It's Smith or Stafford for the Lions

As the 2009 NFL Draft approaches, the Detroit Lions have a lot of things to think about. They need to hire a coach, and get him in sync with the management staff as to who they will select with the #1 overall pick they earned by going a perfect 0-16 this season. Looking at the prospects, there are 2- maybe 3 choices that make sense. Do you take the QB of the future, or a franchise left tackle?

Choice #1- Matt Stafford, QB Georgia.

The highly regarded signal caller from Georgia. Stafford has put together a very nice season. His 153.54 QB rating ranks #15 among the NCAA. He is tied for 17th in the nation with 25 touchdowns and only threw 10 interceptions. He is a tremendous athlete and was the top passer coming out of high school. The only thing left to see about Matt is how he will translate to the NFL game. He struggles early in some games and in the NFL that is bound to continue as he adjusts to the game. If he goes to Detroit, he will have Calvin Johnson and Kevin Smith to help him out but will Detroit upgrade the talent to protect him?

Choice #2- Andre Smith, OT Alabama.

Andre Smith played very well along with the rest of Alabama’s line for the most part of their season. With Andre Smith anchoring that line, J.P. Wilson was only sacked 16 times in 13 games. But In Bama’s loss to Utah Andre was injured and they gave up 8 sacks to the Utes. If he goes to Detroit he would presumably have the job of protecting Dan Orlovsky. Orlovsky is a drop back passer unlike Daunte Culpepper who likes to scramble. At 6’4 and 330 Smith is a prototypical franchise LT and if the Lion’s learned from the Dolphins quick turnaround they would know that fixing your lines goes a long way in the NFL.