Detroit Lions - Team Notes

[kalinecountry]

WalterFootball 2016 NFL Free Agent Signing Grades.

Lions re-sign DT Haloti Ngata (2 years, $12M; $6M guaranteed): C+ Grade
Detroit's acquisition of Haloti Ngata was seen as a huge move by the Lions last offseason, but as usual, Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome had the last laugh. Newsome sold the Lions a bit of a lemon, as Ngata wasn't anywhere near the player who dominated the line of scrimmage for Baltimore years ago. Ngata was still solid at stopping the run, but at 32, his pass-rushing skills have eroded.

The Lions have lost some veterans this offseason, so I can understand why they wouldn't want to see another depart. I'm fine with Detroit keeping Ngata, though the team is overpaying a bit for him. Brandon Mebane is a comparable player in terms of talent level, and he's getting slightly more overall and a bit less guaranteed on three years instead of two.


Lions sign WR Marvin Jones (5 years, $40M; $17M guaranteed): MILLEN "D" Grade
I'm giving the Lions a Millen for this, but unlike other Millen grades, this isn't an "F." I'm giving this a "D," but I just couldn't resist slapping the Lions with a Millen for spending major resources on an underwhelming wide receiver. That's the very origin of the Millen grade.

In all seriousness, this is a ton of money for a player who is nothing more than a No. 2 receiver. The Lions are paying Marvin Jones like a top wideout, but he's not one. He has never eclipsed 65 catches or more than 816 receiving yards in a single season. He also had A.J. Green drawing attention away from him. Teams will be able to focus more on him now, which will limit his production.

This signing reminds me a lot of the Eagles bringing in Byron Maxwell last spring. Maxwell, also a No. 2 on his former team, was given a ton of money because the Eagles were desperate at corner, and he happened to be the best player at the position available. That's exactly the case with Jones, as the free-agent receiver market is very weak. The Lions are overreacting to the Calvin Johnson retirement, and panicking in any market never ends well.

 

[kalinecountry]

WalterFootball NFL Disaster Ratings: Retirement and Injury.

Lions announce retirement of WR Calvin Johnson: 6/10 Disaster Rating
This is obviously terrible news for the Lions. They finished the year on a hot streak, going 6-2 down the stretch, and it appeared as though that was going to carry over into 2016. That, apparently, won't be the case now, as Detroit has lost its primary offensive weapon.

Johnson wasn't the dynamic play-maker he was a couple of years ago, but he was still a dominant presence. His "down" year in 2015 saw him catch 88 passes for 1,214 yards. He turns 31 in September, so he still had 2-3 very strong seasons in the tank. In the wake of his retirement, Matthew Stafford will likely go back to struggling, and Detroit will probably continue to keep its playoff winless streak alive for quite some time.

This grade would've been a 10/10 two years ago. I thought about making it an 8/10 because of Johnson's recent decline, but I've decided to drop this to 6/10 after thinking about it; Johnson probably was bound to decline even more, so getting him off the books might not be so terrible.

Johnson finishes with 731 catches, 11,619 yards and 83 touchdowns. He'll be in the Hall of Fame one day, but he won't be a first-ballot entrant, in all likelihood, because he just didn't play long enough.

Here are some NFL Draft Wide Receiver prospects http://walterfootball.com/draft2016WR.php
for the Lions to replace Johnson, and here are the free agent wide receivers
http://walterfootball.com/freeagents2016WR.php

 

[kalinecountry]

http://www.profootballrumors.com/lions-to-sign-johnson-bademosi/
Lions to sign Johnson Bademosi.
NFLfootballrumors

DB Johnson Bademosi, whom @AdamSchefter reports is joining the Lions, led the Browns in special teams tackles three of the last four years.

http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2016/03/detroit_lions_sign_browns_db_j.html#incart_river_index
Detroit Lions sign Browns DB Johnson Bademosi, another versatile piece.
Mlive

http://www.freep.com/story/sports/n...ons-johnson-bademosi-special-teamer/81614358/
Detroit Lions add special teams help, sign Cleveland Browns DB Johnson Bademosi.
Freep

http://www.detroitlions.com/news/ne...Bademosi/6a5d77b9-f094-4c3d-b2c3-8031dd39962c
Lions sign unrestricted free agent CB Johnson Bademosi.
Lions.com

http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2016/...osi-corey-fuller-free-agency-cleveland-browns
Lions sign Johnson Bademosi, Corey Fuller.
PrideOfDetroit

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sp...-special-teams-ace-johnson-bademosi/81615912/
Lions sign special teams ace Johnson Bademosi.
Detnews

http://www.detroitlions.com/news/oh...Bademosi/3a06f40a-db4d-4805-bbd4-85f2ff7dbd4c
O'HARA: Lions add depth with proven special teamer Bademosi.
Lions.com

http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/22645/lions-sign-special-teams-ace-johnson-bademosi
Lions sign special teams ace Johnson Bademosi.
espn

 

[kalinecountry]

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sp...jones-says-hes-not-replacing-calvin/81613862/
?Just Marv?: New Lions WR Jones says he?s not replacing Calvin.
Detnews

 

[kalinecountry]

http://www.detroitlions.com/news/oh...in-Jones/e9b77867-f8be-46fc-9f37-962102cffa91
O'HARA: Just call him Marvin Jones.
Lions.com

 

[kalinecountry]

http://www.detroitlions.com/media-c...new-role/19a4363a-1fdd-4c92-bec6-1a8808e889c1
Webvideo TORI AND TIM: Marvin Jones' new role. 3 minutes.
Tori Petry and Tim Twentyman discuss the signing of WR Marvin Jones and how he might be used in the wake of Calvin Johnson's retirement.

http://www.detroitlions.com/media-c...in-Jones/b58b01f6-a802-4e23-877f-f4e8f265c6cc
Webvideo 1 on 1 with new Lions WR Marvin Jones. almost 6 minutes.
Tori Petry sits down with new Lions WR Marvin Jones to talk about why he chose to sign with the Lions in free agency and how he plans to step in after Calvin Johnson's retirement.

 

[kalinecountry]

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sp...ions-adding-depth-dt-stefan-charles/81617854/
Lions adding depth at DT with Stefan Charles.
Detnews

http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2016/03/detroit_lions_sign_another_def.html#incart_river_index
Detroit Lions sign another defensive tackle, adding Stefan Charles.
Mlive

http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2016/...rles-one-year-deal-bills-2016-nfl-free-agency
Lions sign Stefan Charles to a one-year deal.
PrideOfDetroit

http://www.profootballrumors.com/lions-detroit-sign-stefan-charles/
Lions to sign Stefan Charles.
NFLtraderumors

http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2016/03/10/stefan-charles-lions/81618866/
Lions add more DT help, sign Stefan Charles.
Freep

 

[kalinecountry]

http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2016/...l-okung-detroit-seahawks-2016-nfl-free-agency
Could Russell Okung be headed to Detroit?
PrideOfDetroit

http://www.profootballrumors.com/russell-okung-to-visit-giants-lions/
Russell Okung to visit giants, Lions.
NFLtraderumors

http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2016/03/report_pro_bowl_offensive_tack.html#incart_river_index
Pro Bowl offensive tackle Russell Okung will visit Lions on Friday.
Mlive

http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2016/03/10/russell-okung-free-agency/81622912/
Lions to host Pro Bowl offensive tackle Russell Okung on free agent visit.
Freep

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sp...ussell-okung-reportedly-visit-lions/81621038/
Seahawks' OT Russell Okung will reportedly visit Lions.
Detnews

 

[kalinecountry]

http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2016/03/report_detroit_lions_bringing.html#incart_river_index
Detroit Lions bringing in potential starting safety for visit on Thursday.
Mlive

http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2016/3/10/11199492/rafael-bush-meeting-with-lions-2016-nfl-free-agency
Rafael Bush meeting with the Lions on Friday.
PrideOfDetroit

 

[kalinecountry]

https://www.detroitathletic.com/blog/2016/03/11/calvin-johnson-retires-from-detroit-lions/
Calvin Johnson leaves a legacy in Detroit far beyond catches and yards.
Detroit Athletic

The Detroit Lions will have to make due without Calvin Johnson, a once-in-a-generation talent known as ?Megatron.? On Tuesday he made official what many had feared since the end of the 2015 season: he is retiring from the National Football League.

Without winning a single playoff game in his near decade-long stint with the Lions, Johnson will go down as the best wide receiver in the franchise?s not so storied history.

Number 81 was no ?local hero,? either, he rates among the best at his position in league history. The 6-foot-3 Georgia Tech product put up numbers that rank favorably with the best receivers on other franchises much richer in tradition.

For instance, let?s compare him to the best all-time receiver from three of the winningest teams in NFL history: the Dallas Cowboys, New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Johnson finishes with more career receiving touchdowns (83) than both Cowboys legend Michael Irvin (65) and Patriots great Stanley Morgan (67), while falling only two shy of Steelers icon Hines Ward (85), who played 14 seasons in the league.

In comparison to those three gentlemen when it comes to career receiving yards, Johnson ranks third with 11,619 yards, trailing Irvin?s 11,904 and Ward?s 12,083 career reception yards ? both of whom accumulated those figures in 10-plus years in the league (Irvin played for 12 years with the Cowboys). Johnson played just nine seasons. His per season average of 1,219 yards is among the top five in NFL history.

It?s just too darn bad that the 30-year-old never got the chance to play for any of the aforementioned franchises, especially the Patriots and Steelers. If he would?ve had the chance to play for a franchise like the Pats or Steelers, he would?ve had the opportunity to play in playoff games where he could?ve put up numbers that catapulted him into the conversation of all-time greats at the wideout position.

It?s something that Arizona Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald has been able to do through nine postseason games and one appearance in the Super Bowl. For his postseason career as a whole, the former University of Pittsburgh wideout has accumulated 942 yards and 10 touchdowns.

In contrast, Johnson posted 296 yards and two touchdowns to his playoff ledger, albeit in only two games. Faorly impressive, but not all-time worthy, through no fault of his own. The Lions simply didn?t get into the NFL postseason tournament enough.

Drafted second overall in the 2007 draft, Johnson injected life into the Detroit fanbase, one which, at the time, was barren of impact players. Despite the subsequent year?s infamous 0-16 campaign for the Lions, Johnson was a bright spot, showing signs of All-Pro caliber form with a league-high 12 touchdown catches and the first of seven 1,000-plus yard seasons (1,331 yards in ?08). It was also the first of four campaigns in which he ranked in the top five league-wide for receiving yards.

Seriously, what other player were fans going to root for from that ill-constructed roster by former team president Matt Millen? #81 quickly became the ?jersey of choice? for this generation of Lions fans. Like Barry Sanders before him, Johnson gave Detroit fans a reason to tune in on Sundays, even if the team was dismal.

Now unfortunately, Johnson joins Sanders as superstars who chose to exit far too soon. Barry?s sudden ad unexpected retirement just weeks before training camp was set to start in 1999 stunned the Lions and their fans. It was so bizarre, many people thought it was a hoax. But it was all too true, and just days after his 31st birthday, the great running back was gone, just like one of the dazzling spin moves he employed on linebackers. Poof!

Johnson?s retirement is not nearly as shocking and so far it has been met with far more acceptance than that of Sanders. (There are many in Lions Nation who still consider Barry a quitter). Megatron will be missed, but few are blaming him for making a decision that seems to be based solely on his longterm health and happiness. Still, the loss of #81 will create a big hole, both in the Detroit offense and in the hearts of the team faithful.







It?s important to remember that other fan favorites of recent memory, such as quarterback Matthew Stafford and former Lions sack artist Ndamukong Suh, didn?t come along until after Johnson. Stafford was drafted by the Lions with the first pick of the 2009 draft while Suh joined the Lions a year later via the second pick in the 2010 draft. Understated as he was (and he was a very shy superstar), Calvin was the senior member of the franchise.

When it comes to Johnson?s Hall of Fame candidacy much will rest on his three consecutive seasons of high-impact play from 2011-13, which included three First-Team All-Pro selections plus an historic 2012 campaign in which he broke NFL Hall of Famer Jerry Rice?s single-season reception yards record, compiling an eye-popping 1,964 yards. For those peak seasons, Megatron averaged 1,712 yards on 101 catches, with 11 touchdowns.

Yet, in my opinion, Johnson?s early retirement hurts his chances of being enshrined in Canton, Ohio. As it is now, his career stat line probably falls a little short of enshrinement, and his peak years span only those three NFL campaigns. Had he decided to suit up and risk going across the middle for, let?s say three more years while putting up around 800 yards per season, he likely would have punched his ticket to the Hall.



Regardless of whether Johnson receives the call from Canton, his legacy in Detroit will always be positive, and not just for his on-field exploits. His charitable work for the Calvin Johnson Jr. Foundation secures his lasting impact in this city. Through his foundation, whose mission is ?to change the mindset of youth from struggle to survival, from poor self-esteem to excitement of life, from dependent thinking to goal setting self-sufficiency, and from hopelessness to empowerment,? he?s reportedly provided scholarships and ?book awards? to 36 student-athletes since 2008.

Additionally, according to his foundation?s webpage, toy drives sponsored by the foundation have supplied holiday gifts and ?personal care packages? to over 200 hundred homeless children and children of ?incarcerated women.?

That charitable work has earned Johnson respect from other athletes in Motown.

?Obviously he?s a Detroit sports icon,? Tiger pitcher Justin Verlander said this week from spring training. ?He meant a lot to the city. It sucks they weren?t able to win a championship with an athlete of his caliber, but he left his trademark on the game and his trademark in Detroit. He?ll always be something special in the city.?

 

[kalinecountry]

http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2016/03/recapping_who_the_lions_added.html#0
Recapping the Detroit Lions' busy first two days of NFL free agency.
Mlive

 

[kalinecountry]

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sp.../niyo-stafford-gun-without-megatron/81619892/
Stafford under gun to do more without Megatron.
Detnews

 

[kalinecountry]

http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2016/03/detroit_lions_marvin_jones.html#incart_river_index
Detroit Lions' Marvin Jones focused on being complete, not No. 1 receiver.
Mlive

 

[kalinecountry]

http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2016/03/calvin_johnsons_retirement_not.html#incart_river_index
Calvin Johnson's retirement 'not great' for apparel, memorabilia sales.
Mlive

 

[kalinecountry]

http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2016/03/detroit_lions_re-sign_qb_dan_o.html#incart_river_index
Detroit Lions sign QB Dan Orlovsky for fourth time.
Mlive

http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2016/03/11/detroit-lions-quarterbacks/81654946/
Detroit Lions re-sign Dan Orlovsky, but aren't done adding QBs yet.
Freep

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sp...ions-re-sign-backup-qb-dan-orlovsky/81644964/
Lions re-sign backup QB Dan Orlovsky.
Detnews

http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2016/...ree-agency-dan-orlovksy-re-signs-with-detroit
2016 Lions free agency: Dan Orlovsky re-signs with Detroit.
PrideOfDetroit

 

[kalinecountry]

http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2016/03/detroit_lions_prepared_to_kick.html#incart_river_index
Detroit Lions prepared to kick tires on another defensive tackle.
Mlive

 

[kalinecountry]

http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2016/03/detroit_lions_re-sign_2_more_f.html#incart_river_index
Detroit Lions re-sign 2 more free agents, including long snapper Don Muhlbach.
Mlive

http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2016/03/11/detroit-lions-dan-orlovsky/81644880/
Detroit Lions re-sign 3 players, including QB Dan Orlovsky.
Freep

http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2016/03/11/detroit-lions-don-muhlbach/81649688/
Long snapper Muhlbach back for 13th season with Detroit Lions.
Freep

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sp...ns-c-muhlbach-cb-butler-re-up-lions/81649252/
Veterans C Muhlbach, CB Butler re-up with Lions.
Detnews

http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2016/3/11/11206334/detroit-lions-re-sign-don-muhlbach-crezdon-butler
Detroit Lions re-sign Don Muhlbach, Crezdon Butler.
PrideOfDetroit

 

[kalinecountry]

http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2016/03/detroit_lions_add_2_compensato.html#incart_river_index
Detroit Lions add 2 compensatory draft picks, now sitting on 10 overall.
Mlive

http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2016/03/11/nfl-comp-picks-2016/81651852/
Detroit Lions awarded two compensatory NFL draft picks.
Freep

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2016/03/11/lions-granted-2-comp-picks/81655444/
Lions granted 2 comp picks.
Detnews

http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lio...-up-two-compensatory-selection-for-2016-draft
Lions pick up two compensatory selections for 2016 draft.
espn

http://www.detroitlions.com/news/li...ft-picks/cfd31ea8-65fc-4ee6-9ad7-8c244222ddd6
NFL announces compensatory draft picks.
Lions.com

http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2016/...aft-compensatory-picks-lions-3rd-6th-rounders
NFL announces compensatory draft picks; Lions get 3rd and 6th rounders.
PrideOfDetroit

 

[kalinecountry]

http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2016/03/11/calvin-johnson-signing-bonus/81634930/
Detroit Lions' Calvin Johnson paid back part of bonus before retiring.
Freep

http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lio...ome-of-his-signing-bonus-to-the-detroit-lions
Calvin Johnson returns some of his signing bonus to Detroit Lions.
espn

 

[kalinecountry]

http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lio...rafael-bush-expected-to-visit-lions-on-friday
Russell Okung, Rafael Bush expected to visit Lions on Friday.
espn

http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2016/03/11/russell-okung-detroit-lions/81658936/
Russell Okung now scheduled to visit Lions on Saturday.
Freep

http://www.profootballrumors.com/russell-okung-to-visit-giants-lions/
Russell Okiung to visit Giants, Lions.
NFLfootballrumors