Detroit Lions Weblog

Artose Pinner #4 RB on Depth Chart?

Bill Emkow, who writes MLive.com’s Highlight Reel, reflects on a June 16 Sporting News column in regards to the loaded Detroit Lions backfield. The article states that Pinner has been demoted to #4 on the depth chart and that recent ‘06 Free Agent Signee Arlen Harris, who is very familiar with Mike Martz’s offense (and lofty expectations) from his time in St. Louis, has a distinct advantage in the numbers game involved in filling out the final Lion’s roster.

Pinner, who was drafted in the 4th round of ‘04, has been a workmanlike, capable backup. His lack of explosiveness and somewhat limited skill set probably spells future doom for him as a Lion, though. That being said, with several other teams searching for quality depth in their backfield, I believe the Lions should take a proactive approach and see if they can garner a 6th or 7th round draft pick for Pinner’s services rather than releasing him at the end of training camp.

The same weblog also goes on to speculate about what kind of season Kevin Jones could conceivably have as a weapon in the new Mike Martz offense. I shudder to think, to be honest. If there was one player who was more underutilized by the previous regime, I wouldn’t believe it. Jones, who had an excellent rookie year, often was forgotten in the second half of most games. Even during the first half of most games, the ground game was abandoned early and almost seemed an afterthought in the dink ‘n’ dunk-go-nowhere offensive scheme of last season. This mishandling of an obvious personnel strength was nearly criminal in my eyes. I am excited about the future prospects of Jones in this offense and am confident that Martz will not commit the same mistakes as past coaches.

In Regards to Corey Schlesinger

The Detroit Free Press’s Nicholas Cotsonika recently penned an interesting article about Corey Schlesinger entitled Earning Respect… that updates the current standing of the future of the seasoned veteran.

Schlesinger, who has been perhaps the classiest and most consistent Lion in recent team history (with only Jason Hanson and Robert Porcher recently challenging that assertion), will face an uphill struggle to make the team’s final roster this season. As valuable as Schlesinger has been in the past, he’s consistently been a punishing run blocker and an often versatile offensive weapon, Mike Martz’s new, single-back oriented offense may struggle to find a consistent role for him. Even though Martz recently complimented his professionalism and work ethic, Schlesinger’s advanced years may render him somewhat expendable to the rebuilding franchise. That being said, I, like most Lion fans will not count him out since he has proven to be such a tenacious competitor.

Most remarkable about Schlesinger’s current situation (at least to me), in a time when other athletes would obnoxiously demand a trade to more suitable environs (like an offense that runs a more conventional I-formation) or lament their current unfavorable situation by bellyaching to the local media, Schlesinger has remained strongly-resolved and steadfast throughout his entire history as a Lion and I believe that these strong attributes will remain consistent throughout whatever future endeavors he may choose to pursue. Schlesinger is surely a vanishing breed and will be sorely missed when he finally plays his last down as a Lion.

Entering the Eye of the Storm

I have been a Detroit Tiger fan my entire life, at least as far back in time as I am able to recall. Nothing feels more right, or is more enjoyable, than the current performance of the 2006 Tiger’s team. That being said, as a NFL blogger, I can’t help but feel the anxious anticipation of the Detroit Lions upcoming season. I feel quite strongly that I am currently residing in the eye of a storm, as training camps rapidly approach, knowing the full brunt of the storm will ensue shortly.

This is obviously a very brief window of quiet time in the NFL offseason. It is difficult to comment on much of anything. Player movement has slowed to a trickle. OTA’s (Organized Team Activities) are as exciting as watching paint dry. Until the onset of training camp, the Ricky Williams CFL performance and “Big Ben” Roethlisberger’s motorcycle accident will dominate the football landscape.

Thankfully, the writers as MLive.com have recently provided some topics for consideration. In Bill Emkow’s “Highlight Reel” , Emkow highlight’s a recent Oakland Press report that Fernando Bryant has added some weight during the offseason in hopes of gaining additional strength and durability. Bryant, a free agent signing in 2004, has been injured for most of his Lion’s tenure and a major disappointment. Bryant might prove a major asset this season if healthy. His experience could provide a serious upgrade to a somewhat depleted and raw secondary. Bryant’s additional size makes him better suited for the physical style of the larger corners that often play in the “Tampa” Cover-2 Zone defense.

Should Bryant falter, the team has a grossly exposed weakness. Stanley Wilson, Jr. or Keith Smith would need to provide a much more dependable presence.

Emkow also highlights a recent interview by Jon Kitna in USA Today. Kitna makes it clear that he wants all of the world to know that he is very excited about playing for the Lions. He is also feels that his association with the Lion’s new offensive coordinator Mike Martz could prove very fruitful. I am glad that Kitna is happy with his situation. You would be hard-pressed to find a guy more deserving of being a starting NFL QB. We’ll see how he feels about his current situation after throwing two or three interceptions in a game or when/if he badly misses an open receiver on fourth-and-short yardage, near the end of game, in a sold-out Ford Field.

One thing to consider about the Lion’s new offense, and Kitna for that matter, is that for as exciting and as potentially effective that it could be, their will be without a doubt a lot of interceptions thrown. 20 interceptions in this offense is fairly normal and something that likely the Lions, at the very least, if not Mike Martz, will shrug off to a certain degree. The concern will come when/if Kitna’s interceptions push closer to 30 than 20.

This is where I strongly believe that Kitna’s vast experience will really stand out next season. I believe that Kitna has the leadership, tenacity, and skills to bounce back from any difficulties the team will encounter. He is more resillient, self-assured, and prepared than Joey Harrington could have ever been in this offense under the current regime. Does that mean I expect a major turnaround? No, but this should be a competitive, watchable team which is more than what I can say about 2005. In the meantime, GO TIGERS!!!!

“Big” Mike Williams Dismissed from 4 Team Practices

I am really beginning to question the mental capacities of players like Mike Williams and Charles Rogers. The Lions hire an Offensive Coordinator (Mike Martz) who is regarded as one of the true offensive geniuses in the current league, who will install an offense that will give them plenty of opportunities to excel and potentially flourish, and neither have the apparent motivation or make-up to grab a hold of the chance that they have been recently given.

I realize that both players are young and relatively inexperienced (Williams’s year off, Rogers’s suspensions and injuries). I also understand that they have had to weather the adversities of the Lions organization (coaching/system changes, QB carousel). That being said, I am really disappointed in the recent suspension of Mike Williams. Williams, who is struggling to lose the weight necessary to get into playing shape for the new offense, is attempting to catch-up from a lackluster first season. I don’t really know how much more motivated a guy should need to be, yet he finds a way to earn a mini-vacation during the mini-camps.

It would not shock me in the least that neither Rogers or Williams is on the opening game roster. As much as I disdain the thought of players like Mike Furrey, Corey Bradford, and Scottie Vines manning the receiving corps, the Lions have to be nearing the end of their patience with these young receivers

Lions Sign Veteran G/T Ross Verba

The Lions recently signed veteran Free Agent G/T Ross Verba to a one-year contract. Verba, who missed all of last season due to very high contract demands(Browns), has previously played for current Lions O-Line Coach Larry Beightol in Green Bay. Verba immediately enters the competition to shore up the team’s Left Guard position. With Free Agent flop Rick DeMulling returning, the Lions figured to also give players like rookie Jonathan Scott and free agent acquisition Barry Stokes ample opportunity to vie for the role. Whomever emerges from this competition, hopefully will have provided major improvement over the team’s performance last season at that position.

It is also being reported that Rex Tucker is the current starting Right Tackle and that Kelly Butler is his backup. An Offensive Line of Backus (LT), Verba (LG), Raiola (C), Woody (RG), and Tucker (RT), if healthy, could prove formidable. I am excited that it appears that the Lions have increased the quality of it’s depth in the offensive line. Should a player like a Tucker or Verba go down, players like Stokes, Butler, rookies like Scott, and Matua may be able to step in with little talent drop off.