SportsCrack

State of the Franchise: The Detroit Lions

During the 2007 pre-season, Jon Kitna predicted that the Lions would win more than 10 games that season. Within a few hours, the story was everywhere and nearly everyone thought he was nuts. Sure, it was a ballsy thing to do… but did he have a concussion or something? Perhaps the most surprising thing was that when asked how many wins the Lions would have in 2007 on a Detroit radio program, he didn’t even predict they’d win 10 games (which was an astronomical stretch in itself) instead, stating the following:

“I’ll keep to myself what I think we actually will win. But it’s more than 10 games.”

Suffice it to say, not many people were taking Jon Kitna too seriously. In fact, many people were appalled and even a bit pissed that he would make such a bold prediction. In particular pessimistic media fashion, he was labeled an arrogant braggart -- with no way near the skill to back it up.

A hundred or so days later however, the Lions were 6-2 at the conclusion of Week 9. While some of the teams they had beaten weren’t in upper class of the league, if you will -- they still had two solid wins against the Broncos and Buccaneers. Going into Week 10, the Lions performance was so surprising and it’s bandwagon so packed that it made some people feel as if they were in the Outer Limits. At least I did.

As we all know, the Lions dropped 7 of their next 8 and finished the season 7-9, four wins short of the minimum amount Kitna predicted. Just as quickly as people had jumped on the bandwagon, they again turned on Kitna -- calling him a fool and blaming him of talking the talk but unable to walk the walk.

But while I agree that Kitna’s whole prediction did nothing to improve his reputation, you have to admit -- it was a ballsy thing to do. If I was running an NFL team whose roster was filled with underachievers and first round rookie busts -- why wouldn’t I want my new QB to look around and say ‘Yeah, we can win 8 more games than last year.’ What’s wrong with that? In fact, it’s not wrong at all -- it’s exactly the type of attitude a QB should have.

Going public with the prediction wasn’t the smartest idea, but what was he supposed to say?

“Mr. Kitna how many games will the Lions win in 2007?”

“Ehh, I dunno. We’ll be lucky to crack six -- but hey, you never know!”

He’d be stoned in the street! His whole attitude towards the 2007 season was exactly what we admire in our athletes, yet he was ridiculed because his supporting cast was less than stellar. But I say good on him, because I have a feeling he’ll be twice as focused to make his prediction ring true in his second season in Detroit.

The Lions for the first time in years, made several high profile moves in free agency. The Lions released Kevin Jones, their 2004 1st round draft pick who while often showing flashes of brilliance, had his five years in Detroit riddled with injuries. Meanwhile T.J. Duckett jetted so fast to Seattle, many people wondered why he failed to move that fast on the football field.

This leaves Tatum Bell as the big man in the Little D backfield. Although he didn’t play too much last year, he had an impressive few years in Denver. But it remains to be seen, like many running backs thrust into a starter role, if he can handle the bulk of careers for an entire NFL season.

Shaun Rogers, who failed to live up to hefty expectations in his seven years in Detroit was traded to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for defensive back Leigh Bodden. Bodden, who spent all five years of his career thus far in Cleveland blossomed last year -- causing Chad Johnson to claim he was the best corner he faced all of last year.

Many people criticized the Lions for taking Calvin Johnson number 2 overall in the 2007 Draft, however he lived up to expectations (unlike the other three top ten wide receivers they’ve taken in the past five years) and perhaps even exceeded them. With his rookie season under his belt he and Roy Williams should be a lot more comfortable with Jon Kitna in their second year together.

The defense, which left much to be desired like many other losing teams last year, did hold host to another blossoming star: Ernie Sims. In his rookie year with the Lions, Sims just missed out on a Pro Bowl bid and looks to solidify the Lions weak side linebacker spot for many years to come.

With the 15th pick in this year’s draft, it’s up in the air where the Lions will choose to go -- but it’s looking very likely they will build depth on defense. However, taking Illinois RB Rashard Mendenhall to share a committee with Tatum Bell might be a wise choice as well. With eight picks to utilize for the entire draft and a very deep and strong defensive pool of players that should be available in the mid to late rounds, taking a RB to spell with Bell if one falls to them at number 15 just might be the best course of action. Jonathan Stewart, being hailed by some fanatics as the best RB in the entire draft (even better than Darren McFadden apparently) would also be a great fit in the Lions offense.

For reasons unbeknownst to anyone, the Lions released offensive coordinator Mike Martz, generally regarded as a key reason the Lions offense was explosive last year. He was used as a scapegoat for the second half collapse, and his release might just come back to haunt the Lions front office.

It’s coming up on the year anniversary of Jon Kitna’s infamous more than ten game prediction and it’s a smart bet to assume he just might make another prediction. With a little luck in the draft, and solid years from it’s free agent pick ups, don’t be surprised if his prediction comes true this year.

State of the Franchise: The Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns came out of nowhere in 2007.

That’s it. That is the only way to describe their 2007 season. I don’t care where you're from (with Cleveland excluded of course), you did not predict they would be as good as they were. Sure, their defense had it’s moments … but compared to the abysmal 2006 campaign, it wasn’t half bad.

To go on a tangent, I would like to express my fondness for Romeo Crennel. Yes, being a Patriots fan I’d come to love him more than most -- but you have to respect someone who in the face of being fired led his team to a performance that can only be described as… well, very well coached. Don't even start about the defense, nobody could have turned that squad into a respectable unit. Sure, the Browns had some breakout stars surface in 2008 (See: Derek Anderson) but one thing is for certain... we can finally come to a conclusion on one thing: Romeo Crennel is a fantastic football coach.

It’s a topic for another day and another article, but sometimes great coaches are put in impossible situations (See: Bill Belichick in Cleveland, Steve Spurrier in Washington, and dare I say Bobby Petrino in Atlanta? [Just kidding, he was just a quitter]) and we are entirely too quick to judge on their merits as a coach. I don’t care if Vince Lombardi was the coach of the 2007 Miami Dolphins, they weren’t getting anywhere near the post season.

Derek Anderson started Week 2 against the Bengals and never looked back. Although it’s interesting that starting Week 14, when the Browns needed him most in order to make the playoffs -- he couldn’t keep up his standard play. Was it that defensive coordinators finally had enough film to counter him? Or was it that he just crumbled under the pressure of leading an NFL franchise, one that had been the laughing stock of the NFL just a year earlier, to a playoff berth? The answer to that question won’t really be answered until 2008 but I for one believe that the whole thing put the Browns in an impossible situation (at least in regards to the mass media).

Do you no re-sign Anderson, have him to go on and continue his success and once again return the Browns to the lower class of the NFL? What if Brady Quinn turned out to be a bust? Would Cleveland ever recover?

Or do you sign Anderson, hope he continues his breakout performance from last year and hope Cleveland fans aren’t calling for his head and cheering for Quinn to start mid season? Isn't that a coaches nightmare? A QB controversy in a situation like this?

No matter what will turn out to be the correct choice, (the Browns chose the latter) I’m sure many NFL teams would kill for a proven QB such as Anderson and a potential superstar such as Quinn to both grace their depth chart come pre-season, so there's no need to focus on that as a potential fault, really.

Every team has an Achilles heel and the weakness for the 2007 Browns was easily their defense. During the first half of the year, the Browns let up a horrific 30 points per game. During the last half they at least got it down to league standard, letting up a respectable 24 points per game.

Unfortunately, the off season saw the departure of Leigh Bodden, a promising young corner who signed with the Detroit Lions. The off-season was not wrought with disappointment however. WR Donte Stallworth, DT’s Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams both signed with the new-look Browns.

Will Shaun Rogers continue to underachieve in Cleveland?

RB Jamal Lewis, who had a resurgence of sorts in 2007 isn’t getting any younger (he’s fast approaching the magical RB age of 30) however he still provides a capable running back in what is largely a passing offense. With not many picks in the 2008 NFL draft, the Browns will likely have to wait until next year for their heir apparent in the backfield. Jason Wright will be left to spell Lewis and although he doesn’t have breathtaking speed, he is a suitable compliment to Lewis’ power.

With no picks until the fourth round, the Browns are obviously hoping the free agents they signed will be worth basically their entire 2008 draft. Under achiever Shaun Rogers takes nothing off the table in terms of the Browns defense and should improve it greatly. Donte Stallworth will prove an excellent compliment to Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow in what could prove to be the best WR1-WR2-TE1 trio in the league. Edwards and Winslow should continue right where they left off in 2007, and establish themselves as elite players at their respective positions.

If the Browns’ secondary can limit game changing mistakes and Jamal Lewis can continue his steady, powerful play, the Browns should get what they just missed out on in 2007. A playoff bid.

The Powerless Rankings (4/10/08)

We all know and love (or possibly hate) the phenomenon known as Power Rankings. They provide just about anyone an opportunity to give their opinion on who the best teams are each week in any given league. But don’t we owe it to ourselves to know who the bad teams are as well? Sport Crack is proud to present a new weekly feature: The Powerless Rankings!

Rankings are done in reverse order, with 1 being the worst and 5 being the fifth worse… as if I needed to tell you. Rankings are also done on how the team is performing thus far with little to no regard of how they should be doing (I‘m looking at you Detroit). This is so the rankings will not be biased on previous years performance and will just be focused on the here and now. Oh, and please feel free to disagree vehemently in the comments. Thank you.

Prognosis: Expect much of the same.

Prognosis: Depending on when the offense decides to wake up -- don’t expect them to do much of anything.

Prognosis: Until their pitching staff realizes it’s not spring training anymore, expect the same as the previous eight games.

Prognosis: Even if they break their slump, their still in the bottom third of the league.

Prognosis: Barring half their team seemingly losing all of their baseball skill (Hmm, I wonder how that could happen)… expect them to be the Tigers of yore very, very soon.

Honorable mentions: Seattle Mariners, Atlanta Braves, and the (gasp) New York Mets

The Chad Johnson Saga

Over the past couple of months Chad Johnson has made it public knowledge that he wants out of Cincinnati. He’s even went so far as to state that he would not participate in strength and conditioning workouts if he had to in order to land himself on a new squad.

Although Marvin Lewis has said numerous times that Chad isn’t going anywhere, this whole thing is very reminiscent of the T.O. fiasco in Philadelphia back in 2005. What does that mean? It means that Chad Johnson is going to be traded before draft day most likely so we need to take a look at the teams he could possibly be traded to.

Chad Johnson gives the thumbs up to be traded.

OAKLAND RAIDERS

With the acquisitions of Javon Walker, DeAngelo Hall and the 4th pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, the Oakland Raiders landing Chad Johnson would be huge. Scratch that, it would be monumental. The Raiders fan base would likely have collective aneurisms -- albeit happy ones.

They would have to hope JaMarcus Russell could manage to get Ocho Cinco and Javon the ball though, but seriously, taking a look at their team coming right out of last season and looking at it now, I don’t think anyone will be complaining.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

After losing out on signing Randy Moss last month the Eagles are still in desperate need for a #1 receiver. They showed last year that their offense can still be potent without one but landing Chad Johnson would transform them back into the old Eagles we all know and love. Not to mention it would make the NFC East so competitive that they might just have to make it it’s own league.

DALLAS COWBOYS

Definitely the most intriguing option. The Cowboys offense would immediately transform into the best in the NFL heading into the next season. But with two very needy ball catchers on the same squad there would be a definite opportunity for drama. When T.O. went to Dallas by himself people were watching the sidelines since Week 1, waiting for him to explode. Although he did have his problems, he never had a Philadelphia-esque episode. Because of their similar desire to get the ball I think Terrell Owens is the only person in Dallas hoping the Johnson trade doesn’t happen.

Perhaps the only person in Dallas who doesn't want Ocho Cinco?

Terrell Owens.

Looking at the Cowboys cap space and spending amounts, it would appear difficult for them to sign Chad Johnson however if Jerry Jones wants it to happen, it will. Let’s just hope they don’t land both Johnson and McFadden because then the rest of the league will just have to forfeit next years games.

WASHINGTON REDSKINS

Jason Campbell showed us last year that he has what it takes to be the starting QB. Santana Moss and Antwaan Randle El had great seasons but are in no way number one receivers. The Redskins acquiring Chad Johnson would assure them one of the most potent offenses in the NFL. Plus, it will give Clinton Portis a couple less players to worry about in the 'box'.

CINCINNATI BENGALS

Johnson leaving the Cincinnati Bengals would be disastrous. It would cripple the team more than it already has been with decline of Rudi Johnson and the release of Chris Henry. T.J. Houshmandzadeh, as great of a receiver as he’s proven himself to be won’t be nearly as effective with no Chad Johnson on the field. Ocho Cinco’s departure would effectively put the Bengals organization into a rebuilding state in which it would take a year or two to recover from on the offensive side of the ball.

However as with most divorces it seems it might have to happen -- and it has to get worse before it can better; for both parties.

Sport Crack Mock Draft Part 3: 21-31

Continued from Part 1 here and Part 2 here... (or if your lazy, just scroll down)

Although they have a pressing need at defensive end, Malcolm Kelly would fit way too well as a slot receiver for them to pass up on. A legit third receiver could do wonders for the Redskins offense since Randle El and Moss are threats in among themselves so it will give Kelly a lot of chances to get open for [[Jason Campbell[[.

Thomas Jones didn’t quite live up to expectations last year in New York and while they could do anything with this pick, after Stewart there is a bit of a drop off at RB. Some brave souls are also claiming Jonathan Stewart will become a better pro running back than Darren McFadden. We’ll have to wait and see.

With Alan Faneca gone the Steelers are in obvious need of a guard. Since the Steelers have failed to cease playing smash mouth football for their entire history, expect them to take Albert with the 23rd pick -- he’ll fit in to their smashmouth just fine.

There’s one thing I can say in defense of Vince Young: As inconsistent as he’s been, he’s never really had a lot of playmakers or even what one would classify as an above average receiver on the field with him in Tennessee. Although many other receiver’s are ranked higher, and with good reason, I think Manningham will have the best pro career out of all of them -- and he’ll take Young’s game to a whole other level.

This is another of the obvious picks. The Seahawks are in need of a tight end and none of the top 24 picks of the draft look like they are going to take him. Now all the Seahawks need to do is cut Shaun Alexander and they should be all set.

Jason Taylor to the Jaguars for the 26th pick? It could happen folks. The Jaguars get a Pro Bowl caliber defensive end and the Dolphins get a talented young defensive tackle that they can pair with Chris Long. It’s a win-win for everyone!

With the release of Shane Olivea and no other glaring weaknesses that are noticeable, the Chargers taking Gosder Cherilus is another example of a pick that would just make sense. Not many people are oohing and ahhing over the kid, but he’s a strong tackle that did a great job of protecting Matt Ryan at Chestnut Hill all of last year.

If the Jets do pull the trigger and make the trade with the Cowboys for the 22nd, 28th and a mid rounder -- the 28th pick would often be the wild card of the bunch. With not too much depth or skill at cornerback, they could very well take Brandon Flowers who’s an excellent man to man cover corner and would fit right in with Eric Mangina’s defensive scheme.

I haven’t seen any other mock draft that has the 49ers taking Brian Brohm and it confuses me to no end. I’ve said it before and I will say it again: The San Francisco 49ers are in desperate need of a QB. Alex Smith is not the real deal and they need to start getting some kind of insurance for the future. If Brian Brohm went in the draft last year he would have easily been the first QB taken. He very well could be a franchise QB for the 49ers -- and to me, that’s a difficult thing to pass up.

The Packers might rather have Flowers here, but if he goes to the Jets at 28 than they’d be just as happy to take Reggie Smith. The Packers need a bit of depth at CB and Reggie Smith will be just fine being a nickel back and studying under Al Harris and Charles Woodson next year.

One of the weaknesses that the defending Super Bowl champs have going into next year is their secondary. Luckily for them, no other team really needs a safety in the first round out of those picking ahead of them. With the top rated safety in the entire draft, the Giants get lucky with this one.

-*-New England Patriots forfeit their 31st pick after allegedly violating league rules.