Sep 9 2009
The Lions franchise is dedicated to rebuilding itself in 2009. It started with a new coach (Jim Schwartz), a new front office staff, and a marketing department dedicated to fan recognition via town-hall meetings and Super-Bowl commercials. All of this amped up the anticipation leading into the 2009 NFL Draft. Of course, every Detroit Lions fan had a favored draft-pick strategy; but, as it turned out, the Lions went for the big-money, high-profile Texas talent:- Round 1: Matthew Stafford (Quarter Back) hails from Texas, where he played high school football. He then attended the University of Georgia. He was rated #1 in the draft overall. He received a very lucrative contract ($41.7 million guaranteed) for a rookie, but then he’s considered the most NFL-ready quarterback because of his top arm strength and accuracy. His experience going into the NFL is enhanced by the fact that he started in eight games as a freshman at Georgia and played consistently throughout his college career with few injuries. That’s not to say he won’t stumble a bit at first in the NFL; his first game starting for the Lions was marred with an interception.
- Round 1: Brandon Pettigrew (Tight End) is also from Texas but played collage ball closer to home at Oklahoma State. He was rated 20th overall because of his ability to catch a pass, block and run with the ball. Pettigrew’s size, 6’6”, may be a factor in his blocking ability. Hopefully, he won’t prove injury or trouble prone; he had both ankle and legal problems while at Oklahoma State and a thigh injury at training camp.
- Round 2: Louis Delmas (Safety) is from Florida and went to college at Western Michigan. He was rated 33rd overall heading into the draft because he has a talent for anticipating plays and is hard hitting (mainly due to his speed; he’s 6’0” and weighs 202 pounds). During his college career, The Missile was sidelined for a few games with a knee injury and then a concussion. The knee has been a problem at training camp as well.
- Round 3: DeAndre Levy (Outside Line Backer) played for Wisconsin and was rated 76h overall in the draft.
- Round 3: Derrick Williams (Wide Receiver) played for Penn State and was rated 82nd overall in the draft.
- Round 4: Sammie Lee (Defensive Tackle) played for Stillman College and was rated 115th overall in the draft.
- Round 6: Aaron Brown (Running Back) played for Texas Christian University and was rated 192nd overall in the draft.
- Round 7: Lydon Murtha (Offensive Tackle) played for Nebraska and was rated 228th overall in the draft.
- Round 7: Zack Follett (Outside Line Backer) played for California and was rated 235th overall in the draft.
- Round 7: Dan Gronkowski (Tight End) played for Maryland and was rated 255th overall in the draft.
