Detroit Lions Weblog

Lions Off-season About to Gain Some “WOW” Factor?

Apparently, according to reports on Pro Football Talk, which have been subsequently backed up by MLive, the Lions are in the process of attempting to trade team captain DT Cory Redding for ex-Spartan and Seahawk OLB Julian Peterson, who will likely soon become a cap casualty.

Whether a trade is imminent or not, the Lions have certainly attempted to make some bold moves this off-season. Peterson is a true difference-maker, even if his career has been marked by injury. In this particular case, I think that the involved teams are exchanging ill-fitting, but quality players who will be better served by their change of scenery.

If the Lions, and even more importantly Jim Schwartz and Gunther Cunningham, can inspire Peterson to meet his complete potential, the Lions may have acquired a true, organizational building block whose versatility and athleticism would measure as quite an asset for the new Lions defense.

If the Lions are able to make this trade, and Jay Cutler skips the beginning of OTA’s for Denver this upcoming Monday, this will become one of the more intriguing and breath-shortening off-seasons Lions fans have experienced in years.

Ultimately, rampant speculation and high hopes don’t measure up to true, tangible on-the-field performance, but for an organization coming off of an 0-16 season of utter, distraught hopelessness, the Lions off-season has accomplished one thing, it has inspired confidence in both Martin Mayhew and Tom Lewand’s ability as front office co-conspirators to wheel and deal with the best of them to improve the team’s current lot.

The other indicator, if a trade for Peterson eventually occurs, is that the Lions may have decided against taking OLB Aaron Curry first overall and are likely considering the selection of a QB, OT, or more improbably a DE/DT, either of whom would immediately slide into the playing group with the departure of Redding.

I am also afraid to curse the improved Lions situation prematurely, but I’ll do it anyhow, with the hard-working ethos established during Rod Marinelli’s brief tenure, and the improved vision and direction of the Lions current front office, true NFL credibility may not be as far away as it seemed as few short months ago.

Stafford/Cutler, Angelo Crowell Visits

The murmur has grown to a roar, as it has become increasingly apparent that the Lions are about to add a franchise Qb, either via the draft, trade, or less likely, at least now, via free agency.

Phil Zaroo, who compiles the “Highlight Reel” blog for MLive, posted an interesting stats-based article regarding the success of first round QB’s.

The ultimate point to be gleaned is, if statistically-speaking, against lesser competition, Stafford is erratic and inaccurate as a passer, it is unreasonable to expect that he will eventually improve against stiffer competition.

The news that Denver’s Jay Cutler may eventually be back on the trading block, due to a growing impasse between the organization and Cutler, re-opens the unfulfilled hope of Lions fans, and the potential opportunity for the Lions to eventually acquire Cutler.

MLive’s Tom Kowalski speculates about the Lions chances to possibly acquire Cutler as the off-season progresses. Obviously, Cutler’s potential availability is in it’s nascent stage, but you’d like to see the Lions enter the fray, if the opportunity arises.

I’d much rather the Lions cast their lot with Cutler, under Scott Linehan’s auspices, than with a guy like Stafford, who has loads of potential, but has been frustratingly inconsistent as a collegiate player.

The trade would be a boon for Cutler, and his agent Bus Cook, who would likely demand a re-structured and extended contract, and Lions fans, who would see the organization finally attain a measure of credibility by acquiring a young, but proven Qb commodity. Cutler would be the Lions “Favre”, as a frame of reference.

The Lions also met with MLB Angelo Crowell, who happens to be ex-Lions WR Germane Crowell’s younger brother. Crowell missed all of last season due to injury, but was a three year starter for the Bills who would represent an upgrade over the players who have recently played in the middle of the Lions defense.

The Lions appear to still be on TE L.J. Smith’s radar, at least according to recent reports. Interestingly, a player whom the Lions attempted to trade for, CB Ken Lucas, was released by the Panthers. It would be a real coup for the Lions, if they were somehow able to add Lucas, along with the defensive back acquisitions they have made this off-season, so far.

A player the Lions are less likely to consider, Alabama OT Andre Smith, who has experienced a record-setting precipitous fall down the ‘09 draft board, recently conjured memories of two ghosts of Lions past, Aaron Gibson and Stockar McDougle, each whose worthlessness was only matched by their unmet potential, had a poor showing at his pro day, after a disastrous draft combine.

As far as I can tell, the Lions are potentially heading in the right direction organizationally, even if it is a long road, but with some upcoming luck, tangible, incredible change could begin in an improbable fashion. Keep your fingers crossed.

Blogger Mock Draft, Jay Cutler, Free Agency

Ty from “The Lions in Winter” and I have recently been involved in a blogger mock draft that has been coordinated by Next Season Sports.

In the first edition of the draft, I selected DE Michael Johnson, a clear reach pick. Ty recently rebounded nicely as a Lions GM, picking OLB Aaron Curry, who is a more realistic option atop the draft board, if not an obvious one.

Ty has a fabulous feature about Curry on his blog. I am an advocate of eventually selecting Curry, but I firmly believe that the upcoming draft should become very focused upon building their defense if they decide to select Curry.

The news that Broncos QB Jay Cutler and the Broncos organization are still dealing with their newly damaged relationship, hasn’t completely removed the hope for the Lions to possibly acquire Cutler as the disintegration continues.

The Lions appear set to take Matthew Stafford with their 1st pick, so I hope that they will continue to explore the potential availability of Cutler, since he is essentially a more proven version of Stafford.

The Lions have re-signed RB Aveion Cason and signed LB Cody Spencer, their first linebacker acquisition of the off-season. Cason, who seemingly will always turn up on the roster during any given season, and Spencer each provide the team with experienced depth and versatility.

Neither player is a threat to garner significant playing time, but they are the kind of players that you need to complete a 53-man roster.

Lions Add Two Offensive Line Backups, Draft Needs Becoming Clearer

With the addition of two versatile, backup offensive linemen in the past two days, in Damien Cook and Daniel Loper, the Lions draft intentions are seemingly becoming much clearer.

At least on the surface, it looks as if the Lions will continue with their status quo offensive line in tow, although, it seems that they may still be missing a backup at Center for Dominic Raiola.

Loper was a member of a very good offensive line in Tennessee and Cook should become more effective with the Lions apparently ditching last season’s zone “blocking” rushing scheme, or at least diminishing it’s importance.

The massive Cook should benefit from become more of a mauler, rather than having to be able to move in space, like the zone-blocking scheme demands.

The Lions still need to address their Qb, TE, and (potentially) WR positions, besides acquiring a backup at Center. I would not be surprised if they addressed their TE, WR, and C positions prior to the April Draft, too.

The Lions also need to add players throughout their entire defense (especially at LB and D-Line). I would not be shocked at all to see the Lions add a QB with one of their two picks in the first round, as heavily- rumored, and devote the rest of their top picks to their defense now that they have filled, if not upgraded, their offensive line needs.

Lions Sign DT Grady Jackson, CB/PR Philip Buchanon

The Lions front office is continuing to paste together an improved roster, albeit not a formidable one, at least yet. The Lions have recently added a massive run-stuffer in DT Grady Jackson (who would likely win any paczki-eating contest, hands down) and CB Philip Buchanon.

Jackson will play mostly during rushing downs, and will be part of a tackle rotation as opposed to being an every down player. Jackson’s value is in his ability to immovably entrench himself in the center of the field and shield oncoming blockers from the path of roaming linebackers.

Jackson will also eliminate the opening of running lanes for opposing backs to slip through. Jackson’s massiveness makes him a much more effective option than incumbent Chuck Darby, who, even if he “likes to eat hearts”, may just have become expendable to the Lions organization with Jackson’s addition.

The Lions may also have added a playmaker in the secondary by signing the enigmatic Philip Buchanon. Buchanon’s career has seen it’s share of highs and lows, but he has been effective during recent seasons.

As an added bonus, Buchanon is also a punt returner. Between Buchanon and Maurice Morris, the Lions returns game has a chance to make modest improvement in it’s performance from recent seasons.

The rough outlines of a roster are starting to form, even if Martin Mayhew and “Shack” Harris have a lot more work to do. The Lions still need to address tight end (Having met with or are meeting with L.J. Smith), their offensive and defensive lines, linebacker, quarterback and slot/possession receiver.

The Lions announced that no player would wear Corey Smith’s jersey number this season, except for him.

Since it is unlikely that Smith will ever be found at sea, this decision stands as a nice tribute to a player who extracted every last ounce of his ability from a lot of very hard work, as he routinely clung desperately to maintain his NFL career.

Hopefully, Smith’s former teammates gained something from their relations with Smith and will exhibit half of the drive and perseverance that Smith possessed during his brief stay in Detroit.

A Lions Player is Missing

There a ton of reports about an as yet unnamed Lions player, along with one or two more other NFL players, missing off the coast of the Clearwater area of Florida.

Apparently, things don’t look good, I’ll let the rumors and innuendo run their course before commenting too much, but I do want to say my thoughts and prayers are extended out to whomever these players may be.

Note: The missing player now appears to be Lions free agent defensive end Corey Smith. Keep Smith in your mind.

Lions Front Office Performs OK in Free Agency’s Opening Weekend

In what could have been a masterful weekend, had all of their potential transactions played out in a best case scenario, the Lions have done a very solid job addressing their overwhelmingly daunting personnel needs.

The Dallas Cowboys, oddly enough, have played a very large part in making the new Lions front office appear competent. The Cowboys traded the Lions CB/S Anthony Henry in exchange for Jon Kitna, a player whom the Lions were likely very close to releasing onto the open market.

Kitna would have likely had few suitors in the open market, the Cowboys probably could have signed him with little additional effort. Henry, who is not the player he once was, is both versatile and solid.

What is even more impressive, aside from the potential trade acquisition of Ken Lucas, was that the Lions also attempted to accomplish two more blockbuster trades, which unfortunately did not come to fruition.

The Lions attempted to acquire G Derrick Dockery, a deal which was killed by Dockery’s being due a bonus payment, and QB Matt Cassel, whom the Lions would have flipped to the Broncos for JAY CUTLER.

Had the Lions engineered either of those trades, it would have been a huge weekend for them. In the case of Cutler, it would have been monumental.

If the Lions can acquire Cutler with pick #20, and maybe a little extra ammo, they should run at that possibility, as opposed to chancing that QB Matthew Stafford will eventually become a Cutler-type of QB in the NFL.

In the end, the Lions played it safe. They signed versatile RB/3rd down back/return specialist Maurice Morris, WR Bryant Johnson, and CB Eric King.

None of these players are superstars, but they all, in my opinion, could represent roster upgrades over departed RB Rudi Johnson, WR Mike Furrey, and any CB aside from Leigh Bodden who “played” for them last season.

The Lions front office still has a ton of work to do in order to prevent their first free agency signing period from being perceived a resolute failure.

They had better keep working the phones in hopes of engineering a potential Cutler trade. The mere fact that there is knowledge of Cutler’s potential availability should be all of the incentive that the Lions need to be dogged in their pursuit of a player they could have easily selected in the first round a few seasons ago.

The Lions still need to address their offensive line (guard or tackle), wide receiver, tight ends, defensive tackles, linebacker and cornerbacks.

According to reports, they are very close to signing Bills CB Jabari Greer and could sign another receiver, too in the upcoming days.

If when the dust settles, they have yet to upgrade at least two of these positions, well, this weekend, and the Lions off-season entering the draft would markedly constitute a failure, at least in my opinion.