plasticman
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Some fans feel the The Detroit Lion's "rise from the ashes" is nothing more than the results of the NFL's talent acquisition system designed to do exactly that. In an attempt to offer "fairness" through parity, the league rules for the draft includes one where the teams that performed the worse get first picks of the newest talent pool.
Since the merger, the Lions have historically underperformed. However, the franchise took it to new lows since the turn of the century. In the 24 seasons from 2000 to 2024, the Lions have 14 in which they lost 10 or more games. In half of those 14 seasons, they won 3 or fewer games.
As a result, the Lions have been gifted a premium front-of-the-line opportunity at the draft treasures throughout the 21st century.
Because of those previously mentioned 14 losing seasons, the Lions have received a top ten draft pick 14 times. And those 7 previously mentioned dismal 3-game winning seasons netted a #1 overall pick, four #2 overall picks and two #3 overall picks.
There was even a streak between 2002 and 2007 where the Lions had 6 consecutive top 10 picks.
In the four drafts from 2006 to 2009, the Lions had the #1 or #2 overall pick in three of them.
Recently, between 2019 and 2022, they had 4 consecutive top 8 picks.
Keep in mind, although the greatest advantage comes in the first round, they are also close to the front of the line in every single round.
Could you imagine the Cowboys getting a top selection in every round for 4 to 6 consecutive years? Suppose they had the #1 or #2 overall pick three times during McCarthy's previous four seasons.
So, it was only a matter of time before they were able to use this advantage to actually build a dominant team. One has to wonder what took so long, given the multiple advantages.
This is by no means, a defense of the Cowboys records lately. In fact, it is further proof of the Cowboys management incompetence.
You see, although the Lions drafted much higher than the Cowboys over the previous ten drafts, their performances have been even.
If I take the Cowboys top 30 picks over the combined last ten drafts, I get an average draft position of # 56 compared to the Lions at #42. this means that every single top 30 player the Lions pick averaged 14 picks above the Cowboys top 30. That's almost half a round.
And yet, the Top Lions picks received a total of 13 Pro Bowl designations, 59 starting seasons and 1546 games participated compared to the Cowboys 14 Pro Bowls, 60 starts and 1562.....virtually the same.
Still, it's the Lions at 7-1 and the Cowboys with 3-6.
The difference between the two teams is that the Lions have finally learned how to use their advantage of draft position to build a true contender while the Cowboys have yet to learn how to use their advantage of scouting and talent analysis to do the same.
After 2020, a 5-11 season, The Lions GM, Bob Quinn, was replaced by Brad Holmes who had previously been with the Rams for 18 years. It was he who orchestrated the trade with Stafford and Goff.
Lions GM Brad Holmes is the difference between the Lions futility of years past and seeming destiny this season and beyond.
That is the advantage of hiring and replacing GM's until you find the guy that creates success.
Each change creates renewed hope.
Without such change, the results remain the same.
Since the merger, the Lions have historically underperformed. However, the franchise took it to new lows since the turn of the century. In the 24 seasons from 2000 to 2024, the Lions have 14 in which they lost 10 or more games. In half of those 14 seasons, they won 3 or fewer games.
As a result, the Lions have been gifted a premium front-of-the-line opportunity at the draft treasures throughout the 21st century.
Because of those previously mentioned 14 losing seasons, the Lions have received a top ten draft pick 14 times. And those 7 previously mentioned dismal 3-game winning seasons netted a #1 overall pick, four #2 overall picks and two #3 overall picks.
There was even a streak between 2002 and 2007 where the Lions had 6 consecutive top 10 picks.
In the four drafts from 2006 to 2009, the Lions had the #1 or #2 overall pick in three of them.
Recently, between 2019 and 2022, they had 4 consecutive top 8 picks.
Keep in mind, although the greatest advantage comes in the first round, they are also close to the front of the line in every single round.
Could you imagine the Cowboys getting a top selection in every round for 4 to 6 consecutive years? Suppose they had the #1 or #2 overall pick three times during McCarthy's previous four seasons.
So, it was only a matter of time before they were able to use this advantage to actually build a dominant team. One has to wonder what took so long, given the multiple advantages.
This is by no means, a defense of the Cowboys records lately. In fact, it is further proof of the Cowboys management incompetence.
You see, although the Lions drafted much higher than the Cowboys over the previous ten drafts, their performances have been even.
If I take the Cowboys top 30 picks over the combined last ten drafts, I get an average draft position of # 56 compared to the Lions at #42. this means that every single top 30 player the Lions pick averaged 14 picks above the Cowboys top 30. That's almost half a round.
And yet, the Top Lions picks received a total of 13 Pro Bowl designations, 59 starting seasons and 1546 games participated compared to the Cowboys 14 Pro Bowls, 60 starts and 1562.....virtually the same.
Still, it's the Lions at 7-1 and the Cowboys with 3-6.
The difference between the two teams is that the Lions have finally learned how to use their advantage of draft position to build a true contender while the Cowboys have yet to learn how to use their advantage of scouting and talent analysis to do the same.
After 2020, a 5-11 season, The Lions GM, Bob Quinn, was replaced by Brad Holmes who had previously been with the Rams for 18 years. It was he who orchestrated the trade with Stafford and Goff.
Lions GM Brad Holmes is the difference between the Lions futility of years past and seeming destiny this season and beyond.
That is the advantage of hiring and replacing GM's until you find the guy that creates success.
Each change creates renewed hope.
Without such change, the results remain the same.