I hold onto them dearly like a child who has been injured, but the reality is, the Detroit Lions give me more heartburn than a giant plate of nachos with a side of barbecue spare ribs.
Now that two new mock drafts from NBC Sports and Sporting News have surfaced naming offensive tackle Russell Okung as the Lions second overall pick, I feel this serious need to reach for my antacid and pop four or five pills at once.
But I hold off because Jim Schwartz is not Rod Marinelli and Martin Mayhew is not Matt Millen. I’m going to sit back and breathe and trust that Detroit Lions management knows what they are doing.
Let’s just get this straight, guys (while I generally try to refrain from stating my opinions until someone decides to pay me for them, I can’t hold back in this case), the Detroit Lions need to draft Ndamukong Suh.
The Reasons
With Sam Bradford most likely going to St. Louis at number one, Suh will arguably be the next best player of the 2010 college class on the board (if he’s not a better one than Bradford anyway).
This is generally thought of as the smartest thing to do; take the best player when he reaches you if he fits your draft scheme and team needs which Suh does.
However, that is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the reasons they need Suh:
Detroit’s defensive line was so dismal last year that near the end of the season teams were essentially running the football ball nonstop. Opposing coordinators knew that within two or three attempts they would break through their d-line, especially if they had a lead against Detroit.
With the additions of Kyle Vanden Bosch and Corey Williams, the Lions defensive line will be significantly improved this year, but throw in Suh and you are looking at a dominating line, one that many teams would be envious of. Now that is something that hasn’t been said about a Detroit Lions team in a long time.
Suh is an undeniably popular player among the local Detroit fan base and ever since the draft spot had been finalized, the overwhelming majority of fans have been calling for him to be taken if St. Louis passes him by.
It would seem to be a foolish decision of Jim Schwartz to ignore this plea for a player. Yet at the same time, the majority of Lions fans also appear to trust Jim Schwartz’s decision making ability, so a decision made against popular demand might not have much negative consequences at this point in Schwartz’s tenure with the Lions.
He proved that he did not disappoint last year with a solid draft (possibly one of the best), and his confidence when speaking to the media assures fans, even when they doubt some of his decisions. It will be an interesting storyline to watch this spring.
The Facts
Of Suh, newly signed DT Vanden Bosch said this: “My opinion, which means nothing, he’s the best defensive tackle I’ve ever seen in college. I mean, he could fit into any system, honestly. He’s so explosive, so physically gifted.”
When Schwartz met with Vanden Bosch at his home to lure him from Tennessee, he emphasized one thing, the defensive line. Don’t think that by adding two solid linemen he is satisfied. He told Vanden Bosch that they wanted a dominant defensive line. By adding Suh this April, the Lions would reach that objective.
The Flipside
By adding Russell Okung, the Lions would be forced to move Jeff Bacus away from his natural position. While this might
help out Quarterback Matthew Stafford in his sophomore season by adding a key piece, a true blindside protector to compliment Backus and right guard Stephen Peterman, Schwartz has indicated that he is not moving Bacus.
With the defensive line solid, it would seem appropriate that they draft Okung and solidify the offensive line as well. By doing this they would be significantly improving both ends of the trenches for 2010.
The Reality
Schwartz tends to focus on one trouble spot in the roster and improve it, if not attempt to make it great. He is not the type of coach who will be satisfied with just improving both sides of the line. He will most likely make one end great and focus on the other when he actually needs too.
He thinks very highly of offensive line right guard Stephen Peterman, who was lost to injury last year, and left tackle Jeff Backus.
Most importantly, Schwartz hinted will probably not be moving Backus inside the line in the foreseeable future because he had such a fantastic season in 2009. He says that the only real need of the o-line is to find a starting left guard, not the tackle that Okung is.
Again, when Schwartz speaks, most Lions fans take it seriously and listen, they trust him.
As for St. Louis, it is becoming more likely that they will take Sam Bradford in the attempt to snag a franchise quarterback.
Even though Marc Bulger is still with the team, he’s gone 5-31 since 2007 and he could possibly be cut because of the $37.5 million he is still owed. They failed to trade for Michael Vick and believe that Bradford is the answer. They will take the young quarterback whether they release Bulger or not.
The Conclusion
The bottom line is this, Ndamukong Suh will give the Lions another name that fans not only recognize, but can cheer, a player who will be followed with enthusiasm and genuine interest. He is an eventual pro-bowl caliber player who will complete the Lions attempt to employ a dominant defensive line.
All the cards point to Suh, and the with the way Schwartz and Mayhew have run things so far, it looks like they will make the right move.
Check out my other NFL related article here.
Joshua Worn is the author of the blog, Two On, One Out , as well as a Syndicated Writer and Feature Columnist at The Bleacher Report . If you have comments or questions, you can reach him at thebaseballglutton@comcast.net .
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