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We had some good discussion earlier this week on the question of whether a outside linebacker is valuable enough to a team using the 4-3 base defense to be taken with the draft's No. 1 overall, an issue generated by Aaron Curry's strong performance at the NFL scouting combine.

	AP Photo/Darron Cummings
	Aaron Curry ran the fastest time in the 40-yard dash of any linebacker at the NFL combine.

Many of you were in favor of drafting Curry at No. 1 if he is in fact the top player in the draft. And surprisingly, at least to me, I didn't see one comment or mailbag note that favored Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford over Curry at No. 1.

I realize Curry is the flavor of the day, and that Stafford still hasn't thrown for NFL scouts. But I thought a quarterback would get at least one nod.

Paul of Grand Ledge, Mich., mentioned New England's Jerod Mayo and cautions against downplaying the ability of a linebacker to change a game:

Detroit's defense is awful and he would fill an immediate need, especially if he can play the middle. Detroit could then pick an OT/CB/DE #20. A QB should be ignored this year since none are good enough to be picked in the 1st rd. Plus if they need a QB, wait until next year when the class will be much better. Also Detroit should remember former 1st rd QB busts like Andre Ware, Chuck Long and Joey Harrington. Detroit needs safe and solid picks not risks who could turn out to be major busts AGAIN! Does Charles Rogers and Mike Williams ring a bell?

Adam_G_7 was adamant:

Take Curry. The bottom line is that Detroit cant afford to pick the bust this year, or even a guy who is average. They have to pick well with those first 5 picks. Getting 5 of the top 87 players or whatever they have isn't going to come along very often, and risking the top choice on a junior qb with questionable accuracy would be idiotic. Build the lines and retool the defense. It wouldn't matter if we had Joe Montana circa 1987, because there isn't a team around the qb position. If your D gives up 45 points every week, then you aren't going to win very often. Build it up right and address the qb with next year's draft or via free agency.

Independent of Curry's abilities, I saw a lot of feedback arguing against Stafford. Jin of Chicago brought up a dreaded name in the annals of quarterback history - David Carr - as an example of what can happen to a so-called franchise quarterback when the team around him is incomplete:

I firmly believe you build a team through the offensive and defensive lines first. Even with a talent like Stafford, if there is no protection, then there is no hope (see David Carr). With the first pick, I would hope the Lions take Jason Smith, who has done nothing to disprove his lofty draft status.

We'll continue this debate through the draft season. But in the week after the combine, it's clear that at least the readers of this blog would be happy with Curry -- and are wary of Stafford -- at the No. 1 pick.