Detroit Lions Weblog

G Damien Woody’s Contract Restructured, RB Shawn Bryson Released, More

The Lions were able to convince G Damien Woody to restructure his deal prior to the Thursday beginning of Lions training camp.   Woody has dealt with a number of injuries during recent seasons and had been significantly over his prescribed playing weight during those seasons.   During the offseason, Woody renewed his commitment to the franchise, and living a healthier, happier life, by losing a great deal of weight.   Woody will be involved in one of the more intriguing pre-season roster battles, with the impressive journeymen Stephen Peterman, for a starting role.

Versatile, veteran RB Shawn Bryson failed his physical and was subsequently released.  Apparently, there is a chance that he may return to the organization, but the Lions could not afford to have his contract become guaranteed since he would likely have been embroiled in a heated battle for a roster spot in the full, if not clouded and undefined, Lions backfield.  

Bryson was quite valuable in the past as a special teamer, as one of the team’s best blockers in the backfield, especially in blitz pick-ups, and featured the versatility to play both FB and RB.   This is another clear sign of the influence of Mike Martz upon offensive personnel in my eyes.   Martz’s offense doesn’t often utilize FB’s and Bryson would have been lower on the tailback depth chart than Kevin Jones, recent additions Tatum Bell and T.J. Duckett, and possibly also would have even been behind former 3rd round pick, Brian Calhoun.   The Lions O-Line had better perform on a much higher level this next season, there will be no back on the roster better at protecting QB Jon Kitna than Bryson would have been.

The Bucs released veteran DE Simien Rice for many of the same reasons that the Lions chose to release Bryson.   Rice  finished last season on the injured reserve and failed his physical entering training camp.   Don’t be surprised if Simien Rice is signed as a fallback option in case Kalimba Edwards underachieves like he has in recent seasons.   Rice could also provide some valuable mentorship to young players like Ikaika Alama-Francis, Kalimba Edwards, Corey Smith and Claude Hariott, should either of the last two make the Lions roster.  Rice is definitely in the twilight of his career, but likely could be productive in limited duty.

The Lions also released DE Bill Swancutt, who was regarded as a project when he was drafted a couple of years ago.  Last season, he was generating a bit of a buzz until he injured his knee during training camp.   Swancutt is a hard worker and was immediately signed by the Raiders, which will likely be where he blossoms into a future Pro Bowler.

Kevin Jones 50-50 to Play Sept. 9, CB Bryant Re-Structures, Woody Next?

As players report to Lions training camp tonight, transactions and news will emerge very quickly in regards to contract negotiations, etc.  Tom Kowalski of MLIVE.com has reported that CB Fernando Bryant has already agreed to restructure his deal, although the terms weren’t currently available.   In Kowalski’s blog, he also speculates about what the future of G Damien Woody might be if he is unwilling to follow Bryant’s lead and also restructure his deal.

Woody missed nearly all of last season, and was unproductive and overweight when he was available to play.   At this point, Stephen Peterman and Edwin Mulitalo are slated as the starting guards in what will likely be a heated competition.   If Woody decides to restructure and continues to keep his weight down, he should enter into the mix of players vying for one of the starting guard spots.

The trouble is, the Lions don’t really want to pay a backup a starter’s salary and furthermore would be on the hook for all of Woody’s contract should he get hurt in training camp, according to Kowalski.  It will be interesting to watch this play out, Woody may actually want the option of being available on the open market as opposed to remaining with the Lions.

The news about Kevin Jones recovery from his Lisfranc (foot) injury does not appear to be as encouraging as it once was. Sources are stating that he has a 50/50 chance of being ready by Sept. 9th.    The Lions prepared for this possibility during the offseason by adding RB’s Tatum Bell and T.J. Duckett and may also see the return of Brian Calhoun and Shawn Bryson soon. 

Jones appeared ready to blossom as Martz’s primary back last season, prior to his injury, especially considering how poor the team’s offensive line performance actually was.  Jones also faced the daunting task of assimilating all of the information that he was given in the complicated Martz offensive scheme.   It would stand to reason that his increased understanding would give him an edge entering his second season in the offense.

Tatum Bell and T.J. Duckett could each perform well in Jones’ stead, but both have their weaknesses.   Duckett likely will be limited to short-yardage and goal-line situations and provide and occasional change of pace.   Bell should flourish in Jones’ role, but has been inconsistent in the past and has had issues with fumbling the ball.   I think that Bell may be better suited for the Lions offense that Denver’s, though.  In Denver, the offensive line utilized a zone-blocking scheme which forced it’s backs to run a more straight ahead kind of style and Bell wasn’t asked to catch a lot of passes like he probably will in Martz’s offense.

Training Camp, Michael Vick

As the start of Lions training camp approaches, amidst Team President Matt Millen’s 24-72 6-year tenure, I can’t help but reflect upon the fact that this season marks the fifty year anniversary of when this perennially poor franchise last won a championship of any kind. 

With that in mind, along with the recent statements from both WR Mike Furrey and QB Jon Kitna that they believed that this year’s team could win 10 games, I can’t help but feel a sense of ominous portent about the beginning of this season’s training camp.  

The Lions schedule will be far from a cakewalk, even if they play in one of the weaker divisions in all of football, along with being proud members of the decidedly much weaker NFC. 

Here are my Primary Concerns entering the season:

1) Lack of a consistent pass rush,( No Kalimba Edwards doesn’t comprise a consistent pass rush)

2) Which will expose their lack of depth and experience in both their secondary and linebacker units.

3) A patchwork and ineffective offensive line,

4)Which will expose QB Jon Kitna to far too much pressure, exacerbate his turnover issues, and likely lead to an injury and…

5) Expose their complete lack of depth at the Quarterback position.

Optimist’s will state that a given team’s defensive performance often gains in quality by leaps and bounds within the Cover-2 zone defensive scheme during the second season of its implementation.  The Lions may be able to feel a little emboldened by the prospects of their defensive front four after the recent re-signing of DT Cory Redding, along with the off-season additions of DE’s DeWayne White and Ikaika Alama-Francis.

I, for one, will not hedge my bets that this team will feature a significantly better pass rush than the ‘06 version, at least at this early juncture.  My low expectations for the Lions pass rush, makes me wonder exactly who will replace departed CB Dre Bly, admittedly a player who was not a natural fit in the Cover-2 scheme, amongst players like Fernando Bryant, Travis Fisher, Stanley Wilson, Jr., and Keith Smith. Will any of them be effective?

I am much less concerned about the offense.   However, if the offensive line doesn’t improve significantly with the additions of the likes of G Edwin Mulitalo and T George Foster, the team’s offense will sputter.  

The lack of proven QB depth will also likely hamper the team, despite the incredible toughness and durability exhibited by QB Jon Kitna last season.   Should Kitna be injured, which is highly likely in the modern day NFL, especially considering the Lion’s porous offensive line, it is difficult to imagine that anyone among QB’s Dan Orlovsky, Drew Stanton and journeymen J.T. O’Sullivan would be able to take the reins with much success.

I am also very concerned about the possibility that WR Calvin Johnson will be held out of camp, a crucial period of time in his seminal development.   The fact that very few of the higher draft picks have been signed at this time, leads me to expect an extended hold out from Johnson and his agent. 

Johnson features the rare combination of superb athletic gifts and a solid head upon his shoulders.   Tom Lewand should present Johnson’s agent with a blank check immediately.   The Lions can ill-afford to piss away any of his developmental time within the complex Mike Martz offense with any sort of prolonged contract negotiation.    The Lions need a near immediate return from this draft pick, and will likely have one, if Johnson is fully prepared entering the season.

In regards to the ongoing controversy surrounding the indicment of QB Michael Vick, I can’t help but be disappointed by all of the parties involved in the situation, not just Vick. 

Vick has been a very limited player, with questionable character for the entire duration of his career.  Yet the NFL, the Falcons, and various endorsers like Nike, etc. have all prematurely foisted the “Michael Vick Experience” upon the expectant masses, hedging that he would eventually emerge as one of the marquee players in the league due to his supernaturally sublime athletic gifts. 

In the meantime, Vick has repeatedly been a obstinant coach-killer, leaving a string of coordinators, position coaches, and head coaches in his wake.   He has “flipped” off the fans at his home stadium after a game.  He has admitted to not giving his full effort during the final game of the ‘05 season.   He has knowingly given a woman herpes and utilized a contrived nom de plume (Ron Mexico) in efforts to conceal his medical treatment for the aforementioned S.T.D.. 

Now Vick, regardless of the level of his involvement, has been indicted by a federal jury.   In what promises to be a ceaseless media circus, Vick may eventually take a leave of absence to confront his legal issues.   Throughout all of this, I have heard many observers attack Vick, and I have also heard many apologists indicate that Vick (aka “Ookie”) and his “Bad Newz(sic) Kennels” are a misunderstood element of the male, southern, African-American subculture.  Bar the door Annie, here come the opportunistic crusaders like Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson to carve out their stake in Vick’s defense.

Not once have I heard anyone question the complex of agents, coaches, corporations, and league officials that have built up the unruly monster that is the “Vick Experience”.   I don’t want to take away any of the personal accountability that Vick possesses in this situation, yet, I feel quite strongly that all parties involved need to take a hard look at the situation with the clearest of intent. 

Vick’s past behavior, along with the complicity of his various supporters, indicated that if Vick was given enough rope he would eventually find the means to hang himself.   The league and it’s co-conspirants, long drunken by the abundant and perceived-to-be endless Vick money train, are now attempting to completely disassociate themselves from the wretched stain of the beleaguered Vick.  Much like a parasite, they have extracted all of the remaining value that they can from Vick and will leave him a mere shadow of his former self.

American’s love redemption stories, and Vick will likely return to a phoenix-like prominence (ala Josh Hamilton, Kobe Bryant) at some point, if he is not jailed for too extended a period of time.   That being said, he has clearly destroyed the wonderful opportunity he has been presented with, regardless of any possible return to glory, and shows little sign of having the necessary reflective capacity to be able to see what kind of commitment it will take to turn his life around. 

The bigger question stands to be, in my eyes, will the NFL, and et al, find the means necessary to avoid the animation of another “Vick Experience” before it’s due time.  Will they have the ability to assume any responsibility in the future for the insemination of any of the future Adam “Pacman” Jones’, Michael Vick’s, and Chris Henry’s who eventually will emerge due to legal trouble.

In what has to be becoming an increasingly more ironic situation for all Lions observers, Joey Harrington’s incredible capacity to always land on his feet defies odds.   He has previously emerged as a heir apparent to Daunte Culpepper in Miami and will likely start in Atlanta after the near certain exodus of Vick.   Harrrington’s career has assumed an entirely different trajectory from what any of us would have expected several years ago, that’s for sure.

Redding is Re-Signed

If you read this blog at all, you have noticed that I have consistently been trumpeting the necessity for the Lions to re-sign DT Cory Redding to a long term contract extension, as opposed to utilizing their franchise tag upon him.  The Lions were successful in signing Redding to an extension Monday, but the extension, and the mythical “Highest Paid Defensive Tackle in the NFL” designation that came along with it, has generated a lot of consternation and hand-wringing among the Lions faithful.

Many wonder how can someone who has never been to a Pro Bowl, and has been a solid, if unspectacular contributor for most of his career, can garner such a large contract.   That’s the point.   Take the mythical enormity of this contract with a grain of salt, the only portion of the contract worth noting is the guaranteed portion, the signing bonus.   Redding’s contract will actually SAVE the team money since they are not utilizing their franchise tag.   Redding will likely have his contract re-structured or will be released before the contract terms of 7 years are complete. 

Being the “Highest Paid Tackle” gives Redding and his agent cause for a little ego aggrandizement, but likely Redding’s contract figure will be soon eclipsed.   Redding is a major locker room leader who had a break-out season last year.   Head Coach Rod Marinelli has been adamant about the importance of Redding for the team’s defense.    The strength and success of the Lions defensive front four will directly correspond to the eventual success of their entire defense.  Redding has become the most essential, and dependable, component of the team’s front four.

Redding is an organizational cornerstone who is unlikely to rest upon his laurels.   If anything, he will likely stand as a strong example to the entire organization that rewards will eventually come to those that deserve it.   Next order of business in Allen Park?  SIGN CALVIN JOHNSON NOW!!!!

Cory Redding, J.T. O’Sullivan, Camp Starts Soon

Wow…this has been an exceptionally quiet offseason for the Lions.   Normally, I would be quite active with this blog throughout all of these lean, summer football months.   Between a chronic case of absolute Tigers Mania (which has distracted me severely!) and nothing to talk about but the intermittent comments from various members of the Lions organization, who have made various vapid pronouncements that the team could in fact win ten games this season, there has been little else to comment upon this offseason.

That should all change Monday, though.   Hopefully, the Lions will have signed stalwart DT Cory Redding to a long-term contract extension and will again avoid utilizing their franchise designation for another season.    In my eyes, Redding’s extension may be a pivotal moment in Coach Marinelli’s tenure.    The continued development of a happy Redding could provide the cornerstone necessary for Marinelli to become a successful Lions head coach.  Redding’s brief time as a defensive tackle last season revealed that he had quite a lot of potential to flourish within the scheme of the Tampa Cover-2 defense.

Amidst reports that rookie QB Drew Stanton is struggling to deal with the heavy workload of adapting to both Mike Martz’s strict, nuanced regime, that places primacy upon execution of QB fundamentals (i.e. footwork, release, you know all of the technical stuff) and learning the voluminous Martz playbook, it may take awhile for Stanton to be considered as a viable contributor to the organization.    That’s why it comes as no surprise that the Lions have signed veteran, journeymen and NFL Europa (R.I.P.) stalwart QB J.T. O’Sullivan to enter into the mix of potential Lions backups.

O’Sullivan will likely make the team, too.   The rub is, the Lions will not place Dan Orlovsky or Drew Stanton onto the practice squad, so they may eventually have to carry 4 QB’s.  With the relative inexperience of Stanton and Orlovsky, the Lions would be foolish not to at least take a look at O’Sullivan.

With training camps starting soon, things are going to heat up around here.   With the bold statements made by several players entering this season, this promises to be one of the more interesting, and possibly disappointing, campaigns in recent Lions history.