Detroit Lions Weblog

A Trade Between the Bucs and Lions Appeared Imminent, But is Dead for Now

Their are numerous internet reports that the Lions and Bucs were about to flip draft spots today.   The reports indicated that the Lions would receive Bucs veteran DE Simien Rice as part of that trade.  The Bucs front office has a thinly-veiled man lust for Georgia Tech WR Calvin Johnson, and they are attempting to explore all options in their dogged pursuit of Johnson.

The trade, however, doesn’t make a lot fo sense for the Lions (as mentioned by Tom Kowalski today).  The Lions would like to trade down to acquire Clemson DE Gaines Adams, if you believe the draft buzz.   Why acquire an expensive, aging player to obstruct the precious playing time of the very player whom you traded down to select in the first place.   Even with the Millen factor accounted for, this kind of decision makes no apparent sense. 

Of course the Lions could be targeting another player, altogether, if they decide to acquire Rice.   In that case Rice is a sensible, if not risky, option.  It is imperative that the Lions address their situation at defensive end, but they also still have big needs at cornerback and middle linebacker, among others.

It appears that their are still other potential suitors for the Lions draft spot even if the Lions and Bucs don’t eventually agree upon a deal.   Rumors abound that teams like the Cardinals, Redskins, and Falcons are among those that may be interested in moving up.  Irregardless of what happens between now and April 28th, the Lions will be at ground zero of all of the various smokescreens, rumors,  and innuendo that shapes the intrigue that will lead up to draft day, because of their pivotal high draft spot.   That being said, the most interesting scenario in the end will be whom the Lions choose at # 2, if they are unable to eventually trade down.