FAs

[kingofdetroit57]

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.

Outside of Bell, I would prefer we let most/all of them walk.

 

[lucke]

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.

I've highlighted my list of FA's that I feel need to be retained, either for depth or importance to developing players. I'm a little torn on Carey though, he's decent depth, but I don't quite trust him in more of a full time role. Wendling and Mulbach are integral parts to the special teams and should be brought back for that alone.

 

[coel73]

I wanna know who exactly wanted Schwartz fired at the end of last year. One report says that is was Ford Jr. that didn't let him go because it was gonna cost too much to fire him. Another report says that Jr. was the one that wanted to fire him.

In any event, most reports agree that Mayhew and Schwartz butted heads something serious even though they both claim that disagreeing is a part of any normal business relationship.

 

[zyxt9]

I've highlighted my list of FA's that I feel need to be retained, either for depth or importance to developing players. I'm a little torn on Carey though, he's decent depth, but I don't quite trust him in more of a full time role. Wendling and Mulbach are integral parts to the special teams and should be brought back for that alone.

Respectfully disagree on Pett, Hill, and Wendling. Pett too many drops at too much $$$, Hill can stay for league minimum but he is getting very old and hasn't even played any meaningful snaps the last 2 years (heck, might not have even played in garbage time, not sure). Wendling I would prefer giving spot to someone who can actually help on D, even if it means more $. I prefer having guys with enough talent to play on more than just ST.

I don't have a major issue with the others you mentioned, just don't feel any are "must sign" guys. It would be nice to keep some of them around, but if they go elsewhere they can be replaced with same or better talent. The Lions biggest problem remains having 3 guys getting 25+% of cap. Tough to build a TEAM around that.

 

[lucke]

Valid points on all. Personally, I thought Pett came back nicely from an absolutely horrid 2012. If he can be resigned for an incentive laced contract (similar to Delmas this year) I'd love it (no more than 2 years and no more than what he's actually worth). I just think his blend of blocking and receiving will be too hard to replace in the grand scheme of things.

Hill may be getting old, and I'm a little torn on how much I'd like him back. Maybe Moore has taken enough strides to replace Hill as the #2. I guess we won't know until next year though.

Wendling is this teams ST ace. Every team has at least one guy that will never see meaningful PT unless they're decimated by injuries, and as of now, I don't see a younger guy being able to step into that role yet.

Just my opinion though. More food for thought, a better coaching staff could help solve Petts drop issues as well.

 

[boogerlovejoy]

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.

Stafford calls 0% of the plays.

I'm guessing he audibles into a few goalline fades, but the vast majority are called by Linehan.

We have two backs that will each catch over 50 balls and AVERAGE more than 10 yards per catch, which is very good for a RB, and between them have 2 TD (Both by Bush). We should be utilizing them more in the RZ.

 

[LKP]

Valid points on all. Personally, I thought Pett came back nicely from an absolutely horrid 2012. If he can be resigned for an incentive laced contract (similar to Delmas this year) I'd love it (no more than 2 years and no more than what he's actually worth). I just think his blend of blocking and receiving will be too hard to replace in the grand scheme of things.

Hill may be getting old, and I'm a little torn on how much I'd like him back. Maybe Moore has taken enough strides to replace Hill as the #2. I guess we won't know until next year though.

Wendling is this teams ST ace. Every team has at least one guy that will never see meaningful PT unless they're decimated by injuries, and as of now, I don't see a younger guy being able to step into that role yet.

Just my opinion though. More food for thought, a better coaching staff could help solve Petts drop issues as well.

Pettigrew is a tough call really. Depends on the contract. They draft one if they don't get Pettigrew back. Fauria's blocking just won't cut it. And Fauria isn't a good enough seam guy, only a redzone guy. He made a couple nice plays against the Giants though plus 7 TDs on the year in the redzone.

Willie Young is a tough call too. Jason Jones coming back and Devin Taylor showing good things. That's another depends on the contract.

Hill should be brought back on another 2 year deal. I'm not convinced in Moore. Lions could draft a QB too in Rounds 2-4 (very cheap option but risky with a rookie) but they have bigger positions to select early.

 

[sggatecl]

Pettigrew is a tough call really. Depends on the contract. They draft one if they don't get Pettigrew back. Fauria's blocking just won't cut it. And Fauria isn't a good enough seam guy, only a redzone guy. He made a couple nice plays against the Giants though plus 7 TDs on the year in the redzone.

I think it's too early to say what he can and can't do. I think most would agree that Fauria wasn't given enough playing time outside of the red zone.

 

[mhughes0021]

Young

With james jones back and devin taylor showing he has promise....young becomes expendable. cant blame him if he tries to go get some money we wont be able to pay him.

Mathis

Nice back up option if we don't get a reliable starter in FA or draft. However, id much rather have Slay and a new starter opposite him moving forward. Houston takes mathis' spot and next man up. Bentley played fine as the dime this year.

 

[boogerlovejoy]

Young

With james jones back and devin taylor showing he has promise....young becomes expendable. cant blame him if he tries to go get some money we wont be able to pay him.

Mathis

Nice back up option if we don't get a reliable starter in FA or draft. However, id much rather have Slay and a new starter opposite him moving forward. Houston takes mathis' spot and next man up. Bentley played fine as the dime this year.

I'd piss myself for a Darquez Denard/Slay duo.....with Houston, Green, Greenwood and Mathis to battle it out for the #3, #4 and #5 spots.

 

[mhughes0021]

I'd piss myself for a Darquez Denard/Slay duo.....with Houston, Green, Greenwood and Mathis to battle it out for the #3, #4 and #5 spots.

Pay Aqib Talib!...hes a UFA. Havent had a shut down guy here in my lifetime lol.....need to check that off the bucket list.

 

[boogerlovejoy]

Pay Aqib Talib!...hes a UFA. Havent had a shut down guy here in my lifetime lol.....need to check that off the bucket list.

I think Denard has a better upside than Talib.

Cheaper too.

I'd pay Eric Decker and draft Denard.

(If either is possible. Decker is used to being a #2, so I could see him coming here. If Denard combines well, he'll go before we pick 16-20)

 

[sggatecl]

I know it's fun to talk about who they should draft and who they should sign in free agency but it's really too early to do either. It's just empty bullshit talk at this point.

We are top 5 in the league when it comes to money already against the cap in 2014, so until we see some extensions/reworks/cuts, I don't see us being players.

As far as the draft, depending on next week we could be anywhere from 9-16 I believe.

 

[boogerlovejoy]

I know it's fun to talk about who they should draft and who they should sign in free agency but it's really too early to do either. It's just empty bullshit talk at this point.

We are top 5 in the league when it comes to money already against the cap in 2014, so until we see some extensions/reworks/cuts, I don't see us being players.

As far as the draft, depending on next week we could be anywhere from 9-16 I believe.

If it's ok with you, i'll talk about what I want.....empty bullshit or not.

 

[sggatecl]

If it's ok with you, i'll talk about what I want.....empty bullshit or not.

You've spouted empty bullshit most of the season and nobody has stopped you. No worries there! :cheers:

 

[mhughes0021]

I know it's fun to talk about who they should draft and who they should sign in free agency but it's really too early to do either. It's just empty bullshit talk at this point.

We are top 5 in the league when it comes to money already against the cap in 2014, so until we see some extensions/reworks/cuts, I don't see us being players.

As far as the draft, depending on next week we could be anywhere from 9-16 I believe.

its easy...tell Stafford he sucks and he has to take a pay cut.

draft could be anywhere from 9-20 depending on if we win or lose....im sure we'll fuck that up.

 

[LKP]

its easy...tell Stafford he sucks and he has to take a pay cut.

draft could be anywhere from 9-20 depending on if we win or lose....im sure we'll fuck that up.

Nope. Base salary only 2 million in 2014. Pay cut saves 1 million at best from his cap number.

Nevermind the 2 million is fully guaranteed too. Can't do jack with Stafford.

 

[LKP]

Burleson either cut to save 5 million or takes a massive pay cut to save 3-4 million.

 

[LKP]

Delmas cap number 8 million. Not happening. 5.5 million in unguaranteed base salary. New deal for him coming depending on how the new staff feels about him. Mayhew wants him back I'm sure.

Houston, Tulloch, Quin and Bush all are restrcture candidates. Even Calvin again but that gets risky with his number going way up in 2015.

 

[Mitchrapp]

I'd cut them all, take the massive penalty, and tank for four years. 2018 it's our year.