Martz the tipping point?

[Jimmer]

Martz, a former head coach. A coach people listen to. The kind of O-coordinator that probably could have had another head coach spot if he had taken a year or two off.
How much weight will his opinion have in the upcoming draft?
I heard the hype today, all the mocks with Kiper and Clayton, NFL.com et al, all the fan opinions, and I think it might come down to Mike.
The Lions have a pick that starts with two premises:
1) It could be traded, or not. I really can't see them giving it up for less than another 1st rounder and a second round pick in the top 50.
2) The raiders resist shock and awe and go for Jamarcus.
Depending on those two things, the Lions could find themselves in a conundrum with that #2. Say the Raiders do in fact draft Jamarcus. The Lions could pass on Calvin, take the top defensive pick or a potentially great o-lineman. All of next year, everyone will watch Johnson and wonder "what could've been". If he has a 20 TD, 1,500yd season, the 3 M's will look awfully stupid. Days of sportscenter will be filled with more sarcasm about the Lions gaff. Every TD will be like a dagger in the Lions heart.
But what if the Lions do take Johnson, and he has a terrible rookie season with injuries and few yards? Will the fans riot, demand Millen's head, and beg for the coaches to be fired? They already have and they might again, but the 3 M's aren't going to be fired.
I think the tipping point (opinion) will be Martz. You can't tell me that he isn't salivating over the chance to throw the ball to Calvin, Roy and Mark in his offense. Kitna threw for 4,200yds last season, he's proven he can nurture a rookie in Carson Palmer. Draft a decent rookie and let him learn.
Until a truly sweet deal comes along, Millen and Marinelli will have a very hard time arguing against taking Johnson. I initially hated the thought, but the potential for "good" DE's and DB's in the 2nd and 3rd round are good. Unless the Lions find a partner willing to sell the farm to gain Johnson, the downside of picking him is pretty small for the Lions front office.
The fans will complain until the Lions get a playoff berth, but watching CJ score a record number of TD's next year would be much, much worse.
:rant:

[thousandcasts]

I've been big "Lions should draft Calvin Johnson," and I'd doing cart wheels if they drafted him, however I also have to concede that the Lions need more than just one player in order to be playoff contenders. I think the only way Millen can screw this up is if Johnson is there at # 2, the Lions have to pick there and they choose any player other than Johnson. If they trade out of # 2 and pick up more high round draft choices, then that's a good thing since it will allow them to pick up more quality players. At this point though, it's all dependent on what the Raiders do. If they throw a curve ball and take Johnson, then all bets are off and it's anyone's guess what happens after that. I mean, would anyone complain if Russell was there at # 2 for the Lions and they took him? On the flip side, what if Russell was there at # 2 and some other team gave the Lions a favorable trade offer and they took it. Either or would be a good thing. Like I said, the only way Millen can screw this up is by having to keep the # 2 and then passing on Johnson for any other player in the draft.

[Jimmer]

wow, we're in agreement then?
:lol:
I have to add, I have 4 JV football players coming to watch the draft tommorow. If the Lions take Brady at #2 they will help me burn my prized "lucky" hat.
If we hate the pick, we're going fishing. If not....
We'll go fishing anyway.
:lol:

[Munsterlndr]

The Lions are in a great position, let's just hope Millen does not screw it up. Chances are that Oakland is going to take Russell or Quinn, they need a quarterback this year. If they do, then it's a no brainer that the Lions take Johnson and see who steps up to the plate and makes an offer. I'll bet that either Tampa or Atlanta will offer whatever it takes to land Johnson. If the trade is with Tampa then see if anyone else wants to trade up and keep accumulating 2nd round picks. If you don't get any offers at number four, take Adams. If you are able to trade down a little farther take Willis, Landry or Hall, whichever is still available. The worst that can happen in that scenario is that no one makes an offer on Johnson and you end up with Roy, Johnson and Furrey as your receiving corps. Things could be worse!

The only thing that will screw this up is if Oakland takes Johnson with the first pick. You still try to trade down but you don't have as much leverage because Johnson is gone and Cleveland (Who want a QB) will have a shot at either Quinn or Russell without having to trade up. If you can't trade down then you either have to take Adams or Joe Thomas at #2 and that's too high for either of them.

If Oakland takes Johnson I can see Millen doing something dumb like taking Quinn. The only upside to Oakland taking Johnson would be then they would really need an experienced QB and it increases the chances that we could shop McCown for Porter and then take Stanton if he's still around in the Second for a 3rd string QB.

[William H Bonney]

. Like I said, the only way Millen can screw this up is by ,,,,,,,,,,,,,.


Finish this line,,,
:lol: :lol: :lol:

[thousandcasts]

wow, we're in agreement then?
:lol:
I have to add, I have 4 JV football players coming to watch the draft tommorow. If the Lions take Brady at #2 they will help me burn my prized "lucky" hat.
If we hate the pick, we're going fishing. If not....
We'll go fishing anyway.
:lol:

If the Lions take Quinn, then that'll be the straw that breaks the camel's back for me. :rant:

[JLP]

Martz is the only person with any clue in the organization. Millen is on a 7 year internship and Rod doesn't appear to have head coach qualitys.