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Shouldn't A First-Round Pick Be An Every Down Player?
There are some things I like about the Lions' draft, but there are a couple other factors to mull over. Ndamukong Suh may be a disruptive force inside, and make every one around him better. But it's also true, defensive linemen are rotated out of the game more than any other position. And leaving them in the game is akin to letting a hockey player on the ice for too long on a shift - it leads to break downs.
Jahvid Best does have game-breaking speed, which will undoubtedly flash from time-to-time. But is he going to carry the ball in-between the tackles regularly? It seems doubtful given his size and injury history.
The Lions need a core. You can make a case that Suh is going to be that in the middle of the defensive line. OK. I'm buying that. Jahvid Best as the next Chris Johnson? Don't see that. Johnson carries the ball every play, a truly unique player for his relatively small size and truly blazing speed. He was fresh when the Titans got him. He has some injuries issues his junior season, but played every game as a senior. Best constantly has been banged up.
Random Thoughts
- This a deep draft. The Lions should be able to get a very good player in the third round tonight. They need to think defense. Ideally, a linebacker with some speed, like TCU's Daryl Washington or Penn State's Navorro Bowman, drops. It won't be long before Penn State's Sean Lee comes off the board. He might have been a better pick for Detroit than Best. What if Brandon Spikes is still there in the third round? Losing 28 spots in the fourth round prove to be significant on Saturday.
- The thing I like most about the Best selection is that it does add to the Lions' overall team speed, which has been lacking.
- Oh, by the way, the Tigers...It was a classic example of just how good their bullpen is last night. Ryan Perry has a chance to be a great closer some day. Right now he is a very good set up man. Carlos Guillen getting hurt again, however, is alarming. He is a fine hitter, but can he ever stay healthy? And since Guillen has been with the Tigers, there has been strong evidence they are much better offensively when he is in the lineup. That's especially considering they don't exactly have a lot of left-handed hitting. Brandon Boesch, who is replacing Guillen, is a 25-year-old, typical 4-A player, who got off to a hot start at Toledo. He is a big guy with some power. Maybe he can keep it going for awhile in the major leagues. The best part: He is a left-handed hitter.
- The tests are coming fast and furious for Red Wings' goalie Jimmy Howard. The one tonight: How will he handle a key playoff game on the road?
Jahvid Best does have game-breaking speed, which will undoubtedly flash from time-to-time. But is he going to carry the ball in-between the tackles regularly? It seems doubtful given his size and injury history.
The Lions need a core. You can make a case that Suh is going to be that in the middle of the defensive line. OK. I'm buying that. Jahvid Best as the next Chris Johnson? Don't see that. Johnson carries the ball every play, a truly unique player for his relatively small size and truly blazing speed. He was fresh when the Titans got him. He has some injuries issues his junior season, but played every game as a senior. Best constantly has been banged up.
Random Thoughts
- This a deep draft. The Lions should be able to get a very good player in the third round tonight. They need to think defense. Ideally, a linebacker with some speed, like TCU's Daryl Washington or Penn State's Navorro Bowman, drops. It won't be long before Penn State's Sean Lee comes off the board. He might have been a better pick for Detroit than Best. What if Brandon Spikes is still there in the third round? Losing 28 spots in the fourth round prove to be significant on Saturday.
- The thing I like most about the Best selection is that it does add to the Lions' overall team speed, which has been lacking.
- Oh, by the way, the Tigers...It was a classic example of just how good their bullpen is last night. Ryan Perry has a chance to be a great closer some day. Right now he is a very good set up man. Carlos Guillen getting hurt again, however, is alarming. He is a fine hitter, but can he ever stay healthy? And since Guillen has been with the Tigers, there has been strong evidence they are much better offensively when he is in the lineup. That's especially considering they don't exactly have a lot of left-handed hitting. Brandon Boesch, who is replacing Guillen, is a 25-year-old, typical 4-A player, who got off to a hot start at Toledo. He is a big guy with some power. Maybe he can keep it going for awhile in the major leagues. The best part: He is a left-handed hitter.
- The tests are coming fast and furious for Red Wings' goalie Jimmy Howard. The one tonight: How will he handle a key playoff game on the road?
posted by Pat Caputo at
11:12 AM
6 Comments:
Agree with you that the selection of Best is somewhat questionable.
He did have 4 or so rushing games over 200 yds but one has to wonder whether he can take the punishment in the NFL and avoid injuries.
Very risky choice in terms of longevity.
I liked your choice of Matthews better.
I agree completely with your Tiger thoughts on Perry and Guillen. Points to delightful strength of Tigers bull pen and their thin offense. Their offense was anemic before the injury. Imagine what it would be like if Cabrera missed a couple of weeks!
On the other hand, I am inclined to see your dour Lions assessment as "glass half empty." I think the draft should be assessed in light of free agent acquisitions in terms of offense/defense and every down/specialist balance.
Anonymous,
If Best can stay on the field, it will be a bonus. I don't see him as a between-the-tackles runner.
Caputo
Larry Baker,
Cabera is the reason the Tigers are above .500 at this point. Man, if he were hurt, wow, it would be painful to watch Tigers try to score runs.
Caputo
I agree with you again, if Best runs inside, he is going to be pounded and could result in another concussion.
If that happens, and I hope it doesn't, he's not going to find his way home.
Anonymous,
Best's injury history is a concern. I think he will be a very effective player "if" he can stay on the field.
Caputo
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