Reggie Bush shaved from the Lions roster.
Do they draft a RB?
Have to think they will now. Bell is good, but not a star. Haven't been able to draft a great RB since Sanders though.
Bell is a bruiser, not a feature back. I'd like to see them end up with Gurley if he falls to them in the draft, but he's going to go whichever team wants to take a chance on his ACL.
I'm fine with this. Frees up cap space, dumps a player who can't seem to stay healthy, and opens up opportunities for Theo Riddick, who had some impressive moments last season. George Winn I also liked, although his sample size is admittedly smaller.
Draft: maybe. I would say take Gordon and avoid Hurley, if only because Hurley is rehabbing after knee surgery, and the Lions' history with injured players is, well...
That's only if we're looking RB in the first round though. Which we might be, if Suh is retained.
I'm all for the Lions drafting a RB, but not in the first or second round. There should be plenty of decent RBs available in the middle rounds of the draft.
OL, RB, CB in that order
If they can pick up a QUALITY OLinemen or two then fine, go for the RB early, add a CB in round two.
I would prefer an OL (biggest position of need IMO) in the first round, or a DL if Suh departs. I wouldn't complain if they went CB.
As for RB, consider the RBs selected by round over the past five years:
2010: 3 first-rounders (picks #9, 12, 30); 4 second-rounders (36, 51, 58, 59); 0 third-rounders
2011: 1 first-rounder (#28); 4 second-rounders (38, 56, 57, 62); 3 third-rounders
2012: 3 first-rounders (#3, 31, 32); 2 second-rounders (50, 61); 2 third-rounders
2013: 0 first-rounders; 5 second-rounders (#37, 48, 58, 61, 62); 1 third-rounder
2014: 0 first-rounders; 3 second-rounders (#54, 55, 57); 5 third-rounders
RBs have been trending in the direction of being on the board longer compared to years past.
And have those first and second-round RB picks panned out?
2010: C.J. Spiller (no); Ryan Mathews (briefly, but injured often); Jahvid Best (no); Dexter McCluster (no); Toby Gerhart (no); Ben Tate (no); Montario Hardesty (no)
2011: Mark Ingram (took a while, but yes); Ryan Williams (no); Shane Vereen (yes); Mikel Leshoure (no); Daniel Thomas (no)
2012: Trent Richardson (no); Doug Martin (no); David Wilson (no); Isaiah Pead (no); LaMichael James (no)
2013: Giovani Bernard (yes); LeVeon Bell (yes); Montee Ball (no); Eddie Lacy (yes); Christine Michael (no)
2014: Bishop Sankey (no); Jeremy Hill (yes); Carlos Hyde (no)
A majority of swings and misses among that group, including two Lion attempts in the past five years in Best and Leshoure.
There is a difference between needing a RB and being desperate for one. The Lions need one. With Bell (and, in a supporting role, Riddick), they aren't desperate for one. They can afford to be patient and address more pressing needs first.
I'd love to see the Lions get Tevin Coleman of Indiana. I think there's a good chance he's still on the board when the Lions pick in Round 3 (or later).
I like Tre Waynes CB, MSU
I think you can get a quality Olinemen in the 2nd, or try and get one off free agency if they have cap room.
3rd round, best player available
I'm assuming they keep Suh. If not it all changes.
I think they address the RB position at some point. Just not in the first couple rounds.
While I liked Reggie, the production didn't match up with the salary. So this is a needed cut. Hope it helps them keep Suh and fill a few more holes. I really think this team is just on the edge of being a serious contender.
Lol.
I thought this thread would be about something completely different when I read the heading of this thread - Bush Shaved.
I have the body of a 50 year old, but the mind of a teen.
For the first time since 2012, a RB is taken in the first round - two, in fact: Todd Gurley to the Rams at #10 and Melvin Gordon to the Chargers at #15.
I like what the Lions did in the first round. Now the question is, do the Lions draft a RB in the second or third round tomorrow night?
Gotta think that RB is a big priority right now. They need a DT though. I was hoping they could pick up Malcolm Brown out of Texas, but there's still good options on the board. Maybe Eddie Goldman out of Florida State, but he'll probably get snatched up. As far as RBs go, Ameer Abdullah from Nebraska would be a nice pick-up.
Just remembered RB Tevin Coleman from Indiana is still available too.
(05-01-2015 10:26 AM)ColinApocalypse Wrote: [ -> ]As far as RBs go, Ameer Abdullah from Nebraska would be a nice pick-up.
I hope you're right Colin! He wasn't run into the ground like our hero, but he averaged a yard/carry more. Maybe just a placeholder in Detroit until Jarvion declares.
8 picks later, those Pesky Packers took Redhawk DB Q. Collins. Leave it to them...I bet he's a perennial all pro after a while.
The "Other" Tinsley Park running back from IU went to the Falcons in the 3rd round.
Colin wins the Wizard award
Abdullah not an upgrade over Bush.
He's smaller (5-9 to 6-0) and same style-type ball carrier.
Gained all of 45 yards on 24 carries against MSU last Fall.
(05-02-2015 09:18 AM)MajorHoople Wrote: [ -> ]Abdullah not an upgrade over Bush.
He's smaller (5-9 to 6-0) and same style-type ball carrier.
Gained all of 45 yards on 24 carries against MSU last Fall.
MSU keyed on him. They know Neb. Is a run first team.
I think he's an upgrade as far as health. Bush was very injury prone. He's fumble prone, but then so was Bush.
Pretty solid draft for the Lions IMO. Nice to see them address clear areas of need (OL, RB, CB, DT). Too often, that hasn't been the case in the past.
Of the B1G RBs taken after the first round, it will be interesting to see out of Abdullah (Nebraska), Coleman (Indiana), Langford (MSU), and David Cobb (Minnesota) which RBs turn out to have productive NFL careers. I think all of them have a shot to become good NFL players.