Detroit Lions Weblog

Amid Off-Season Hibernation, Ex-Lions Scramble To Find Work

With the OTA’s, various minicamps, and training camps all on the horizon, and with the draft and free agency completed, the next month or two are among the quieter periods of the NFL off-season.

With that in mind, I find it interesting that a number of (mostly) failed ex-Lions are in the league news, albeit because they are all scrambling for jobs.

Charles Rogers, Mike Williams, Kevin Jones and J.T. O’Sullivan have all been mentioned as among potential roster chum to subside the voracious appetites of football front offices in the search for quick, cheap solutions to their personnel issues.

Rogers has been mentioned as someone who could possibly land in the CFL. The Lions are still knee deep in the glacial legal processes that will mediate their attempt to recover money from C-Rog, whom they believe was in breach of his contract when he was suspended for his participation in the league’s drug program.

Mike Williams, who I regard as the biggest draft bust in Matt Millen’s horrific tenure as team president, is clutching to the last withering tendrils of what was once regarded as a promising NFL career. Williams appears to finally have matured to the point where he is beginning to see his failure in not choosing to commit fully to his once burgeoning career.

Kevin Jones has recently visited with the Patriots, and there is no player I’d rather see be given the opportunity to win than Jones. I still believe that the Lions have made a mistake in their judgment in regards to Jones, and even in a limited role, I believe that Jones has some potential left to contribute.

O’Sullivan, the Lions journeymen backup last season, and clearly a Mike Martz lackey, has been mentioned a possible starter in San Francisco next season. Given O’Sullivan’s brief performance in Detroit, I feel sorry for the Niners, if he is the best that their roster has to offer at that position.

Ultimately, none of these players will likely amount to significant additions to any team. Their collectively poor performance as professional athletes will likely bear out, their upside has ground to dust.

That being said, other than an upcoming “NFL Greatest Games” Dvd due for release in August, their is little other sustenance to be found for the devoted Lions fan, at least for the time being.

Jon Kitna Possesses Eminent Domain Over Dominic Raiola’s Bottom(So Does Dom’s Wife)

Jon Kitna has never been at a loss for poignant words during his brief time in Detroit. He has always been ready to submit a well-timed, quick-witted quip. His demeanor often has been humorous, embarrassing, and enlightening, all at once.

Recently, Kitna left me asking, did you have to go there, Jon? Kitna quipped that only he (and Dom Raiola’s wife) were able to touch Dominic Raiola’s behind, in reference to any perceived quarterback competition entering this upcoming season.

Exuding this kind of toughness and self-assuredness is likely the primary reason that Kitna still is employed in the NFL, against all reasonable odds. Kitna owns the tenacity necessary to be the last man standing, in most cases.

I believe that Kitna may be a little delusional here, though. The Lions drafted Drew Stanton for a reason. Many of the comments that have been made by Jim Colletto and Rod Marinelli lead me to believe that ultimately, Kitna’s starting role is far from cemented.

I believe that a poor start to the ‘08/’09 season would eventually seal Kitna’s fate in Detroit. The Lions are no closer to being playoff contenders with Kitna, or a nubile Drew Stanton, starting for them.

The more pertinent question to ask remains, whose career is reaching it’s nexus, and whose is just beginning? The Lions are likely going to have to face a very difficult choice during the upcoming months, and clearly, in spite of my incessant hand-wringing, Stanton is the more prudent choice in the long run.

Hopefully, regardless of the shape that events take in the future, we will still be regaled with the same 10-win prognostications, religious/cross hat wearing, multiple, miraculous concussive recoveries, and Joe Cullen costume donning antics, along with the many other endearing Kitna traits, that have made this team infinitely more intriguing during the past two seasons since Kitna’s arrival.

Kitna’s tenure is a stark contrast to Joey Harrington’s in Detroit. If there was a player ever more ill-suited, and out of place, amidst the type of blue collar, midwestern temperament that Harrington often was subjected to, I can’t imagine them.

In regards to Stanton, he certainly is no Harrington, but it remains to be seen whether he possesses the leadership, focus, and decision-making ability necessary to distinguish himself. Stanton strikes me as a slightly more accurate passing version Of Mike McMahon.

Hopefully, Stanton avoids the kind of chicken-with-it’s-head-off, fight-or-flight desperation of an heavily undermanned McMahon–whom the Lions shamefully threw to the wolves before he was close to being prepared to face NFL competition.

Stanton does benefit from the experience of operating in the same kind of dysfunctional, festering losing environment during his time in East Lansing that currently exists in Allen Park. Unlike McMahon, Stanton is a Michigan resident, so there will likely be a commonly expressed desire to see what Stanton can accomplish among Lions fans, should Kitna falter.

Lions Hyping New Offensive Scheme, Rod Marinelli Head Defensive Line Coach?

The Lions three day rookie minicamp has come and gone. Lions Head Coach Rod Marinelli apparently took a concerted and direct interest in “08 3rd round draft pick DE Cliff Avril. Marinelli pulled Avril aside for some one-on-one instruction during training camp drills. Marinelli has also suggested that Avril watch game film of former Bucs pass rushing stalwart, Simien Rice, in order to learn more about playing his position.

Anything that the Lions can do to help generate a consistent edge rush, I heartily support. The success of the Lions defense is ultimately predicated upon the presence of a decent pass rush. I think that it is great that Rod Marinelli is on hand to provide his expertise to such an important newcomer.

That being said, I am more than a little concerned about Marinelli’s desire to remain so active with overseeing the defensive line, when there are so many pressing needs throughout the ENTIRE offense and defense. Is he missing out on valuable evaluation time with the other personnel groups, while he pitches in to help with the team’s defensive linemen?

The Lions “Pravda” has conveniently changed it’s course recently. As we all know, the Lions are going to feature a “new and improved” offensive scheme, without recently deposed Offensive Coordinator/Mad Scientist/Hegemonist Mike Martz’s influence.

The funny thing is, haven’t we have been served this variety of Lions “corn bread” before? How many “new and improved” offensive schemes have the Lions featured during Matt Millen’s abysmal tenure? By my count 3 or 4.

The Lions are also still talking about the importance of the establishment of a “signature” play, which I am not opposed to in principle, but I was wondering, what will become of the 3rd-and-Long “Wayne Fontes Draw” play and their costly, but patented “Red Zone Holding Penalty” play, if the Lions establish a new “signature” play to rely upon?

Finally, a lot of the talk this weekend was about the Lions offensive linemen needing to be able to move out into space, and that the Lions asked G Manny Ramirez to lose weight and work towards improving his footwork. Is this current offensive transition, much like the “west coast” offense and “Tampa-2″ defense which similarly preceded it, going to be a case of the Lions being caught with their pants down, yet again, because they don’t have the appropriate personnel to meet the demands of their “new and improved” scheme?

Hopefully, the “new and improved” scheme is a better fit with their current personnel, but I find that to be dubious.  Especially when you consider that many of the Lions players have been around long enough to see the short half-lives of other previous schema, and fully realize the likelihood that their respective careers in Detroit will outlive the current coaching staff and any “new and improved” scheme. Harrumph!

Lions Rookie Minicamp Invitees Announced, Martz/Lions Unceasing Detente

Mlive’s “Highlight Reel” blog has recently announced who has been invited to attend the Lions rookie minicamp . There are no earth-shattering players on the tryout list, however, there are several intriguing names who will attend that could make things interesting.

Last season, I was quite impressed by Claude Harriott’s pre-season performance, and with the defensive end position being relatively unsettled, Harriott could emerge as a potential roster candidate.

Buster Davis was a third round draft pick last season, who underperformed in the Cardinals organization. If the Cards, and the Lions didn’t completely misjudge his talent, and he can prove valuable on the special teams, he is another intriguing roster candidate, even with the addition of rookie Jordan Dizon.

At any rate, it’s exciting to see the nascent images of the upcoming ‘09 season. The Lions P.R. department, and the local media, will do their best to get us excited about the Lions draft picks and their early performances. As sad as it is to admit, I can’t wait.

In regards to Jason Cole’s recent Yahoo Sports article , as much as it comes as no surprise that the Martz/Lions marriage was ill-fitting, as many predicted that it would be, I am surprised that the pissing contest between the two sides continues to linger on, after their supposed “mutual” parting. Things must have gotten quite ugly internally as the season unraveled last year.

Obviously, there are always three sides to the truth, but if either side is actually telling, at least partially, the truth, this is the most most damning condemnation of the Lions entire organization (or lack of), yet. It does give you cause to wonder, though, Who exactly is in charge while Matt Millen is in Pennsylvania?

I do believe that it is best for the Lions that Martz, and his offense, no longer reside in Allen Park. The Lions constant claims that Martz’s unpredictability and immensely flawed brilliance ultimately lead to their season-ending swoon, is a gross oversimplification of what has made them the worst organization in all of professional sports over the course of nearly 15 years now.

Dizon Compared to Spielman and Boyd, Pinner Returns, and Cody’s Final Days?

The Lions have signed journeymen RB Artose Pinner to compete with RB’s Brian Calhoun and Tatum Bell, both of whose futures may be in jeopardy with the Lions upon Pinner’s return to the organization.

Pinner, who has been mediocre, at best, throughout his career, except for one stellar performance against the Lions, his then former team, will contribute on special teams which gives him an edge over Bell, and possibly Calhoun, too.

Indefatigable Aveion Cason also remains in the picture, and with Cason’s ability to contribute to the special teams, the running back personnel group suddenly seems very crowded.

I really like the idea of a tandem of Bell and newly-drafted Kevin Smith, especially if the Lions are serious about adding a zone-running attack, a system Bell is quite intimate with.

Pinner would provide the Lions with a Shawn Bryson-like 3rd down back, who can pick up blitzes and catch the ball of the backfield, too. Competition is always good, so this situation will be an intriguing one to monitor.

I wonder if the training camp performance of rookie FB Jerome Felton, an intriguing combo back, could factor into the future of Pinner, since Felton could potentially assume the aforementioned “Bryson” role, if he proves capable of blitz pickup? If Felton can thrive in this role, the Lions could consolidate two valuable roster spots into one.

A number of people have begun to compare MLB Jordan Dizon to former Lions LB’s Stephen Boyd and Chris Spielman, which if this holds true, will resonate deeply within Lions fans hearts. If Dizon is the gritty, blue collar, overachiever that he has been alluded to, I can imagine a Ford Field engulfed in a sea of Sims and Dizon jerseys for several years to come.

The Lions need for Dizon to be an immediate contributor on their defense, not just as a special teamer. Dizon, along with DT Andre Fluellen and DE Cliff Avril, will determine significantly the success of the Lions ‘08 defense.

In regards to Fluellen, “Killer” Kowalski believes that former second round DT Shaun Cody may be another Lion that will be looking over his shoulder during training camp. I like Cody, and hate to see the Lions suffer from yet another busted high draft pick, but Chuck Darby “eats hearts”, Cory Redding is a franchise cornerstone, and Langston Moore has been a sound contributor in the middle, which leaves the affable Cody out on a ledge, so to speak. Again, intense competition is ultimately good for the team, and the Lions can ill-afford to carry too many developmental players.

Revisionism in the evaluation of the Lions draft has run rampant. Initially, they were scalded for reaching for players like Gosder Cherilus and Jordan Dizon. Since then, many experts like the Dallas Morning News’ Rick Gosselin, one of the pre-eminent draft evaluators, has stated that the Lions did a nice job of finding value with each pick.

The criticism of the Cherilus pick is a little odd, in my book. Cherilus has been a well-established draft prospect for awhile now, and he struggled at times on the left side, a position the Lions don’t envision him ever manning.

Cherilus will play immediately, and may not project as highly as players like Chris Williams and Jeff Otah, but his tenacity and “team first” attitude are exactly what Rod Marinelli, and the Lions, desired in a player.

The criticism of Dizon is more reasonable, but as disappointing as it would be for him not to start next season, the Lions have nobody else on the roster who could slide into the middle of the Tampa-2, something that they must have believed internally that Dan Connor was incapable of.

The most important issue, in my eyes, is whether the combo of Ikaika “Hawaii Five-O” Alama-Francis and Cliff Avril can provide an upgrade over the likes of players like Corey Smith and Kalimba “The Ghost” Edwards, not that that would be too difficult.