential injured player who goes on IR and/or a possible 6th spot). In order of my most likely we got Lance Long, Marcus Harris, Terrence Toliver, Jared Karsteffer, and Troy Burell. Also note, to date Rashied Davis hasn't signed with a team and is available in free agency.

The last of the offensive roster belongs to the offensive line. Either 8 or 9 guys will make the team. The only three I guarantee will make the final roster is guard Rob Sims, center Dominic Raiola and this year's first round draft pick Riley Reiff. Where or if Reiff starts is what makes this position group so hard to guesstimate. If Reiff starts at Left Tackle it likely means that Jeff Backus is finally unable to start in which case he probably retires. If Backus is healthy and hasn't succumbed to age, then no one will be taking his job from him this year. I see it playing out that way so I'm putting Jeff Backus in as the left tackle barring further developments. Unless Rob Sims gets moved to right guard so that Reiff plays left guard I say that Sims makes the team as the starting left guard. If Sims starts at right guard then I think Peterman fails to make the team. If Reiff ends up the starting right tackle it could mean the end of Gosder Cherilus as a Lion, or Goz could move over to right guard challenging Peterman for the starting job and for a spot on the final roster. The likelihood of Reiff taking Petermans' job outright appears to me to be remote. If Reiff doesn't take a starting job away from someone, he will definitely take a backup job away from someone, and probably at left tackle as he learns from Jeff Backus. The next most likely player to make the final roster is Corey Hilliard, due to his experience and his versatility. It is likely either Jason Fox or Johnny Culbreath makes the final roster as depth at the tackle position if not both of them. That leaves 1, 2 or maybe 3 spots for Jacques McClendon, Dylan Gandy, Dan Gerberry, Quinn Barham, Patrick Boyle, Rodney Austin and JC Oram to fight for. This position group is far and away the most in flux on the offense and the training camp battle for the OLine jobs should prove to be most formidable. Who would've thought just one draft pick could cause this much turmoil.

On to the defense.

At defensive end Cliff Avril has been franchise tagged and the Lions will probably try to work out a long term contract with him sometime in July. He'll make the team one way or the other, I can't believe he wouldn't sign the tag and play the one year for $10.6 million at the very least. KVB bookmarks the DE position unless age kicks his butt this off season. Willie Young and Lawrence Jackson rotate in a lot and both will make the team. The Lions' 4th round draft pick Ronnell Lewis will also make the team and likely push Andre Fluellen off the roster. I don't see much hope for Ugo Chinasa, or Everette Brown or Slade Norris making the team unless someone retires or gets injured, but any of them might make the practice squad.

At defensive tackle the Lions likely keep 4 and they will be Ndamukong Suh, Corey Williams, Nick Fairley, and Sammie Lee Hill. Like I said above, Fluellen probably lost his spot to Lewis. Michael Cosgrove and Eddie McClam are also practice squad candidates. I do believe Cory Williams is 32 this year, so it's possible someone younger can steal a roster spot but boy that rookie would have to be very good to do it (and that wouldn't be a bad thing for the team anyway so go for it guys!). There's always a possibility the Lions could keep 10 dlineman instead of 9 this year, but once again, the player would be competing against all the other position groups as well as his own.

The starting linebackers will likely remain the same, at least to start the preseason. DeAndre Levy, Stephen Tulloch and Justin Durant are the guys to beat to earn a starting job. It sounds as though Travis Lewis the Lions 7th round draft pick may end up a backup at MLB behind Tulloch. It's also likely that Tahir Whitehead the 5th round draft pick also makes the final roster. That leaves 1 or maybe 2 spots available for (vets) Ashlee Palmer, Doug Hogue, (and undrafted free agents) Carmen Messina and Ronnie Snead. Special Teams could determine who wins the day.

At Safety the Lions are entering the preseason a little thin unless one or more of the cornerbacks moves to safety. Presently the Lions have Louis Delmas and Amari Spievey starting with Erik Coleman and John Wendling backing up. The depth from there consists of two names; Alonzo Lawrence and Ricardo Silva. Other then Louis Delmas, I'd say that not only is the backup jobs but one starting job available for competition. The Lions may keep 4 or 5 safeties this year. The 5th safety would be competing against the potential 6th cornerback first and for the much coveted position group battle spot second.

With Eric Wright leaving in free agency, the only starting job that is guaranteed to be manned by someone new is at cornerback. Presently it appears as though Chris Houston and Aaron Berry are the starters. The Nickel and Dime positions are open for battle as is a potential 5th and 6th position group roster spot. Fighting for these jobs are Jacob Lacey late of the Colts, 3rd round draft pick Dwight Bentley, 5th round draft pick Chris Greenwood, 6th round draft pick Jonte Green, vets Alphonso Smith, Don Carey, and undrafted player Ross Weaver. If Jonte Green is too "green" as a rookie he would make a good practice squad candidate. The other two draft picks likely make the roster. That leaves only 1 or 2 spots for the rest of the group.

The above makes for 22 offense, 24 defense, 3 special teams, and 4 spots that could be any position fighting against each other and not just their position group for a roster spot. If none of the final roster winners can return kicks and/or punts then Logan makes the team. I am fairly confident that the final roster will consist of at least 3 QB's, 5 WR's, 3 RB's, 3 TE's, 8 OL (total of 22) along with 9 DL, 6 LB's, 9 DB's (total of 24). Last year the roster consisted of 24 O and 26 D for most of the year with brief periods of 23 O and 27 D. My best guess is two spots will go to offense with 1 WR, 1 RB, 1 TE/FB, and 1 OL fighting for those 2 spots. On defense the two spots could be Dline, LB, CB or Safety (obviously)... but if a 3rd guy is better then all the Offensive options they will keep a heavier defensive lopsided roster. Special teams will help determine those last 4 spots.

Of course, even when the Lions cut it back to 53 the bottom of the roster is now susceptible to being replaced by any player cut by any other team. The competition doesn't end on the final cut down day.

As I stated before in my blog, going to my website and selecting depth chart from the menu then clicking on the link to the spreadsheet for my estimated depth chart will bring up the often updated page (assuming you can open excel spreadsheets) at which point you can save a copy to your own computer for your own editing. It is much easier to see the scenarios available in the layout I use (once you get used to it). Please though, do not post your version online without permission from yours truly.

Good luck to the roughly 37 current Lions who are in the 2012 camp battle with the 53 who will make the team, whoever you may be.

Lions 2012 Draft, Day 3, Rounds 4 - 7

With the 117th pick in the NFL 2012 Draft the Detroit Lions... trade their pick to San Francisco for pick #125 (moving down 8 spots in round 4) and acquiring pick #196 (a 6th rounder). With pick number 125 the Detroit Lions select OLB/DE Ronnell Lewis from Oklahoma.

At 6'1.6" tall and weighing in at 253 pounds Ronnell has some work ahead of him. However, with a 4.65 40 time and a great motor he has the tools to become a good NFL DE in the wide 9 defense. Had he excelled at school and applied himself to developing his talents a little more he may have been drafted in round 2. With good coaching and a good locker room he should blossom mentally and physically in a couple of years... which is about how long it takes a DE to learn the NFL position and start to excel at it.

Links:

#10 on the list here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?key=0AstbiM26zqkmdEV5OWxkNDJEc2Rsa0RTcHdheXlBb2c&gid=15

http://www.buffalobillsdraft.com/2012/02/de-ronnell-lewis-scouting-report/

http://cache.profootballweekly.com/prospects/player/ronnell-lewis-56/

http://www.sidelinescouting.com/rankings/2012/olb/ronnell-lewis/



You're going to like this one on "the Hammer"



I should note here that I had Ronnell Lewis ranked 61 on my top 100 board, higher then their 2nd or their 3rd round picks.

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The Detroit Lions trade their 2013 4th round pick and their 2012 pick #219 in the 7th round to the Minnesota Vikings and acquire pick #138 in round 5 and pick #223 in the 7th round (moving down 4 spots in round 7). With the 138th pick the Lions select OLB Tahir Whitehead from Temple.

Links:

#19 on the list here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?key=0AstbiM26zqkmdEV5OWxkNDJEc2Rsa0RTcHdheXlBb2c&gid=15

http://cache.profootballweekly.com/prospects/player/tahir-whitehead-2/

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The Detroit Lions trade up to pick #148 in round 5, giving the Oakland Raiders pick #158 (moving up 10 spots) and giving away pick #230 in round 7. With the 148th pick the Lions select CB Chris Greenwood from Albion

Links:

http://cache.profootballweekly.com/prospects/player/chris-greenwood-2/

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The Detroit Lions use their 196th pick in round 6 (acquired from San Francisco) on DB Jonte Green of New Mexico State University.

Links:

http://cache.profootballweekly.com/prospects/player/jonte-green-1/ http://www.nmstatesports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=1900&ATCLID=3646556 Okay, so, I'm not finding much on Jonte. Not sure if this was a flyer or a good investment of a draft pick. For whatever reason the Lions had him ranked and didn't want to risk losing him in the 7th round, so we'll have to go with that for now.

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The Detroit Lions use their 223rd pick acquired from the Minnesota Vikings to select LB Travis Lewis from Oklahoma (this is the 3rd player from Oklahoma drafted by the Lions this year).

Travis was expected to be drafted as high as the 4th round. He's just over 6'1" tall, weights in at 246 pounds and projects to be a weakside or middle linebacker in the 4-3 defense. He played his entire senior year with a broken toe wearing a special shoe to be able to do it. Holds the tackling record at Oklahoma.

Links:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?key=0AstbiM26zqkmdEV5OWxkNDJEc2Rsa0RTcHdheXlBb2c&gid=14

http://www.nepatriotsdraft.com/2010/06/travis-lewis-scouting-report.html

http://cache.profootballweekly.com/prospects/player/travis-lewis-28/



I should note here that I had Travis Lewis ranked 96 on my top 100 board, higher then the Lions 5th and 6th round picks and higher then their 2nd round pick.

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The Lions took players from small schools and some others with questionable off field personalities on day 3, all in an effort to find a diamond or two, or so it would appear to me. Based on how teams, and I mean all of them not just the Lions, reached for players throughout the draft it would seem that many front offices weren't entirely impressed with their options this year. Gunny is going to have his work cut for him but if half or more of the defensive draft picks turn out this could end up being one of the best drafts the Lions have had in years if not decades. However, if most or if all of these players selected to play defense fail to make the grade, this could easily end up as one of the worst. The talent is there... now it's up to the players and the coaches to form the clay into NFL football players.