Lions Hand Keys to Youngster

The Detroit Lions have been on the clock since mid-November when it seemed the Lions only outcome during the 2008 season was setting an unprecedented 0-16 losing record.

From there the Lions decided to create a new logo and throw together some new jerseys along with a whole new coaching staff. I really liked the coaching moves by bringing in Jim Schwartz as the new head coach. Along with Scot Linehan as the new offensive coordinator and Gunther Cunningham as the defensive coordinator. Things looked bright in the Motor City for once up until draft day that is.

The Lions don't draft like many teams, they consistently have selections in the top 10 due to their lack of productivity out on the football field. The Lions have had bust after bust and it gets harder to watch each and every time. This year they decided to hand the keys to a 21-year-old QB in Matthew Stafford from Georgia by selecting him with the No.1 overall draft pick in the 2009 NFL Draft. A risk that could bring great rewards but in turn could also become a massive train wreck.

New GM Martin Mayhew has some courage that is for sure. He made the sexy pick, one that could potential put fans in the stands to start out the year during these tough economic times. The key is they could have went with a much safer (sure fire) pick with OT Jason Smith from Baylor or LB Aaron Curry from Wake Forest. If Mayhew fails like most feel he will, the media will look back at this pick as the key ingredient.

I like Matthew Stafford as a QB and feel he can be successful in the NFL under the right circumstances. The 2009 Detroit Lions are not the right circumstance for a QB who is so young he can't even grow facial hair. Now many ESPN analysts like Trent Dilfer, Cris Carter, and Tom Jackson have all said this will only work if the Lions bring Stafford along slowly. Dilfer said if the Lions place Matt Stafford as the savior or messiah of the franchise this will turn into an utter failure. Does this bring back memories --Joey Harrington?

Stafford is a QB, he was the No.1 overall pick, he signed a 6-year contract which entails $41.7 million guaranteed on a team that went winless the year prior. With all that said, I don't see how they can't point to him as the savior of the franchise. Fans will be looking at him that way and that is why I feel this situation will destroy him mentally on and off the field. Fans in Detroit want to win badly, they care about the Lions more than any other professional franchise in the city.

A few more things to keep in mind about Stafford. Majority of the ESPN NFL experts felt QB Mark Sanchez from USC would be the better QB in the long run because he has the "It" factor in which you just can't teach. If that is so, how do take a guy like Stafford ahead of him? It's a risk, something they could have put off until next season when a trio of QB's come in the 2010 NFL Draft with Colt McCoy (Texas), Tim Tebo (Florida), and Sam Bradford (Oklahoma). By that time the Lions would be improved and showing signs of progression one must think. I mean come on do you really feel the Lions won't be drafting in the top 10 next year? Most likely they will be in the top 5 and would have had the option to pull the trigger on one of those great QB's a class that is much better than the one we just saw go by the wayside yesterday.

The Lions took a risk, they have been one of the worst franchises in professional sports in recent past. If this pick doesn't work out you can cement them in that spot for another five years. This was a pick that didn't have to be made at this point in time in the rebuilding process. The Lions did it though and now we must wait and see how they handle Stafford. Let's hope it doesn't end up with him on his back 5+ times against the New Orleans Saints in Week 1 of the 2009 season.