Matt Ryan, JaMarcus Russell, Calvin Johnson

NFL Football at its best. NFL Football at its craziest.

And out of the mist came Calvin Johnson

Why do we all think that later on we know better?

Let us go on record here. Your intrepid author wanted Calvin Johnson last year. Still do.

My friend, RonB, actually beat the drum for Adrian Peterson. Did he know something the rest of us didn’t? Maybe. Ask him.

Of course, it is easy to look backwards and say you should have picked the Lottery numbers that won.

Oakland, in my estimation, would have done better to trade their pick away for multiple picks. They are just too weak at many positions. But Al Davis was set on JaMarcus Russell and all his gaudy tryout stats. In other words, he fits the mold of a possible great one. How many of us disagreed with Al? Is that a hand in the back of the room?

Now there are many that are seemingly all knowing and criticize last year’s picks.

Is everybody finally ready to concede what’s now painfully obvious? The Lions blew it when they drafted Calvin Johnson last year with the second overall pick instead of offensive tackle Joe Thomas or running back Adrian Peterson. The final piece of damning evidence against the decision is the team’s preparation for next month’s draft. source

Now you put me in the position of defending the General Manager of the Detroit Lions, Mr. His Name We do not Speak. Not being privy to what other teams were really offering for the pick, Calvin was the obvious choice. Obvious.

Joe Thomas was a left tackle. The Lions had one already.

Adrian Peterson had a history of injuries in college and Kevin Jones was due to return and Tatum Bell was under contract.
Calvin Johnson would fit Mike Martz offensive scheme.

But, more important, the Browns and Vikings are both on an upward trajectory, thanks largely to those selections.

The Lions are headed downward.

The underlying message is irrefutable. Wide receivers aren’t building blocks for success. They’re merely supportive components.

Hope Jerry Rice is not listening or Randy Moss or Terrell Owens.

Wait, did he say the Browns and Vikes are headed up?

The Vikes improved because of defense, not just Adrian, although he played his part.
The Browns found a top flight quarterback, Derek Anderson, and played a ridiculously easy schedule. Their last 7 games were Baltimore, Houston, Arizona, NY Jets, Buffalo, Cincinnati, and San Francisco.

Now for this year, your gallivanting author will go on record as saying the Miami Dolphins should not take Matt Ryan. He is a great quarterback, but Miami has too many holes. Don’t spend all your money for a QB when you cannot even protect him.

As for the Lions? Watch for Calvin Johnson to emerge as a key player. Having Roy Williams on one side and Calvin Johnson on the other gives the Lions an excellent pair of receivers. Didn’t New England, Dallas, and the Super Bowl Champion New York Giants teach us anything about having receivers? Those teams did not have the league leading rushers.

It takes a lot of pieces to build a team. None of us can predict exactly how these players will turn out. What if Adrian Peterson blows out his knee this year and Calvin makes the Pro Bowl? Let us pray that Adrian’s knee is fine. He is fun to watch, but that is just an example how things can change.

Hey, that Brett Favre guy, did anyone pick him number 1?

NFL Football Fan Question Should Miami take Matt Ryan?

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