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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From Freep.com

“At the end of the day,” Mayhew said, “Jim and I sit down, and it’s just us, and I make a decision.”

Assuming the Rams draft Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford No. 1 overall, as most analysts expect, the Lions likely will draft a defensive or offensive tackle at No. 2.

The Lions confirmed only four pre-draft visits by posting stories on their official Web site. The prospects were Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, Oklahoma defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, Oklahoma State offensive tackle Russell Okung and Oklahoma offensive tackle Trent Williams.

So if it really is between those four, if there really isn’t a deal on the table (and that remains to be seen… If Bradford signs the night prior, teams that are desperate for a QB to develop are going to start putting together packages THAT NIGHT and Mayhew’s phone is going to be ringing off the hook), then we see four possible solid building blocks on either side of the ball. You go defense, McCoy has the frame size that long term will render him a monster and Suh has the finesse, power and speed right now out of the gate. I like both; I think they take Suh over McCoy, the young man had a KILLER combine. You go Offense, both are solid players that held the O-line against powerful college opponents and both would make for a solid investment to protect your 80 million dollar baby at the QB spot. It’s simple really. The Lions are in a can’t lose position. You pick at 2, you get a great player. You trade down, you get, not necessarily elite players, but you get an extra something or other and a solid building block to solidify any position really. Look at the quality they got out of Delmas in the early 2nd! It’s there, you just have to pick right. Running off of last year, the Lions can finally pick right; it took a lot to trust them, but the proof is in the pudding and Mayhew put together a damn good draft last year. He was right, I was wrong; Didn’t trust them. Now I have to, he’s developing a track record.

It’s gonna be a fun Draft to watch.

Best DE we’ve had since Porcher; We Popped a trade with Cleveland and fetched a respectable Wide Receiver.

You can’t butter your bread on free agency, but you can certainly plug a few holes and I can honestly tell you that the team is instantly better today. Don’t plan the parade yet, but we’ve definitely upgraded a handful of positions.

I said that Mayhew’s legacy will be defined by Matt Stafford’s career.

WELL… so far the kid is a hit. He was down there in Miami and everyone loves him; Mayhew has pulled off more valuable moves than Millen did in 8 years and in one draft he’s had more serviceable/successful players than Millen did in 4 drafts.

The guy that rants and raves can’t complain… Good job Lions.