Is is Safe to Call the SEC the Quarterback Conference?

By Terry Pellman

I’ve said, readily, that I’m not a fan of the NFL.

It’s never been about the product they offer as it is with the NBA.  It’s always been about the by-product, for lack of a better term.

I was a huge fan of Roger Staubach as a child which translated to being a fan of the Dallas Cowboys.

When Jerry Jones made his entrance on the stage and immediately “released” Tom Landry, the fascination with football on Sundays was diminished.

“Hollywood” Henderson, and the by-products that came from his athletic achievements also played a large part in the beginnings of disinterest in the professional football game itself.

Of course, when you add the publicity surround Michael Irvin (to name only one) I was pretty much done.

They haven’t done much, as a league, to entice me back into the fold of a Sunday afternoon football fan.  In fact, more often than not, news surrounding the league has pushed me further away.

Today, hours before the NFL draft, I’ll have to admit I’m curious about what happens with a few players.  And, it has nothing to do with the longing to see them play on Sunday but remembering what it was like to watch them on Saturdays.

These players we’ve all watched on a Saturday afternoon in the fall, seeing them have success on the first day of the draft isn’t uncommon. Frankly, it’s expected.

LSU having had a first round draft pick five years in a row.

Auburn, having success a few years ago when their entire starting backfield was drafted on the first day: Carnell Williams, Ronnie Brown and Jason Campbell.

Jason Campbell…a Quarterback.

His name was bantered about yesterday in trade talks, making an impact on draft day.

A quarterback, from the SEC, making an impact on draft day.

Then, just after hearing that, reports have the Detroit Lions coming to an agreement with Matthew Stafford and selecting him as their first pick, which just happens to be the No. 1 pick overall in today’s first round.

The SEC has long been known for fielding solid defenses and strong running attacks.  But, over the last of the 20th century and the beginning of this one is it a safe statement to say, “The SEC is a quarterback’s league?”

Is it safe to say that despite all the attention on Saturday’s that has been paid to other conferences, their quarterbacks and the statistics their corresponding offenses put up?

I’d say, yes.  It is a safe statement.

Considering the following under the assumption that Detroit does take Stafford as the first pick of the 2009 draft.

• 2009 – SEC QB from Georgia taken as the first pick.
• 2007- SEC QB from LSU (JaMarcus Russell) taken as the first pick.
• 2004- SEC QB from Ole Miss (Eli Manning)…
• 1999- SEC QB from Kentucky (Tim Couch)…
• 1998- SEC QB from Tennessee (Peyton Manning)…

In the interest of perspective, there have been 12 QB’s selected as the first pick in the last 20 years.  Just to compare the SEC’s success to other conferences:

• 2005- Alex Smith – Utah (Mountain West)
• 2003- Carson Palmer – USC (Pac 10)
• 2002- David Carr – Fresno State (WAC)
• 2001- Michael Vick – Virginia Tech (ACC)
• 1993- Drew Bledsoe – Washington State (Pac 10)
• 1990 -Jeff George – Illinois (Big 10)
• 1989- Troy Aikman – UCLA (Pac 10)

Let’s suppose, for only a moment, Tim Tebow has the kind of year that convinces NFL scouts he can be a very good NFL quarterback this fall.

Do the cheers of J-E-T-S, Jets – Jets – Jets get replaced?

Are we soon destined to hear, SEC, SEC, SEC?

Daily FaF Smear (4-25-09)

The Strongest and Most Compelling Story in the NFL Draft

Micheal Oher is the No. 1 player in college football. Not for the x’s and o’s but because he has the best feel good story of any college athlete in tommorows NFL draft.

Oher is the most desreving player in the draft. Bar none. Everyone has their own story and talked about this and that, but his is truly remarkable.

Born in Memphis, Tennessee, Oher bounced around in three or four foster homes until he was 16 years old. His father was murdered when he was a baby and his mother was addicted to crack.

Oher lacked a home, guidance and parental comfort and instead lived on the streets. He did what he had to do to survive. Im not talking about something illegal or unjust, he just would make due with what he could.

His life was changed when he walked into Briarcrest Christian School. He met Sean and Lee Anne Tuohy and they adopted him. They loved him and instantly gave Oher something that had been missing out of his life, a chance.

Now Oher is a day away from going from unwanted, misfit child to millionaire. Where I am from, we would say,”that’s gangster.”

This is probably the best feel good draft story that I have read since Juan Dixon in the 2002 NBA draft. They both share some things in common. Both have graduated from college. They both lost their parents at a very young age. Never been in trouble with the law and yet they both succeed.

When Vernon Davis was drafted, he shed tears of joy. You do the same thing Micheal Oher. I hope you have a very productive career in the NFL. If you can come virtually homeless your whole life to college football stardom then you can accomplish anything. I’m pulling for you and I’m praying for you as well.

Detroit Lions Select Stafford, New Era Begins

Just as many began to wonder what role artificial deadlines might play in the Lions looming draft decision, GM Martin Mayhew and the front office have reportedly laid the cornerstone of their new era.

While official word is yet to come, the Detroit Lions, fierce new logo and all, have agreed in principle with the agents for Georgia junior quarterback Matthew Stafford on a six-year contract, putting not only the quarterback, but also the man making the call, squarely on the spot.  The numbers are staggering.

Debate about the logic behind wages for NFL rookies aside, the reported dollar amounts in the Stafford deal are staggering on most any scale.  Stafford’s contract broke the recently set NFL record for most guaranteed money in any deal, besting Albert Haynesworth’s $41 million in guarantees by an additional $700,000. 

This might have been a sticking point for Stafford, considering the manner in which the negotiations seem to have played out.

The selection of Stafford is far from a surprise, especially in the wake of the Julian Peterson-Cory Redding deal. 

Adding OLB Peterson to Detroit’s defense seemed to preclude any possibility of the team taking Wake Forest LB Aaron Curry, yet his name continued to crop up in headlines and conversations around the Motor City right up until the Stafford announcement.

Curry vs. Stafford now has two clear winners:  Curry with the fans and Stafford with the organization.

Aaron Curry’s demeanor, including his decision to take leukemia survivor Bryson Merriweather to the draft, his blue-collar work ethic, and his willingness to take less money for the privilege of being selected first overall and playing in Detroit, has endeared him to the people of Michigan.

They’ve shown as much in various newspaper and Internet polls, and even at Lions events. Curry seems like a genuinely good guy with his head on straight, and Detroit respects that.

Now, attention turns to Stafford, how he might fit in the Detroit offense, and what the Lions might do later this weekend.  Curry’s name figured prominently into Detroit draft talk late into Friday, but it became increasingly clear that Detroit viewed him as more of a bargaining chip than a linebacker.

To take Stafford, the Lions of course had to pass on Baylor tackle Jason Smith, leading to questions about the personnel that will surround Stafford.  At the moment, Jeff Backus is still the starting left tackle, and the team will be relying on lackluster guards, a second-year right tackle, and an undersized center.

Backus is far from a mauler in the run game, often gets pushed back into the play causing the line to collapse, and has been personally responsible for more than a few blind-side sacks. 

Stafford’s decision making ability has been a point of discussion for many draft experts and fans alike, and as of right now this team does not appear set up to make his on-field decisions very easy.

Not many people have Stafford rated as the best player in this draft, suggesting that Detroit will do their drafting based on need, not a “best player available” strategy.  Expect them to address the spot Curry or Smith would have stepped into with selection No. 20, hoping to snatch someone like Ole Miss’s Michael Oher at tackle or USC’s Rey Maualuga to shore up their porous defense.

But figuring out how Detroit will approach this draft is difficult.

Martin Mayhew made it clear that he felt the Lions tipped their hand far too often under his predecessor.  That appears to have been a point of emphasis.

Many considered the Lions a potential landing spot for big time free agent defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, but Mayhew said he didn’t want to concentrate that much money in one player, even a proven talent like Haynesworth. 

Now, despite a lower total dollar amount, he has guaranteed more money to a man with zero NFL downs played than was guaranteed to perhaps the league’s best interior defensive lineman.

Who knows what’s next?

ESPN’s Kevin Seifert suggested that the Lions might look purely at talent at pick 20 and select Stafford’s Georgia teammate Knowshon Moreno despite signing Maurice Morris to compliment promising rookie Kevin Smith.  Every name from Michael Crabtree to Brandon Pettigrew has been linked to the spot.

Did Mayhew have no choice but to spend such a significant sum with this pick?  Curry indicated that he would sign for less than Jake Long got last season, probably a savings of $10-$14 million in guaranteed money, depending on the terms.  Apparently, the front office was sold on Stafford in a way they weren’t on guys like Curry and Haynesworth.

One thing seems certain.  Spending money is not as taboo as Mayhew has previously suggested.

The Book on Jason Peters: From a Buffalo Bills Fan

Congratulations Eagles fans. You’ve got yourself one hell of an athletic tackle there. He moves very well (he was a TE when the Bills brought him into camp). He’s obviously ambitious (more on that later). He has tremendous upper body strength and he blows people up when he gets his hands on them.

On one play in 2007 against the Houston Texans he literally managed to get a triple-pancake. Now you might ask yourself how such a feat is even possible…

Well, the Bills had a QB by the name of J.P. Losman who was very fond of a little, oh I don’t know, we’ll call it “a play-action maneuver” where he would go on what I would like to describe as a rollout, but not really.

Anyway, Peters planted the same Texans lineman (I can’t recall his name so sue me) on his back three times on one play.

I was pretty much sold on Jason Peters at that moment.

I would have said going into the 2008 offseason that he was definitely a top five tackle, and worthy of top five tackle money.

Then he held out. He didn’t report to camp. He joined the team the week before the first game.

He then gave up 15 sacks in 2008—the most among LT’s in the NFL.

He was still physically dominant, he was just getting beat by the more experienced pass rushers like Joey Porter (on one play that cost the Bills a win).  And he wasn’t getting to his block, he was lunging.

It was clear that missing camp affected his game.

Then came this offseason and well, to boil it down to a single theory I like to call “the truth”: He wanted to leave Buffalo!

He turned down the offers Buffalo already had on the table, which were not far from what Philadelphia finally offered and his firm demand of being the top earning offensive tackle in football was apparently only a condition for the Buffalo Bills, not the Philadelphia Eagles.

And what he said in that interview about having a RT contract while he was playing LT? According to Buffalo Bills.com’s Chris Brown, there was verbiage in his contract governing such a switch. Peters signed that contract, he should have had some idea of what was in it.

So, big deal if he’s typical when it comes to NFL players who want to get paid and are willing to use whatever leverage they have to get their way.

More power to them. Just don’t treat us like we’re ten year olds. We understand.

Enjoy!

Grab Your Torches and Pitchforks! Detroit Lions Sign Stafford to $78 Mil Deal

Okay, there isn’t quite the urgency for a mob gathering as my headline is suggesting. For all I know, Matthew Stafford could be the next great quarterback in the NFL. Hell, at this point, after witnessing the past failures of Joey Harrington, and now an NFL record of 0-16, the Lions would be happy if their top pick just turns out to be “very good.”

But in conversations I’ve had with Detroit fans in the past few months, not one in the group believed the Lions would make a quarterback their first overall pick. Some even called me foolish for the name appearing first on my mock draft.

Well, before the NFL commish even walks to the podium to make the official announcement, Detroit has already signed Stafford to a six-year $78 million deal, making him the first overall pick in the 2009 draft.

And judging by some of the profanity laced comments I received with my suggestion of the former Bulldog going first, I now envision an angry mob gathering the hounds and searching the countryside for the man that made the decision. I can also see Matt Millen sitting in a lawn chair and pointing the way.

$78 million is a lot of money for an unproven player, but you can’t blame Stafford for that. If the NFL refuses to provide a structure for rookie salaries, the numbers will just continue to rise each year. Last year, I thought the Falcons made a mistake by not only drafting Matt Ryan, but also giving him a bundle of cash. In both cases, I was wrong.

Matthew Stafford may not make the same initial splash on the NFL scene as Ryan and Flacco did a year ago, but I still feel that quarterback was the right direction for Detroit. People ask why you draft a quarterback if your line can’t protect him, and I ask why they drafted a receiver (Calvin Johnson) without a quarterback to reach him.

It’s a circular game that goes round and round, but nevertheless, the issue is moot, as Stafford is the new face of your franchise. Just look at it this way, the new Lions can’t possibly fair worse than those of 2008. Can they?

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NFL Draft Prospects in Five Minutes or Less: A Look Behind DraftguysTV

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Any industry will occasionally see a shake up or development which shapes the way we interact with it for some time.

With the explosion of interest in the NFL Draft, there has also been an equally large explosion of coverage. And aside from the extra coverage from the usual suspects like NFL Network and ESPN, a litany of websites has sprung up around the internet.

Of the many out there, perhaps the most unique is Draftguys.com or more specifically DraftguysTV, their video project. In the two years since DraftguysTV has launched, it has become a useful portion tool for my analysis of many players who might otherwise get overlooked due to a lack of accessible game footage.

But the Draftguys site itself first came to my attention in 2007, when it launched with the usual group of player rankings, mock drafts and player analysis that is prevalent among various websites.

“We loved talking football,’ says Cecil Lammey, who met the other two founders—Sigmund Bloom and Marc Faletti—at Footballguys.com, working on his podcast The Audible. “So we thought, well why don’t we keep it going all off season? And if we were going to keep the talk going The Draft made the most sense to focus on.”

By 2008, Draftguys switched their focus from the usual stuff and moved towards into something fairly unique.

Video profiles shot in person at the three major College All Star games—The Shrine Game, Texas vs The Nation and The Senior Bowl—with player interviews.

The idea of video rather than written profiles seemed a natural one to Faletti. “Web-based video allows me to reach audiences directly,” he told me, “without having to navigate some sort of studio infrastructure that might dilute my product or ideas.”

Being a smaller company also has its advantages. “Like blogging to the newspaper industry, web video offers creators a chance to go uncensored, improve on immediacy compared to big media, and be more nimble,” says Marc. “Our budgets might be lower, but I think we compensate by bringing folks an uncompromised product.”

Aside from the budget, the next biggest hurdle would appear to be getting access to the practices and getting player interviews. But Bloom says that’s really easier to do than you’d think.

“If you’re respected within the community and contact the right people, it’s not that difficult at all. Ask nicely.”

Bloom, along with Lammey, had traveled the All Star circuit before. It was a simple case of just continuing those relationships and expanding them.

“The groundwork had already been laid,” says Lammey. ‘We just took it to the next level.”

“The Shrine Game and Texas Vs the Nation were extremely forthcoming with permission and access. They have no television deal for their practices, and that made it easy for them to give us a chance to shoot everything,” Faletti said about reaction from the various organizations.

“The Senior Bowl has an exclusive deal with NFL Network. While they gave us a chance to shoot the practices, we weren’t allowed to use the footage. They did allow us to use still photos, though and that’s given us a chance to make profiles like Alphonso Smith’s and Peria Jerry’s.”

Once in the door, the challenge became deciding who would be looked at and then shooting it. But even if they come in with a list, flexibility is a key.

“It’s all about the footage. We can come in with preconceived ideas, but we never know who’s going to stand out on film,” Faletti tells me. “Scouting always starts with an open mind, and that’s how we try to approach our footage.”

And sometimes it’s the guys they don’t know who make the biggest impression.

“A guy like Dudley Guice, who we’d never heard of, blew us away from the start and earned himself a profile simply by excelling.”

“We see a ton of great players and make a ton of connections,” Lammey adds. “But you can’t profile everyone.”

Getting the footage can be difficult, knowing when to shoot and who. And sometimes, Bloom tells me, it’s even a little dangerous.

“Sometimes errant passes or players running out of bounds just miss Marc – thankfully most receivers have great body control.”

Occasionally the camera attracts other dangers, like concerned and suspicious looks from scouts.

“Most of the time while we are waiting to talk to players they are talking to team scouts,” continues Bloom, ”who sometimes want to make sure our camera wasn’t recording anything while they are talking.

Even self financed, the Draftguys haven’t skimped. Digital cameras can be had cheaply and it’s not uncommon for college students or aspiring filmmakers to grab a cheap camera and run off a little avant garde film.

Not for Faletti. The Sony EX-1 camcorder he shoots with allows him to not only run the videos in High-Def, as they did in season one, but gives them incredibly high quality images that can easily be edited in multiple ways.

“I’ve worked with a lot of gear over the years,” Faletti told me, “but that camera’s the best bang for the buck in the history of video. Capturing in 1080P also allows me to crop certain plays when editing in 720P, and when you only use one camera on shoots like these, being able to “zoom in” in post makes a big difference.

Then Faletti runs the footage through Adobe After Effects and adds music in Final Cut Pro on an octo-core Mac Pro. The footage is modified a ton, so After Effects is a tool that can allow everything from graphic manipulation to time modification and much more easily than with just Final Cut Pro.

From there, it’s finalized and then heads to the web where arm-chair General Managers can take a look at some of the prospects their favorite teams are examining as well.

“A lot of fans tell us they want a player for their team after seeing the show,” says Bloom, who notes that Florida Atlantic linebacker Frantz Joseph has gotten the most response in this vein this season. Sometimes people will return to a video well after the draft as well. “Draftniks like to use our videos to prove that they were right about someone.”

It isn’t only the hard core Draft fans who took notice of the series.

After a first season where players like defensive tackle Eric Foster (started 11 games for the colts), corners Chevis Jackson (played in 16 games and picked off a pivotal Peyton Manning pass for a 95 yard TD) and Dwight Lowery (started opposite Darrell Revis for the Jets in 10 games) were featured, the media started to line up as well.

With several hundred players to track, it makes sense to Bloom. “Professional media like the ability to get a quick but informative overview of a player.”

Overall, the reaction has continued to be great from both parties.

The series has continued to gain steam this year as well.

“The NFL Network called us to say they enjoyed the show, and major sites like The Sporting News and USA Today have been running our work,” says Faletti of the reaction to season two.

“We have seen beat writers from coast to coast embed our profiles at their papers’ sites, and we’ve seen fan messages boards for almost every pro team and dozens of college teams sending the show around…right now, we’re the only folks offering a show like that in any medium, and I think that’s why it appeals so much to the media, fans, and draft aficionados.”

After two seasons of the video, the guys aren’t losing any steam. What’s next?

Bloom says he’d like to return to something they did in year one.

“We’re waiting to see if the NFL moves the draft up into February, or if the Shrine Game and Senior Bowl change venues to Tampa before making any decisions, but if the budget allows, we’d love to hit more training facilities.”

Lammey agrees, but thinks the next natural progression is Pro Days. “A camera hitting some of the big ones, checking some of the position drills would be great.”

Before any of that, though, Faletti says there’s one thing they have to take care of first.

“We hope to use the next several months to find support from an advertiser or possibly a large site with whom we could partner. Given what we did on almost no budget, imagine what some real financial backing would allow us to accomplish!”

With the following that DraftguysTV has gathered, it might not be long before we find out.

The NFL Draft: The Real Questions You Should Ask on Draft Day

I don’t care about the draft. I’m done with it.

I have read so many mock drafts, prospect analysis, and trade rumors that my brain has turned to jelly.

The bickering of Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay whisper in my ear as I go to sleep. I have giant draft boards chasing me, I’m mixing up 40 times with the three-cone drill, and Andre Smith’s man boobs won’t leave me alone.

It’s maddening. The uncertainty is deafening. My only peace of mind is knowing that Al Davis will draft someone fast.

To combat this boarder line insanity, I have thought of a few interesting questions for draft day. These questions put me at ease because these questions pretty much have nothing to do with the draft itself.

I thought I’d share these scattered thoughts for those who are tired of the same old questions about what’s going to happen in the draft. If I hear one more discussion on who will be the “steal of the draft,” I’m going to scream.

ESPN or NFL Network?

Both with be covering the draft in its entirety. Some don’t have NFL Network, but for those that do, which do you watch?

Do you want to see Mel Kiper’s armored hair, or Jaime Dukes spit shine head?

Do you want to hear a Kiper and McShay squabble, or a Mike Mayock bland analysis?

Should I be annoyed by Chris Berman’s overexcitement, or Rich Eisen’s “too cool for school” attitude?

You pick your draft poison.

When will Kiper overly criticize a teams pick only to be proved wrong three years later?

Mel. We love Mel…kind of. He’s like that uncle that wants to give you advice, but he’s drunk so you have to pick and choose what’s true and what’s just the banter of an angry man with suppressed emotions.

Sure Kiper, and many experts, get predictions wrong, but it just feels a little more special when The Kip has to eat crow.

How long will the NFL wait before taking a “falling draftee” to the back room?

With all the crazy possibilities involved in this draft, it is inevitable that one of the invited draftees will base jump to the middle or bottom of the first round.

We’ve seen it before with Brady Quinn and Aaron Rodgers. Those long disappointed faces as they see millions of guaranteed dollars leave their contracts. It is a thing of beauty.

I’m not a malicious guy who enjoys seeing people suffer, but I find this to be hilarious.

What they don’t seem to realize is while they drop and lose money, they slip down to a better team. Maybe even a good team. A good team means you will be winning. Enough wins means you’re in the playoffs. Playoffs mean a chance to reach the Super Bowl. A Super Bowl win means you’ve made your mark on history.

Dropping in the draft isn’t a bad thing. Being looked over can be good for you. Ask Tom Brady.

Who has the hottest gold dig…girlfriend with them at the draft?

Don’t tell me I’m the only one looking. Out of all the young soon-to-be millionaires, there are always a few that have a lady friend on their arm. You can tell which one is the girlfriend by how suspiciously excited they get when their man’s name is called.

How many draftees are cursing their fate with a smile?

Everyone wants to be the No. 1 pick…or do they?

Usually being a high draft pick means you won’t be seeing the playoffs for a couple years (if that). That might be OK since you’re getting paid, but we all know a couple of those guys are probably dreading where they end up.

Detroit? Do not enter.

Cincinnati? Detour me to the next city.

Oakland? Could be OK if Undead Al gave up his power, but do you really think that’s going to happen? Once Davis wins the lawsuit against Joss Whedon for stealing his idea to make the show Dollhouse, he’ll have enough money to start his own dollhouse and transfer all his brain into another person. He’ll be here forever; just in a different body.

There are just some places you don’t want to go.

How long will the delay be during home interviews?

You might be staying home Sanchez, but you’re not getting away from the cameras.

The interview in the home is a typical routine in the draft. Too bad they are so painstakingly terrible to watch.

What’s worse is when they do interviews in the same building, but there’s still a delay. Just make it stop.

Who will be the most annoying group of fans?

The NFL Draft is a celebration of sort for fans to be introduced to their new fascination. Being there live, fans get a first class view of their new savior.

That is until your team picks the player you prayed for two months they wouldn’t take.

From there, boos poor down and a new love/hate relationship is born.

My pick for this year will be the Jets. They have been in the rumor mill for trading up, trading down, and everything in between. There are so many possibilities that Jet fans will eventually blow their top about something.

But Jet fans never seem to be happy on draft day anyway, so I guess this isn’t much of a prediction.

Those are just a few of the major questions I’ll be racking my brain on. Some smaller questions to ask during the draft:

Who is going to wear, “that suit?”

Which GM will look like they regretted whom they selected during the “after pick” interview?

Who will have the biggest family entourage?

Who will take the longest to receive their jersey?

How many hugs will Matt Stafford give on his way to the podium?

How embarrassed will Mr. Irrelevant look during his interview?

How many times will Jaime Dukes say “kid?”

How surprised will Chris Berman get about that’s that are not surprising?

Feel free to add your own thought-provoking questions in the comment section.

Matt Stafford and the Detroit Lions: A Case Study in Insanity

Matthew Stafford has just been given a six-year $78 million contract with $41 million guaranteed. By the Detroit Lions. Who have so many more pressing needs than a quarterback who will be spending more time on the ground than standing. Even worse, a player who has never taken a single snap in the NFL.

The NFL is desperately in need of rookie contracts, like in the NBA. Players who have never played a single down are getting payed more than proven veterans such as Brian Westbrook, who in 2008 signed a three year deal worth $21 million with $13 million guaranteed.

Westbrook, who is a star among true NFL fans for his low-key behavior and hard work ethic, us getting payed less than a third of what a rookie who has never and may never win a game in the NFL is getting. Stafford is unworthy of being a top paid player in the league.

The Lions were also insane in signing a quarterback after signing Daunte Culpepper to a two year contract, and who lost 30 lbs in the offseason. The Lions will regret not signing Aaron Curry from Wake Forest, who has shot up the draft charts and was reported to be willing to sign for $30 million dollars.

In order to be a winning team in the NFL, you have to be able to stop the other team, unlike the Lions who had the second-worst defense in the history in the NFL. The Lions have shown once again that although they have new management, they are still the Lions.

Stafford may end up being a good player. He may even up being a Hall of Fame player. Even so, he’s the wrong player and will not help the Vikings.

The point of this is it is unreasonable to pay someone before they prove themselves. There have been too many cases of the first person in the draft to be a bust in order to justify such a high price.

Ryan Leaf and Alex Smith are just two of a number of cases that have set back their teams years in terms of quarterback play.  While proven players get a fraction of what these guys get, while those guys are now sitting at home, living off the ridiculous contracts they are rewarded, they are actually out on the field working for teams that have rewarded them for actually playing.

It is an outrage and must be addressed.

The Matthew Stafford Experiment: Side Effects May Vary

As I’m sure we all know by now, the Lions have officially chosen Matthew Stafford as their No. 1 overall pick in the draft.  He is guaranteed $41.7 million, but beyond that, his contract gets murky.  Multiple sites, including SI.com and ESPN.com, seem to have multiple opinions on his contract’s overall worth.

However, this article is not about the amount of money Matt Stafford is due.  This article is about the effects the signing will have, both on the Lions and the rest of the league.

1. The Lions Now Have a Face of the Franchise

Last year, the 0-16 Lions were a mess, to say the very least.  They were in desperate need of someone to represent all the franchise stood for.  This year, they will enter the season with a new head coach, general manager and now a new franchise quarterback. 

Even though Jim Scwhartz has essentially earned a rockstar status as the new head coach, make no mistake, Stafford is the face of this organization now.

Like the Atlanta Falcons of last year, Detroit desperately needed an identity and I believe they found one in Matthew Stafford.  Don’t misunderstand me, he is NOT the next Matt Ryan and I feel very strongly about that. A quarterback like that only comes about once in a great while.

Statistically, Matt Stafford is more likely to be a Joey Harrington clone then a Matt Ryan, or even Joe Flacco one.  I believe he needs one to two years on the bench behind a rejuvenated Daunte Culpepper before he stands a chance at becoming the franchise savior.  I just hope Detroit doesn’t bend to public pressure and put him in too soon.

2. Mark Sanchez’s Stock Just Rose…A Lot

USC quarterback Mark Sanchez is the next great thing in the draft now that Stafford is unavailable.  As quickly as Stafford was taken, he will be forgotten, at least until Sanchez is signed.

With quarterback holes in multiple teams, Sanchez is a hot commodity.  Not to mention, several analysts had Sanchez rated higher then Stafford before the signing.  St. Louis seems poised to take him and use him as trade bait.  Seattle’s No. 4 spot just became a whole lot sexier as well, that is, assuming St. Louis doesn’t work something out first.

I think the wild card in this situation is Kansas City at No. 3.  Scott Pioli is a genius and has worked wonders for the floundering franchise in a short time.  I would not be surprised if right now he was aggressively flaunting his third pick to teams like New York, Tampa Bay, Washington and maybe even Denver.

3. The Lion’s No. 20 Pick Just Became a Whole Lot More Interesting

Now that Stafford is “the pick”, the Lions need to turn their attention to their second first-round selection.  You don’t go 0-16 because of a few glaring holes.  It takes a slough of issues before that happens.

A franchise tackle would certainly be helpful, but will any premier players be left at 20 when so many other teams lack talent at that position?  Michael Oher, Andre Smith, and even Eben Britton may all be gone by 20. 

That’s without even mentioning Jason Smith and Eugene Monroe.  After them, the talent level begins to look more like second round material.

Now we turn to the defensive needs the Lions have.  Certainly DT B.J. Raji will be gone by No. 20, but players like Peria Jerry, Evander Hood, and Fili Moala may still be around.  Any of these three would be an instant upgrade to the Lion’s defensive line.  They might even give DEs Larry English or Connor Barwin a look, depending on who’s available.

Bottom line is this: it all starts in the trenches.  Both the O Line and D Line could use upgrades.  Whether it’s protecting or pressuring the quarterback, the Lions need to be conservative and intelligent with their second pick.  Draft for need when you’re rebuilding, and for God’s sake, don’t take another receiver.

4. Whatever Need Isn’t Addressed With the No. 20 Overall Pick MUST be Addressed with the 33rd Overall Pick

Having the first pick in the second round is a powerful tool.  The talent level won’t drop off very significantly from 20 to 33, which means the Lions can address whichever side of the ball they chose not to with No. 20.

Players like Eric Wood or William Beatty could still be lingering in the second round and could provide upgrades to the offensive line. 

On the other side, DT Ron Brace or S Louis Delmas will probably still be floating around and could step in to contribute immediately to last year’s worst defense.

The Lions need to look for as many instant upgrades as they can if they want to “restore the roar.”  By taking Stafford at No. 1, the Lions ensured defensive and offensive issues still need to be addressed at this crucial pick.

What do you guys think?

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