Alright, I’m done thinking this deal isn’t going to go through. It’s time to entertain the idea the Falcons will trade with Detroit in order to select Georgia Tech wide out Calvin Johnson. Indications look like Detroit will send the No. 2 pick for Atlanta’s first, third and a pair of seconds (if not more).
I’ve disputed this trade for weeks because I didn’t think it made sense for the Falcons. And I still think it’s a terrible move, because Atlanta has vast other needs, shouldn’t give up three or four potential starters for one player (even if he is Calvin Johnson) and will essentially wind up getting nothing in the end for backup quarterback Matt Schaub. But I digress. Falcons’ owner Arthur Blank may be more worried about selling tickets and the image of his team than actually winning Super Bowls. Given Michael Vick’s latest (and essentially most serious) issues with the law, Blank may feel he needs a new face of the franchise and will sacrifice the good of the team to get what he wants. If it happens, it’s a disastrous move waiting to happen for the Falcons, despite winding up with arguably the best player in the draft. I hope for Atlanta fans if the Falcons do select Johnson, that he can play defensive end, tackle, offensive guard, safety and corner, because he’ll have to.
As for the Lions, this move potentially makes Matt Millen look like a genius. He would keep stockpiling picks, will get a king’s ransom for a pick he doesn’t want and fill his roster with much needed bodies. This would be a fantastic move for Detroit, but then again, Millen still has to go out and draft the right players with all of these selections.
