Youre the GM

[Mitchrapp]

Stafford got less than the going rate. Much less than Romo, Ryan, Flacco, Rodgers and Cutler in new deal money.

Thank the old CBA for even having to restructure him and Suh twice in the first place.

Just because he got less than what those players did doesn't mean it's a fair deal..

But for me it all comes down to if we could trade him or not, more options. It doesn't matter how good you might think he is or I do, not possible because his money against the cap is huge..

 

[LKP]

Just because he got less than what those players did doesn't mean it's a fair deal..

But for me it all comes down to if we could trade him or not, more options. It doesn't matter how good you might think he is or I do, not possible because his money against the cap is huge..

You don't sign someone long term so you can trade them. And his new deal money against the cap is not huge. Like I said would be 7, 9 and 15 million cap numbers based on just the new deals. His new deal PLUS the restructures make it huge.

If they didn't resign him last offseason, they could trade him now. But then you don't have a QB. Whatever pick you get, you got to use a 1st on a QB so it's really not an extra pick to help the team. It's trading Stafford for an unknown rookie QB. Depends on the draft pick you get too if you even have a shot at a good QB.

 

[LKP]

And why would Houston or St Louis or Jacksonville trade for Stafford (and have to give him a long term deal), when they could get a cheap rookie deal 1st round QB.

 

[LKP]

Right now the top QBs in the 2014 Draft are Bridgewater, Johnny Manziel, Derek Carr, and Blake Bortles. Mettenburger and Murray are hurt.

No way I trade Stafford and take any of the last 3.

 

[mhughes0021]

Lkp is right...were stuck paying too much for mediocrity. Cross your fingers and hope whiz is some sort of miracle worker.

 

[Mitchrapp]

Lkp is right...were stuck paying too much for mediocrity. Cross your fingers and hope whiz is some sort of miracle worker.

Wait a minute that's what I said. Lol. His interpretation was, he's making less than Rodgers and a bunch of crap.

 

[LKP]

Lkp is right...were stuck paying too much for mediocrity. Cross your fingers and hope whiz is some sort of miracle worker.

We are paying less than the going rate. But Stafford is the QB in 2014 and probably 2015. I'll take another 30 TD season each and 4,500 + yard season. 40 TDs was nice in 2011 but rare for most QBs.

Can Stafford have 4-7 less ints in a season? I think getting him a good number 2 WR goes a long for that no matter who is the coach.

You can tell Stafford whatever you want, but once the bullets fly you really think 5 years of habit will change because Whiz ran a different drill or called a slightly different play. WRs will still be out there down the field needing good passes. Let's hope the new number 2 and number 3 get more separation.

 

[LKP]

Wait a minute that's what I said. Lol. His interpretation was, he's making less than Rodgers and a bunch of crap.

It's not an interpretation. It's a fact. And it is also a fact his cap number is 4 million less with the extension than it would be if we didn't extend him last year. His cap number based on the new deal would be 7 and 9 million in 2013 and 2014. Also a fact. But the restructures made it 8.2 million higher each year (had nothing to do with new deal only old CBA and needing cap room in 2011 and 2012).

 

[lgolfer]

I actually think this is one of LKP's better arguments. He's actually using stats and numbers that make sense. Like he said, we're for sure paying Stafford for 2 more years (through 2015), but after that it's not guaranteed. I also agree that I'd much rather have Stafford than a traded 1st round pick that we'd have to take a QB with this year.

Basically, Stafford is going no where the next two years. So you can hope we get a good #2 WR and good coach to help him, or you can whine and complain for the next 2 years.

 

[LKP]

I actually think this is one of LKP's better arguments. He's actually using stats and numbers that make sense. Like he said, we're for sure paying Stafford for 2 more years (through 2015), but after that it's not guaranteed. I also agree that I'd much rather have Stafford than a traded 1st round pick that we'd have to take a QB with this year.

Basically, Stafford is going no where the next two years. So you can hope we get a good #2 WR and good coach to help him, or you can whine and complain for the next 2 years.

Agreed. And the first 10 games 21 TDs and 8 ints (with 7 coming in wins). I don't know you can complain too much about his 2013 overall. Thats the majority of the year.

The last 5 of 6 were bad. There were several reasons for that. Get him a fresh look OC and a number 2 WR than can get space and maybe have some semblance of a deep threat.

26.6 PPG with Calvin playing 14 games (2 limited). That's enough to win alot of games.

 

[mhughes0021]

I actually think this is one of LKP's better arguments. He's actually using stats and numbers that make sense. Like he said, we're for sure paying Stafford for 2 more years (through 2015), but after that it's not guaranteed. I also agree that I'd much rather have Stafford than a traded 1st round pick that we'd have to take a QB with this year.

Basically, Stafford is going no where the next two years. So you can hope we get a good #2 WR and good coach to help him, or you can whine and complain for the next 2 years.

If the team was as ready to make a run as LKP thinks.....and the only thing that was holding us back was good qb play. Then the franchise would be smart to draft a qb at 10 like Bortles that you could groom for a couple years under Stafford incase he continues to fail. But were not going to do that....and why aren't we going to do that? Cause the team isn't nearly as ready to compete as LKP thinks we are. We have holes everywhere and needs in important areas like CB and WR that will be addressed before a back up qb.

 

[Mitchrapp]

I think we all know he's not being tradable or that it's even a good option this year. But you make it sound like a #2 will make all the problems go away. He still has accuracy issues.

 

[Mitchrapp]

About a QB being drafted, you could do what GB did - not saying there is anyone like Rodgers out there but I don't see anything wrong with the idea. Someone brought up a college player who was hugely accurate. I forget his name, like 67% for three years. Groom him in case Staff doesn't get it done.

 

[grandy]

Not to sound like a homer, but if a handful of those drops are catches this past seasons, the Lions could've been 9-7 or 10-6. A #2 WR would probably give the biggest year 1 impact out of any position on this team in particular. A receiver who can get open and hold onto the ball will make the offense even better, someone who's actually a threat opposite of CJ. It's something they lacked this past season. Burleson was injured for half the season and didn't have much impact coming back. Durham/Edward/Ogletree/Insertscrub are garbage and probably shouldn't be near an NFL roster.

 

[Mitchrapp]

Not to sound like a homer, but if a handful of those drops are catches this past seasons, the Lions could've been 9-7 or 10-6. A #2 WR would probably give the biggest year 1 impact out of any position on this team in particular. A receiver who can get open and hold onto the ball will make the offense even better, someone who's actually a threat opposite of CJ. It's something they lacked this past season. Burleson was injured for half the season and didn't have much impact coming back. Durham/Edward/Ogletree/Insertscrub are garbage and probably shouldn't be near an NFL roster.

Is LKP in your head..? I know I'm Mr. Negative right now but I was hoping for a nice solid 65% year after year. Greedy I know, I'd even settle for 63%.

 

[lgolfer]

If the team was as ready to make a run as LKP thinks.....and the only thing that was holding us back was good qb play. Then the franchise would be smart to draft a qb at 10 like Bortles that you could groom for a couple years under Stafford incase he continues to fail. But were not going to do that....and why aren't we going to do that? Cause the team isn't nearly as ready to compete as LKP thinks we are. We have holes everywhere and needs in important areas like CB and WR that will be addressed before a back up qb.

"We have holes everywhere and needs in important areas like CB and WR that will be addressed before a back up qb."

We don't have holes everywhere. You just listed the 2 main ones: WR and CB. If we get one good CB, one or two good WRs, and maybe a safety to replace Delmas, I think we'd have the players to make a run.

I think either Slay or Houston can be a starter + new CB. Even if we just got one good WR who can win 1v1, that would help a HUGE amount on offense since we already have Calvin and Bush and Bell (no way we don't resign him). And maybe a safety. That's 3 or 4 guys to draft or sign in free agency. Having a playmaker at LB would be nice, but since we play a lot of nickel is a luxury. I think we should resign Pettigrew if he's willing to come back relatively cheap, otherwise he's replaceable.

I don't find that list to be an impossible offseason task, even with limited cap space. The biggest question is can Stafford improve? If he does with the new coaches, I think we can make a run.

 

[lgolfer]

About a QB being drafted, you could do what GB did - not saying there is anyone like Rodgers out there but I don't see anything wrong with the idea. Someone brought up a college player who was hugely accurate. I forget his name, like 67% for three years. Groom him in case Staff doesn't get it done.

I'm fine with drafting a QB. I just think we're close enough that we should draft positions high that we actually need, like WR and CB, maybe a safety, etc...

If we draft a QB, I'd prefer that we wait at least until the 4th round, if not later. If Stafford plays poorly in 2014, then take a QB high in the next draft. But I think taking a QB in the first couple rounds this year isn't improving us on the field. If Stafford plays better, that guy will ride the bench the next few years until we could maybe trade him. And then we'd be left with one less impact player on the team. I'm willing to take that risk with Stafford.

 

[jswain]

Considering were about 2 mil over the cap the first thing is to re do suh
1. Get his cap number down from 22 to 14
2. Re do delmas. Get his cap down to 2.5 from 6.5
3. Cut montell owens..saves 1.5
4.offer burleson 1.5m deal...if he doesn't take it cut him. I think he takes it

This gives you about 15 m to sign players

1. Re sign pettigrew....2.5 cap for 2014
2. Re sign raiola...1.5
3. Bell is rfa..sign him...1.5
4. Draft picks...5 mil
The balance is for backups..don't see a lot for fa..maybe one under 3 mill but that's it

Draft
Wr
Olb
C
Pk

 

[mhughes0021]

"We have holes everywhere and needs in important areas like CB and WR that will be addressed before a back up qb."

We don't have holes everywhere. You just listed the 2 main ones: WR and CB. If we get one good CB, one or two good WRs, and maybe a safety to replace Delmas, I think we'd have the players to make a run.

I think either Slay or Houston can be a starter + new CB. Even if we just got one good WR who can win 1v1, that would help a HUGE amount on offense since we already have Calvin and Bush and Bell (no way we don't resign him). And maybe a safety. That's 3 or 4 guys to draft or sign in free agency. Having a playmaker at LB would be nice, but since we play a lot of nickel is a luxury. I think we should resign Pettigrew if he's willing to come back relatively cheap, otherwise he's replaceable.

I don't find that list to be an impossible offseason task, even with limited cap space. The biggest question is can Stafford improve? If he does with the new coaches, I think we can make a run.

I mentioned WR and CB cause those are the 2 BPA meets need targets for rd 1 and #10 is good enough value for a guy like Bortles. We have a lot more needs than 2. When you lose 6 of 7 to end the season you have a lot more than 2 holes. Some of the starters you already mentioned need to be replaced....but theres several more positions that could be upgraded in order to become the "perennial" presence that mayhew says hes looking Detroit to become. You cant become a perennial powerhouse if staff continues to play the way he did this year. Need a #2 wr a #3 WR a TE a RT a C for the forseeable future, a DE, an OLB, a CB and atleast 1 safety. Not to mention you might need to make quick roster adjustments depending on what happens with Suh. You may need certain roster adjustments if the new regime brings a 3-4. So ya....there holes everywhere.

 

[lgolfer]

I mentioned WR and CB cause those are the 2 BPA meets need targets for rd 1 and #10 is good enough value for a guy like Bortles. We have a lot more needs than 2. When you lose 6 of 7 to end the season you have a lot more than 2 holes. Some of the starters you already mentioned need to be replaced....but theres several more positions that could be upgraded in order to become the "perennial" presence that mayhew says hes looking Detroit to become. You cant become a perennial powerhouse if staff continues to play the way he did this year. Need a #2 wr a #3 WR a TE a RT a C for the forseeable future, a DE, an OLB, a CB and atleast 1 safety. Not to mention you might need to make quick roster adjustments depending on what happens with Suh. You may need certain roster adjustments if the new regime brings a 3-4. So ya....there holes everywhere.

#2 WR: draft
#3 WR: free agency (more likely, maybe Eddie Royal) or draft
TE: need can be filled by resigning Pettigrew (Michael Williams will be our blocking TE, he was on IR all year)
RT: Waddle proved he can be the RT for the future. We should look for a backup Tackle (draft or free agency: backup tackles come pretty cheap)
C: like you've mentioned in the draft thread, we can get a center in round 4 or later
DE: we currently have Ansah, Taylor, Jason Jones. We should add one veteran (free agency: won't be too expensive)
OLB: stay with Ashlee Palmer or free agency or draft: will be inexpensive (Palmer is due 1.25 million in 2014)
CB: draft one and either Slay or Houston should be our other starter, with Bentley in the slot
Safety: get Delmas to accept a pay cut or get rid of him (I'm more in favor of this) and probably sign someone relatively cheap in free agency unless there are starter-ready safeties in the draft (I haven't researched this)

If we switch to a 3-4, we're dumb. In this case, we'd have holes everywhere. In terms of Suh, we should have that figured out before free agency. Hopefully we'll extend him this offseason. Lastly, if Stafford doesn't improve, then we won't be able to make a run in the playoffs. But I'm almost positive a new coach and better WRs will get him to at least cut down on his turnovers, which makes a big difference.