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I'm on record as having selected Jahvid Best in the middle rounds of an experts league recently, believing his upside was big enough to take the risk. Two weeks later, with training camp having begun and Best still not cleared for contact, I have little choice but to change my tune.
I figured he'd be cleared in time for the start of training camp, and when GM Martin Mayhew concedes he's "surprised and disappointed" that it didn't work out that way, it suggests he thought the same thing. Best last suffered a concussion 10 months ago. The fact that he hasn't been cleared for contact without being hit in that time span suggests the Lions have no idea when, or if, he'll be cleared.
Mayhew claims he is very comfortable, very confident, that eventually Best will be cleared, but it's very unclear what he's basing that optimism on. Finding a different doctor that will clear him? Apparently a team of doctors and specialists have been involved in the decision, and nearly a year after Best's last concussion, they're unwilling to allow him to take any hits.
I am all for selecting high risk, high reward players at a value, but I am against wasting decent picks on players who I can't even be sure will be active for a game all season. The season may be nearly six weeks away, but that's the territory Best appears to be crossing into right now.
Kevin Smith has some injury issues of his own, but he's starting to look like the safest bet to start and lead the way for Detroit's offense this year. When they choose to run the ball, that is, which might not be very often.
--Andy Richardson
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