Mastodon123
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Funny thing is Kiper said if the Lions aren't sure about Stafford at this point, they shouldn't draft him.
There is no reason why the Lions would take an agent to the practice field besides showing it off.
Again, Curry is not going to be the pick. The Lions are using him purely for bate. The Lions will draft B.J. Raji before they draft Aaron Curry.
I'm pre-apologizing. Wife and I are headed out to the Renaissance Festival, so I will probably be slowing up the draft process for today. I will make my pick (San Diego) as soon as I get back.
The Lions are having a mini-camp this weekend. Not to mention the team offices are also located there at the team facility in Allen Park. Every free agent, potential draft pick, etc. goes to Allen Park there's nothing out of the ordinary.
The team offices are not located on the field. The Lions brought Aaron Curry's agents on the practice field...in front of reporters.
Condon Was In Detroit On Friday
Posted by Mike Florio on April 19, 2009, 9:14 p.m.
Despite reports that agent Tom Condon, who represents both Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford and Baylor tackle Jason Smith, wont meet with the Lions until early this week, a source with knowledge of the situation tells us that Condon was in Detroit on Friday.
Its unknown whether he was there on behalf of Stafford or Smith. Or both.
Though there have been strong indications that Stafford will be the Lions pick, the Lions are at a minimum playing the signability game, talking to multiple players in the hopes of getting one of them to sign the most favorable possible deal.
In fact, weve been hearing that the Lions have agreements in principle with multiple potential No. 1 overall picks, if the Lions ultimately decide to choose that specific player.
It all strikes us as a tool to leverage the best possible deal from Stafford, who has been telling some of his former Georgia teammates that hes the guy. Still, in the end, its going to take a lot of money to get Stafford under contract.
The reality is that Smith could be had for a lot less, and that its in Smiths best interests for his agent to be undercutting the demands that Staffords agent is making.
Since both agents are the same guy, dont count on that happening.
Does Stafford complete you? Not at 61.4%
BY MICHAEL ROSENBERG FREE PRESS COLUMNIST April 20, 2009
I will not be in the Lions' draft room this weekend, which is too bad, because the prospect of ordering five consecutive meals delivered to the same room is oddly appealing to me.
Nonetheless, I am wrestling with the same question the Lions are asking themselves:
QB, or not QB?
I don't know if the Lions are going to draft Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford. But I assume the first question they are asking is whether they want him -- it's yea or nay on the Georgia quarterback, then on to the rest of the prospects.
There is a lot to like about Stafford. He has breathtaking arm strength; he can make all the throws and a few that haven't been invented yet. He improved in each of his three seasons at Georgia. He is only 21, so he has plenty of time to mature. And he is the kind of deep-slinging quarterback who fits the new Lions' offense. He and Calvin Johnsoncould be extraordinary together.
Then there is this: I happened to attend his final collegiate game, a win over Michigan State in the Capital One Bowl, and in the postgame news conference, Stafford volunteered that he had not played well in the first half.
He didn't have to say that -- it was his last game (though he hadn't officially decided to turn pro), his team had won, and as I recall, nobody had directly asked about his first-half performance. You have to appreciate that kind of accountability.
Yes, there is a lot to like about Matthew Stafford.
But here is what I don't like: His two worst games of his junior year came in Georgia's two biggest games, against Alabama and Florida. Both times the Bulldogs were obliterated.
In that first half against Michigan State, Stafford's throws were all over the place -- he looked like a classic big-arm, no-touch quarterback. Stafford only completed 61.4% of his passes as a junior, which might sound good to Dan Orlovsky, but is alarming for a No. 1 overall pick.
How alarming? In the last 10 drafts, 21 quarterbacks have been taken in the first round. Nine of them had a lower completion percentage in their final collegiate season than Stafford's 61.4.
The nine: Kyle Boller, Rex Grossman, Joey Harrington (gasp!), J.P. Losman, Donovan McNabb, Cade McNown, Patrick Ramsey, Akili Smith, Michael Vick.
That is like a Who's Who of inaccurate NFL quarterbacks. Only McNabb and Vick ever played like stars, and that was largely because of their running ability. And even at their best, McNabb and Vick struggled with accuracy.
Can Stafford overcome that history? It is certainly possible. Again, he is young -- one could project that his completion percentage would have gone up if he returned to Georgia for his senior year. But that's just a projection. Stafford only completed 55.7% of his passes as a sophomore.
Stafford will have the advantage of throwing to 6-foot-5 Calvin Johnson, one of the biggest targets in the league.
So it is possible. But do you want to bet the first overall pick that Stafford will defy history? Do you want to spend more than $30 million in guaranteed money on a quarterback who has struggled with the most basic part of his job?
That is too much risk for my taste. The Lions would also do well to compare Stafford with quarterbacks from other drafts. Where would he have gone last year? Surely below Matt Ryan, who was drafted third. Where would he go next year, in what is expected to be a quarterback-rich draft?
Do you want to build a franchise around Matthew Stafford?
I'm sure the Lions are asking themselves the same questions I'm asking. I'm just not sure they are coming up with the same answers.
Contact Michael Rosenberg: 313-222-6052 or [email protected]
The Chiefs could pick Curry, but with the addition of Zach Thomas, they may go OT. Eugene Monroe would be that pick.
I'm hearing rumors that the Seahawks will take Sanchez with their #4 pick, but it could simply be strategy to trade with a team.
Bills will probably address the need at OT with a first rounder.
I think Denver would pick up a DT before they take Clay Matthews. So Peria Jerry would be that pick.
I'm not sure if the Falcons would pass on Pettigrew if he's there.
Tennessee should go WR. (Percy Harvin)
Overall it's a pretty good mock draft.
Is there ever going to be any point I can make without you somehow trying to correct and/or contradict it?

I could make a post saying my house was yellow, and you would respond telling me that I'm wrong and that its actually blue....
I realize the offices arent on the field, but you acted as if they went out of their way to show these guys off when in fact they met with them about 100 yards away.
The Chiefs could pick Curry, but with the addition of Zach Thomas, they may go OT. Eugene Monroe would be that pick.
Bills will probably address the need at OT with a first rounder.
I think Denver would pick up a DT before they take Clay Matthews. So Peria Jerry would be that pick.
Tennessee should go WR. (Percy Harvin)
I think Percy Harvin's off the field concerns will concern a team that was so burnt by Pac Man not too long ago. Harvin will likely fall into the second round.
the plot thickens
Again, they didn't bring Condon onto the Practice Field.
Jason Smith, also, is an idiot. Why in the world has he not changed his agent yet? With Condon as his agent, he has no shot of being the number one pick. Jason Smith has a far less likely hood to slide in this draft (he won't fall past the Bengals at 6 in any case) and no matter what his offer is going to be lower than the lowest Stafford offer (which means Stafford automatically makes Condon more money).
You know who else came out of college with a percentage rating LOWER than Stafford's? Matt Ryan and Peyton Manning.
At this points I would say its obvious that history says that the Lions should NOT draft a QB...but they are the Lions, so they probably will.
I'll have my final mock & draft analysis up in a little while.
History says that if you think a player is a Franchise QB, you select him. Isn't that right Indianapolis.
I agree that Monroe could go to KC, but Thomas and Vrabel are just temporary and will help Curry learn and grow as a LB.
The problem with Curry and Kansas City is the fact they already have a Curry clone in Johnson.
Denver does need a NT, but if it's not Raji, I think they'll wait and try and nab Ron Brace in the second round.
I agree.
Pettigrew would be a great fit for the Falcons, but this draft is loaded with TE's and the Falcons defense has lost a lot outside of the d-line. They need to build it back up if they want to make the playoffs again.
Tennesse would have to pick between a potentially great CB who would make them forget Pacman, or they could take the risk on Harvin who has injury and potential behavior problems. I don't think Tennessee has forgotten about taking a rookie with tons of talent but potential baggage, and the addition of Nate Washington will sure things up until they can draft a WR in most likely the second round, maybe even trading up to get a Brian Robiskie or Kenny Britt if the Giants trade for Edwards.
I agree.
History says that if you think a player is a Franchise QB, you select him. Isn't that right Indianapolis.
There are a dozen teams I could insert sarcastically inplace of Indy.
Where's Knowshon?