Detroit Lions Weblog

DT Rogers Joins “Voluntary” Workouts, Quelling Trade Rumors, Lions Sign G’s Piller and Mulitalo

Shaun “Big Baby” Rogers joined the Lions off-season “voluntary” workouts yesterday, amidst some published rumors that the Lions may consider trading the former All-Pro.   In spite of the enigmatic Rogers’ surliness, he may prove too valuable as the team’s defensive linchpin for the Lions to honestly consider trade offers at this time. 

This is not the first time that Rogers has been mentioned in trade rumors.   There were a number of reports of Rogers’ availability entering his third season, before the Lions signed him to a contract extension.  At that time, many considered these rumors to be a motivational ploy by the Lions front office in an attempt to extract more effort from Rogers towards meeting his enormous potential.  After a disappointing injury and suspension-shortened season last year, the Lions may hope that they can provide a similar motivational factor entering this season.  The Lions desperately need Rogers to emerge as a consistent, team leader, if they are going to recover from their run of poor seasons.

The Lions signed two veteran free agent guards this week to help bolster their weak offensive line.   Former Ravens starter Edwin Mulitalo will likely be start at the one of the guard positions.   Former Titans G Zach Piller, who has started games in the past, will either start (in lieu of the release or benching of Damien Woody) or will compete along with Barry Stokes, Frank Davis, and Stephen Peterman to provide quality and capable depth in the middle of the Lions offensive line. 

As much as I want to be optimistic about the addition of two starting quality offensive linemen to the Lions roster, I will remain cautious about getting my expectations set too high after a past, enormous string of disappointing off-season acquisitions by the Lions for their offensive line. Beginning with the decision to trade the ever-dependable Mike Compton for Brendan Stai, and continuing with busted draft picks like Aaron Gibson and Stockar McDougle, and finally closing it out with underperforming free agent signings like Rick DeMulling, Ross Verba, and Rex Tucker, the Lions have absolutely struggled to develop even a mediocre level of consistency along their offensive line.   On paper, at their onset, all of these moves showed promise, even if the results were eventually proved to the contrary.

The Lions also are reported to have some interest in acquiring yet another former Ram, Chiefs QB Trent Green.   The Chiefs will eventually have to release Green, so I hope that any genuine interest that the Lions may have can be put on hold until the Chiefs cut Green.  Honestly, I don’t really like the idea of signing Green.  I am hoping that this is a ineffectively-veiled ploy to disguise their interest in drafting QB Brady Quinn.  

Green’s career has likely seen better days, and despite his familiarity with Martz’s offense, Green would likely prove to be too costly in the short run for the Lions to consider acquiring.   I would be more willing to accept them considering signing recently released QB David Carr, who may be able to benefit greatly from Martz’s tutelage as a reclamation project, and has exhibited some untapped promise.   With all that in mind, I believe that the Lions time will be better served focusing on how exactly they are going to fill their other numerous roster voids entering the ‘07 season, rather than pursuing another quarterback.