Jimbo

I think all the Carter and Swift talk is way too early although I understand the intrigue. I have already gotten the texts from friends that are saying we should of taken Carter. I think the Carter debate should be more for teams like Chicago, Atlanta, and Raiders. Its also too early to say any of the players they took or made trades to take other players are busts either. The thing I am looking at is this isn't the Terry Fair compared to Moss comparison or Eric Ebron to Donald comparison. I think already both Gibbs and LaPorta look like players that will make it easier to forget about not taking Carter. Now if Carter is the next Donald (not just 3 games) and neither of our guys make all pro than it will be a bad decision (and hurt some) but not crippling because unless there are injuries our players look already good with the possibility to be great. Also think getting Branch helps a lot with not making that pick and could still beat Carter for Defensive rookie of the year. BTW Philly took Nolan smith instead of Branch lol. No team is going to make the perfect pick every time, the key is not making the Sam Bowie pick (Hakeem wasn't Jordan although they didn't look stupid with their pick).

I actually think Goff had his worse game in a while. He just didn't look accurate. Missed on a couple of big plays. Was probably more to do with the offensive line (having injuries) and the pressure he was getting. No big deal though and besides the one interception, he was playing cautious to not make that big mistake. That is my whole thing with Goff. He is a great QB when he has time. I am all about an extension if its a reasonable contract. I do not want to see this team paying him in the Jackson, Burrow, ....etc range. I would think 30-35 mill per year would be reasonable for him. There are some good QBs coming out next year and with Hooker, I think we have some bargaining chips. No way Goff gets more than that in free agency. I think he likes the situation here and I don't think the Lions can afford to pay Goff top 5-10 QB money and still keep on being a playoff team.

Swift looked good last night. That was never the issue. He was a good back for us. The problem with him was he couldn't stay on the field. Now he could stay healthy all year for the Eagles and will look like a great trade for them although we really couldn't keep on waiting for him. It's not easy being a RB in this league although it was very frustrating as a fan with Swift. That being said, I am loving our situation at RB right now. This could be one of those trades that works out for each team. As of now, the Stafford trade looks like a similar outcome at a much bigger level.

That was a huge win. Could care less about Kelce and Jones being out. This is the NFL and injuries and contract issues happen to every team. That is why its so hard in this league to win back to back. Good teams will have contract issues and that is why its important you win during your window. This is a huge W because its a W on the schedule that was supposed to be a L. You need wins like this because there is always a few games they are supposed to win and they lose. The goal is to make the playoffs and hopefully a home game (and maybe a bye). The fact that they didn't look great and still got a win was the biggest thing I will take away from this game. There is a reason why Mahomes is already talked about being a top 5 QB of all time. He is that good and yes we were lucky to get some drops. A couple of KC's huge plays should of been called back from the non false start plays (I think there were 4 obvious false starts that should of been called that weren't). Those big plays getting called back could of been a big mental blow to a team that doesn't have a go to WR. The pass interference was a bad call (he basically stopped and forced contact) although I think the ref is going to make that call most of the time because there was clearly contact before the ball got there. Its a huge factor playing against the super bowl team on the first game (and a night game) because the crowd is all worked up and loud as possible. Its hard to make changes at the line. One thing I will be looking at is KC's defense this good the rest of the season with or without Jones. Because that actually surprised me. Or was Detroit rusty and affected by the crowd more. They are young but only one season from winning the super bowl. Good teams win games like this.

I am not as concerned about how I feel about this team more than a W. Now if Lions get blown out and its against a team without 2 of there top 3 or 4 players. I will definitely be concerned. Them winning tomorrow isn't going to get me thinking superbowl or if they lose close I won't think our season is over. Beginning of the year is not a clear understanding who is the best team. If they win, I will just be happy with a W but definitely not over confident. There is something about a Superbowl hangover as well as missing those players that I understand this won't be the same team later in the season. Who knows, KC could be bad this year. Its not unheard of and is actually common from a Superbowl team. Having Mahomes definitely reduces the chances of that. So for me, it will be the eye test and getting as many W's early on. Not sure about all of you but I am more interested in seeing the secondary than anything else. Definitely excited to see Gibbs/Montgomery and how much better Hutch is. Although the secondary to me is an area that is totally revamped and was completely terrible last year. Our rush was good without that terrible secondary. Secondary doesn't always show up on the box score but will show with how much longer a QB throws away balls or the D-line has more time to get to the QB. The RB's are exciting and new although they were good last year. What are all of you looking forward to the most?

Definitely could care less how they win. Its a long season and any W, especially against the Super Bowl Champs, is huge. Every game matters in the NFL. Look at last year with all those close game L's in the beginning of the season resulting in us missing the playoffs by 1 game. Injuries are part of the game and a reason why its so hard to win it all in the NFL. Its still crazy to me that KC won it all last year with the injury to Mahomes. That makes me think he will have a ridiculous game tomorrow because this kid steps up when you think there is no way.

This might sound like a stupid question. With the CAP space this year, can the Lions do anything to help with future years CAP space. We are going to start having to sign players like St. Brown in the future and with good drafting years comes with CAP issues down the road. I guess if they keep on drafting good, you just let players go except for the few pro bowlers. If we don't use a certain amount of CAP space this year, can that transfer to the following years? Or can we sign someone like Jonah Jackson or Goff (even though they are still under contract) to an extension and make it heavy this year? Basically I am just curious if the CAP space this year can benefit future years? Maybe they end up using this CAP space and go for it this year and none of that matters.

Good to see Jamison answering questions. A little annoyed he didn't understand the rule. Especially for a young player under his first contract. Its a mistake but its not like he was at a strip bar with a gun or left a scene of an accident after someone died. Love to see someone like Calvin giving him advice. As far as the Gibbs and Campbell picks. Its ok to disagree with draft picks although I feel guys like Barnell are looking for views/clicks and don't actually know each teams. I feel like the Lions are in win now mode. I understand the reasoning for not picking LBs and RBs early although I think the Lions are actually in a unique situation. They are young and actually don't have any long term bad contracts (as of now). If you can draft two players that can make your team better and feel like the picks make your team better short term than other picks than I think you have to make those picks. Because the Lions (as of now) don't have a Mahomes, Manning, or Brady I feel like you have to strike now and go for a super bowl in the next three years because of your unique situation. Time will tell.

Didn't someone say something during the combine that Stroud was kind of boring because he does everything good? Forgot the exact quote. That was until his cognitive score came out lol.

Carter means nothing with the way the salary for certain draft picks is allocated. Maybe 10 years ago or whenever that changed. I hated the days of draft picks holding out.

I think the NFL is the hardest to determine from year to year on who is going to playoff teams. Too many factors and players to consider. Saying that, I don't know how anybody doesn't think the Lions will be a better team. Not considering future injuries (because no one can predict that), the Lions have gotten better at almost every where. They are one of the youngest teams that got a lot better towards the end of last year (specifically defense). No one would of wanted to play the Lions in the playoffs last year. I can guarantee that if you asked any of the top teams, would you rather play Minnesota, Seattle, NYG, TB or the Lions and all of them would of picked the Lions as there least favorite team to play. A lot can happen in the off season although I feel like they are better than all those teams. In the NFC I would only put us under Dallas, SF, and Philly until they are proven better or worse.

This is an estimated depth chart from this year to last year. Can argue exact placement of certain players. I am really liking the improvements on both sides of the ball. Still incomplete with what they do with cap space and after June 1rst cuts. Always room for improvements although I think at the end of last year we were a top 6 team in the NFC even with our weaknesses. Biggest weakness was definitely rush defense and secondary. Secondary is night and day better. Might take a few weeks to mesh although I think that went from the worst in the league, to a strength. Run defense with health and Campbell (and improvements in the secondary) got better. Defensive line got better with more experience and health. For offense, I think WR's are about the same, maybe not week 1 although after Jamo gets back from suspension and adding Gibbs will make this group better than last year (debatable). RB's are better and more explosive in my opinion. OL is about the same. Older although more depth.

I would even be OK if they gave Goff an extension now and make it top heavy since our possible cap issues aren't going to happen for a couple of years.

By leverage I mean more of have a different option. If Goff has another good/great year (most likely) than he will earn himself more $ although he also has to consider who will give him more $ than the Lions that is also in a winning situation. The Lions have more leverage than they had before they drafter Hooker is all I am saying because there is a different option to go in a different direction that they didn't have before the pick. Both of the comparisons others gave are just comparisons and I think they are good. Although every situation is different. If Goff has a good/great year AND they win a playoff game, he earned the right to get an extension. How much is where having some different options helps with how much you have to pay him is all I am saying. I do think they think Hooker is good although it also gives the Lions options. We can all guess but really no one (even the Lions) really knows until the situation becomes more clear. We still don't know what next seasons success or failure will bring or even if Hooker is going to be more than a back up in this league. This pick had multiple reasons than just that they like Hooker. You have to give Holmes more credit than just picking a good player. Other positions, yes, although QB there is always more to the pick.

I feel like the Hooker picks was made for multiple reasons. First is to have some leverage in any negotiations. At this point, Goff has all the leverage because really the Lions haven't had any back up plan and he had a great season. Now you can say that the number 6 pick was some leverage although really to this point there wasn't an actual body to replace him. Leverage can save you a lot money if Goff has another great year and unless there is an injury, I don't see why he won't (knock on wood). Second is to have a back up plan if Goff wants too much $, has a bad year, or gets hurt. As far as not putting too much pressure on Goff next year although having a possible franchise QB after Goff, it was the best draft pick. No one should be saying, put in Hooker if Goff has a bad game NEXT year unless your just a Goff hater. 3rd is he isn't going to be a cancer and start demanding time like other top QBs would of possibly wanted. Fourth it was only a 3rd rounder and you now have a legit backup QB that isn't going to cost that much cap wise. Not week 1 although, you hope Ben Johnson can get him ready as soon as possible.

TEs and CBs are deep. There are clear top tiers although I don't think its much of a drop off like other positions. This is why I don't want them using 6 on a CB or 18 on a TE. Problem is the Lions might just be in a situation where Witherspoon or Gonzalez are the most sure bets and if no one wants to trade with us. We might have to take one of them.

I am kind of with you. I would say the only thing I wouldn't mind is trading down, still having two 1rst in this draft and get another first for next year because its looking like next years draft is going to be better although I have heard that often. I am loving the flexibility we have. You can basically go for the guys you want.

I do really like Goff although I just don't feel like you can pay him ridiculous money and assume its not going to affect the rest of the team with cap hits. I think the Daniel Jones signing wasn't the smartest move although maybe I missing something with him. You can pay Generational talent like Mahomes, Brady, Manning and still win Championships losing other great players. Although if Holmes continues drafts like the last two, you can pay Goff and just keep on replacing other players. That will be his decision. I just want a patient approach with this team and not necessarily go for broke this year. If that means taking a QB you feel is better for the sustained success of this team I am all for it. If you feel like Goff is the best for that sustained success than I am good with that as well. I will say that QB position is the hardest to draft for when there isn't the blue chip guy like Luck or Manning.

I am not going to disagree with this comment (here are not 10 people on planet Earth who are better QBs than Goff). I am just saying I don't want to pay him top 5 money. If we pay him in the 5-10 range, in my opinion, that is acceptable. I actually like Goff. I like the way he plays and I like him (so far) as a person and teammate. His girlfriend isn't that bad either. I am just saying, I don't want the Lions to make a mistake and give him a ridiculous contract.

I think Goff adapted his game and threw a lot of balls away instead of throwing interceptions. When you watched the game and compared to the best pockets passers, he just doesn't make that great play. Now I think that is a great job by Goff and I am sure the Lions told him to not worry about making that desperate play and just throw the ball away. Its ok that he isn't Manning or Brady and its the job of the Lions coaching staff to put him in a position to be his best. Although he just clearly isn't the best pocket passer when he gets pressure. This is just the eye test from watching the games. Being good in the pocket with pressure is more than not throwing interceptions. Its also making that unbelievable play when he is getting pressure and I just don't feel like that is Goff which is OK. Its just what it is.

Goff is a very good QB although comparing him to some of the best pocket passers of all time is a stretch. He was a number 1 pick for a reason and the reason the Rams wanted to trade him was because he doesn't make good decisions when under pressure. You solve that problem by having a great (not good if you want to win a championship) offensive line. I have no problem with an extension although I don't want to pay him a top 5 QB salary because then having a great offensive line becomes more difficult because of the salary cap. These are the decisions the Lions need to make soon and find out what he is looking to get salary wise. If he wants to win and would be happy getting a salary similar to this contract he has now (in the 5-10 range for QB salaries). I think the best decision is to keep him and find a QB to back him up for multiple years (either a Brock Purdy pick or Bridgewater). If wants to be paid like Hurts or Herbert) than I think it might be best to take a QB at 6 (if its a QB that they like) or wait till next year if you think its a better year for QBs (remember he actually has 2 years left on his contract).

I thought the same thing when the trade happened. I remember thinking they must have this wrong. Lets hope Williams will be fine after his suspension otherwise it doesn't matter.

I think the best comparison would actually be Brett Farve. Same age, same teams, and GB had a QB waiting. Correct me if I am wrong, Farve's previous year he was in consideration for MVP as well. I don't think the Jets had that much talent though when Farve came over.

This draft seems to be deep but not top heavy talent. So getting a late first rounder this year, a first round next year, and a 3rd round pick I think would be fine with me. With two 2nds and two 3rds, you can move that Minnesota (or our own 1rst round pick) to move up in this draft if there are certain players you want.

I actually like Minnesota's offer the best. I don't think Minnesota will be as good next year and possibly a mid to early first round for next year sounds very enticing. There is a lot they can do with this draft as well and move up.