Patricia was supposed to be that analytics genius, but it turned out he was just an ahole who thought he knew everything because he breathed the same air as Belichick.

I'm not sure how many Sean McVay's there are out there, and how easy they are going to be to find. My hot take is that it's far more important for coaches to just not screw the pooch than it is to have some genius that can turn coal into diamonds. Picture a bell curve but non-normal with a long tail on one side but a steep slope on the other. The long side is the range of bad outcomes from crappy coaches, while the short side is what a good coach can squeeze out of a team. It's more likely that a coach holds back a team (Patricia, but pretty much every Lions coach ever) than it is you can get a team to exceed its talent levels.

I guess what I am saying is the pairing I'm going for is a good GM who can actually identify talent, focus on having a strong point of the team, and no fatal flaws. Then a coach whose not going to shove a round peg in a square hole.

I'm intrigued by Rick Smith as a GM, although it sounds like there will be some competition for him. I wouldn't hate them hiring Thomas Dimitroff or Louis Riddick either. Both have shown some ability to identify talent. Then just pair him with a coach that's not going to try and run a system that doesn't make the most use of the talent they have. If they find a young up and comer who they think can be the next McVay or Shanahan, fine. But I'd be just as good with a coach who has a history of getting the most out of his teams.

Good thing we traded our 6th round pick and won those two games we had about 5% equity in

Great job guys.

What is so damn frustrating is you see team like San Fran be by many measurable worse than Detroit the last 10 years, but they luckbox a couple SB appearances, then go back to complete suckage. Yet somehow that's never Detroit. They are the poker equivalent of an average rec player on a downswing. Even when they do get good they still never go anywhere.

I will keep watching because what else am I going to do, but it's wild that even with all the talent they have had since 08 they couldn't even muster up a single playoff win.

I guess if we are getting screwed by the refs it might as well be in a tank situation. Apparently tackling Kirk Cousins is a penalty.

By my quick look looks like we could draft 6/7 or 8 depending if PHI wins or loses tonight (win is better pick for us). We're tied with CAR, not sure who's SOS was easier although I'd guess ours based on NFC North < South. Only game that went our way was NYG winning. Draft stock might have been improved if HOU hadn't choked away the tie in the last seconds then managed to win in OT, and if ATL or CIN had won; as is all will draft ahead of us (well MIA with HOU's pick).

****!

As I type this DEN just blew their lead against LV too, so now they are also tied with us at 5-11 when they seemed like a sure win 3 min ago. So that puts one more on the possible range, looking at 6-9 now.

So relevant games that went our way: NYG over DAL
Relevant games that went against us: LV over DEN, TEN over HOU, BAL over CIN, TB over ATL, NO over CAR
TBD: WAS vs PHI

It's 7th. They'll likely have a shot at one of the top 4 QBs if they go that route. I usually don't spend too much time on the draft pre combine. If they dont go QB, then WR, DE, and OT are all in play.

I'm still on team go all in on defense for 2 years and see what you can do. This defense is officially worse than the 2008 defense in YPG. If they can get to league average or better in the next 2 years they could be a force. Looking around the NFL elite defenses seem to be more transient while offenses have staying power. I would much rather them try to rebuild the D while keeping the offense mostly intact. They will need a new WR or 2 but good QBs like Stafford seem to have success no matter who they are throwing to. Otherwise the whole offense is still under contract for 2 more seasons, and they have a pro bowl center, tight end, and a really good LT. If I was GM I would not blow this team up right now. They have too much talent at key positions to not try and compete.

Seems like a weak defensive draft. Basically, we're looking at QB, Parsons, WR. I'd love to trade Stafford for a 1st and a 3rd and grab a QBOTF. I imagine we go WR and hold Stafford. I will say that Chase or Smith look like good WR prospects so not the end of the world if we take one. Just hate WR because its such a standard lions top 10 pick when we suck. Parsons seems like a can't miss wouldnt mind him.

Multiple CBs projected in the top 10 range but luckily we got our franchise CB at 3 last season.

Parsons would be great. We will see how he tests at the combine but if it's above average I'd be fine with him at 7. The priority always seems to be edge rush and CB, but having an elite LB can help with both.

Tavai is so terrible. So many plays that should be short to no gains go for 10+ because he lacks the athleticism to even get in the way. Jarrad Davis is frustrating because he is athletic as hell but can't ever seem to be in the right place.

At this point I would keep the Okwara brothers, Walker, Okudah, Collins, and I guess Bryant on defense. The rest of them can go and I wouldn't even notice. And it's not like those guys are great either.

Yeah combine results are going to be big this season. Short season and we haven't even seen some of the top prospects this year at all. Sounds like Chase will kill it but Smith may not.

From what I gathered Parsons is a freak who should kill the combine. Guys said to be big and fast. Also very productive when he played.

Mcshays draft from reddit behind paywall I thought you guys might enjoy:

JAX - Trevor Lawrence, QB (Clemson)

NYJ - Penei Sewell, OL (Oregon)

MIA - DeVonta Smith, WR (Alabama)

ATL - Zach Wilson, QB (BYU)

CIN - Rashawn Slater, OL (Northwestern)

PHI - Micah Parsons, LB (Penn State)

DET - Ja'Marr Chase, WR (LSU)

CAR - Kyle Pitts, TE (Florida)

DEN - Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB (Notre Dame)

DAL - Patrick Surtain II, CB (Alabama)

NYG - Gregory Rousseau, DE/OLB (Miami)

SF - Caleb Farley, CB (Virginia Tech)

LAC - Shaun Wade, CB (Ohio State)

MIN - Christian Darrisaw, OT (Virginia Tech)

NE - Justin Fields, QB (Ohio State)

ARI - Travis Etienne, RB (Clemson)

LVR - Jaylen Waddle, WR (Alabama)

MIA - Rashod Bateman, WR (Minnesota)

WFT - Trey Lance, QB (North Dakota State)

CHI - Elijah Moore, WR (Ole Miss)

IND - Mac Jones, QB (Alabama)

JAX - Daviyon Nixon, DT (Iowa)

CLE - Zaven Collins, LB (Tulsa)

TEN - Joseph Ossai, LB (Texas)

NYJ - Chris Olave, WR (Ohio State)

BAL - Kwity Paye, DE (Michigan)

TB - Christian Barmore, DT (Alabama)

PIT - Najee Harris, RB (Alabama)

BUF - Wyatt Davis, OL (Ohio State)

NO - Nick Bolton, LB (Missouri)

GB - Terrace Marshall Jr., WR (LSU)

KC - Derion Kendrick, CB (Clemson)

Just missing Parsons. ****ing Eagles tank job. Say he is actually right and Fields is there would you take him? I think I'd rather grab him then a WR. I'm not sure how good his mocks are I don't even watch ESPN or read ESPN. I get my draft info other places. I notice his stuff is off from others.

Chase is a fine pick with me. This seems early for Smith. Smith obv has absurd production but is small and I hear he wont grade out well. The classic production or measurement battle.

Nice work. Even if it's stuff I don't care about I always appreciate getting to look at something I would have to pay for. I would take Fields with the #1 pick. He's better than Trevor. He's the best QB in the game. So at #7, I would literally cream in my pants and then select Fields.

PS: I get my draft info from no place. I rely on my expert eye test only!

We have the worst D in the league


If we go WR at 7 with fields on the board that might be it for me.

Yeah I am seeing a lot of mocks showing them going OT as well. It's either got to be QB then move Stafford for picks and go full scorched earth rebuild, or get the best defensive player available and try to compete next year. Going WR or OL just seems like delaying the inevitable.

Ed Dodds from Indy interviewed for GM position today. He's been very selective on who he will even meet with and is supposedly closely linked with Saleh. Something to keep an eye on.

The last few times they hired a GM or coach this was the place to be. In 2015 they had just had a huge recovery in the second half of the season and were looking like contenders when they brought in Quinn. In 2018 they seemed close and just needed to get over the hump. Now they are a dumpster fire coming off 3 straight losing seasons, are saddled with big contracts for underperforming players, and may not have a QB for much longer. Sheila's going to have to give the next guy a longer leash because it's a tall order to make this team competitive.

While I'm on team keep Stafford, I'd get it if they moved on, and here's my thoughts on the QB's the Lions could have a shot at:

1. Fields - Probably the most NFL ready right now. The big concerns are the time he takes in the pocket to see wide open throws. If he can get better and quicker at his decision making, he's likely a stud. I don't think he will be a full on bust, but a career arc similar to Jameis Winston or Cam Newton is on the table.

2. Zach Wilson - Probably the best arm in the draft (other than Trevor). Could be a stud in the NFL. There's rumors of him being a total headcase similar to Manziel.

3. Trey Lance - an intriguing prospect. He's got all the physical tools but has only played one year of FCS ball. He may need some time on the bench to develop. Something in my gut tells me this guy could be a stud.

I'm on team move Stafford for picks while he has value. Detroit sports teams love waiting to the last minute to move guys rather than shipping them out when they have value. Staffords worth a 1st rounder and a 2nd or 3rd rounder. Multiple teams could use a Vet QB that could push them over the edge like Matt. Also I'm sure hes had enough of playing for the Lions by now, move him before he stealth retires.

The cherry on top of that is that once again we're staring at Qb prospects. In recent years the nonfirst taken QB prospects have been franchise changers in these multiple first round QB drafts. Guys like Jackson/Mahomes/Watson/Allen/Hebert. Were seeing young athletic QB's come out every year and succeeding in a big way early in their careers.

This is the time to do it with the new coach/GM coming in. Also it means we will be picking in the top 3 next season. New QB, extra picks from Stafford, and a high pick next season we will be able to rebuild quickly.

What if we just go WR at 7 instead

Super bowl imminent?

4 times in 2000's the Lions drafted a receiver with a top 10 pick. 3 of the 4 ended very badly. The 4th one was a Hall of Famer and even then they never got out of the wildcard round, and they even had an 0-16 season with him on the roster. Drafting a WR that high is a luxury you have when you don't have other massive holes on your team. Although usually teams that have other positions shored up aren't drafting top 10.

Megatron was an obvious pick.

The rest. Not so much.


Even if this guy is a hall of famer some day. Can't go WR at 7 here.

Ian Rappaport and Schefter are reporting the new GM is rams college scouting director Brad Holmes. The Rams have had some pretty good drafts lately. They have been known for funding good talent late in the draft. Let's hope some of that rubbed off.

Next up, coach. It sounds like Saleh might be headed to the Jets. I have an odd feelings it's going to be Marvin Lewis. He seems to fit the mold of what the team says they are looking for. Stay tuned.

Is that mold.

Old and don't win anything.

Lewis playoff record.

0-7


I'm good

I know nothing about Brad Holmes except he was hand-picked by somebody with the last name Ford. In my mind that gets him an initial failing grade and his success can be measured on how much he improves from there.

Tired of honeymoons, scheme changes, rebuilds, injury excuses, etc

Holmes is 100% a failed hire as of today; after a couple good drafts we can reevaluate him based on team success.

Rising above the stench of Ford ownership is a tall order - good luck Mr Holmes!

Rams have found 13 starters in the last 4 drafts without any 1st round picks and missed some 2nd rounders in there. Brad Holmes is a huge part of the Rams drafting. Also when the rams had 1st round picks hes done pretty well. Since 2016 all but 3 players they drafted not in the NFL. We got a draft guy as GM. This is a good hire.

My wife and I, our team, cleaned the whole house last weekend.