The old adage is, if at first you don’t succeed, try try again.
Perhaps we need to apply this saying towards the Detroit Lions draft methods of the early to late 2000’s. It wasn’t long ago when Detroit was the laughing-stock of the NFL in terms of their draft decisions. To put a long story short, they went receiver happy. For three consecutive years starting in 2003, the Lions used their very first pick to pluck out supposedly, the best wide out that year’s draft had to offer. None of those pics panned out for them.
2003 Carlos Rogers #2 overall
2004 Roy Williams #7 overall
2005 Mike Williams #10 overall
To their defense, all three of these wide outs were absolute beasts in college, and would have passed any eye test by an average football fan’s standards. And to his credit, Roy Williams had his moments with the Lions albeit a short stint with them.
After taking a year off, in which they selected a line backer in Ernie Sims with the ninth overall pick in 2006, they hopped right back on that bike after falling several times, and tried again. This time selecting Calvin Johnson with the second overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft. Bingo. Boy did they ever get it right. I won’t mention Calvin Johnson’s accomplishments in the NFL, we all know he’s a monster, but when you’re given the nick name “MEGATRON“, and rightfully so, it speaks volume to the type of player you are. When Detroit finally got it right at receiver, it allowed them to sew up the other sexy positions on the roster. Matthew Stafford in 2009, and Ndamukong Suh in 2010. And while Stafford and Suh get all the jersey sales and glory out in the Motor City, I can’t help but think they wouldn’t be there had it not been for Detroit finally getting the proverbial monkey off their back with the Calvin Johnson pick.
I guess the moral of the story is, we shouldn’t laugh at David Kahn and his point guard infatuation just yet … he may have a Optimus Prime in the making.
By
cali4dre
chappy81
dyslecix
mceezy
Doin Work 
September 26th, 2011 at 9:15 am
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As good as the Lions are , my only caveat with this team is the health of Stafford ! Should he go down then it’s time to worry and as of yet he’s hasn’t played a full season in the NFL over the course of his career.
tophatal …….
September 26th, 2011 at 11:18 am
Megatron has been my keeper for two years now in one league. Last year left a little to be desired, but this year he’s already making up for it! It’s amazing how one or two playmakers can make a team so much better.
September 26th, 2011 at 11:48 am
Indeed, Strawman Stafford will ultimately be the undoing of this team if he is out for any appreciable amount of time. As long as they can keep him intact, they’re well on their way. Calvin Johnson – best receiver in football.
September 26th, 2011 at 12:51 pm
By,
Those drafts were the worst as a Lions fan. Johnson is having a great season for a WR, he’ll probably score a TD every game. Just did a piece about the Lions taking the NFL by storm check it out. Thx! http://diehardsport.com/2011/09/26/detroit-lions-nfl-storm/
September 26th, 2011 at 11:07 pm
Remember how everyone was giving them grief when Johnson was on their board and they had already drafted receiver after receiver?
Well, I guess the fourth time’s a charm, huh?
September 27th, 2011 at 7:43 am
I guess ultimately it’s a numbers game, right? If they took a receiver every year, one of them has got to work out! But man, Megatron is something else, Lions fans have a lot to be optimistic about ~
September 27th, 2011 at 1:49 pm
If at first you don’t succeed, fire Matt Fucking Millen.
September 27th, 2011 at 6:36 pm
Seeing Detroit come from behind like they did against Minnesota makes me feel even better about picking Detroit to make the playoffs…
http://theklowntimes.net/2011/09/05/2011-nfl-preview-nfc/