2025 Detroit Lions: 0-0 HOF Game on tape, as DC said..."We got work to do" (49 Viewers)

[BobbyLayne]

CJGJ introductory press conference

Lot of connections went into this signing. AG coached him for a couple weeks in high school at Nike All American, played for him as a slot corner with the Saints. Knew Alex Anzalone at Florida. Hosted James Houston when he was a freshman. Knew MCDC from New Orleans.

 

[BobbyLayne]

The Lions restructured Jack Fox's contract to free up $1.6 million in cap space.

AKA making room for DJ

 

[BobbyLayne]

Pre-draft NFC North odds:

Lions +130
Vikings +310
Bears +320
Packers +410

2025-26 NFC North Division Odds - Conference Winner

2025-26 NFL - NFC North Division Winner betting odds, contenders, history and wagering information provided by VegasInsider.com

www.vegasinsider.com

 

[Zeppelin]

Pre-draft NFC North odds:

Lions +130
Vikings +310
Bears +320
Packers +410

2025-26 NFC North Division Odds - Conference Winner

2025-26 NFL - NFC North Division Winner betting odds, contenders, history and wagering information provided by VegasInsider.com

www.vegasinsider.com

All I have wanted for years is to have a home playoff game and see how a visiting team handles the electric atmosphere and insane noise levels that will come out of Ford Field. We have one of the best home field advantages in the NFL.

Please let this happen.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Pre-draft NFC North odds:

Lions +130
Vikings +310
Bears +320
Packers +410

2025-26 NFC North Division Odds - Conference Winner

2025-26 NFL - NFC North Division Winner betting odds, contenders, history and wagering information provided by VegasInsider.com

www.vegasinsider.com

All I have wanted for years is to have a home playoff game and see how a visiting team handles the electric atmosphere and insane noise levels that will come out of Ford Field. We have one of the best home field advantages in the NFL.

Please let this happen.

That was my dream for a long time. I’m beyond that.

I want a Super Bowl appearance. That doesn’t seem like a far away gosh I wish it would happen dream. It’s realistic & achievable.

It’s hard af to win A playoff game, not discounting how hard playoff success will be. But this team isn’t being built to be competitive or being a 1-and-done WC club.

They’re going for it. They’re in a window so LFG.

 

[ffmail4me]

so Lions fans, is Jameson Williams fully healthy? Do we expect him to breakout this year?

 

[Zeppelin]

so Lions fans, is Jameson Williams fully healthy? Do we expect him to breakout this year?

Yes he is healthy. I think he can break out but there are no guarantees. His talent is off the charts.

 

[SoBeDad]

so Lions fans, is Jameson Williams fully healthy? Do we expect him to breakout this year?

Yes he is healthy. I think he can break out but there are no guarantees. His talent is off the charts.

How is Goff on deep passes? I curious about the metrics. They thought Tua couldn't throw the deep pass, but if you looked at the 2021 metrics, you would've seen that Tua was good on passes over 20 yards. But he didn't throw many. Sure he can't throw it 50 yards on a line like Mahomes or Allen or Herbert, but his deep passes have been delivered very catchable. What about Goff?

 

[nysfl2]

so Lions fans, is Jameson Williams fully healthy? Do we expect him to breakout this year?

Yes he is healthy. I think he can break out but there are no guarantees. His talent is off the charts.

How is Goff on deep passes? I curious about the metrics. They thought Tua couldn't throw the deep pass, but if you looked at the 2021 metrics, you would've seen that Tua was good on passes over 20 yards. But he didn't throw many. Sure he can't throw it 50 yards on a line like Mahomes or Allen or Herbert, but his deep passes have been delivered very catchable. What about Goff?

He has plenty of arm on his deep balls - he was the #1 overall pick for a reason.

He seems to take some time to get 'in sync' with his receivers, so I can think that having an off-season and preseason to throw routes to Williams will really help them connect in deep balls next year.

 

[BobbyLayne]

so Lions fans, is Jameson Williams fully healthy? Do we expect him to breakout this year?

Yes he is healthy. I think he can break out but there are no guarantees. His talent is off the charts.

How is Goff on deep passes? I curious about the metrics. They thought Tua couldn't throw the deep pass, but if you looked at the 2021 metrics, you would've seen that Tua was good on passes over 20 yards. But he didn't throw many. Sure he can't throw it 50 yards on a line like Mahomes or Allen or Herbert, but his deep passes have been delivered very catchable. What about Goff?

I haven’t seen any deep ball passing dives by anyone yet so I can’t cite quantitative data. But just on 30+ completions that were actually deep shots (not catch & YAC) 2022 was Jared’s best deep ball season since at least 2017-18 when he had Cooks. He made a bunch of big-time throws to DJ Chark & Kalif Raymond.

Jamo should excel in crossers, too. He’s freaky fast & can accelerate with Tyreek or anyone else you want to try to comp him with (he has a much smaller frame than Hill but he’s a tough kid.) Chark had a 4.34 Combine and everyone says Williams is noticeably faster.

 

[Ilov80s]

so Lions fans, is Jameson Williams fully healthy? Do we expect him to breakout this year?

Yes he is healthy. I think he can break out but there are no guarantees. His talent is off the charts.

How is Goff on deep passes? I curious about the metrics. They thought Tua couldn't throw the deep pass, but if you looked at the 2021 metrics, you would've seen that Tua was good on passes over 20 yards. But he didn't throw many. Sure he can't throw it 50 yards on a line like Mahomes or Allen or Herbert, but his deep passes have been delivered very catchable. What about Goff?

Not his strength honestly. Not to say he doesn't have the arm strength, he just seems to struggle a little with the timing on his deep balls- I feel like he is often late letting them which allows defenders to catch up and make plays on the ball.

 

[Ilov80s]

I think Detroit's biggest weakness in back-up QB. We are going to be favored to win the division and our contracts are geared towards making 2023 a peak year. If something happens to Goff, we are cooked. QB at 6 doesn't sound so crazy.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Detroit Lions salary cap space update heading into Week 2 of free agency​

The Detroit Lions have had quite a first week of NFL free agency. Bolstering a secondary that needed a lot of help was a focus (Cameron Sutton, Emmanuel Moseley, C.J. Gardner-Johnson), but singing David Montgomery to replace Jamaal Williams was a very notable move and there were some re-signings too (Alex Anzalone, John Cominsky, Will Harris).

Here are the 2023 cap hits for many of the Lions’ signings as of Monday afternoon, Mar. 20.

Cam Sutton- $3,280,000
David Montgomery- $2,845,588
Alex Anzalone- $2,500,000
John Cominsky- $2,300,000
Isaiah Buggs- $1,700,000
Matt Nelson- $1,300,000
Will Harris- $1,232,500
Michael Badgley-$1,092,500
Jake McQuaide-$1,092,500
Ross Pierschbacher- $1,010,000
Craig Reynolds- $940,000
C.J. Gardner-Johnnson-TBD
Emmanuel Moseley- TBD
Graham Glasgow- TBD
C.J. Moore-TBD

Moseley and Glasgow’s deals were each one year, reported at $6 million and $4.5 million respectively. Those are certainly maximum value numbers, with structure and 2023 cap hits to be unveiled. Gardner-Johnson is also coming in on a one-year deal, worth up to $8 million with $6.5 million fully guaranteed, while Moore is coming back on a two-year, $4.5 million deal ($3 million fully guaranteed).

With the above considerations coming to reduce the number in the coming days, Over The Cap has the Lions with $26.7 milion in cap space and $18.37 million in effective cap space when accounting for signing their current draft picks.

(ASIDE - if we trade back, every additional pick will have a cap hit of $750K + the prorated signing bonus so you need to give yourself a little wiggle room.)

That $26.7 million, updated with the pay cut Romeo Okwara agreed to, is the second-most cap space in the league.

Hypothetically, let’s total up the 2023 cap hits for the yet-unaccounted for signings to $10-$12 million. The Lions would still be top half of the league in cap space, with one significant remaining option (Halapoulivaati Vaitai) to restructure, renegotiate (he takes a big pay cut) or cut to clear cap room. You also have simple restructures available that could free up $20M but no need to do anything preemptively.

So even after a week of some significant outside signings and some prioritized re-signings, the Lions are still in pretty good position to make additions in subsequent waves of free agency.

 

[Bracie Smathers]

Five Important Takeaways From the First Wave of NFL Free Agency

4. The Lions should be pursuing Lamar Jackson.​

— Jared Goff played well last year, but we now have seven seasons’ worth of evidence telling us who Goff is. If the circumstances (play-calling, offensive line, weapons) are set up favorably, he can absolutely run an efficient offense. But he doesn’t offer the same upside that Jackson does.
... the Ravens have performed like the NFL’s sixth-best offense in terms of expected points added per play. Without him, they’ve performed like the 31st-ranked offense.
Lions fans, imagine a version of Jackson running and throwing behind that excellent offensive line. A slant to Amon-Ra St. Brown that turns into an explosive play. A bomb downfield to Jameson Williams for a 50-yard TD. A mic’d up clip of Dan Campbell telling Jackson he loves him after a game-winning run at Lambeau Field. Can’t you just see Jackson in that Honolulu blue uniform?
The Lions have built their roster the right way. If the season started today, they’d probably be the favorites in the NFC North. But the conference is wide open, and every organization is chasing sustained success. For the Lions, that means not being risk-averse and at least looking into the possibility of adding a former MVP QB.

 

[King of the Jungle]

Five Important Takeaways From the First Wave of NFL Free Agency

4. The Lions should be pursuing Lamar Jackson.​

— Jared Goff played well last year, but we now have seven seasons’ worth of evidence telling us who Goff is. If the circumstances (play-calling, offensive line, weapons) are set up favorably, he can absolutely run an efficient offense. But he doesn’t offer the same upside that Jackson does.
... the Ravens have performed like the NFL’s sixth-best offense in terms of expected points added per play. Without him, they’ve performed like the 31st-ranked offense.
Lions fans, imagine a version of Jackson running and throwing behind that excellent offensive line. A slant to Amon-Ra St. Brown that turns into an explosive play. A bomb downfield to Jameson Williams for a 50-yard TD. A mic’d up clip of Dan Campbell telling Jackson he loves him after a game-winning run at Lambeau Field. Can’t you just see Jackson in that Honolulu blue uniform?
The Lions have built their roster the right way. If the season started today, they’d probably be the favorites in the NFC North. But the conference is wide open, and every organization is chasing sustained success. For the Lions, that means not being risk-averse and at least looking into the possibility of adding a former MVP QB.

I wish a team would just land this guy so I do not need to worry about the microscopic chance of the Lions going after him.

 

[Foosball God]

Tired of the Lamar to the Lions take, it doesn't make much sense at all.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Tired of the Lamar to the Lions take, it doesn't make much sense at all.

That would be a whole lot of retooling to squeeze in that contract. Like OK, sure, let's undo everything we've built in the last 3 years bc we can get LJax.

That said, it's odd how teams with way, way worse quarterback situations than Detroit saying "naw, we're good."

Get an agent, kid. Not Mom, not Saint Omni. Cost yourself boatloads trying to save 3%.

 

[jon_mx]

Tired of the Lamar to the Lions take, it doesn't make much sense at all.

What do you mean, did you not read all his points? When Lamar was in the lineup, they were the sixth best offense. I mean Goff could only lead like the 5th best offense, so of course it makes sense to want to replace him. Really, the Lions need Lamar so they can get away from Goff's horrific team friendly contract and instead be weighted down by the albatross of Lamar's mega contract.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Brad Holmes has been on the job for 2 years, 2 months and 1 week. He is already the best GM in the history of the franchise. It's not close.

Nick Kerbawy is the most successful GM in Lions history, by a good margin. GM 1951-57, a period when the Lions won 3 NFL Championships (1952, 1953, 1957) and lost a 4th (1954.) Aside - In all 4 Title game opponents were the Cleveland Browns.

Great roster in all phases, he must have good at his job, but a couple things. He didn't engineer the 3-way trade in 1950 which landed Bobby Layne and set everything in motion, and it was a minor sport in those days. Baseball was the undisputed national pastime. There was no tv contract, only 12 teams and roster sizes were set at 33 (with a couple minor exceptions) during that entire period. No free agency. Nothing comparable about it - all the players had offseason jobs. CFB was way more popular.

Kerbawy left the Lions to become the GM of the Fort Wayne NBA team which had just relocated to Detroit. Safe to presume he was more of an executive than a talent evaluator.

William Clay Ford

• Edwin Anderson 1958-66 - one of the minority owners WCF bought out. Was the Lions owner during the Championship run. Concurrently, was the President of Goebel Brewing (remember back in the day when that was the cheapest of cheap beers?) Again, more of a businessman and I can't find any evidence he was an athlete or connected to football in any way other than managing the ownership group.
• Russ Thomas 1967-1988 - finally someone most of us have heard of, he did at least have a football background. Played at Ohio State, 4 years with the Lions in the late 40s, assistant coach on the back to back title teams. Was a CPA and basically ran the team the way you would expect a CPA to run a sports franchise. Hey, I'm a Big 4 alumni, I can speak to this stereotype lol. Universally despised by players bc he was such a ******* in contract negotiations and hated by fans bc they made no effort to build a winner. They wanted to be profitable and put out a product that was just good enough to string the fans along.
• Chuck Schmidt 1989-2000 - GM in name only. WCF allowed Wayne Fontes and Bobby Ross to make roster construction decisions, Schmidt was a glorified admin. Resigned the day after MM was hired.
• Bill Tobin 2001-02 - not the GM but as Director of Player Personnel, the former GM of the Bears and Colts was there to hold the GM's hand and mentor the guy who was a former player & sports commentator.
• Matt Millen 2001-08 - I cannot with this guy. Biggest joke in the league, maybe the worst GM in the history of North American team sports. 'nufced
• Martin Mayhew 2008-2015 - Millen acolyte and current GM of the Commanders. Uneven with sporadic success but no clear vision. Fired by Martha a year after WCF passed.

Martha Firestone Ford

• Sheldon White 2015 - interim GM. Starting S on the Lions 1991 team and current Director of Pro Personnel for the Steelers. Not the right guy for the top job but by all accounts a good dude.
• Bob Quinn 2016-2020 - Martha called New York and admitted she knows nothing about football - who could they recommend to consult with the GM search? Which brought us 74 year old Ernie Accorsi. 30 years of mediocrity as a GM made him the best expert they could find? Terrible process resulted in an abysmal failure of a hire. With Quinn we never hire Patricia. Just an abomination.

Super low bar to step over, but still pretty amazing Brad Holmes is the GoAT barely 2 years into the gig. So glad to finally have someone competent making the personnel decisions.

 

[jon_mx]

Holmes has retooled a team with easily the worst roster in the whole league and turned it into one of the favorites to win the NFC next season.

Started with the Stafford trade which we gave up an aging beat-up QB and received a young talented QB, and a few picks which brought us Jamo and whomever we get at #6. Stafford gave the Rams one very good year, but for the Lions the trade was the catalyst for an epic turn around which they will benefit for many seasons to come.
Holme's two drafts were easily top 5 Lions drafts of the last 60 years and probably top 3. This off season was easily the Lions best in terms of signing free agents. Never before had the Lions been able to attract any top talent to come to Detroit and not only sign contracts, but contracts with reasonable terms.
After the draft, the Lions will not only have a solid roster and every position, but also some depth. Goff is the one player we can't afford to lose, but I am guessing Holmes will address that soon. Like maybe sign someone like Lamar Jackson as Goff's backup....

 

[Zeppelin]

Brad Holmes has been on the job for 2 years, 2 months and 1 week. He is already the best GM in the history of the franchise. It's not close.

I was born in 1961 and he is not only the best GM in Lions history but the only competent one in my lifetime.

 

[jon_mx]

NFL Power Rankings: Jets, Dolphins climb after free agency frenzy; Vikings, Packers slip

Who's up and who's down after the initial wave of free agency? In the wake of major wheeling and dealing at the start of the new league year, Dan Hanzus assesses the NFL hierarchy, 1-32.

www.nfl.com

The Lions are #11 on the NFL Power Rankings. I think they are a little better, but far more respect than they have gotten in recent years.

 

[BobbyLayne]

One of the favorites is sort of like arguably, you could make that statement about anything. Lions are favorites to win the NFC, but only 4th in the NFC odds (SF, PHI, DAL.)

2025-26 Super Bowl & NFL Futures Odds: Eagles, Bills, Lions Are Popular

Check out NFL Super Bowl 60 Betting Odds as teams will be looking for a chance to win on February 9, 2025 at Caesars Superdome.

www.vegasinsider.com

 

[BobbyLayne]

Brad Holmes has been on the job for 2 years, 2 months and 1 week. He is already the best GM in the history of the franchise. It's not close.

I was born in 1961 and he is not only the best GM in Lions history but the only competent one in my lifetime.

I'm a year younger, it's uncanny, right? Tigers had a few good GMs - Lajoie, Smith, Dombrowski. Red Wings had Holland, Pistons had Trader Jack. Lions? Zero zip zilch nada.

 

[Da Guru]

Lions are not going after Jackson. They want culture/leader guys, not a QB who did not even travel with his team for a playoff game. That was a bad look for Jackson, just because he was upset with his contract he should have been with his boys in Cinci as he was still getting paid 23 million a year.

Wish the Lions could have signed Johnson to a 2-3 year deal as he is only 26 and been set at safety for a few years.

 

[Snotbubbles]

Pre-draft NFC North odds:

Lions +130
Vikings +310
Bears +320
Packers +410

2025-26 NFC North Division Odds - Conference Winner

2025-26 NFL - NFC North Division Winner betting odds, contenders, history and wagering information provided by VegasInsider.com

www.vegasinsider.com

I'd be all over the Lions on this.

Packers with Rodgers weren't a playoff team, without him, they might win 4 or 5 games. Bears were the worst team in football, they're not going to win the division. So it's a matter of beating the Vikings...probably the luckiest team in the NFL last season and the most overrated team in NFL history.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Lions are not going after Jackson. They want culture/leader guys, not a QB who did not even travel with his team for a playoff game. That was a bad look for Jackson, just because he was upset with his contract he should have been with his boys in Cinci as he was still getting paid 23 million a year.

Wish the Lions could have signed Johnson to a 2-3 year deal as he is only 26 and been set at safety for a few years.

Nice thread title update.

WRT the bolded, he or his agent misjudged the market. Eagles came in with a 3-year above Cam Sutton's but it was b.s., backloaded with $17M non-guaranteed in Y3 (I don't know why teams do this insulting crap, like players don't know they'll never see that non-GTD balloon payment.)

Thought they could do on the open market but it didn't materialize. Jessie Bates got his bag. Either CJGJ or his agent thought it was worth holding out waiting on a $35-40M deal that never came. If you wait too long the market dries up, teams willing to spend are out of Cap Space. Got the Detroit prove it offer, went back to Philly and they said they'd match it, went with Detroit.

He's not hung up about it, business is business, but he only signed here because he thinks it will springboard him to a generational wealth contract in 365.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

It's hard to tell from the thread title if you all are excited

 

[Zeppelin]

It's hard to tell from the thread title if you all are excited

I'm more excited about the Lions than i have ever been in my life and I've been a fan for more than 50 years.

 

[BobbyLayne]

It's hard to tell from the thread title if you all are excited

As fans, we're not accustomed to competent NFL franchise management. We're all just learning how to act as we go. Sort of building the plane while we takeoff so to speak.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

And then you all trade Goff and draft a Rookie QB to reset the clock with a loaded team surrounding that rookie and ensuring success while they learn on the job.



Just enjoy, you all are looking pretty good right now. You are competing against the Bears, Vikings and Packers who will likely be w/o Rodgers
You could easily win the division this year.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Contract numbers are in for cornerback Emmanuel Moseley:

Base salary: $3 million
Signing bonus: $2 million
Up to $1,000,000 per game roster bonus*
A void year in 2024 to spread bonus hit
Only the signing bonus is guaranteed
2023 cap hit of $4.29 million
2024 cap hit of $1M

*the weirdly specific line item is confusing; same as Anzalone, that's THE TOTAL AMOUNT he gets if he plays in the minimum number of games as specified by the terms of the contract (varies by individual), just like AA gets $100K in his contract. fans on Reddit/Twitter think these guys are getting the per game roster bonus x 17 lol.

Anyway, super friendly prove it deal for a guy who could be playing significant snaps.

***************

Guys that started last year are going to be this years backups and if we draft any DBs might lose their jobs. Okudah (746 snaps) we're stuck with, but AJ Parker & Chase Lucas might end up on the street. Mike Hughes (532 snaps) signed with Falcons, Oruwariye (446 snaps) is still a FA. Will Harris (633) will make the team bc he is the only guy on a four-year qualifying contract - it's complicated af but essentially it costs more to cut him than to keep him, and we get a discount on his Cap Hit if we keep him.

LCB - Cam Sutton?
RCB - Emmanuel Moseley?
Slot - Will Harris?

CBs who need a role - Jeff Okudah, Jerry Jacobs (520 snaps), Chase Lucas, A.J. Parker, Bobby Price

FS - CJGJ, Kerby Joseph, Tracy Walker
SS - we kind of don't have one but probably one of the FS, none of them are great in run support

CJ Moore probably makes the team bc he is a ST ace.
I don't know what to make of Ifeatu Melifonwu. Might be going the way of Levi Onwuzurike, gotta be healthy to make the 53-man. Might end quick for both of them.

Few other camp bodies I didn't list who are also on the roster.

 

[Moonlight]

Brad Holmes has been on the job for 2 years, 2 months and 1 week. He is already the best GM in the history of the franchise. It's not close.

Nick Kerbawy is the most successful GM in Lions history, by a good margin. GM 1951-57, a period when the Lions won 3 NFL Championships (1952, 1953, 1957) and lost a 4th (1954.) Aside - In all 4 Title game opponents were the Cleveland Browns.

Great roster in all phases, he must have good at his job, but a couple things. He didn't engineer the 3-way trade in 1950 which landed Bobby Layne and set everything in motion, and it was a minor sport in those days. Baseball was the undisputed national pastime. There was no tv contract, only 12 teams and roster sizes were set at 33 (with a couple minor exceptions) during that entire period. No free agency. Nothing comparable about it - all the players had offseason jobs. CFB was way more popular.

Kerbawy left the Lions to become the GM of the Fort Wayne NBA team which had just relocated to Detroit. Safe to presume he was more of an executive than a talent evaluator.

William Clay Ford

• Edwin Anderson 1958-66 - one of the minority owners WCF bought out. Was the Lions owner during the Championship run. Concurrently, was the President of Goebel Brewing (remember back in the day when that was the cheapest of cheap beers?) Again, more of a businessman and I can't find any evidence he was an athlete or connected to football in any way other than managing the ownership group.
• Russ Thomas 1967-1988 - finally someone most of us have heard of, he did at least have a football background. Played at Ohio State, 4 years with the Lions in the late 40s, assistant coach on the back to back title teams. Was a CPA and basically ran the team the way you would expect a CPA to run a sports franchise. Hey, I'm a Big 4 alumni, I can speak to this stereotype lol. Universally despised by players bc he was such a ******* in contract negotiations and hated by fans bc they made no effort to build a winner. They wanted to be profitable and put out a product that was just good enough to string the fans along.
• Chuck Schmidt 1989-2000 - GM in name only. WCF allowed Wayne Fontes and Bobby Ross to make roster construction decisions, Schmidt was a glorified admin. Resigned the day after MM was hired.
• Bill Tobin 2001-02 - not the GM but as Director of Player Personnel, the former GM of the Bears and Colts was there to hold the GM's hand and mentor the guy who was a former player & sports commentator.
• Matt Millen 2001-08 - I cannot with this guy. Biggest joke in the league, maybe the worst GM in the history of North American team sports. 'nufced
• Martin Mayhew 2008-2015 - Millen acolyte and current GM of the Commanders. Uneven with sporadic success but no clear vision. Fired by Martha a year after WCF passed.

Martha Firestone Ford

• Sheldon White 2015 - interim GM. Starting S on the Lions 1991 team and current Director of Pro Personnel for the Steelers. Not the right guy for the top job but by all accounts a good dude.
• Bob Quinn 2016-2020 - Martha called New York and admitted she knows nothing about football - who could they recommend to consult with the GM search? Which brought us 74 year old Ernie Accorsi. 30 years of mediocrity as a GM made him the best expert they could find? Terrible process resulted in an abysmal failure of a hire. With Quinn we never hire Patricia. Just an abomination.

Super low bar to step over, but still pretty amazing Brad Holmes is the GoAT barely 2 years into the gig. So glad to finally have someone competent making the personnel decisions.

Thanks for this history.

Who did I hate more Russ Thomas or Matt Millen? The Millen hate is fresher but Thomas was there so long.

Thomas took advantage of the fan's passion for the team. As long as they made money everything else was secondary. Joe Schmidt who coached one of the Lions best teams which made the playoffs in 1970 resigned after losing a power struggle with Thomas.

I was against the Millen hiring from the beginning. Which was not the majority opinion. When I heard that Millen was not moving his family to Detroit it further validated my opinion. There always was a lack of commitment and focus in putting in the hours necessary to have a winning organization. I nearly busted a blood vessel when Millen got a second contract.

But the man truly responsible for the lack of success was the Old Man. He didn't like change and didn't light fires under people when it was necessary.

Lions fans knew that there was little hope as long as the Old Man was alive. When he passed there was some hope that a new owner could make a difference. Earlier on it was thought that his son would eventually take over but he oversaw the auto operations. Martha was a place holder and as Bobby Layne mentions was hoodwinked with Ernie Accorsi.

 

[Moonlight]

I think Sheila hiring Chris Spielman as special consultant was the spark that lit the flame. Spielman fits the definition of a Dan Cambell player and can see why Spielman steered her in Campbell's direction. I could detect Spielman's frustration and passion for the Lions even while he was a commentator/announcer.

 

[Moonlight]

The Lions signed Pro Bowl long snapper Jake McQuaide to a one-year contract Monday.

McQuaide, 35, spent 10 seasons with the Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams during Lions general manager Brad Holmes' tenure with the team, before joining the Dallas Cowboys in 2021. He made Pro Bowls with the Rams in 2016-17 and played 21 games with the Cowboys the past two seasons before suffering a torn triceps in October.

Lions offered McQuaide 100K more than Cowboys. This is an example of Holmes goal to improve the team whenever possible even if its just a little. There was some dissatisfaction with Scott Daley and this creates a competition.

 

[Ilov80s]

Tired of the Lamar to the Lions take, it doesn't make much sense at all.

What do you mean, did you not read all his points? When Lamar was in the lineup, they were the sixth best offense. I mean Goff could only lead like the 5th best offense, so of course it makes sense to want to replace him. Really, the Lions need Lamar so they can get away from Goff's horrific team friendly contract and instead be weighted down by the albatross of Lamar's mega contract.

To be fair, the Lions have much better surrounding pieces. Lamar was carrying that Ravens team where as the team here is doing a lot of the heavy lifting for Goff. Also what we could maybe sign Lamar for now might not be far off from what Goff wants in 2024 if this team meets expectations.

 

[Ilov80s]

NFL Power Rankings: Jets, Dolphins climb after free agency frenzy; Vikings, Packers slip

Who's up and who's down after the initial wave of free agency? In the wake of major wheeling and dealing at the start of the new league year, Dan Hanzus assesses the NFL hierarchy, 1-32.

www.nfl.com

The Lions are #11 on the NFL Power Rankings. I think they are a little better, but far more respect than they have gotten in recent years.

They have the Lions falling 2 spots since their last ranking? Wtf

 

[BobbyLayne]

But the man truly responsible for the lack of success was the Old Man. He didn't like change and didn't light fires under people when it was necessary.

Lions fans knew that there was little hope as long as the Old Man was alive. When he passed there was some hope that a new owner could make a difference. Earlier on it was thought that his son would eventually take over but he oversaw the auto operations. Martha was a place holder and as Bobby Layne mentions was hoodwinked with Ernie Accorsi.

But the man truly responsible for the lack of success was the Old Man. He didn't like change and didn't light fires under people when it was necessary.

Lions fans knew that there was little hope as long as the Old Man was alive. When he passed there was some hope that a new owner could make a difference. Earlier on it was thought that his son would eventually take over but he oversaw the auto operations. Martha was a place holder and as Bobby Layne mentions was hoodwinked with Ernie Accorsi.

I’ve written about this before but to understand WCF you merely have to look to the Continental Division. Hank the Deuce was the top dog, and WCF had full autonomy of their revived division. Launched the Continental Mark II in 1956 and for three years they rivaled the Rolls Royce Silver Cloud as the personal car for the ultra wealthy. After losing $60M in three years they pulled rug out from underneath him; so with no division to run anymore he started buying up shares of the Lions.

He was loyal to a fault. He had watched his entire design team get fired, probably felt it was unjust. Always had a hard time firing people. Fundamentally, did not comprehend what would work. Had a great young coach in Joe Schmidt but limited his input on building the team. Went through a litany of coaches, from Super Bowl losers (died of a heart attack in TC), college coaches, retread NFL coaches. Darryl Rogers nailed it: “What exactly does a coach have to do around here to get fire?” Turned out 18-40 was enough.

Bill Ford did seem to revitalize them for a couple years but there’s some dysfunctional family stuff there probably none of us understand. Mom & Pops didn’t want to cede it over to him.

Martha Hamp - the team website no longer lists her maiden name - is there everyday. I get the sense she is super involved with all the hygiene factors. Player engagement, having multiple full time mental health counselors available, keeping the facility up to date, fostering relations with the employees families. Finds out what she can provide Brad or Dan and then stays tf out of the way.

I like her a lot. The football people set the tone but she put all of that onto motion. She knew it was a toxic atmosphere and things had to change. Started with hiring Chris Spielman to be on the search committee. They crushed both hires. Everyone at the time said “no, don’t hire both - hire the GM, and the let him pick the HC he wants.” But they were right to trust themselves. Those guys are totally in sync.

 

[BobbyLayne]

One possible solution to the how to align this defensive backfield Rubik’s cube

Okudah moves to SS

Been suggested, gets poo pooed bc sheesh you can’t move every CB there (Iffy.) But he is good versus the run, and understands zone concepts.

Move Sutton or CJGJ inside. Both have played there before and been effective:

Won’t shake out until post draft but I like that they have some versatile pieces they could move around if they want.

 

[Max Power]

And then you all trade Goff and draft a Rookie QB to reset the clock with a loaded team surrounding that rookie and ensuring success while they learn on the job.



Just enjoy, you all are looking pretty good right now. You are competing against the Bears, Vikings and Packers who will likely be w/o Rodgers
You could easily win the division this year.

Hopefully its Anthony Richardson

 

[Chaka]

And then you all trade Goff and draft a Rookie QB to reset the clock with a loaded team surrounding that rookie and ensuring success while they learn on the job.

I know you're not serious but I could see drafting a QB at #6 if they really have eyes for one of them.

But getting rid of Goff this year shortens their win-now window by at least a year.

Goff may not be a true difference maker, then again maybe he is, but he's good enough to lead a talented, well coached team to a title game. No reason he can't help them hoist a Lombardi.

 

[TartanLion]

And then you all trade Goff and draft a Rookie QB to reset the clock with a loaded team surrounding that rookie and ensuring success while they learn on the job.

I know you're not serious but I could see drafting a QB at #6 if they really have eyes for one of them.

But getting rid of Goff this year shortens their win-now window by at least a year.

Goff may not be a true difference maker, then again maybe he is, but he's good enough to lead a talented, well coached team to a title game. No reason he can't help them hoist a Lombardi.

The main question really is how highly does Holmes rate the QB crop this year amd next year. For this year, specifically Levis and Richardson as they are most likely the ones that could be there at 6.

Richardson in particular is the wildcard as by all accounts teams ratings for him are all over the map. I’m not going to give my personal opinion on Richardson, but theoretically, if Holmes is a GM that rates his potential upside as incredibly high, we would be one of the better teams for him to get drafted by. He could sit for 1-2 years learning, and most likely be utilised in an inventive fashion on sporadic snaps in the meantime, by Ben Johnson

 

[Ilov80s]

One possible solution to the how to align this defensive backfield Rubik’s cube

Okudah moves to SS

Been suggested, gets poo pooed bc sheesh you can’t move every CB there (Iffy.) But he is good versus the run, and understands zone concepts.

Move Sutton or CJGJ inside. Both have played there before and been effective:

Won’t shake out until post draft but I like that they have some versatile pieces they could move around if they want.

Lets face it, they can put Okudah wherever they want, he's likely not getting much PT anywhere unless he takes a big step up or other guys get hurt. He's not long for this team. I know he was a top 5 NFL draft pick but is irrelevant at this point IMO. Now he's just a guy in the last year of his deal who has struggled for 3 straight years.

 

[Ilov80s]

The main question really is how highly does Holmes rate the QB crop this year amd next year. For this year, specifically Levis and Richardson as they are most likely the ones that could be there at 6.

I am not sure next years class matters much. This team isn't planning to be in position to take a marquee QB next year. If we want to get a franchise QB on a rookie deal, this is the year.

 

[SoBeDad]

I am not sure next years class matters much. This team isn't planning to be in position to take a marquee QB next year. If we want to get a franchise QB on a rookie deal, this is the year.

There's a chance that a team trades with SEA at 5, or DET at 6 to draft Levis who I assume will be the last of the big 4 QBs drafted. If DET is really in love with Levis, it would only take their 3rd to move up 1 slot to #5.

Going the other way, to move down 1 slot with LV, it would give DET a mid to late 3rd. And they still get their player. I think LV, TEN, TB, WAS could also be in the mix to trade up.

 

[Ilov80s]

I am not sure next years class matters much. This team isn't planning to be in position to take a marquee QB next year. If we want to get a franchise QB on a rookie deal, this is the year.

There's a chance that a team trades with SEA at 5, or DET at 6 to draft Levis who I assume will be the last of the big 4 QBs drafted. If DET is really in love with Levis, it would only take their 3rd to move up 1 slot to #5.

Going the other way, to move down 1 slot with LV, it would give DET a mid to late 3rd. And they still get their player. I think LV, TEN, TB, WAS could also be in the mix to trade up.

I personally am not a Levis guy so I would much rather take the 3rd and trade back. Then use that 3rd with some other ammo to move up again for another 1st round pick.

That said, I acknowledge I am in no position to be evaluating QBs and if the Lions organization thinks Levis projects to Goff+ then they should make the move to get him.

 

[Ilov80s]

I am also feeling like if the likely scenario of 3 QBs, Anderson and Tyree going top 5 plays out, the Lions won't be able to trade out. Atlanta with Ridder and the signing of Heinicke sure seem to be sending the message they are comfortable at QB. That probably gives the Raiders the confidence (with Jimmy G under contract) to just sit pat and dare Detroit to take him (knowing if Detroit actually wanted Levis, they would never entertain a trade in the first place). That said, it could just be Atlanta trying to set this image up so they can jump up a little cheaper (lack of desperation).

It's a very fascinating spot Detroit is in.

 

[BobbyLayne]

I am not sure next years class matters much. This team isn't planning to be in position to take a marquee QB next year. If we want to get a franchise QB on a rookie deal, this is the year.

There's a chance that a team trades with SEA at 5, or DET at 6 to draft Levis who I assume will be the last of the big 4 QBs drafted. If DET is really in love with Levis, it would only take their 3rd to move up 1 slot to #5.

Going the other way, to move down 1 slot with LV, it would give DET a mid to late 3rd. And they still get their player. I think LV, TEN, TB, WAS could also be in the mix to trade up.

I personally am not a Levis guy so I would much rather take the 3rd and trade back. Then use that 3rd with some other ammo to move up again for another 1st round pick.

That said, I acknowledge I am in no position to be evaluating QBs and if the Lions organization thinks Levis projects to Goff+ then they should make the move to get him.

1.01 Carolina - C.J. Stroud - theory I've heard Frank Reich has never worked with a QB who wasn't accurate + tall, which sounds about as logical as decal scouting.
1.02 Houston - Bryce Young - if he had CJ Stroud's body he would be the highest rated QB prospect since Andrew Luck.
1.03 Arizona - Will Anderson - logically should trade back but the issue is always finding a trading partner.
1.04 Indianapolis - Anthony Richardson - fresh off working with Hurts, Shane Steichen lands a player with raw tools and generational athleticism.
1.05 Seattle - Tyree Wilson - just feels like the right fit, doesn't it.

1.06 Detroit - Oh, crap.

An ultra talented DI is exactly what Detroit is lacking, and the one waiting for them has a wheelbarrow full of red flags. Detroit has strong leadership in it's lock room and the way they preach accountable I think he comes in and gets in line. But it's a polarizing pick, and honestly, sort of makes them look like hypocrites if they select him. Every single time they talk about building the team it's always 100% "it's not just about finding talented guys, they have to be the right kind of player."

Will Levis wanted to throw at the Combine bc he thinks he has a cannon and he wanted to show it off. What we saw is a lot of unimpressive inconsistency. Plus....OK, I know it was a joke, but that mayonnaise in the coffee thing makes me question his decision making process. But seriously I think he has the worst traits of any of the Big 4. Lowest floor, flaws in his mechanics, least mobile, terrible pocket presence. Why would Detroit want to spend the pick on a consolation prize? Same Q only turn it around - who wants to trade up for him? IDK

Potentially a very tough spot if it plays out that way. Glad I don't have to make the decision.

What I'm hoping for is things go squirrely and the Cardinals fall in love with Wilson and Seattle decides it's a good spot to grab a LT or CB. Hoping we have another choice besides Carter or Levis.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

1.03 Arizona - Will Anderson - logically should trade back but the issue is always finding a trading partner.

How about Detroit?

 

[Ilov80s]

An ultra talented DI is exactly what Detroit is lacking, and the one waiting for them has a wheelbarrow full of red flags. Detroit has strong leadership in it's lock room and the way they preach accountable I think he comes in and gets in line. But it's a polarizing pick, and honestly, sort of makes them look like hypocrites if they select him. Every single time they talk about building the team it's always 100% "it's not just about finding talented guys, they have to be the right kind of player."

Will Levis wanted to throw at the Combine bc he thinks he has a cannon and he wanted to show it off. What we saw is a lot of unimpressive inconsistency. Plus....OK, I know it was a joke, but that mayonnaise in the coffee thing makes me question his decision making process. But seriously I think he has the worst traits of any of the Big 4. Lowest floor, flaws in his mechanics, least mobile, terrible pocket presence. Why would Detroit want to spend the pick on a consolation prize? Same Q only turn it around - who wants to trade up for him? IDK

Potentially a very tough spot if it plays out that way. Glad I don't have to make the decision.

What I'm hoping for is things go squirrely and the Cardinals fall in love with Wilson and Seattle decides it's a good spot to grab a LT or CB. Hoping we have another choice besides Carter or Levis.

We are on the same page 1000%. I would trust DC, AG and Bad Brad if they say Carter can get with the program.