The NFL Free Agent signing period is underway… Let the courting begin. So far, we have seen one big signing, Nate Burleson agreed to a 5 year deal with Detroit that will pay him $25 million bucks. I just don’t get it? What is the Lions fixation with WR’s? They are known for reaching on WR’s in the draft (see below) and now they go out and spend a good chunk of change on another one. Burleson is a good WR but the Lions already have a dominant WR (Calvin Johnson) and a very talented up and coming TE (Brandon Pettigrew). Did you really need to throw $25 mill. at another WR? You wanted his 43 catches and 4.5 TDs a year that bad? It may be just me but that cash could have went elsewhere. Detroit has a lot of needs: OL (LT,G), DL (DT,DE), S. I feel like all of those are higher than a number 2 WR. Good teams build from the interior (OL, DL). This just explains why Detroit will be in the basement again this year. Refer back to the Dan Gray interview and he hit it on the head saying that a lot of the problems stem from the front office and this just backs it up. At this rate, I wouldn’t bet against Dez Bryant being drafted 2nd overall in this years draft…Lions fans, you never know…Make sure you have that 3rd WR position secured!
2003 first round pick – Charles Rogers (2nd overall) 36 catches, 4TDs (out of the league)
2003 sixth round pick – David Kircus – 15 catches, 1TD (out of the league)
2004 first round pick – Roy Williams (7th overall) 261 catches, 29 TDs (Traded)
2005 first round pick – Mike Williams (10th overall) 37 catches, 2 TDs (out of the league)
2007 first round pick – Calvin Johnson (2nd overall) No need for stats, Nice pick
2009 third round pick – Derrick Williams – 6 catches last year (TBD, still young)
*Not great drafting, I would give the Lions a “good job” on 1 ½ of those picks.
Tags: Charles Rogers, Detroit Lions, Mike Williams, Nate Burleson, Roy Williams
I’ve got to disagree with you on this one. While I dislike the fact that they probably overpaid for Burleson, it is a welcome departure from drafting WRs in the first round. While you are correct that good teams build from the interior out, the best teams do this through the draft, not through free agency (it’s so rare that a talent like Hutchinson or Haynesworth hit the market). And while the Lions did whiff on their selection of Gosder Cherlius in ‘08, I think that they are heading in the right direction… I just wonder how long it will be before blowing up the team plays dividends.