Detroit Lions Weblog

Lions Sign Young Journeymen LB Gardner

The Lions continue to add cheap depth to their ‘08 roster.   The Lions signed LB Gilbert Gardner, who previously played with the Colts (Dungy-Tampa-2) and Titans.

Gardner has been mostly a backup and special teamer, who plays outside linebacker.   It is not clear if the Lions are going to try and play him in the middle, or if Paris Lenon will now return to the middle linebacker position.

In many ways, Gardner is a younger version of Lenon.   He provides the Lions with a player who is familiar with the system who should upgrade their depth at the position.

I believe that by no means is Gardner the final solution in the linebacker group.   I think the Lions will still strongly consider selecting a linebacker in the upcoming draft, too. Ho Hum.

Too Much Colletto, Calvin Johnson Revisited

Jim Colletto has been providing the public with a bevy of opinions and informative nuggets for scrutiny, recently. Colletto addressed the Lions current offensive line situation by saying that it is time for both Jonathan Scott and George Foster to be productive with their upcoming opportunities to fill the team’s void at the right tackle position.

He stated that, in particular, Foster may perform better in the new “balanced” Lions offense because his responsibilities will be diminished. Both Foster and Scott will be asked to do significantly less than they were required in Mike Martz’s ‘07 offense.

In regards to the release of Kevin Jones, Colletto said that with the team’s decision to utilize more “zone blocking” schemes in their running plays, and with the likelihood that Jones would miss a significant amount of time to rehabilitate his knee injury, that the Lions needed someone who will be able to participate in the early, crucial transitional phases of the Lions new “balanced” offense. Something Jones was obviously going to be unable to do.

In regards to the o-line situation and Jones, I believe that this is all a mountain of hogwash. The Lions continued denial about their offensive line is astounding. I refuse to accept that the design of Mike Martz’s offense was the sole reason for the failure of the Lions offenseive line in ‘07. They have to address the quality of their personnel on the offensive line, soon.

Colletto intimated that the Lions may address offensive tackle or running back early in the upcoming draft. Other than the irresponsible absurdity of revealing the team’s plans for the upcoming draft, at least there are signs that the Lions realize that their offensive line may be inadequate as it currently stands.

In regards to Jones, he was a patient, physical runner, who with the proper amount of time, could have thrived in a “zone” running scheme. If the Lions are serious about the new running scheme, they should take a look at Denver as a template. Broncos coach Mike Shanahan has repeatedly plugged low-profile, productive players into their “zone” running offense with a great deal of success.

It is not a prudent decision to select a running back high in the draft, unless it is a true difference-maker like Adrian Peterson, who oddly enough the Lions could have selected last season, because of the high salary cap charge and the inordinately high probability of serious injury at that position. Furthermore, the return on investment is relatively brief, compared to so many other personnel positions.

Colletto also has indicated that the new, improved “balanced” Lions offense would give them a chance to take a closer look at QB Drew Stanton. Stanton should pick up the current Lions offense much quicker than he would have under Mike Martz, according to Colletto.

The continued demonization of Martz’s tenure by the Lions is astounding. Is Martz’s absence honestly going to improve Drew Stanton’s opportunity for future NFL success, especially given Martz’s track record?

The thought of the Lions thrusting Drew Stanton into their lineup, either as a result if injury or poor play by Jon Kitna, really scares me. Stanton was a horrible reach pick by the Lions. In my opinion, Stanton is still a developmental player whose skills need to be refined significantly in order for him not to be the next J.P. Losman, Cade McNown, or some other faceless bust of a quarterback.

Drew Sharp lambasted the Lions selection of Calvin Johnson in Sunday’s Detroit Free Press. Sharp indicates that the most damning piece of evidence to indicate that the Lions “blew it” by drafting Johnson is that all indications are that they are going to select an offensive lineman or running back, positions that they could have filled with Pro Bowlers during last years draft.

Essentially, he is right. Joe Thomas, in particular, would have provided a franchise cornerstone, something that is conspicuously absent on the current team.

That being said, Lions fans need to refrain from aiming their collective frustrations at a player who has incredible potential, and a boat load of character. We should not discount that Johnson was playing hurt in several games. The Lions didn’t exhibit an interest, or clear plan, that they could successfully harness and utilize Johnson’s immense talent. That is not Johnson’s fault!

Johnson ultimately may never match the expectations that were previously held for his talent. I would be surprised if that were the case, but this is the Lions. I hope that Johnson doesn’t grow disenchanted, or isn’t somehow stifled, by the long brewing discontent among Lions fans, whose patience has grown rightfully thin. At the very least, Johnson’s being targeted by Lions fans as a source of disgust is premature when there are so many more obvious choices (see Backus, Jeff).

Tatum Bell, “Pacman” Jones, and the Upcoming Draft

The dysfunctional soap opera that has severely damaged the Lions internally for years, has been given a more public view of late, based on comments recently made by RB Tatum Bell. Bell said that former Lions offensive coordinator Mike Martz quit speaking to him when the team decided to supplant Bell with Kevin Jones, after Jones had fully recovered from his Lisfranc foot injury.

Bell also indicated that he had a poor relationship with former running backs coach Wilbert Montgomery, a staunch Martz protege. How are the Lions supposed to honestly expect any sort of professionalism from their players, when the coaches aren’t able to utilize any of their own.

Bell has also mentioned 1300 yards and 15 TD’s as reasonable goals for the ‘08 season. He also revealed that the current offensive coaching staff really extended themselves in their attempt to convince the Lions front office that Bell should return in ‘08, which ultimately factored into his decision to return.

Cutting through the spin a bit, both parties actually desperately needed each other, Bell had few suitors and the Lions were planning on soon releasing Kevin Jones, and the Lions have done a poor job of concealing the fact that they are likely to select a running back within the early rounds of the upcoming draft.

This infernally stupid decision has been commented upon previously here but, given the fact that Bell has never been an every down back and is unlikely to be able to carry that kind of load throughout an entire season, the Lions really have no other choice.

The Lions have been mentioned as having some interest in embattled Titans CB Adam “Pacman” Jones. Jones’ agent stated that the Lions are among three teams who have seriously inquired about Jones.

Matt Millen responded by stating that the Lions would not acquire Jones, but they wished him the best wherever he may eventually land. In this case, the Lions are probably smart to stay away from Jones, and his immense baggage. That being said, Jones, if he were acquired, would have represented a big jump in athleticism and intangible play-making ability, both of which are elements that are sorely lacking on the defensive side of the ball for the team.

The Lions have about a month of serious draft consideration left.   All signs point to them selecting a running back in the first round, which is actually the type of decision which has kept them mired in sub-mediocrity for so long.  The prudent decision would be to continue to add talent and depth to their offensive and defensive lines, which would actually add a stronger organizational foundation with which they can build upon.

Lions Announce Unveiling of “Chic”, New Alternate Jersey Design, Re-Sign DE Smith

The Lions announced today that, given their love for all things Tampa Bay these days, they will be unveiling a new alternate jersey, which will be a throwback in design, featuring white and “cream-sicle” orange as it’s primary colors. The “Lions” logo on the helmet will also feature an effete mustache and a thin rapier clenched between it’s jaws.

The 31-81 tenure of Matt Millen has put the organization in a position where it’s closest resemblance is to that of the bumbling Bucs of the mid-80’s.

“With the influx of ex-Bucs to the roster, and a growing general dislike of the Lions black alternate jerseys among fans, the “cream-sicle” jersey seemed to be the next logical step for the franchise,” said an excited Millen on Monday, emerging from his hermit-like encampment in Punxatawney, Pa. (OK, this is an early April Fool’s prank, but it was believable at this point, wasn’t it?)

Corey Smith was re-signed to add some depth to their defensive line rotation, and yes, he was also a former Buccaneer. Smith will be in the mix, along with players like Jared DeVries, Ikaika Alama-Francis, and DeWayne White.

But seriously folks, Smith is a decent backup. The problem is the Lions have no proven pass rushers on their roster and the field of available talent has diminished enough, that I fully expect team’s to continue to complete nearly 70% of their passes against the Lions defense next season.

It’s awfully difficult to conceal one’s cynicism when observing the operation of this franchise so far this off-season. As the ‘08 season continues to unfold, optimism is a precious commodity, that’s for certain.

Marinelli-weg, Ramaneers Quietly Embark Upon New Rebuilding Process

The perennial, interminable rebuilding process that the Lions have been mired in, shows no clear signs of ceasing. What makes this off-season different, in my eyes, is how the Lions current rebuilding process has been taking place with little or no fanfare, and no public mention, or sign, that a 7-9 team would be about to be undertaking one.

Rod Marinelli has improbably earned enough organizational “juice” that at this point, at least internally, he seems to have held sway over this off-season’s personnel moves. Marinelli, who I believe is about to embark upon his last season as the Lions head coach, seems determined to go down swinging, with his kind of players in tow.

So the current rebuilding process (Note:losing veterans T.Lehman, B.Bailey, F.Bryant, S.Rogers, K.Jones, K.Edwards, K.Kennedy, D.Woody, T.J. Duckett, J.T. O’Sullivan, 10 key players in all, constitutes a rebuilding process) under Rod Marinelli’s guidance, which if things play out as I believe they will, eventually means that in ‘09 the Lions, after hiring a new coach, changing schemes, etc., will have undergone this costly process five times during Matt Millen’s eight seasons, with a roster full or Rams and Bucs cast-offs.

It is completely surreal, almost to the point of being painful, that the Lions can continue to struggle, and with little competition, certifiably claim ownership of being the unprecedentedly, worst-managed franchise in all of professional sports.

The Lions negligent, incompetent, and quixotic organizational plan seems to be a microcosmic representation of the manner which the innumerable dysfunctional, and improperly helmed organizations, including the Oval Office in Washington, D.C., have been managed in the modern era.

My friend “Hondo” recently put the Lions untenable situation in a more complete perspective for me. He said that the Lions are more or less a “real world” implementation of a concept that was gestated, and manifested in the Mel Brooks movie “The Producers”. The Lions, and the Ford’s, want their franchise to be an abject failure.

Instead, implausibly, they find themselves, largely due to the incredible milieu which an NFL franchise currently operates within, an economic success with a loyal, to a fault, fan base. There really is no other reasonable explanation for what the Lions have subjected their fans to for so long.

When Will the Unrelenting Idiocy Cease?

I can now finally, unequivocably state that this is the bleakest, most disappointing period that has ever been experienced in Lions team history. The recent releases of Kalimba Edwards, Kevin Jones, and Kenoy Kennedy are not in themselves any sort of long term disaster. However, the cumulative effect of Matt Millen ritually flushing ample amounts of Mr. Ford’s dollars down the toilet has put them in an incredibly poor organizational position, for the foreseeable future.

In ten months, when the Lions have finished their ‘08 season at a less than stellar 3-13, which seems to be staring them directly in the face, and have went about their public charade of hiring and firing all of the crucial organizational figures, the only true losers will be, yet again, Lions fans who have had to endure this cruel, unrepentant Grand Guignol for an unprecedented period of time now.

The Lions, with their release of Jones, have put themselves in a position where they are going to have to select a running back out of necessity in April’s draft. In the meantime, no legitimate improvements have been made along the offensive line. The level of denial, and pure unmitigated idiocy that this indicates, is both surreal and criminal.

So let’s say that the Lions draft, oh, I don’t know, let’s say Illinois RB Rashard Mendenhall. Is anybody willing to honestly accept that the Lions new and improved “balanced” offensive attack, with no legitimate off-season upgrades, is somehow going to more productive than it was last season?

That’s where I feel for Kevin Jones. Jones, much like James Stewart before him, will not go down historically among the greatest backs in team history. That being said, Jones played with a true competitive fire. Even though Jones has had a couple of serious injuries, he has routinely exhibited a diligence, and a unreasonable willingness, to push himself hard so that he could return to the team quickly, something that shouldn’t have gone unnoticed in Allen Park.

The NFL is a cutthroat business. I think Jones might be luckier in the long run, as a result of his release, since he is a getting a brand new lease on his finite NFL life, which will significantly open his future opportunities to become a productive player. In Jones’ case though, I believe that he has a lot more left to offer a team, exhibiting a serious gross underestimation on the Lions part, than he has been currently given credit for.

As a Lions fan, I am with an unmatched honesty, undergoing the most serious self-questioning that I have ever faced in my 30 years of observing the team. Are they really worth all of the abject disappointment? Don’t I have better things to do with my time?

Is Matt Millen Asleep at the Wheel?

Please, for the love of God, don’t buy the bill of goods the Lions are about to sell in regards to their decision to re-sign RB Tatum Bell.

Bell’s signing is one of the more perplexing (of so many) decisions during Matt Millen’s 31-81 tenure. It’s almost seems like Matt decided that by giving Bell and Foster one more season, he could undo the poor outcome of his decision to acquire both of them from Denver for Dre Bly in ‘07.

Let me give you the of the outline what the contents of the “Allen Park Pravda” will be upon the announcement of the Bell signing:

“Mike Martz really was the “big, bad wolf” and he was fickle to a fault with our offensive personnel. We have eradicated Martz, who was clearly in over his head. We really thought he should have used Bell more, that’s why we ignored Bell’s mid-season trade demands. We really like Tatum Bell, we do!”

Bell provides the Lions with little more than a mild upgrade over Aveion Cason, and gives them someone who has played in Detroit with nearly the same coaching staff and personnel. Someone please convince me, judging by Bell’s performance, what he provides, besides health, over Brian Calhoun?

Between signing ex-Rams and Bucs, and bringing back most all of the same players who were with the team last season, what has Matt Millen done this off-season to provide Lions fans with hope, and any sort of expectation, that the ‘08 team will actually improve?

The Shaun Rogers trade to Cleveland is clearly a better deal than the trade the Lions would have eventually received from Cincinnati, that’s the extent of the value that Matt Millen has accrued for the Lions this off-season. I hope that players like Leigh Bodden, Brian Kelly, Chuck Darby, and Dwight Smith prove me wrong, but I am not going to believe anything until I actually see it exhibited on the field of play in ‘08.

In regards to Bell, and the injury-riddled Kevin Jones, they both will be under contract in Detroit for just one more season. That means it’s increasingly likely that the Lions will take a running back within the first couple of rounds in the ‘08 draft.

I wonder if Bell’s re-signing means that newly-minted Lions offensive coordinator Jim Colletto is going to utilize more “zone-blocking”-type of running plays in ‘08 to extract more production out of Bell, within their new-and-improved,  promised “balanced” offense in ‘08, since Bell seemed to thrive in that type of scheme in Denver?

Rod Gets His “Men”–No, This is NOT a Pornographic Film Title!

Lions Head Coach Rod Marinelli has worked very hard this off-season to change the losing culture of the Lions locker room, by adding players who will give the team a much stronger character and a more intimate knowledge of what Marinelli, and his ex-Tampa proteges on the current Lions coaching staff, believe are the key elements to building a winning franchise.

The signings of veteran, physical CB Brian Kelly and (gulp, barf) OT George Foster signify, at least on some level, what Marinelli is shooting for.

I hail the Kelly signing. Kelly, along with the recently acquired CB Leigh Bodden, are better than any combo they put on the field, at any time, during last season’s full scale pass coverage evisceration.

They possess greater depth with the additions of CB Travis Fisher and S Dwight Smith to work the slot in nickel coverages. They have a couple of developmental players in Keith Smith and Stanley Wilson, Jr., who may benefit immediately from the respective influences of Kelly and Bodden.

The Lions can still address their secondary in the draft, meanwhile having the luxury of knowing that a newly-drafted prospect will not be immediately thrust into the playing group, giving that player some valuable developmental time.

The re-signing of George Foster is perplexing. It indicates that Damien Woody was a major free agent target for them, and once Woody signed with the Jets, they were left scrambling. Bringing Foster back also tells me that they will be moving offensive line up their list of priorities significantly entering April’s draft.

Let’s face it, George Foster sucks. He absolutely can’t be their starting right offensive tackle entering the season. Look for the Lions to seriously consider Ryan Clady, Jeff Otah , and Gosder Cherilus as selections during the first two rounds.

Here is a projected Lions depth chart:

QB: Kitna-Stanton-Orlovsky
FB ?-Bradley(?)

RB: Jones-Calhoun-Cason

TE: Campbell-Gaines-Owens-FitzSimmons

LT: Backus

LG: Mulitalo-Ramirez

C: Raiola

RG: Peterman-Davis

RT: ?-Foster-Scott

WR: Johnson, Williams, McDonald, Furrey

DE: White-

DT: Redding-Cody

NT: Darby-Moore

DE: Alama-Francis-DeVries

WLB: Sims-Cannon

MLB: ?-Davis-Lenon

SLB: Lenon-Lewis

CB: Bodden-Wilson, Jr.

CB: Kelly-Smith-Fisher

S: Alexander-Bullocks-Smith-Pearson-Kennedy
LS: Muhlbach

K: Hanson

P: Harris

By my accounts, the Lions still need help at: MLB, DE, RB, OT, and DT.  The free agency market has pretty much run it’s course, but I still expect the Lions to potentially trade a wide receiver, especially if they can plug another one of these holes, or garner a draft pick in return.

The upcoming draft is full of quality players and considered “deep” for talented offensive tackles and running backs, which at least gives us a slight indication their is a direction to how the team is being assembled this off-season.

Newly Unveiled, The Detroit Ramaneers!

Rod Marinelli has clearly instigated a major impact upon Matt Millen’s personnel acquisition process this off-season. The Lions have signed (or could sign) these former Bucs: DT Chuck Darby, CB Brian Kelly, S Dwight Smith, and S Kalvin Pearson. This is after having added players from Tampa like Corey Smith, DeWayne White, and Jon Bradley to the roster last season.

I understand that Marinelli probably feels that if he is going to lose (or retain?) his job after the ‘08 season, that he’d like to do it with his “guys”, so to speak. After all of the former Rams acquisitions that were made during the brief tenure of Mike Martz, one has to wonder, have the Lions become a repository for Rams and Bucs cast-offs?

Admittedly, the players that Marinelli has acquired this off-season will provide some organizational “glue”, depth and character, but none of them, not one, constitutes any sort of serious talent upgrade at their respective positions.

That’s where the real question lies, can a team with marginally less capable talent, with a proven track record of missing more than hitting in the April draft, actually be expected to improve upon their disappointing 7-9 record last season, amid the horrific 31-81 tenure of Matt Millen?

The news that the Lions had signed Chuck Darby comes as no surprise. He will help fill out a decent tackle rotation among Langston Moore, Shaun Cody, and Cory Redding. Don’t discount a return of Jon Bradley to defensive tackle, either this season. That being said, there will be a noticeable void in the middle of the Lions defense, that will be felt throughout the entire season, in spite of Shaun Rogers inconsistent production.

The Lions have also signed G Corey Hulsey, a virtual no-name, who was out of football last season.  I appreciate the Lions conservative means of building their franchise, but given their off-season acquisitions up to this point, it’s increasingly tantamount that Matt Millen has a successful draft, something he has never actually accomplished during his tenure as team president.

Lions Fans Breathe Sigh Of Relief After Favre Announces Retirement

Upon Brett Favre’s announcement of his retirement, a collective exhalation of relief was briefly palpable throughout the entire midwest. To say that Favre has owned the Lions (he has thoroughly dominated them, in fact), especially inside of the frozen tundra at Lambeau Field, would be a HUGE understatement.

I have often lamented the overwhelming, Cal Ripken-like fixation the media has regaled Favre with. The hushed, reverential, and barely-concealed adoration that most media types have gushed for Favre’s well-documented attributes and accomplishments, have been largely sickening to me as a Lions fan. Their inherent lack of bias never seemed to matter where Favre was concerned, in their eyes.

That doesn’t mean I don’t respect Favre, or that I don’t regard his consecutive games started at quarterback streak as anything short of phenomenal.

I do believe that the media has allowed themselves to get a little carried away with the Favre legend for two reasons: He has repeatedly overcome the many, heavily-publicized obstacles which have obstructed his career path.

Favre also appears completely different from the rest of the current sports milieu. Sportswriters project their archetypal image of the quintessential post-WWII, square-jawed, flat-topped, and rugged mold onto Favre’s eager countenance.

Favre is a “man’s man” and his freewheeling, gambling on-field demeanor allows the observer to live vicariously, since we often aren’t allowed the liberty necessary to take the same approach in our own personal lives, let alone inside of our seemingly, ever-constricting, work environment which we all suffocate through from day-to-day.

Recently, there was a media report in regards to another, recently deceased, ex-Packer, the infamous Max McGee. McGee was an old school, “man’s man” who was awarded the MVP of Super Bowl I, which he surprisingly earned, after not sleeping the night before the big game. McGee, as legend has it, was engaged in a rumored-to-be, all night drinking binge with some friendly stewardesses, which understandably prevented him from finding the time to get some rest the night before the inaugural Super Bowl. Boys will be boys, you know.

At any rate, McGee was eventually investigated due to his gambling proclivities, and the associations that are often formed with someone who features heavy gambling as an extra-curricular pursuit. McGee was an unconventional, free spirit, whose presence, during a very different era, marked him as the type of individual the CIA figured ultimately might be worth keeping an eye on.

As much as Favre’s story is a redemption story, McGee was just as equally unrepentant about his good times, he was a truly an original character when compared to Favre.

A “McGee” would have a very difficult time thriving in the current sports environment for a number of reasons, but conversely, Americans truly love a good, against all odds, uplifting type of story. Which they have conveniently found in the exceptional, and redemptive career of a Huck Finn-like quarterback from Kiln, Mississippi (aw shucks).

Favre definitely is quite different from your garden variety, politically correct, modern day athlete, though. Most athletes who are on par with Favre public relations-wise, are political beasts in nature, whose blandness is their strongest attribute.

In most cases, their rough edges have been buffed off, presenting a cleaner, smoothed out, hipper than thou image which plays well on Madison Ave.–allowing athletes to merge themselves seamlessly with the ever present “brand” concept–and ultimately serves them well as a convenient platform for future marketing purposes.

Favre has never shied from self-promotion, either. He loves attention. He could, in fact, be popular enough to be able to publicly annex the states of Wisconsin and Mississippi without much resistance. His overwhelming popularity stems from the fact that he has always appeared genuine in the process of his own aggrandizement. His image just doesn’t seem as calculated as his counterparts, right or wrong.

Which makes it only fitting, that rather than his career ending on a high note, it ended with him throwing an awful, game-deciding interception. The conspiracist in me still sees Favre returning to the game, within the year, in an attempt to overcome whichever challenge he currently faces in life, and ultimately re-write the non-storybook ending of his career, one last time.

That’s as calculated as it comes, baby.  I still fully expect Favre to be able to retain his bullet-proof credibility, within the current sports landscape unquestioned, just because he’s Brett Favre. Just for that fact alone, and his considerable guile, Favre deserves a slight tip of the hat from Lions fans.

That being said, I am exceedingly glad that the Lions may find their chances at gaining a road victory against the Packers next year to be exponentially higher today than they were just one day ago.