On the morning after the Lions completed their 0-16 season, I wrote that step one in rebuilding the franchise should be -- if a draft-day trade is unavailable -- to pass on Matthew Stafford and Mark Sanchez, and select a lineman like Andre Smith.Allow me to take this opportunity to withdraw that suggestion.
Not the whole passing-on-a-quarterback part, but definitely the selecting Andre Smith portion. Why? Well, after being suspended for Alabama's bowl game for violating team rules, and now he's going to skip his NFL combine workout because he's not where he wants to be physically.
Thanks, but no thanks.
There were already rumors circulating that Smith's weight had previously exploded to a whopping 380 pounds -- a notion that Smith denied during a Thursday presser at the combine. Still, between the maturity strike against him for the Sugar Bowl suspension, lingering weight issues and this latest revelation that he's failed to stay in shape, the Lions need to just cross him off their draft board.
I'm sure Smith will do enough to stay among the top picks in April (even if his stock is falling). The No. 1 selection has to be a no-doubter for the Lions, though. To already have these red flags going up around Smith should be enough to convince Detroit that he's not worth the risk.
Obviously, you can't guarantee that any pick is going to work out, but if you have to choose between a guy with a physical question mark and one with some mental makeup issues, you go with that first scenario and don't look back.
Ironically enough, the Alabama lineman's drop may open the door another Smith: Baylor's Jason Smith. His star was already on the rise heading into the Indianapolis combine, and then he threw up 33 reps of 225 pounds during Friday's weightlifting session. If he can convince Detroit that he's a solid enough run-blocker, he may be the new favorite to unseat Stafford as the go-to-guy at No. 1.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
2-21-2009 @ 12:08AM
Redskins0492 said...
Thank you. I thought I was the only one who realized how stupid it is that a person like Andre Smith is even considered for the top pick. If you're going to be paying someone that kind of money, and spend that high of a choice, shouldn't he atleast be relatively safe? People who can't keep their weight in check usually can't at the next level at all. It's not worth it to have someone who isn't reliable, and so far, Andre Smith is anything but reliable.
Jason Smith would be a much better choice, and then they should start Drew Stanton
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2-21-2009 @ 1:21AM
Adam said...
You should add that he's not in shape...because he admitted today that he hasn't been working out. I can't imagine a prospective professional athlete letting himself get out of shape for the one day that can define his entire career.
Where ever he does get drafted, he'll need a coach to put him in his place.
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2-21-2009 @ 2:35AM
RollTide778 said...
I don't at all believe that the Sugar Bowl suspension had anything to do with his character. From what I've read, in one way or another he violated NCAA policy by contacting and agent and Saban suspended him to protect the program from getting into any trouble.
The weight issue is something that you can't make excuses for and skipping the combine is borderline embarrassing, though.
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2-21-2009 @ 9:57PM
Dan said...
You're kidding, right? He knowingly did something he's not allowed to and forced his coach to suspend him for a BCS Bowl Game. It's not even an iffy violation! It's the one OBVIOUS rule they can't break!
I wrote him off after that incident and now he just seems like a fool. I wouldn't want him on my team.
2-21-2009 @ 2:59AM
KingMundo said...
As soon as he heard he was up for the number 1 pick the kid decided to slack its plain and simple he dosent want the pressure and dosent want to go to a horrible team so he slacked it to drop in the draft till the later in the round to get picked up by a better team plain and simple
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2-21-2009 @ 9:10AM
dave said...
Not very bright and no discipline-looks like either the Raiders, Cowboys or Redskins. Thanks in advance for taking him off the board and wasting your cap space.
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2-21-2009 @ 11:23AM
Adam said...
Hey, at least if he goes with the Skins, Joe Bugel is one of those coaches who could put him in his place.
2-21-2009 @ 9:28AM
Welcome Don said...
Yeah like ANY of the Lions last 50 selections have been winners. They couldnt select a winner if it slappes them in the face. Thanks for the information tho it will surely make the lions selct this turd now.
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2-21-2009 @ 11:51AM
fredodeservedit said...
You kidding me?
Wasting any ink to write about the Lie-Downs??
Whoever they pick, it'll be career suicide.
It's Detroit.
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2-23-2009 @ 12:53PM
DAN said...
can you see when he gets a big fat check , this guy will be such a bust its not even funny , i wouldn't be surprised if he slips into the 4th round or later
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2-23-2009 @ 12:55PM
DAN said...
i hate to say it but i think the lions will do pretty good in 09 , i can't believe i said that , but its true
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