Give ‘Em an Inch, They Take a Foote
May 6, 2009 on 6:41 pm | In Uncategorized |I promise that this is the last time I will PUNish you, Larry Foote. Especially, since you are now a member of the Lions.
Foote, a seven year NFL veteran, has been a starter in Pittsburgh for the last five seasons. I had previously believed that he was more of a role player/part-time player and in a way, he was. Foote was often replaced in passing/nickel coverage situations.
Foote did log 102 tackles in 2005, but has since seen a steady decline in performance, with a career low 63 tackles last season.
Decline in performance aside, Foote meets an immediate personnel need and makes the sting of the Lions ‘09 draft burn a lot less painfully. Foote brings, at least in part, the modus operandi of the Steelers organization to one of the losing-est franchises in the history of all professional sports, which is certainly a welcome and much-needed presence.
“In Pittsburgh, we weren’t the most talented team, I don’t think. But together, we loved to fight and we’d fight on the field or off the field. That’s the way we were, we were competitive and that’s why we won. Hopefully, (the Lions front office) can bring enough (or already have! Steve) guys with mentality and we can turn this thing around.”
I hope that Foote brings an incorrigible and irascible presence to the complacent and staid Lions locker room. I hope that he is an annoying, uncompromising figure and generally a mean and badassed MF’er.
The bearing of your typical Steelers linebacker is not to back down from anyone, at anytime. He needs to bring that level of menace to the Lions.
“I’m a talker, they’re going to notice that early,” Foote Said. “It’s my work ethic, I’m up every morning, hours before first meeting and always working out. You lead by actions…”
He should be, he is currently playing on a one-year contract, which he could parlay into a big time deal, should he perform well and have a significant impact on the Lions.
The rest will come out in the wash.
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I think we have the same type of “no B.S.” attitude on the offense with Kevin Smith. His voice will be louder this year too now that he is out of his rookie year.
Comment by mike — May 6, 2009 #
It will be nice if, rather than the surliness being directed at the media(Shaun Rogers), the player’s attitude is directed at Lions opponents for once.
The Lions considering selecting Beanie Wells, and the reports that the Lions don’t necessarily think that Smith is a good fit, have me worried. It would be typical Lions to find a way to squander his talent.
Hopefully, Linehan and company don’t carry any stupid preconceived ideas like other past Lions idiot coaches, and allow Smith the opportunity to thrive.
We’ll see, today’s signing was a good move, even if doesn’t produce the hoped for results, down the line.
Comment by Steve — May 6, 2009 #
Steve, you know you can’t stay away from Foote puns all season! The opportunities will just be too good . . .
I really like the acquisitions up the middle of the defense: Foote, Delmas, JP, etc. A lot of local ties, a lot of big hitters, a lot of bad attitudes.
Peace
Ty
Comment by ty@thelionsinwinter — May 7, 2009 #
Although the Lion’s draft let people down in many aspects, I have to give the new régime a good grade so far; because they seem to have a plan- GET GOOD PLAYERS WHO CAN THINK AND HAVE A LEVAL OF DESIRE NOT COMMON IN THE RECENT HISTORY OF THE TEAM!!!! No more “Lip-Service” and “Shots in the Dark”.
Think about it, a one year deal for Foote (his decision), sets an example for the rest of the team; he isn’t just “Snatching and Grabbing” the cash; HE’S HERE TO PLAY FOOTBALL!!!! And he LOVE the “D”!!!!
It’s like making a “Long Island Ice Tea” using top self booze, instead of the well crap, Millen served us, for his entire term as the WORST GM in sports history.
Comment by thibodeaux41 — May 7, 2009 #
Ty-my healthy skepticism, which is nearly reflexive, has been dialed down considerably. Do I think Lions will have a great defense, no. Will they have to? To win, it had better be pretty darn good.
Like you said, without injuries and other unforeseen circumstances, the Lions will be much improved with some local favorites like Peterson, Foote and Delmas. Thank Yah-Weh for some much needed chippiness, the Lions may not win a lot of games, but they don’t need to be submissive in the process.
The puns will likely keep coming, even if they are a little on the annoying side.
Comment by Steve — May 7, 2009 #
Don, glad to see you back. We should hoist a hefty Pfeiffer’s in the Lions honor! I like your top shelf booze analogy, the Lions have been traveling in the Cisco, Steel Reserve, and Boone’s Farm realm for far too long of a period of time.
I guess my concern with the draft is that the Lions never focus upon the essential building blocks. After an off-season of lip service given to building from the inside out, fans are not unreasonable to be disappointed by the Lions not coming through on those statements.
The organizational belief that players like Chuck Darby and Jeff Backus are “good enough” is where the problem lies. Even if the younger replacement isn’t immediately as good as the player that they replaced, it still inspires a measure of hope, something that Lions fans have been coming short on during recent seasons.
I think the Lions having a little edge or swagger can only help them, at least until it’s beaten out of them after starting 0-6…
Comment by Steve — May 7, 2009 #
Please, “NOT” 0-6 to start the new era, my mind would fry
and hopes would be dashed; BRING OUT THE BOONZE FARM!!!!!!!!
I know the “good enough” approach has many in a state of panic; but, this isn’t the guy who drafted Stanton(although I like him) in the second round; these guys are starting, by using better players as the foundation; thus, eventually adding the building blocks(O-line, D-line)0 in the next year or two.
Comment by thibodeaux41 — May 9, 2009 #
Don–You are right, Rome wasn’t built in a day. The Lions will need some time to turn things around. Lions fans have been so incredibly patient that it is no surprise that they no longer are willing to suffer “good enough”, although they have to.
I think the Lions floating the idea out there pre-draft that they would build from the inside out only contributes to the overflowing frustration.
Comment by Steve — May 9, 2009 #
Did the Lions dump that rookie QB from the walled lake(?) HS. He cam from a small Cali school.
Comment by mike — May 15, 2009 #
He attended the rookie mini-camp. I don’t believe he was offered a contract, but he could return later for training camp, depending upon whether they add anyone else or not, prior to training camp.
He also could eventually get added to the practice squad, depending upon their long range view of him.
The Lions still would like to add another veteran clipboard holder, to buy Matthew Stafford some developmental time in case Daunte Culpepper were to get injured or flounder early.
Comment by Steve — May 18, 2009 #