Jimbo

I disagree and do think his age is a factor when someone is unproven. A team will take a chance on Darnold (who is the same age) now because he proved he could run an offense after 6 years in the NFL and having success last year. Teams will take a chance on unproven talent if they are young. I am not talking about staying in the league. I am talking about his chance to be a starter in this league.

Just because a draft pick is a need does not mean its not BPA. I do think Arnold was BPA when he was drafted. Every team has a different board but who at the time of the draft was considered to have a higher grade. Two things can be true. They loved him and he was the the BPA.

I think the biggest problem with Hooker is his age. That is why wasting (probably not the best choice of word) a 3rd round pick on a lifetime back up wasn't Holmes best decision. If he was a couple of years younger and had a 1rst round grade before the injury, this pick would of been a lot better because I do think other teams would of been interested in him. This is when BPA in a draft can be an issue. Now if the Lions truly feel like the next two years he can legitimately take over if Goff gets hurt then its not as bad as a pick. Last year was about as bad as it can get for injuries although we have been lucky with Goff staying healthy.

This could be a Morton request. It also doesn't hurt that he is another minority hire. Its definitely going to be interesting to see if this team changes a lot on their play calling and trick plays. It will show how much is the talent you have on the field and head coach to the coordinator.

I've always felt this regime has stuck to the same philosophy for each draft. Its easy to say they changed their approach last year because they took two CB's. I actually think it was the perfect example of BPA. Things are going to look different when you draft later. There is no argument that 2024 was Holmes weakest draft but a lot is where they were drafting and the amount of picks. Plus this draft didn't have that guy that really played that much better than their draft position in the 24/25 season. A lot of this is also what happens when you have a good team and players don't get the opportunity. There is also different kind of BPA's. When your team is rebuilding, your BPA needs to be players that can play right away. When your team is a contender, your BPA might be the player with the best upside. I think the fact that so many teams went offensive players in last years draft, they didn't think there was any way they could get Arnold. Not sure what their draft board looked like but I feel like he was one player left that still had a 1rst round grade for them. It didn't hurt that was one position that we needed to upgrade. So not sure if it was another player (that they were solid at) that was out there with a similar grade they would of traded up for. With Rakestraw, this was definitely BPA. They could of possibly been looking at him for the original 1rst round pick. Holmes and Campbell are pretty straight up guys but I still don't think they are going to give all there secrets to their draft strategy. So saying they always go BPA, is just a small part of their strategy.

I agree if he is capable of playing if Goff gets hurt. I think we will know more on what the Lions think of him during this off-season. If they keep him and don't bring in someone else well known than they think he can play if Goff gets injured.

The win percentage is just a small portion of what he's been able to do. Taking a franchise that had the history of ineptitude and change the culture in such a short period is his biggest highlight. This was not a franchise that was at about its lowest it could be. The only asset was an older star QB which he did use in a brilliant way even if they didn't think Goff was going to be this good. He is the biggest factor in taking a team that was a laughing stock to one of the top franchises and for years to come.

Its funny how anyone that has not been in the organization knows how good Hooker is or isn't. Bridgwater wasn't just a high school football coach lol. He is a very good veteran that knew the system. It definitely doesn't look good for Hooker although it doesn't mean he's terrible. I do think if he was playing very good in practice, the Lions would of found ways to use him throughout the year although no one knows. We will know in this off season. He might be asked to be traded (for peanuts because that will be what he gets) or let go so he can compete with a team that he has a chance of starting. If the Lions comply, then we know they weren't impressed with him. There just really isn't a way to tell if he is a bust because we have a top 10 QB that hasn't gotten hurt (thank god). Was he worth a 3rd round pick. Obviously not now because he hasn't played and 3rd round picks could of contributed with our injury filled season.

I am not here to remove responsibility from Goff for his performance against Wash. I think Goff is in a very good situation and is a top 10 QB. I do think he can get better with age because experience is always going to get you better. You continue to give him a good to great OL he will continue to be very successful. How you really get him better is you have a better defense. That is why I think the injuries really affected the game plan against Wash. When you have the pressure that you have to score every time you get possession, it causes the offense to try and push plays. Still think he had a bad game regardless.

Mack said he is coming back next year. Probably sign with Chargers again but this could be a one year option. If we want to keep our core intact for many years your going to have to find players like this. Someone mentioned franchising Davis and that is something they will look to do. Like I said in the first post. Every big free agent you sign, could mean losing someone else. The Lions built this team through the draft and besides Sat's loss, its been beyond the success anyone could of imagined. So I can't imagine Holmes wanted to change that direction. I think they can build for the now and still keep success for a long time. Some fans might want them to go for it next year at all costs. That is definitely an option. I personally want them to continue the path they're going because even going all in doesn't mean you are guarantee to win it all. This season I feel like we were the most talented team although injuries caught up with us. I know the offense and Goff had a bad game but if you had half of the injuries (which is what most teams deal with), it changes the whole way (strategy) you go in the playoffs.

I think it was the situation with being down. If we were up, he might of played. Just a tough spot to put a young player in. Who knows if he's bust or not.

If I had a choice I would keep out team intact (coaching wise). Although now that it seems like we're going to lose both, it gives Holmes/Campbell some opportunities and I have full faith in them. It amuses me seeing people bash Johnson all of sudden. Its just fans still needing therapy after Sat. Losing Glen will give us a 3rd compensation pick which will be nice since we don't have one this year. What fans have to grasp is we are actually a destination now. Coaches have to feel like being on the Lions offers them the best opportunity because of the talent we have.

I actually think you have to consider trading Hooker to Vegas or somewhere else (that is if teams actually want him). He would probably net a 3rd round pick and the teams needing a QB are at the beginning of each round so almost a late 2nd round pick. Hooker was being discussed as a 1rst round pick before his ACL tear. So it would make sense for Vegas to consider this with where they are picking and losing out on Ward and Sanders. If this is true than Ben feels he is a legit starting QB in this league and it could be known throughout the league and maybe you could get a 2nd.

Considering we don't have a 3rd round pick in next years draft, that would be an added bonus. Would still rather keep our current situation in tact. Don't think it'll mean we will take a step back but continuity is always a factor in continued success. If we were to lose one, I would rather it be Glenn. Not just because of the pick but also because I think there will be a lot of DC's out there that would be fighting to be our DC if we don't hire within. Same can be said with OC although I think the offense will take a little longer to figure everything out. Plus the extra 2 3rd round picks helps some with Holmes as your GM.

I am on the same page as you. I always try to be calm after every bad situation. I have to admit, losing Hutch was like a gut punch because at the time they were destroying the Cowboys (this was early on so we didn't know how bad the Cowboys were). Even though I had positive thoughts. The lowest was definitely what happened in the Bills game and it wasn't getting killed in the first half. It was the injuries in that game that really made me think that maybe this wasn't our year. Although since that game they have proven me wrong and have shown how deep this team is. If we lose in these playoffs, I am not going to say SOL because it just simply isn't. The future of this franchise is bright as long as we have Holmes. I seriously think he might be one of the best GM's in NFL history already. I just have never seen someone make decisions that have worked out at a high percentage like him. There has been more success although I am not sure there has been a GM that has hit out of the park on his first season and has maintained it every year. The NFL is probably the hardest sport to evaluate talent at a high percentage because of the mass quantities of individuals you have to evaluate. I also think the previous Lions teams broke me and made me not let them ruin my day. Last years loss in the NFC Championship tested that although I remember just thinking in my head........THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT.