Morning Lions Links for Thursday 4-18-13

Articles:

Lions have no choice but to pay Stafford in full:   http://www.freep.com/article/20130418/SPORTS01/130417036/jamie-samuelsen-blog-detroit-lions-matthew-stafford-contract-extension

Leadership is more than talk for the Lions -- it's action:   http://www.freep.com/article/20130417/COL08/304170050/Drew-Sharp-Leadership-is-more-than-talk-it-is-action

New Lions RB coach Curtis Modkins sees opportunity in offense:   http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20130418/SPORTS0101/304180315/1126/New-Lions-running-backs-coach-Curtis-Modkins-sees-opportunity-offense

Stafford embraces becoming a total leader:   http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20130417/SPORTS0101/304170316/1126/Lions-QB-Matthew-Stafford-embraces-becoming-total-leader

Caputo on Stafford, Lions and his contract extension:   http://patcaputo.blogspot.com/2013/04/on-matthew-stafford-detroit-lions-and.html

Stafford a funny guy:   http://oplions.blogspot.com/2013/04/detroit-lions-matthew-stafford-funny-guy.html

Has Mel Kiper Jr. lost it (He has the Lions trading up to #1 to take Milliner)?:   http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2013/04/17/has-mel-kiper-jr-lost-it/

Mel Kiper as a 32 team general manager:   http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcnorth/post/_/id/55301/mel-kiper-as-a-32-team-general-manager

All First Round Team 2008-2012 (This team is made up of the best players that were drafted in the first round from 2008-2012.  Suh made this team.):    https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2013/04/17/all-first-round-team-2008-2012/2/

Barry Sanders will go head to head with AP in Madden Cover Finals:   http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/Barry-Sanders-will-go-head-to-head-with-Adrian-Peterson-in-Madden-Cover-finals/2280ed89-ab8c-4d44-9d9f-c72547b8ade8

Draft:

Tavon Austin visits Lions on final day of draft visits:   http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/Tavon-Austin-in-Allen-Park-on-the-final-day-of-pre-draft-visits/52d277fb-58e3-4759-9f01-87a55ba74adc

O'Hara's draft preview - Rating the d-lineman:   http://www.detroitlions.com/news/ohara/article-1/OHaras-Draft-Preview-Rating-the-defensive-linemen-/bd6dce97-0701-44f2-9cda-9ef793252ee9

Lions needs in draft - O-lineman:   http://www.freep.com/article/20130418/SPORTS01/304180077/Lions-needs-in-NFL-draft-Offensive-linemen

Tavon Austin, Reggie Bush like twins:   http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000160660/article/tavon-austin-detroit-lions-reggie-bush-like-twins

U-M's Will Campbell, Kenny Demens among local prospects at Lions-hosted local workout:   http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20130417/SPORTS0101/304170439/1126/U-M-s-Will-Campbell-Kenny-Demens-among-local-prospects-Lions-hosted-workout

Small school player Clinton Orr, of Albion college, has big dreams:   http://www.freep.com/article/20130418/COL38/304180095/Jeff-Seidel-Small-school-player-Clinton-Orr-of-Albion-College-has-big-NFL-dreams

Warmack, Cooper make case for guard as top 10:   http://www.freep.com/article/20130418/SPORTS01/304180093/Offensive-guards-Chance-Warmack-Jonathan-Cooper-could-go-in-top-10-of-NFL-draft

Seifert breaks down the WRs after Tavon Austin:   http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcnorth/post/_/id/55284/breaking-down-wrs-after-tavon-austin

Bargain buyers should focus on Barrett Jones:   http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=nfl/writers/extrapoints/archive/extrapoints_041713.htm

Stars, under the radar, sleepers and overrated players in the draft:   http://football.realgm.com/src_article/2262/20130417/who_will_draft_the_kaepernicks_who_will_draft_the_gholstons/

Scout talk - Who is Tavon Austin similar too:   http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Scout-Talk-1231.html

5 players in the draft that will be hot trade commodities:   http://aol.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2013-04-17/2013-nfl-draft-trades-milliner-tavon-austin-mingo-lane-johnson-eifert

Mayock's draft risers:   http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000160911/article/path-to-the-draft-recap-mike-mayocks-draft-risers

The best prospects you never heard of:   http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000160675/article/2013-nfl-draft-noname-prospects-can-step-into-spotlight

The drafts most incredible back story:   http://www.nfl.com/draft/story/0ap1000000160668/article/dj-hayden-brings-amazing-neardeath-story-to-2013-nfl-draft

Cosell's take - Cornering the market:   http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/cosell-cornering-market-152214975--nfl.html

NFL draft preview - A look at the top d-lineman:   http://www.theoaklandpress.com/articles/2013/04/17/sports/pro/31f6a9f2-f2b6-44d1-92c6-0140d978fa3b.txt

Mock Draft Round-up (I've updated a couple of the mock drafts):    http://captainbluelionslinks.blogspot.com/2013/04/2013-mock-draft-round-up-18.html

Video:

Birkett, Monarrez can't agree what the Lions should do with the first round pick:   http://www.freep.com/videonetwork/2307605702001

Is Stafford an elite QB:   http://www.nfl.com/videos/detroit-lions/0ap2000000160530/Is-Matthew-Stafford-an-elite-quarterback

Brian Billick on NFC North team draft needs:   http://www.nfl.com/videos/detroit-lions/0ap2000000160839/Brian-Billick-on-NFC-North-team-draft-needs