Very concerned about Detroit FF players.. (1 Viewer)

[Da Guru]

Lets talk about John Kitna first, John is 36 years old and a warrior, but lets face it Kitna took a beating last year..and in Martzs offense he will take another beating this year. Plus Kitnas back is acting up already.

If Kitna goes down we have two unproven QBs to step in and one of them is hurt right now. An injury to Kitna will destroy Williams, Johnson and Furreys value. KJ is coming off a serious foot injury, Tatum Bell is hurt already and Duckett well is Duckett.

Millen has used 4 of our last 5 #1 picks for WRs, two are already out of town and one is a rookie. Millen has also squandered his #2 and #3 picks for years..these are the picks that teams are built on..the foundation.

Teddy Leaman, Kambala Edwards,Boss Bailey, Brian Calhoun, Drew Stanton the list is endless.

Our O-line is of great concern, Backus is decent at best.

The defense is small, a weak secondary just lost its best player to an ACL injury. This defense is going to get pushed around with long time consuming drives all year.

I hope I am wrong but adding up the pieces I don`t think I am.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

another glorious 4-12 season for the Leos.

All your points are excellent.

If Kitna is healthy the fantasy value for Roy & CJ & Kjones should be fine.

I actually expect the Oline to be a little better. a little

 

[dmac37]

Was listening to some talk radio in Detroit yesterday.The Marinelli honeymoon is over.Millen has used 4 of our last 5 #1 picks for WRs, two are already out of town and one is a rookie. Millen has also squandered his #2 and #3 picks for years..these are the picks that teams are built on..the foundation.Teddy Leaman, Kambala Edwards, Brian Calhoun, Drew Stanton the list is endless.Our O-line is of great concern, Backus is decent at best.John Kitna is 36 years old and a warrior, but lets face it Kitna took a beating last year..and in Martzs offense he will take another beating this year. Plud Kitnas back is acting up already.If Kitna goes down we have two unproven QBs to step in and one of them is hurt right now. that will destroy Williams, Johnson and Furreys value. KJ is coming off a serious foot injury, Tatum Bell is hurt already and Duckett well is Duckett.The defense is small, a weak secondary just lost its best player to an ACL injury. This defense is going to get pushed around with long time consuming drives all year.I hope I am wrong but adding up the pieces I don`t think I am.

I agree, Martz tends to hang his QB's out to dry. If Kitna is knocked out they have nobody at QB to keep the value for their stud WR's.

 

[Smack Tripper]

Good observation, I was bemoaning not picking up Kitna, but this can kind of tether my expectations. You forget the age on these guys sometimes and 36 is really getting up there for a guy of his ilk.

I wonder why they didn't go harder after Holcomb or someone like that.

 

[pipedream]

I am still high on the Detroit passing game this year if they can keep healthy. That same weak DET defense should keep Kitna chucking it 40-45 times a game. With a career YPA of 6.54. that's 260-300 yards a week.

 

[Blackstar]

Martz and Kitna were together last year. How'd that work out for him?

 

[SofaKings]

It's Kalimba btw.

Kitna is 36 but it's not like he's started everygame of his NFL career. The back does worry me though.

 

[nysfl2]

Agree with a lot of your post, but Bell is fine and Bullocks isn't even close to the best player on the defense. Rogers, Redding, and Sims are probably the best three. Losing Bullocks obviously hurts an already weak secondary, but the defense isn't expected to be stellar anyway. I expect a lot of shootouts as long as Kitna is healthy, and a complete collapse if Kitna gets hurt.

 

[SuperJohn96]

How about this then?

What is the status of Millen if they finish with top 5 overall pick in the next draft?

Will he still be around to blow it?

 

[Da Guru]

Agree with a lot of your post, but Bell is fine and Bullocks isn't even close to the best player on the defense. Rogers, Redding, and Sims are probably the best three. Losing Bullocks obviously hurts an already weak secondary, but the defense isn't expected to be stellar anyway. I expect a lot of shootouts as long as Kitna is healthy, and a complete collapse if Kitna gets hurt.

I was talking about the secondary.I have no doubt that Kitna will put up some good numbers, just hate to see him go into the season not 100%..knowing dam well he is going to be abused when Martz send out 5 WRs with no backs to block.

 

[Buckna]

At least you can look forward to another top 5 draft pick next year (Brohm? McFadden? Slaton?)

Can't believe the Vegas O/U was 7 games for Detroit. Bet the farm on the under!

 

[BigRed]

Sweet, another Millen bashing bandwagon blasting by. It's been, what, days?

 

[kensat30]

Mike Martz = money.

I am LOADING UP on Detroit's players this year. Kitna on almost all my teams. Roy Williams on almost all my teams. Even Mike Furrey on some of my teams. I won't risk Calvin Johnson early, I'll just continue to take Kitna as the ~10th QB off the board several rounds after "the big 5".

Tatum Bell I am lukewarm on at this point. Kevin Jones is the man you want to own if you can get him in the late middle rounds of the draft. I just salivate when I see Kevin Jones sitting there in the 8th or 9th round waiting for me to gamble on. Potential 2nd half difference maker right there. Potential SOTD.

---

And for real life purposes, I think Detroit is going in the right direction. At least now they have SOMETHING to build off of. I don't remember how long ago it was since actually wanted to watch a Detroit game on TV. You guys have finally moved on after the abrupt departure of Barry Sanders like 10 years ago. Offense may not be the side of the ball that wins championships, but it may win a few games at least.

 

[Da Guru]

Mike Martz = money.I am LOADING UP on Detroit's players this year. Kitna on almost all my teams. Roy Williams on almost all my teams. Even Mike Furrey on some of my teams. I won't risk Calvin Johnson early, I'll just continue to take Kitna as the ~10th QB off the board several rounds after "the big 5". Tatum Bell I am lukewarm on at this point. Kevin Jones is the man you want to own if you can get him in the late middle rounds of the draft. I just salivate when I see Kevin Jones sitting there in the 8th or 9th round waiting for me to gamble on. Potential 2nd half difference maker right there. Potential SOTD.---And for real life purposes, I think Detroit is going in the right direction. At least now they have SOMETHING to build off of. I don't remember how long ago it was since actually wanted to watch a Detroit game on TV. You guys have finally moved on after the abrupt departure of Barry Sanders like 10 years ago. Offense may not be the side of the ball that wins championships, but it may win a few games at least.

Kitna has been going at #6 and 7 in most of the drafts I have been follwing.

 

[Spartans Rule]

At least you can look forward to another top 5 draft pick next year (Brohm? McFadden? Slaton?)Can't believe the Vegas O/U was 7 games for Detroit. Bet the farm on the under!

You would think they'd go defense next year with their top pick, but it's the Lions so you never know.

 

[Spartans Rule]

Losing Bullocks obviously hurts an already weak secondary, but the defense isn't expected to be stellar anyway.

I never get this line of thinking. Well, they're already bad, so what's the difference?The difference is that without Bullocks, the 2007 Detroit Lions now have the worst secondary in the history of the National Football League. Worse than four slow white guys in leather helmets playing for the 1928 Dayton Triangles. In addition to having the worst corners in the league, the Lions now also have the worst safeties in the league. They've got a run-stuffing strong safety in Kenoy Kennedy responsible for covering half the field deep, and it will be even worse on the other half. Bullocks was the one guy that at least fit the cover two and had some potential. Without him, I see blowouts, not shootouts.

 

[swirvenirvin]

WR's should have some value but it seems Bell has been moving up draft boards. The Lions are going to be down all game every game because their DB's are awful probably the worst in the league.

One thing to note everyone should serioulsy bump up GB and Chi Wr's a little, I would say Min too but they dont have any. If I had a CHI WR and another WR close in ranking i'd go with the CHI WR. I mean the DB's are just going to get torched every single game. It will be sick

 

[Buckna]

At least you can look forward to another top 5 draft pick next year (Brohm? McFadden? Slaton?)Can't believe the Vegas O/U was 7 games for Detroit. Bet the farm on the under!

You would think they'd go defense next year with their top pick, but it's the Lions so you never know.

You'd think, but it seems every year people expect them to go defense and they've only done it once in the last 5 years.

 

[Da Guru]

At least you can look forward to another top 5 draft pick next year (Brohm? McFadden? Slaton?)Can't believe the Vegas O/U was 7 games for Detroit. Bet the farm on the under!

You would think they'd go defense next year with their top pick, but it's the Lions so you never know.

You'd think, but it seems every year people expect them to go defense and they've only done it once in the last 5 years.

I know..and with that pick they should have taken Jay Cutler or Leinart!

 

[sandlotshrink]

Perhaps they'll make a run at Chris Simms if/when TB cuts him loose for Kitna insurance?

 

[Ozymandias]

How about this then?What is the status of Millen if they finish with top 5 overall pick in the next draft?Will he still be around to blow it?

Well, he and the Edsel Ford family have been doing something for years, so blowing must enter into the job somewhere.

 

[Spartans Rule]

How about this then?What is the status of Millen if they finish with top 5 overall pick in the next draft?Will he still be around to blow it?

I honestly don't know if winning even matters. If it did Millen would already be gone. I've heard (not sure if this is true) that William Clay Ford keeps Millen around because he goes over the game film with him every week. And despite the Millen Man March, overall Lions fans have been too loyal and haven't really nailed Ford in the financial department over this.I don't see a light at the end of the tunnel.

 

[Riflemen]

If Kitna gets rocked can Orlovsky step in and keep the Detroit skill players valuable?

 

[Frenchy Fuqua]

I am one of the few but I even worry about Kitna. The guy is just not a good NFL QB. Sure he will put up numbers if he is throwing 40 times a game but if he goes through a cold spell or the Lions get off to a slow start at some point Kitna is likely to be replaced. Tough schedule to start the year, rankings are opponents QB ratings for 2006:

Week 1 at OAK (74.1, 7th in NFL)

Week 2 vs MIN (73.1, 5th in NFL)

Week 3 at PHIL (73.6, 6th in NFL)

Week 4 vs CHI (66.5, 3rd in NFL)

 

[Da Guru]

If Kitna gets rocked can Orlovsky step in and keep the Detroit skill players valuable?

That is the key, Dan has showed some promise but he is very green.

 

[V1LL]

At least you can look forward to another top 5 draft pick next year (Brohm? McFadden? Slaton?)Can't believe the Vegas O/U was 7 games for Detroit. Bet the farm on the under!

You would think they'd go defense next year with their top pick, but it's the Lions so you never know.

You'd think, but it seems every year people expect them to go defense and they've only done it once in the last 5 years.

I know..and with that pick they should have taken Jay Cutler or Leinart!

if he can stay healthy Ernie Sims will be one of the best LB's in the game. I don't think he's a pick to be complaining about. He'll go to more Pro-bowls than either Cutler or Leinart.

 

[Da Guru]

At least you can look forward to another top 5 draft pick next year (Brohm? McFadden? Slaton?)Can't believe the Vegas O/U was 7 games for Detroit. Bet the farm on the under!

You would think they'd go defense next year with their top pick, but it's the Lions so you never know.

You'd think, but it seems every year people expect them to go defense and they've only done it once in the last 5 years.

I know..and with that pick they should have taken Jay Cutler or Leinart!

if he can stay healthy Ernie Sims will be one of the best LB's in the game. I don't think he's a pick to be complaining about. He'll go to more Pro-bowls than either Cutler or Leinart.

I agree somewhat..but with Martz you need a QB in waiting..I wish Kitna was still 29-30. The Lions are draftin these "stud" WRs and if Kitna goes down, or gets old fast we have no backup plan.

 

[V1LL]

How long do you actually think Martz will be here?

 

[Da Guru]

How long do you actually think Martz will be here?

Martz will be the HC after this season.

 

[Tibereas]

How long do you actually think Martz will be here?

Martz will be the HC after this season.

I agree. I see them getting a good FA QB next year. Any of you ringers have a list of FA QB's for next year? Kitna has 1 maybe 2 left in the tank and I doubt Martz turns over the machine to any of the choads currently on the roster.

 

[dmac37]

If Kitna gets rocked can Orlovsky step in and keep the Detroit skill players valuable?

The only hope would be by the volume of passes, they have no backup to count on.

 

[turkishkamel]

How long do you actually think Martz will be here?

Martz will be the HC after this season.

I agree. I see them getting a good FA QB next year. Any of you ringers have a list of FA QB's for next year? Kitna has 1 maybe 2 left in the tank and I doubt Martz turns over the machine to any of the choads currently on the roster.

they drafted drew stanton for a reason. obviously him missing this season is not ideal, but they havent given up on him. he'll get the next shot.

 

[Da Guru]

Lions better pray Kitna stays healthy this season

By Pat Caputo

Journal Register News Service

If the Lions want advice about the slippery slope they are walking regarding their quarterback situation, they only need to turn to a wise sage in their front office.

Advertisement

And ask Monte Clark about 1979.

After Monte likely lets loose with a few expletives -- because he really, really hated that season -- he will explain what it was like to try to win without anything resembling a respectable starting NFL quarterback.

Clark, the Lions' head coach then and a special consultant now, watched the season crumble when the starter, Gary Danielson, broke his ankle. Then the backup, Joe Reed, also got hurt. It left the Lions with rookie Jeff Komlo -- and a dismal 2-14 record ensued.

So while the debate rages about whether Jon Kitna is the answer to the Lions' long-standing QB problems, this much is certain -- the Lions' season hinges on his health.

Kitna may be the ultimate journeyman, but compared to the alternative, he is Johnny Unitas and Joe Montana rolled into one.

Second-round draft choice Drew Stanton, the kid from Farmington Hills Harrison High and Michigan State, has been on injured reserve pretty much since the start of training camp because of a knee injury. Dan Orlovsky, penciled in as Kitna's backup, is sidelined because of turf toe, which is one of those hideous injuries that seem to take forever to heal.

If something happens to Kitna, who missed the third preseason game -- a woeful 37-10 defeat at Indianapolis -- because of back spasms, it would be J.T. O'Sullivan or bust.

Doesn't matter if Calvin Johnson is the next Marvin Harrison. Or if Roy Williams is the second coming of Jerry Rice.

No Jon Kitna = Big Trouble.

"Well, there is a positive, and it's that we are really going to find out about J.T. O'Sullivan," Lions head coach Rod Marinelli said after practice Tuesday.

What is there to know? His resume reveals all.

The Lions signed O'Sullivan July 10 after he starred during the final season of NFL Europa, yet he was still released by the Bears.

O'Sullivan is 28 years old. The Lions are his sixth organization since he was picked during the sixth round of the 2002 draft by New Orleans. O'Sullivan has taken few regular-season NFL snaps and wasn't on any team's active roster last season.

Maybe Lions offensive coordinator Mike Martz, the so-called genius, can lay his hand on O'Sullivan's forehead and create another Kurt Warner. But odds are strongly against it.

O'Sullivan, frankly, hasn't played well this preseason. Tuned up at the start of camp because of his NFL Europa season, he was initially impressive. Reality, however, has set in since.

And it's not as if Orlovsky is a rock-solid backup, either. He is a fifth-round draft choice who has barely played.

The Lions, of course, are notorious for not covering their tracks. Ever hear the term, "Leave no stone unturned?" The Lions' front office and coaching staff proceed as if they don't want to turn over those stones because of what might be revealed on the other side.

They are in constant denial about their problems.

They should have signed a veteran backup QB during the offseason. And they should strongly consider finding one now.

Just because Kitna took every snap last season doesn't mean he will this one. If anything, it puts the odds against him doing so two years in a row.

In fairness to the Lions, Stanton got hurt, and his time frame for returning is nearly three months, according to Marinelli. As a rookie, there is no way he could be ready to play under those circumstances, so the decision to put him on injured reserve wasn't necessarily a blunder.

But given the Lions' supposedly have a high-powered offense to compensate for their ever porous defense, quarterback is too critical to leave this vulnerable.

I know their backgrounds are different, but when I see J.T. O'Sullivan, I see Jeff Komlo and a repeat of '79.

The offensive line better protect Kitna much better than last season, when he was sacked an average of four times per game. His back spasms better go away -- and stay away.

Or the Lions' season will rapidly become the recipe for yet another disaster.

Pat Caputo is a columnist for the Journal Register News Service.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

Jeff Komlo is my favorite Lion ever

 

[Da Guru]

Jeff Komlo is my favorite Lion ever

Caputo must have read my post the other day!

 

[Riflemen]

Bad break for Orlovsky and his turf toe. I had season tix for UCONN football when Orlovsky was there. He has the tools to suceed (size, arm strength, and decent grasp of the game). From what I've seen in limited exposure (mostly preseason and a couple of snaps during the last few years) he hasn't embarrassed himself and being with Martz can only help his development. I did scatch my head when they drafted Stanton early this year. That can't be a good sign about how Martz and Millen view his developement to this point. What's the Detroit homer feeling about Dan?

 

[Ozymandias]

Who are some free agent qb's who might be available? Jeff George? Drew Bledsoe? Jake Plummer?

Plummer would not be a bad choice if Kitna went down; although they'd have to pry him loose from TB.

 

[TD Ryan]

Lions better pray Kitna stays healthy this seasonBy Pat CaputoJournal Register News ServiceOr the Lions' season will rapidly become the recipe for yet another disaster.

Patriots better pray Brady stays healthy this seasonColts better pray Manning stays healthy this seasonEagles better pray McNabb stays healthy this seasonSaints better pray Brees stays healthy this seasonRams better pray Bulger stays healthy this seasonSeahawks better pray Hasselbeck stays healthy this season

 

[Da Guru]

Lions better pray Kitna stays healthy this season

By Pat Caputo

Journal Register News Service

Or the Lions' season will rapidly become the recipe for yet another disaster.

Patriots better pray Brady stays healthy this seasonColts better pray Manning stays healthy this season

Eagles better pray McNabb stays healthy this season

Saints better pray Brees stays healthy this season

Rams better pray Bulger stays healthy this season

Seahawks better pray Hasselbeck stays healthy this season

All of those teams are quite a bit better than the Lions. All of those QBs are quite a bit younger than Kitna. All of those teams have better backups.

 

[Judge Smails]

I am still high on the Detroit passing game this year if they can keep healthy. That same weak DET defense should keep Kitna chucking it 40-45 times a game. With a career YPA of 6.54. that's 260-300 yards a week.

And 2+ Int's. In leagues with -2 for INT's - that hurts.