Detroit Lions Weblog

Lions release LS Maese, sign LS Littleton, WR Edwards

The Lions have had a busy week in preparation for their big first place showdown with the Chicago Bears. The Lions placed WR Kevin Johnson on injured reserve and signed former Steeler 1st round draft pick, WR Troy Edwards. The veteran Edwards, has some West Coast offense experience which made him very desirable to the Lions, has bounced around the league trying to catch on with a team for the last several years. Edwards has experienced some moderate success, so hopefully he will be able to contribute for the Lions. At this point, the only other receiver options available to the Lions were the “Burger King” (I hate that commercial where he scores on the slant pattern at Ford Field), Freddie “Fred-Ex” Mitchell and potentially having new team WR’s assistant coach Shawn Jefferson come out of retirement for a couple of games (not really).

The Lions released Long Snapper Joe Maese after his poor performance against the Browns on Sunday. Fortunately, Maese’s poor snaps didn’t hurt the Lions on Sunday unlike those initial snaps of the “Nolan Ryan” of long snappers, the currently injured Lions LS Don Muhlbach, did when the Lions lost to the Vikings in Muhlbach’s first game. The Lions signed Jody Littleton to snap until Muhlbach can return.

The Lions are anxiously waiting to see if WR/KR Eddie Drummond, WR Roy Williams, DT Shaun Rogers, and CB Dre Bly will be able to play. It appears that Bly will be out, leaving R. W. McQuarters and Andre Goodman as the starters and Keith Smith as the nickel corner. Shaun Rogers is likely out, too. “Killer” Kowalski believes that the Lions will use Corey Redding at tackle and Jared DeVries will start at Defensive End. Word is mum on the availabiltiy of Drummond or Williams, there does seem to be some growing locker room disapproval of Roy Williams lack of toughness. It seems that many of his teammates believe that he needs to get out on the field and play through his less-severe injuries. It was quite surprising to me that he was unable to play at all last week against the Browns.

Hopefully, if Roy Williams is out, “Big” Mike Williams will continue to show some signs that he may have been worthy of his first round draft selection. He definitely needs to learn how to hold onto the ball more consistently and avoid fumbling. Otherwise, he will lose valuable opportunities to an upstart like Scottie Vines, who has proven to be a capable competitor and seems very hungry to preserve his roster spot. It will be intriguing to see how the Lions manage their roster in the upcoming weeks with the return of Charles Rogers from suspension and the healthy returns of Drummond and Roy Williams.

Needless to say, for all of you gamblers out there, bet the under in the Bears/Lions showdown at Ford Field Sunday. The Lions have been on a grueling four week grind-it-out run that will continue against the Bears Sunday. This will not be a pretty game to watch. Hopefully, the Lions can gain a measure of revenge for the beating they took earlier this year against the Bears at Soldier’s Field. Fortunately for the Lions, new Bears receiver “Burger King” will be too busy handing out free “Meatnormous” Omelet Sandwiches to unwitting homeowners (while peering through their bedroom windows?) throughout the greater Detroit area Sunday and unavailable for Kyle Orton to throw TD’s to on Sunday.