Now that you have read my title, let me be clear with my answer to my own question: no, they should not have. This post is going to be mostly a rant, so although I use this blog for practice and try my best to be as professional as possible, I will make an exception on this argument because I am tired of hearing about this. The Lions were in the right to not take a chance on the troubled Janoris Jenkins,even though he is talented and is having a solid season for the St. Louis Rams.
First of all, the arrests that Jenkins has on his record. Jenkins was arrested three times when he was at the University of Florida. The Lions endured seven arrests from four players combined on this roster. On top of Jenkins' arrests, the man has four children with three different women. Two things that I have heard as to reasons how the Lions could be in the mess they are in this season is the distractions from the offseason arrests and not taking a chance on the super-talented Jenkins. If Skittles still had those advertisements where they talk about contradictions, that last sentence would be one of them. Why would you argue both of these as a reason for this awful season, especially put in the same argument? Jenkins had way too many personal problems prior to the last draft for the Lions to take a chance on him.
Next, I will describe the meaning of best player available and needs. Analysts said through last year's draft process that the Lions needs were secondary help and offensive lineman. Many voices I have heard said the Lions should have selected Jenkins in the first round because he filled the most dire need for the team. Let me fully clear about this, cornerback was by far not the biggest need for the team, and Jenkins was not more talented and brought as much impact as actual first round pick Riley Reiff does. Reiff has only started one game this season, but he will be a stalwart at left tackle for the next decade or so while it is unknown how long Jenkins would have lasted with the team and in the NFL in general.
Since there was no way for the Lions to draft Jenkins in the first round, they could have traded up to take him in the second round right? Wrong again. For the Lions to trade up from the 54th overall pick last April to before the 39th (Jenkins was taken with the 39th pick by the Rams), they certainly would of had to trade at least three picks. Now, I know what you are saying, such as Ryan Broyles (who the Lions ended up taking in the 2nd round) was a luxury pick and Dwight Bentley and Ronnell Lewis (3rd and 4th round picks) haven't made much of impact anyways. Let me put it to you guys in two ways: 1. The Lions depth has taken a hit this season, so imagine if we didn't have every single draft pick we had in this draft, and 2.
Every pick Detroit had in the last draft is meant for the future. Sure, I would like to get better for this season, but I would prefer my favorite sports teams to be good for the next 10-15 years as well. So let this draft class develop before rambling on like somebody who has only gained knowledge of football from playing Madden every minute of every day and look at the logistics behind every play and every decision as well.
Is Jannoris Jenkins a good player? No question. Did I want the Lions to get him, especially at all costs? A very big hell no. Football, like every other sport, goes beyond just what players you have on a team, but it also involves the character of the players. With questions of the character on the Lions, the front office had every right to take Jannoris Jenkins off of their board and ignore him.
One single corner is not going to change an entire football team when this is a game that is won in the trenches anyways. So it is not very smart that this season hinges on not taking a guy like Jenkins. So, I will end the argument like this: please everyone, just stop about this subject.
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Top 10 Ever: Running Backs
In part two of my "Best Ever" series, I take a look at the running backs in NFL history. Without further adieu:
10. Curtis Martin- Patriots, Jets
9. Gale Sayers- Bears
8. Earl Campbell- Oilers, Saints
7. LaDainian Tomlinson- Chargers, Jets
6. Marcus Allen- Raiders, Chiefs
5. Eric Dickerson- Rams, Colts, Raiders, Falcons
4. Marshall Faulk- Colts, Rams
3. Walter Payton- Bears
2. Jim Brown- Browns
1. Barry Sanders- Lions
Really shouldn't be much surprise in this list. Curtis Martin could carry his teams on his shoulders when need be. Gale Sayers is only number nine because he didn't play that long in the NFL. If he did, there would be no doubt he would be higher.
Earl Campbell was a monster on the gridiron, literally. He was the rare combination of size and speed, mostly size. Defenders feared tackling him, as his enormous legs would probably shatter their shoulders, but he would still be able to sprint to the endzone with the best of them.
LaDanian Tomlinson is probably the last great running back, even with what Adrian Peterson is doing right now. LT was Mr. Everything in his prime. He could run, he could cut and make defenders look like fools, he could catch and block for the quarterback. You might never see that combination with another running back again.
Marcus Allen and Eric Dickerson were all about speed, and they used that speed to their advantage. One play shows Marcus Allen's greatness, and that was Super Bowl XVIII against the Redskins, where he zig-zagged across the field and ended up running for 74 yards for the touchdown. Eric Dickerson owns the rushing record that still stands to this day. Although I said I won't put people on this list for records they earned, Eric Dickerson didn't get over 2,100 yards on short little runs. Dickerson could outrun all 11 players on the opposing defenses and could sprint a mile.
LT might have been Mr. Everything the last decade, but Marshall Faulk and Walter Payton were there first. Yes, I will use a record for another argument, but Faulk did have the most total yards, rushing and receiving. That just proves his versatility along with his elusiveness. For as much as you recognize the Chicago Bears for their defense, but you remember them for the man named Payton. It is pretty justifiable to say that if Walter Payton didn't play for the Bears, Chicago would have been one of the worst offenses back then.
What Johnny Unitas and Otto Graham were to quarterbacks in the 1950's, Jim Brown was to running backs. Brown has been voted by many peers and football experts as to being the greatest football player to play. Brown was the face of toughness that people recognize today in the sport of football.
And finally, Barry Sanders as number one. Yes, I am a Lions fan, and it was hard to rank the list between Sanders, Brown and Payton, but I did not have bias in this. Barry Sanders' running style can only be compared to trying to catch a chicken that was bathed in butter. If there was a record of breaking ankles and tearing ACLs from juking out players, Sanders would definitely own it. As I mentioned for Brett Favre in my last list, Sanders too only played the game just for the enjoyment of playing. He never played for records or rewards, he played just because he had the ability to play and was out there for the enjoyment of the game. That respect should go farther than any record could ever take him.
Next up on Top 10 Ever: Wide Receivers
10. Curtis Martin- Patriots, Jets
9. Gale Sayers- Bears
8. Earl Campbell- Oilers, Saints
7. LaDainian Tomlinson- Chargers, Jets
6. Marcus Allen- Raiders, Chiefs
5. Eric Dickerson- Rams, Colts, Raiders, Falcons
4. Marshall Faulk- Colts, Rams
3. Walter Payton- Bears
2. Jim Brown- Browns
1. Barry Sanders- Lions
Really shouldn't be much surprise in this list. Curtis Martin could carry his teams on his shoulders when need be. Gale Sayers is only number nine because he didn't play that long in the NFL. If he did, there would be no doubt he would be higher.
Earl Campbell was a monster on the gridiron, literally. He was the rare combination of size and speed, mostly size. Defenders feared tackling him, as his enormous legs would probably shatter their shoulders, but he would still be able to sprint to the endzone with the best of them.
LaDanian Tomlinson is probably the last great running back, even with what Adrian Peterson is doing right now. LT was Mr. Everything in his prime. He could run, he could cut and make defenders look like fools, he could catch and block for the quarterback. You might never see that combination with another running back again.
Marcus Allen and Eric Dickerson were all about speed, and they used that speed to their advantage. One play shows Marcus Allen's greatness, and that was Super Bowl XVIII against the Redskins, where he zig-zagged across the field and ended up running for 74 yards for the touchdown. Eric Dickerson owns the rushing record that still stands to this day. Although I said I won't put people on this list for records they earned, Eric Dickerson didn't get over 2,100 yards on short little runs. Dickerson could outrun all 11 players on the opposing defenses and could sprint a mile.
LT might have been Mr. Everything the last decade, but Marshall Faulk and Walter Payton were there first. Yes, I will use a record for another argument, but Faulk did have the most total yards, rushing and receiving. That just proves his versatility along with his elusiveness. For as much as you recognize the Chicago Bears for their defense, but you remember them for the man named Payton. It is pretty justifiable to say that if Walter Payton didn't play for the Bears, Chicago would have been one of the worst offenses back then.
What Johnny Unitas and Otto Graham were to quarterbacks in the 1950's, Jim Brown was to running backs. Brown has been voted by many peers and football experts as to being the greatest football player to play. Brown was the face of toughness that people recognize today in the sport of football.
And finally, Barry Sanders as number one. Yes, I am a Lions fan, and it was hard to rank the list between Sanders, Brown and Payton, but I did not have bias in this. Barry Sanders' running style can only be compared to trying to catch a chicken that was bathed in butter. If there was a record of breaking ankles and tearing ACLs from juking out players, Sanders would definitely own it. As I mentioned for Brett Favre in my last list, Sanders too only played the game just for the enjoyment of playing. He never played for records or rewards, he played just because he had the ability to play and was out there for the enjoyment of the game. That respect should go farther than any record could ever take him.
Next up on Top 10 Ever: Wide Receivers
Do the Lions need a new coach?
By Brad Jenkins
People are starting to wonder around Motown if Jim Schwartz is the right guy to remain the head coach of the Lions. Schwartz's career record in Detroit currently stands at 22-41 and has brought the team that went 0-16 to 10-6 in a matter of three years.
But is that good enough?
The Lions have plenty of talent on the team from quarterback Matthew Stafford to safety Louis Delmas, and now that same team that went 10-6 is now 4-11. Jim Schwartz needs to take some ownership for this team and do something before it gets worse. Maybe fire one of the coordinators to light a fire under the players to say that no one's job is safe.
The immense talent on the roster and early picks "earned" in the upcoming draft to add even more talent puts this team in position to be one of the best teams in the league.
Another reason who to blame is the Ford family. They are one of the nicest and most generous owners in the league and gave Schwartz a contract extension after only one good year.
The Lions as a team has regressed this season, and Schwartz obviously needs to do something such as shake up the coaching staff, or his job will be on the rocks.
People are starting to wonder around Motown if Jim Schwartz is the right guy to remain the head coach of the Lions. Schwartz's career record in Detroit currently stands at 22-41 and has brought the team that went 0-16 to 10-6 in a matter of three years.
But is that good enough?
The Lions have plenty of talent on the team from quarterback Matthew Stafford to safety Louis Delmas, and now that same team that went 10-6 is now 4-11. Jim Schwartz needs to take some ownership for this team and do something before it gets worse. Maybe fire one of the coordinators to light a fire under the players to say that no one's job is safe.
The immense talent on the roster and early picks "earned" in the upcoming draft to add even more talent puts this team in position to be one of the best teams in the league.
Another reason who to blame is the Ford family. They are one of the nicest and most generous owners in the league and gave Schwartz a contract extension after only one good year.
The Lions as a team has regressed this season, and Schwartz obviously needs to do something such as shake up the coaching staff, or his job will be on the rocks.
Friday, December 14, 2012
Lions Should Start Young Players
The 2012 season is lost for the Detroit Lions. I won't get into how much of a disappointment this season has been, but I will mention that this is a young team that lacks experience despite the 10-6 record in 2011. The Lions have struggled to finish games, but as a young team, they need to learn how to win those games and give the youth more experience in preparation for next year.
The Lions have five recent draft picks that are on the active roster that aren't injured: OT Riley Reiff (1), DE/LB Ronnell Lewis (4), LB Tahir Whitehead (5.a.), CB Jonte Green (6), and LB Travis Lewis (7). The other three draft picks, WR Ryan Broyles (2), CB Dwight Bentley (3), and CB Chris Greenwood (5.b.) are all on injured reserve. Reiff and Green are the only ones on the active list that have gotten some good playing time. The others, not so much.
With the season being lost, the Lions should try to plug in their rookies for those players to gain experience and for the team to get more of a scouting report on what types of players they have.
Riley Reiff is the future replacement for Jeff Backus at left tackle, and the future could be next season. Reiff has had some good playing time coming in as an extra blocker on offense as a tight end or fullback. Reiff did start one game as part of the starting five on Thanksgiving, starting for Backus at left tackle against the Texans. Reiff did have a very solid game in his first career start, as Houston is a good team to test him out against. The future is very bright, but the Lions should start plugging him in more in the starting five.
Ronnell Lewis has only been activated for five games this season, mainly for special teams. Cliff Avril and Kyle Vanden Bosch are inevitably not going to be on the team next season and there is a possibility that Lawrence Jackson and Willie Young might leave as well. The Lions should start grooming Lewis for him to get more action at defensive end.
Jonte Green has been the lone rookie that has seen a lot of playing time this season (mostly because of injury) but has performed well in three starts. Green has been used on defense and special teams, so there is nothing wrong with his playing time.
Finally, the two linebackers, Tahir Whitehead and Travis Lewis. Both players have been mainly used on special teams like the rest of the rookies, although Lewis has seen a few snaps at linebacker. Linebacker is one of the teams' biggest weaknesses this season, and with the potential departures of DeAndre Levy and Justin Durant, the Lions need to know they can count on Whitehead and Lewis for the future.
By no means am I telling the coaches how to do their jobs. However, for the team to move forward as a franchise, they should at least think about playing their young players more often these last three games.
 |
| Riley Reiff and other rookies should see more playing time |
With the season being lost, the Lions should try to plug in their rookies for those players to gain experience and for the team to get more of a scouting report on what types of players they have.
Riley Reiff is the future replacement for Jeff Backus at left tackle, and the future could be next season. Reiff has had some good playing time coming in as an extra blocker on offense as a tight end or fullback. Reiff did start one game as part of the starting five on Thanksgiving, starting for Backus at left tackle against the Texans. Reiff did have a very solid game in his first career start, as Houston is a good team to test him out against. The future is very bright, but the Lions should start plugging him in more in the starting five.
Ronnell Lewis has only been activated for five games this season, mainly for special teams. Cliff Avril and Kyle Vanden Bosch are inevitably not going to be on the team next season and there is a possibility that Lawrence Jackson and Willie Young might leave as well. The Lions should start grooming Lewis for him to get more action at defensive end.
Jonte Green has been the lone rookie that has seen a lot of playing time this season (mostly because of injury) but has performed well in three starts. Green has been used on defense and special teams, so there is nothing wrong with his playing time.
Finally, the two linebackers, Tahir Whitehead and Travis Lewis. Both players have been mainly used on special teams like the rest of the rookies, although Lewis has seen a few snaps at linebacker. Linebacker is one of the teams' biggest weaknesses this season, and with the potential departures of DeAndre Levy and Justin Durant, the Lions need to know they can count on Whitehead and Lewis for the future.
By no means am I telling the coaches how to do their jobs. However, for the team to move forward as a franchise, they should at least think about playing their young players more often these last three games.
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Top 10 Ever: Quarterbacks
In what is closing in on the end of another NFL season with a few potentially going to be broken, I shall take a look at who exactly is the greatest at each position in NFL history. I will not base any of this off of records or championships the player accomplished with their team. I will base this off of talent, and value they have to a team (as in if that team didn't have that certain player, would they be as successful). To start this new series, the greatest quarterbacks ever.
10. Dan Fouts- Chargers
9. Brett Favre- Falcons, Packers, Jets, Vikings
8. Steve Young- Buccaneers, 49ers
7. Sammy Baugh- Redskins
6. Roger Staubach- Cowboys
5. Dan Marino- Dolphins
4. Peyton Manning- Colts, Broncos
3. Otto Graham- Browns
2. Joe Montana- 49ers, Chiefs
1. Johnny Unitas- Colts, Chargers
Not really much of a surprise on many of these players. If you call yourself a quote-on-quote "football buff" but don't know the history of the greatness that is Johnny Unitas and Otto Graham, then you might want to learn some history. Quarterbacks today wouldn't be able to keep up with the talents of those two.
I placed Dan Fouts and Sammy Baugh on this list because they were the quarterbacks that revolutionized the passing game in the NFL. Baugh was the first real dropback quarterback in the 1930s. Fouts revolutionized by being one of the first quarterbacks to utilize the downfield passing attack.
Montana and Young were two quarterbacks that had ice flowing through their veins. Nothing phased them, and both faced great adversity in their time. Dan Marino also was calm when he played and just slung the ball. If Fouts revolutionized the downfield passing, these three mastered it.
Roger Staubach was the face of the Dallas Cowboys. He made the Cowboys relevant and Dallas wasn't the same team the next decade after he retired.
Peyton Manning is probably the only quarterback today that can match the likes of Johnny Unitas and Otto Graham. His knowledge of the game and pure ability makes him at least the best of the last 15 years.
Brett Favre might not be the most mechanically sound quarterback in history, as he caused offensive coordinators to lose a lot of hair, but his greatness goes beyond his play. Favre brought the fun out of the game in what many treat as serious business. How he played the game should be respected, and even more so since he was successful at it.
Debate the list if you want, I already explained my preferences for being on this list. These quarterbacks changed the way football is made and should be recognized as the greatest for what they have done to the game.
Next up on Top 10 Ever: Top 10 running backs.
10. Dan Fouts- Chargers
9. Brett Favre- Falcons, Packers, Jets, Vikings
8. Steve Young- Buccaneers, 49ers
7. Sammy Baugh- Redskins
6. Roger Staubach- Cowboys
5. Dan Marino- Dolphins
4. Peyton Manning- Colts, Broncos
3. Otto Graham- Browns
2. Joe Montana- 49ers, Chiefs
1. Johnny Unitas- Colts, Chargers
Not really much of a surprise on many of these players. If you call yourself a quote-on-quote "football buff" but don't know the history of the greatness that is Johnny Unitas and Otto Graham, then you might want to learn some history. Quarterbacks today wouldn't be able to keep up with the talents of those two.
I placed Dan Fouts and Sammy Baugh on this list because they were the quarterbacks that revolutionized the passing game in the NFL. Baugh was the first real dropback quarterback in the 1930s. Fouts revolutionized by being one of the first quarterbacks to utilize the downfield passing attack.
Montana and Young were two quarterbacks that had ice flowing through their veins. Nothing phased them, and both faced great adversity in their time. Dan Marino also was calm when he played and just slung the ball. If Fouts revolutionized the downfield passing, these three mastered it.
Roger Staubach was the face of the Dallas Cowboys. He made the Cowboys relevant and Dallas wasn't the same team the next decade after he retired.
Peyton Manning is probably the only quarterback today that can match the likes of Johnny Unitas and Otto Graham. His knowledge of the game and pure ability makes him at least the best of the last 15 years.
Brett Favre might not be the most mechanically sound quarterback in history, as he caused offensive coordinators to lose a lot of hair, but his greatness goes beyond his play. Favre brought the fun out of the game in what many treat as serious business. How he played the game should be respected, and even more so since he was successful at it.
Debate the list if you want, I already explained my preferences for being on this list. These quarterbacks changed the way football is made and should be recognized as the greatest for what they have done to the game.
Next up on Top 10 Ever: Top 10 running backs.
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Why is the Media Attacking Suh?
The NFL offices has released a statement saying they will not suspend Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh for a controversial "kick" to the groin area of Houston quarterback Matt Schaub.
The talking heads in the media went to work after the incident occurred and spared no time in saying the kick was intentional and continued on their rampage to explain how Suh is a "dirty" player.
Shannon Sharpe on the CBS NFL Today show gave his examples as to why Suh is a dirty player and deserves to fined and suspended because of the recent history. In the ramblings, he showed video of aggressive plays of Ndamukong Suh in his time in Detroit. The tape fails to show how exactly Suh has shown to be a dirty player and taking cheap shots on opponents and instead the video shows times of aggressiveness that many other players have done in this league, but those players have been ignored.
How is any of this fair to Suh and the Lions?
If one player performs a certain aggressive play and gets the moniker of a "dirty player" and another performs the same actions, and those same people disregard that, where is the fairness when analyzing Suh's game?
Now let's take a look at the alleged kick on Thanksgiving:
Slow-motion shots do show that there is a possibility of the kick being intentional, showing that when Suh's contacted Schaub's groin, he appeared to extend the leg as many of the analysts would describe. How in the good lord's name can anyone with common sense tell you that a 300 pound defensive lineman getting taken down to the ground with their legs flailing in the air possibly land a kick on purpose? Chuck Norris and Bruce Lee couldn't even land a kick like that on purpose let alone an accidental play. All this attack from many members of the media against Suh is fair and unjust, as there has been worse incidents that have occurred, and those same media members just turned their heads.
Speaking of which, I will now transition and break down a recent incident from the NFL that involved a kick that was intentional and received little to no recognition from the national media as signs of dirty play.
This video was taken during a game between the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings in a 2011 game. The incident occurred between Packers guard T.J. Lang and Vikings defensive end Brian Robison:
Yeah, this was unintentional and just a good football play. Robison was fined a meager $20 thousand for a completely intentional kick and was not even thought of being suspended. The worst part of it was that after a small bit reported on, no anchor or broadcaster said one word following the incident. Where is the fairness?
There are a couple more incidents that occurred the Sunday following the alleged "groin kick." However, there is no youtube videos out for them and I have not found any other source to post them. So the video above will work just fine for right now.
In closing, I would like to say that if I had a reason to watch the FOX pregame show over CBS (even though I do anyways because FOX is just a better show overall), it would be because horrible display of journalistic integrity from the anchors on CBS. Their attacks on Ndamukong Suh is unfair and unjustifiable.
As a proud Lions fan, I am officially boycotting my views on the NFL Today on CBS based on the poor analysis from the staff and the constant bashing a team like the Lions receive from the panel and not being fair towards the team, the player, and the fan-base of that team.
The talking heads in the media went to work after the incident occurred and spared no time in saying the kick was intentional and continued on their rampage to explain how Suh is a "dirty" player.
Shannon Sharpe on the CBS NFL Today show gave his examples as to why Suh is a dirty player and deserves to fined and suspended because of the recent history. In the ramblings, he showed video of aggressive plays of Ndamukong Suh in his time in Detroit. The tape fails to show how exactly Suh has shown to be a dirty player and taking cheap shots on opponents and instead the video shows times of aggressiveness that many other players have done in this league, but those players have been ignored.
How is any of this fair to Suh and the Lions?
If one player performs a certain aggressive play and gets the moniker of a "dirty player" and another performs the same actions, and those same people disregard that, where is the fairness when analyzing Suh's game?
Now let's take a look at the alleged kick on Thanksgiving:
Slow-motion shots do show that there is a possibility of the kick being intentional, showing that when Suh's contacted Schaub's groin, he appeared to extend the leg as many of the analysts would describe. How in the good lord's name can anyone with common sense tell you that a 300 pound defensive lineman getting taken down to the ground with their legs flailing in the air possibly land a kick on purpose? Chuck Norris and Bruce Lee couldn't even land a kick like that on purpose let alone an accidental play. All this attack from many members of the media against Suh is fair and unjust, as there has been worse incidents that have occurred, and those same media members just turned their heads.
Speaking of which, I will now transition and break down a recent incident from the NFL that involved a kick that was intentional and received little to no recognition from the national media as signs of dirty play.
This video was taken during a game between the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings in a 2011 game. The incident occurred between Packers guard T.J. Lang and Vikings defensive end Brian Robison:
Yeah, this was unintentional and just a good football play. Robison was fined a meager $20 thousand for a completely intentional kick and was not even thought of being suspended. The worst part of it was that after a small bit reported on, no anchor or broadcaster said one word following the incident. Where is the fairness?
There are a couple more incidents that occurred the Sunday following the alleged "groin kick." However, there is no youtube videos out for them and I have not found any other source to post them. So the video above will work just fine for right now.
In closing, I would like to say that if I had a reason to watch the FOX pregame show over CBS (even though I do anyways because FOX is just a better show overall), it would be because horrible display of journalistic integrity from the anchors on CBS. Their attacks on Ndamukong Suh is unfair and unjustifiable.
As a proud Lions fan, I am officially boycotting my views on the NFL Today on CBS based on the poor analysis from the staff and the constant bashing a team like the Lions receive from the panel and not being fair towards the team, the player, and the fan-base of that team.
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