The Lions coaching staff is readying for the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama and their scouts have been working at pinpointing the best fit(s) for the upcoming April draft. At some point let's hope the two units cross paths in Alabama (Tuscaloosa) to give a long hard look at the talent and character of 'Bama's center Barrett Jones. Jones is a four year starter in a program that churns out pros like Dairy Queen churns out ice cream. He is a two time All-American at two different positions; a freshman All-American; a three-time academic All-American; a three-time national champion (at three different positions). He has won the Campbell Trophy, given annually to college football's best and brightest (has a 4.0gpa as an accounting major); he won the 2011 Outland Trophy as the best lineman and he's won the Rimington Award, given yearly to the nations top center.  He's 6-5; 311 who has quick feet and can get to the second level with strength and speed.  He is as an accomplished football player as the school has ever had, so his on-field ability is without question.  Off the field, he's gone on mission trips to Nicaragua and Haiti while others were on Spring Break and during the 2011 tornadoes that devastated Tuscaloosa, Jones went door-to-door with a chain saw to help people in trouble. His teammate, Chance Warmack, the best guard in America, said after the national title game to CBS Sports that Jones is, "one of the smartest people I have ever met, a great football player and a great teammate." Now, I ask you, after the last couple of years of defying their principles to take character guys and selecting people like Titus Young and Nick Fairley; after ignoring needs on the interior of this offensive line; and after watching guys go through seasons undisciplined and taking too many "stupid" penalties, don't you think the Lions would benefit from a guy like this?  If this organization is willing to trade up for Jahvid Best and Mikel Leshoure, how could it not entertain the thought of doing the same for Barrett Jones.  I'm not suggesting to take him at #5, but find a way to get him.  The team and the room could use a player with size, skill and character-there aren't enough of them in Allen Park.

Shep talks about Alabama's victory over Notre Dame in the BCS National Championship Game, including some of the players the Detroit Lions should look at.

[PODCAST] BCS Title Game Pt 1

[PODCAST] BCS Title Game Pt 2

[PODCAST] BCS Title Game Pt 3