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.