more speculation...

[dog-a-bone]

LIONS HAVEN'T HEARD FROM FALCONS . . . YET

Despite reports that Falcons owner Arthur Blank has instructed G.M. Rick McKay to move up from the No. 8 overall spot in the draft to get receiver Calvin Johnson, we're told that the team that holds the No. 2 overall selection has yet to hear from the Falcons.

Though the Lions fully expect to be contacted by the Falcons, could it be that the Falcons have opted to go straight to the top of the draft, and will attempt to strike a deal with the Raiders?

There's zero indication that the Falcons are talking to the Raiders, who have been remarkably tight-lipped about their plans. But if McKay's orders are to get Johnson, and if there's an open question as to whether the Raiders will draft him, the best way to keep the boss happy (other than bringing him a daily calzone from Paisano's) would be to get all the way to No. 1.

Under the trade value chart developed by Jimmy Johnson in the 1990s, the Falcons would have to come up with 1,600 points in addition to the 1,400 points that apply to the No. 8 pick. The rest of the team's selections in the 2007 draft barely equate to 1,400 points; thus, the Falcons would also need to include 200 points from the 2008 draft.

The 2008 second-rounder that they received from the Texans might be the gap-bridger in this regard.

Then again, Raiders owner Al Davis might decide to put his thumb on the scale, and justifiably so. If running back Ricky Williams was worth the Saints' entire 1999 draft and a first-rounder the following year, then Johnson is worth the same, if not more.

Stay tuned on this one. Because the owner reportedly wants to make it happen, McKay and coach Bobby Petrino are in a no-lose situation. If the deal backfires and the Falcons stink for the next five years (or more) because they gave up so many draft picks, both McKay and Petrino will be able to cover their butts by pointing to Mr. Blank's decision to mortgage the future by going after a guy who could become the post-Vick face of the franchise.

per profootballtalk.com
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