Lions sign OG Piller, closing in on Mulitalo (1 Viewer)

[Hairy Snowman]

By Len Pasquarelli

ESPN.com

Determined to be tougher and more physical on the offensive line in 2007, the Detroit Lions have signed former Tennessee Titans guard Zach Piller and are closing in on a deal with onetime Baltimore Ravens standout guard Edwin Mulitalo.

Both players were released by their former teams earlier this month.

Piller signed a one-year contract with the Lions worth $760,000. Detroit officials have been negotiating a multiyear contract with Mulitalo.

Concerned by injuries that prematurely ended two of the past three seasons for Piller, and reluctant to pay a prohibitive base salary to a player projected as a backup in 2007, the Titans released the eight-year veteran early in the signing period to give him a chance to meet with other teams.

Piller drew interest from three other clubs.

A third-round choice in the 1999 draft, Piller is a strong in-line blocker with a blue-collar mentality. But the former University of Florida standout appeared in just 20 contests over the past three seasons and the scheduled base salaries on his contract in Tennessee were $3 million for 2006 and $3.5 million for 2007.

Piller started all 16 games in 2003 for the first time in his career, then suffered a left biceps injury in 2004 that limited him to one game. After coming back to again start 16 games in 2005, Piller appeared in only three games last season because of a left ankle injury. In his eight seasons with the Titans, Piller appeared in 87 games with 58 starts.

Mulitalo, 32, is an eight-year veteran who spent his entire career with the Ravens, but saw his 2006 season prematurely ended by a torn triceps in the fourth game of the year. The former University of Arizona standout was a fourth-round choice in the 1999 draft.

In eight seasons, Mulitalo appeared in 106 games, with 102 starts. From 2000-2005, he started 14 or more games every season.

This can only help in Detroit. If they can start giving the QB some more time in Martz's system....................add in a certain rookie WR.........throw in tater in the backfield and...............

This offense could improve and be very dangerous.

I think this is a bumb up for that entire offense.

ETA Im guessing Mulitalo isn't the best pass blocker, but what do we know about Piller (besides that he went to an awsome college ). Does this look like an upgrade in pass blocking or run blocking or a move for depth strictly?

 

[-OZ-]

As a Lions fan, I'm pretty excited by these signings.

(what year did I write that?)

 

[Hairy Snowman]

I know Spurrier didn't make a splash in the NFL, but he did run an exceptional passing offense in college and Siller was on some of those teams.

I think he is a definite upgrade at guard.

What to the FBGs think of this? SB and CL? I figured you two would be all over this with details.

Regardless, it will take a little time to get the O-Line chemistry right, but Martz is an offensive genius, right?

I'm just saying, this is an offense that got very hyped last year but may actually make a bigger stride forward this year.

 

[Phil M]

Would Mulitalo be an upgrade? Maybe. He is LARGE and slow, but the Lions need all they can get. He might have torn that tricept lifting a shovel of Coco Pufs to his mouth.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

local reports are that Mulitalo sign with the Lions too

 

[redman]

I've looked at both of these guys as candidates for filling Washington's LG spot that was left open by Dockery's departure. Neither seemed like a good fit there because they weren't mobile enough to pull and block in space the way that the Redskins like to do. Both seem like very powerful in-line run blockers in a man-blocking scheme however.

What kind of blocking schemes do they run in Detroit with Martz?

 

[apkballa]

Any upgrade to the Lions O-line is a good one.

 

[mcjc4]

If either of these guys makes an effort to stand in the way of the defense, it's an upgrade in Detroit.

 

[hutchins929]

If either of these guys makes an effort to stand in the way of the defense, it's an upgrade in Detroit.

Amen!!! Preach it brother!!!

 

[hutchins929]

It's a done deal with OG Edwin Mulitalo according the Detroit Free Press it's a 3 year deal.

Link

 

[chris1969]

Mulitalo was a guy I was hoping the Browns would get. Good move by the Lions.

 

[MSULions]

they basically did this last year by signing 3 or 4 OLineman for chump change. but I think the Mulitalo signing in particular is solid. I think these moves put the Thomas pick in doubt as well. Could be CJ after all!

just not Quinn....please god don't do that to us.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

so im guessing they will probably cut Damien Woody?

 

[flufhed]

Pillar is pretty close to done. Half the player he was during his early years with the Titans. Many suspect that his "injury" last year was partly a convenient excuse to bet him off the field and get Jacob Bell in. The Titans line improved by leaps and bounds once Pillar was taken out of the lineup.

 

[Lorax]

The Lions havent been able to pick up 3rd & 1 in ages by running the ball. If these guys help - then its all good. Backus & Riola are the agile finesse guys and they needed to be surrounded by road graders - sounds like these guys fit the bill exactly. The Lions scheme of pulling & screens is centered around Riola & athletic ability. The guard on that side can usually pull easily - no guard is required to pull across the LOS.

 

[turkishkamel]

so im guessing they will probably cut Damien Woody?

that would be my guess. the first three years of woodys contract paid him under 2 mil a year. he's due 4.5 this year, 4.75 next and 5 in 2009. he's as good as gone.Contract

 

[lions327]

so im guessing they will probably cut Damien Woody?

that would be my guess. the first three years of woodys contract paid him under 2 mil a year. he's due 4.5 this year, 4.75 next and 5 in 2009. he's as good as gone.Contract

I think if he keeps his weight down they will keep him, and possibly restructure his contract if needed. But I can't see them cutting him if he is in good shape, because he is a solid player when he is.

 

[WhoDat]

they basically did this last year by signing 3 or 4 OLineman for chump change. but I think the Mulitalo signing in particular is solid. I think these moves put the Thomas pick in doubt as well. Could be CJ after all!

just not Quinn....please god don't do that to us.

 

[hutchins929]

they basically did this last year by signing 3 or 4 OLineman for chump change. but I think the Mulitalo signing in particular is solid. I think these moves put the Thomas pick in doubt as well. Could be CJ after all!

just not Quinn....please god don't do that to us.

I think he meant to say: just not Quinn....please god don't do that to him.Quinn will be a good to great QB just not in Detroit!

 

[redman]

they basically did this last year by signing 3 or 4 OLineman for chump change. but I think the Mulitalo signing in particular is solid. I think these moves put the Thomas pick in doubt as well. Could be CJ after all! just not Quinn....please god don't do that to us.

Yes, please God don't let my team draft someone who might replace John Kitna in the lineup.

 

[Da Guru]

so im guessing they will probably cut Damien Woody?

considering Woody lost 45lbs to get down to 345..I think he is gone.

 

[Hairy Snowman]

Some updates on this:

Detroit Signs Mulitalo

The 6-foot-3, 350-pound Mulitalo was the Ravens' starting left guard for eight seasons. He has played in 106 regular-season games and seven postseason games, the 2000 Suuper Bowl

Mulitalo started the first four games of the 2006 season and helped Baltimore get off to its first 4-0 start in franchise history before he suffered a season-ending triceps injury against San Diego.

In Detroit, Mulitalo will be reunited with offensive line coach Jim Colletto, who coached him in the same capacity for six seasons in Baltimore.

IMO Him being re-united with Colletto is very interesting twist to this signing. It should mean less adjustment time, no?