Five things we learned from the Lions’ draft over the weekend.

1. They are disciplined and stick to the draft board. Of course, they are the ones who create the board. They won’t reach down, they’ll get a good player no matter if wide receiver isn’t a huge need. We saw this last year too when they drafted DT Nick Fairley in the first round. WR Ryan Broyles could prove to be the steal of the draft, it’s just too early to tell.

2. They like Oklahoma players. They must, they drafted three of them. It’s the first time they’ve drafted three players from the same school since 1958, according to their media guide. Schwartz said several scouts got a look at the Sooners, but not more than similar schools like Nebraska or Oklahoma State.

3. When the LIons drafted a cornerback with their third pick, Mayhew walked into the press conference and said he noticed all the media were smiling. We weren’t smiling because we cared what position they drafted, we were smiling because we wouldn’t have to write about which corners they skipped over and we wouldn’t be bombarded with Tweets about the situation.

4. Of course, character plays a role in the draft decisions. Of the three draftees that were brought in, all seemed like classy kids. Riley Reiff is a bit of an aw-shucks guy who is not used to the spotlight. Broyles was open, friendly, confident and had been on a podium previously. (Wide receivers get more press conferences in college than offensive linemen.) Chris Greenwood, the Detroiter who played at Albion, was all smiles, totally polite and you got the feeling it wasn’t just because his family was there with him. Too difficult to judge the other five who talked to the media on conference calls only.

5. We already knew the Lions had some class players on the roster, that was cemented over the weekend. First-round pick Riley Reiff met Jeff Backus, who he might one day replace. Reiff said Backus was welcoming, told him they had a good group and they’d have some fun. Also, Broyles got texts from Calvin Johnson and Nate Burleson welcoming him to the receiving group. Nice moves.

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ALLEN PARK — The Lions were in need of a third quarterback and reportedly got one when they signed undrafted free agent Kellen Moore out of Boise State.

Moore, a coach’s son, was named the best college quarterback in the country by the Touchdown Club of Columbus.

The knock on his was his height (6-foot) and weight (197 pounds). He lacks scramble ability. His numbers are likely inflated by the mid-major competition.

Moore, who some call a football junkie, will have a chance to win the third quarterback spot behind Matthew Stafford and Shaun Hill.

Following Saturday’s draft the Lions were hitting the phones to sign undrafted players.

They also signed Derek Dimke, an Illinois placekicker.

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ALLEN PARK — Give the Lions’ management credit for being consistent when it comes to the NFL draft.

It takes discipline to stay with their draft board and they do it. This isn’t the first year either.

With their second-round pick they drafted WR Ryan Broyles (Oklahoma) even though there were several cornerbacks available.

“He was the best player on our board and there’s a discipline that goes along with that thought process,’’ coach Jim Schwartz said.

Wide receiver not a big need position, but they’re looking for value in the long run, not next week.

They were criticized a year ago for drafting DT Nick Fairley with the 13th overall pick because, again, the line was already the strength of the defense.

“We follow our board, our board tells us who the best players are and this guy was the guy to take for us,’’ general manager Martin Mayhew said.

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ALLEN PARK — Riley Reiff didn’t dream all of his life of playing in the NFL, because he wasn’t even sure he would play football in college.

In high school he was a multi-sport athlete.

The Lions’ first-round draft pick wrestled at Parkston (S.D.) High School and held an amazing 121-1 record and was three-time state champion. His only loss came in his freshman year. He didn’t wrestle in his senior year after wrist surgery.

Reiff said on Friday that his wrestling background has helped him on the offensive line.

“Just using your hands, I think a lot of it is mental toughness, being a wrestler takes a lot of discipline and hard work, I think that and footwork and your hips and stuff I think all of that helps in being an offensive lineman,’’ the 313-pound Reiff said.

He didn’t wrestle at Iowa because he literally grew out of it, could no longer get down to 285 pounds the top weight.

Reiff also played football in high school where he was a tight end. When he was recruited by Iowa he first played on the defensive line, then switched sides of the ball.

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Offensive tackle Riley Reiff made it to Detroit from South Dakota about 12 hours after being drafted in the first round by the Lions on Thursday night with the 23rd overall pick.

He’ll meet with the media later this afternoon. Stay tuned for a full report.

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ALLEN PARK — It’s way too early to say how the Lions did by drafting OT Riley Reiff in the first round on Thursday night.

However, it does all seem to add up to a solid pick.

Reiff was a riot on a conference call with the Detroit media shortly after he was drafted. He sounded like he was way more comfortable sitting in the barn at his home in South Dakota waiting for the phone to ring than he would have been in glitzy surroundings of Manhattan.

He repeatedly said he was “super excited” to be a Lion. And he also said repeatedly that “whatever happens, happens” when it comes to where he will play this season.

Reiff seems like a nice kid eager to get on with life in the NFL. Of course like-ability doesn’t win football games. But Reiff has the size and the resume to give the Lions’ aging offensive line — average age 30 — help now and in the future.

He needs to have the right attitude. If he does he can learn a ton from Backus and the rest of the offensive line.

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Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson, who possesses one of the best smiles ever, was announced as the winner of the vote to grace the Madden 13 cover early Thursday evening.

Over 20 millions fans voted over seven weeks. Johnson and the Panthers’ Cam Newton were the finalists.

Before the announcement was made on ESPN2’s SportsNation, Johnson was asked why he should win. His response was short and to the point: “This is what I do, I'm Megatron.’’

The cover shot was unveiled in Times Square. Many Lions fans in the crowd chanted, “Megatron, Megatron.” Johnson, a humble guy, said he was “shocked” at the decision.

Johnson said earlier in the week he doesn’t believe in the curse associated with being on the Madden cover. Over the years players who have been on the cover have suffered serious injuries or had bad seasons.

It’s not all about the money for Johnson. He said if he wins it will benefit his foundation which does work in his hometown of Atlanta. He also mentioned he’s trying to get the foundation spread to Detroit too.

Johnson said he was an avid Madden player in college, but now that the NFL is his job not so much.

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Just a day away from the NFL draft and there’s plenty to discuss. Five things you should know about the Lions as they enter the draft on Thursday at 8 p.m. with the 23rd overall pick in the first round.

1. It’s unlikely the Lions will move up in the first round. Wouldn’t be surprised to see GM Martin Mayhew move down if he thinks it makes sense. He is not in desperation mode with 21 of 22 starters from last year signed.

2. You’re thinking cornerback, I know you are. But that’s what we were all thinking a year ago and Mayhew selected DT Nick Fairley with the 13th overall pick. He goes for the best available player no matter the position.

3. Two sure bets. The Lions will not take a quarterback in the first round, we’ve been assured of this. They might draft a QB in later rounds because they have just two on their roster with the loss of Drew Stanton. Also, while they have not said so, the Lions will not draft CB Janoris Jenkins. He’s got enough red flags to hold his own parade.

4. Would be shocked if the Lions don’t address finding depth and project players for the offensive line. Don’t expect this necessarily will happen in the first round, but it should happen at some point.

5. For a chance to chat about the draft, join me today at 3 p.m. by going to TheOaklandPress.com. Also for text updates during the draft and actually any time of the year, text the keyword "Lions" to 22700. Msg & Data Rates May Apply. Text HELP for help. Text STOP to cancel.

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We’re closing in on the NFL draft -- finally. Here is all you need to know except, of course, which team is picking which player.

Days and times: Thursday at 8 p.m., Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at noon.

Rounds: First (Thursday), second and third (Friday), fourth-seventh (Saturday).

Time per pick: 10 minutes in first round; seven minutes in rounds 2 and 3; five minutes in final four rounds.

TV coverage: NFL Network and ESPN, practically around the clock.

Lions picks: First (23rd overall), second (54th), third (85th), fourth (117th), fifth (158th), no sixth-round pick, seventh (219th and 230th).

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(Paula Pasche covers the Lions. Follow her on Twitter @PaulaPasche. Read her Lions Lowdown blog at oplions.blogspot.com. It will be updated frequently leading up to and during the draft.)

ALLEN PARK — Way back when, Barry Sanders was chosen to be on the cover of Madden 2000. Good selection for an all-pro running back.

Then before the season started, Sanders up and retired.

That awful Madden curse. Many Lions fans can’t forget it. They’d rather anyone but a Lion appear on the cover of the Madden video game.

Calvin Johnson doesn’t believe in it. The Lions wide receiver is a finalist, along with Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, to be on the cover of Madden 13, the only NFL-licensed console video game. The winner will be announced Wednesday.

“Not a big guy for curses, don’t even think about it,’’ Johnson said. The curse has resulted from players gracing the Madden cover only to have a less-than-stellar season.

It’s a big deal to get the cover and Johnson wants it for a few good mostly unselfish reasons.

“Looking forward to it, it’d be very cool to have that, it’d be good for the city, good for this organization, and especially good for my foundation,’’ Johnson said on Tuesday.

Johnson explained if he gets the cover it would benefit his foundation financially.

“They like some things I’m doing in the neighborhood back home (in Atlanta) and starting to transfer some of those things up here,’’ Johnson said. “That’s definitely a steppingstone to start doing some of that stuff.’’

Johnson’s teammate Nate Burleson believes in the Madden curse, but thinks if anyone could break it, it would be Calvin Johnson.

Since he plays in the NFL for a living, he’s more into FIFA (soccer) now. He did play Madden while at Georgia Tech.

“Everybody played Madden coming up. Everybody saw the guys that were on the cover. I remember when I was in college I was a big Madden player, it’s a big deal, it’s a big deal for ballplayers,’’ Johnson said.

Newton produced a seven-minute video urging fans to vote for him. He also challenged Johnson to a showdown playing Madden.

Johnson says he is planning a video response involving the receivers. He said to keep an eye out for it.

He’s heard from fans, some who don’t want him on the cover because of the curse.

“It’s not surprising, you’ve been hearing about the curse forever. It doesn’t surprise me, i hear about it from the fans,’’ Johnson said. “Most fans want me to get on it, it’s a lot of good things for the city. Some fans don’t want it because they’re big football fans, it’s going to be good either way.’’

Johnson beat out Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski in the votng to make it to the finals. The online poll can be found at ESPN.com.

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Five things learned about the Lions and the upcoming draft from general manager Martin Mayhew on Thursday:

1. Mayhew said that running back Jahvid Best (concussion) has been doing conditioning and working out with the other players this week. That doesn’t mean he’s been cleared to practice, but it’s a step.

2. With the 23rd draft pick, Mayhew said there are between four and seven guys they feel comfortable with and who would be “great fits.”

3. Mayhew’s draft strategy remains the same: “It’s the best player for us, the player that fits us the best that’s the guy we’re looking to take.’’

4. The Lions have just two quarterbacks signed. Drew Stanton signed as a free agent with the Indianapolis Colts. Mayhew said if it makes sense they could draft a quarterback in the later rounds, but it won’t happen in the first round. If they don’t draft one, they’ll pick up another quarterback as a free agent.

5. Mayhew said there hasn’t been much trade talk about their first-round pick at No. 23.

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Two of the Lions biggest road games in 2012 will come under the prime-time spotlight. The Lions play division foes, Chicago and Green Bay, in road games. The NFL schedule was released Tuesday night.

On Oct. 22 they’ll play their only Monday night game at Soldier Field against the Bears. Then on Dec. 9, they’ll play at Green Bay in a Sunday night contest.

Those two games almost literally jump off the schedule. Both should be dandies.

They are just two of four prime-time contests for the Lions who will play at the 49ers on Sunday, Sept. 16. They will host the Atlanta Falcons in a Saturday night game on Dec. 22. But that’s not all. Their fifth nationally televised game is on Thanksgiving against the Houston Texans.

It’ll be a rough start with four of the first six games on the road. That’s tough. They’ll be rewarded late in the year with four of the last six at home. But they’re going to have to hit the ground running.

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ALLEN PARK — The latest news we have of Lions RB Mikel Leshoure was of his two marijuana possession charges in February and March.

Until now.

Wide receiver Nate Burleson talked about Leshoure on Tuesday.

“I’m a big fan of Leshoure. Like I said, he was one of the most ready rookies I’ve seen since I’ve been in the league and that’s 10 years. If he can get healthy, he told me (Monday), ‘I’m going to take my time and heal up, but I’m going to be ready for the season.’

“I don’t want to speak on his behalf. If that is true, he’s going to help us a lot in that running game,’’ Burleson added.

After rupturing an Achilles’ tendon in training camp last year Leshoure missed his entire rookie season. Lions management has been optimistic he’ll be ready to go in the fall.

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ALLEN PARK — One big absence at the start of the off-season program for the Lions is Cliff Avril.

Veteran defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch said the defensive line group feels incomplete without him at the workouts.

Avril has been offered a one-year $10.6 million contract as a franchise player, but has yet to sign it. He wants a long-term deal and is working toward that before the July 15 deadline.

Vanden Bosch expects Avril to be in shape when he joins the team but feels he is missing out by not working out with his teammates.

“I worked out with Cliff almost every day last off-season. I know from a physical standpoint he will be ready whenever he gets here. I feel our group is a pretty tight group, the things we did two years ago (in the off-season), working everyday and pushing each other we had a special group,’’ Vanden Bosch said on Tuesday.

“I felt like we were missing some of that last year, being away from each other. We had a couple of player workouts during the lockout, but not being around each other every day, holding everybody accountable. I think it takes something away from your group.

“Cliff will miss out on that. It feels like we’re not complete when he’s not here. We know Cliff, we know he’ll be ready to go when he gets back,’’ Vanden Bosch added.

Avril had threatened to hold out if a new deal was not done.

“It’s the unfortunate part of the business sometimes, it is a business and I think, to a degree, the team understands,’’ Vanden Bosch said. “I think he understands where they’re at and both sides are hopeful that progress can be made.’’

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ALLEN PARK — Kyle Vanden Bosch said Nick Fairley reported to the off-season workout program in good shape.

The veteran defensive end said he ran with Fairley on Monday, but has not talked to him about his off-field transgressions. Fairley was charged last month with marijuana possession in South Carolina.

“I’ve been around a lot of players and I know the kind of person Nick is and you get the feeling it’s an isolated incident and he is remorseful for the affect and the distraction it’s caused the team,’’ Vanden Bosch said on Tuesday. “I don’t feel like it’s going to be a problem down the road for him.’’

Due to the NFL lockout a year ago, Fairley and all rookies were deprived of the off-season program. That makes the next nine weeks more important for the younger players.

“It’s huge. The rookies missed out on a lot. Just to show up, day one at training camp you don’t even know where the meeting rooms are,’’ Vanden Bosch said.

“It’ll be good for him to understand what it takes to get ready physically for the season, but also he’ll know our system and the defense.’’

Fairley broke his foot during training camp last year and never fully recovered. It was a disappointing season for the first-round draft pick and much is expected of him this year.

Vanden Bosch, entering his 13th NFL season, surely will help push him along. Show him the ropes. The first two weeks of the off-season program are totally about workouts and conditioning.

“Guys have to come in and worry about focusing on what we have today and not necessarily how today will correlate into wins,’’ Vanden Bosch said. “It’s a different kind of mentality than players are used to.’’

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The NFL schedule will be released with much fanfare at 7 p.m. on Tuesday with three-hour specials on the NFL Network and ESPN.

Here’s a reminder on the Lions’ opponents will be.

At home: Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Atlanta Falcons, Houston Texans and the Indianapolis Colts.

On the road:: Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans.

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Matthew Stafford had his day at ESPN a few months ago. Tuesday it will be Calvin Johnson’s turn.

The Lions wide receiver will appear on most ESPN shows Tuesday starting with SportsCenter at 10:45 a.m. and ending with NFL32 at 6 p.m., per information from Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com.

Stafford had some fun, throwing to ESPN staffers from the roof of one building down to the field.

“It was fun, it was a good time. I spent a day out there in Bristol (Conn.), they had me doing the dog-and-pony show all around,’’ Stafford said on Monday. “It was fun, it was a blast.’’

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ALLEN PARK — Lions defensive tackle Nick Fairley and running back Mikel Leshoure did not address their teammates about their recent off-field issues when the team got together Monday for the first day of the offseason workout program.

Fairley, Leshoure and Johnny Culbreath all were charged with various counts of marijuana possession since the season ended.

Quarterback Matthew Stafford, the only player who spoke to the media, was asked about the situation.

“We’ve come so far we don’t want anything to hold us back. I think everybody knows that. We’re a mature team, obviously some of the guys who were having trouble off the field are younger guys, they’ll figure it out and we’ll be there to help them along,’’ Stafford said.

All three were rookies last season. Leshoure never played a snap after a torn Achilles’ tendon in training camp. Fairley was hampered by a foot that he broke in training camp. Much is expected of both this season.

“Like I said these guys are young guys, but they’re grown men, they understand what they need to do, do what they can to correct it, and not let it happen again,’’ Stafford said. “Everybody makes mistakes. This is life, just got to make sure their heads are in the right place, move forward and get ready for the season.’’

Stafford said the news about the three was disappointing and surprising.

“It’s a tough situation to deal with, but at the same time these guys are going to get back to work just like we are, and get ready for the season,’’ Stafford said.

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Three things we learned about the Lions this week:

1. Former Lion Alex Karras is one of almost 1,200 former NFL players to sue the NFL because of concussion damage. It was revealed this week Karras has been suffering from dementia for seven years. Not too many of us young folks (hold the comments please) remember seeing Karras play. He was a four-time Pro Bowler. He was also suspended for a season for gambling. I remember him most as Mongo in “Blazing Saddles” where he punched a horse. A classic. Here’s hoping the best for Karras.

2. After what seems like a long winter, the players start their offseason workouts at the Lions practice facility next week. Could see some stories unfold when the veterans get a chance to talk with the youngsters in particular Mikel Leshoure, Nick Fairley and Johnny Culbreath.

3. That the remote chance that the Lions would draft cornerback Janoris Jenkins got more remote this week when it was revealed that he had not learned his lesson after getting kicked off the Florida team because of marijuana transgressions. It came to light this week that he continued to smoke marijuana after he transferred to North Alabama. There’s speculation he could drop out of the first round due to character issues.

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Enough already.

The bad news regarding cornerback Janoris Jenkins just doesn’t stop.

We knew that his three marijuana possession issues are what got him kicked out of the Florida program. We know he’s got four kids (Janoris Jenkins Jr, Legend, Janorian and Paris) with three mothers and yet he’s just 23.

So obviously he hasn’t made the smartest decisions.

Now ProFootballTalk.com has a story that Jenkins was honest at the pre-draft team interviews, saying that he continued smoking marijuana even after he transferred to North Alabama.

He’s considered to be the second or third best corner in the draft. Morris Claiborne is likely a top five pick. Dre Kirkpatrick, who also has a marijuana possession charge on his resume is right there with Jenkins.

Yes, the Lions need a cornerback. But even if Jenkins is available when the Lions pick at No. 23 I just can’t believe they would take him. They drafted three guys last year who are dealing with marijuana charges this off-season.

The Lions are too smart to just look at the film of Jenkins and not to take into consideration his off-field decision making.

So please, no more talk of Janoris Jenkins to the Lions.

Thank-you.

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What is it about Texas and NFL quarterbacks?

The top three rated quarterbacks for this year’s NFL draft all come from Texas — Andrew Luck (Stanford) is from Houston, Robert Griffin III (Baylor) is from Copperas Cove, Texas, and Ryan Tannehill (Texas A&M) is from Big Spring, Texas.

Coincidence? Not really.

Texas is a hotbed of NFL quarterbacks, Detroit fans have to look no further than Matthew Stafford who grew up in Highland Park, Texas, a suburb of Dallas.

Saints quarterback Drew Brees, who along with Stafford, threw for more than 5,000 yards last season is also from Texas. Dallas, to be exact.

Jon Gruden, former NFL coach and ESPN draft analyst, said passer tournaments for kids in Texas are always ongoing.

“They throw the ball and have organized passing camps more than any other place I’ve been,’’ Gruden said during a pre-draft conference call on Wednesday. “There’s an enthusiasm in Texas for football that might lead the country.’’

No wonder it’s fertile ground for QBs.

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1. Three members of the 2011 draft class have worked their way out of the Lions’ favor but not off the roster. Marijuana charges for Mikel Leshoure were revealed this week, Nick Fairley was stopped this week in Alabama and cited for marijuana possession and, of course, Johnny Culbreath was charged with marijuana possession in January. All three are expected to step up this season after injuries slowed them down or in Leshoure’s case kept him off the field for his rookie season. Coach Jim Schwartz seems to be a fair guy, but I wouldn’t want to face his wrath if I were one of these three.2. Last summer the Lions didn’t sign LB Bobby Carpenter until camp was under way even though he had played well in 10 games for them in 2010. Carpenter signed as a free agent with the Patriots on Thursday. He was solid on special teams and played well at linebacker when he got his shot. He was an ironman of sorts too, playing in all 16 games last season with three starts. The Lions still have backups Ashlee Palmer and Doug Hogue, but they will miss Carpenter.

3. Gregg Williams revealed himself in a pre-game audio that was released Thursday. The former Saints defensive coordinator was firing up the Saints before the 49ers playoff game, a week after New Orleans had beaten the Lions. I don’t for a moment think that Williams had this history of paying players to knock opponents out of the game, but didn’t use it against the Lions. You know the NFL has folks closely examining every game from last season and the Lions played at New Orleans twice. I don’t think this is nearly over, I think it’s just getting started.

4. If there was a chance the Lions were looking to draft cornerbacks Janoris Jenkins (can’t see it at all) or Dre Kirkpatrick (certainly a possibility) I believe they’ll think twice now. Both have marijuana possession charges on their resume. Kirkpatrick (Alabama) and Jenkins (North Alabama) are considered among the best cornerbacks in the draft but not sure the Lions should take a chance on them in the light of what happened with three draft picks from last year.

5. The Lions’ new Nike uniforms just aren’t much different. But love the new gloves with the Lions logo across the back of both hands.

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Linebacker Bobby Carpenter, who played for the Lions the last two seasons, has signed with the New England Patriots.

Carpenter wasn’t a usual starter for the Lions, but when he stepped in he was typically solid as he was on special teams. He played in all 16 games in 2011 with three starts. He signed midway through the 2010 season due to injuries and played in 10 games with a pair of starts.

Carpenter, a first-round draft pick by the Cowboys in 2006 out of Ohio State, won’t be seen as a huge loss for the Lions, but without him they will need to find some depth at the position.

He’s the third significant player to be lost in free agency along with CB Eric Wright and QB Drew Stanton.

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Look at it this way, the Lions drafted five players in April 2011.

Since January three of the five have been charged with marijuana possession.

In order, in January offensive tackle Johnny Culbreath was charged with simple possession of marijuana in Orangeburg County, South Carolina. He paid a fine of $412.

Running back Mikel Leshoure was charged with possession of marijuana on Feb. 18 and again on March 12 in Berrien County. He paid a $485 fine on the first violation and skipped his Monday arraignment on the second. Not good.

Neither Leshoure or Culbreath played a snap in their rookie season due to injuries.

Defensive tackle Nick Fairley was charged with marijuana possession on Tuesday in Mobile, Ala.

Fairley was slowed down in his rookie season with a foot injury. He played in just 10 games and had 15 tackles and a sack.

Lions management was counting on all three to come back strong.

Legal ramifications are still unknown. NFL suspensions are also up in the air. A suspension usually comes after the second offense.

The Lions can’t be too happy with the three players. In fact in a statement on Tuesday four words stood out: “We are extremely disappointed.”

Coach Jim Schwartz expects the best. I would expect him to be tough on all three. Facing a judge might be easier then going one-on-one with an angry (and rightfully so) Schwartz.

Of course the jury is still out on the 2011 draft class. But three out of five haven’t got off to a great start.

Wide receiver Titus Young, who got better as his rookie season wore on, and linebacker Doug Hogue, who contributed mostly on special teams, have stayed clean in the off-season.

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Certainly Mikel Leshoure made mistakes in the past few months — mistakes which led to two charges of marijuana possession within a month.

To top it off the Lions running back skipped out on Monday’s arraignment in Berrien County.

Still, I was shocked at the reaction on Twitter on Monday. Many fans called for the Lions to trade him or whatever it takes to get drive him out of town and then draft another running back.

That’s just nonsense. Leshoure will go through the legal system for the second offense. He paid a $485 fine for his first violation.

It seems unlikely he’ll be suspended by the NFL, although it is a possibility.

It seems highly likely he’ll get face time with coach Jim Schwartz to talk about the situation and will be told to clean up his act. He’ll have to deal with his peers and, of course, with jokes about trying to eat the evidence.

But then I would expect he’ll take on a big role in the offense just like everyone expected. After missing his rookie season with a torn Achilles’ tendon, he’s been working out at the Lions’ facility in the offseason. When Stephen Tulloch signed his big deal, he mentioned he’d seen Leshoure working out — actually running — and was impressed.

All along Lions management has been optimistic he’ll be ready for training camp.

At 6-foot and 227 pounds, he’s rock solid and will share reps with Jahvid Best and Kevin Smith. In his few days at camp last year before his injury Leshoure was impressive.

He’s made mistakes, but not enough to be chased out of town.

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The issue today is not whether marijuana should be legalized.

It’s the fact that Lions running back Mikel Leshoure was dumb enough to not take heed after his first arrest for marijuana possession in February.

Instead, reports came out today that Leshoure was arrested on March 12 while a passenger in a car and was trying to eat the evidence after police pulled the car over in Berrien County.

To make matters apparently worse, he failed to show up for his arraignment on Monday for possession of marijuana and so a bench warrant was issued for his arrest.

Dumb on top of dumb on top of stupid.

This is not a good start for the running back who has not played a snap in the NFL after he tore an Achilles’ tendon in training camp last August.

In his brief time at camp before the injury, Leshoure was all of that. He was impressive running and catching the ball. He was a rookie (a second-round pick out of Illinois) but he didn’t look like one on most days.

Not sure what the consequences will be on this one yet. The Lions need Leshoure to be healthy to give the offense a more balanced attack.

Coach Jim Schwartz always claims he doesn’t have a dog house, we’ll see if that’s still the case when OTAs start on April 16.

The Lions issued a statement that they are aware of the situation but for the time being have no further comment.

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Mikel Leshoure, the Lions running back, is expected to be arraigned today on a charge of marijuana possession, second offense.This is according to a report from ESPN 96.1, with the walk-in arraignment confirmed by WOOD radio with the Berrien County clerk.

Leshoure, a second-round draft pick a year ago, missed his entire rookie season after rupturing an Achilles’ tendon in training camp.

He is expected to be healthy for training camp this year and play a significant role in the Lions’ running game.

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