Detroit Lions Weblog

TE Gaines, CB Fisher Released, Rookie Minicamp

The Lions, like all NFL teams do, have engaged in a little bit of post-draft roster shaving this week, in order to free up some valuable salary cap space. The recipients of this personnel “straight blade” from the Lions were CB Travis Fisher and TE Michael Gaines.

Each player retains some value, so they will likely experience little difficulty in finding future work. In fact, CB Travis Fisher remains a strong candidate to return to the Lions roster at some point, at a lesser charge, especially if injuries befall them in the secondary, which will inevitably occur as the ‘09 season approaches.

Gaines was a bit of a disappointment for the Lions last season, but he would still remain a viable candidate for many teams as a backup TE, who could fill in for a starter in a pinch. In the end, Gaines’ performance is not worthy of a starting player’s pay, but when the Lions pursued him, their options were seriously limited. Upon the selection of Brandon Pettigrew, it became a team priority to clear the decks for Pettigrew’s future playing time.

The Lions have been amid their rookie minicamp this week, and there was an expected throng of paparazzi gathered to document QB Matthew Stafford’s every move. They provided attention befitting the coverage of a first overall draft pick, who had just received an astronomical payday the week prior.

There are other interesting stories in the Lions minicamp to be sure. Thankfully, the story does not entail the collapse of their training facility, but there are several intriguing rookies whose performance bears watching.

Walled Lake’s small college QB Justin Goltz will be a sentimental favorite, even if, at best, he’s the proverbial “training camp arm, as opposed to a viable candidate to make the team’s 53-man roster.

The Lions, whose well-documented defensive needs have resulted in a lot of pre- and post-draft consternation among Lions fans, have two players in minicamp who may be able to help immediately in massive DT Sammie Lee Hill and LB DeAndre Levy. The development of each player will go along ways towards restoring credibility to the Lions scouting and personnel evaluation process, which was completely destroyed during Matt Millen’s tenure.

The Lions have also brought in a couple intriguing undrafted free agents who will draw some attention in WR D.J. Boldin (Anquan’s younger brother) and former Michigan State S Otis Wiley.

All in all, the development of Stafford, Louis Delmas, and TE Brandon Pettigrew will draw the widest attention. The report that Lions Hall of Famer Charlie Sanders has already spoken with the 1st-rounder Pettigrew, is of inestimable value, in my opinion.