http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/04/source_lions_have_aaron_curry.html According to a league source, the Detroit Lions have completed contract terms with Wake Forest linebacker Aaron Curry and the team is now waiting to see if it can reach an agreement with their No. 1 target, Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford. The source said the Lions will not allow a decision to go beyond Friday and if a deal isn't done with Stafford by then, the team will sign Curry and take him with the first overall draft pick. The source said he believes that Stafford's agent, Tom Condon, will eventually agree to a deal with the Lions but probably won't do it until it gets closer to the Friday deadline. The price of the contract can only go up in the final hours so Condon will likely push the issue as far as he feels he has something to gain. The Lions, according to the source, aren't budging and are just waiting to see if Stafford accepts their deal before they move to Curry. The Lions have been adamant that they want to get their draft pick signed before the draft starts at 4 p.m. on Saturday.
I imagine there would be quite an uproar in Detroit if they chose Curry. I still believe Stafford is their man.
Don't see why, Stafford would've left Detroit, anyway. That team and organization is beyond repair...Atlanta and Miami had, even Chiefs (have) a few bright spots when the teams were in a down turn or not having a good season. He'd get ruined in Detroit, I'd much rather see him with Rams or Seahawks. An organization that is half-way competent at running a football team.
So how do you not see an uproar happening in Detroit though lol? You telling me the fans will be like oh well we suck who cares?
They have a bright spot, and his name is Calvin Johnson. I agree that they need a lot of work to do, but to have a good franchise QB locked down for multiple years is one of the first steps toward the right direction.
The word "uproar" usually has negative connotations, so I'm a little puzzled here. The Lions GM was actually heckled by a large number of fans at a recent press conference chanting something along the lines of no to Stafford and yes to Curry. I believe that's the general sentiment for Lions fans. Curry is the preferred pick of the fans. It does seem the front office is leaning towards Stafford if they can get some kind of deal worked out though.
I agree, sort of...... Stafford is never going to amount to a hill of beans no matter where he plays. Thats why I can see Detroit taking him. They never get it right. Curry seems a lil more safe than Stafford. I would take Curry if I was Detroit.
Sources: Lions work to sign Stafford Negotiations between the Detroit Lions and Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford have intensified but as of Wednesday night there was no deal, multiple sources said. The Lions want to have a deal in place for the draft's first selection before Saturday, and they have narrowed their focus on Stafford, Baylor tackle Jason Smith and Wake Forest linebacker Aaron Curry. Curry's agents met with the Lions in Detroit over the weekend and left with confidence they would be able to work out a deal with the Lions. On Tuesday and Wednesday, the Lions focus turned to Stafford, who has indicated he would love to play in Detroit. According to sources, the Lions and Stafford's agents Tom Condon and Ben Dogra were exchanging proposals Wednesday night with hopes of reaching an agreement. Figuring out the right contract numbers remains critical. Last year, Condon and Dogra negotiated a five-year, $57.5 million deal for tackle Jake Long, who was drafted No. 1 by the Dolphins. They also got Matt Ryan a a six-year, $72 million deal when he was drafted No. 4 by the Falcons. Because quarterbacks receive a premium salary because of the value of their position, Stafford would be expected to make more than Long, but it may be hard for the Lions to top the Ryan contract by much. http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/draft09/news/story?id=4090413
They should pick Jason Smith. Much better crop of QB's next year. Plus, we know they'll be picking near the top again. Jeven Snead was the best QB in the SEC last year. Will go ahead of the cross eyed tinkerbell from up north.
While I think Stafford should be the 1st QB chosen, he definitely isn't worth the money he would get as the #1 pick. I think it's a good move by the Lions because choosing a QB #1 is a very risky proposition. I don't think they are posturing. Until a new CBA is in place that slots rookie salaries like the NBA, the top picks in the NFL draft aren't worth it sometimes.
I have a feeling that Matt Stafford is going to basically be the next Matt Ryan. I thought both of them sucked for similar reasons, and then Matt Ryan went on to prove me wrong in Atlanta, so I'm guessing Stafford does the same.
One difference to point out is that a non-pass rushing LB should never be the #1 pick in the draft. They just aren't that vital to the team's success like a freak of nature DE like Mario Williams. Plus the Lions are already paying Ernie Sims decent money.
They seriously need to get the rookie salaries under control... having a top 10 pick is a burden... having a top 3 pick is a pain... having the #1 pick is almost a death sentence.
The ideal situation is a combination of the NBA and NFL drafts. Have a rookie pay scale (NBA) with draft order only based on record (NFL).
A rookie pay scale will be in the next CBA. I read somewhere a while back that the NFLPA has no problem with it.
