Rothstein on Lions FA moves from 2014

[michiganalex]

Throughout the course of last offseason and in the season, Detroit general manager Martin Mayhew made a plethora of moves to try and improve the Lions.

Some worked. Some didn?t. Here?s a quick primer on some good and bad free agent moves Mayhew made over the past 12 months.

Good moves

[+] EnlargeGolden Tate
Duane Burleson/AP Photo
Golden Tate (99 receptions, 1,331 yards) was one of 2014's best free-agent signings.
Receiver Golden Tate: The best free-agent signing of the offseason by Detroit ? and possibly in the NFL. He led the team in receptions and yards and turned into more than a complement to top receiver Calvin Johnson. He had a Pro Bowl season and led the NFL in yards after catch. He?ll be a valuable asset for the Lions. He was also Detroit?s highest priority free agent and Mayhew landed him.

Defensive end George Johnson: He signed essentially as a camp body and ended up making the roster and having a season that likely saved his career. He provided Detroit with a strong third option at defensive end and a second skilled pass rusher on the outside.

Safety James Ihedigbo: A player who understood Teryl Austin?s new defensive scheme and someone who could provide a reliable complement to Glover Quin, Ihedigbo had a standout season for the Lions. He proved to be an upgrade over Louis Delmas, who was released before free agency last season, and gave Detroit one of the top safety tandems in the league to help with one of the top defenses in the league.

Linebacker Josh Bynes: A huge find for the Lions on Baltimore?s practice squad, Bynes turned into a rotational linebacker for Detroit by the middle of the season as well as a good special teams performer. He was a strong complement to Tahir Whitehead and could end up giving Detroit more depth in the future.

Safety Isa Abdul-Quddus: Tate and Ihedigbo had more impact, but Mayhew?s savviest move might have been claiming Abdul-Quddus off waivers during last season?s playoffs. He was a valuable special teams asset to Detroit and showed he could be a future third safety. It was a sly, under-the-radar move that helps make teams into contenders.

Fullback Jed Collins: He had familiarity with what Joe Lombardi wanted to run in Detroit and did an adequate job blocking and as a short yardage rusher.

Defensive end Darryl Tapp: He was initially cut by the Lions after the preseason but quickly re-signed and became a valuable member of Detroit?s defensive line. He was a guy who could fill in at tackle if need be as well as a rotational backup to Jason Jones.

Cornerback Rashean Mathis: The Lions picked him up before the 2013 season and then chose to re-sign him prior to 2014 to a one-year deal. It was a smart move considering he once again provided stability and consistent play to Detroit?s secondary. He?s a high-character guy who is also a leader and a positive influence. It wouldn?t be shocking to see him back again in 2015.

Quarterback Dan Orlovsky: He didn?t play a snap but provided a smart, veteran option for Matthew Stafford to bounce ideas off and to help in preparation.

Kicker Matt Prater: He surprisingly came available after being cut by Denver and he turned into a consistent kicking option for a team desperately in need of one. It was the luckiest signing of the year by Mayhew. Prater made 20 of 26 field goals after being picked up.

Bad moves:

Kicker Alex Henery: The Lions signed Henery after cutting Nate Freese. That didn?t go well. He missed three field goals against Buffalo and lasted two weeks before being released in favor of Prater.

Tight end Brandon Pettigrew: Considering the way Detroit used its tight ends this season, bringing back Pettigrew in free agency with $8 million guaranteed seems a bit steep. He continued to be Detroit?s best blocking tight end, but he wasn?t used much in the passing game. For how the Lions used him, they could have gone in a cheaper direction, but that is more on the coaches than Mayhew or Pettigrew. To be fair, this was before the team drafted Eric Ebron, though.

Receiver Kevin Ogletree: The Lions re-signed him on the first day of free agency to a one year deal with $100,000 guaranteed. That isn?t much money for a receiver who played a lot for Detroit in 2013, but he didn?t play a down for the Lions in 2014 before being released.

Center Dominic Raiola: The Lions didn?t quite get a good return on Raiola this season after bringing him back, even if at the time re-signing him seemed like a smart move. He regressed in 2014 from what had been one of his best seasons in 2013. He was also suspended for a game, although there was some benefit since the Lions had him mentor Travis Swanson. He won?t be back in 2015.

 

[Mitchrapp]

I don't trust anyone who put end zone Dan on the good side.

 

[michiganalex]

that is really the only one i disagree with myself

 

[boogerlovejoy]

Hard to count Ogletree as a bad move. $100,000 is chump change. It's 1/1330 (or something like that) of the cap.

 

[LKP]

They should bring back Dan O and draft late a QB late.

 

[thehippo73]

They should bring back Dan O and draft late a QB late.

Drop Dan O, move Moore to 2nd and draft a QB late.

 

[inkfreq]

Bringing in Orlovsky, in retrospect, was a really good move.

Now, before people think I have flipped my lid, I said "in retrospect". If Orlovsky had started a single game due to injury, it would have been a horrible move. The less that guy ever sets foot on a field, the better.

But he did understand the scheme Caldwell wanted to run, so as long as his duties were relegated to helping Stafford understand the plays, and prepping his starting QB for game time by watching and breaking down film with him... the same job every backup does for the starter (you hope!) then it was a great move.

Orlovsky knew the system. Stafford was learning it. He was less of a backup QB and more of a specialist coach. Im fine with that.

Its the moment Stafford comes off the field and Orlovsky goes in I would be terrified of.

 

[Mitchrapp]

Did you see the offense this year? Apparently Dan O. didn't help much.. I mean the offense was horrible. And you need a decent QB to be a backup or you go from 9-1 to wild card game to one and out. Like Arizona did..

So in retrospect it was still a bad move because he did nothing..and why bring in a QB who wasn't even good the first time he was with Caldwell?

 

[Mitchrapp]

Though saying Dan O. was a specialist made me laugh a bit so thanks for that Ink.

 

[dubbsco]

Stafford needs some competition behind him. Dan O does none of that.

 

[LKP]

Stafford needs some competition behind him. Dan O does none of that.

there isn't a rookie in this draft class that can sniff Stafford's jock. He deserves to be the unquestioned starter in 2015. Pro bowl. Clearly.

 

[inkfreq]

Did you see the offense this year? Apparently Dan O. didn't help much.. I mean the offense was horrible. And you need a decent QB to be a backup or you go from 9-1 to wild card game to one and out. Like Arizona did..

So in retrospect it was still a bad move because he did nothing..and why bring in a QB who wasn't even good the first time he was with Caldwell?

It's a simple fact, there was no other QB in the league who could prepare tape or breakdown film in any way that would help Stafford. None. Orlovsky was the only guy available who worked with Caldwell before.

So in that sense, he was a smart choice to bring in. I choke on my own bile as I type that, but it's true. You want your backup QB to be THE guy who can help the QB see things on the field on tape that the QB doesn't have a prayer of seeing in real time. It's why they watch film after words.

Now, I agree to your point about Arizona, and it's why I said if Orlovsky has ever touched the field, it would have been a horrible move.

The only thing that makes this move smart and not stupid is that they never had to play him. That's a pretty damned risky proposition if you ask me.

Moore and Stafford were seeing this offense for the first time. One can't tutor the other when neither gets it yet. Orlovsky was a smart choice to be the teacher.

To say he didn't do much? No way to know. Maybe it would have been so much worse without him? He sure didn't make this offense elite, no doubts there, but how bad might it have been if he hadn't been helping break things down?

Christ, Lombardi's play calling was the worst. It was horrid. Imagine if it would have been even worse without Stafford seeing breakdowns on film with Orlovsky's help. Maybe Dan-O made it 300% better, and we might have never scored without him.

Yeah... that thought is gonna keep me awake tonight too.

 

[inkfreq]

there isn't a rookie in this draft class that can sniff Stafford's jock. He deserves to be the unquestioned starter in 2015. Pro bowl. Clearly.

As much as I think you give Stafford a handjob way too often, I have to agree here. This QB class is uninspiring to say the least. No faith in Mariotta at all to transition to the NFL. Jameis Winston? I'd be shocked if he wasn't arrested 12 times between now and the start of rookie camp.

I know Winston is one hell of an athlete, but if I were an NFL GM, I wouldn't draft that kid in ANY round. Anyone stupid enough to risk their entire future for frozen crab legs is off my wish list. I'd take a LT in a wheelchair before I took him. A RB with one peg leg. A WR born with no arms below the elbows. I'd even take LKP first.

 

[boogerlovejoy]

As much as I think you give Stafford a handjob way too often, I have to agree here. This QB class is uninspiring to say the least. No faith in Mariotta at all to transition to the NFL. Jameis Winston? I'd be shocked if he wasn't arrested 12 times between now and the start of rookie camp.

I know Winston is one hell of an athlete, but if I were an NFL GM, I wouldn't draft that kid in ANY round. Anyone stupid enough to risk their entire future for frozen crab legs is off my wish list. I'd take a LT in a wheelchair before I took him. A RB with one peg leg. A WR born with no arms below the elbows. I'd even take LKP first.

Jameis or Ross???

I know......my mind is blown too!!

 

[Mitchrapp]

It's a simple fact, there was no other QB in the league who could prepare tape or breakdown film in any way that would help Stafford. None. Orlovsky was the only guy available who worked with Caldwell before.

So in that sense, he was a smart choice to bring in. I choke on my own bile as I type that, but it's true. You want your backup QB to be THE guy who can help the QB see things on the field on tape that the QB doesn't have a prayer of seeing in real time. It's why they watch film after words.

Now, I agree to your point about Arizona, and it's why I said if Orlovsky has ever touched the field, it would have been a horrible move.

The only thing that makes this move smart and not stupid is that they never had to play him. That's a pretty damned risky proposition if you ask me.

Moore and Stafford were seeing this offense for the first time. One can't tutor the other when neither gets it yet. Orlovsky was a smart choice to be the teacher.

To say he didn't do much? No way to know. Maybe it would have been so much worse without him? He sure didn't make this offense elite, no doubts there, but how bad might it have been if he hadn't been helping break things down?

Christ, Lombardi's play calling was the worst. It was horrid. Imagine if it would have been even worse without Stafford seeing breakdowns on film with Orlovsky's help. Maybe Dan-O made it 300% better, and we might have never scored without him.

Yeah... that thought is gonna keep me awake tonight too.

Then he failed then. I would have gotten a better QB who never worked with Caldwell then..I saw Isaiah Thomas once doesn't mean I picked up any knowledge.

 

[inkfreq]

Jameis or Ross???

I know......my mind is blown too!!

Not even close to a choice.

I'd rather have Ross as our #1 WR over a QB so stupid that while under investigation for sexual assault, he gets caught stuffing frozen seafood in his BVDs.

Who the hell would steal FROZEN crab legs anyway? I mean granted, if I get a look at fresh king crab, I'm considering a grab and dash... but not down my skivvies, ya know?

 

[Mitchrapp]

In any event I hope Ross is gone as as KR/PR and moved down the WR depth chart.

 

[inkfreq]

In any event I hope Ross is gone as as KR/PR and moved down the WR depth chart.

I can't deal with another season of Ross at any position. There has to be a minim wage vet that sucks equally for cheaper.

 

[Mitchrapp]

I can't deal with another season of Ross at any position. There has to be a minim wage vet that sucks equally for cheaper.

I could probably fit the bill. I can't run or jump either.

 

[LKP]

I could probably fit the bill. I can't run or jump either.

Ross played because they wanted to use Tate on the outside at times and unfortunatley rookie Ebron couldn't move to the slot as expected. Fuller didn't earn enough reps on the outside to move Tate to slot more.

And nobody could beat Ross at returns though Tate would have. But they didn't want to risk Tate. Riddick, Broyles (punts), Bush could all return though.

Somebody has to beat Ross out for returns or Ebron learns to play some slot and Fuller develops in year 3 to earn more PT on the outside. We'll see where TJ Jones can play and fits in.

Spending money or draft pick on a slot could happen but then you have 6 active WRs every week if that guy is not a returner or Ross is the best returner not named Tate.