Detroit Lions Grade
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Detroit Lions (B+)
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(9) Ernie Sims, OLB. Florida State
(40) Daniel Bullocks, S. Nebraska
(74) Brian Calhoun, RB. Wisconsin
(141) Jonathan Scott, OT. Texas
(179) Alton McCann, CB. West Virginia
(217) Fred Matua, OG. USC
(247) Anthony Cannon, LB. Tulane
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Being a hard-nosed, defensive-minded coach, Rod Marinelli let Lions fans know his defensive philosophy through his first draft. First and foremost, speed is a priority. The Lions' second round pick, Daniel Bullocks, is evidence of this. His 4.39 speed is truly elite for a safety. Secondly, size is not a factor. Ninth overall pick, Ernie Sims exemplifies this with his 5'11"/231 frame. Lastly, you must be physical. Sims, Bullocks, McCann, and Cannon are all hard-hitting players who are unrelenting in their physical styles. Offensively, the Lions are set at the skill positions and needed only to add talent to the offensive line. Utilizing the depth that was present at the offensive line positions, the Lions were able to grab two seasoned veterans from major, winning programs in Jon Scott and Fred Matua. After a solid day one, the Lions hit a home run on day two.
(9) Ernie Sims, OLB. Florida State
It was no secret that the Lions coveted Michael Huff with this pick. Having missed out on the Texas safety, Ernie Sims was the next best thing. In the back of his mind, Rod Marinelli may have even wished Huff to be off the board so that he could grab his Derrick Brooks pedigree in Ernie Sims. Sims is a freakishly athletic linebacker with excellent range. His 5'11"/231 size is short by normal standards, but Sims plays much bigger than that. At Florida State, the offensive staff personally asked Sims to take it easy in practice because they were afraid that his viciously hard hits would injure their players. Sims uses his strength and agility to shed blockers better than any linebacker in the draft, allowing him to work through traffic and make plays against the run. In coverage, he can use his 4.50 speed to stick with most any tight end or running back stride-for-stride. Having the same profile as Derrick Brooks, you can bet that Rod Marinelli really wanted Ernie Sims for his defense.
(40) Daniel Bullocks, S. Nebraska
Daniel Bullocks flew under the radar among a very talented group of defensive backs in this year's draft class. However, he is an excellent prospect in his own right. At 6'1"/212, Bullocks has ideal size for the safety position. He uses his 4.39 speed to fly all over the field to make plays on the ball. He is a physical player, unafraid to support the run. As a centerfielder, he has a knack for coming up with the interception. The major knock against Bullocks is his stiff hips which disallow him from guarding NFL receivers in man coverage. However, in the Cover 2 scheme, safeties are rarely in man coverage on receivers. Dropped back in zone, Bullocks plays as well as any safety in the draft, making him a perfect fit for the Lions and their scheme.
(74) Brian Calhoun, RB. Wisconsin
This pick has to have you scratching your head as a Lions fan. Having drafted Kevin Jones in the first round two years ago and having Shawn Bryson supplying depth as a third-down type back, you would not think of running back as a first-day need for the Lions. This pick is simply one of value. With Mike Martz making the offensive decisions in Detroit, it is very hard to not trust this selection. Last season, Kevin Jones showed durability issues, and Calhoun may be able to offer an impact from day one. A standout at Wisconsin, Calhoun averaged 27 carries per game and set the Wisconsin record for touchdowns in one season with 22. Lacking ideal size at 5'9"/201, Clahoun has all-world quickness and speed (4.38) and oustanding hands out of the backfield. You wonder if -just as Rod Marinelli may have wanted Michael Huff off the board so he could grab Ernie Sims- Mike Martz sees Marshall Faulk in Brian Calhoun enough to be glad that Marcus McNeil and Eric Winston were off the board, allowing him to grab the best player available. At the very least, Brian Calhoun will be an excellent third-down back for the Lions.
(141) Jonathan Scott, OT. Texas
Having passed completely on offensive line on day one, the Lions utilized the depth that was present in this year's draft class by grabbing an excellent value selection in Jonathan Scott. Scott is an excellent blocker with excellent size at 6'6"/316. He has very good footwork and competent speed (5.31) to get to the second level of attack. He is experienced, durable, and quite polished. Scott was among second-round considerations until the Texas Pro Day, where he only managed 17 strengh reps @ 225lbs. Much like LenDale White fell into Tennessee's laps in the second round, Jon Scott was gift-wrapped for the Lions in the fifth. Needing to be whipped into shape, there are few -if any- coaching staffs in the NFL capable of working more disciplinarian magic than the Lions' staff. If Rod Marinelli whips Jon Scott into shape, he can become a very good left tackle in the NFL. With left tackles so hard to find, grabbing one in the fifth round is a steal.
(179) Alton McCann, CB. West Virginia
Continuing with the physical defensive mindset, Rod Marinelli grabbed a prototypical Cover 2 corner in Alton McCann. The 5'11"/197 corner has excellent size and strength to get an effective jam at the line of scrimmage. A tough, physical player, McCann is willing to support the run and use his reliable tackling skills. McCann also possesses excellent instincts to get a jump on the ball and come up with the interception. Having been in the shadow of Adam 'Pac Man' Jones at west Virginia, McCann had a chance to prove himself as the #1 cornerback on the team this year, and he responded. Lacking elite speed (4.57) and footwork in man coverage, McCann's flaws will be ironed out in the Lions' scheme. McCann will compete for a job in the Lions nickel package this season and could have an impact on the kick-off team at the very least.
(217) Fred Matua, OG. USC
Sitting in front of the TV, looking back at the Lions picks to this point and the players left on the board, Fred Matua was the name that came to mind as the clear-cut option before the pick was turned in. I was not surprised at all to see his name called. This pick made so much sense that it made another piece in the perfect day two puzzle that the Lions constructed. Matua is undersized at 6'2"/306, but he is exceptionally mobile. He has extremely good footwork, but he is also very strong. Even at just 306lbs, he can dominate you at the point of attack in the running game. He has a nasty demeanor on the field. He left after his junior year due to his mother's diagnosis with breast cancer. His stock would have been better served with another year in school, but with a proper development at the NFL level, Matua projects as a starter at left guard in the NFL before it is all said and done.
(247) Anthony Cannon, LB. Tulane
At 5'11"/220, Anthony Cannon is an undersized inside linebacker. What he lacks in size he makes up for in speed. He was timed at 4.69 and has the coverage abilities to play safety. However, his tackling skills are sufficient enough for his to have made over 100 tackles and all-conference honors as a middle linebacker each of the past two years in Conference USA. If you put the pieces of the puzzle together, an undersized, fast, smooth, yet powerful linebacker just screams special teams ace. Cannon can have a legitimate impact in that facet of the game as well as supply depth as a linebacker with his Cover 2 skill set.
Detroit Lions (B+)
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(9) Ernie Sims, OLB. Florida State
(40) Daniel Bullocks, S. Nebraska
(74) Brian Calhoun, RB. Wisconsin
(141) Jonathan Scott, OT. Texas
(179) Alton McCann, CB. West Virginia
(217) Fred Matua, OG. USC
(247) Anthony Cannon, LB. Tulane
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Being a hard-nosed, defensive-minded coach, Rod Marinelli let Lions fans know his defensive philosophy through his first draft. First and foremost, speed is a priority. The Lions' second round pick, Daniel Bullocks, is evidence of this. His 4.39 speed is truly elite for a safety. Secondly, size is not a factor. Ninth overall pick, Ernie Sims exemplifies this with his 5'11"/231 frame. Lastly, you must be physical. Sims, Bullocks, McCann, and Cannon are all hard-hitting players who are unrelenting in their physical styles. Offensively, the Lions are set at the skill positions and needed only to add talent to the offensive line. Utilizing the depth that was present at the offensive line positions, the Lions were able to grab two seasoned veterans from major, winning programs in Jon Scott and Fred Matua. After a solid day one, the Lions hit a home run on day two.
(9) Ernie Sims, OLB. Florida State
It was no secret that the Lions coveted Michael Huff with this pick. Having missed out on the Texas safety, Ernie Sims was the next best thing. In the back of his mind, Rod Marinelli may have even wished Huff to be off the board so that he could grab his Derrick Brooks pedigree in Ernie Sims. Sims is a freakishly athletic linebacker with excellent range. His 5'11"/231 size is short by normal standards, but Sims plays much bigger than that. At Florida State, the offensive staff personally asked Sims to take it easy in practice because they were afraid that his viciously hard hits would injure their players. Sims uses his strength and agility to shed blockers better than any linebacker in the draft, allowing him to work through traffic and make plays against the run. In coverage, he can use his 4.50 speed to stick with most any tight end or running back stride-for-stride. Having the same profile as Derrick Brooks, you can bet that Rod Marinelli really wanted Ernie Sims for his defense.
Bullocks is both fast and physical
(40) Daniel Bullocks, S. Nebraska
Daniel Bullocks flew under the radar among a very talented group of defensive backs in this year's draft class. However, he is an excellent prospect in his own right. At 6'1"/212, Bullocks has ideal size for the safety position. He uses his 4.39 speed to fly all over the field to make plays on the ball. He is a physical player, unafraid to support the run. As a centerfielder, he has a knack for coming up with the interception. The major knock against Bullocks is his stiff hips which disallow him from guarding NFL receivers in man coverage. However, in the Cover 2 scheme, safeties are rarely in man coverage on receivers. Dropped back in zone, Bullocks plays as well as any safety in the draft, making him a perfect fit for the Lions and their scheme.
(74) Brian Calhoun, RB. Wisconsin
This pick has to have you scratching your head as a Lions fan. Having drafted Kevin Jones in the first round two years ago and having Shawn Bryson supplying depth as a third-down type back, you would not think of running back as a first-day need for the Lions. This pick is simply one of value. With Mike Martz making the offensive decisions in Detroit, it is very hard to not trust this selection. Last season, Kevin Jones showed durability issues, and Calhoun may be able to offer an impact from day one. A standout at Wisconsin, Calhoun averaged 27 carries per game and set the Wisconsin record for touchdowns in one season with 22. Lacking ideal size at 5'9"/201, Clahoun has all-world quickness and speed (4.38) and oustanding hands out of the backfield. You wonder if -just as Rod Marinelli may have wanted Michael Huff off the board so he could grab Ernie Sims- Mike Martz sees Marshall Faulk in Brian Calhoun enough to be glad that Marcus McNeil and Eric Winston were off the board, allowing him to grab the best player available. At the very least, Brian Calhoun will be an excellent third-down back for the Lions.
If whipped into shape by Rod Marinelli, Jon
Scott could become a force at left tackle
(141) Jonathan Scott, OT. Texas
Having passed completely on offensive line on day one, the Lions utilized the depth that was present in this year's draft class by grabbing an excellent value selection in Jonathan Scott. Scott is an excellent blocker with excellent size at 6'6"/316. He has very good footwork and competent speed (5.31) to get to the second level of attack. He is experienced, durable, and quite polished. Scott was among second-round considerations until the Texas Pro Day, where he only managed 17 strengh reps @ 225lbs. Much like LenDale White fell into Tennessee's laps in the second round, Jon Scott was gift-wrapped for the Lions in the fifth. Needing to be whipped into shape, there are few -if any- coaching staffs in the NFL capable of working more disciplinarian magic than the Lions' staff. If Rod Marinelli whips Jon Scott into shape, he can become a very good left tackle in the NFL. With left tackles so hard to find, grabbing one in the fifth round is a steal.
(179) Alton McCann, CB. West Virginia
Continuing with the physical defensive mindset, Rod Marinelli grabbed a prototypical Cover 2 corner in Alton McCann. The 5'11"/197 corner has excellent size and strength to get an effective jam at the line of scrimmage. A tough, physical player, McCann is willing to support the run and use his reliable tackling skills. McCann also possesses excellent instincts to get a jump on the ball and come up with the interception. Having been in the shadow of Adam 'Pac Man' Jones at west Virginia, McCann had a chance to prove himself as the #1 cornerback on the team this year, and he responded. Lacking elite speed (4.57) and footwork in man coverage, McCann's flaws will be ironed out in the Lions' scheme. McCann will compete for a job in the Lions nickel package this season and could have an impact on the kick-off team at the very least.
Fred Matua was an absolute steal in the 7th round
(217) Fred Matua, OG. USC
Sitting in front of the TV, looking back at the Lions picks to this point and the players left on the board, Fred Matua was the name that came to mind as the clear-cut option before the pick was turned in. I was not surprised at all to see his name called. This pick made so much sense that it made another piece in the perfect day two puzzle that the Lions constructed. Matua is undersized at 6'2"/306, but he is exceptionally mobile. He has extremely good footwork, but he is also very strong. Even at just 306lbs, he can dominate you at the point of attack in the running game. He has a nasty demeanor on the field. He left after his junior year due to his mother's diagnosis with breast cancer. His stock would have been better served with another year in school, but with a proper development at the NFL level, Matua projects as a starter at left guard in the NFL before it is all said and done.
(247) Anthony Cannon, LB. Tulane
At 5'11"/220, Anthony Cannon is an undersized inside linebacker. What he lacks in size he makes up for in speed. He was timed at 4.69 and has the coverage abilities to play safety. However, his tackling skills are sufficient enough for his to have made over 100 tackles and all-conference honors as a middle linebacker each of the past two years in Conference USA. If you put the pieces of the puzzle together, an undersized, fast, smooth, yet powerful linebacker just screams special teams ace. Cannon can have a legitimate impact in that facet of the game as well as supply depth as a linebacker with his Cover 2 skill set.