With the NFL draft approaching, a lot of us have been wondering if the Lions should take Matthew Stafford, QB, University of Georgia, with the first pick in the 2009 NFL draft. I have just one thing to say: OF COURSE THEY SHOULD!
There’s a lot of issues surrounding the number one pick in the draft. Signability being the main problem. And yes, before you start, the NFL roadside is littered with the bodies of busted 1st-round quarterbacks – a bunch of them being #1 overall picks. The last two quarterbacks taken first overall – Alex Smith and JaMarcus Russell – have done nothing to distinguish themselves. But that’s a large part of what draft day is all about – taking risks, making gambles pay off.
The bottom line is, you are the Detroit Lions. You’re best know for taking Mike Williams, Roy Williams and Charlie Rogers in consecutive years in the first rounds of the draft. And none of those 3 are on your team right now. And Calvin Johnson notwithstanding, there has not been a face of the franchise player since Barry Sanders quit.
The Lions are in need of a franchise QB than perhaps any team in the NFL has ever been. Believe it or not, the Lions once had a Hall of Famer at QB. For those old-timers out there, raise your hand if you remember Bobby Layne, who helmed the Lions for the entire decade of the 50’s and is the teams leader in passing yards and touchdown passes.
Since Layne, there’s been a parade of has beens and never-will-be’s with a few bright spots – namely Earl Morrell in the 60’s and Greg Landry in the early 70’s. In fact, if you go back 30 years – which I do, because I’m demented that way – the Lions quarterback spot has been helmed by the following legends: Eric Hipple, Gary Danielson, Jeff Komlo (who could forget him?!?), John Witkowski, Joe Ferguson, Chuck Long, the immortal Rusty Hilger, Rodney Peete, Bob Gagliano, Andre Ware, Erik Kramer, Scott Mitchell, Dave Krieg (ok, he played for like, everyone), Don Majkowski, Charlie Batch, Frank Reich, Gus Frerotte, Stoney Case, Ty Detmer (BYU Legend!), Mike McMahon, Joey Harrington, Jeff Garcia, Jon Kitna, Daunte Culpepper and the great Dan Orlovsky.
I mean…my God. That’s just….horrific! If you’re the Lions, sure you can take a ‘safe’ pick like OT Jason Smith or ILB Aaron Curry, but, good Lord, you’re the Lions! Safe picks are for winners like the Patriots or Giants. Of course, winners don’t make safe picks. Winners take risks. You’re the Lions, you’ve got nothing to lose. Take the QB. Take Stafford.And hope he’s not Ryan Leaf – but remember, Leaf was taken SECOND. The number 1 pick that year?Peyton Manning.
