AZ -
The term Mr. Irrelevant is usually designated to the last player chosen in the NFL draft. However, if any NFL team has ever encompassed this term, it is the Detroit Lions.
The Lions have only one playoff victory in over 40 years and under the current team management the most wins Detroit has amassed in one season is six.
GM Matt Millen’s mismanagement of this franchise goes beyond just poor coaching hires and wins and losses, his draft record and free agent pick-ups have been awful as well. The Lions overspent on an over-rated CB in Dre Bly, they signed three quarterbacks in the off-season this year (none of whom have started for more than one season) and the mishaps in the draft are too numerous to discuss.
Over the last four years, Joey Harrington received most of the blame for Detroit’s woes. However, it is hard to blame a quarterback who is behind the worst offensive line in the NFL, three different coaches and coordinators in four years and a receiving group that led the leg in dropped passes in two out of those four years. Although Harrington’s talent may have been over-rated, it would be impossible for any young quarterback to succeed under those circumstances.
Now the Lions and some Lions’ fans would like to draft Vince Young. Young was an outstanding collegiate football player and he has the talent to play in the NFL. But as a quarterback? No.
Vince Young ran most of his formations out of the shotgun at Texas. That won’t happen in the NFL. Secondly, Young’s mechanics are poor; he throws side arm and the ball floats when he goes over the middle. In college those passes can find the receivers, but in the NFL those free safeties will jump on the pass and take it back for six. Finally, his elusive mobility will be limited because the defensive ends in the NFL are too quick. Think about Julian Peterson, Javon Kearse and Jason Taylor bearing down on him; totally different from the DE’s he faced at Baylor and Oklahoma State.
Matt Millen loves to draft offensive talent who bring a flare, but not necessarily fill the teams needs. The Lions need to build their offensive line and defensive secondary. There are several OL prospects available in the 2006 draft and some very high quality players who may be around for the Lions.
Whoever the Lions choose though, there is a very high chance the player will not live up to his expectations and the local media and fans will drag him over the coals until he leaves. Thus, continuing Detroit’s reign as the most irrelevant team in the NFL.
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5 comments:
Kitna started for Seattle and he started for the Bengals. Shaun King and Josh McCown have limited starting experience, but King isn't going to get any playing time and McCown is a youngster from a small school who has needed time to develop. The quarterback is not who's hurting this team - it's been the attitude, the receivers, and the coaches.
Poor mechanics, see Bernie Kosar.
I am not defending Vince Young. I re-read my posts concerning Young and decided that I was starting to sound like his boyfriend. The guy is an athlete and he has heart. (Just what Michigan State sports are lacking). I think he will be a decent, if not good NFL quarterback when he finds his niche. This is much the same as I think Joey Harrington can be a not poor, if not decent quarterback in another situation.
I will be upset if the Lions drafted Young, because it would make no sense. I know the Lions like to do that, but come on. I am now with Morgan in the pull for Michael Huff. I think that would be a solid pick.
I agree that Vince Young has heart and he's a good athlete. Those can get you a long way. I just don't know if he has the quarterbacking skills to make him a sure-fire, top 10 savior of a franchise.
yeah, i agree with both of you. you're both smart.
I can't wait for the day that Harrington comes back to Detroit with another team and absolutely kicks the shit out of the hapless Lions. I feel bad for him (if it's possible to feel bad for a millionaire) and really don't think that he got what he deserved.
As soon as we got Kitna, my friend Pat in Cincy called me to make fun. They're happy as shit to get rid of him, yet apparently the Lions think that he's part of the answer.
I guess the plus side of being so far away is that I won't have to watch them lose every Sunday.
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