Outshined Posted March 23, 2007 Share Posted March 23, 2007 Kitna, Williams want No. 2 pick to be ... WR Johnson Lions QB says 10 wins is benchmark next season March 22, 2007 By JO-ANN BARNAS FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER They’re not campaigning by any means, but Lions quarterback Jon Kitna and wide receiver Roy Williams share an opinion of who they think their team should select with the No. 2 pick in next month’s NFL Draft. And no, it’s not Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn. Try Georgia Tech wide receiver Calvin Johnson, who they believe fits the prototype of power (he’s 6-foot-5, 239 pounds) and speed (he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.35 seconds last month in Indy) that Lions head coach Rod Marinelli covets. “Hands down, they’re saying this guy is the best guy in the draft — best receiver to come out in years,” Kitna said today during the fourth day of voluntary off-season workouts. “So if you’re sitting there at two and he’s available, and you’re going to use that pick, why not?” Williams agrees. As he spoke of the needs facing the Lions, who were 3-13 last season, Williams brought up their need to “score more in the red zone.” “If we score more in the red zone, we’ll win 10 more ball games,” Williams said. “We get in the red zone (last season) and it was kind of like we didn’t know what to do. So hopefully this year, if we take the big man at No. 2, you know, we can throw it out to him, too.” Asked if he was campaigning for a wide receiver, Williams said: “Well, I’m not the GM of this thing here. I don’t think you can go wrong with a No. 2 pick. You’re picking the second-best player in the draft, quote unquote. So I don’t think you can go wrong if it’s a running back, offensive lineman or a wide receiver.” Notice Williams didn’t mention quarterback. As for the Lions’ current stock load at wide receiver — and their drafting mistakes at that position in the past — Kitna said to ignore it. “I’ve always said you can’t let the past control what you do in the future,” Kitna said. “The notion of saying, ‘Well, we’re going to pass up on the best guy in the draft because of what’s happened in the past,’ — that’s lunacy to me. You learn from your mistakes, you learn from what’s happened in the past and you hope it doesn’t happen again. That would be like me throwing an interception on one route and just never throwing that route again — I’d run out of routes to throw.” Kitna laughed. He was joking, of course. Though the Lions won just three games last season, nine of their 13 losses were by eight points or fewer. The improvements the team has made in the off-season has Kitna thinking that the Lions should win, at the very least, seven more. “Last year, the win and loss record, I don’t really necessarily look at that as much as I look at, ‘OK, where did we start at, and where did we get to?’” Kitna said. “You’re looking at certain games and you’re saying, ‘Yeah, that result would have been different had we had known a little bit more about each other and knowinga little bit more about the system and those kind of things. “I mean, there was a number of games just where confusion cost us, and that confusion is not going to be there this year. With the way the team has gotten better in terms of who’s coming and who’s going this off-season, I’d say anything less than 10 wins for us would be a disappointment.” . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grits and Shins Posted March 23, 2007 Share Posted March 23, 2007 Why shouldn't Detroit draft a WR with their first pick ... isn't that what they always do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kpholmes Posted March 23, 2007 Share Posted March 23, 2007 I'll bet Kitna wants CJ2 over a replacement for himself... Who wouldn't? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Holliday Posted March 23, 2007 Share Posted March 23, 2007 I do agree under most circumstasnces he should be the pick at 2(maybe even 1). but our needs are on the lines and we cannot do better unless we upgrade there. we can do that with Joe Thomas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaxfactor Posted March 23, 2007 Share Posted March 23, 2007 10 wins? Detroit? Get ready to be disappointed Mr. Kitna! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clubfoothead Posted March 23, 2007 Share Posted March 23, 2007 I can't see Kitna advocating Brady Quinn with the pick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Holliday Posted March 23, 2007 Share Posted March 23, 2007 I'll bet Kitna wants CJ2 over a replacement for himself... Who wouldn't? That is because the team thinks they are gonna take Thomas. Kitna is not worried about his job either way so I would say his opinion is not biased here.although I disagree with what he says. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Holliday Posted March 23, 2007 Share Posted March 23, 2007 10 wins? Detroit? Get ready to be disappointed Mr. Kitna! Yep. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaxfactor Posted March 23, 2007 Share Posted March 23, 2007 Yep. Sorry DH, but you knew someone was gonna say something like that. I feel for ya dude! Hey, maybe they can trade the #2 pick for a new GM? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outshined Posted March 23, 2007 Author Share Posted March 23, 2007 I wonder if Martz wants CJ and if he does, how much influence does he have in the decision process. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seahawks21 Posted March 23, 2007 Share Posted March 23, 2007 Ya know, if I'm Detroit, I definitely take Johnson here. If Kitna doesn't work out, they can always draft a Brady Quinn type next year. Johnson is too good to pass up. There is a very good chance that Johnson can be a game-changer, and you gotta give Kitna another shot after a decent season, considering the team he is on. If they get some play out of their running backs they could be awfully dangerous on offense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gros Membres! Posted March 23, 2007 Share Posted March 23, 2007 Has Det made any kind of OL changes this offseason? Can't remember. Who did they trade Bly for? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Furd Posted March 23, 2007 Share Posted March 23, 2007 “If we score more in the red zone, we’ll win 10 more ball games,” Williams said. I always knew that, despite all of the stupid things that he says and does, Williams is a genius. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronco Billy Posted March 23, 2007 Share Posted March 23, 2007 (edited) You all may be enjoying yourselves with your scoffing, but if DET does in fact take Johnson, you're looking at a WR corps that has Johnson on one side & Roy Williams on the other, with Furrey in the slot. Some people seem to be forgeting that STL sucked a lot more than DET does now before Vermeil, Martz, & company showed up. They were neck & neck with CIN in challenging for the most pathetic franchise in the league over the previous decade. Teams would have to be in a permanent nickle D against DET, and teams with less than stellar DBs would have to play a dime a good portion of the game. If that happens, whoever is the RB for DET goes off the charts, as does Kitna - and that includes mediocre T Bell if Jones doesn't make it back, or Calhoun if he is recovering from his ACL injury soon enough & Jones isn't back. This could easily morph into the Greatest Show on Turf II. I still think DET ought to worry about anchoring its line, but Martz hasn't minded putting his QBs at risk before in his O - and drafting Johnson would play right into his hands. Kitna owners just6 need to make sure they have Orlovsky on their rosters. Edited March 23, 2007 by Bronco Billy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronco Billy Posted March 23, 2007 Share Posted March 23, 2007 Has Det made any kind of OL changes this offseason? Can't remember. Who did they trade Bly for? They got OT George Foster in the trade. A bit slow on foot for the DEN running game, but he might make a serviceable OT for a team that passes a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gsmayes Posted March 23, 2007 Share Posted March 23, 2007 I wonder if Martz wants CJ and if he does, how much influence does he have in the decision process. CJ doesn't qualify for a Martz man crush, hasn't played for the Rams. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeeR Posted March 23, 2007 Share Posted March 23, 2007 This could easily morph into the Greatest Show on Turf II. Kitna is no Warner in his prime and no RB they have quite exactly qualifies as another Faulk, never mind the whole OL thing. They're about as close to the old Ram offense as the Raiders. (OK OK that's an exaggeration...) I will say I don't think CJ would be the horrible pick many others do (and don't dislike the Quinn idea as much as most either), but I do think it would be a clear mistake and taking Thomas should be an easy choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Men In Tights Posted March 23, 2007 Share Posted March 23, 2007 (edited) I do agree under most circumstasnces he should be the pick at 2(maybe even 1). but our needs are on the lines and we cannot do better unless we upgrade there. we can do that with Joe Thomas. Sure, but what is the drop off between Joe Thomas and a T they could draft in the 2nd round, and then what is the difference between CJ and a WR they could draft in the 2nd round? Edit to add, what did drafting Robert Gallery so high do for the Raiders? & Being a Packers homer I would much rather see the Lions draft Thomas. Edited March 23, 2007 by Men In Tights Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Holliday Posted March 23, 2007 Share Posted March 23, 2007 Sorry DH, but you knew someone was gonna say something like that. I feel for ya dude! Hey, maybe they can trade the #2 pick for a new GM? Every year gets harder to stay a Lions fan (and this is coming from someone who bleeds Detroit sports). we had 1 player who was excellent at their position (Dre Bly)and we trade that player for 1 of the most useless RB's I ever seen. Every football year is the same for me brother. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronco Billy Posted March 23, 2007 Share Posted March 23, 2007 Kitna is no Warner in his prime Really? And what exactly had Warner accomplished as a pro QB prior to taking over when Green got hurt? I'd say Kitna has a hell of a lot better resume than Warner had when he took over the STL O. I'm not saying Kitna is going to go on a 3 year tear without comparison in NFL history like Warner did - but I'm also saying don't underestimate Martz when he gets the proper O pieces as he sees them in place in his O scheme. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronco Billy Posted March 23, 2007 Share Posted March 23, 2007 Sure, but what is the drop off between Joe Thomas and a T they could draft in the 2nd round The drop off between Thomas and Levi Brown - who is the #2 OT in the draft, much less a round later - is hugh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikesVikes Posted March 23, 2007 Share Posted March 23, 2007 Those two players should leave the personnel decisions to Matt Millen. Mr. Matt Millen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Holliday Posted March 23, 2007 Share Posted March 23, 2007 I will say I don't think CJ would be the horrible pick many others do (and don't dislike the Quinn idea as much as most either), but I do think it would be a clear mistake and taking Thomas should be an easy choice. I totally agree with this. Sure, but what is the drop off between Joe Thomas and a T they could draft in the 2nd round, and then what is the difference between CJ and a WR they could draft in the 2nd round? Edit to add, what did drafting Robert Gallery so high do for the Raiders? & Being a Packers homer I would much rather see the Lions draft Thomas. You cannot use 1 guy like Gallery to prove a point. if this was the case you would not have to worry about us(the Lions) taking a WR after having Charles Rogers and watching what a bust he was from the WR position. Also..just look at what Ferguson meant to the Jets last year. I know in the fantasy world this is not popular but IMO he was ROY without anyone else even being close. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Holliday Posted March 23, 2007 Share Posted March 23, 2007 Really? And what exactly had Warner accomplished as a pro QB prior to taking over when Green got hurt? I'd say Kitna has a hell of a lot better resume than Warner had when he took over the STL O. I'm not saying Kitna is going to go on a 3 year tear without comparison in NFL history like Warner did - but I'm also saying don't underestimate Martz when he gets the proper O pieces as he sees them in place in his O scheme. exactly. During Warners prime not only was he a good QB but a excellent baggage handler. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Holliday Posted March 23, 2007 Share Posted March 23, 2007 Those two players should leave the personnel decisions to Matt Millen. Mr. Matt Millen. As bad as Millen has been I hope he does make this pick. it is better than the Ford family making the pick ,and that is what usually happens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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