Detroit Lions Roster: Good Things That Mean Bad Things
By Kent Platte
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Manny Ramirez, Day One Starter
Once upon a time, in the dark ages of 2007, the Detroit Lions drafted Manny Ramirez in the 4th round. It was a horrible mistake, one the team would regret every time he stepped onto the football field. I don’t blame Ramirez, the Lions were a joke back then and he was thrust into it. After leaving the Detroit Lions roster, he would go on to play in a super bowl for Peyton Manning and his Broncos, and would actually play pretty well that year. Then, the team would trade for him in 2015, just in time to draft an interior offensive lineman of their own. Welcome back, Man Ram!
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Looking Closer:
So about that Super Bowl. I’m not going to let one game define a player’s season or career, since as mentioned Ramirez played very well in the lead up to the 2013 big game, but what a disaster the 2013 super bowl performance was for Ramirez. Unfortunately for him, that wouldn’t be a blip on the radar but the beginning of a trend as his play spiraled downward in 2014. The Lions grabbed him to be depth, at least that was the idea, and that’s what he is at this point in his career.
Who it Hurts: Now, in this situation I’m assuming no injuries. Obviously if someone gets hurt, we expect Ramirez to be able to step in. If everyone is healthy, man it’s a bad sign if Ramirez starts. Warford would have to crap the bed completely for Ramirez to start there, but even at the other two interior OL spots it is hard to see a good situation where Ramirez starts. If he starts at LG, that means the team’s first round pick isn’t ready which will be a horrible sell to the fans as to the team’s future. If he starts at center, that means the team’s long-term plans at the position have already fallen through only a year into the plan. There isn’t a single good situation where Manny Ramirez starts day one for the Detroit Lions. Either the team is facing a significant injury early in the season or they’re facing some terribly executed long-term planning from Martin Mayhew and Jim Caldwell.
Outro
So what do you think, Detroit Lions fans? Do you agree with this list? Are there any situations we missed? Let us know in the comments or find me on Twitter @MathBomb to call me out.