Detroit Lions Weblog

Eagles Fire First (Fatal?) Shot Upon Lions Draft Plans By Acquiring OT Peters, WR Boldin Next?

With today’s news that the Eagles have acquired former Pro Bowl OT Jason Peters, for pick #28 and a 2010 6th-rounder (reportedly), the Lions, and many Lions fans, should have gasped loudly in both exasperation and despair (I have now had my high hopes completely shot to hell, in the process).

Now that Peters is an Eagle, there is one less team looking to select a 1st round offensive tackle, but unfortunately, with today’s trade, another team now emerges, who will be holding two picks in the first round. The Bills will quite likely effectively block the Lions path towards selecting either Michael Oher with pick #20 or William Beatty with pick #33, since the Bills now hold both pick #11 (Oher) and pick #28 (Beatty, if need be).

In my opinion, this news should significantly impact the Lions upcoming draft plans. They now would be behaving in an organizationally negligent manner by choosing to select Matthew Stafford first overall, with little reasonable opportunity to be able to upgrade their left offensive tackle position after today’s trade.

The Lions are no position to spare draft picks to move up and get an Oher or Beatty, whichever player may suit their fancy, since they need each and every one of their early picks and have traded all of their (4th and 5th rounds) mid-round picks away already.

I am now of the opinion that they should select either OT Jason Smith or Eugene Monroe, and bypass their continued, incessant “franchise QB problem” for the bye and bye. Adding Stafford is a disaster waiting to happen, much more so now, than it would have been before today’s trade.

The mere fact that the Lions seemingly never were legitimate players in the pursuit of Peters, and given the relatively cheap price for the Eagles to acquire an ex-Pro Bowl OT, maybe the Lions never figured to select Stafford, all along.

The very idea of the Lions trotting Stafford out on to Ford Field during say, week 6-7, with their current status quo offensive line in tow, makes me sick to my stomach. It would be a sure, ominous sign, at least to me, that they, as an organization, have learned nothing from their past failures.

The scary fact of the matter is, that there are more moves which are very likely to occur that will significantly impact the Lions draft plans. If the Cardinals successfully trade WR Anquan Boldin, to either the Eagles for pick #21 or Ravens for pick #26, or if Browns WR Braylon Edwards is eventually moved to the Giants for pick #29, there would now be two more teams who could legitimately louse up the Lions draft plans, at least as far as acquiring an offensive tackle is concerned.

On the plus side, there also may now be more teams willing to eventually flirt with the idea of trading up to acquire pick #1 or infinitely more likely, pick #20. If the Lions are somehow able to add even more picks in the top 100 draft picks, by trading down, the sting of today’s news will be briefly assuaged, at least for me.

In effect, after today’s trade, I have the joined growing detente of pitchfork and torchbearing local yokels, who are unanimously and vociferously imploring the Lions to AVOID DRAFTING MATTHEW STAFFORD, AT ALL COST.

One last excruciatingly painful thing, there is a growing number of bored, ill-informed, neanderthal talking heads, lead by the NFL Network’s chief ignoramus, Jamie Dukes, who are suggesting that the Lions and Michael Vick should become suitors for each other’s services in some sort of an unholy co-mingling, where in theory, a mutually redemptive story would form, where each partner would purportedly be a beneficiary.

I have never seen a finer argument for widespread onanism ever posited. These individuals should all be collectively depositing their “creative urges” into the palms of their stained hands, rather than conjuring up “helpful” ideas for the blundering Lions franchise.

Bleehk! These people are obviously completely unaware of the nature of the Lions fan base, and the team’s past travails at their cursed QB position, or they wouldn’t even consider suggesting such a horrifyingly preposterous proposition. That’s plain and simple, SOME SERIOUSLY BAD JUJU!

The Lions current QB Daunte Culpepper, is just fine, thank you very much!

Lions Continue to Round Out Roster as Draft Approaches

With today’s news that the Lions have added FB Terrelle Smith and WR Ronald Curry, the Lions front office may have finally added the last two complimentary pieces to their roster that they will acquire prior to the draft.

If that’s the case, the Lions have done a pretty darn good job of addressing their pre-draft personnel needs, which will allow them to place their emphasis wholly upon selecting the players whom they have given the highest pre-draft evaluation grades to, rather than being beholden to any personnel needs.

In signing Smith, along with the off-season addition of TE Will Heller, the Lions will be able to line up and smash the ball more effectively between the tackles with Kevin Smith. Smith’s addition jeopardizes the future of either Jerome Felton or Jon Bradley, neither of whom has fully distinguished themselves with their past opportunities.

Curry, although never a superstar, provides the Lions with an solid, experienced player who has shown brief flashes of brilliance during his nine year career. If Curry can remain healthy, with the Johnson’s on the outside, he may be able to be the kind of solid route-running, slot receiver that the Lions have needed to add as a compliment all off-season.

By my accounts, the Lions are still going to need a QB, either via the draft or free agency, an offensive lineman, a defensive tackle, middle linebacker, and secondary help. With the Lions eight picks, they likely will be able to address these personnel needs along with aggressively pursuing the best available player as the draft progresses.

Matt Millen: Serendipity or the “Peter” Principle

With the news that John Madden is retiring from the broadcast booth, the inclination among conspiracy theorists will be to speculate that Matt Millen’s being brought into the NBC broadcast fold last season was a trial run to see if he could serve as heir apparent to the vacating Madden.

If somehow, this proves to be the case, (the front-runner for the job is seemingly Cris Collinsworth) is this fortuitous career move for Millen serendipitous or an example of the “The Peter Principle“ in action?

At any rate, the Lions are likely safe from being seen on “Football Night in America” anytime soon, so the warm, cordial Ford Field welcome that would greet the “Mustachioed Dumbass”, along with the armed guards, bold, palpable presence of a few local National Guard units, some off-duty policemen, and maybe some Blackwater mercenaries, too, will all have to be reserved for a later date. Darn!

We have heard so little recently about the settlement that was reportedly being worked out between the Ford’s and Millen, I wonder if Millen’s future employment has any bearing upon that?

Millen somehow receiving Madden’s job, after his abhorrent performance as Detroit’s team president, would only be akin to the rich bankers and Wall Street hacks who gleefully raked in their fat TARP payouts, after so shamelessly running our country straight into the ground.

Millen, if he assumes Madden’s ample broadcast chair, would possess a comparable zeal , and the overwhelming lack of compunction necessary, to be characterized as being at a level on par with a meth-addled, street whore.

I would rather have Dennis Miller, Gus Johnson and Tony Kornheiser all simultaneously in the booth with Al Michaels, than see Matt Millen rewarded with such a prestigious post, without the well-earned credibility warranted to claim it.

Lions Sign Free Agent WR Will Franklin

The Lions have essentially compensated for their (previously) vacant ‘09 fourth round(update: Andrew Brandt and I agree about this signing) draft selection in a circuitous manner, by signing free agent and a Kansas City Chiefs ‘08 fourth-rounder draft pick, WR Will Franklin, who has all of the tools (4.37 40-yard dash time, 40 1/2″ vertical jump, 10′11” broad jump) necessary, with admittedly limited experience, to become a successful NFL receiver.

This is kind of a boon for the Lions, in my opinion. Obviously, Franklin is unlikely to become a star. But Franklin should solidify their receiver group, and allows them to actually add a player with some measure of upside in the process.

The acquisition of Franklin, with the Lions not having picks in rounds 4 and 5, at least at this time, allows for the Lions to continue to focus upon the defensive side of the ball, even with their picks in the 6th and 7th rounds.

The question arises, why did the Chiefs cut this player loose? He did have an injury-riddled rookie season, but why?

Arrowhead Pride on Franklin:

I’m on the fence about Will Franklin, I know the MU(Mizzou) Tigers fans will jump on his “potential” but the guy looked completely lost last year. I think he’ll fall into the mid-round draft selection abyss(or Detroit?-DLW) and we’ll rarely hear about him.

Sounds like a Lion, with that glowing endorsement, eh? As a Lions slot receiver, with the benefit of having both Calvin and Bryant Johnson on the outside, Franklin could find his current situation to be a rewarding opportunity, too. Teams certainly won’t be “game-planning” for him, at this point.

Overall, I rate this a solid move for the new Lions front office. Hopefully, the Lions coaching staff can cull a productive performance from him, despite how “completely lost” he looked as a rookie Chiefs receiver, which is not an uncommon affliction, either as a young wide receiver or a member of the Kansas City Chiefs!

In another interesting note from the National Football Post, Todd Rucci suggests that the NFL draft serves as a sort of “stimulus” (so au courant) package for the Big Three automakers, since each draft pick seemingly makes a de facto auto purchase upon their selection.

Tom Lewand, Michael Lombardi, and Matthew Stafford Talk About #1 Overall Draft Pick

Lions Team President Tom Lewand deftly and at times, playfully navigated the mine field of holding a press conference, answering some questions, and disclosing absolutely nothing, in regards to the Lions upcoming draft intentions.

with thanks to Michael Lombardi, ““The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.” Eleanor Roosevelt

The Lions front office should “taste experience to the utmost…without fear” when it comes to addressing one of the most pivotal decisions that this franchise has ever had to face.

I applaud the Lions taking a measured approach with their decision, and I am glad that the Lions put to rest the idea, which would only serve to further chip away at their already near invisible organizational credibility, of passing on pick No.1 and leaping back into the fray, only when they are ready to make their draft selection.

Tom Lewand:

“We don’t want to comment on any specifics,” he said about the team’s draft plans, “whether they are logical or illogical.”

Snap! Mr. Lewand, way to extinguish the fanning flames that suggested that the Lions might approach the draft in any sort of unconventional manner, as fun as it actually might be to consider.

One could argue, though, that the Lions decision to make it an organizational priority to have the No.1 pick signed prior to the draft, as being a bit too conservative, when faced with an organizational decision that has so much bearing on their future.

Michael Lombardi:

“Signing the No.1 pick seems more important to the Lions right now than getting the pick right. This is strange behavior since they rarely have rookie contract disputes.”

The Lions front office has had difficulties accomplishing nearly everything, organizationally, with even a modicum of success. That being said, the Lions front office have been successful when it comes to spending William Clay Ford’s money.

Tom Lewand indicated yesterday, that they might have softened a bit, when it comes to being adamant that the No.1 pick being signed pre-draft, where the team can enjoy a negotiating advantage:

“It certainly is a goal of ours, ” he said, “and I think the teams that have been able to sign their player prior to the draft have seen a better measure of success by and large. Now is that because there’s a contract in place? I don’t know if there’s a causal effect or not.”

Matthew Stafford has played his part in this process, too. He reportedly, according to Pro Football Talk, told some friends that his eventual selection by the Lions is a “done deal” and even indicates that he will receive more than $40 million guaranteed from the team.

Michael Lombardi on eventually signing the first overall pick:

It’s hard to sign the best player, but that’s what the Lions must do. They will only be remembered for how he played, not when he was signed, and they must learn from Lucy(see article)–the light might be the brightest, but you’ll never find what you are looking for. Just draft the best player who can make your team better.

This a stressful, difficult process and Lewand may have provided Lions fans with the most honest testament to the fact that the decision that the team is about to make is in the right hands, as he quipped:

“One reporter jokingly asked when Stafford would be announced as the Lions top pick next week. ‘I didn’t know Aaron Curry changed his name.’ said Lewand”

Levity indicates some amount of confidence moving forward. Lewand may just be “reaching out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience,” after all. At the very least, he seems to be enjoying the ride.

Even More Jason Peters Trade Speculation

The media is continuing to prime the pump, as the Bills and Jason Peters have seemingly reached the point of no return in their contract negotiations.

The table is being set for the Bills to eventually trade Peters, with a first- and third-round draft pick as their expected compensation. Whether the Bills will successfully receive that compensation, as the draft approaches, remains to be seen.

The Buffalo News has recently speculated upon the availability of Peters and believes that there would be an eight team market (also Buffalo Rumblings.com) interested in trading for Peters. The Bills definitely want prospective trade partners to believe that there is a large list of teams from whom the Bills could choose to trade with, which there very well could be, so that they can receive full value when teams eventually make their offers for Peters.

The Buffalo News report also suggests that teams might consider offering a package of 2nd- and 5th-round draft picks, because the Bills are unlikely to want to add the cost of a high 1st-round draft pick to their salary cap (Lions, any of the 1st six draft picks, i.e.).

In the end, in my opinion, if the Lions are able to sign QB Matthew Stafford, and subsequently choose to select him with their first overall pick on April 25th, then trading for Peters, as an upgrade over any of there incumbents (Jeff Backus, George Foster et al), should take precedent over drafting a young, developmental offensive tackle candidate at either pick # 20 or pick #33.

This decision is of necessity because, if you are going to commit your future to Stafford, you had better have capable, productive pieces in place to protect him. The Lions should behave as if they very fate of their entire franchise rests upon Stafford’s shoulders, which in fact, it would.

There is some reticence involved in pursuing Peters, since there is a widely held belief that once he receives a new contract, his performance may not ultimately measure up to the asking price.

There is at least one writer, Bob Matthews from the Rochester Democrat(updated 4:30 P.M.) and Chronicle, who believes strongly that the Bills should retain Peters and would be making a mistake by eventually trading him. Matthews also believes that any team who adds Peters will become much better immediately.

If the Lions choose to draft a player other than Stafford, likely one of the two offensive tackles (Jason Smith, Eugene Monroe) who are projected to be selected in the top five picks, well, obviously, pursuit of Peters becomes frivolity.

The Lions are playing their part, too. They have done a very good job of concealing who the front-runner for the pick is, although, it would seemingly be Stafford.

The Lions are negotiating simultaneously with representatives of four or five players who could be chosen with the pick, in an attempt to keep the price of compensation down.

The Lions also have made a very public display of the fact that QB Daunte Culpepper is in “better physical condition” than last season and is performing well in the OTA’s and “voluntary” practice periods, in order to make it clear to Stafford’s representatives that the Lions are prepared to move forward without selecting Stafford, if necessary.

The Lions should actually view selecting Stafford, and his contract and signing bonus, as a package deal for acquiring Jason Peters, with his new contract and signing bonus, as a sum total.

They would be doing themselves grievous harm and a disservice, if they chose to trot out Stafford, with either the current O-Line or a young OT (whom they would select with either #20 or #33) in tow. With the consideration that adding Stafford and Peters should be a package deal, is selecting Stafford the best option?

Late Update: Not a football item, but still, rest in peace, Mark Fidrych. Your eternally smiling and youthful countenance, with an irrepressible, one of a kind demeanor both on and off the baseball diamond, will not soon be forgotten!

For Michiganders of my age cohort, Fidrych was the very embodiment of cool. Fidrych’s career was like a star whose spectacular bright light had to be burned out, rather than fade away. Fidrych was like a rock star in Michigan for a couple of too brief years in the mid-70’s where media, innocence, and performance all improbably converged to make a sensation.

Roscoe Parrish and Jason Peters to the Lions?

I am going to gravy train a bit upon the hard work of The Church of Schwartz’s Rev. Spielman, by echoing his sentiments on the potential acquisition of “waterbug” slot receiver and potential dynamic kick returner, Roscoe Parrish.

I am going to one up him though, because I believe, given the likelihood that the Lions will be selecting QB Matthew Stafford (UPDATED 4/11) with their number one overall draft pick, that the team should trade for both Parrish and OT Jason Peters, prior to draft day.

When I heard of Parrish’s potential availability, I was thinking the same exact thing that Rev. Spielman mentions in his post. Parrish, with his immediate value in the returns game, maybe throw in some reverse’s (even some direct snaps?), and if it turns out that he possesses only average hands, with both of the Johnson’s on the outside, the Lions could absolutely attack opposing defenses with Parrish’s game-breaking speed inside, that is, if he can stay healthy?

I have been vociferously banging the drum about the necessity of the Lions adding a quality offensive tackle, if they are going to eventually draft Matthew Stafford. I am particularly enamored of Peters, despite the fact the Lions would have to reward him with a huge contract.

As always, eventually adding Peters would come with some amount of risk, at least according to ESPN’s Tim Graham and at least one unnamed AFC GM:

“One AFC general manager agreed Peters is a premium tackle and–in theory–well worth the Bills asking price of multiple draft picks, including first-and third-rounders. But the GM questioned whether it would be a prudent investment to give Peters the money he seeks because of perceived dedication issues. ‘Once you give him the money, I’m not so sure he plays up to it,’ the GM said.”

The Lions in essence, could be adding their next Damien Woody or “Big Baby” Shaun Rogers both genuinely frustrating, “head scratch”-inducing players who never met anywhere near each of their respective promise’s as members of the Lions organization. It’s still worth considering, at the very least, in my opinion.

If it takes pick #20 to get Peters, a proven former Pro Bowler, and a conditional 4th/5th-round pick for Parrish, like Rev. Spielman suggested, I am of the opinion that it would stand to be a major coup for the new front office team, despite the reasonably high cost and the attendant risk involved with adding each player.

Oh, George Foster, You Are Both Oh-So Delusional and Seemingly, Pivotal to the Lions Future

The Detroit Free Press’ Nicholas J. Cotsonika must either be exceedingly bored, since all of the Lions pre-draft intrigue has been chipped away by the fact that there is no legitimate, consensus number one overall draft pick in the upcoming April 25th draft (except by default), or he (sickly) derives some sort of a jaded amusement from the addled, misguided meanderings of a veteran NFL player, who really shouldn’t serve as any sort of convenient mouthpiece or representative of an organization in as poor shape as the Lions are. Either that, or it’s damning of the Lions as an organization, that their barely-capable OT George Foster, who struggles to count past zero, should be speaking publicly for the organization, at all.

At any rate, here are some of Foster’s thoughts, for what they are worth (I don’t know, maybe six green stamps?):

“I know from the outside looking in, it looks like, ‘Hey, all the tackle spots are taken,’” Foster said today. “I think I’m a proven guy that can start and you can win games with me. I welcome anybody to look at the track record.”

Well, George, I did. Out of 64 possible career regular season games with the Broncos, you started 45, in which the team won 42 (0.6563 winning %) out of those 64 possible career regular season games, which is not too shabby. In that time frame, you started 70% of the Broncos games. I guess I would grade you as average to above average, given the success of the Broncos, which might be a little generous. Here’s where it takes a turn for the worse:

“I’ve had my ups and downs here in my career, mainly in Detroit.”

Well, I would say that is an understatement. The Lions were hoping you could hold down the right tackle position for long enough that, while Matt Millen played his miserable, little dutch boy routine, sticking his thumb into the continually sprouting holes in the proverbial dike, in which for every one he temporarily blocked, another five new ones emerged as gaping roster holes, they might not have to select a right offensive tackle in the very next draft after which they traded for you. Oops, they selected one in the first round (Gosder Cherilus) the following season, largely based on your abysmal performance.

In 12 regular season career Lions starts, out of 32 (started 37.5% of those games) possible regular season (notice I’m stressing regular season!) games, the Lions have won 7 and lost 25 (0.219 winning %), uh-oh! George, it is debatable which part of your career is more emblematic of your total performance, but even giving you the benefit of the doubt, you were surrounded by A LOT of talent in Denver, so I think I am inclined to weigh your Detroit performance heavier, which is more significant for my concerns, anyhow.

But, maybe you could experience a career rebound (Updated: 4/12 see MLive.com link)(said the guy who believes in alien abductions, the “mothman”, chupacabra, HAARP-related atmospheric events, etc.)?:

“I’ve won a starting job every year that I’ve been here, been in the league. There’s no reason it can’t happen again. It’s just going to take some hard work, maybe harder work, maybe a different way to do it. But I welcome the challenge.”

Go for it, George! The Lions, or should I say Matt Millen, was abused in every single one of his trades that he made during his tenure in Detroit, it’s high time that they actually gleaned some productive value from one his personnel “decisions”. The sad truth is, I fully expect that you will be looking for work elsewhere in August.

Foster is a Georgia alum, and he worked out there during this off-season, chatting it up with likely Lions first overall pick, QB Mathew Stafford.

Foster said that he told Stafford this:

“I told him that there are some pieces up here–mainly, Calvin,”

That would be Calvin Johnson, whom Foster is correct in assuming is the presumptive franchise player in Detroit.

“He’s a gamebreaker, kind of like what we had in Champ Bailey in Denver,” said Foster. “You just knew he was going to do something to change the game. That’s how I feel about Calvin.”

Foster repeatedly stressed to Cotsonika that he was no scout (or genius, or boy scout, or dependable offensive tackle?):

“As far as the eye test, he probably got an A-Plus.” Foster added “Physically, there’s not a throw he’s going to have a problem making that I can see.” Finally, “Again I am not a scout. How he did throw the out (difficult pass pattern which serves as a sort of barometer of NFL arm strength)? I don’t know. I just know the ball got there really quick, on point, and that’s all I can say.”

In the end, Foster provides the Lions with an insurance policy, a “roster filler”. It is unlikely he could ever represent any thing more, at this point. In my opinion, even though Foster sounds like a decent enough person, if the Lions actually draft Stafford, then Foster represents exactly the type of player that the Lions must not hold onto moving forward, if there fortunes are ever going to change.

A commitment to the development of a young player of Stafford’s stature and potential, requires an offensive line upgrade, or it will be severely hindered or damaged by the presence of mediocre to poor talent blocking in front of him. It’s just a fact. So Lions, look before you leap, or in a couple of years this could be Stafford’s quote, not Foster’s:

“I’ve had my ups and downs in my career, mainly in Detroit.”

And the interminable vicious cycle of rebuilding continues on…

Matthew Stafford Becomes the Consensus (or Near) Media Choice for Lions #1 Pick

Mel Kiper has been absolutely insistent from day one that the Lions should, and would, take Georgia Qb Matthew Stafford with the team’s first overall draft pick. Kiper, who once was considered a solo act in the singing of Stafford’s tune, has since been joined by a harmonious choir of voices who seem to be, at least currently, in agreement that Stafford will be the Lions eventual choice.

Pro Football Talk says that the Lions, unless they are doing a more credible job than usual of smokescreening their true intentions, are “locking in” on drafting Matthew Stafford with the first overall pick, according to their unnamed sources.

MLive.com’s Highlight Reel has posted an interesting interview with Jerry Jones, no, not that one, but the draft analyst who publishes the “Drugstore List” draft scouting report.

Jones’ interview is very informative, and worthy of a listen. He apparently lives in Georgia and has seen a lot of Stafford, his thoughts:

“He (Stafford) tries to force things every once in a while,” Jones explains “And all they have to do is curb that and (the Lions) would have themselves a wonderful quarterback.”

Jones adds this nugget:

“I don’t think you start him immediately. That’s a challenging thing. Very few people have been successful (starting right away)-I know Matt Ryan is one-but that is not a common thing to happen.”

The Sporting News’ Vinnie Iyer also chimes in on Stafford being drafted by the Lions. Iyer does an excellent job of breaking down the respective pro’s and con’s of the top four candidates to be selected first overall. In regards to the selecting OT’s Jason Smith and Eugene Monroe:

“So why not take Smith or Monroe? The Lions sure could use an elite pass-protecting and solid run-blocking left tackle. They gave up 52 sacks last season and produced only 3.8 yards per rushing attempt. Both Smith and Monroe look like long term anchors, and how well (Joe) Thomas and (Jake) Long have both performed has only helped their causes.”

From a weirder perspective, “chicken and egg” argument-wise, Iyer posits this:

A good part of these sacks, however, have come from the Lions shaky signal callers. A rookie offensive tackle would help, but not that much if the Lions go with a stopgap solution at quarterback”

The conventional opinion is that the addition of a quality, franchise left tackle will eventually make any quarteback better, since they will operate more safely in the pocket. In Iyer’s view, the left tackle is overvalued. He seems to think that you really need both a franchise Qb and OT, it’s not an either/or scenario.

It has been apparent to me that the Lions will likely take Stafford since the day Jay Cutler was traded from the Denver Broncos to the Chicago Bears. The Lions would do themselves a service, if they are going to select Stafford, to take a long view of their personnel landscape.

Stafford absolutely should not set foot onto a professional football field until the Lions offensive line has been significantly addressed. The Lions need to make, and stick to, this commitment to build a capable offensive line, if they really are going to make the leap, and eventually take Stafford.

In this particular draft, there is an apparent surplus of quality offensive tackles and if they are unable to trade for Bills OT Jason Peters, a move that I would heartily applaud, then they had better look at the likes of a Michael Oher, Eben Britton or William Beatty to be selected at either pick #20 or pick #33.

For Lions fans, selecting Stafford is a paranoia-inducing, nightmare scenario that absolutely makes them uncomfortable, given the team’s recent track record of burning draft picks on bust’s, never-were’s, and malcontent’s.

If the Lions are going to draft Stafford, and almost assuredly they will, they had better hit a home run. Stafford absolutely has to become nearly everything that people envision him capable of becoming, especially with the high octane, turbo-powered, rocket passing arm that he possesses.

George Foster’s Improbable Return

The Lions re-signed their seemingly disposable OT George Foster, against all odds. Along with Foster, the Lions have also added backup C Dylan Gandy.

The return of Foster is not a popular one. Blown blocking assignments and mind-numbing errors consist of a significant part of Foster’s overall package.

Hopefully, Foster will be able to focus his abilities enough that he can eventually provide the team with a productive backup. Expecting anymore would likely be disastrous, given Foster’s career track record.

With a recent visit with ex-Texans OT Ephraim Salaam accounted for, the Lions are giving (attempting?) off the strong impression that they aren’t going to select an offensive tackle in the upcoming draft. Salaam is keeping his options open and likely viewing any Lions personnel decisions with a cautious interest.

Interestingly, the Lions hardcore fan base seems to be generally inclined towards the Lions addressing their offensive line with high draft picks. It will be interesting to see how this situation plays out in the upcoming weeks.