Your Lions Offseason

[boogerlovejoy]

True...that's why I thank him for his effort. But, cut Backus and use that $7M as part of a long-term Levitre deal. Snag one of the LTs at #5 and all you have is Dom on a one-year deal with Nagy in the wings. And, maybe even get a C later in the draft to develop. O-line, done...for the first time in decades.

Ummmmmmm......it all SOUNDS good.....but last I checked.....OLineman aren't all that good at covering WR or rushing the passer.

Unless that LT at #5 can lock it down like Revis or Sherman......we need defense.

 

[detrisin]

Ummmmmmm......it all SOUNDS good.....but last I checked.....OLineman aren't all that good at covering WR or rushing the passer.

Unless that LT at #5 can lock it down like Revis or Sherman......we need defense.

Insert "you don't say" meme here.

 

[Diggler Cometh]

Give me Fisher and Poyer in 1 and 2.

 

[kalinecountry]

Hope this is the right thread to add this, and that Tim Twentyman has good info.

http://www.detroitlions.com/news/li...e-agents/b1190735-eb30-4a77-b861-a1c477209119
Where do the Detroit Lions stand with their own free agents?
Lions Insider

Detroitlions.com Insider Tim Twentyman takes a look at all 26 of the Lions' current free agents.
General manager Martin Mayhew said the Detroit Lions will be players when free agency begins March 12. Things will begin to ratchet up considerably during the three-day period from March 9-11, when teams are allowed to enter into negotiations with player agents for unrestricted free agents from other teams.
How big of players the Lions will be in free agency still depends on how much more salary cap space they can free up with a potential extension of quarterback Matthew Stafford -- reducing his $20 million-plus cap number -- and a couple more restructures that could be in the works.

Mayhew told reporters down at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis that he?s targeted nine of their own 23 restricted free agents as players they will really be aggressive in trying to re-sign.

 

[kingofdetroit57]

Not that he's really a huge factor, but we just gave Hilliard a new 2-yr deal. I think if we end up bringing Goz or Backus back that we'll go DB or DE at #5. If we don't bring either back, I think we'll go OT and use Hilliard and Fox for our depth.

 

[evolutionkb]

William Hayes a good fit for Lions: http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2013/3/1/4042788/nfl-free-agency-2013-william-hayes-lions

Had a good year last year in St. Louis. 7.5 sacks as a backup. Could start in Avril's place.

 

[mhughes0021]

byebye cherlius? we will miss your false starts!

Gosder Cherilus - T - Lions ESPN NFC North blogger Kevin Seifert expects the Lions to "move on" from free agent RT Gosder Cherilus.
As does the Detroit Free Press. Cherilus is going on 29, and recovering from another knee procedure. The Lions have three potential replacements in Riley Reiff, Jason Fox and Corey Hilliard. Coming off a strong season, Cherilus will draw interest on the open market.

 

[cheeno]

byebye cherlius? We will miss your false starts!

Gosder cherilus - t - lions espn nfc north blogger kevin seifert expects the lions to "move on" from free agent rt gosder cherilus.
As does the detroit free press. Cherilus is going on 29, and recovering from another knee procedure. The lions have three potential replacements in riley reiff, jason fox and corey hilliard. Coming off a strong season, cherilus will draw interest on the open market.

what are you doing lions! He was an all pro!

 

[mhughes0021]

Justin Durant - LB - Lions Free agent SLB Justin Durant reiterated his desire to re-sign with the Lions.
"I definitely want to come back to the Lions and I hope we’ll be able to get something going," he said. This is Durant's third time through free agency. Since joining the Lions in 2011, Durant has started 26-of-29 games played.

 

[Mitchrapp]

I like Durant. He needs to become more consistent but otherwise he's okay.

 

[mhughes0021]

I like Durant. He needs to become more consistent but otherwise he's okay.

ya hes solid. resign him and grab khaseem green in rd 3.

 

[LKP]

I like Greene or Gerald Hodges. Maybe even a trade down to the mid 3rd to pick up an extra pick.

Agreed they need Durant back for his run D at a 2 down LB price.

 

[mhughes0021]

I like Greene or Gerald Hodges. Maybe even a trade down to the mid 3rd to pick up an extra pick.

Agreed they need Durant back for his run D at a 2 down LB price.

get me a solid day 1 starter in round 3 at safety and id be ok with jelani Jenkins in rd 4 for olb.

 

[boogerlovejoy]

Justin Durant - LB - Lions Free agent SLB Justin Durant reiterated his desire to re-sign with the Lions.
"I definitely want to come back to the Lions and I hope we?ll be able to get something going," he said. This is Durant's third time through free agency. Since joining the Lions in 2011, Durant has started 26-of-29 games played.

Good sign for the organization that some players WANT to come back. I know Durant wouldn't be highly sought after, but he would draw interest in the FA market......he isn't gaining anything by stating his desire to return....so I'm all for it. Hey, one less hole for Mayhew to fill.

 

[zyxt9]

I would like to think one of the lbs drafted last year will step up. Or cbs. Or both.

Alas....

 

[mhughes0021]

I would like to think one of the lbs drafted last year will step up. Or cbs. Or both.

Alas....

ummm keep dreaming whitehead was a back up special teamer. lewis was a waterboy. If anything palmer would start if we do absolutely nothing else in FA or draft at olb. Bentley should be fine as a dime/nickel. other than that I could care less if I ever see any other of the cbs we drafted last year on the field ever again lol. if we do see them on the field....it means were in real bad shape :/

 

[LKP]

ummm keep dreaming whitehead was a back up special teamer. lewis was a waterboy. If anything palmer would start if we do absolutely nothing else in FA or draft at olb. Bentley should be fine as a dime/nickel. other than that I could care less if I ever see any other of the cbs we drafted last year on the field ever again lol. if we do see them on the field....it means were in real bad shape :/

Lewis played special teams. Green did a solid job and wasn't lost out there when forced into the lineup. He had some good games. Bentley and Greenwood got hurt and Lewis was hurt to start the season.

They are rookies dude. Give them at least one year. Most 5th/7th round rookies are special teams players and waterboys for a year. Big prove it year for all of them. If anything these guys all have an advantage over a 2nd/3rd round drafted rookie LB or CB in this draft. They know the playbook and all 5 of those players have some talent too.

 

[mhughes0021]

Lawrence Jackson - DL - Lions DetroitLions.com expects the team to "focus" on re-signing free agent DE Lawrence Jackson.
With Kyle Vanden Bosch released and free agent Cliff Avril soon to leave town, the Lions don't want to lose any more in-house depth. Writer Tim Twentyman expects restricted free agent Willie Young to be tendered a contract even though he had a disappointing year in what some thought would be a breakout campaign.

 

[mhughes0021]

ChatWrap: Lions seeking new punters
March, 5, 2013 Mar 54:30PM ETBy Kevin Seifert | ESPN.com Recommend0 Tweet7 Comments33Email Print Let's go ahead and continue Tuesday's unintended theme of specialists and take a closer look at the Detroit Lions' situation, one they attempted to get ahead with an impromptu series of tryouts at their practice facility.

According to multiple reports, the Lions signed free agent punter Blake Clingan after Tuesday's workout, one of several punters and place-kickers they're likely to evaluate between now and the start of the season. Nick Harris, who finished last season with the Lions, is not likely to be back, and as we discussed in Tuesday's SportsNation chat, place-kicker Jason Hanson is a pending free agent and might retire.

Lions coach Jim Schwartz said recently that Hanson has been seen around the facility, a sign that he might return for 2013. But the Lions almost certainly will have turnover at one of their specialist positions, if not both, in the coming year.

Note: According to Tim Twentyman of the Lions' web site, Clingan hasn't punted for a professional team since leaving Central Florida in 2010.

 

[mhughes0021]

Ezekiel Ansah as a potential Lions target
March, 2, 2013 Mar 28:00AM ETBy Kevin Seifert | ESPN.com Recommend30 Tweet21 Comments1KEmail Print I took part in a segment on ESPN's "NFL 32" this week, one that focused on the top five draft positions for 2013. My job was to suggest the Detroit Lions' likeliest pick at that spot, and I took the safest route by naming Alabama cornerback Dee Milliner.

Afterward, ESPN's Chris Mortensen said he had heard buzz about the Lions and Georgia linebacker Jarvis Jones, perhaps the top pass-rusher in the draft. We've noted the inherent risk in drafting Jones, who has a potentially career-shortening condition known as spinal stenosis.

[+] Enlarge

AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg
Ezekiel Ansah had seven tackles, 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble in the Senior Bowl.So for the fun on of it on this Saturday morning, let's throw another pass-rusher into the mix: BYU's Ezekiel Ansah, who is known as "Ziggy."

Ansah has a similar build to some of the new-wave pass-rushers that have dominated the NFL in recent years, including Aldon Smith of the San Francisco 49ers and Jason Pierre-Paul of the New York Giants. After lighting up the Senior Bowl with 1.5 sacks and two other tackles for loss, Ansah measured 6-foot-5 and 271 pounds with long arms (35 1/8th inches) at the NFL scouting combine. He ran the 40 in 4.63 seconds and is rocketing up the draft boards of media analysts.

ESPN's Todd McShay has Ansah ranked as the eighth-best prospect in the draft, while Mel Kiper has him at No. 12 .

The No. 5 overall spot in the draft is reserved for elite, blue-chip players. But if the Lions think Ansah will follow in the footsteps of Smith, Pierre-Paul and others, isn't that an elite level?

I've seen several explanations for Ansah's quick ascendance, but here is a thorough take from ESPN's Bill Polian :

Ansah is an outstanding, gifted, physical specimen whose play improved as the season went on. It's hard to believe he only made it onto the field due to injuries ahead of him. He had what some would call an average week at the Senior Bowl, then came in the ballgame and lit it up. He has a real football temperament. He's in the Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis range in terms of his 40 and what makes it more impressive is that he's a big man (6-5 with 35 1/8-inch arms). He lacks football instincts because he simply hasn't played a lot, and his technique is raw, but you don't find players with those kinds of gifts rushing the passer that often. His body of work is limited, but those physical qualities he showed off in Indy and what he has shown on film makes me think someone will take a chance on him in the first round. While offense in the NFL is dictated by strategy and dictating action, defense is defined by reaction and athleticism pays big dividends on that side of the ball. Ansah has plenty of athleticism, and the physical gifts to match.

Just something to consider on a chilly March weekend here in the NFC North.