As good a fit as Bush is, I dont think we will have money to spend on him.That's a legit concern, considering our cap situation, but even elite RBs really don't get big contracts any longer (guys like AP are the exception), and Bush is hardly an elite RB. Re-do Burleson's deal and cut KVB and we've got mroe than enough to sign Bush.
I like both Goodson and Woodhead. I doubt the Pats let Woodhead go though.From what I've been reading it sounds like he's going to hit the market. The Pats have similar backs in Shane Vareen and Jeff Demps, so they likely won't be willing to pony up the $$ to keep Woodhead.
Hartline will be asking more than he is worth.What he's asking and what he'll get might not be the same thing at all...
Ginn is useless.You're not a fan of good return men, I take it? I am, and Ginn is a darn good one.
Schilens is always hurt.That used to be the case, but he's stayed healthy the last two seasons.
Pass on Casey. Heller is not going anywhere.Heller is a free agent, and apples-to-apples Casey brings a lot more to the offense...
What's that you were sayign about Backus getting ragged on by ill-informed fans?Not true. Backus only gets ragged on by ill-informed fans. He may not be the best run blocker, but he's done a great job of protecting Matty's blindside.Bring me up to speed, your doin' a fine job with his mediocre ability. It's odd being in the league twelve years and has never improved his run blocking skills. When Backus blocking assignments are in on the tackles it's no wonder the Lionsdon't run to the left side to often. I'm sure you'll wanna bring up his 1.5 sacks he gave up last season and it looks great on paper. Averaging 7.25 sacks a year throughout his career isn't good. Hard to make it to the pro bowl for being decent and the weakest link in run blocking.
The offensive red zone efficiency must have been able to score at will. Back to reality... fill me in on how well the Oline did in the red zone. Crunch time explains a lot on whether an offense is bad or good. Top three passer in 2012 are Drew Brees, Matthew Stafford and Tony Romo... all three got to watch the playoffs. The Offensive Line ranked 16th in 2011 and fell to 24th last season with only 35 more rushing attempts.
The thing is we need to see who Detroit plans on bringing back. Godsur Cherilous, KVB, Backus, Peterman, Delams, Houston, Avril, Bell, ect.
It's odd being in the league twelve years and has never improved his run blocking skills.It is odd. I can't explain it. However, maybe it has something to do with the constant turnover at the coaching positions. Dunno. But that doesn't take away his pass-blocking skills.
When Backus blocking assignments are in on the tackles it's no wonder the Lions don't run to the left side to often.Never claimed he was a good run-blocker. Didn't you catch that part? However, this past year, the Lions gained 3.87 yds when running towards Backus' side, 21st in the league. Now not great, but certainly not the worst. FWIW
I'm sure you'll wanna bring up his 1.5 sacks he gave up last season and it looks great on paper. Averaging 7.25 sacks a year throughout his career isn't good.Of course I will. These last 2 years have been very good for him. My question is why you want to dismiss it so quickly? Could it be b/c it discredits your claim that it "looks good on paper"? Of course it looks good on paper, but it also looked good on the field.
Hard to make it to the pro bowl for being decent and the weakest link in run blocking.Who said anything about the ProBowl? I never claimed him to be an all-world LT. But he's been very good at pass-blocking. And if you wanna start throwing out ProBowl claims, then there's no debating with you. ProBowls are a sham. Stafford should've made it last year but it's a popularity contest. Plain and simple.
Stafford should've made it last year but it's a popularity contest. Plain and simple.When the voting took place Stafford was coming off or near the end of wearing a splint and glove on his throwing hand. Who knew Stafford would throw for over 5,000 yards, 41 td's and the Lions would win 10 games.
Of course it looks good on paper, but it also looked good on the field.I would agree with you if the pass pressure was really there all season long, but it wasn't.
However, this past year, the Lions gained 3.87 yds when running towards Backus' side, 21st in the league.You do know that's through the B-gap with Rob Sims and Jeff Backus, right?
These last 2 years have been very good for him. My question is why you want to dismiss it so quickly?Cutting ties with mediocrity is long over do.
Feel free to tear it apart , but let's not fall into a discussion about the salary cap situation
Grow a pair and just tell me not to post on your thread.
^This^
Millenhew belongs in Congress where he can continue to mismanage money with idiots who are just as bad at it as he is.
Danny Woodhead is really starting to grow on me. I really didn't realize how flat-out fast he was. He kicked out a 4.33 at his pro day and ran the 100 in college in 10.5.
I'd make him a priority signing for sure. He fits Best's role seemingly perfectly, and should be a reasonable cap number, especially compared to a Reggie Bush type...
either keep Bell or get Goodson then we should be all set at RB.
Danny Woodead is starting to grow on you? You've been man-crushing on that wee little Patriot for atleast two years now. That's cool though. He is a pass catching running back, or a ball carrying wideout, either way he could help.I've definitely been a big fan of his, but it seems like the most success I see him have is when the Pats spread it out and he gashes the defense inside the tackles for 8-10 yards. Or catching passes.
There is a chance he makes it out of NE, but he was so valuable last year that Brady may lobby to get him back.
There's rumors circulating that Darrius Heyward-Bey may become a salary cap casuality in Oakland.I have never been a fan of Heyward-Bey but I have to admit, putting that speed acroos from CJs speed and you could see opposing safeties playing 30 yards deep instead of 20. I dont know much about his overall attitude, but if he is willing to be Robin to CJs Batman that could be one dynamic duo.
DE: With the exhorbitant cost for signing a top caliber FA, IMO we do not sign Johnson, Avril, or any other top tier DE. IMO There should be one of three elite DEs available at #5 in the draft that will more than capable of taking Avril's place on the line: Woerner, Moore, or Ansah. LoJack is a good quality DE to take KVB's place that will not break the bank. He knows the system and will be compete with the rookie draft pick, Willie Young (RFA) and Ronnell Lewis for the starting positions.
DT: Resigning Williams (at a discounted rate) and (escpecially) Sammie Lee Hill will probably be a priority. They like the rotation, with Suh and Fairley, and the DT position would continue to be the cornerstone of the defense.That's exactly how I see it. Don't fix what isn't broken. Williams wants to stay, and is a defensive leader, so as long as the $$ fall into place I see no reason not to bring him back. SLH is one of the few later-round draft picks that have paid off for Mayhew and it's imperative that we keep him on board. He's a starting-caliber DT who will be even more important for us once Williams retires.
LB: I do not believe that there will be much of a splash for this position. They will probably sign either Levy or Durant, and then let Palmer and last year's rookies (Travis Lewis and Tahir Whitehead) fight it out for the final starting position. I favor Durant over Levy because he's tackles better. They will probably draft another LB in the later rounds to be on special teams and to develop into a depth playerI favor Levy over Durant because of his versatility, but otherwise I agree here, too.
CB: This is where I would put my money in FA. I would really push hard to sign either Sean Smith (if Miami lets him walk without tagging him) or Cary Williams. If there is any way to sign both (I know, I'm really dreaming), we would be in great shape for the next few years, and would allow last year's picks to really develop. If they can't get both, I say they will target the other to be Cox as the #2 or possibly Houston.We really seem to see eye-to-eye on the defense. Williams would be my primary target, then probably DRC, then Cox then Smith. Any of the four would be great additions for us. Take a look at Antoine Cason's stats over his career- he's been an effective starter for the last 3 years, is still pretty young (turns 27 next season), and fits the size/speed mold that we're seeking. He's also not a big-name free agent, so his cost should be pretty reasonable.
S: I think they will re-sign Delmas and draft the other starter. Delmas will not command a huge contract because of his injury concerns, which IMO will have other teams shying away from signing him. I can see the Lions targeting Jonathon Cyprien out of Fla International in the 3rd round. From the analysts point of view on the Senior Bowl, he handled himself quite well. He was a hard hitter in the ground game and was really impressive in pass coverage. The Lions staff coached him in the Senior Bowl, so they should have gotten a good read on him.I too think we'll sign Delmas. But if it were my call I'd let him walk. He's a good safety and a leader on the field, but his reckless playing style doesn't lend itself well to staying healthy. Also, he's one of those hitters who can't tackle, which, unfortunately, Schwartz coaches his players to do. That dummy honestly said that he encourages his guys to go for the big hit because there's other guys to make the tackle if the first guy misses. I'm sorry, but I'll take a wrap-up tackler over a hit-or-miss missle like Delmas.
