Football Mayock says Lions should not draft Stafford - Page 4

chop · 03-09-2009, 06:36 PM

Mayock: Lions should avoid drafting Matt Stafford

by Tom Kowalski Monday March 09, 2009, 7:54 PM

Mike Mayock, the draft analyst for NFL Network, was a guest on WJR tonight, joining hosts Ken Brown and Mike O'Hara. Here are some highlights from that interview (and the Detroit Lions fans who are hoping the team drafts Georgia quarterback Matt Stafford might be a little disappointed with Mayock's opinions):

--- Mayock said he believes that 2009 will be an average draft class without much star power in the top 10. He believes the draft is deep at outside linebacker and tight end but weak at guard and inside linebacker.
--- Mayock pointed out that of the last 11 underclassmen quarterbacks to be drafted in the first round, only two have been successful - Ben Roethlisberger and Aaron Rogers. Mayock pointed out a laundry list of failures - Heath Shuler, Ryan Leaf, Vince Young, Alex Smith and, so far, JaMarcus Russell.
Mayock said that if the Lions make a mistake at quarterback with that pick, "they won't recover for five years.''
Mayock spoke very highly of Stafford, saying he has great arm strength and is a good athlete, but also said "There are some things about him that bother me. If I was the Lions, I'd take (Aaron) Curry or one of those left tackles (Jason Smith or Eugene Monroe).
"If you have any doubts about the kid, in my opinion, you have to pass. I told everybody last year that Matt Ryan was the guy. I have questions about the guy this year.''
--- Mayock said he sees some similarities between Stafford and Denver quarterback Jay Cutler, especially arm strength, but he sees one big difference. Mayock said Cutler played for a "horrible'' Vanderbilt team but always had his team in a position to win. Stafford, meanwhile, played with two elite receivers and an NFL-caliber running back and "sometimes he looked like Superman and sometimes he looked average ... I say 'Why?'''
--- Brown and O'Hara brought up the possibility that if the Lions drafted Curry, they might move him to middle linebacker but Mayock immediately shot that down. Mayock said Curry is the prototype SAM linebacker and shouldn't be moved.

http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf...void_draf.html

**OnTheWarpath15** · 03-10-2009, 09:36 AM

Two elite receivers?

C'mon, Mayock. That's ridiculous.

I'm a bigger fan of Sanchez than Stafford, but to say he played with elite WR's is ridiculous. Massaquoi is a 3rd/4th round pick and AJ Green was a freaking freshman, FFS. Nevermind the makeshift OL filled with first year starters.

Hardly elite.

SenselessChiefsFan · 03-10-2009, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chief Faithful

What do you call the OLB on the strong side in a 3-4? It is the ILB on the strong side that I feel would be the big hole.

Typically, OLB's in the 3-4 are not called SAM or Will. Some teams don't even call their 4-3 OLB's Sam or WIll. Traditional Sam or Will linebackers actually flip sides when the formation shifts, making them true SAM or WILL linebackers.

However, many teams leave their OLB's on the same side most of the game, making them LOLB, or ROLB. Similar to RDE and LDE.

While a 3-4 could technically rotate the OLB's depending on the formation and name them SAM and WILL and be 'correct'... they would not be true to the traditional sense of the description.

I think Hali and Vrabel will play OLB. I think Johnston has a good chance to be a third down pass rushing OLB. And, I think Curry and DJ would play ILB.

SenselessChiefsFan · 03-10-2009, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

Two elite receivers?

C'mon, Mayock. That's ridiculous.

I'm a bigger fan of Sanchez than Stafford, but to say he played with elite WR's is ridiculous. Massaquoi is a 3rd/4th round pick and AJ Green was a freaking freshman, FFS. Nevermind the makeshift OL filled with first year starters.

Hardly elite.

Well, to be fair, about seven percent of all college football players are drafted. So, a player that will be drafted is considered to be an 'elite' college football player, even if they are not going to be an elite NFL prospect.

I think the Offensive line and the defense were the biggest obstacles that he had to overcome.

I think Stafford is the class of the draft at QB.

Chief Faithful · 03-10-2009, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SensibleChiefsfan

Typically, OLB's in the 3-4 are not called SAM or Will. Some teams don't even call their 4-3 OLB's Sam or WIll. Traditional Sam or Will linebackers actually flip sides when the formation shifts, making them true SAM or WILL linebackers.

However, many teams leave their OLB's on the same side most of the game, making them LOLB, or ROLB. Similar to RDE and LDE.

While a 3-4 could technically rotate the OLB's depending on the formation and name them SAM and WILL and be 'correct'... they would not be true to the traditional sense of the description.

I think Hali and Vrabel will play OLB. I think Johnston has a good chance to be a third down pass rushing OLB. And, I think Curry and DJ would play ILB.

Do you think Hali could really fill that role? If he could play ROLB then that fills a big hole. DJ and Curry would make a solid core inside.

Coogs · 03-10-2009, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaWolf

You gonna pay them both as well? That No 3 pick is quite expensive, and that franchise number is quite expensive...

Sure, we have the cap space... and we have to spend most of it as well. If Cassel isn't panning out in year 1 as a Chief, then Stafford or Sanchez may be ready to step in.

Chief Roundup · 03-10-2009, 10:07 AM

Just don't see spending a 1st and a 2cd round picks on QB.
I think it would be stupid to do that with as many holes as we have.
Not to mention why even make the trade if you were even wanting or interested in Sanchez and or Stafford.

SenselessChiefsFan · 03-10-2009, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chief Faithful

Do you think Hali could really fill that role? If he could play ROLB then that fills a big whole. DJ and Curry would make a solid core inside.

I do, but admittedly, I am in the minority on this forum. Even if not, I don't think Curry fits at OLB in a 3-4. Not saying he couldn't play it, but I don't think that is his best fit in this defense.

Coogs · 03-10-2009, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chief Roundup

Just don't see spending a 1st and a 2cd round picks on QB.
I think it would be stupid to do that with as many holes as we have.

If we can't trade down, and have to reach for a player just for taking a spot where we have a need, then that would be just as stupid, if not more stupid IMO. Look at the Chargers. They had Brees and selected Rivers. They probably could have went a different route and filled a bigger need at the time, but in the long run it has worked out fine for them.

And I am still not saying this is what we should do, but I think we should keep the option open if the Lions and Rams grab the players most coveted by the Chiefs before our pick... and a trade down fails to materialize on draft day.

Sweet Daddy Hate · 03-10-2009, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coogs

If the Lions do pass on Stafford and Sanchez, I would not be totally opposed to drafting one of those two at #3 even though we spent our 2nd rounder on a QB. Especially if we are not able to trade down. I would much rather hedge our bet on the QB spot, and make sure we have the right guy for the job for the next decade or so, than to have the opportunity to do so and wind up finding out we missed out be picking the wrong guy (Cassel).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reerun_KC

What franchise number? You cant be serious about paying Cassell franchise QB type money? The dude is nothing more than a stop gap QB. No way he should be paid anywhere near the top 10....

Average at best, but if you have a chance to develop and draft a franchise QB, you better take that opportunity and get your QB...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coogs

Sure, we have the cap space... and we have to spend most of it as well. If Cassel isn't panning out in year 1 as a Chief, then Stafford or Sanchez may be ready to step in.

Oooh! The resistance grows!

Quote:

Originally Posted by SensibleChiefsfan

Any fan can only watch so much college football, and we only see the network TV footage.

These analysts get to watch coaches tapes, talk to the coaches about these kids, and break it down as their career.

Not a single one of us on here is that adept at the draft.

And, from reading Mecca, yeah, he knows the basics, but he is by no means an expert on anything other than rationalizing the selection of a QB at the top of the draft.

And yet, you know enough to proclaim everyone else's selection(s) moot in the face of such "genius" as Mayock?
Please.

Chief Roundup · 03-10-2009, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coogs

Look at the Chargers. They had Brees and selected Rivers.

Yeah they HAD Brees from another Draft. We are talking about spending our 1st and 2cd round picks on one position in one draft. Those are our 2 best oppurtunities to get 2 long term starters for this football team.

Chiefnj2 · 03-10-2009, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coogs

Look at the Chargers. They had Brees and selected Rivers. They probably could have went a different route and filled a bigger need at the time, but in the long run it has worked out fine for them.

.

Didn't the Chargers do that because AJ Smith is an egomaniac who wanted his own QB? Pioli has his guy.

Coogs · 03-10-2009, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chief Roundup

Yeah they HAD Brees from another Draft. We are talking about spending our 1st and 2cd round picks on one position in one draft. Those are our 2 best oppurtunities to get 2 long term starters for this football team.

Sure. I knew it was from two different drafts. But it doesn't really matter.

And again, I am not saying this is what we should do. But we shouldn't just write it off IMO either if that is the best option at our #3 pick instead of reaching for a #10 type talent that fills a need.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 03-10-2009, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chief Roundup

Yeah they HAD Brees from another Draft. We are talking about spending our 1st and 2cd round picks on one position in one draft. Those are our 2 best oppurtunities to get 2 long term starters for this football team.

Is the 2009 Draft the last draft of all time?

'Hamas' Jenkins · 03-10-2009, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darth CarlSatan

Oooh! The resistance grows!

This is how Germ Warfare germinated, DCS.

Sweet Daddy Hate · 03-10-2009, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

This is how Germ Warfare germinated, DCS.

Then germinate-on!

03-09-2009, 06:36 PM
chop Go Chiefs! Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Michigan Casino cash: $894270	Mayock says Lions should not draft Stafford Mayock: Lions should avoid drafting Matt Stafford by Tom Kowalski Monday March 09, 2009, 7:54 PM Mike Mayock, the draft analyst for NFL Network, was a guest on WJR tonight, joining hosts Ken Brown and Mike O'Hara. Here are some highlights from that interview (and the Detroit Lions fans who are hoping the team drafts Georgia quarterback Matt Stafford might be a little disappointed with Mayock's opinions): --- Mayock said he believes that 2009 will be an average draft class without much star power in the top 10. He believes the draft is deep at outside linebacker and tight end but weak at guard and inside linebacker. --- Mayock pointed out that of the last 11 underclassmen quarterbacks to be drafted in the first round, only two have been successful - Ben Roethlisberger and Aaron Rogers. Mayock pointed out a laundry list of failures - Heath Shuler, Ryan Leaf, Vince Young, Alex Smith and, so far, JaMarcus Russell. Mayock said that if the Lions make a mistake at quarterback with that pick, "they won't recover for five years.'' Mayock spoke very highly of Stafford, saying he has great arm strength and is a good athlete, but also said "There are some things about him that bother me. If I was the Lions, I'd take (Aaron) Curry or one of those left tackles (Jason Smith or Eugene Monroe). "If you have any doubts about the kid, in my opinion, you have to pass. I told everybody last year that Matt Ryan was the guy. I have questions about the guy this year.'' --- Mayock said he sees some similarities between Stafford and Denver quarterback Jay Cutler, especially arm strength, but he sees one big difference. Mayock said Cutler played for a "horrible'' Vanderbilt team but always had his team in a position to win. Stafford, meanwhile, played with two elite receivers and an NFL-caliber running back and "sometimes he looked like Superman and sometimes he looked average ... I say 'Why?''' --- Brown and O'Hara brought up the possibility that if the Lions drafted Curry, they might move him to middle linebacker but Mayock immediately shot that down. Mayock said Curry is the prototype SAM linebacker and shouldn't be moved. http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf...void_draf.html
Posts: 2,964

03-10-2009, 09:36 AM	#46
OnTheWarpath15 MVP Join Date: Sep 2005 Casino cash: $2051115	Two elite receivers? C'mon, Mayock. That's ridiculous. I'm a bigger fan of Sanchez than Stafford, but to say he played with elite WR's is ridiculous. Massaquoi is a 3rd/4th round pick and AJ Green was a freaking freshman, FFS. Nevermind the makeshift OL filled with first year starters. Hardly elite.
Posts: 60,758

03-10-2009, 10:07 AM	#51
Chief Roundup Admitted Planet Junky Join Date: Oct 2000 Casino cash: $-1588373	Just don't see spending a 1st and a 2cd round picks on QB. I think it would be stupid to do that with as many holes as we have. Not to mention why even make the trade if you were even wanting or interested in Sanchez and or Stafford. __________________ Fanaticism is nowhere. There is no tenderness or humanity in fanaticism.
Posts: 19,565