Early points of emphasis:


Julian Peterson go bye bye
Calvin Johnson reached incentives that will make his cap hits 10.5 and 12.5 million the next two years
Chris Houston is a UFA, Cliff Avril is a RFA. Lions should extend both
They will have to re-sign Bobby Carpenter, Ashlee Palmer
Rumors of Haynesworth to Lions
Nnamdi Asomugha is a UFA. Other free agent CBs include Cinci's Jonathan Joseph, Carolina's Richard Marshall, NY's Antonio Cromartie

Why would they look at Haynesworth? Just keep Corey Williams. No baggage and the DL is already good.

I agree with you, or at least I think you bring up a great point.

But still...the thought that they could recycle Haynesworth like Chicago did Peppers and give the Lions a line with Haynesworth, Williams, KVB and Suh...you have to admit that would be scary fucking good.

^the addition of a shut-down cb would also allow them to go 5-2 in some cases, which would be crazy

rumors say Kevin Smith wants to go home to Miami. He'll likely be a RFA

Lions should be thankful to tender him and have him sign elsewhere, meaning they'd get a pick back

Why would they look at Haynesworth? Just keep Corey Williams. No baggage and the DL is already good.

It'd be a gamble, imo, cuz of his attitude. It might work out though. I would want to be able to cut him at the drop of a hat and not have any money owed to him.

Sammie Lee is doing just fine folks. We have others.

It just depends on what we'd have to give up and what we'd pay him (I think the cap hit is pretty low now). I'm not giving up a 4th rounder or better for him based on the risk.

^ I wouldn't give up anyting for him. I take that back...maybe a 7th.

^ I wouldn't give up anyting for him. I take that back...maybe a 7th.

Yeah, I'd give our 7th so long as we cut cut him, as Tahoe said, at no cap penalty.

rumors say Kevin Smith wants to go home to Miami. He'll likely be a RFA

Lions should be thankful to tender him and have him sign elsewhere, meaning they'd get a pick back

Sounds like a plan... he can't break a tackle to save his life... see ya.

^the addition of a shut-down cb would also allow them to go 5-2 in some cases, which would be crazy

That would be awesome. Come on Martz you whack bastard, run your 7 receiver sets against that!

rumors say Kevin Smith wants to go home to Miami. He'll likely be a RFA

Lions should be thankful to tender him and have him sign elsewhere, meaning they'd get a pick back

According to KSmitty the writer misquoted him or something.

WOTS is Asomugha is either a Jet or Raven next season.

WOTS is Asomugha is either a Jet or Raven next season.

I've heard Jet/Packer

How can anybody possibly know anything substantive about that at this point?

How can anybody possibly know anything substantive about that at this point?

the Jet/Packer thing supposedly came from someone close to Nnamdi

Really though, way too early to tell.

How can anybody possibly know anything substantive about that at this point?

Dude, let's just say my connection to Asomugha is NOT tenuous at best.

Who knows what he wants? Does he want the best team? Best defense? A certain location (east coast, west coast, warm, doesn't care)?

People in Denver want him but think he's going to SD.

Lions having the 13th pick is just so surreal.

True, but there doesn't appear to be a dominant few players at the top. Could be a good year as the difference between 13 and 1 may not be that substantial and they'll save money for sure. Would be nice to have the higher picks in other rounds though.

Corner Back Schmorner Back. We need LBers.

I would accept Bobby Carpenter as a starter if he could play the way he played the last few games. He'd even be a good one.

Ashlee Palmer also flashed some good play at the end of the year, but both could just be flashes in the pan. I expect both back on the team, and I would also think it to be very Schwartz/Mayhewish to let them battle for one of the jobs. I don't expect Follett to be back at all, as his situation is one in which the disc is too close to the spine to operate on. The only chance he has is if the disc retracts. That being said, we're going to need another starter, and it doesn't look like there's any worthy candidates in the first round. Mason Foster is a name I would like in the late 2nd or 3rd. Akeem Ayers' name gets thrown around in the first, but if you watch some film you might agree with me that he's very soft for a dude that's 6-4, 250.

Chris Houston is an unrestricted free agent, so if he goes, we're going to need two good ones, not just one. CB is a need. I'm tired of those guys getting trucked on the edge. Alphonso Smith belongs in the nickel.

I don't expect us to heavily pursue o-line.

So NOW Stafford decides to get the surgery. Wtf. He should have done it in November.

http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2011/01/detroit_lions_matthew_stafford_9.html

Shaqitis.

The offseason is "his time".

wish he would've gotten it done earlier. Oh well.. hope he can stay healthy

So NOW Stafford decides to get the surgery. Wtf. He should have done it in November.

http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2011/01/detroit_lions_matthew_stafford_9.html

Get used to it.

lol. I want Colin Kaepernick in the 4th...

Suh wins ROY!

I thought Lospistones had it locked up.

I thought it was Jose's, to be honest.

Suh wins ROY!

Could you imagine how good he'd be if that lazy sob didn't hold out?

lul

I would have preferred capital letters demonstrating a higher level of laughter...BUT I'LL TAKE IT!

Congrats to N'DonkeyKong.

Dude's a monster.

Damn, there's 6 other teams with the same record as the Lions and they all draft ahead of us.
Kiper has us taking Akeem Ayers.

^ I like that he has us taking a LB.

per PFT, Lions signed Erik Coleman, S formerly of Falcons and Jets. He's been a very productive player throughout his career, racking up 100+ tackles multiple times as well as quite a few interceptions. He's 28 years old, I wonder how much he's got left in the tank. I admittedly do not know much about him.

edit: I lol when i get birkett to retweet me.

AdamSchefter

NFL ruled that the Lions violated the anti-tampering policy. Ordered Detroit and KC to switch 5th-round picks and took away Lions' 7th.

^that too. damnit.

per PFT, Lions signed Erik Coleman, S formerly of Falcons and Jets. He's been a very productive player throughout his career, racking up 100+ tackles multiple times as well as quite a few interceptions. He's 28 years old, I wonder how much he's got left in the tank. I admittedly do not know much about him.

edit: I lol when i get birkett to retweet me.

My guess is Erik Coleman was signed to fill the C.C. Brown-role -- that is, emergency starter and veteran special teamer.

yeah, he should be upgrade over Brown, at least. I still expect Spievey to start at this point, although it's very early.

It will be interesting to see what happens w/ the CBA -- if these 4 year guys really do become unrestricted instead of restricted, then the FA market is going to be insane. I suppose it'd be best for the Lions since we really don't have any critical guys who would be FA's in that scenario (just Houston, McBride and Wendling really)

Even a guy like Charlie Peprah could intrigue the Lions at SS. There would just be so many more options -- Roman Harper, Donte Whitner, Jarrad Page, James Ihedigbo, Chinedum Ndukwe, Dawan Landry, Bernard Pollard, Abram Elam, Melvin Bullitt, Gerald Sensabaugh, Danieal Manning, Quintin Mikell, Atari Bigby -- and these are only the STRONG SAFETIES!!

This offseason is going to be insane.

Yeah, pray for that with no exception for next year. The lions would be in great shape to upgrade the D at 2 spots without committing too much money since a lot of these guys will have to settle for short deals.

LOL AT ATARI

LOL AT ATARI

He's less shittier than Erik Coleman, CC Brown, or Amari Spievey.

Ledezma is the most smartest guy on this board, period.

I don't have a clue who Atari is, I just find it hilarious that his parents went "Atari, yeah".

I'm sure that he and his brother Intellivision are good people.

LOL YOU COLD GLAN

Cold as ice.

Coleco would be a cool name.

Wrote an article on the outlook at wide receiver:

http://bit.ly/fGwzkt

well 36 people "liked" it, so fuck you guys. That's twice the amount of people even on this board.

I was 1 of those people!

"Eric Ranes" is an awesome name.

Props to your parents.

that's pretty bro of you, Vinny.

"Eric Ranes" is an awesome name.

Props to your parents.

Right?

Gallery to be a free agent. We need a guard. Signemup.

Not sure he fits Mayhew's M.O. That being said, if we don't do anything else on the interior, then hell yeah he's better than Peterman.

I need to read that today or tonight or something.

Is it tl; vinny?

ntl;ri

Any bolded text? :)

Kevin Smith not tendered.

^ and not even pissed about it.

Campbell:


Yes, Detroit, I would love to sign with u for another year and get chance to play for the greatest fans in the NFL again. Thnks for asking! 11 minutes ago via Twitter for BlackBerry®

Vasher re-signed, per Birkett

So Suh's talking about going 16-0.

That's really dumb.


Sincerely,


Rodney Stuckey

Of the remaining Lions FA's, I'd like to see them bring back Wendling, Carpenter, and McBride. Stanton and Rayner would be nice to keep on as depth, but I neither are essential.

Obviously I'd like to keep Chris Houston as well, but I'd much rather see them sign/draft 2 better corners.

Lions get back this year's 7th from tampering case, give up next year's 7th instead...

Still swapping picks with KC in the 5th.

So we lost our appeal?

Pretty much.

The last I read the Lions were going to appeal the decision to ???? forgot already, but the Lions lost the first go-round.

Schefter sez the Lions turned down HBO for Hard Knocks.

That's been swirling around, I don't know if it was an official offer but Schwartz and several prominent players were clear about "no thanks".

Would've watched, if I got HBO.

I think I'd watch Schwartz listen to music in his office all day.

NFL Live guys (lol) seem to think that the Lions should go after Cromartie.

if true... massive erection.

http://www.nfldraftcity.com/node/1261

Would've watched, if I got HBO.

I think I'd watch Schwartz listen to music in his office all day.

lol'd

if true... massive erection.

http://www.nfldraftcity.com/node/1261

Cool wit dis. Best case scenario if he doesn't sign with the Ravens (never was going to happen).

Would've watched, if I got HBO.

I think I'd watch Schwartz listen to music in his office all day.
But would you've watched Glan washing Schwartz's car?

if true... massive erection.

http://www.nfldraftcity.com/node/1261

WOOD!

:gutsy:

if true... massive erection.

http://www.nfldraftcity.com/node/1261

I don't know whether he's really that interested in Detroit, but it would be a good fit for him. That DL would be great for him because he won't have to cover for long periods of time like he might have to somewhere else. He should get a solid amount of INT opportunities. The question is whether he wants to join a team that is more of a contender right now (like the Ravens) or a team that is more built to contend for the longer haul. I honestly think they could contend this year with him at CB. GB is still better, but a WC is not unrealistic with a lock down CB. They were only 4 games out last year without Stafford for most of the year and shaky CB's.

Stallworth wants to play for the Lions.

Stallworth wants to play for the Lions.

http://symonsez.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/john-stallworth.jpg

Cam Cameron would've only used him on reverses, too.

Hopefully the money won't be too high for Ausumangenahey CB from the Raiders...but I think it will. Not sure what our cap space is...D?

Definitely won't be enough.

I heard Dallas is cutting for cap room too. Not sure if its to go after 1 guy or ???. Know JJ it will be a fucked up plan, that much I know.

Clayton had us at 16.6 million before the BJ release -- not sure whether that included J. Peterson cut, or not. So we're either looking at about 20 million or 28 million...

Clayton had us at 16.6 million before the BJ release -- not sure whether that included J. Peterson cut, or not. So we're either looking at about 20 million or 28 million...

But we won't spend that on 1 or 2, will we? We need a couple too many pieces, and depth, to spend it in 1 or 2 places??? IYO?

not entirely sure... We need to consider resigning Houston/Avril as well as other big contracts.

I could see us trying to restructure Backus and/or Corey Williams.

If we could get a combo of something like Jon Joseph/Justin Durant, I think we'd be set (if we could resign Houston too). Joseph/Houston/Smith/Berry/Vasher as our 5 CBs and Durant/Levy/Carpenter/Palmer/Follett/Campbell whoever as our LBs

We don't need a great many pieces. We're pretty close to "set" at almost every other position for this year, IMO.

Didn't Backus just get hurt or something?

I'd like to see 2 FA LBs and a OL backup or whatever.

And its always nice to have a lil room left over when someone gets cut in the first couple of games.

apparently Backus injury isn't serious -- we've also been linked to Robert Gallery, who I assume would come in and start over Peterman

It's weird though, the older you get the longer those injuries take to heal.

Oh and I hope we resign Stanton. He got us our first road win in ages. I have the Miami and TB game still on DVR and watch them from time to time. The players like him way WAY more than the fans do. I like the guy...Sparty or not.

True.

I think Jason Fox might be able to step in anyways. He's a LT before RT.

I expect us to get Stanton back.

need moar news

NEED MOAR NEWS

In the midnight hour, he cried...

Hearing the Lions may announce an impactful signing today. How much impact, not sure.

Gores is interested.

apparently Backus injury isn't serious -- we've also been linked to Robert Gallery, who I assume would come in and start over Peterman

Gallery went to Seattle

yes he did!

Lions fans, "let's" welcome back MISTER DREW STANTON.

#GoGreen #GoWhite

/NFCNORTH

Fairley's in, all the Lions' picks are now signed.

We really need to get Chris Houston signed.

Signed CB Eric Wright to one year deal -- had a bad year last year, but is big, physical, and athletic. Has the talent to be a no. 1, and has a chance to succeed in this scheme.

I need to see us resign Houston and expect one or two more Mayhew-esque trades or signings, but as long as we get Houston resigned now, I am good with the offseason.

So now we're going hard after Nick Barnett too? Who plays in the middle then? Levy moves outside I assume....

Ray Lewis, after he gets released and the Lions sign him.

not sure who plays in the middle - up to the coaches, Barnett and Levy both have the ability to play outside, but Levy's been praised for his defensive "quarterbacking"

I'd like someone a lil bigger than Levy in the middle, but he is quick and can pick passes over the middle.

I'm old school and would like a bigger ML.

I'm pretty sure Levy outside is a foregone conclusion with Durant taking the middle. If we were to sign Barnett too I' not sure which of them would play in the middle. Probably whoever isn't hurt.

With Tulloch Signed I would guess Durant and Levy on the outside with Tulloch in the middle

^Yes. No way Tulloch plays outside in this scheme

Tahoe, Tulloch is about 5lbs heavier and a couple inches shorter than Levy, so he's "built" bigger, but definitely no Urlacher

I'm pretty sure Levy outside is a foregone conclusion with Durant taking the middle. If we were to sign Barnett too I' not sure which of them would play in the middle. Probably whoever isn't hurt.

Levy would be at MLB in that situation, dumbfuck. was taking reps at MLB in camp. Durant is and was always an OLB signing

stupid shit

Levy would be at MLB in that situation, dumbfuck. was taking reps at MLB in camp. Durant is and was always an OLB signing

stupid shit
Woah. Sorry.

Why so angry?

Why so angry?

cuz Lions fan

rofl. I like to talk shit sometimes

Does this mean I am no longer the NFL expert?

As always, the people must decide.

Houston, we have a re-signing.

(LMAO)

Houston, we have a re-signing.

(LMAO)

source?

nevermind, found it

Will houston play MLB?

Houston is a first basemen for the Astros faget

The people have spoken. Sorry E-ray.

17 people can't be wrong.

I DEMAND TO SEE THE PEOPLE'S WORD

No problem. I'll shove them up your ass on the way out the door. Don't be mad man, just keep studying. You'll get there one day.

LET'S BRING ON WTF NFL INSIDER VINNY SCHEFTER

No problem. I'll shove them up your ass on the way out the door. Don't be mad man, just keep studying. You'll get there one day.

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg10/YouKnowPapiChulo24/EATSHIT2.jpg?t=1266025920

btw, proceed with caution whilst doing a google image search for "eat shit"

Tulloch at 3.25mil or David Harris at 9 mil? Gotta love Mayhew.

no i don't

Tulloch at 3.25mil or David Harris at 9 mil? Gotta love Mayhew.

I'm warming.

Looks like Follett's done forever. Neck was "on fire" today during drills, and coaches let him go as he couldn't make the choice.

Loved the Pain Train. Sucks we won't see any more Amendola-type hits out of him on special teams.

Bobby Carpenter resigned -- expect Palmer, Carpenter, and Hogue to be our main backups. That's pretty good depth.

I was afraid we lost Carpenter. That's a great get. He's one of my assistant, DrRay's favorites.

@AdamSchefter: 7 teams over cap will have to be under by Fri: STL $100K: ATL $1 MIL: DAL $3 M; DET $8 M; HST $8.5 M; PIT $11M; OAK $12M.

oof.

I knows that a bunch of Steelers are re-structuring, including Rapesthlesberger and Psycho Harrison.

I'm sure the Lions have already restructured some guys. They don't announce that shit until they have to.

Injuries starting to pile up on the OL.

It's a shame Jared Gaither isn't healthy, because I think he'd be a solid buy-low guy who could end up playing LT for the next few years.

They don't seem interested in any of the veteran OT's so I'm guessing 'No thank you' on Brian Waters, Leonard Davis, or Bryant McKinnie.

The Schwartz did a study and found out that LTs aren't necesary to win a title. Remember that interview where he went off on that?

He does a lot good but so much lose in that thinking, imo.

I'm pretty sure that every team that has ever won an NFL championship/Superbowl had a LT. What a doofus!

^ lol Exactly.

LeShoure hurt. fuck

torn achilles, out for year. ain't no luck for the Leos

Fucking Leyland.

Fucking Leyland.

It's not just Leyland, no way you can let the libs off that easy, they deserve at least 99% of the blame.

You both would let Leyland dry crack you.

Lions sign two RB's, Jerome Harrison and Mike Bell to replace Leshoure.

http://www.freep.com/article/20110809/SPORTS01/110809011/Detroit-Lions-sign-2-running-backs-possible-replacements-Leshoure

I bet that they both stick. Harrison is a smaller, faster back where Bell is more of a short yardage guy who is a good blocker.

yeah. Getting the feeling we'll keep 4 RBs (Best/Morris/Harrison/Bell) and 5 WRs (Johnson/Burleson/Young/Logan/ one of Derrick Williams, Tim Toone, Maurice Stovall, and that 6-6 UDFA).

yeah. Getting the feeling we'll keep 4 RBs (Best/Morris/Harrison/Bell) and 5 WRs (Johnson/Burleson/Young/Logan/ one of Derrick Williams, Tim Toone, Maurice Stovall, and that 6-6 UDFA).

By RBs are you including FBs because I think Felton will be on the team.

yeah he will be on de team.

If we had an offensive line, you could plug any RB in there and they'd do ok.

I realize we've come a long way under MM, I just wish he'd rebuild the offensive line.

Forgot...Leshoure's injury just sucks.

If we had an offensive line, you could plug any RB in there and they'd do ok.

I realize we've come a long way under MM, I just wish he'd rebuild the offensive line.

I feel like the guys there are serviceable and (Backus and Raiola) have big contracts and are difficult to drop, and are probably average or above average. Hard to give up on Cherilus, and he addressed the LG hole with Sims.

True, but what'd he give for Sims? 5th?

Then look at what he spent on rebuilding the defensive line. High draft picks, etc. KVB...big FA dough.

we didn't have big contracts to cut/eat financially/replace on the d-line, though. we were pretty much building from nothing there

too soon to start the preseason game thread?

Rob Rubick is a TOOL, btw. Douche.