1984Echoes

So... In the 1st round they've selected: Sewell - A dominant All-Pro level OT. Gibbs - a game-breaking RB with elite speed (traded down to draft him). Jameson Williams - a game-breaking, elite-speed WR (traded up to draft him) Hutchinson - a dominant, relentless, pass-rushing and run stopping DE demon. Jury has not yet decided on Campbell. But you think the Lions are set on Darius Robinson in the 1st round, who, in your own words: "anything (nothing) more than an average at best lineman with little pass rush ability, no explosiveness and his best trait is his versatility to move along the line". Again, that makes ZERO sense. I will state it thusly: I think you are FLAT out WRONG. Not even in the ballpark wrong.

I believe there are certain Republican politicians who can, or cannot, cross that bridge (actually endorse Joe Biden). I don't believe Haley can... because she is hunting for some possible future in the Party post-Trump; however that comes about and in whatever form that looks like. There are other Republicans who have actively been kicked out of the party politics due to their non-alignment with Trump, and that is not just Adam Kinzinger or Liz Cheney. I'm not certain where Pence falls within that spectrum. But for those who are no longer welcome in the Party, unless they straight up start boot-licking Trump (the only acceptable position in the current Trumpublican Party), I believe that aside from their own possible political ambitions, or lack thereof, that the GOP is lost to them. And that their only discourse is to openly support a Biden 2024 Presidency in order to defeat the MAGA hold on the GOP. They can NOT chart another course for the GOP... unless they chart another course for the GOP. Explicitly, and out loud. I know there is a major fear factor in this... losing one's political career... but some have already lost theirs. It's gone. Replaced with the GQP. They have nothing left to lose, IMO. Just my 2 cents.

In its simplest terms: I think Avila did a great job at getting the ball rolling towards modernizing the Tigers organization, including hiring such key people as Ryan Garko, AJ Hinch, etc., starting up a data analytics program, etc. The Org was starting to draft better players with skills that translated to a higher level than his early GM years, as a result. Including several later round pitchers and a couple later round position players. But he didn't come from an analytics background and was therefore mostly behind the 8-ball, with a general lack of understanding on how to apply the analytical data within the organization. This, and many other flaws, says that the bottom line with Avila was that he just wasn't good enough to get the Org all the way to where it needed to be. On Harris: he was able to see an Org that had laid the groundwork, and just needed the right person to get the Org to the finish line. The Tigers chose him, and he chose the Tigers. I think Harris is the right guy to get us over the finish line, and Avila was not that guy.

That's a great angle to take. But I think my point is valid. The more "normal", "moderate", "centrist", and even "evangelical" Republicans, like Mike Pence, that come out and straight up state that they are voting for Joe Biden because of Donald Trump: The more cover is provided for other Republicans to do the same. The more damage MAGA takes. The less likely Trump gets re-elected. The more likely moderates can wrest some kind of control over their Party. Because they've lost it completely at this point. The RNC will now be completely MAGAfied. The Republican Party is now being whittled down to MAGA-only, by Trump. And his cohorts. In fact, "normal" Republicans may not even want to try and regain their party and will now be lost... looking for a home. Wherever that may be. But it all starts out with "normal", and again, even evangelical Republicans similar to Mike Pence, speaking out unequivocally that they no longer stand behind Trump's and MAGA's fascism and therefore are voting Democrat. They have no chance of anything until they are able to discredit Trump. And this is the biggest possible way to do that. It's necessary and they all know that. But do they have the courage? So far... no.

That's pretty freaking comical!

So why would he be on their 1st round radar? You're making zero sense. Is he a "dog mentality" or laden with "grit"? Because I would need to see that somewhere for this to make any kind of sense. Is he explosive or dominant at his position? Like Sewell? Jahmyr Gibbs? Hutchinson? Jameson Williams? Because if he's not. And he's only "flexible", as you've stated.. then you just described a mid-2nd round guy, which is where they drafted Paschal and where Darius Robinson would most likely be graded by the Lions. You describe 2nd-rounder Josh Paschal and then state that as the reason to select Darius Robinson in the 1st round? What is your reasoning, please?

Call up Cossa and Edvinsson.

Agreed. The only way for Pence to make more of an impact is to come out much, much, much stronger than that. "No surprise I will not endorse Trump." meh. Pence: "I will be voting for Joe Biden in November because TFG is an existential threat against our Democracy. I encourage my fellow Republicans to do the same. I also encourage a split ticket vote to have a check against President Biden. But I implore you... you MUST vote for our Democracy and that means Joe Biden, NOT Donald Trump." result... MAGA explodes. Trump explodes. Trump has an aneurysm as his head explodes. Much better result. And the media might even cover that.

The best guys for that (IMO) are Fuaga & Fautanu at OG/OT, and Powers-Johnson & Frazier at OG/C.

Right. I expect him to be in a rotation at some point but they don't "need" to force him in there. Meaning if Levi is the #3 tackle because he's more advanced/ football ready than Martin... they can afford to wait on him until he's ready to join in the rotation. I don't know when that will be. I'm just saying they don't need to rush him or force him in there if he's not ready yet. Plus... I think Reader is going to "SCHOOL!!!" him over the next year...

On that note: If I'm looking at 1st round talent... the next thing I am considering is "but are these Holmes/Campbell players"?) If I look at 1st round players... I'm looking at it from the perspective of, are these guys even on the Lions draft board, and finding multiple reasons to exclude guys, using a Holmes/ Dan Campbell reason. IE: 1) "We are just not going to use a 1st round pick on a QB". So, ixne QB's. 2) "We see no need to move up to a top 10 pick, the cost is too great." So, not only QB's, but also top 10 WR's and OT's. 3) "If a CB won't tackle in run support, we don't like them." So, Wiggins and Kool-Aid are OFF the Lions draft board, entirely, because they are both ****ty tacklers. It doesn't matter if either or both are available at our pick, and they are the "consensus" BPA players... they are NOT on the Lions draft board because they are not LIONS type of players. So again, toss "BPA" out the door because it's meaningless, in a Lions context. 4) "We want players who love the game, play the game for their teammates, and have 'True Grit'. And who dominate their man/ position. And have the leadership qualities that "drive" their teams to wins." That strips down "1st round talents" to only a few players that (because I'm just guessing here...) could fit on the Lions draft board... and I'm not working with all the info that they have available... I'm just taking a guess based on the scouting reports. Also, I don't agree that "BPA" basically rules all. If a QB or TE or RB is the "so-called" BPA pick, they aren't selecting those guys when making the Super Bowl is paramount. What that means (to me), is that if they like a player more than those 3 positions, but would need to trade up to get him, or they felt confidant they could trade down and STILL get their guy... that they would rather maneuver and get the guy that helps them win games rather than just stay at their draft spot and select JJ McCarthy just because "well, he was the BPA". They're just NOT going to do that. They will maneuver up or down to get a player they want, rather than simply draft a "BPA" player because there just simply is no other choice. Wrong. There's always a choice: Maneuver and get the guy you want. That being said: Top 10-11 guys I think are on the LIONS Draft Board: 1) Edge - Jared Verse 2) CB - Quinyon Mitchell 3) OG/OT - Taliese Fuaga 4) OG/C - Jackson Powers-Johnson 5) WR - Adonai Mitchell 6) WR - Brian Thomas 7) EDGE - Chop Robinson 8 ) OG/OT - Troy Fautanu 9) CB - Terrion Arnold 10) OG/C - Zach Frazier 11) CB/S - Cooper DeJean I think only a couple of those players will fall to the Lions' spot. I'm going to guess that Holmes might be "tempted" to move up for one of "his" (or DC's) "guys". The next guys that DC/ Holmes would be interested in, IMO, would all seem to be "2nd-round grade" guys.

But this... Is just waaay too simplistic IMO. IE: You cannot just go to Kiper's top 100 and say "BUT WAIT! That guy is not BPA!" I'm not even saying that to be difficult... we just ALL know that BPA to anyone else is NOT BPA to Holmes/ Campbell. They have different criteria than anyone else. And also... to MC's point: Holmes specifically stated that they maneuvered to get their guys (Gibbs, Campbell, LaPorta, Branch, Hooker, Martin AND Sorsdal) NOT because of "BPA", but because he and Dan wanted THESE guys to help the team make a run to the Playoffs. Holmes straight up said: "We drafted these specific guys at these positions to help us get to the playoffs." You can't say "BPA" with these guys. You have to say "Best Fit for the Lions". IMO.

I tend to agree with this.

I didn't say "don't see time". I said "in a meaningful way". Meaning, I would expect him to be a part of a rotation... but with limited snaps until Reader hands those snaps over (through injuries, or Readers' slow-down/ ineffectiveness, or Martin really catches on/ catches fire.) Any of which could happen. But, again... the team does not have to "push" or "rely" on Martin, they can rely on Reader. When Martin takes off and outplays Reader... he can take over for him. Whether that's at the end of 2025 or middle of 2026... I couldn't say. Nor is it my place. I'll leave that up to DC...

I think Hamilton outran his asthma...

I wouldn't call him "last" as much as I would call for the need to stay healthy. IE: If he's the 3rd best DT in training camp then he's the #3 DT in the regular season as well, as long as he can remain healthy and productive. And Martin is #4 and has to both learn more and wait his turn. But it's the NFL and injuries happen so I wouldn't write anything in stone. What depth # would we have given Tyson Alualu and Quinton Bohanna? As they each played a few games in 2023. I think I would look at Levi more at the end of the season with the question "what was he able to bring to the Lions in 2024?" Just my 2 cents...

That's what I was thinking also...

I think this also delays a "need" to put Brodric Martin into the starting lineup or even a rotation. It means Brodric may be entering "Reader School" and may not even emerge, in a meaningful way, until 2026. And I don't see that as a negative on Martin either. It may be an unknown... But if he truly loves this game and both can be patient as well as have the ability to truly learn and grow his technique in this game... It will be interesting to see what comes out the other side of his "Reader School of Dominant D-Line Play." And when.

From the Athletic: https://theathletic.com/5318482/2024/03/14/nfl-free-agent-rankings-tracker/ (Fuller was ranked 70th best FA this offseason by the Athletic... the reason why): Fuller's speed has declined, but his anticipation and instincts help offset that. Even so, he's approaching 30 and has some knee concerns, making his market a bit murky. With Benjamin St-Juste and Emmanuel Forbes around, he doesn't seem likely to return to Washington, which will miss his leadership. — Ben Standig

Which are active, virulent, hostile, even violent, and anti-Democratic/ anti-Constitutional.

Get some wins for this team and we can get back to that place...

I respect the right of anyone to believe anything they want to, without persecution. I do not respect someone attempting to replace facts with "belief" or "hearsay evidence". I have a right to demand that someone provide "proof" when they attempt to override facts with non-factual statements or "statements of certainty" or "belief". Facts have been proven. I respect facts. I do not respect lies. Lies like "Donald Trump won the election in 2020." I have the right to demand evidence whether it is a statement I believe to be a lie, or a statement that I believe is a "belief" attempting to override the truth. Or a proven fact. You do NOT have the right to abrogate my right to evidence, or proof, when arguing beliefs over facts. Sorry if that upsets you. And I STILL respect your right, to believe anything you want to.

Exactly. If people (like a Biff Mayhem) or anyone else wants to believe that the universe revolves around Earth because it says so in the bible (I haven't read the bible in 50 years so someone would have to verify that... but I believe the bible, and most ancient religious texts state that belief...): They are absolutely free to do so. Which is "faith", or "belief". But if we are arguing facts it has been definitively proven that we are a heliocentric planet (all planets are...), and we revolve around the sun, not the universe around Earth. But if Biff, or anyone, wants to believe the universe revolves around Earth, go for it. I'm not stopping anyone. But I'm sticking with facts only. And the fact of the matter is we are heliocentric. If someone wants to believe in a flat Earth... go for it. But, sorry, factually, the Earth is round. That's it. But go ahead and believe whatever anyone wants to (which is why it's called "belief", not "fact".) The Earth however, indisputably, factually, is round. If someone wants to believe the Earth is 6,000 years old because that's what is calculated from the bible? Go for it. But the fact of the matter is that Earth if 4.8 million years old. If anyone wants to believe that humans and dinosaurs and eyes and everything else just "magically appeared" due to some "god", go for it. But evolution is proven fact. Indisputable. There is no definitive proof on the Big Bang so... I'm not going to argue that one.

Has anyone ever witnessed "god"? I'd like to hear a first hand account. Let's start with yours.

It's calling them extensions... not renegotiations.