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Left Tackle Would Be Right Choice For Lions

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By IRA KAUFMAN

ikaufman@tampatrib.com

Published: February 22, 2009

TAMPA - Those sorry Detroit Lions had better be safe when Commissioner Roger Goodell calls their name April 25.

As the first 0-16 team in NFL annals kicks off the 2009 draft, the Lions will be tempted to choose a quarterback to build around, knowing Atlanta's Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco of the Ravens guided their clubs to playoff berths as rookies.

But make no mistake - Matt Stafford is no Matt Ryan.

New Detroit coach Jim Schwartz isn't likely to make that mistake, not with his lengthy pedigree with the Titans under Jeff Fisher.

Tennessee's rise to the AFC's No. 1 postseason seed was fueled by dominance in the trenches. The blue-collar Titans ran well and defended the run even better, and that's why Schwartz knows toughening up the Lions across the line of scrimmage is Job One.

Although Mel Kiper may not want to admit it, this is a poor year to be looking for a franchise quarterback in the draft.

Stafford, Mark Sanchez and Josh Freeman, three juniors with legitimate questions about their effectiveness at the next level, may be the best of the bunch ... but it's a lousy bunch.

That's why Alabama's Andre Smith has a realistic chance to follow Jake Long as the second consecutive left tackle to be chosen No. 1 overall.

When the precocious Smith was in sixth grade, he asked his father what position in pro football pays the best.

"My dad said left tackle."

Smart parent.

Quarterback still leads the way with an average NFL wage of $5 million, but left tackles average $4 million - and the gap is closing.

"Left tackles get paid a lot of money," Schwartz said. "Not because it looks real pretty on TV or in the media, but because of what that does for an offensive coordinator. You're talking about ability to impact a game."

Great tackles like Walter Jones, Jonathan Ogden and Orlando Pace open up offensive playbooks, simplify blocking schemes and help quarterbacks and coaches to sleep better.

That's why the Panthers just agreed to fork over $30 million over the next three years to prevent left tackle Jordan Gross from hitting the free-agent market.

And, as Schwartz points out, stellar left tackles are rarely available in free agency.

Eight offensive tackles were selected in the first round of the 2008 draft and don't be surprised if four tackles are picked in the Top 10 this year.

Donald Penn has done a nice job for the Bucs the past two seasons on the left side, but Tampa Bay has never produced a Pro Bowl tackle - left or right - in the franchise's 33-year history.

Smith is hoping to be in Motown this fall and he may get his wish because Schwartz realizes that when it comes to big-time left tackles, father knows best.

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