The challenges are different but no less critical. The Lions aren't at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis this week with high draft picks and low expectations. As the newest member of the NFL's middle class, they have to try to maintain consistency in a league fiscally constructed for upheaval.
It's less about amassing stars and more about deciphering their replaceable value. The salary cap prevents teams from keeping everybody they want. The franchise tag for free agents unwilling to sign a new contract isn't the solution. It's a stall tactic, delaying the inevitable. It's why it's unlikely that the Lions can keep both Cliff Avril and Calvin Johnson beyond next season.
The choice to keep your franchise quarterback happy might seem simple -- even if it requires the outrageous cost of $50 million guaranteed for a wide receiver. Real Jordans on saleBut there's greater value in a soon-to-be 26-year-old pass rusher who's coming off a season with double-digit sacks.
The NFL is grossly tilted in the offense's favor, placing even more importance on pressuring the quarterback in a tight game. There's no denying Avril benefited greatly from the inside force of Ndamukong Suh, Corey Williams and, occasionally, rookie Nick Fairley. But it's crazy believing that anybody could step in off the street and deliver the impact that Avril did last season. Beyond the sacks, he was one of the league leaders in forced fumbles.
Avril has hinted that he might hold out if the Lions hit him with the franchise tag, which would guarantee him a 2012 salary beyond $10 million. That's hardly chump change for a one-year contract. But NFL players generally don't like the franchise tag, because they know they're one serious injury from being out of the league altogether.
Keep an eye on whether the Lions spend time looking at prospective pass rushers in Indianapolis, even though it's not as much of an immediate need as cornerback, linebacker and the offensive line. If Martin Mayhew and Jim Schwartz believe they'll have to let Avril go next off-season -- and they're not convinced Willie Young or Lawrence Jackson can step in -- they'll need his replacement as soon as possible.
This draft is more challenging for the Lions than those when they were several degrees below pathetic. They won't pay as much for a first-round pick, but the choices at No. 23 also won't be as obvious as they were when they drafted Johnson No. 2 overall in 2007, Matthew Stafford No. 1 in 2009 and Suh No. 2 in 2010.
Having that many top-three draft picks creates cap difficulties. Johnson's salary-cap number for 2012 is more than $21 million (including $14 million in base salary and a $4.5-million roster bonus due March 14). If the Lions don't sign him to an extension and prorate his money over a few years, Johnson's 2013 cap number would be about $25.2 million.
Combine those cap figures for the next two seasons -- more than $46 million -- and that's likely the minimum for any guaranteed dollars in a new contract.
The Lions have some tough decisions coming, with no guarantees that they can continue the progress of last season.
Welcome to the big boys' table, guys.
It isn't that easy, is it?
Contact Drew Sharp: 313-223-4055 or [email protected].
It's less about amassing stars and more about deciphering their replaceable value. The salary cap prevents teams from keeping everybody they want. The franchise tag for free agents unwilling to sign a new contract isn't the solution. It's a stall tactic, delaying the inevitable. It's why it's unlikely that the Lions can keep both Cliff Avril and Calvin Johnson beyond next season.
The choice to keep your franchise quarterback happy might seem simple -- even if it requires the outrageous cost of $50 million guaranteed for a wide receiver. Real Jordans on saleBut there's greater value in a soon-to-be 26-year-old pass rusher who's coming off a season with double-digit sacks.
The NFL is grossly tilted in the offense's favor, placing even more importance on pressuring the quarterback in a tight game. There's no denying Avril benefited greatly from the inside force of Ndamukong Suh, Corey Williams and, occasionally, rookie Nick Fairley. But it's crazy believing that anybody could step in off the street and deliver the impact that Avril did last season. Beyond the sacks, he was one of the league leaders in forced fumbles.
Avril has hinted that he might hold out if the Lions hit him with the franchise tag, which would guarantee him a 2012 salary beyond $10 million. That's hardly chump change for a one-year contract. But NFL players generally don't like the franchise tag, because they know they're one serious injury from being out of the league altogether.
Keep an eye on whether the Lions spend time looking at prospective pass rushers in Indianapolis, even though it's not as much of an immediate need as cornerback, linebacker and the offensive line. If Martin Mayhew and Jim Schwartz believe they'll have to let Avril go next off-season -- and they're not convinced Willie Young or Lawrence Jackson can step in -- they'll need his replacement as soon as possible.
This draft is more challenging for the Lions than those when they were several degrees below pathetic. They won't pay as much for a first-round pick, but the choices at No. 23 also won't be as obvious as they were when they drafted Johnson No. 2 overall in 2007, Matthew Stafford No. 1 in 2009 and Suh No. 2 in 2010.
Having that many top-three draft picks creates cap difficulties. Johnson's salary-cap number for 2012 is more than $21 million (including $14 million in base salary and a $4.5-million roster bonus due March 14). If the Lions don't sign him to an extension and prorate his money over a few years, Johnson's 2013 cap number would be about $25.2 million.
Combine those cap figures for the next two seasons -- more than $46 million -- and that's likely the minimum for any guaranteed dollars in a new contract.
The Lions have some tough decisions coming, with no guarantees that they can continue the progress of last season.
Welcome to the big boys' table, guys.
It isn't that easy, is it?
Contact Drew Sharp: 313-223-4055 or [email protected].
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