Detroit Lions 345 15

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Detroit Lions draft preview WR Tavon Austin

Broke down WVU RB/WR/KOR Tavon Austin. This guy is exactly what the Lions offense needs. He can make people miss and run away from everybody.

Strengths: Dynamic ball in the hand athlete. Deadly in space yet tough in traffic. Can catch the ball and run after the catch.

weakness: Not a big guy and should be limited to about 12-15 touches a game.

Bottom Line: I love this guy. Game breaker, once in a every 5 year type of player. 7.5 pro bowl impact player.

Detroit Lions draft preview OT Reid Fragel

Broke down OSU OT Reid Fragel this morning watched a couple tapes Wisconsin and Michigan.
He plays right tackle in the spread offense. He is not asked to do a whole lot.

Strengths: Good feet: can get to the second level and does not get beat by speed rushers. Should be able to hold up in protection in the NFL. Plays hard and can bend his knees.

Weakness: Not explosive and does not drive block very well. I doubt he will be a effective run blocker in the league.

Bottom line: A guy who can probably start in the NFL down the line. I like him as a swing tackle but not a top flight tackle. 6.4 solid rotational player.

Saturday, February 23, 2013

Detroit Lions draft preview OT Terron Armstead

Watched two games on combine superstar Terron Armstead from Arkansas-Pine Bluff, the SWAC
Champs.

Strengths: he is really good at getting to the second level and blocking LB. Another strength is pulling and leading on the WR screen.

Weakness: He is a grabber and plays with little upper body pop. He was called for holding twice vs. Alabama State. In addition, he opens the gate while pass blocking, failing to keep his shoulders square.

Bottom line: Armstead is an athlete no doubt but not a finished product at OT. I do not think,he is a starter at OT in the NFL next year. He needs coaching and experience. The Lions should not draft this guy in the first three rounds. A team with less immediate needs could risk him in the 3rd round. I think anything before that would be a reach.

Friday, February 22, 2013

Detroit Lions 9 which free agents to re-sign

Martin Mayhew said he was targeting 9 Lions free agents out of the 22 eligible.

Here are the 9, I would target:

#1 Chris Houston CB

Snaps	Target	Rec	Yards	TD	MT	GP	FF	BP	PBU	Tackles	Stops	Pen
931	88	48	592	3	5		1	1	8	52	17	5

Slowgrind with a pick 6 in 2011

Chris played well for us ranking #21 in the NFL at cb. He ranked # 19 in 2011 and # 52 in 2010. I would be weary of paying him over $5 million a year. 3 year $15 million would be about right.

#2 Lawrence Jackson DE

Snaps

Run

Rush

Tackles

Sacks

QBH

Stops

Pen

401

160

241

LoJack should re-signed. He is a rotational end that will help to replace the released KVB. He ranked # 39 at DE this year #18 in 2011 and #16 in 2010. 3 years $6mill.

#3 Sammie Hill DT

Snaps

Run

Rush

Tackles

Sacks

QBH

Stops

Pen

419

187

232

A good rotational guy at DT for the Lions. Ranked # 24 in 2012, #30 in 2011, #19 in 2010. He is not a starter in the NFL but can contribute as a back up. 3 years $5million.
#4 Corey Hilliard OT

A guy who did not play a snap in 2012 but can start at RG or RT. He started in 2010 during the 4 games winning streak, In 2011 he replaced Cherlius early in the season. 2 years $3 million

#5 Will Heller TE

Snaps

Run

Pass

Targets

Rec

Drop

Yards

BRTack

Pen

421

171

250

150

Solid back up Te and FB. Does not get hurt and does his job. 1 year vet Min.

#6 Jason Hanson K

One more year for Jason, $1.5 Mil

#7 Don Muhlbach

Pro Bowl Snapper 1 year $1 mil.

#8 Justin Durant OLB

Snaps

Target

Rec

Yards

PBU

Tackles

Stops

Pen

875

370

103

A solid player against the run. Terrible vs. the pass. Has some gas in the tank. Ranks #18 in 2012 #14 in 2011. 2 years $5 Million

#9 Andre Fluellen

A Millen draft pick but has played with a lot of heart. Can play speical teams and both end or tackle. 1 year vet min.

Guys I would not offer:

DeAndre Levy
Cliff Avril

Drayton Florence

Pat Lee
Kevin Smith
Stefan Logan
Jacob Lacey
Nick Harris
Gosder Cherlius

Maybe at the right price and medical clearence

Louis Delmas

Corey Williams

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Detroit Lions draft preview Shawn Williams, Bacarri Rambo, Alec Ogletree

Thoughts on these UGA defenders:

Shawn Williams Safety.

Williams is a punishing hitter. He is eager in run support and plays really hard. However, I question if he will play safety in the NFL. I saw a player who struggles in space and has little coverage ability. The Lions would have to play him at outside linebacker. I grade him at 6.2 as special teams player and a possible NFL starter. I would not draft him until the 5th round.

Bacarri Rambo safety

Rambo showed the skills of an NFL safety. He can play centerfield and be a force in run support. I did not see him cover man to man. His off the field problems may effect his stock but I think he can start in the NFL The Lions could use this guy in their scheme. I grade him at 6.5 a starter in the NFL and core special teams player. 3 rd round.

Alec Ogletree Linebacker

Great athlete who can fly around the field. He can run to the ball and strike ball carriers. His ability to rush the passer is a plus. He is not a MLB. The Lions would play him at OLB where he would be a three down player. He lacks bulk to pay inside I the 4-3. I rate him at 6.9. Rookie starter in the NFL. 2nd round.
Off the field risk with suspensions and DUI.

Detroit lions draft preview safety Elam, Jefferson, Cyprien

Broke down S Matt Elam Florida

Explosive hitter against the run. He is an NFL caliber player in run support. His weakness is in coverage. I saw very little evidence of his man skills. I would be weary of him covering bigger Tight Ends. He did play well in centerfield, however. I see him as a stud special teams player and a starter early in his career at safety. His lack of size limits his skill set. I rate him 6.8 or starter in his rookie year. He is not a great fit for Lions scheme. I would not take him in the first two rounds.

Tony Jefferson S Oklahoma

Good athlete with range. Reacts well to the run and is eager to support. Can be out of control and miss tackles because he does not break down. Will play centerfield with a good ball skills. I did notice in 2 different games that he made coverage mistakes that led to touchdowns. He is a good open field tackler.

I think his skill set is what the Lions look for. He can run and play the ball in the air. However, his penchant to make mental errors and miss tackles hurts his rating. I would not take him in the first three rounds. I rate him 6.3 potential to start in his career.

Jonathan Cyprien S FIU

I like this guy. Can do everything an NFL safety has to do to thrive. He is great on run support. He can match up with tight ends and play centerfield. Out of the safeties I have scouted in this draft so far I would chose this guy. Perfect fit for the Lions and their scheme. I would think he would be a great value for their second round pick. I rate him as a 7, impact starter as a rookie.