Lions Acquire Much-Needed Defensive Line Help
July 22, 2009 on 3:38 pm | In Uncategorized |I will give Martin Mayhew his due. He is not afraid of making a deal. The Lions continued to reinvent their roster this off-season with the acquisition of DT Orien Harris from the Rams today. In exchange, here’s the kicker, they only had to part with WR Ronald Curry, who had basically become expendable upon the addition of WR Dennis Northcutt a few weeks ago.
I am not going to lie and suggest that Harris is last piece of the puzzle necessary to complete the Lions roster, but with their recently being spurned by veteran DT John Thornton, the looming suspension of Grady Jackson, and the presence of numerous “projects” along their defensive front, the Lions could ill-afford to stand pat as the season rapidly approaches.
Harris came to the Rams from the Bengals this off-season, so it appears that he will not likely emerge as a superstar anytime soon. What Harris does do is give the Lions more depth and experienced protection in the middle with a player who possesses some upside as an athletic, big man in the middle of their defense.
With other available options running thin, Lions GM Martin Mayhew was able to address the most needy portion of the team’s roster and hopefully provide them with a pleasant surprise in the process.
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It’s great that the Lion’s picked up this DT for a WR that was bound for the waiver-wire; the Lion’s front office is doing their job, what a relief (although it’s not game-time yet).
But, there is one thing that really sticks out to me- it seems that the new regime is putting an emphasis on players with high academic IQ’s. While all the players aren’t scholars, many of the new pick-ups have BRAINS and that can only be a good thing.
Comment by thibodeaux41 — July 23, 2009 #
Mayhew turned Gerald Alexander into Orien Harris. Great move.
Comment by Deryl G — July 23, 2009 #
Really, Mayhew turned Gerald Alexander into Orien Harris, plus the upgrade from Curry to Northcutt (similar skills and production, but Nortcutt’s a returner, too).
Peace
Ty
Comment by ty@thelionsinwinter — July 23, 2009 #
Don–we’ll see on the brains part, but at least on paper, as it usually does during the off-season, it looks like the Lions will field a deeper, higher quality team. Sometimes I wonder if having good citizens, which for the most part the Lions employ, has helped or hindered them through the years.
Alexander and Curry were both damaged goods, Harris meets an essential personnel need that if gone un-addressed, would have been negligent.
Neither Northcutt or Curry would have been huge contributors, but the team needs a veteran presence. Hopefully, the tight ends, and the Johnson boys virtually render the backup receivers anonymous.
Comment by Steve — July 23, 2009 #
A lot of fans seem to blame the players skill level rather than the weak Tampa 2 scheme they palyed last year. This year will be 4-3 base with the end playing wide. Avril will prevail with his spead and White on the other end will have a career season. Dont get me wrong Detroit does need some help in the middle but saying the whole front four needs to be upgraded is an over-statement.
Comment by Ryan Klagenberg — July 30, 2009 #
Ryan, I appreciate your thoughts. However, DeWayne White is agreeably a very solid player, but how certain are you that Cliff Avril will not become the next Kalimba Edwards?
I am pulling for Avril, big time. That being said, until he emerges as more than a role player, whom teams are now fully aware of and will game plan for accordingly, I think their defensive front remains a serious cause of concern!
Comment by Steve — July 31, 2009 #
Steve-
At first I thought you were crazy comparing Avril to Edwards. I looked up the numbers though, and their rookie years are remarkably similar. That depressed me.
Comment by Deryl G — July 31, 2009 #
Deryl–
Sorry for the ominous portent. Here’s hoping that my comparison is totally crazy and unfounded. The Lions truly need for me to be wron about Avril.
Comment by Steve — August 2, 2009 #