Detroit Lions Weblog

Things Getting Chippy In Camp, Roy Williams, Josh McCown?

Apparently, the approaching season has raised the hackles of several players and coaches. G Manny Ramirez, a borderline roster candidate, was unceremoniously bounced from the team’s practice yesterday by Defensive Coordinator Mike Barry. Today, the offense and defense got a little contentious during a scrimmage. First, S Dwight Smith called out an offensive teammate with some colorfully vociferous language. Then later on, Buster Davis whacked one player a little late, and a few plays later, whacked another receiver late, which drew Jon Kitna’s ire. Apparently, hard-assed Kitna needed to be restrained by the coaching staff.

I’d like to be the first to state, with the utmost certainty, that I really like it. As long as none of the players injure each other, and no one makes a bonehead play as a result of losing their cool, I think the time has come (it’s long overdue) for the Lions to develop a bit of an edge. They have been the league’s whipping-boy for the better part of the last decade, and they had better want to rip someone’s throat out, in a controlled manner, of course!

The Lions will have had a long time between last Thursday and this upcoming Sunday’s pre-season matchup with Cincinnati, it only makes sense as the pressure mounts to retain a roster spot and carve out an active role in the playing group, that tempers might flare up. The Lions are ready to level their blows at an opponent, and hitting teammates does not provide the same level of satisfaction.

Will Roy Williams be able to remain happy and satisfied with his diminishing role, given that he is entering a contract season, as the emerging supernova that is Calvin Johnson takes precedent within the Lions offense? Roy Williams is a crucial factor to the Lions success. Drew Sharp wrote an excellent article today about the very real possibility, that the Lions and Williams will be parting after the ‘08 season. Personally, given the added focus upon the ground game, the Lions aren’t going to have enough balls to keep both Williams and Johnson happy in the passing game, in my opinion. I also believed that the Lions should have extracted maximum value for him, prior to the ‘08 draft, too.

The Dolphins have made it abundantly clear that they will not be keeping four QB’s. Should Josh McCown become available, will the Lions give him a look as a backup, given his familiarity with the coaching staff and his experience having played with several members of the current Lions roster? It seems to be prudent to me.  Exchanging a 6th or 7th round draft pick for McCown would be a far safer decision than counting on Drew “Mikey” Stanton and Dan Orlovsky in the event that Jon Kitna suffer an injury, in my opinion.