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NFC North
Was taking the "best player in the 2007 draft" the best choice for the Detroit Lions? Although Matt Millen was under extreme pressure in making the right decision prior to the Draft this year, I think he carried on the Millen Draft Tradition once again by selecting WR Calvin Johnson this year.
The Lions should have addressed their defense instead of offense in this year's draft. For the past four years, the Lions have spent most of their games on the defensive side of the ball. They finished 28th overall in defense last year, spending 32:19 minutes defending their goal line - in which they allowed 24.9 points, 345 total and 220 rushing yards per game. Unless Calvin Johnson plays defense this year, their opponents are going to have their way at will against the Lions once again. In 2005, Detroit was 20th overall in defense, 30:47 minutes on defense and allowed 322 yards per game. As you can see, they did not improve in 2006. Although 2006 was an improvement from 2005 and 2004 - where they spent roughly 31 minutes on defense and allowed 336 yards per game, all signs point to another year watching the Lions roar on the wrong side of the ball.
Detroit's current secondary is horrendous! Strong Safety Kenoy Kennedy is their best secondary player - finishing with a disgusting 66 tackles and 2 interceptions. Yep! Those 2 interceptions are the only interceptions the 2007 Detroit Lions experienced last year.
The linebacking corps (and I use that term "corps" loosely) is bleak as well. ROLB Boss Baily has not produced as was expected when he was drafted in 2003. He has ammassed an astounding (not) 3.5 sacks and 158 tackles over the 4 year span. Middle Linebacker Paris Lenon, another NON-SACK machine, will not be much of a factor when both covering the pass and stopping the run - 140 tackles and 1.5 sacks since 2002. The only bright spot is 2006 1st Round draft pick LOLB Ernie Sims. He had 124 tackles last year.
If I was Matt Millen, which I am glad I am not, I would have taken Middle Linebacker Patrick Willis or S LaRon Landry. These players are the best at their respective positions. They would have made an instant impact on defense. Middle Linebacker and Safety have been proven over the years to be safe picks as well. With Detroit not having a strong defense, either of these two players would increase their defense tremendously. "Defense wins championships."
Detroit drafted:
#1.2 WR Calvin Johnson, Georgia Tech - considered the best player in the draft;
#2.11 QB Drew Stanton, Michigan State - has the mechanics and the smarts to fit in the pro style offense of the Lions but tends to try to do too much, which will be expected from him when he takes the role after Kitna;
#2.26 DL Ikaika Alama-Francis - although he played as a defensive tackle earlier in his career, he will be used as a Defensive End;
finished up with picks:
#2.29 FS Gerald Alexander, Boise State;
#4.6 CB A.J. Davis, North Carolina State;
#4.18 OG Manny Ramirez, Alabama A&M;
#5.21 LB Johnny Baldwin, ALabama A&M and
MR.IRRELEVANT #7.45 CB Ramzee Robinson, Alabama.
As you can see, they did not address any concern for defense "this" year. And don't expect one of the draft picks outside of Stanton to make any impact any time soon.
Drafting Calvin Johnson was politically correct. It saved the Lion figure-heads a lot of fan (hate) mail. If you have noticed, Matt Millen has not been in the football headlines anymore. Yes, Calvin Johnson is "expected" to put up some good numbers and enhance a decent offense. They are still lacking a decent quarterback to throw to him. Kitna is on his last leg and is not reliable for consistency. Johnson will be lucky to get 65 catches and 10 TDs this year. That will not help the Lions as much as an instant impact from either Willis and Landry.
Millen thinks the fans will remember him making the right pick in 2007. But, when all is said and done, we will remember him making the wrong pick once again. Defense wins championships and offense sells tickets.
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