FAs

[zyxt9]

Before we get too caught up with draft talk, can one or more of you guys who keep me straight all the time provide the FA situation for me? Who might we lose?

Thanks in advance. It might be nice to have a sticky thread for FAs and another for draft.

 

[jde7676]

I think Bell is a FA and we need to make sure he stays.

 

[coel73]

We're not a remotely attractive option like last year's past. That and there is not gonna be much FA money to throw around. They better have their draft boards up and ready because that's the only way this team is getting better.

 

[zyxt9]

We're not a remotely attractive option like last year's past. That and there is not gonna be much FA money to throw around. They better have their draft boards up and ready because that's the only way this team is getting better.

I think that depends on who the new coaches are because there is considerable talent on the Lions to make a run with the right coach.

 

[sggatecl]

Free Agents of note in 2014:

Brandon Pettigrew TE
Shawn Hill QB
Dominic Raiola C
Willie Young DL
Joique Bell RB (RFA)
Israel Idonije DL
David Akers K
Rashean Mathis CB
Kris Durham WR (RFA)
Andre Fluellen DL
Don Carey S/CB
Jason Fox OT
Dylan Gandy C
Ogemdi Nwagbuo DL
John Wendling S
Don Mulbach C/Long Snapper

Please keep in mind that I didn't copy/paste this list so I might have missed someone or included someone that may have been extended. I'll edit if needed.

 

[sggatecl]

2015 Free Agents for the extremely curious:

Nate Burleson WR
Louis Delmas S
Nick Fairley DT
DeJon Gomes DB
Corey Hilliard OT
Mikel Leshoure RB
Kevin Ogletree WR
Ashlee Palmer LB
Rob Sims OG
Kellen Moore QB (RFA)

 

[zyxt9]

Free Agents of note in 2014:

Brandon Pettigrew TE
Shawn Hill QB
Dominic Raiola C
Willie Young DL
Joique Bell (RFA) RB
Israel Idonije DL
David Akers K
Rashean Mathis CB
Kris Durham (RFA) WR
Kevin Ogletree WR
Andre Fluellen DL
Don Carey S/CB
Jason Fox OT
Dylan Gandy C
Ogemdi Nwagbuo DL
John Wendling S

Cool, tyvm

Hate to say this, but keep Raiola if he takes minimum again, but if Lions don't draft a solid C this year then Mayhew better be fired immediately following the draft.

Bell and Young are the other 2 worth keeping. The rest seem like a 'take it or leave it' kind of situation, or worse. Most look like easy upgrades thru draft if they don't remain and are not replaced during FA. Obviously can't replace all in draft, but losing any of these guys does not instill panic IMO.

 

[sggatecl]

Cool, tyvm

Hate to say this, but keep Raiola if he takes minimum again, but if Lions don't draft a solid C this year then Mayhew better be fired immediately following the draft.

Bell and Young are the other 2 worth keeping. The rest seem like a 'take it or leave it' kind of situation, or worse. Most look like easy upgrades thru draft if they don't remain and are not replaced during FA. Obviously can't replace all in draft, but losing any of these guys does not instill panic IMO.

I'd agree. 2015 looks to be a bit more painful.

Bell is a RFA so I doubt we lose him, I don't see a team giving up a draft pick for him. Raiola had one of his better years in recent memory, maybe due to the upgrades around him, I'm willing to bet he finishes out his career a Lion.

 

[zyxt9]

2015 Free Agents for the extremely curious:

Nate Burleson WR
Louis Delmas S
Nick Fairley DT
DeJon Gomes DB
Corey Hilliard OT
Mikel Leshoure RB
Kevin Ogletree WR
Ashlee Palmer LB
Rob Sims OG
Kellen Moore QB (RFA)

Suh will need to give half his pay to Fairley, that's one that is a concern to me as he will want to get PAID, and deservedly so.

 

[Mitchrapp]

Cool, tyvm

Hate to say this, but keep Raiola if he takes minimum again, but if Lions don't draft a solid C this year then Mayhew better be fired immediately following the draft.

Bell and Young are the other 2 worth keeping. The rest seem like a 'take it or leave it' kind of situation, or worse. Most look like easy upgrades thru draft if they don't remain and are not replaced during FA. Obviously can't replace all in draft, but losing any of these guys does not instill panic IMO.

Why is it that he's safe after this season?

 

[sggatecl]

Why is it that he's safe after this season?

Let me preface my next statement with I'm not a huge Mayhew supporter. But I think this last draft/FA class bought him one more year.

Resigning Levy (when most including myself said it was dumb), Fauria/Waddle, and fixing our return issues mid season with Ross were also pretty decent moves in retrospect.

Having said that, if he got canned with the coaching staff, I wouldn't throw a fit.

 

[zyxt9]

Let me preface my next statement with I'm not a huge Mayhew supporter. But I think this last draft/FA class bought him one more year.

Resigning Levy (when most including myself said it was dumb), Fauria/Waddle, and fixing our return issues mid season with Ross were also pretty decent moves in retrospect.

Having said that, if he got canned with the coaching staff, I wouldn't throw a fit.

Yep, add to that the improved OL. He has obviously many misses, but if he has started to show he now has a much better understanding of how to bring in better players, then better to keep him as he might actually be good after learning from prior mistakes, unlike the coaches. And like it or not, Greenwood showed promise today and add to that the improved, though not yet good enough, CB play that has an upside even with Houston performing worse, the CBs might actually be much better next year than many think possible right now. They are very young and need to improve, but better DC play calls and more experience could lead to marked improvement next year.

 

[Mitchrapp]

I have to wonder if Zanders helped with any of that?

 

[zyxt9]

I have to wonder if Zanders helped with any of that?

High probability. Nevertheless, those improvements likely mean Mayhew stays.

 

[Mitchrapp]

I'm curious what his contract status is? How many years does he have left?

 

[sggatecl]

I have to wonder if Zanders helped with any of that?

Same. His track record wasn't very good before he arrived.

I'm curious what his contract status is? How many years does he have left?

I think GM contracts are similar to coach contracts in that they don't release details.

 

[cheeno]

Clean house.

 

[Mitchrapp]

Bell needs more touches next season. A lot more. Yesterday was another example of being the better back. And he puts blame on himself when most wouldn't "Joique Bell leads offense but points finger at himself after Lions loss"

The guy was beasting and he blames himself "I didn't do enough"

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/...ffense-points-finger-himself-after-Lions-loss

 

[boogerlovejoy]

Bell needs more touches next season. A lot more. Yesterday was another example of being the better back. And he puts blame on himself when most wouldn't "Joique Bell leads offense but points finger at himself after Lions loss"

The guy was beasting and he blames himself "I didn't do enough"

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/...ffense-points-finger-himself-after-Lions-loss

I agree with this, but I think Bells touches are right where they need to be. 200+ touches in 15 games.

Any more and he might lose his effectiveness.

Looking at his numbers just now......absolutely AMAZING that he has over 100 catches for over 1000 yards the last two years and ZERO TD! How does that happen? Says to me that we could probably utilize our backs a little more in the red zone.

 

[tomdalton22]

I agree with this, but I think Bells touches are right where they need to be. 200+ touches in 15 games.

Any more and he might lose his effectiveness.

Looking at his numbers just now......absolutely AMAZING that he has over 100 catches for over 1000 yards the last two years and ZERO TD! How does that happen? Says to me that we could probably utilize our backs a little more in the red zone.

Stafford likes to throw it up to his 6'5" - 6'7" WR & TEs in the red zone...jut throw it up there and let the tall guys go up and get it. That way it doesn't have to be very accurate. It either sails over their heads or they make a play for him.