slc chief
04-18-2009, 12:54 PM
Sources: Lions negotiating with Stafford, Smith, Curry (http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/story/11642509/rss)
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April 18 CBSSports.com
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"Two independent sources with knowledge of the situation have confirmed to NFLDraftScout.com that the Detroit Lions have entered into preliminary negotiations with the representatives for Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford, Baylor offensive tackle Jason Smith and Wake Forest linebacker Aaron Curry for the right to be the first player selected in the 2009 NFL Draft on April 25.
The sources declined to go on the record discussing conversations related to Detroit's intentions with the selection.
While general manager Martin Mayhew has said it is "critical" for the team to have a deal in place with the No. 1 overall pick before the draft, team president Tim Lewand softened that stance a bit this week.
"It is certainly a goal of ours," Lewand told the Detroit Free Press, "and I think the teams that have been able to sign their player prior to the draft have seen a better measure of success by and large. Now is that because there's a contract in place? I don't know if there's a causal effect or not."
The move to negotiate early is similar to the one orchestrated last year by Bill Parcells and the Miami Dolphins, who opened contract talks with Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long and actually agreed to a contract four days before the draft.
Previously, the Houston Texans agreed to a contract with defensive end Mario Williams before making him the first pick in 2006.
The difference with Detroit this year is that the Lions are negotiating with multiple prospects.
And the negotiating could get quite interesting with the two favorites to be the top pick -- Stafford and Smith -- being represented by Tom Condon and Ben Dogra, who both work for CAA. Curry is represented by Andy Ross of Octagon.
Stafford dined with a contingent of the Lions' top executives, including Lewand, Mayhew and coach Jim Schwartz at the scouting combine, and sources said the former Georgia quarterback was impressive at his pro day and private workout.
Most league insiders think Stafford remains the prohibitive favorite to be the top pick. Schwartz is well-versed in the risks of drafting quarterbacks so high. He came to the Lions from the Titans, who had very mixed success with a pair of No. 3 overall picks in Steve McNair and Vince Young.
"It provides perspective, but I don't think it charts a course for what we do because everybody's different," Schwartz said at the owner's meetings last month. "
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April 18 CBSSports.com
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"Two independent sources with knowledge of the situation have confirmed to NFLDraftScout.com that the Detroit Lions have entered into preliminary negotiations with the representatives for Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford, Baylor offensive tackle Jason Smith and Wake Forest linebacker Aaron Curry for the right to be the first player selected in the 2009 NFL Draft on April 25.
The sources declined to go on the record discussing conversations related to Detroit's intentions with the selection.
While general manager Martin Mayhew has said it is "critical" for the team to have a deal in place with the No. 1 overall pick before the draft, team president Tim Lewand softened that stance a bit this week.
"It is certainly a goal of ours," Lewand told the Detroit Free Press, "and I think the teams that have been able to sign their player prior to the draft have seen a better measure of success by and large. Now is that because there's a contract in place? I don't know if there's a causal effect or not."
The move to negotiate early is similar to the one orchestrated last year by Bill Parcells and the Miami Dolphins, who opened contract talks with Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long and actually agreed to a contract four days before the draft.
Previously, the Houston Texans agreed to a contract with defensive end Mario Williams before making him the first pick in 2006.
The difference with Detroit this year is that the Lions are negotiating with multiple prospects.
And the negotiating could get quite interesting with the two favorites to be the top pick -- Stafford and Smith -- being represented by Tom Condon and Ben Dogra, who both work for CAA. Curry is represented by Andy Ross of Octagon.
Stafford dined with a contingent of the Lions' top executives, including Lewand, Mayhew and coach Jim Schwartz at the scouting combine, and sources said the former Georgia quarterback was impressive at his pro day and private workout.
Most league insiders think Stafford remains the prohibitive favorite to be the top pick. Schwartz is well-versed in the risks of drafting quarterbacks so high. He came to the Lions from the Titans, who had very mixed success with a pair of No. 3 overall picks in Steve McNair and Vince Young.
"It provides perspective, but I don't think it charts a course for what we do because everybody's different," Schwartz said at the owner's meetings last month. "