Detroit Lions Weblog

Shaun Rogers, Free Agency Begins Friday, Vilma in Town?

Pro Football Weekly is reporting that a Shaun Rogers trade may not occur as quickly as what was originally thought. Apparently, in spite of reports that Rogers would be traded Friday, there are a growing number of teams who have expressed interest, which may allow (gulp) Matt Millen the luxury of deciding which deal eventually makes the most sense for the Lions. Hopefully, the Lions get more in return than a 3rd round draft pick for Rogers.

If the Lions don’t trade Rogers immediately, he will be due a large bonus, that they were hoping to avoid paying. Unfortunately, now is not the time for rash decisions, they have to maximize any deal involving Rogers, since his leaving will create a significant void in their roster.

The Lions are visiting with another former Buccaneer, S Dwight Smith (note: Smith
signed according to Pro Football Talk.com, goodbye, Kenoy Kennedy). I realize that a basic amount of familiarity is important in NFL circles, but during the last two off-seasons, the Lions have been serving as a sort of Tampa North or St. Louis East for free agents. Personally, I’d like to see their roster analysis stretch a little deeper than a player having previously played for their current staff.

When Marinelli is fired after the ‘08 season, what will the Lions do with their roster of cast-off Rams and Bucs, after Matt Millen hires their new coach?

Smith could be a decent depth player, but safety would seem to be quite low on the Lions extensive list of personnel needs with Daniel Bullocks, Gerald Alexander and possibly, Kenoy Kennedy all returning.

Speaking of which, free agency begins Friday and it doesn’t appear that the Lions are going to be particularly active. They have made it known that they are looking for a right offensive tackle, they need depth at cornerback, are looking for a starting middle linebacker, and given their interest in Dwight Smith, must feel they need help at safety.

They also likely will look at running backs, tight ends, and potentially defensive ends. This is a not a deep free agent class, and the Lions aren’t likely to find many available upgrades.

This free agent class may allow them to address their needs at corner, running back, tight end, and middle linebacker. I don’t think that there is much available help at right tackle or defensive end. Here are some players of interest:

RB: Derrick Ward, Musa Smith, T.J. Duckett, Chris Brown, and Julius Jones

MLB: Al Wilson, Dan Morgan and Jonathan Vilma (via trade)-Pro Football Talk.com reports that the Lions are the current front runners for Vilma.
CB: Sammy Davis, Drayton Florence, Randall Gay, Keith Smith, Stanley Wilson, Jr. and Travis Fisher.

TE: Ben Troupe, Bo Scaife

DE: N.D. Kalu, Antwan Odom

Other available players of interest: KR/WR Andre Davis, G Alan Faneca, T Flozell Adams, LB Lance Briggs, DE Justin Smith, DE Bobby McCray, DE Jovan Haye, LB Calvin Pace, RB Michael Turner, DT Albert Haynesworth, and DT Corey Williams. These are all players who everyone will be interested in, so the Lions will have little or no chance of meeting with them, let alone reeling them in.

In regards to Vilma, and potentially, DT DeWayne Robertson, if Vilma passes his physical, I would love to see the Lions find a way to gain the services of one or both of these players, especially Vilma. Vilma is reportedly visiting the Lions today, or soon, even if there are other teams interested in him, Matt Millen has to realize that Vilma would be a perfect fit, if he has a clean bill of health.