http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/26230526/lions-adding-de-flowers-cb-coleman-te-james
Lions adding DE Flowers, CB Coleman, TE James.
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The Lions needed to add some receiving help for Matthew Stafford this offseason after trading the reliable Golden Tate. ESPN Insider Dianna Russini reported Monday morning the Lions are expected to sign Danny Amendola as long as there are no issues with the physical. The veteran slot receiver who can give the Lions a facsimile of what Tate was able to do. Amendola has had 59 or more catches in three of the last four seasons but the 33-year-old has never topped 700 yards in his career. This seems like a value signing to help Matt Patricia build his Patriots-type culture since Amendola knows the New England system well.
Danny Amendola said his relationship with Matt Patricia is what attracted him to Detroit. Said they've been through a lot of experiences together. Together for five years. "Just a guy that's relatable, a guy that's demanding," Amendola said. They never worked together in a coaching capacity but was around him all the time. Also knew Bob Quinn from his time with the Patriots.
The Detroit Lions secondary is going to have a big Georgia presence in 2019 and maybe beyond. According to multiple reports, the Lions have agreed to terms with nickel corner Justin Coleman, who comes over from Seattle. He is the third player from Brunswick High School in Brunswick, Georgia, to be in Detroit's secondary -- joining cornerback Darius Slay and safety Tracy Walker. So chemistry and communication shouldn't be an issue in the back end for the Lions this season. Slay tweeted that all three are related as well -- it was previously known that Slay and Walker are cousins.
Bob Quinn needed a pass rusher. He found one in Trey Flowers, the top edge rusher on the market and one that both he and Lions head coach Matt Patricia are familiar with. Patricia nabbed a player who he is very familiar with and is a player who knows Detroit's defense. Flowers can move all around the Lions' defense and will pair with Romeo Okwara to become a strong pair of edge rushers. This is the move the Lions had to get done and three hours after the legal tampering period could begin, they got it accomplished.
How desperate were the Detroit Lions to sign a pass rusher in free agency such as Trey Flowers? Detroit defenders only beat their blockers within 2.5 seconds on only 31.6 percent of passing plays last year, worst in the league. The two players with the worst pass-rush win rate, according to NFL Next Gen Stats: Romeo Okwara (6.5 percent) and Devon Kennard (4.2) both played for the Lions.
DE Trey Flowers is an easy fit for Matt Patricia's defense in Detroit. The scheme carry-over from New England caters to Flowers' versatility on the defensive front. Twist stunts, align in multiple positions. Plus, Flowers has the technique, power and short-area quickness to win on the edge.
The Detroit Lions are all about business here on the first day of the legal tampering period, agreeing to terms with their third free agent of need (not counting Danny Amendola, who signed Monday) by snagging tight end Jesse James from Pittsburgh. James was one of the top tight ends in a somewhat underwhelming tight end market but he will solve an obvious hole for Detroit at the position. Both Bob Quinn and Matt Patricia identified tight end as a definitive position of need and went out and got a good one in James. James has 120 career catches for 1,189 yards and nine touchdowns with the Steelers. He should immediately slide into the No. 1 tight end spot and give Matthew Stafford a tall target in the red zone at 6-foot-7.
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