Hemingway To The...Lions?
I just received a newsletter from an NFLDraft website with a mock draft attached...
I opened up knowing it was full of shit, but I wanted to see who they had my Lions taking. What do I see? Junior Hemingway, 7th Round, Detroit Lions.
What do you guys think?
Other Michigan players listed...
Mike Martin - 4th Round
Kevin Koger - 5th Round
David Molk - 6th Round
Troy Woolfolk - 6th Round
Ryan Van Bergen - 7th Round
For those that are interested...here were the other Lions picks:
1. Janoris Jenkins, CB, Florida (got kicked out of school, currently in JuCo)
2. DJ Fluker, OT, Alabama
3. Michael Brewster, C, Ohio
4. Melvin Ingram, DE, S. Carolina
5. Ryan Houston, RB, UNC
6. Kenny Tate, LB, Maryland
7. Junior Hemingway, WR, Michigan
7. Philip Welch, K, Wisconsin
September 27th, 2011 at 3:22 PM ^
I'll take it!
September 27th, 2011 at 3:23 PM ^
Its Still September....give it a break
September 27th, 2011 at 3:26 PM ^
the poor guy.
September 27th, 2011 at 3:34 PM ^
He should be so lucky.
September 27th, 2011 at 3:38 PM ^
What an incredibly dated joke.
The Lions are 3-0 (and not a cute, scrappy 3-0 like the Bills). They are currently #4 in ESPN's power rankings. They have the most talented young trio in the NFL with Stafford, Johnson and Suh.
Yeah what a horrible place to be...
September 27th, 2011 at 3:47 PM ^
not sure how you discredit the bills 3-0 as "cute and scrappy"...
September 27th, 2011 at 4:12 PM ^
The win against New England was a fluke. You play that game 20 more times and Brady isn't throwing two picks in a contest, let alone four. And good teams don't fall behind by 20 to the Oakland Raiders AT HOME.
Their quarterback, who I heard went to Harvard, is phyiscally limited, has been around the block a few times and is playing way above his head. He is not a Super Bowl quarterback. Although I have been told he went to Harvard. Fred Jackson's legs will probably fall off by Week 6 and they have no real linchpin player on their defense.
They look very much like football's version of the Cleveland Indians in April and May, which was adorable. But everybody knew it wasn't going to last.
September 27th, 2011 at 4:20 PM ^
I bet you won't say that to Shawne Merriman and Nick Barnett's faces
September 27th, 2011 at 4:31 PM ^
Would this be the place to point out that the Lions have played one half-way decent team and two teams that are in the running for worst in the league? They look very good, but I'm still skeptical until they face an elite offense (which won't happen until ... Atlanta I guess).
The schedule really sets up for them to be, at worst 8-2. The last six weeks of the Lions schedule is rough, though. GB x2, @ NO, @Oakland, SD. Only Minny in there as a break.
September 27th, 2011 at 4:57 PM ^
Any team that has Adrian Peterson, Jared Allen, Percy Harvin and Kevin Williams is not in the running for worst in the league. In fact, the Vikings are by far the most talented 0-3 team in the league and their close calls reflect that.
Seriously, just look at the Lions and Bills rosters and compare. The talent differential is vast.
September 27th, 2011 at 5:35 PM ^
The Vikings' oline is aging or couldn't stay below 400 pounds, their secondary is bad, and their choice at QB is between a guy who lost it three years ago and a rookie. They're fundamentally flawed this year, despite the talented pieces they have. They'll finish between 4-12 and 6-10.
And I'm not so much arguing about the Bills' talent as I'm saying let's throw the brakes on the Lions' bandwagon until we can see how they match up with an elite team. They have some very promising young talent and they got to spend last year figuring out how to win. They still have some very significant issues on the oline and in the secondary. Those issues won't kill them (the same way a supremely average oline hasn't hurt the Packers). The best thing going for the Lions is there schedule which allows them to build up a lot of momentum before hitting the difficult part of their schedule.
September 27th, 2011 at 10:18 PM ^
You forgot Hutch! C'mon man!
September 28th, 2011 at 12:01 PM ^
I'm sorry.
They look very much like football's version of the Cleveland Indians in April and May, which was adorable. But everybody knew it wasn't going to last.
Coming from the guy who was red-faced crying about how the Indians were going to take the division for 2 months.
Nothing you have typed in your post is fact, or even evidence. It is your opinion.
September 29th, 2011 at 9:43 PM ^
Just had to kick the Indians again while they're down, eh? I guess it's the offseason again for Cleveland. We'll always have April.
September 27th, 2011 at 4:17 PM ^
Between Suh, Stafford, and Johnson, and Rodgers, Jennings, Finley, Raji and Matthews, the Packers and Lions both have great cores that will be in their primes for the next 5-6 years. There should be some epic games over that span.
September 27th, 2011 at 4:32 PM ^
Anyone remember when the Colts started with Manning, Harrison, and Freeny? Hope the Lions have a similar run.
September 27th, 2011 at 3:27 PM ^
I'm with coldnjl that it's really too early to project, but I'd like to see the Lions take a running back. Maybe Marcus Lattimore or Trent Richardson (if they declare for the draft and are available for the 32nd pick*)? I just don't think Jahvid Best gives them what they need at running back.
*See what I did there?
September 27th, 2011 at 3:37 PM ^
I agree, they need a power back...but he was a 2nd round pick. He, Best and Houston might make a nice trio...
Lattimore wouldn't be eligible. Maybe they could trade up to get Trent Richardson.
September 27th, 2011 at 4:21 PM ^
Good point, I had forgotten about him. But, as has been noted, a torn achilles is a nasty injury to bounce back from. Hopefully he does.
September 27th, 2011 at 4:24 PM ^
regardless of what mark ingram does repeat after me 10000 times:
You don't trade up to take a RB.
September 29th, 2011 at 9:39 PM ^
and Kevin Jones.
September 27th, 2011 at 10:25 PM ^
He only played 1 season of college ball for (the then crappiest team in America) Oklahoma State and declared early. He went there because they were the only school in the country desperate enough for any back to give him a scholarship. He tried out at Northwestern and they passed on him, then he rode the bench for 2 years. Big effing gamble there, no brainer in hindsight. 3 to 4 games into the season who knows what backs will be available next April.
September 28th, 2011 at 8:17 AM ^
Oklahoma State was not horrible then. The RB Barry sat behind was future HOFer Thurman Thomas. He won the Heisman and still holds the single season rushing record in his only season starting at Okie State. We were lucky he fell to us at number three. Barry Sanders was not a big effing gamble as you claim.
September 29th, 2011 at 9:38 PM ^
The problem is for every Barry Sanders and Adrian Peterson there's a Curtis Enis, Rashaan Salaam, Kijana Carter, Ron Dayne, Chris Perry, Lawrence Phillips, Blair Thomas, Tim Biakabatuka, etc. You have equal success drafting a late round "scrap heap RB" as getting one at the top of the draft...so why risk it?
September 27th, 2011 at 3:31 PM ^
We also would be getting Leshoure back next season. That one two punch would take a lot of the pressure off of Best.
September 27th, 2011 at 3:39 PM ^
Tough for a running back to come back from an achilles, though
September 27th, 2011 at 3:33 PM ^
Lattimore is only a sophmore so he won't be in the draft but keep in mind that they drafted Leshoure in the 2nd rd last year. Also, not a response to you but I don't want to make another post but whoever gets martin in the 4th is getting a steal.
September 27th, 2011 at 4:49 PM ^
Leshore could be a good between-the-tackles guy if they give him a chance to get healthy. IMO, O-line is a much more pressing need.
Backus & Raiola are getting old and Cherilus & Peterman will never be confused with Pro-bowlers. And still, the line is half-decent at pass-pro (except when Backus is 1-on-1 w/ guys like Peppers & Allen - which is unfortunately often). But they get absolutely no push on the run. A good, young LT would let them move Backus to RT where he wouldn't have to deal with speed-rushers. Unfortunately, they're unlikely to find a sure thing picking in the early 20s. However, they could get a top-quality G or C there, if they see one they like.
In remaking this team, Mayock, Lewand, and Schwartz have loaded up talent at the skill positions on offense and the front seven on defense. Adding an improved O-line (and possibly a #1 corner) would push them from "dangerous" to "contender".
September 28th, 2011 at 12:32 AM ^
Mayock works for NFL network.
Mayhew works for the Lions
September 27th, 2011 at 3:30 PM ^
First.
September 27th, 2011 at 3:34 PM ^
Honestly, unless some underclassmen like Taylor Lewan go pro, it's a weak class just like last year.
If they could get Fluker, Potter from Boise St. or I hate to say it but Mike Adams from Ohio in the 2nd round...that might be the best bet.
Dre Kirkpatrick is the guy I'd love to see them get. I say Kirkpatrick this year and an OT next year...rather than an OT this year and say...Tyrann Mathieu in the 2013.
September 27th, 2011 at 8:07 PM ^
For a coach who shouts out about building from the trenches out, the Lions have the worst OL in the league. There is just nothing at all there for the running game, no matter who they play. They need to take a couple more OL early, then maybe a couple more OL late, if there is enough talent in the draft to take.
September 27th, 2011 at 3:33 PM ^
This dude or "think tank" had to first predict where the Lions - and all other NFL teams - will finish in the standings. Then he crunches through 7 rounds of NFL selections and produces a steaming pile 'o crap to disperse to the masses. Wow. I need that job.
NOTE: Not ripping on the OP, who openly admits the list's full-of-shitness.
September 27th, 2011 at 3:44 PM ^
Left tackle is the ONLY pick for the Lions in Round 1. In fact, they should look into trading up to get an elite prospect. Backus appears to be hanging onto a thread as far as his remaining capabilities are concerned.
Cornerback is quickly becoming the most overrated position in the NFL given how difficult the rules-makers have made it to play the position. There are - what - maybe two or three real "shutdown" corners in the entire league? Your best defense against the pass is the pass rush. Lions have that.
September 27th, 2011 at 4:00 PM ^
I also really hope they take a tackle with their 1st pick, even a right tackle would be OK.
September 27th, 2011 at 10:35 PM ^
and the Jets have already dumped a bunch of money into Holmes, and Mangold, and Sanchez, and Cromartie, and Revis, and Harris in the last 2 years plus Harris just got the franchise tag. As good as Ferguson is they need to spend money on their depleted DLine more than they need a top tackle. I wouldn't mind them accepting a bid for him from the Lions and us just taking the best available player.
September 27th, 2011 at 4:30 PM ^
Trade the house to get Matt Kalil from USC?
September 27th, 2011 at 6:55 PM ^
Kalil will go too high. But I would definitely look to trading up into the 8-12 range if that's where Jonathan Martin (Stanford) will be.
September 27th, 2011 at 8:00 PM ^
BPA route and take the best talent available regardless of position except for QB. They took Fairley when they had Suh/Williams/SLH.
You don't need to get a LT in the 1st round. Getting a franchise LT is becoming overrated. If you look at recent Super Bowl participants, they don't have elite LT starting for them. With that being said, the Lions do need to find a LT of the future since Backus is aging. From what I hear, Johnny Culbreath is the future because of his athleticism and strength.
I wouldn't be surprised if the Lions take OG in the 1st round like Osemele from Iowa State.
September 27th, 2011 at 3:43 PM ^
Didn't the scouts grade him as a third-fourth round prospect last season when he was thinking about going pro?
September 27th, 2011 at 3:56 PM ^
they need to get that mean SOB burfict to go along with Suh, i think those 2 have the same football mentalitiy.......unstable
September 27th, 2011 at 4:07 PM ^
The Lions should pick a CB and 2 OL with their top 3 picks, although the order is debatable. The offensive line is the one area that the Lions need to upgrade if they want to become a championship team. Every great team has a great offensive line. And the Lions have to protect a talented QB like Stafford. If the Lions keep letting Stafford get hit like in the Vikings game, he won't make it 1/2 way through the season.
September 27th, 2011 at 4:26 PM ^
Definitely agree. Before the season, I said they should go OL, CB, and OL in the first three rounds. However after watching Sunday's game, they definitely need to take an offensive lineman in the first two rounds. If those two picks happen to be Mike Adams and Mike Brewster (sigh) then so be it.
September 27th, 2011 at 8:02 PM ^
but if they lock up Wright, CB is less of a concern. Chris Houston is becoming a bonafide #1 starting CB and has improved from last year. There's Alphonso Smith who is a defacto starting CB.
Not every team has a great OL. GB has terrible OL yet still won the Super Bowl. Ditto with Pittsburgh Steelers. You don't need great OL to win SB, you need great QB, period.
September 28th, 2011 at 8:24 AM ^
runs a West Coast with quick passes so the line doesn't need to block for that long and I wouldn't say they are terrible. Steelers have Big Ben who has proven he can take a hit where Stafford's history says he can't. Having a great QB is not important if he is injured all the time.
September 28th, 2011 at 8:45 AM ^
The Packers have what you need to have in today's NFL, two tackles who don't regularly get beat cleanly by DEs and are decent at sealing the edge, and three interior linemen who can anchor and keep the pocket from collapsing. They're by no means dominant, but they maintain enough space and time for Rodgers to operate.
September 28th, 2011 at 12:39 PM ^
Stafford has never been hurt until his rookie season.
GB Packers doesn't run WCO and they run more of a vertical passing game which is not WCO. The Packers OL is pretty bad at pass pro.
Yes, having a great QB is the most important toward having a great NFL team.
September 27th, 2011 at 4:21 PM ^
I was under the impression the Lions will forfeit their 7th round pick in 2012 due to the whole Gunther Cunningham/KC tampering saga. If we make the playoffs, we lose our 6th rounder.
September 27th, 2011 at 4:34 PM ^
Lions should stick to there best available plan. if there is a great Tackle available by all means take him, but we don't need to start reaching for need, thats how we end up with players like cherlius.
I would love to see the Lions get Molk though with a 3rd or a 4th, they need some more beef in the center position and Molk seems to be in the top 3 or so in Centers this year. but if we can score an upgrade at center and a Tackle with our first or second that could compete for Backus's spot and if he panned out slide backus to RG and give Peterman his walking papers I would be a happy man going into next year.