Late Poll: Lions # 1 Pick?

[Coachnorm]

Let's get in a last minute poll on this. It is supposedly between Matt Stafford, Jason Smith and Aaron Curry. The decision supposedly rests on who the Lions can get a deal in place with. So is the QB or the Lineman or the Linebacker?

Just heard that Aaron Curry said he would take less money than last years #1 pick Jake Long of Miami

 

[Runnik's Hambones]

Aaron Curry is the coolest guy ever. Seriously, not only is he an excellent player, he's an excellent individual.

While he's an ideal choice, I think the best option is Jason Smith.

With that said, they're taking Stafford.

 

[derringer007]

I think Stafford. It dont matter who the Lions take they will still suck, the Lions were born to fail. :nod: :thud:

 

[WesDawg]

I've maintained for years (ever since the rookie salaries slid out of control), that you damn the torpedoes if you have the top overall selection. If you have the top pick, you take the top player in the draft, period dot. The only time this doesn't apply is if you obviously don't have a need at that position.

Of the 3 players, Aaron Curry should be the the choice. There's a couple reasons I feel this way.
-I believe he's the best player regardless of position. Think a quicker version of former defensive R.O.Y. Patrick Willis. And he's smart and athletic enough to play any LB role in any front. He's also a considerably better prospect than the next best LB.
-Stafford has too many question marks to go to a team coming off a historically bad season. Arm strength is nice, but do you really want a potential JaMarcus Russell or Kyle Boller soaking up all that cap space?
-Jason Smith is a high-caliber OT, but how much better is he than what they could have available at pick #20? He is after all, a converted TE with just a couple years of O-line experience.

They have 3 of the first 33 picks, which basically equates to 3 1st round picks. The smart strategy (to me) would be to get Curry at 1, Oher or Britton at 20, and the highest rated defensive player on their board at 33. Maybe a Ron Brace, Sean Smith or Darius Butler type guy. Let's face it, they have so many holes, they'll likely be picking again in the top-5 next year, and there will be better QB prospects available. Culpepper can still be serviceable as long as he can stay upright.

 

[Phicinfan]

I agree with Wes, in that the best player in this draft is Curry.

However, if you want to win in the NFL, you have to win the line of scrimage. You need a top O-line and top D-line. You can get by with lesser talent at Qb and Rb if your O-line can give them holes and protection. You can have lesser Lbs and Dbs if you have a D-line that holds up the O-line and pressures the Qb.

So if I were the Lions, then Smith or Monroe are the choice.

However, I firmly believe the Lions will take Stafford.

 

[derringer007]

When Culpepper was with the Raiders it was painful to watch him. The only game that he did anything worth a damn was against Miami running for two TDs and throwing one and thats not saying much. The lions should have gone after Cutler, even Garcia would be a upgrade compared to Culpepper.

 

[WesDawg]

Didn't he also have a terrible O-line, no running game, and a half-speed Randy Moss while he was there?
He'll get line help in this draft (most likely), he has Kevin Smith behind him, and Calvin Johnson down the field. Not predicting a pro bowl, but he can bridge the gap as a game manager until they get a franchise QB.

 

[Da Bomb]

logic about who they should take is not an issue here. they will and always have been going to pick matt stafford. its what a franchise like this does when they get a #1 pick.

 

[Runnik's Hambones]

Didn't he also have a terrible O-line, no running game, and a half-speed Randy Moss while he was there?
He'll get line help in this draft (most likely), he has Kevin Smith behind him, and Calvin Johnson down the field. Not predicting a pro bowl, but he can bridge the gap as a game manager until they get a franchise QB.

The Lions gave up 50 sacks last year.

 

[bobbeaux]

logic about who they should take is not an issue here. they will and always have been going to pick matt stafford. its what a franchise like this does when they get a #1 pick.

oh, i thought they drafted wr's . . . lol . . .

i think they should go OT here . . .

 

[bodey24]

I picked Stafford. Although Curry is the best player in the draft, I like Stafford for the Lions.

 

[ExperiencedRookie]

I can't imagine the type of pressure that is on the Detroit Lions front office right now. Coming off such a terrible season, sitting with the #1 pick and a chance to start turning it around. Every fan with their opinion on what should be done, all of them ready to crucify the decision makers if things go wrong.

Not to mention the #1 pick, but the fact that they have 2 additional high picks after trading Roy. This is truly a draft that can change the future for this franchise. It's also a draft that can hold them back with a mis-step at #1.

No matter what happens, history will show them as choosing poorly.

If they take Stafford, the guy at their biggest position of need, he will fail. The pieces around him will keep him from being as successful as he can be elsewhere.

If they take an OL or Curry, Stafford will end up somewhere that he'll learn behind a veteran. Within 3 years he'll be on the field and look sharp. Everyone will look back to the 09 draft and say "what if" Detroit had grabbed him.

For the present, I think this is a lose-lose for Detroit.

It's tragic, considering they've already lost their last 16.

 

[Sgt John]

Id like it to be Curry, the best player in this draft, and possibly the best human to enter the NFL in many years. Then again, Id like to see him go someplace where he could actually have the success to go with his talent and humanity.

 

[ExperiencedRookie]

Kansas City will gladly take him off the market.

If the Stafford/Detroit news is correct, it looks like Curry will be the obvious choice for KC.

 

[WesDawg]

The Lions gave up 50 sacks last year.

That's why I alluded to the fact that they can go Curry at 1, then take 2 lineman at 20 and 33, or another defender at 33 and address more line help in the early 3rd.

If their line stays as is, Culpepper will be out by week 8 and Stafford will get shellshocked, a la' Joey Harrington, and never get a chance to develop anyway.

 

[DearbornDolfan]

The smart thing for the Lions to do would be to go Smith, Pettigrew, and Mack/Unger with the first three picks. Maybe grab Levitre in early 3 to get the deal done. But whatever else, the line has to be locked up now.

What worries me is that the Lions FO is looking to Atlanta as a model and doesn't understand that they already has a pretty decent OL, where they should be looking to Miami instead.

 

[Coachnorm]

The smart thing for the Lions to do would be to go Smith, Pettigrew, and Mack/Unger with the first three picks. Maybe grab Levitre in early 3 to get the deal done. But whatever else, the line has to be locked up now.

What worries me is that the Lions FO is looking to Atlanta as a model and doesn't understand that they already has a pretty decent OL, where they should be looking to Miami instead.

I agree DD, with the picks available to the Lions the best thing they could do is build an O-Line for the future. Pettigrew would be a great addition for several reasons. CPep for a year and let that OLine gel in tough circumstances and be ready for a new QB next year. But will they actually do that?

 

[Cooley Cadets]

The smart thing for the Lions to do would be to go Smith, Pettigrew, and Mack/Unger with the first three picks. Maybe grab Levitre in early 3 to get the deal done. But whatever else, the line has to be locked up now.

What worries me is that the Lions FO is looking to Atlanta as a model and doesn't understand that they already has a pretty decent OL, where they should be looking to Miami instead.

I can't disagree with you and Coach more. Although their O line is in need of upgrading they more critical need is on D. Curry and Jerry with #1 and #20 would go a long way bringing that side of the ball back to respectability. Curry would finish one devastating LB corps and Jerry/Jax solidify the interior of the line. The #33 could be a much needed S.

 

[ExperiencedRookie]

Detroit's strongest area is in their LB core. Why spend their highest pick adding to their strongest area? That doesn't make much sense.

The LBs are going to be fine. It's every other area that should be looked at.

 

[WesDawg]

When you're facing AP, Forte, and Ryan Grant 6x per year, I don't think you can afford to consider your LB corps a strength, coming off a winless season with the worst rushing and total defense in the league. I realize Julian Peterson will help some, but he's known more for his underneath coverage skills than for being a solid run-stuffer.