Detroit Lions Weblog

Haynesworth to the ‘Skins, Lions Looking at Wide Receivers?

Well, as per usual, Daniel Snyder and the Washington Redskins fired a shot across the bow in NFL free agency, by blowing everyone out of the water with their offer, and eventual signing of DT Albert Haynesworth.

Other than wondering how exactly Snyder and his front office ever balance their cap budget with their drunken-sailor-on-shore-leave free spending ways, I am mildly disappointed by the Lions inability to make a play on Haynesworth.

Haynesworth would have been an excellent acquisition. The Detroit Free Press’ Drew Sharp equated the organizational credibility gained by signing Haynesworth to that which was gained by the Tigers signing of “Pudge” Rodriguez several years ago.

That being said, the financial commitment would have been exorbitant, even by professional sports standards. The Lions still have DeWayne Robertson and Rocky Bernard as defensive tackle options, although their market price will only increase as time marches on.

Appaently, the Lions are also looking at WR’s Nate Washington, who will be visiting, and T.J. Houshmandzadeh, who has garnered less interest than originally expected.

The Lions have so many gaping roster needs that really, the only way that they can go wrong is by not signing anybody, or by over-spending just to fill those needs. If they are going to overspend this off-season, it had better be on an actual roster upgrade.

These opening days of free agency will have a major impact upon the Lions draft plans and will be a sign whether the Lions new front office and coaching staff can do a convincing job of selling the organization to it’s prospective employees.