Re-building – The Defense
*/Dismal season, 2008. 0 and 16. No one would have thought that would be possible, even with Matt “I still don’t know crap about management” Millen in charge. The Lions could have won at least 5 of those games. Stupid penalties, extremely poor officiating and a lack of talent were just a few of the problems faced by the Lions. With a new coach in place, it’s hopeful that they’ll be able to shed their losing ways and build for a future of winning.
What are the options for Detroit? I strongly believe that the defensive side of the ball is where the Lions need to start. Brian Orapko or Aaron Curry would be good choices at first pick, depending on how they grade out. With the first pick in the draft the highest graded player on the board should be chosen, even if it ends up being QB Matthew Stafford or one of the offensive tackles available (Monroe or Smith). If you look at this years playoff teams, though, you’ll notice that they are all ranked at the top in defense. Defense wins games. We’ll have to wait and see what D Jim Schwartz wants to run but I would like to see them switch to a 3-4 defense.
That said, let’s take a look at the defensive side of the ball, what players are currently on the roster, who’s available through free agency and who’ll be available in the April draft.
Current Roster
The players in green are the ones I would keep for 2009.
Defensive Line:
Starters – DE Jared DeVries, RD Dewayne White, DT Chuck Darby, DT Cory Redding.
Backups – DE Cliff Avril, DE Ikaika Alama-Francis, DE Corey Smith, DT Shaun Cody (UFA), DT Landon Cohen, DT Andre Fluellen, DT Langston Moore.
Linebackers:
Starters—OLB Ernie Sims, MLB Paris Lenon (UFA), OLB Ryan Nece.
Backups—Darnell Bing, Anthony Cannon (RFA), Jordon Dizon, Alex Lewis.
Defensive Backs:
Starters—CB Leigh Bodden, CB Travis Fisher, S Daniel Bullocks, S Dwight Smith.
Backups – CB Chris Roberson, CB Ramzee Robinson (ERFA), CB Keith Smith, CB Stanley Wilson, CB Dexter Wynn, S Gerald Alexander, S LaMarcus Hicks, S Kalvin Pearson, S Stuart Schweigert.
Free Agents
The players in green are the ones I would at least inquire about, not necessarily sign, for 2009.
Defensive Linemen:
DE-DT Jonathan Babineaux-Atlanta, DT Rocky Bernard-Seattle, DE Bertrand Berry-Arizona, DE-DT Kevin Carter-Tampa Bay, DE Chris Canty-Dallas, DE Jovan Haye-Tampa Bay, DT Albert Haynesworth-Tennessee, DT Tank Johnson-Dallas, DE Julius Peppers-Carolina, LB-DE Terrell Suggs-Baltimore, DT John Thornton-Cinci, DT Marcus Tubbs-Seattle.
Linebackers:
Eric Barton-NY Jets, Jordan Beck-Denver, Monty Beisel-Arizona, Michael Boley-Atlanta, Angelo Crowell-Buffalo, Channing Crowder-Miami, Karlos Dansby-Arizona, James Farrior-Pitt, Tyjuan Hagler-Indy, Leroy Hill-Seattle, Ray Lewis-Baltimore, Willie McGinest-Cleveland, Mike Peterson-Jax, Carlos Polk-San Diego, Bart Scott-Baltimore, Jonathan Vilma-NO, Sam Williams-Oak
Defensive Backs:
Nnamdi Asomugha-Oak, Oshiomogho Atogwe-St Louis, Tyron Brackenridge-KC, Mike Brown-Chicago, Phillip Buchanon-Tampa, Brian Dawkins-Philly, Chris Gamble-Carolina, Jabari Greer-Buffalo, Rodney Harrison-NE, Kelvin Hayden-Indy, Renaldo Hill-Miami, Daven Holly-Cleveland, Sean Jones-Cleveland, Dawan Landry-Baltimore, Bryant McFadden-Pitt, R.W. McQuarters-NY Giants, Justin Miller-NY Jets (as PR-KR), Lawyer Milloy-Atlanta, Deltha O’Neal-Cinci, Jarrad Page-KC, Jermaine Phillips-Tampa, Dunta Robinson-Houston, Allen Rossum-SF
2009 Draft Class:
For these players, I will list what I believe to be the top 5 at each position.
Defensive Ends:
Brian Orakpo-Texas, Everette Brown-Florida St., Tyson Jackson-L.S.U., Aaron Maybin-Penn St., Michael Johnson- Georgia Tech
Defensive Tackles:
B.J. Raji-Boston College, Peria Jerry-Ole Miss, Evander Hood-Missouri, Sen’Derrick Marks-Auburn, Ron Brace-Boston College
Outside Linebacker:
Aaron Curry-Wake Forest, Clint Sintim-Virginia, Brian Cushing-USC, Clay Matthews-USC, Marcus Freeman-Ohio St.
Iniside Linebackers:
Rey Maualuga-USC, James Laurinaitis-Ohio St., Darry Beckwith-L.S.U., Dannell Ellerbe-Georgia, Gerald McRath-Southern Miss
Cornerbacks:
Malcolm Jenkins-Ohio St., Vontae Davis-Illinois, D.J. Moore-Vanderbilt, Alphonso Smith-Wake Forest, Darius Butler-Connecticut
Safeties:
William Moore-Missouri, Rashad Johnson-Alabama, Louis Delmas-Western Michigan, Patrick Chung-Oregon, Michael Hamlin-Clemson
I’d like to see the Lions go D with the first pick (actually, I’d like to see them trade down with the first pick but I believe that’s no more than a pipe-dream). Who rates the first pick on D? It’d be tough to take a LB at #1 but maybe Aaron Curry will grade out as the best defensive player on the board. Big money for a LB but not near as much as it would be if they took QB Stafford. DE’s Brian Orapko or Aaron Maybin would also make nice choices.
Depending on who’s taken first, they should look at LB’s James Laurinaitis, Brian Cushing or Rey Maualuga as well as DT B.J. Raji and DE’s Everette Brown and Tyson Jackson with the #20 pick in round 1.
For the 1st pick in round 2, I would look at DT Peria Jerry, LB Clint Sintim or DE Paul Kruger, if they’re still available.
In round 3, they have picks 65 and 82. I would look hard at cornerbacks or safeties in these two positions or the best available D on the board.
These picks are all defense and don’t take into account choices that could or maybe should be looked at on offense. The Lions could easily take QB Matthew Stafford #1 or look at OT James Smith, OT, Jermon Merideth or OG, Duke Robinson with the # 20 pick.
There are a lot of choices and options available to new coach Jim Schwartz. He definitely has his work cut out for him.
Feel free to share your opinions.
Reader Comments
A couple things
First, trading the 1st overall pick is a possibility, if you look at teams like San Francisco at the 10th pick or a big drop to the Jets at 17th, both of those teams could use a qb in this draft. From San Fran we could get an additional 2nd round pick and possibly a 4th or 5th, and from the Jet’s I’d say a 2nd and 3rd and possibly 4th since it’s such a far drop.
If either one of those happened, I’d like to do this:
1st(10th) Eugene Monroe or Michael Oher (if we can’t get Jordan Gross or another major advancement in our oline) or Mauluga.
2nd(20th)
A couple things
First, trading the 1st overall pick is a possibility, if you look at teams like San Francisco at the 10th pick or a big drop to the Jets at 17th, both of those teams could use a qb in this draft. From San Fran we could get an additional 2nd round pick and possibly a 4th or 5th, and from the Jet’s I’d say a 2nd and 3rd and possibly 4th since it’s such a far drop.
If either one of those happened, I’d like to do this:
1st(1st round, 10th) Eugene Monroe or Michael Oher(ot) (if we can’t get Jordan Gross or another major advancement in our oline) or Rey Mauluga (mlb)
2nd(1st round, 20th) B.J. Raji(dt)
3rd(2nd round, 33rd) Brian Cushing (olb)
4th(2nd round, 43rd) Alphonso Smith (cb)
5th(3rd round, 65th) Ron Brace (dt)
6th (3rd round, 82nd) Domonique Johnson/Deangelo Smith(cb) (whoever’s available)
Just some ideas, but the draft will change alot after free agency starts, so we’ll see what kind of aquisitions go down at that point. You have some good ideas, and I like your blog, I followed you over from POD.
Glad you enjoy the blog. I would love to see them trade down for more picks but I don’t know if other teams would be willing due to the cost of a #1 pick as well as the fact that there will be larger, some say better, class of QB’s next year.
It will probably end up with Detroit taking the highest ranked player on the board, no matter what position he plays.
I’ll agree that Detroit needs a QB but is Stafford the right pick? Why not take Sanchez later in the round and add a veteran QB for a couple years through free agency (Kurt Warner, perhaps) to help the youngster along?
There are a ton of choices and options. A lot will play out in free agency and we’ll need to wait and see who stays and who goes on the current roster. I’d hope that at least half the team is gone. Exciting times. I just hope it’s for the better for a change.