Detroit Lions Weblog

Training Camp Begins, Cody and Williams sign, Drummond Holds Out.

Lions training camp has begun! As camp began, Shaun Cody and his “Reality Television” winning agent inked his contract with the Lions while Cody anxiously sat in his pads and uniform. I am glad the Lions made sure to get Cody into camp, the success of their defensive line and pass rush are two of the more integral elements to any success that they may experience this season. This season has provided additional difficulties for teams atempting to sign high draft picks since it took the 49ers so long to sign QB Alex Smith and the contract terms that teams make are based on the offers that are made to the draft picks according to their draft slot. Smith’s signing creates a domino effect that sets the bar for what kind of offers the other high draft picks will receive.

According to Mike O’Hara on his weekly guest slot on 92.1/92.7 WQTX, the Lions have also agreed to terms with Mike Williams and he is on way to camp from Florida. This is excellent news, the more experience Williams attains the increased likelihood he will make significant contributions this year. The disappointing news from O’Hara was that the Lions are taking a hard line in contract negotiations with Return Specialist Eddie Drummond.

Drummond, who has been excellent but has had difficulties remaining healthy in his 4 year career, has been treated well by the Lions. By all rights, they could be offering him significantly less money due to an intricacy of his contract. Drummond refused to sign their contract tender offer as a Restricted Free Agent, which would give the Lions the opportunity to pay him much less this year. The Lions can ill afford to not have Drummond healthy and happy, but can’t overspend for a player who makes no significant contributions to the team other than his prowess in the return game. As valuable as Drummond has been, and with the Lions posessing few viable replacement options, they feel they can’t afford to cave in to Drummond and Agent Drew Rosenhaus’s demands.

According today’s Detroit News training camp notes, undrafted Free Agent FB Will Allen, another Texas Longhorn, has made an early impression in camp as a real thumper. I don’t believe that Allen poses a real threat to Corey Schlesinger, but it is nice to know that should Schlesinger get injured they may have a player who on the roster who could slide in and fill a similar role.