2025 Detroit Lions: 1-1 Lions vs Lamar (169 Viewers)

[swabs]

Good to see both Orlovsky and Moore get re-signed

 

[WagesOfZin]

a switch to a 3-4 with some 4-3 hybrid looks could make some sense, given the current roster.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Looks like this reader agrees with me...

http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/03/08/ndamukong-suh-miami-dolphins/24613109/

Drew Sharp isn't a reader, he's a hack sportswriter who's wrong more often than he's right.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

a switch to a 3-4 with some 4-3 hybrid looks could make some sense, given the current roster.

Short term, Vince Wilfork could be someone to plug into a 3-4.

 

[WagesOfZin]

Looks like this reader agrees with me...

http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/03/08/ndamukong-suh-miami-dolphins/24613109/

Drew Sharp isn't a reader, he's a hack sportswriter who's wrong more often than he's right.

agreed. sharp is a complete hack. he's right in that the lions FO carries a great deal of blame in this one though.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

LMFAO, someone in here was actually using Drew Sharp to back up their point?

That dude sucks

 

[BobbyLayne]

Looks like this reader agrees with me...

http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/03/08/ndamukong-suh-miami-dolphins/24613109/

Drew Sharp isn't a reader, he's a hack sportswriter who's wrong more often than he's right.

For such a great sports town - and the D truly is a great sports town - it's amazing how many lousy sportswriters they have had the last 30 years. And before anyone says "well it's Detroit" you might want to remember Oakland county (north of the city and where the Lions played for 30+ years) is one of the most affluent areas in the country. Hell, Tirico lives in A2 year round.

Didn't use to be that way: Jerry Green, Joe Falls and Tom Gage were all phenomenal. Now you have, what, Lynn Henning and the little guy (if you've seen Albom in person you know what I mean). Mike O'Hara was decent at one time but now he's just the Ford's shrill.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Anyway, sorry to Suh go. He gave us 5 good (and a couple really great) seasons.

I never begrudge athletes getting all they can when they can. But this wasn't about money IMO; Detroit was within $2M in guaranteed money over a six-year contract. This was more about a guy needing/wanting a change in scenery. Or maybe he was just sick of the ineptitude of the franchise. Suh is an intelligent guy, there's no upside to coming out now and saying what the real reasons were. But the bottom line is if he really wanted to stay a Lion he would have found a way to work it out. The fact that he is walking over basically $333K per year in guaranteed salary is all I need to know. Whatever his reasons - he's entitled to them, it's not hard to imagine why Barry got fed up after ten years - it doesn't really matter.

It's like when a smoking hot chick walks out of your life. Yeah, you're bummed, but get over it quick because life is moving on, with or without you.

 

[The Captain]

Looks like this reader agrees with me...

http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/03/08/ndamukong-suh-miami-dolphins/24613109/

Drew Sharp isn't a reader, he's a hack sportswriter who's wrong more often than he's right.

For such a great sports town - and the D truly is a great sports town - it's amazing how many lousy sportswriters they have had the last 30 years. And before anyone says "well it's Detroit" you might want to remember Oakland county (north of the city and where the Lions played for 30+ years) is one of the most affluent areas in the country. Hell, Tirico lives in A2 year round.

Didn't use to be that way: Jerry Green, Joe Falls and Tom Gage were all phenomenal. Now you have, what, Lynn Henning and the little guy (if you've seen Albom in person you know what I mean). Mike O'Hara was decent at one time but now he's just the Ford's shrill.

I grew up with those guys. We truly were blessed with first rate sports writers. Albom used to be great, but now he's too busy being a renaissance man to have any sports impact. More power to him, I guess, but I really loved his sports writing in the early 90s.

Still gotta love Wojo though. Great writer and fun to listen to on the radio.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Wojo is ok but the 2 idiots before him are the suck.

 

[The Captain]

Hello Haloti Ngata! No trade terms available but it's all over Twitter and the radio

 

[Spartans Rule]

So the Lions just traded for a 31-year-old with a $16 million cap figure. I guess we should wait for the details but it's hard to imagine this being a good move.

 

[BroncoFreak_2K3]

So the Lions just traded for a 31-year-old with a $16 million cap figure. I guess we should wait for the details but it's hard to imagine this being a good move.

I think when it all shakes out (financially and with pick considerations), they could have kept Suh for the same or less than this deal. SOL...

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

31 year old roid head, would of been cut

 

[jon_mx]

So the Lions just traded for a 31-year-old with a $16 million cap figure. I guess we should wait for the details but it's hard to imagine this being a good move.

He is an $8 million hit to the Lions, he was a $16 million hit to Baltimore. Baltimore saved $8 million off their cap figure. Seems like the Lions got a great player for a position of need.

 

[Ilov80s]

Hard to see a better way to replace the Suh loss. Is a move to 3-4 a done deal now?

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Hard to see a better way to replace the Suh loss. Is a move to 3-4 a done deal now?

Ngata's played in 3-4, 4-3, and hybrids. He's done well in all of them, so I doubt he'd be the reason the Lions would change.

As a Ravens fan, sorry to see him go but it's probably best all around. Ngata still gets to play under his (bigger than what he would've gotten if he'd been cut) contract, Detroit gets a still pretty good player when healthy (plus, he's a good dude), Baltimore gets $8m in relief and a couple of picks in an area they've traditionally done well in.

But the best thing to come out of this trade is that Haloti will be on far fewer CBS games, meaning we'll have a tiny fraction of Jim Nance's pretentious pronunciation of his name. And Simms trying to mimic Nance (& failing) is even worse.

 

[swabs]

31 year old roid head, would of been cut

You realize hardly any drug suspensions are for "roids", right?

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

31 year old roid head, would of been cut

You realize hardly any drug suspensions are for "roids", right?

usually a 4 game suspension is a PED based infraction

 

[Da Guru]

Hard to see a better way to replace the Suh loss. Is a move to 3-4 a done deal now?

It will be a good fit for one season. A little worried how he will play while not on PEDs though. This whole fiasco makes the Eric Ebron pick look worse than it was. Mayhew knew that the Lions were in danger of losing both Suh and Fairley and yet still drafted another TE in the first rd with Aaron Donald sitting there.

 

[swabs]

Hard to see a better way to replace the Suh loss. Is a move to 3-4 a done deal now?

It will be a good fit for one season. A little worried how he will play while not on PEDs though. This whole fiasco makes the Eric Ebron pick look worse than it was. Mayhew knew that the Lions were in danger of losing both Suh and Fairley and yet still drafted another TE in the first rd with Aaron Donald sitting there.

I love how people heap all PED usage as something horrific. Josh Gordon was suspended for freakin Codein. Ngata was for Adderal. He'll be just fine without his "PEDs". As for Ebron, we'll just have to see. I'm not giving up after his rookie season that wasn't THAT bad. Lots of rookies struggle.

 

[WagesOfZin]

31 year old roid head, would of been cut

You realize hardly any drug suspensions are for "roids", right?

usually a 4 game suspension is a PED based infraction

ngata's suspension was for adderall, not steroids.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

31 year old roid head, would of been cut

You realize hardly any drug suspensions are for "roids", right?

usually a 4 game suspension is a PED based infraction

ngata's suspension was for adderall, not steroids.

Yeah im sure thats what they all say

 

[Leroy Hoard]

 

[WagesOfZin]

31 year old roid head, would of been cut

You realize hardly any drug suspensions are for "roids", right?

usually a 4 game suspension is a PED based infraction

ngata's suspension was for adderall, not steroids.

Yeah im sure thats what they all say

thanks for clearing things up for me. much appreciated.

 

[Spartans Rule]

So the Lions just traded for a 31-year-old with a $16 million cap figure. I guess we should wait for the details but it's hard to imagine this being a good move.

He is an $8 million hit to the Lions, he was a $16 million hit to Baltimore. Baltimore saved $8 million off their cap figure. Seems like the Lions got a great player for a position of need.

Yeah, didn't realize half that cap figure was from a signing bonus. At $8 million for this year and only costing some late-round picks (which the Lions never get anything out of anyway), it doesn't seem too bad.

 

[Freelove]

31 year old roid head, would of been cut

You realize hardly any drug suspensions are for "roids", right?

usually a 4 game suspension is a PED based infraction

ngata's suspension was for adderall, not steroids.

Yeah im sure thats what they all say

The NFL bends over backwards to make it easy as #### to avoid getting busted for PED's. They have to. A league full of 300 lb monsters benching 600 lbs and 250 lb LB's running 4.5's has virtually 100% PED use among the positions where it would provide a meaningful advantage. The PED policy is an IQ test, not a method of rule enforcement.

 

[Spartans Rule]

Hard to see a better way to replace the Suh loss. Is a move to 3-4 a done deal now?

I hope not. Ansah really seems best suited to be a 4-3 DE and he's the guy they need to make those decisions around.

 

[Faust]

On The Clock: Who should Lions take in NFL Draft at No. 23?

 

[Faust]

Depth Perception: Predicting Lions' six picks in 2015 draft

 

[msudaisy26]

Anyway, sorry to Suh go. He gave us 5 good (and a couple really great) seasons.

I never begrudge athletes getting all they can when they can. But this wasn't about money IMO; Detroit was within $2M in guaranteed money over a six-year contract. This was more about a guy needing/wanting a change in scenery. Or maybe he was just sick of the ineptitude of the franchise. Suh is an intelligent guy, there's no upside to coming out now and saying what the real reasons were. But the bottom line is if he really wanted to stay a Lion he would have found a way to work it out. The fact that he is walking over basically $333K per year in guaranteed salary is all I need to know. Whatever his reasons - he's entitled to them, it's not hard to imagine why Barry got fed up after ten years - it doesn't really matter.

It's like when a smoking hot chick walks out of your life. Yeah, you're bummed, but get over it quick because life is moving on, with or without you.

With Michigan state taxes and Florida's no state tax it was closer to 5 million in guarantees.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Anyway, sorry to Suh go. He gave us 5 good (and a couple really great) seasons.

I never begrudge athletes getting all they can when they can. But this wasn't about money IMO; Detroit was within $2M in guaranteed money over a six-year contract. This was more about a guy needing/wanting a change in scenery. Or maybe he was just sick of the ineptitude of the franchise. Suh is an intelligent guy, there's no upside to coming out now and saying what the real reasons were. But the bottom line is if he really wanted to stay a Lion he would have found a way to work it out. The fact that he is walking over basically $333K per year in guaranteed salary is all I need to know. Whatever his reasons - he's entitled to them, it's not hard to imagine why Barry got fed up after ten years - it doesn't really matter.

It's like when a smoking hot chick walks out of your life. Yeah, you're bummed, but get over it quick because life is moving on, with or without you.

With Michigan state taxes and Florida's no state tax it was closer to 5 million in guarantees.

4,25% x $58M = $2.465M

Less $976K less in Fed Income Tax

Net tax difference $1.489M over 6 years - about $250K /yr

 

[msudaisy26]

Anyway, sorry to Suh go. He gave us 5 good (and a couple really great) seasons.

I never begrudge athletes getting all they can when they can. But this wasn't about money IMO; Detroit was within $2M in guaranteed money over a six-year contract. This was more about a guy needing/wanting a change in scenery. Or maybe he was just sick of the ineptitude of the franchise. Suh is an intelligent guy, there's no upside to coming out now and saying what the real reasons were. But the bottom line is if he really wanted to stay a Lion he would have found a way to work it out. The fact that he is walking over basically $333K per year in guaranteed salary is all I need to know. Whatever his reasons - he's entitled to them, it's not hard to imagine why Barry got fed up after ten years - it doesn't really matter.

It's like when a smoking hot chick walks out of your life. Yeah, you're bummed, but get over it quick because life is moving on, with or without you.

With Michigan state taxes and Florida's no state tax it was closer to 5 million in guarantees.

4,25% x $58M = $2.465MLess $976K less in Fed Income Tax

Net tax difference $1.489M over 6 years - about $250K /yr

I am not an accountant, I just remember when he signed with the Dolphins, that several media sources say the Lions need to get to about 65 million guaranteed to match the dolphins.http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/12444126/ndamukong-suh-sign-6-year-114-million-deal-miami-dolphins

 

[BobbyLayne]

Stand by what I said; this wasn't about a couples million over six years. The guy wanted a change. He's entitled to do whatever he wants.

Move forward.

 

[TwinTurbo]

So what do Lions fans think of the Laken Tomlinson pick?

 

[matuski]

I'm glad they spent the pick on a lineman.. not the one I wanted, but

 

[Ditkaless Wonders]

His interview with Suzy Kolber impressed the hell out of me. I wish him well.

 

[Alex P Keaton]

His interview with Suzy Kolber impressed the hell out of me. I wish him well.

Yep. Impressive guy. Based on his interview and grin though, I'd say he wins the Jonathan Martin Award as the rookie most likely to get hazed.

 

[matuski]

Pretty happy with the big corner and Jahvid Best 2.0.

eta - Ramirez isn't a bad depth add for Oline as well!

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Pretty happy with the big corner and Jahvid Best 2.0.

eta - Ramirez isn't a bad depth add for Oline as well!

It will take time of course to tell how good these guys turn out but they seemed to at least consider need some this time around.

JB 2.0 needs to keep his tiny hands secure around the ball and he could be an open space RB/kick returner as well as maybe a 3rd/slot WR in certain formations.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

Jahvid best 2.0?? I dont get that at all from aa

 

[Ray Barboni]

Signed rookie FA Zach Zenner ....

LOVE this pickup - pair this kid with AA, the improved o-line, we are going to have a very formidable run game.

Caldwell doing a fantastic job this offseason

 

[msudaisy26]

Jahvid best 2.0?? I dont get that at all from aa

I think he is saying as a scat back, not the injury history.

 

[TartanLion]

Pretty happy overall.

Corey Robinson is quite an interesting late round pickup.

Abdullah's fumbles went down every year in college, hopefully that trend continues. Otherwise, I'm excited by his prospects and I like that we also focused on good characters in this draft as well

 

[Faust]

Greg Cosell analyzes Lions’ draft picks

 

[TartanLion]

So chaps, what we thinking ?

Schedule looks rrrrough this year. I actually think we could play not that badly and end up around 8-8.

Hoping the D doesn't fall away too much. It's not unreasonable to expect that we could still be a top 8-12 overall D. The run D will no doubt regress but we have strength at the back end these days and can hope that continues to improve.

Hopefully the run game flourishes and Stafford etc are more comfortable with the playbook a year further on.

Still, tough schedule and I don't particularly like our chances of a playoff spot unless we can somehow win our division.

 

[Ilov80s]

So chaps, what we thinking ?

Schedule looks rrrrough this year. I actually think we could play not that badly and end up around 8-8.

Hoping the D doesn't fall away too much. It's not unreasonable to expect that we could still be a top 8-12 overall D. The run D will no doubt regress but we have strength at the back end these days and can hope that continues to improve.

Hopefully the run game flourishes and Stafford etc are more comfortable with the playbook a year further on.

Still, tough schedule and I don't particularly like our chances of a playoff spot unless we can somehow win our division.

Terrible schedule. I think 8-8 is about right. Bad start, but finish strong. I am really curious to see how well Ngata can replace Suh. If he's still got a Pro Bowl caliber season left in the tank, the D might be ok. His play will really make or break the season. I hope Tulloch is fully recovered and playing as well as he had prior to the injury. He can be a tackling machine behind a stout Ngata. Ebron needs to take a step forward as well. If he can become that needed 3rd guy in the passing game, I think the offense could be as productive as just about any offense in the NFL.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Slow start but finish well to be 9-7.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Fast start solid middle strong late 12-4.

Deep run, at least to the NFCC if not 50.

Not drunk.

 

[BobbyLayne]

MLive's projected final 53:

Kyle Meinke's 53-man roster projection

Quarterbacks (3) -- Matthew Stafford, Dan Orlovsky, Kellen Moore

Change: None

Analysis: There's been a lot of speculation about whether the Lions will carry a third quarterback, given some of the injuries that have popped up at other positions. But at the end of the day, I think Detroit feels most comfortable with three guys in that room and isn't willing to give up on Moore just months after inking him to a two-year deal that guaranteed him more money than Orlovsky.

Tailbacks (5) -- Joique Bell, Ameer Abdullah, Theo Riddick, Zach Zenner, Michael Burton

Out: George Winn, Emil Igwenagu
Change: None
Analysis: Only two of Zenner's seven first-half carries gained positive yardage against Buffalo. He finished with 10 carries and just 21 yards for the game. But his roster spot should still be safe. His struggles -- just like anyone else who tried to carry the football, or throw it -- were a product of terrible offensive line play. The bottom line is this: Zenner would never make it to the practice squad, and the Lions aren't prepared to lose him. So he should have no problem sticking as the fourth tailback.

Receivers (5) -- Calvin Johnson, Golden Tate, Corey Fuller, Lance Moore, Jeremy Ross

Out: TJ Jones, Greg Salas
Change: None

Analysis: I gave Jones strong consideration, just like I suspect the Lions will. He has higher upside than Jeremy Ross as a receiver, and there's a possibility he won't make it to the practice squad. But you must also consider that most of his production came against second- and third-stringers.

Tight ends (3) -- Eric Ebron, Brandon Pettigrew, Timothy Wright

Out: Joseph Fauria, Casey Pierce
Change: Wright in/ Fauria out
Analysis: I always thought Fauria would be on the ropes if the Lions had a viable alternative. But they never did -- until this week. Detroit traded for Wright, and I think it did so intending to keep him. Why else acquire him, knowing you wouldn't get much of a look at him before cut day? Wright does a lot of the same things as Fauria, as a pass-catching tight end who can work out of the slot or split out wide. But unlike Fauria, he can play the whole field and doesn't have an injury issues. Fauria's ankle has bothered him longer than anyone expected, and there are fears it could pose future problems as well.

Offensive line (8) -- Riley Reiff, Laken Tomlinson, Travis Swanson, Larry Warford, Cornelius Lucas, Manny Ramirez, LaAdrian Waddle, Taylor Boggs

Out: Corey Robinson, Xavier Proctor, Al Bond, Torrian Wilson, Braxton Cave
Change: None.
Analysis: Larry Warford's high ankle sprain is the only uncertainty at this position. If it lingers, Detroit could carry a guy like Boggs to bolster the depth. Boggs has impressed coaches enough, he might make the 53 regardless.

Defensive line (10) -- Ezekiel Ansah, Jason Jones, Devin Taylor, Darryl Tapp, Phillip Hunt, Haloti Ngata, Caraun Reid, Tyrunn Walker, Gabe Wright, Jermelle Cudjo

Out: Larry Webster, Corey Wootten, Kerry Hyder, Jerel Worthy
Change: None
Analysis:
 The Lions wanted Larry Webster to step up this offseason, with George Johnson out of the picture. But he has not been extant as a pass-rusher, both in practices and games. Phillip Hunt, meantime, continues to produce. That includes another sack against Buffalo. Here's betting Detroit cuts its losses with Webster, a boom-or-bust guy who is looking more like the latter all the time.

Linebackers (6) -- DeAndre Levy, Stephen Tulloch, Tahir Whitehead, Josh Bynes, Kyle Van Noy, Travis Lewis

Out: Brandon Copeland, Julian Stanford
Change: None
Analysis: Copeland is a tough cut, because he's shown a lot of versatility as a pass-rusher. But he and Hunt can't both make it, and Hunt provides the Lions with a little more depth at a position that needs it with Webster not working out.

Defensive backs (10) -- Darius Slay, Rashean Mathis, Josh Wilson, Nevin Lawson, Quandre Diggs, Alex Carter, Glover Quin, James Ihedigbo, Isa Abdul-Quddus, Don Carey

Out: Crezdon Butler, Isaiah Johnson, Nate Ness, Brian Suite
Change: None
Analysis: Carter's stubborn ankle injury could force Detroit to roll 10-deep at cornerback. The only variable is whether he gets put on injured reserve, possibly with a designation to return. That would cost Carter at least half the season, but also free up a roster spot (although not until next week, when that list becomes available).

Specialists (3) -- Matt Prater, Sam Martin, Don Muhlbach

Out: None.
Change: None
Analysis: Don Muhlbach. Rinse. Repeat.

Justin Rogers' 53-man roster projection
Quarterbacks (3) -- Matthew Stafford, Dan Orlovsky, Kellen Moore
Out: None
Change: None
Analysis: Injury concerns on both the offensive and defensive lines could force the Lions' hand with Moore, but I have to believe the fourth-year quarterback showed enough in the preseason finale -- completing 16 of 22 passes behind a patchwork offensive line -- to justify another year of development.

Offensive line (8) -- Riley Reiff, Laken Tomlinson, Travis Swanson, Larry Warford, LaAdrian Waddle, Cornelius Lucas, Manny Ramirez, Taylor Boggs
Out: Corey Robinson, Xavier Proctor, Al Bond, Braxton Cave, Torrian Wilson, Joe Madsen
Change: Robinson out
Change: None
Analysis: My prediction hinges on Larry Warford's health. If he's good to go for Week 1, the Lions are more likely to keep a fourth tackle (Robinson) and let Boggs go, despite a quality preseason performance.

Running backs (5) -- Joique Bell, Ameer Abdullah, Theo Riddick, Michael Burton, Zach Zenner
Out: George Winn, Emil Igwenagu
Analysis: Zenner didn't have a strong finish to the preseason, but that can largely be blamed on poor blocking up front. He was hit in the backfield almost every time he touched the ball against Buffalo. Fortunately for him, he did enough in the first three exhibition contests to earn his spot.

Tight ends (3) -- Eric Ebron, Brandon Pettigrew, Tim Wright
Out: Casey Pierce, Deon Butler, Joseph Fauria
Change: Fauria out/Wright in
Analysis: I have a difficult time suggesting the Lions let Fauria go with no compensation, but it takes two to tango when it comes to making a trade. The Lions have long had their eye on Wright, and even though they gave up little to get him, the acquisition was made with a purpose.

Wide receivers (5) -- Calvin Johnson, Golden Tate, Lance Moore, Corey Fuller, Jeremy Ross
Out: TJ Jones, Greg Salas
Change: None
Analysis: Jones made a strong bid for a job, and it shouldn't surprise anyone if the Lions ultimately choose to go that direction, but his preseason performances came against a lower level of competition and should be viewed through that lens.

Defensive line (10) -- Ezekiel Ansah, Jason Jones, Devin Taylor, Darryl Tapp, Phillip Hunt, Haloti Ngata, Tyrunn Walker, Caraun Reid, Gabe Wright, Jermelle Cudjo
Out: Corey Wootton, Larry Webster, Jerel Worthy, Kerry Hyder, Roy Philon
Change: Cudjo in
Analysis: The Lions could get away with carrying just four defensive ends, but how do you justify cutting Hunt? He's been the team's best pass rusher this preseason. As for Cudjo, he also shined in the preseason, and with Reid not likely to be ready for the opener, Detroit will need to carry an extra interior lineman.

Linebackers (6) -- DeAndre Levy, Stephen Tulloch, Tahir Whitehead, Kyle Van Noy, Josh Bynes, Travis Lewis
Out: Julian Stanford, Brandon Copeland
Change: None
Analysis: Van Noy played and played well in the preseason finale, alleviating concerns he could need another IR stint. Bynes and Lewis have positional flexibility and offer plenty of special teams. Stanford is right in the mix as well.

Defensive backs (10) -- Darius Slay, Rashean Mathis, Alex Carter, Nevin Lawson, Josh Wilson, Quandre Diggs, Glover Quin, James Ihedigbo, Isa Abdul-Quddus, Don Carey
Out: Crezdon Butler, Jocquel Skinner, Nate Ness, Isaiah Johnson and Brian Suite
Change: None
Analysis: Nevin Lawson struggled during the preseason with his physicality leading to penalties, but you can see the potential just in his proximity to the receiver when the ball arrives. Isaiah Johnson is a no-brainer for the practice squad if he clears waivers.

Specialists (3) -- Matt Prater, Sam Martin, Don Muhlbach
Out: None
Change: None
Analysis: Well, there are no other options on the roster.