Detroit Lions Weblog

CB Bly is Granted Permission to Explore Trade Possibilities

It has been announced in several publications today that the Lions are going to allow former Pro Bowl CB Dre Bly, and by proxy his agent, explore potential trade possibilities this off season.  The details around this process are somewhat scant at this time.  

Bly, who has been a Lion for three seasons, no longer adequately fits into the Lions defensive scheme, which emphasizes zone coverage by big, physical corners who are also tough in run support.   Bly is more of a risk-taking, playmaking, man-to-man coverage type of corner.  Bly only recorded three interceptions last season in the new system.

Bly is due in excess of $5 Million this season, so it is not totally clear what the immediate cap ramifications will be for the Lions if Bly finds a willing trade partner, as many expect he will. The Lions don’t have to accept any offers that Bly and his agent present from other teams, since Bly will become an unrestricted free agent after the 2007 season, but it would seem beneficial for both parties if they parted company.

In the past, Bly has been one of the more outspoken members of the team.   With that in mind, the Lions should definitely do their best to remedy the current situation, particularly if they receive an offer of a  high draft pick or another player who could fill a position of need in exchange for Bly’s services.   I expect that after the Joey Harrington trade debacle, opposing teams are likely to lowball and slow play the Lions in hopes that the situation becomes more contentious.  At that point, the Lions will have little option but to move Bly.

Ultimately, the Lions will have a wide open competition for the starting corner position.  Fernando Bryant, who looked pretty decent at times last season, has been dogged by injury throughout his Lions tenure.  Stanley Wilson, Jr. has come a long way in his development, but it is debatable whether he is ready to be a starter.   The Lions also have Dee McCann and Keith Smith who are young and have shown promise but are not likely to compete for a starting job.  If the Lions were able to acquire another first round pick for Bly (probably unlikely), they could look at a player like Darrelle Revis from Pittsburgh who may be capable of contributing immediately.   At any rate, if Bly is traded, the Lions have another position that will demand immediate attention this off-season.