SideLion Report » 2011 » April » 27

My Draft Day Want List

Ross Husson — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 19:42:53 +0000

After several weeks of researching and reading, I have finally decided my “Draft Day Want List” for tomorrow’s draft. The players are listed in order (I highly doubt the first three will be available). I only went through the positions I think the Detroit Lions need to target in this year’s draft (Offensive Tackle, Offensive Guard, Cornerback, Wide Receiver, Running Back, Defensive End and Outside Linebacker). My hope is that some of the players at the bottom of this list may still be available in the third round for the Lions. Anyways, here it is:

Patrick Peterson

(CB – Lousiana St.)

Von Miller

(OLB – Texas A&M)

A.J. Green

(WR – Georgia)

Prince Amukamara

(CB – Nebraska)

Tyron Smith

(OT – Southern Cal.) (more…)

A Window of Opportunity

Wed, 27 Apr 2011 17:05:34 +0000

On Monday Judge Susan Richard Nelson ended the NFL lockout that plagued almost the entire offseason. I was shocked when I initially read the report. Like everyone else, I’m even more confused as to what this entails for day to day operations for teams around the league. But thinking on a deeper level, two thoughts came to mind. For one, I thought since the lockout was technically over, could the Lions start pursuing free agents to fill some needs before the draft. Maybe add some depth to the Oline, pick up players to fill in roster spots. Anything that could make their decisions on draft day a little easier. Secondly, I thought the Lions would get in contact with players. See how their workouts are going, see if injured player’s rehabs are progressing, and maybe even organized some team workouts.

Unfortunately, since this ruling added further confusion to this entire situation none of my optimistic thoughts came to be. It was reported yesterday by ESPN that most of the teams around the league were still preventing players from entering team facilities. While some teams allowed players in, they could only talk people in the organization but couldn’t workout until the league received further clarification on this ruling. No one on the current Lions roster even attempted to go to Allen Park to enter team facilities. This was mostly due in part by Kyle Vanden Bosch advising teammates to stick to their current football activities away from the team until they figure out the details.

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Detroit Lions Draft Prospects: Brandon Fusco

Zac Snyder — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 16:00:09 +0000

Last December I took a look at the size of every starting center in the NFL after repeatedly hearing how undersized Dominic Raiola is compared to his contemporaries. While no one should be surprised to see that Dom ranks near the bottom in terms of height and weight, it should also be noted that a number of playoff teams have similarly sized centers. Dom’s size isn’t the problem, his play is the problem.

The average NFL center is a shade over 6’3″ and 305 pounds, numbers that our #MockThree selection in round 4 can top.

Brandon Fusco

Brandon Fusco, C, Slippery Rock
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 316 lbs.
Arm Length: 33 3/4 in.
Hand Size: 10 in.
40-yard dash: 5.21 sec
Broad Jump: 9 ft.
3-Cone Drill: 7.29 sec
Vertical Jump: 28.5 in.

Watch his combine workout

NFL.com combine profile overview:

Fusco has the toughness and size to make it in the league as a reserve guard or center but lacks the athleticisms necessary to become a starter. Will face a big jump in competition level coming from Division II but was not intimidated at the Senior Bowl. Can anchor in pass protection but needs to get set quicker and doesn’t have the feet to move and slide laterally. Will get some push off the ball when run blocking but has a tendency to play too high and is not productive out in space. Fusco’s build, motor, and attitude could make him a late-round pick.

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