Mr.TaterSalad

Can't we make a reasonable assumption that this defense would be markedly better with one of Jalen Ramsey, Jamel Dean or James Bradberry starting at Corner versus any combo of Okudah/Oruwariye/rookie starting? Same thing with Bobby Wagner or Tremaine Edwards starting versus an Alex Anzalone at LB? I don't think there are many fans that think Campbell or Holmes don't care about winning. Nor do we think they are incapable of recognizing their window of opportunity to win. The argument, and it's not really a full blown criticism, about our window is one of money and time. First, they have the cap space to be aggressive enough to make one big, high-priced free agent signing or trade. They don't have to be Jacksonville from the year prior when it comes to spending in free agency, almost no one's expecting that. Certainly I am not. They need to be prudent with the cap to be able to re-sign their own guys over the next few years, but there is a difference between blowing your cap wad like Jacksonville did and making a targeted, but big dollar signing. The second argument is that the NFC is slated to continue to be a weak conference next year, with no clear cut #1 team poised to win dominate and win it. Same thing goes for the NFC North, which looks particularly weak. So the Lions have a unique opportunity to be all three of ahead of schedule with their rebuild, smart about how they add to this roster, while still being aggressive enough to add an impact player that can make them NFC division and conference contenders. They should be able to hang with and beat the likes of the Eagles and 49ers next year with a strong off-season showing. I don't think taking an approach like they didn't last year, with prove it deals, re-signing their own talent, and solid drafting necessarily elevates them to NFC contender status. That's not to say it won't be progress or won't turn out successful. I think even with a similar off-season to last year they'll still be a very good team, built to contend and win the NFC North. They could be a team built to do more and win the NFC and get to a Super Bowl.

Damn, we coulda had Ramsey for Shane Zylstra and a third round pick? What a bummer to miss out on that.

This quote is disappointing to me because it is the second or third time this off-season that they seem to be pulling back the curtain on their strategy. It seems to be another sign that they won't be big spenders or all that aggressive in free agency and prefer staying in house and drafting to fill major needs. I could be wrong in how I have interpreted some of what's being reported out of the organization. The word window gets thrown around a lot about the Lions, but I think it's pertinent. This team has an open window and can be Super Bowl contenders next year in a weak NFC, with no clear top team next season. The 49ers and Eagles each have their own set of challenges figuring out who their starting QB will be and managing their cap space respectively. Adding a guy like Jalen Ramsey, Jamel Dean, James Bradberry, Dalvin Tomlinson, Bobby Wagner, is the kind of impact move that can really elevate this defense and team and solidifying their status as a contender. It can put them in line to compete with the Eagles and 49ers. Resigning Alex Anzalone, Charles Harris, Amani Oruwariye, and a bunch of your own guys, while adding a B or C-level free agent for depth, then utilizing the draft and continued player development, could well work out just fine in the end. With the cap space available to us though and the potential to be a top team in the NFC, not adding at least one high-level starter feels, if not like a mistake, then at least underwhelming. Unless they turn into pumpkins or quit after getting a big contract I don't see how a Jalen Ramsey, Jamel Dean, or Dalvin Tomlinson type of player doesn't immediately elevate this team. I think elevates them over where they'd be if they just brought back their own guys and only make minimal free agent additions plus whomever they draft.

It would be stupid for Carolina to move down any lower than 4th having made this trade. I suppose they could have all four of Young, Stroud, Richardson, and Levis valued high on their draft board. But it would be malfeasance on their GMs part to have made this trade, gotten rid of DJ Moore, and then either not draft a QB period or trade back to a spot where you miss out on one of your two highest rated QBs.

If the Cardinals are rebuilding or at least retooling, would you inquire about Isaiah Simmons? Does Simmons fit our scheme as a sort of in the box LB/S hybrid? Simmons is still under team control, on a rookie contract, so I'd imagine he's an expensive acquisition. But he's got the ability and speed to be the coverage LB we desperately need and he can work the field sideline to sideline.

Can't wait to see those Senate TV ads in 2024. With an increasingly younger electorate, that is moving left, the type of rhetoric employed by Republicans is really quite astonishing. Raising the retirement age and cutting Social Security is not the way I'd be trying to win over an increasing share of the younger portion electorate. Hey kids, fuck you, I'll get mine now, but as far as it goes for you, you can retire when y'all are dead.

In the same vain I'd hate for him to be Malik McDowell too.

I made the trade instead of drafting Carter because I still don't feel convinced that Holmes is taking Carter. I feel that the drag racing incident he was allegedly apart of and Carter's subsequent statement and behavior will keep him off or very low on the Lions board. He won't be a culture fit for them I feel.

Jalen Carter

I did a post combine, post trade mock draft for our Lions. I did what I don't want them to do and went ahead and took Bijan Robinson in this draft. While I certainly see the immense talent Bijan has, there is simply similar value to be had later on in the draft at the RB position. I had Joey Porter Jr. available to me at #18 and thought about doubling down on corner but went Bijan instead.

Is there a team that moves up to get Will Anderson besides the Lions? The Seahawks at 5? The Eagles at 10? Could either team be suited and in a position to move up and ensure they get Will Anderson?

I suppose this improves our odds to get one of Anderson or Carter as the Bears were likely to take one of the two players. I do think though that Holmes and Campbell will hesitate to take Carter.

Holy shit, that really sucks for us and our prospects to trade back doesn't it?

Slay must want out after the Eagles hired Matt Patricia.

It's nice to hear, at least in one singular report, that Holmes is willing to be aggressive in free agency or via trade to make this team better. This team has a window to win now and is ahead of schedule on the rebuild. They should be aggressive in working to make this team better for next year in my view. We'll see what pans out when it starts next week, but this is at least semi-encouraging. I don't want to hear any of that Ken Holland-esque "we like our team" BS coming from this organization. Be aggressive this year to win big next year. That means getting a Jalen Ramsey, Jamel Dean, Dalvin Tomlinson, whoever in the offseason.

I'd be looking for a new GM if they drafted Mayer at #6 or #18. You have to win a Super Bowl before you have the cache built up in this town to draft yet another first round TE. If Holmes drafts Mayer and I am Sheila he'd be asking me real quick why his badge access into the draft war room suddenly stopped working.

How do you explain Joey Harrington then?

I wonder what the toxicology report says after McConnell's fall? I bet Cocaine Mitch sure is glad to have that government sponsored healthcare after he fell down the stairs.

For those that want Lamar or are open to the idea of ditching Goff for him, do you expect that Lamar will become more productive under Ben Johnson than Goff has been? Will the productivity that you get from Lamar exceed both Goff's play on the field and the value that the 2 1st round picks could potentially bring? As well, are you willing to immediately make Lamar Jackson the highest paid player in the league after surrendering 2 1st round picks and before he even throws a pass for you?

I know that you can get more points with Goff because of the stats MB posted above. Goff from 2021-2022 was more productive and scored more on offense than Lamar did during his peak in 2019-2021.

The fact that Lamar Jackson has the added dimension of mobility to his game is not reason enough to trade Jared Goff for him when Goff produced better stats than the guy did. What good is mobility if you're still getting outscored by the offense lead by the less mobile QB? Sure, Lamar Jackson's mobility is enticing and adds something unique to this offense. However, if I'm still getting more offensive productivity and points overall out of Goff than I am keeping him versus surrendering the capital it will take to get a guy I will potentially get less offensive productivity out of in Lamar Jackson. Points get you wins and if I get more of them under Goff than Lamar than I don't care as much if he's a statue in the pocket. Give me Goff and the two 1sts versus Lamar.

Mormon Manziel.

The USFL or XFL. The guy is a bum in both his attitude and play on field.

I am going to laugh and laugh at the Packers if they trade Rodgers and allow the Jets to keep pick #13. Damn I hope that happens!