Lions sign Mike Bell and Jerome Harrison (1 Viewer)

[Raiderfan32904]

Who'd a thunk it? Traded for each other last year and now on the same team.

DetroitLionsNFL Detroit Lions by caplannflThe #Lions have signed RB Mike Bell and RB Jerome Harrison. The team released FB Preston Dial and waived/injured CB Maurice Leggett.

 

[JuSt CuZ]

Who's a thunk it? Traded for each other last year and now on the same team

Little more detail on signings, less talk about your team, lol. j/kHope it works out, Lions need a #2 for sure!

 

[Banger]

good for Best. No threat there.

 

[gandalas]

Ugh. That could not be a less exciting tandem.

I disagree completely, at least on the Harrison side. Whenever he was given a shot, he played well. Unfortunately, he is a similar type back to Best, isn't he? Defintely not a power back.

 

[ATC1]

Who's a thunk it? Traded for each other last year and now on the same team

Little more detail on signings, less talk about your team, lol. j/kHope it works out, Lions need a #2 for sure!

 

[ATC1]

good for Best. No threat there.

This is a bit concerning. (Rotoworld) Ravens RB Ricky Williams claimed that Lions offensive coordinator Scott Linehan said he'd get 15-20 carries a game if he signed in Detroit.

 

[JuSt CuZ]

The team released FB Preston Dial and waived/injured CB Maurice Leggett to make room for Bell and Harrison.

According to some on here, Leggett was gonna help team, shows how much homers know...blinded by the moment.

 

[Banger]

good for Best. No threat there.

This is a bit concerning. (Rotoworld) Ravens RB Ricky Williams claimed that Lions offensive coordinator Scott Linehan said he'd get 15-20 carries a game if he signed in Detroit.

ya but Ricky >>> either of those guys.

 

[simey]

good for Best. No threat there.

This is a bit concerning. (Rotoworld) Ravens RB Ricky Williams claimed that Lions offensive coordinator Scott Linehan said he'd get 15-20 carries a game if he signed in Detroit.

i wonder how many he is going to get with the Ravens.

 

[Banger]

good for Best. No threat there.

This is a bit concerning. (Rotoworld) Ravens RB Ricky Williams claimed that Lions offensive coordinator Scott Linehan said he'd get 15-20 carries a game if he signed in Detroit.

i wonder how many he is going to get with the Ravens.

Probably what McGahee got, maybe a couple more.

 

[Sweet Love]

good for Best. No threat there.

This is a bit concerning. (Rotoworld) Ravens RB Ricky Williams claimed that Lions offensive coordinator Scott Linehan said he'd get 15-20 carries a game if he signed in Detroit.

i wonder how many he is going to get with the Ravens.

That is exactly why Ricky is still playing...people forget, but one of the reasons he retired was that Wannstedt was going to run him into the ground by the time he was 27-28. If you are trying to lure RW, the last you want to tell him is that you are going to feed him the rock...make something up about leading team stretches or something like that.

 

[Wyld Stallyns]

good for Best. No threat there.

This is a bit concerning. (Rotoworld) Ravens RB Ricky Williams claimed that Lions offensive coordinator Scott Linehan said he'd get 15-20 carries a game if he signed in Detroit.

ya but Ricky >>> either of those guys.

And that's what they had slated for LeShoure's workload. No surprise there... Other than to delusional Best owners.

 

[ATC1]

good for Best. No threat there.

This is a bit concerning. (Rotoworld) Ravens RB Ricky Williams claimed that Lions offensive coordinator Scott Linehan said he'd get 15-20 carries a game if he signed in Detroit.

ya but Ricky >>> either of those guys.

And that's what they had slated for LeShoure's workload. No surprise there... Other than to delusional Best owners.

Right, but Best immediately shot up the draft boards the moment LeShoure went down. That statement says that DET is not going to increase Best's work load even though they are bringing in a aging Vet. Tells me to sell Best or not to take him where he will be going now in redraft leagues.

 

[Wyld Stallyns]

good for Best. No threat there.

This is a bit concerning. (Rotoworld) Ravens RB Ricky Williams claimed that Lions offensive coordinator Scott Linehan said he'd get 15-20 carries a game if he signed in Detroit.

ya but Ricky >>> either of those guys.

And that's what they had slated for LeShoure's workload. No surprise there... Other than to delusional Best owners.

Right, but Best immediately shot up the draft boards the moment LeShoure went down. That statement says that DET is not going to increase Best's work load even though they are bringing in a aging Vet. Tells me to sell Best or not to take him where he will be going now in redraft leagues.

I think that would've held true if they'd gotten Ricky, but who knows with the Bell/Harrison signings. I guess you could look at it like they know they won't be able to lean on Bell the way they would've LeShoure or Ricky, so they opted to sign Harrison too (who is more in the mold of Best) as another option for lightening his load.At the end of the day though, Best (if healthy) will be the most talented RB on the roster and will get plenty of work. I wouldn't drop him too far personally, I think this whole situation has shaken out perfectly as far as his value this year.

 

[Shutout]

good for Best. No threat there.

This is a bit concerning. (Rotoworld) Ravens RB Ricky Williams claimed that Lions offensive coordinator Scott Linehan said he'd get 15-20 carries a game if he signed in Detroit.

All that tells me is Ricky williams is smart enough to know when a man is lying to his face.c'Mon people! The team panicked and was scrambling to get what they thought was the best Leshoure replacement yesterday and they knew they had competition so they told them what they THOUGHT he wanted to hear. teams routinely lie all through March and April ON TV, then turn around and do complete opposites when camps open and draft times comes. Is it so far fetched to think they would lie to a man in private? Really.

IF the Lions really saw Ricky Williams as a guy they would let run the ball that much on their team, he would have been signed 2 weeks ago. This is fluff.

All the people that want to talk about Best being made of glass or, more recently, piling on Foster for a tweaked Hammy, really ought to be looking at their golden boy Ryan matthews: That's the guy that can't stay healthy.

 

[Banger]

good for Best. No threat there.

This is a bit concerning. (Rotoworld) Ravens RB Ricky Williams claimed that Lions offensive coordinator Scott Linehan said he'd get 15-20 carries a game if he signed in Detroit.

ya but Ricky >>> either of those guys.

And that's what they had slated for LeShoure's workload. No surprise there... Other than to delusional Best owners.

Right, but Best immediately shot up the draft boards the moment LeShoure went down. That statement says that DET is not going to increase Best's work load even though they are bringing in a aging Vet. Tells me to sell Best or not to take him where he will be going now in redraft leagues.

I think that would've held true if they'd gotten Ricky, but who knows with the Bell/Harrison signings. I guess you could look at it like they know they won't be able to lean on Bell the way they would've LeShoure or Ricky, so they opted to sign Harrison too (who is more in the mold of Best) as another option for lightening his load.At the end of the day though, Best (if healthy) will be the most talented RB on the roster and will get plenty of work. I wouldn't drop him too far personally, I think this whole situation has shaken out perfectly as far as his value this year.

that's my take as well. Pretty much best case scenario in terms of fillers for Leshoure going down.

 

[Doug B]

All that tells me is Ricky williams is smart enough to know when a man is lying to his face.

Linehan's words to Ricky are meaningless when it comes to evaluating the Lions' current backfield.Mike Bell, if healthy, can take a lot of the inside- and short-yardage carries. Excellent in that role for the Saints two years ago.

 

[Hoosier16]

Ugh. That could not be a less exciting tandem.

I disagree completely, at least on the Harrison side. Whenever he was given a shot, he played well. Unfortunately, he is a similar type back to Best, isn't he? Defintely not a power back.

I take it you bought into the hype last year? There is plenty of discussion about him from people like me who warned against him last year and within that discussion you'll find your point refuted. I don't want to get into all of it again, but he benefited from a large workload late in the year. He didn't actually play well. If he was such a talent then he wouldn't have been traded straight up for Mike Bell. Oh wait, I forgot, the Cleveland staff was stupid and he could have put up top 10 numbers while the Browns went 11-5 if they had given him the ball 40 times a game...(Not saying that's your stance, but that's a paraphrased argument from Harrison supporters last year after they got burned.)

I'm not saying Harrison is any kind of stud but please tell me how in the world do you not play well in a game where you put up 286 yards and 3 TDs?

 

[Mark Wimer]

good for Best. No threat there.

This is a bit concerning. (Rotoworld) Ravens RB Ricky Williams claimed that Lions offensive coordinator Scott Linehan said he'd get 15-20 carries a game if he signed in Detroit.

ya but Ricky >>> either of those guys.

And that's what they had slated for LeShoure's workload. No surprise there... Other than to delusional Best owners.

Right, but Best immediately shot up the draft boards the moment LeShoure went down. That statement says that DET is not going to increase Best's work load even though they are bringing in a aging Vet. Tells me to sell Best or not to take him where he will be going now in redraft leagues.

I think that would've held true if they'd gotten Ricky, but who knows with the Bell/Harrison signings. I guess you could look at it like they know they won't be able to lean on Bell the way they would've LeShoure or Ricky, so they opted to sign Harrison too (who is more in the mold of Best) as another option for lightening his load.At the end of the day though, Best (if healthy) will be the most talented RB on the roster and will get plenty of work. I wouldn't drop him too far personally, I think this whole situation has shaken out perfectly as far as his value this year.

that's my take as well. Pretty much best case scenario in terms of fillers for Leshoure going down.

Neither Bell nor Harrison is going to take away enough work to stop Best from progressing this season (as long as he stays healthy). Detroit had 404 rushing attempts last year, and may have more this season if Best stays in good shape. But he isn't going to carry the ball 404 or more times all by himself. Bell and Harrison will get a few carries here and there (if they stick on the roster past training camp - Maurice Morris and Aaron Brown are still in the mix in DET, too).

 

[Banger]

good for Best. No threat there.

This is a bit concerning. (Rotoworld) Ravens RB Ricky Williams claimed that Lions offensive coordinator Scott Linehan said he'd get 15-20 carries a game if he signed in Detroit.

ya but Ricky >>> either of those guys.

And that's what they had slated for LeShoure's workload. No surprise there... Other than to delusional Best owners.

Right, but Best immediately shot up the draft boards the moment LeShoure went down. That statement says that DET is not going to increase Best's work load even though they are bringing in a aging Vet. Tells me to sell Best or not to take him where he will be going now in redraft leagues.

I think that would've held true if they'd gotten Ricky, but who knows with the Bell/Harrison signings. I guess you could look at it like they know they won't be able to lean on Bell the way they would've LeShoure or Ricky, so they opted to sign Harrison too (who is more in the mold of Best) as another option for lightening his load.At the end of the day though, Best (if healthy) will be the most talented RB on the roster and will get plenty of work. I wouldn't drop him too far personally, I think this whole situation has shaken out perfectly as far as his value this year.

that's my take as well. Pretty much best case scenario in terms of fillers for Leshoure going down.

Neither Bell nor Harrison is going to take away enough work to stop Best from progressing this season (as long as he stays healthy). Detroit had 404 rushing attempts last year, and may have more this season if Best stays in good shape. But he isn't going to carry the ball 404 or more times all by himself. Bell and Harrison will get a few carries here and there (if they stick on the roster past training camp - Maurice Morris and Aaron Brown are still in the mix in DET, too).

Ya, I wouldn't be surprised if they brought them in to go head to head and one of the two sticks to the 53 man roster. Two man enter one man leave

 

[Stealthycat]

if Snelling had held out just 2-3 more days .........

 

[Raiderfan32904]

All that tells me is Ricky williams is smart enough to know when a man is lying to his face.

Linehan's words to Ricky are meaningless when it comes to evaluating the Lions' current backfield.Mike Bell, if healthy, can take a lot of the inside- and short-yardage carries. Excellent in that role for the Saints two years ago.

Agree....If there's a battle of the backs with Bell and Harrison going to war, I think Bell has the advantage because of his superior GL work he showed with the Saints 2 years ago. Harrison is a poor mans' Jahvid Best, so his role is less defined.

 

[Alluro]

Kevin Smith must have really ticked someone off in that organization.

He obviously wasn't a stud, but he definitely displayed enough talent to stick around in the NFL:

Mike Bell? ...really?

 

[HooQuaker]

Prelude: My friend league drafts live every year, and this year we drafted early because of life/scheduling issues for everyone. This happens a bit, so we have a friendly rule that if a drafted player goes down in the preseason we get three days to ask for his backup before he becomes available to other owners. As you can guess, I had Leshoure.

I cannot wait until the end of preseason. I basically have to decide soon between Harrison or Bell. Could the shark pool help me here? I think that Harrison is the better overall back but Bell suits what the Lions are looking for, so I am undecided. Thanks for your input, and yes, it's important. I'll take all the depth I can get. I spent a mid rounder on Leshoure.

 

[Otis]

The Hawk flies at night

 

[Ilov80s]

Kevin Smith must have really ticked someone off in that organization.

He obviously wasn't a stud, but he definitely displayed enough talent to stick around in the NFL:

That was 3 years and a significant knee injury ago.

 

[Anthony Borbely]

The team released FB Preston Dial and waived/injured CB Maurice Leggett to make room for Bell and Harrison.According to some on here, Leggett was gonna help team, shows how much homers know...blinded by the moment.

First, Leggett was signed before the Lions signed Eric Wright and Chris Houston. They had little depth at that point, especially with Alphonso Smith being hurt. Even before that, the most he would have ever been on this team was a corner in the dime package. He was never going to be more than a bit player. He is also an excellent special teams player, especially in coverage. Even with that, the main reason he was cut had nothing to do with his ability. He had a neck injury last season that is still giving him problems. He was waived/injured.

 

[Doug B]

I cannot wait until the end of preseason. I basically have to decide soon between Harrison or Bell. Could the shark pool help me here? I think that Harrison is the better overall back but Bell suits what the Lions are looking for, so I am undecided. Thanks for your input, and yes, it's important. I'll take all the depth I can get. I spent a mid rounder on Leshoure.

At least Bell can have legit chances at TDs right out of the box, though with Best around he'll never rack up yardage. Doesn't seem like Harrison can have much fantasy impact without two injuries taking place ahead of him.

 

[Banger]

The Hawk flies at night

haha

 

[Couch Potato]

Prelude: My friend league drafts live every year, and this year we drafted early because of life/scheduling issues for everyone. This happens a bit, so we have a friendly rule that if a drafted player goes down in the preseason we get three days to ask for his backup before he becomes available to other owners. As you can guess, I had Leshoure.I cannot wait until the end of preseason. I basically have to decide soon between Harrison or Bell. Could the shark pool help me here? I think that Harrison is the better overall back but Bell suits what the Lions are looking for, so I am undecided. Thanks for your input, and yes, it's important. I'll take all the depth I can get. I spent a mid rounder on Leshoure.

I wouldn't get too caught up in the "Leshoure role" as people are calling it. They'll keep 4 RBs: Best, Morris, Harrison, and either Aaron Brown or Bell. There's no assurance Bell is still with them on 9/11. And while he'd be the bigger short yardage back, Harrison is simply the better back and would be the guy to own if Best were hurt. They could use FB Felton in short yardage too. Harrison is definitely the handcuff and the guy I'd keep of the two.

 

[Iwannabeacowboybaby!]

I know I'm beating a dead horse here but this is exactly why the Lions didn't even need to take a 2nd round pick as a RB. At worst you get a couple of vets to sub in there along with Morris to compliment J. Best and you invest in guys that will protect your QB and open holes for these Rb's.

If the Lions were going to make the playoffs, they still will this year. We're not going to look back at the end of this season and say, "well, if they only would have had Leshoure, they would have made the playoffs."

It will take either more injuries to key players or they just aren't as good as we thought. I'm not happy with last year's draft, their top 3 picks won't even help them to start the season off, so basically they have some improvement at linebacker, hopefully a healthier Best and Stafford and try to pick up where they left off last year.

As of right now, they're still good enough to compete with teams like Tampa Bay and Dallas, whom they have on their schedule in the first month of real football.

 

[MikeApf]

good for Best. No threat there.

Are you saying that signing Bell was just a ploy to motivate Best?

 

[Ministry of Pain]

I know I'm beating a dead horse here but this is exactly why the Lions didn't even need to take a 2nd round pick as a RB. At worst you get a couple of vets to sub in there along with Morris to compliment J. Best and you invest in guys that will protect your QB and open holes for these Rb's.

If the Lions were going to make the playoffs, they still will this year. We're not going to look back at the end of this season and say, "well, if they only would have had Leshoure, they would have made the playoffs."

It will take either more injuries to key players or they just aren't as good as we thought. I'm not happy with last year's draft, their top 3 picks won't even help them to start the season off, so basically they have some improvement at linebacker, hopefully a healthier Best and Stafford and try to pick up where they left off last year.

As of right now, they're still good enough to compete with teams like Tampa Bay and Dallas, whom they have on their schedule in the first month of real football.

 

[Hipple Long Ware & Peete]

I didn't think you could cut injured players? How do they waive Leggett?

eta misremembered. you can't cut injured players without paying them severance/injury stetllement.

as per yahoo post

In the case of free agents brought into camp, they are given a stipend which is basically enough money for them to travel home. A player under contract is simply cut with no severance pay. The exception to this rule is a player who is cut while injured.The player is then given an injury settlement. Each team videotapes it's practices to refer back to if the player files for an injury settlement (to determine if and when an injury occured). Each team has a person in their office (usually an assistant personel director) who closely monitors all cuts made by other teams. The cut players with potential are often brought into camp by another team, or contacted to find out what their future plans are (trying to stay in football or giving it up). All teams will express interest in some free agents they are cutting for the player to stay ready to be brought back to the team in case of injury. These players cannot be paid in any way shape or form by the team. The only "guaranteed" money in an NFL contract is the signing bonus. That is often the sticking point in contract negotiations.

An NFL roster carries 53 active players, along with 8 "practice squad" members. The goal of the practice squad members is to be on the "active" roster for at least three weeks during the season. If a player achieves that, he earns a "year of service" This effects the minimum amount he can be paid for a future contract. So for example awide receiver who has two years in the NFL is cut by his team at the end of (or during) the season. The next year he is signed by another team as a free agent to come to training camp. He makes the team and is on the active roster for three games. He would have to be paid at least the minimum level for a player with two years service. The next year he would have three years service, and if he makes that team or another team would have to be paid at least the minimum for a player with three years service. I recognize this answer is more than you asked for. I hope it helps to understand the workings of NFL rosters.

 

[jon_mx]

Agree....If there's a battle of the backs with Bell and Harrison going to war, I think Bell has the advantage because of his superior GL work he showed with the Saints 2 years ago. Harrison is a poor mans' Jahvid Best, so his role is less defined.

They are hoping Bell can do the short yardage and grind it out role. Harrison is there to spell relief for Best and to back him up if injured. The Lions want a home run threat if Best goes down. Both good pickups IMO.

 

[Patsfan39]

Bell is more of a goal line back, right?

 

[Iwannabeacowboybaby!]

Bell was the short yardage guy for NO when he was playing well. I'm not sold on either of these guys being better than Morris, but we'll see.

I really can't remember how good either of them were at picking up blitzes. Usually guys that have a liitle experience at the position have learned to block and would have that advantage over a rookie RB like Leshoure.

 

[Badm]

(Rotoworld) With Jahvid Best resting, Aaron Brown started the Lions' third preseason game.

Analysis: Brown handled himself well, rushing nine times for 30 yards and adding four catches for 48 yards with a touchdown. He also picked up the bulk of first-team reps while Best was sidelined in practice last week and appears to be ahead of Jerome Harrison on the depth chart for now. Brown's speed and pass-catching ability fits nicely in the Lions' offense, but he'd likely share reps with Maurice Morris and Harrison if Best goes down.

(Article Link)

 

[Ilov80s]

Bell has been cut.

 

[Toomuchnv]

So if you are a Best owner...who would you handcuff to him? Harrison or Brown...or if you got the room just grab both?

 

[Ilov80s]

So if you are a Best owner...who would you handcuff to him? Harrison or Brown...or if you got the room just grab both?

Its not a very good situation to handcuff at this point. Morris, Harrison, and Brown are all in play. I think it is a clusterf RBBC no matter what the health of Best is.

 

[jon_mx]

I think Harrison is the best among this bunch. But probably would be a RBBC with Harrison getting most of the carries and Brown as the 3rd down back.

 

[Ilov80s]

I think Harrison is the best among this bunch. But probably would be a RBBC with Harrison getting most of the carries and Brown as the 3rd down back.

Clayton tweeted that he thinks the Lions may try to sign Chester Taylor after the Bears cut him.

 

[BobbyLayne]

I think Harrison is the best among this bunch. But probably would be a RBBC with Harrison getting most of the carries and Brown as the 3rd down back.

Clayton tweeted that he thinks the Lions may try to sign Chester Taylor after the Bears cut him.

Does Clayton has rep for getting reliable Lions info?GD you, Killer...we could use you right now.

 

[Ilov80s]

<br>

<br>

<br>I think Harrison is the best among this bunch.  But probably would be a RBBC with Harrison getting most of the carries and Brown as the 3rd down back.<br>

<br><br>Clayton tweeted that he thinks the Lions may try to sign Chester Taylor after the Bears cut him.<br>

<br>Does Clayton has rep for getting reliable Lions info?<br><br>GD you, Killer...we could use you right now.<br>

<br><br><br><a href="http://imgross.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/john_clayton.jpg">John Clayton</a> works for ESPN and is about as well tapped into the league as anyone.

 

[hutchins929]

I think Harrison is the best among this bunch. But probably would be a RBBC with Harrison getting most of the carries and Brown as the 3rd down back.

Clayton tweeted that he thinks the Lions may try to sign Chester Taylor after the Bears cut him.

Does Clayton has rep for getting reliable Lions info?GD you, Killer...we could use you right now.

John Clayton works for ESPN and is about as well tapped into the league as anyone.

I'd rather get my Lions info from Killer! Besides John Clayton looks like Daffy Duck with his bill shot off!

 

[BobbyLayne]

Ilov80s - you might want to check if your humor/sarcasm detector 6.0 has the last couple updates. The downloads are free.

Does seem like an odd guy for Mayhew to go after. Is the Chester Taylor of 2011 that big of an upgrade? What skill set does he bring that they don't already have on the roster?

 

[Ilov80s]

Ilov80s - you might want to check if your humor/sarcasm detector 6.0 has the last couple updates. The downloads are free.Does seem like an odd guy for Mayhew to go after. Is the Chester Taylor of 2011 that big of an upgrade? What skill set does he bring that they don't already have on the roster?

Thanks for nothing, the free update seemed to have some kind of virus. It caused my last post to go crazy.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

I think Harrison is the best among this bunch. But probably would be a RBBC with Harrison getting most of the carries and Brown as the 3rd down back.

Clayton tweeted that he thinks the Lions may try to sign Chester Taylor after the Bears cut him.

Does Clayton has rep for getting reliable Lions info?GD you, Killer...we could use you right now.

John Clayton works for ESPN and is about as well tapped into the league as anyone.

I'd rather get my Lions info from Killer! Besides John Clayton looks like Daffy Duck with his bill shot off!

Actually more like Tweety-Bird, but his info usually is pretty decent.