Stafford "Wows" at Lions Workout; Chiefs Should be Happy

by Joel Thorman on Mar 31, 2009 3:14 PM CDT in 2009 Draft Comment 38 comments

According to a report by Tony Pauline of SI.com, Georgia QB Matthew Stafford had a terrific day at a private workout with the Detroit Lions in Athens, GA. The workout was described as "flawless" and much better than his well-publicized Pro Day.

The draft's top quarterback was on point with all his throws throughout the session. He threw just about 40 passes and hit on all but three of them. Stafford fired the ball downfield, hitting receivers in stride, and threw accurately through the entire session.

Sources told Pauline that it's a "done deal" that the Lions will select Stafford with the top overall pick on April 25th.

This is excellent news for the Kansas City Chiefs because it gives them a good shot at the top rated player on their board.

Stafford Isn't on the Chiefs Radar

With Matt Cassel in tow, the Chiefs aren't in line to draft Stafford. Some have speculated that his status as the top quarterback in the draft will drive other teams to offer the Chiefs a presumably intriguing trade down offer. Recent reports haven't indicated that other teams are going to trade up for Stafford, so the Chiefs probably wouldn't have trade suitors even if he fell.

Smoke Screens

The positive reports coming out of Athens today could be smoke screens. We're not sure who Pauline's sources are but if they're officials with the team then it would be wise to question their motivation. It's in the Lions best interest to drive up the interest in Stafford as much as possible. It would be nice if these weren't smoke screens and the Lions did want Stafford but that's part of the Draft at this time of year.

If the Rams Go Tackle...

The popular pick for the St. Louis Rams is one of the top two left tackles, Jason Smith or Eugene Monroe. A seemingly pre-mature report came out last week that Smith would be the Lions' top choice but there have no other mentions of a deal being close to complete. If the Rams do go tackle, then that leaves the Chiefs with their choice of the top rated defensive player on their board.

***

The best case scenario for the top pick in the draft would be Matthew Stafford to the Lions. We're not sure if the Lions interest is legitimate or a smoke screen but the Chiefs should be happy if he is selected by Detroit primarily because he's likely not in the top three of the Chiefs draft board.

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Best scenario?

Mayyyyybe not. I think if Stafford’s still on the bored at 3 we may have a better chance of moving down. I doubt we do in any case, but it’s more likely with him still around.

by JComp11 on Mar 31, 2009 3:25 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

If Stafford isn't there

Then that probably means the top LT and the top defensive player will be gone. Or both top LTs, if the Chiefs had an eye on either. This secures us with one or the other.

by Joel Thorman on Mar 31, 2009 3:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not going to lie,

this read doesnt make a lot of since, maybe you should rephrase this.

by readANDgold58 on Mar 31, 2009 3:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think he meant if Stafford IS there.

by JComp11 on Mar 31, 2009 3:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah maybe,

I just kept reading this over and over not really sure what the hell i just read. Like that BOTH LT AND top defensive player WILL be gone. I just dont get it lol

by readANDgold58 on Mar 31, 2009 3:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

If they don't pick Stafford

Then they could be taking Curry and the Rams taking a LT, in which case the top defensive player and the top LT are gone, both of which are needs for the Chiefs.

by Joel Thorman on Mar 31, 2009 3:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think most people agree its between Stafford and Smith anyways, not Stafford and Curry

by SayHeyWerd on Mar 31, 2009 3:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ehh I don't know

It was interesting, I saw the other day ESPN put up one of those SportsNation polls asking who should the Lions should draft. 49 states picked Stafford, while one state picked Curry. And wouldn’t you bet the one state was Michigan…

I’ve heard buzz around Curry and the #1 overall.

I’m not sure how accurate that KFFL report was last week about Smith going to the Lions. From other things I’ve read, that’s very pre-mature.

by Joel Thorman on Mar 31, 2009 3:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Also

Since we have Cassel and Thigpen, I don’t think any team would trade up to select him if we’re not serious about taking him ourselves.

by Joel Thorman on Mar 31, 2009 3:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

We might not be

but the few under us might take him. I think it’d be great if we plan on making the pick, which, like I said, is the most probable.

by JComp11 on Mar 31, 2009 3:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

Best case scenario would be to move down but I just don’t see anyone willing to do that. I don’t think it’s too realistic.

But agreed that if we don’t trade, Stafford being gone puts us in an even better position to get our guy.

by Joel Thorman on Mar 31, 2009 3:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Exactly.

Personally I hope we end up with Smith or Monroe, but would be completely happy with Curry.

by JComp11 on Mar 31, 2009 3:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It would only make sense if

they thought Seattle was a threat to take him at #4 and they were wanting to get in before them. Hasselbeck is getting up there and has been injured a lot recently. If Stafford is there they definately should be taking him.

by ChiefDJ on Mar 31, 2009 4:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

A person brought that up about hasselback that wouldent be a bad idea

hasselback has been hurt and he aint getting younger
they should bring in stafford start to teach him the system and if hasselback gets hurt bring in stafford
but i think most those douch bag fans want crabtree.

FOUR F'S FIND UM FEEL UM FUGUM FORGET UM.

by sexassassin on Mar 31, 2009 4:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

So are the Rams free to work out a contract with their choice

once the Lions do?

by JComp11 on Mar 31, 2009 3:54 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I think so

I haven’t found an authoritative source on this but I believe they can.

by Joel Thorman on Mar 31, 2009 3:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was tryin to find some rules on it but couldn't.

I was thinking with the length of time it’s been taking to get rookies into camp we may see more and more deals completed before the draft.

by JComp11 on Mar 31, 2009 3:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I believe the contract can be made up but not signed until after the 1st pick of the draft.

And I don’t have an authoritative source either. Just feel like I remember NFL Network talking about it last year after the Jake Long/Miami contract was done before the pick.

"The spirit, the will to win, and the will to excel are the things that endure. These qualities are so much more important than the events that occur." - Vince Lombardi

by Shawn on Mar 31, 2009 4:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

If it can't be signed before the draft

Then who decides when a deal is “done in principle” and the Rams can start negotiating?

by Joel Thorman on Mar 31, 2009 4:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

This link

Says Jake Long signed a deal prior to the draft.

by Joel Thorman on Mar 31, 2009 4:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah I meant the second pick after Long

Couldn’t be signed prior to the draft. I didn’t know they couldn’t even negotiate it though.

"The spirit, the will to win, and the will to excel are the things that endure. These qualities are so much more important than the events that occur." - Vince Lombardi

by Shawn on Mar 31, 2009 4:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

From ESPN after Jake Long signed a deal early

ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reported on Tuesday that the St. Louis Rams, who hold the second pick in the NFL draft, were told today by the NFL management council that they do not have permission to begin negotiations with any player now that the Dolphins have signed Long. A league spokesman said there have been internal discussions to determine whether the Rams have the right to negotiate with a player or players.

by Joel Thorman on Mar 31, 2009 4:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That makes a whole lot of sense.

Maybe the league is trying to keep the fun for draft day.

by JComp11 on Mar 31, 2009 4:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I believe

The #1 overall can sign their pick and #2 overall is free to begin negotiating, but cannot officially sign their guy before they are drafted.

by ChiefDJ on Mar 31, 2009 4:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes

"The spirit, the will to win, and the will to excel are the things that endure. These qualities are so much more important than the events that occur." - Vince Lombardi

by Shawn on Mar 31, 2009 4:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Rams weren't allowed to last year per the NFL management council

Not sure how it’s worked in previous years.

Last year was a little unique in that the deal was done several days before the draft. Usually it happens with a day or two of the draft.

by Joel Thorman on Mar 31, 2009 4:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah it was a unique case

I wonder if they are going to try to bring in a rule for this case because it seems every year now they are going to at least be negotiating witht he number one overall if not signing before the draft. Last year they told the Rams they couldn’t negotiate but it’s not set in stone yet. I think they will probably bring it up in future owner meetings. I hope they dont let teams start negotiating contracts one after another, it would take a lot out of the draft.

"The spirit, the will to win, and the will to excel are the things that endure. These qualities are so much more important than the events that occur." - Vince Lombardi

by Shawn on Mar 31, 2009 4:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You're right

The rams tried to get permission to negotiate and I think thats where my memory stopped. :)

But you’re right, they were denied permission to begin negotiating with any candidates.

by ChiefDJ on Mar 31, 2009 5:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Players have been signed before the draft in prior years

Including Mario Williams and David Carr. I guess I just don’t know what the next team in line was allowed to do.

by Joel Thorman on Mar 31, 2009 5:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

im figuring they will sign someone before the draft that way it keeps things moving.

FOUR F'S FIND UM FEEL UM FUGUM FORGET UM.

by sexassassin on Mar 31, 2009 4:19 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Then they know who to put in the Green room

by Helmets on Mar 31, 2009 4:42 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I wonder if they will invite sanchez . That guy might as well dress up as

a leprecon because im sure he will be seeing a lot of GREEEEEEEN room if he is invited.

FOUR F'S FIND UM FEEL UM FUGUM FORGET UM.

by sexassassin on Mar 31, 2009 4:48 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I just really hope

in 5 years we’re not going to be sitting there with the next Derrick Johnson while the Lions have the next generation of franchise QB.

To be in the top 5 two years in a row and not come out with a franchise QB is bad. I hope Cassel works out.

by ChiefDJ on Mar 31, 2009 4:52 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

cassel should be fine

FOUR F'S FIND UM FEEL UM FUGUM FORGET UM.

by sexassassin on Mar 31, 2009 5:03 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Should be

But Derrick Anderson looms large in my opinion.

Having the best coach in the NFL and the best team in the NFL around you will go a long way towards making a mediocre guy look fantastic.

I’m keeping my fingers crossed, but I have my doubts.

by ChiefDJ on Mar 31, 2009 5:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

just seems to me cassel has waited his whole career to make something happen .

looks like he has the smarts and the work ethic and it really helps to have a guy like pioli on your side he knows what he went through he knows how cassel works. I see cassel doing good things for us just based off his work ethic alone and that we will be an offensive first team with our new head coach.

FOUR F'S FIND UM FEEL UM FUGUM FORGET UM.

by sexassassin on Mar 31, 2009 6:02 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

LT

The top LT is going to be gone anyways to the rams now it just a matter of if we want curry or Monroe i think we should try to trade down with cleveland they need curry. possibly picking up shaun rogers or a second round pick, preferibly rogers. then we could still possibly get monroe at 5 or crabtree or another trade down
1-rams-stafford
2-lions-smith
3-browns-curry
4-seahawks-crabtree or raji
5-chiefs-monroe+rogers(or another trade down)

by cassel4prez on Mar 31, 2009 7:44 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs