Stafford finally signs contract with Lions....

[KingNick865]

6 years, $41.5 million according to NFL Network.

Well, hopefully this turns out better than Harrington did about 6-7 years ago.

[bburger991]

41.5 mil GUARANTEED

It's like 78 mil overall

[volger]

Not bad for someone with no degree. Or did he have enough to graduate?

[TrueOrange]

All knew he'd be picked.

Curious, anyone know when the NFL first started letting the 1st pick team sign their draft pick before that year's draft?

[KingNick865]

Originally Posted by TrueOrange

All knew he'd be picked.

Curious, anyone know when the NFL first started letting the 1st pick team sign their draft pick before that year's draft?

I know that the Texans did it with Mario Williams in 2006.

[Panthro]

Jake Long was signed a few days before the draft. Not sure when it first started though.
I don't like UGA at all, but I won't like root for this kid to fail. I just don't see him ever making it as an elite QB in the league. For that much money, he better be a freaking stud. I'd have gone with Jason Smith or Curry.

[KingNick865]

I also seem to remember the Texans doing it in their first draft back in 2002 with David Carr.

[orangetanker11]

Originally Posted by Panthro

Jake Long was signed a few days before the draft. Not sure when it first started though.
I don't like UGA at all, but I won't like root for this kid to fail. I just don't see him ever making it as an elite QB in the league. For that much money, he better be a freaking stud. I'd have gone with Jason Smith or Curry.

Well, there are two scenarios for the 2010 Draft that the Lions could have been debating on.

1. "The Eric Berry Plan"---If they took Stafford this year, they know they are going to suck again and have a top 3 pick. With said pick, they are planning on taking Eric Berry.

2. "The McCoy/Bradford Plan"---If they took Jason Smith or Aaron Curry, they know they are going to suck again and have a top 3 pick. With said pick, they are planning on taking either Colt McCoy or Sam Bradford.

Since the Lions opted to sign Stafford and select him with the 1st overall pick, it seems Jim Schwartz is being true to himself and focusing on defense over the next few years by planning a year ahead to draft Eric Berry. It appears he covets defense over offense...starting in 2010.

[jhen713]

I don't care who it is. I can't see guarenteeing 41 million to anyone without seeing what they can do on an NFL field. If he never sees the field he is set for life if he is smart. And we wonder why NFL tickets are so expensive. There should be some tyoe of rookie cap for the first few years like there is in baseball. Then pay them the big bucks if they deserve it. JMO

[KingNick865]

The history of good QB's going to expansion/bad teams is not that good.(Yes, that's about the type of talent the Lions have).....................

Let's see -

1999 - Tim Couch
2002 - David Carr
2002 - Joey Harrington
1988 - Andre Ware
1990 - David Klingler
1998 - Ryan Leaf(prolly would have failed, no matter which team he went to)
1993 - Rick Mirer(actually, his first year was better than Bledsoe's)

[Jaytrain5]

Never draft an underclassmen qb with a top 10 pick.

[GAVol]

Originally Posted by TrueOrange

All knew he'd be picked.

Curious, anyone know when the NFL first started letting the 1st pick team sign their draft pick before that year's draft?

I'm pretty sure that's been going on for a long time. It's probably a good idea since it takes "signability" out of the equation for the team with the #1 pick. If they didn't allow it, the #1 pick would have incredible leverage to drive up his price tag after the draft.

[duckman398686]

have fun with that lions....

[GAVol]

Unless there was a clear cut, can't miss, genetic freak available I think I'd trade down from a top 5 pick almost every single time and just try to have more picks in the first 2-3 rounds than everybody else.

I never understand why a team stays pat in the top 5 or 10 and takes a guy that isn't that much, if any, better than a guy they could get 5-10 picks later.

[Jaytrain5]

Originally Posted by GAVol

Unless there was a clear cut, can't miss, genetic freak available I think I'd trade down from a top 5 pick almost every single time and just try to have more picks in the first 2-3 rounds than everybody else.

The challenge is finding a trade partner.