Thursday, May 3, 2007
True Illusion's 1st Round Mock Draft
By Craig Smith
TLF Member
Well, it's that time of year again! The time of year when Lions fans everywhere get start dreaming of cornbread and Kool Aid. They dream of new beginnings fueled by a new crop of talent that will lead us back down the road to respectability. But, as with every year, all they get is uncertainty, and confusion. I figured that we should shed some light on some "less than clear" draft choices, and I see no better place to start than with the somewhat comical, but not bad first choice by the good old Leo's.
Day One.
For the fourth time in five years the Detroit Lions selected a wide receiver in not only the first round, but in the top 10 picks of the NFL draft. Calvin Johnson, the so called rookie monster who has largely become almost an urban myth or a fable if you would. He has an impressive combination of size, speed, strength and great hands. For those of you in Detroit who are fond of Pro Bowl receiver Roy Williams, well think of it this way, Calvin Johnson has the natural ability to be what Roy Williams would be, if he were on steroids. One of the most amusing parts of the whole draft weekend experience for me was watching hall of fame Cornerback Deon "Prime Time" Sanders interview Calvin Johnson. At which point after looking upon this 6'-5", 240lbs receiving monster, Sanders was quoted as saying "I am glad I am retired boy, because I got no clue what I would do with you…".
That is great praise from a great player. Congratulations Calvin, you have everything anyone could want in a receiver, may you make the best of it and work hard to perfect your talents and not waste them on drugs or fast food.
That said we jump to the first of three, second round draft choices. Michigan State Quarterback, Drew Stanton. This move while I am not totally offended by it, felt it was a little early for Stanton, I thought he would still be there to start the third round off. With players at other position more pressing, such as Corner, Middle Linebacker and Defensive end, I thought some people like David Harris or LeMarr Woodley of Michigan would have been nice fits. Oh and by
the way, I also felt that trading down with Buffalo here with a talent like Chris Houston still sitting there was just ridiculous. I think the Lions planned on Stanton in the third but felt bullied into doing it earlier when Kevin Kolb and John Beck both suddenly dropped from the board.
Regardless, Stanton is now Detroit's future, lets hope he has better luck pulling the Lions up from the gutters then he did the Spartans. But in high hopes though, Stanton will be working behind a improved Lions offensive line and now has a trio of talented WR's to dish the ball to, and a trio of talented HB's in the backfield behind him, including former Spartan Teammate, T. J. Duckett, boy that will bring back some bad memories that will drive Wolverine fans crazy for at least a year or two.
Next stop tight end Lions trade back into the second round and select Hawaii defensive end Ikaika Alma-Francis. At 6'-5" and 250 lbs he is built very similar to Clemson DE Gaines Adams, which may be why he was targeted instead of moving up one or two more spots to grab Notre Dame's Victor Abiamiri or Texas' Tim Crowder. Alma-Francis is a nice speed rusher that is coming off a shoulder injury that may have dropped his stock. If he is healthy by camp he should contend with Kalimba Edwards to start opposite Dewayne White, unless the Lions pick up another DE after the June 1st Cuts are made. Alma-Francis may have ended up a steal for the Lions, some thought he was the #4 DE in the draft behind Gaines Adam, Adam Carriker, Jarvis Moss and Anthony Spencer (all first round choices).
Then came the move that may have killed this draft in the eyes of most fans. The Detroit Lions traded back up into the second round again, to select Boise St. Safety Gerald Alexander. I didn't like this pick when they made it and I still don't like it now. I really thought Cornerback, Inside and Strong Side Linebackers were a much bigger need then Safety was for this team. And there were some good ones available. I just have nothing good I can say about this pick.
But what I will do is examine exactly what the Lions draft would have looked like, had they not traded back up into the second round, twice. After getting an additional third round choice by dropping back to take Drew Stanton. With their first third round selection (traded to move up for Alma-Francis) the team could have selected either ILB Buster Davis or CB Marcus McCauley. And with their second (traded to move up for Alexander) they could have selected either CB Jonathon Wade or DE Charles Johnson.
Regardless that ends the first day of the draft and it is very questionable. In order to consider this a successful draft, Alma Francis need to contribute a minimum of 3-4 sacks this season, while
Alexander needs to see some significant playing time and record at least one interception. Otherwise this draft instantly gets notched under the "Another first round receiver on a weekend full of bad decision" category. I truly hope the coaches have spotted a significant talent in these last two first day picks that I am not sure is there.
Day 2
So now we enter Day 2 of the draft, the always mesmerizing rounds 4 through 7. At least he pace picks up here, and the Lions enter the day with a 4th round pick, 3 5th rounders' and the always exciting "Mr. Irrelevant" pick. Six pick to go with 4 down, four picks that all failed to fill either of the teams two biggest needs in my opinion.
Ok so with their first pick on day 2 the Detroit Lions give some help to a bad secondary by selecting A. J. Davis. This pick is questionable and hard to judge. He recorded a 4:56 forty time at the combine, which is horrible for a corner. But some reports speculate he had a groin injury at the time. Coming out of high school Davis was timed in the 4.28-4.3 range in the forty (http://rivals100.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?sport=1&pr_key=1657). But that was also at 177lbs. Davis has also been said to excel more in man coverage then in zone, but he does come with a knowledge of both. Only time will tell if this was a wasted pick or not.
Then the Lions traded back into the 4th round, I though for sure this would be to snatch up inside linebacker Brandon Siler who after being projected as a potential second round pick, ] plummeted down then draft board. Instead they select OG Manuel Ramirez, a 330 lbs monster of a man, with great strength. This kid could be a "Max Jean-Gilles" type of Guard that could make an impact as a rookie. He will have a little trouble cracking his way into the top 4 spots though, as of now Edwin Mulitao, Damien Woody, Zach Pillar and Frank Davis are all going to be ahead of him. But if he works hard I can see him moving up past Davis and Pillar.
That's about all I can comment on now because I am unfamiliar with Linebacker Jonny Baldwin or Defensive Back Ramzee Robinson.
In closing, my person best draft award goes to : The Minnesota Vikings!
The Vi-Queens quietly added to offensive side of the ball in a big way, Adrian Peterson should add about 400 more yards a season to their rushing game as long as he can stay healthy, they picked up 2 quality receivers in Sidney Rice and Andrae Allison. Marcus McCauly and Rufus Alexander are going to make an impact on their defense as well…
Biggest Bonehead move of the draft goes to : The Miami Dolphins!
You select Ted Ginn Jr. at Number freaking nine? I hope someone gets fired over there for that move. You don't have a franchise QB, and you take Ginn when you got two quality starters in Booker and Chambers? For granted they are not Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne, but they are not Charles Rogers and Mike Williams either. You had Brady Quinn starring at you you morons! And what about defense? Jason Taylor, Vonnie Holliday, Keith Traylor, Zach Thomas (all starters for your team) are all entering their tenth or higher season in the NFL and Joey Porter is entering his ninth. And Don't get me started on how Andre Goodman is your starting right Cornerback, while last years first round pick Jason Allen(FS) rides the bench at safety behind Yerimiah Bell and Renaldo Hill. Absolutely Boneheaded move Miami, You just wasted a first round pick in a kick returner!
