Free Agent Discussion

I would stay away from Mike Jenkins.  Sheesh he is horrible

I wouldnt touch Gross Rexman with somebody else's 10 foot pole, never mind my own. Suckasaurus Rex is awful, 

That pretty much sums up what I think about rex. LOL


I really don't care who they bring in because


 

oops to finish my thought.


because.


Whoever they bring in will not be a game changer.  Only the draft IMO is where it's at.  Free agents become a free agent for a reason.  If they are to expensive then the Lions are not getting them anyways and if they are cheap then they will most likely not have a huge impact unlike players in the draft. 

AMEN -- Rex Grossman isn't going to be the answer to anything for the Lions.  as smitty said -- i wouldn't touch that guy with someone else's 10 foot pole.

LOL, yup I figured that would not be too popular, but we would need to take a chance on him as he has been known to put up several
big games in a row.  He is streaky and that is all you can hope for when you are down to your backup.  Not like we can afford to spend any money on this position.

If the Lions were serious about winning -- they would draft a backup QB with dread locks

They should do this too (with or without dreadlocks).  Kellan Moore sucks.

Old Lion, I say and think some crazy shit**** from time to time. But Sexy Rexy? Why? In ten NFL he's managed to throw more TD's than picks, TWICE!!! And once was 2TDs to 1 pick in his rookie season. Plus he didn't even play last year. Unless Gross Rexman is some stud from the CFL or something I'm befuddled by your choice of backup options. But atleast I have a reason to say Suckasaurus Rex twice in the same day.

Old Lion, I say and think some crazy shit******** from time to time. But Sexy Rexy? Why? In ten NFL he's managed to throw more TD's than picks, TWICE!!! And once was 2TDs to 1 pick in his rookie season. Plus he didn't even play last year. Unless Gross Rexman is some stud from the CFL or something I'm befuddled by your choice of backup options. But atleast I have a reason to say Suckasaurus Rex twice in the same day.

Like I said, we cant afford to spend money on this position and need a gunslinger to have a chance if we lose staff during the season.  Not like Rex would be a long term starter, but if Staff goes out at the end of the season, Rex can be streaky good in the short term.  Long term he will eventually implode, but no other FA QB that we could afford gives us any chance.  Just need someone who can get Megatron the ball deep.  Why waste money on another FA who might be a better prospect but gives us no chance to win.  The Matt Moores and John Becks are not going to help us even if they are more steady.  We need offense.  Our defense will not hold up.

I'm not following. Rex is awful, all the time. If for some god foresaken reason Mayhew were to put me thru the horror of seeing Grossman in Honalulu Blue, I'd be rooting for the TurfMonster (the upgraded, next generation TurfMonster) to jump up and bite him like he did at the MetroDome back in the day. He played for the Bears, that right there is reason enough to keep him away.

Brent Grimes and Marcus Trufant would be my targets in FA. If Detroit signs both Houston can walk or if Detroit lands one and signs Houston the D Backfield issues clear up some and the safety spot is the only area that has to be addressed.

Grimes would be amazing, but he could well be the top CB on the market, so his price range may be out of our budget. But if we could land him he'd be a HUGE boost to our secondary. He's quietly become an elite CB. Maybe his injury will drive his price down though?

I'd stay away from Trufant, he's 32 years old and hasn't had a good season since 2008.

If DMC makes it to the open market he'd be a great option, and I already mentioned that Cary Williams is my favorite target.

We certainly have some options this season, especially if we want to get bigger in the back end... 

I didn't realize that Grimes will be 30 next season too.

Perhaps he'll be more affordable than I had thought. 30 isn't too old for a CB, but he's only got another 2 or 3 years before CBs generally start to tail off (unless they're Charles Woodson or Ronde Barber).

He doesn't fit the size mold we're looking for, but if Houston doesn't re-sign Grimes would be an uprade for sure... 

I didn't realize that Grimes will be 30 next season too.

IMO the age of Grimes and Trufant would keep their asking prices reasonable. I would take Trufant seven days a week ahead of Drayton Florence. The problem with potential FA like Nnamdi Asmough and Cromartie is the cash it will take to resign them and detroit just can't free up eneough cap space and still look up to shore other areas.

And yes I think the Eagles who have salary cap issues as well will end up parting ways with NA. But thats my guess. 

I'd be fine w/ Grimes, even at 30. He's still got good football left in him.

Trufant, on the other hand, is 32 and has been declining for years now. Given the choice between he and Florence, I'd take neither. Both are free agents, so let someone else sign them.

There's a handfull of younger CBs who are equally as effective as Trufant and have a much higher ceiling at this point in their career. Targeting one guy over 30 (or at 30) to come in and play right away is fine, but the other guy, imo, has to be a younger guy who can grow in the system and be around for a while.

E.J. Biggers, Bradley Fletcher and Derek Cox are all young guys in that next tier that could really help us, and all are 6'0" or taller. Cox may be the best value in the free agent CB class, imo. He's big, fast, young and has been very productive thus far.

Honestly, if the Lions brass decided to let Houston walk, swung that money to sign Cary Williams and then signed Cox to be the other starter we'd be miles ahead of where we were last season. I think Cary has what it takes to be a good #1 CB, and pairing him with Cox on the other side would make it that much better for us... 

Trufant, on the other hand, is 32 and has been declining for years now. Given the choice between he and Florence, I'd take neither. Both are free agents, so let someone else sign them.


I understand the thought on them both and agree neither will make anyone's must get list but the cost of FA's will be high. A CB under 28 with upside I see as being to expensive and force the Lions to address the position through the draft.


I would much rather see the Lions address DE, Safety, OLB, and Guard positions in the draft and CB and WR IN FA. But thats a matter of opinion as the best way to address needs. I just see this draft as a weak CB draft. And strong at DE/OLB. 

Leodis McKelvin woudl be another target of mine. He doesn't fit the size profile, and he's not starting material at CB, but he's a great return man. If his price is right I'd love to see him added as a reserve to battle with the rooks for playing time while also becoming our primary return man.

With as many injuries as the position sees over the course of the season it makes a lot of sense to head into next year with 6 CBs instead of our usual 5. A guy like McKelvin, as the #6 CB, makes a ton of sense if he's also the return specialist.

Logan, for instance, was pretty much only a return specialist. That roster spot is far more valuable for a player who can return kicks and contribte on offense or defense. A guy like John Wendling is a good example- he's only on the roster because of his special teams play, but he can step in on defense in a pinch. Now he's not good at playing safety, per se, but he's at least strong against the run and knows the defense well. That adds more value than a guy like Logan in my opinion...

A CB under 28 with upside I see as being to expensive and force the Lions to address the position through the draft.

I was just working up a list of young, 6'0" + CBs who are set to hit the market.

Here's what I've come up with:
Cary Williams
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
Aqib Talib
Sean Smith
Derek Cox
E.J. Biggers
Bradley Fletcher
Keenan Lewis
Kyle Arrington (5'10")
Antoine Cason 
Darius Butler (5'10")


Now, obviously not all of these guys will make it to free agency, and others will be out of our price range, but there's some good talent there, and some should be affordable, imo.

Antoine Cason is going to be a Lion this offseason, I'm calling it now. Mayhew was interested in trading for him a few years ago (around the time of the Cromartie talks), and he's 6'1", ran a 4.3 at the combine, and will only be 27 next season. He's been reasonably productive (better than any of our CBs) for the last 3 years as a full-time starter, and I don't think he'll be in that wave of elite free agent CBs. 

Out of Cason, Cary Williams and Derek Cox, if we could add two of those three (which would mean not re-signing Houston) guys we'd be vastly improved in the secondary. Mayhew is talking about seriously rebuilding, so let Houston walk and go get two big, young starting CBs who can be around for at least 5 good years.

That's just my $.02 though... 

Antoine Cason is going to be a Lion this offseason, I'm calling it now. Mayhew was interested in trading for him a few years ago (around the time of the Cromartie talks), and he's 6'1", ran a 4.3 at the combine, and will only be 27 next season. He's been reasonably productive (better than any of our CBs) for the last 3 years as a full-time starter, and I don't think he'll be in that wave of elite free agent CBs. 

I think this makes a lot of sense.  As much as we like to dream about the top guys on the list, We just dont have the money.  I think this guy would fit the the profile of what we would need.

Also, Grimes even if he lowered his asking price would be a huge risk.  Blowing out an achilles is near death for someone who makes a living backpedaling.

darell steinbeck...look him up

I follow the Seahawks pretty closely as well as my Lions.....I love Marcus Trufant, Just picture Nate Burleson in the secondary....Same guy same result (team guys).....That being said.....Marcus Trufant is a nickel back for the Seahawks now and has been for some time. If you guys are wanting Trufant to come to Lions as a #2 CB then you don't know much.

Then again Seattles nickel back could definetly be our #1 next year if we don't re-sign Houston.....That's how much trouble were in.....You guys talking about signing a Nickel back to possibly be our #1 or #2 next year. Pfft......

I'm so fed up with this team.....Just a pick a effing side of the ball and fix it......Fix the offense or fix the defense I don't care which.....Maybe the Packers got it right......They went all Defense in the  draft last year.....Atleast their trying to fix it......All were going to do is dabble and bring in the PR departement to tell Lions nation we took BPA......Pfft......Just fix one side of the EFFing ball.......

Just pick a effing side of the ball and fix it...

I want defense, but I know upgrading the Oline to protect Stafford is a bigger issue IMO. DE's through FA will cost an arm and leg if we don't, but the development process wont come overnight for either side of the ball. Then the nightmares start with Backus retiring somewhere in his 40's because he was William Clay Ford draft pick.