Everyone recalls the Minnesota Vikings epic fail from the 2003 draft, when they didn't get their pick entered in time while trying to trade down and were skipped (although, in fairness to the Vikes, they still got the guy they wanted two picks later in Kevin Williams). No one wants that to happen to their team. Except maybe the Detroit Lions. Because, as MLive's Tom Kowalski notes, based on quotes from the NFL, the Lions could actually benefit from just ignoring the clock when the draft kicks off later this month. Well, okay, "benefit" might be too strong -- but they're still allowed to pass.
"If a club passes during the draft, it gives up its pick at that point and can re-enter at any point to make its selection,'' said NFL spokesman Greg Aiello.This information has generated much debate among the NFL FanHouse braintrust; personally, I tend to think that the Lions would be pretty smart to issue an ultimatum to the Matthew Stafford (assuming they intend on picking the Georgia quarterback) that if he is not willing to take a discount at No. 1 overall, then they will have no choice but to let time expire.
I then wondered if Detroit skipped down to No. 5, whether that pick would be considered the real No. 1 pick (because he was taken by Detroit) or the No. 5 choice.
"To use your example,'' Aiello wrote in an e-mail, "if a player is selected 5th, he is the 5th pick. There is no other way to view it.''
It's a bluff of epic proportions, sure, but who's going to take Stafford if the Lions pass? Maybe the Seahawks, and that seems unlikely with their other needs, meaning that the Lions could pounce back in around the 7th or 8th spot and pick up Stafford, all the while demanding that he sign a lower contract.
Now, of course, there's the problem with negotiating that contract -- certainly anyone who gets jobbed like that in the draft is going to end up holding out/playing the "I was your top pick anyway, so get stuffed" card -- but the Lions could at least attempt to gamble on Stafford falling for that bluff. What's the worst that can happen? He shrugs them off, they draft Aaron Curry and then pick up Josh Freeman later? That sounds pretty good to me.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
4-07-2009 @ 2:43PM
Mr.G said...
No,I think if they really want Stafford,then you take him.It just wouldn't be worth getting off on a sour note like that with your franchise QB.You want the guy in camp with a positive attitude.The Lions have enough problems without appearing cheap being piled on.
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4-07-2009 @ 5:44PM
Chris B. said...
Could the Lions skip down to a spot and then trade that spot?
It seems they will never be able to trade the 1st but if they drop down, they could trade for, lets say, the #15 and pick up Sanchez / Freeman before the Jets or Bucs swipe him up.
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4-07-2009 @ 6:29PM
Adam said...
I'm with MrG. The Lions need to get off to a good start with Stafford, and if they have to pay him 10 or 15 million more over a 5-7 year contract in order to make the guy happy, then do it. I mean, come on, it's the Lions we're talking about here. It's not like they'd use that money on anyone else who would make much of a difference. Stafford seems legit, so pay the legit guy instead of saving it for someone else who may or may not come along.
Then again, if the Lions don't want Stafford and are looking for a tackle, they can drop down to get Oher or Andre Smith. Or one of the LBs or DEs. It's still kind of dumb though, since they get nothing out of it except for a somewhat smaller contract. If they trade down instead of skipping, they at least get a couple extra picks.
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4-07-2009 @ 7:10PM
pauln286 said...
If the Lions want to get off to a good start with Stafford then get hin an O line. That would really show him some love.
The poor Lions just need everything and then they get punished with the financial and cap hit burden of the number one pick.
Something must change. This system blows when the weak are disadvantaged. A mistake with a top ten pick cripples the team in too many ways.
Maybe they will select another wide out. It's now a trend.
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4-07-2009 @ 7:22PM
Anthony said...
Maybe someone should proofread articles before posting. WTF is strategery?
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4-07-2009 @ 8:32PM
Adam said...
The question isn't 'what is strategery,' the question is ' is our children learning?'
4-08-2009 @ 12:56PM
Mike said...
Adam said...
The question isn't 'what is strategery,' the question is ' is our children learning?'
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"is our children learning?"??
Wow, I guess the adults didn't learn much either. "Are our children learning" would be the correct question to pose.
4-07-2009 @ 9:08PM
snowy said...
i agree with Adam.No one wants that to happen to their team.I hope they can deal well with it.By the way, my friends tell me he bought some jerseys of them from china. the website is www.9ico.com.he said it is very good and he feel quite satisfied.
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4-10-2009 @ 12:43PM
4and2 said...
This is the Dumbest thing I have ever heard yet!
But,it wouldn't surprize me if there were people around the Country that would like to see the LIONS do it! Pass on the first pick? I am a Lions Fan and If they pass on the 1st pick I won't be anymore! .
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