It's This And That With The #1 Lions Fan In The World

Howdy to the outstanding fine human beings that you all are AKA, The Lionettes.

Well let’s see where do I begin? Lots of stuff happening with the soon to be super duper awesome Detroit Lions. QB Jon Kitna and QB Dan Orlovsky are no longer Lions but a Cowboy and Texan, respectively. Dan Orlovsky was an Unrestricted Free Agent who wanted to sign with another team after he learned that he would not be the starter in Detroit so he gets to be a backup with the Texans go figure. Jon Kitna still had a year left on his contract but was due a roster bonus this month and there was possible dissention brewing in the locker room with him.

We received CB Anthony Henry in exchange for Jon Kitna with the Cowboys but the report I heard said that we got a late round draft pick, which could possibly be our 7th rounder back that we traded to the Cowboys in the Roy Williams trade. We may not know that specific detail until draft weekend as well as the possible compensatory pick. I wish them both luck with their new teams and hope that they will get the chance to put on a Super Bowl ring.

I suppose the writing was on the wall and it was just a matter of time before they would leave the Lions for greener pastures. So that leaves us with Daunte Culpepper, Drew Stanton and Drew Henson for QBs. I do not have much faith in any of those three so this could mean a couple of things. We could pick up a free agent QB like JP Losman, Rex Grossman or Byron Leftwich. The alternative is drafting Matthew Stafford with that number one pick becoming the number two guy and if Culpepper is not getting the job done then Stafford becomes the starter. I wish I could tell you all how many more free agents we can shop for based on how much cap money is left but your guess is as good as mine. I do know the signings that we have made is minimal in money spent and could make a deal for one of the noteworthy players left in free agency.

I know a lot of critics are being hard on Martin Mayhew over his working the free agency period, but in his defense some of the quality players DID NOT want to come to Detroit, most of the good players were franchised tagged and others demanded a truckload of money like DT Albert Haynesworth. The Lions were not going to make a major risk and have it totally blow up in their faces. You have to take some risks but now is not the time to do it. I totally agree with their conservative dealing during this free agency period.

A couple of free agent signing that we have made are CB Eric King from the Titans, RB Maurice Morris from the Seahawks, WR Bryant Johnson from the 49s and have claimed WR Sean Conover off of waivers from the Jets. The experts may not think these signings are stellar but they are the smart ones. The Lions need to plug critical holes so that when the draft comes they can draft the ones they really want for the long term.

Drew Sharp from the Detroit Free Press wrote an article about a week ago about how the Lions need their own Ivan ‘Pudge’ Rodriguez. A player that comes in and gives credibility to a team that will attract other quality talent and galvanize a team to becoming a contender. He is somewhat correct that you need players to change the culture but his example is the cliché of comparing apples to oranges or in this case an aircraft carrier to a rowboat. The problem I have with his rationale is that Pudge is a baseball player where it is more individualized and not a team sport like football. A catcher works primarily with the pitcher and the basemen. Four other players vs. an entire defensive or offensive line is a lot more complicated. A catcher is not taking hits from 300 lb. lineman on a constant basis. So the Tigers could sign Pudge on that deal but the Lions COULD NOT sign Haynesworth. A totally different circumstance that would make the Lions roll the dice and pray for double sevens. Simply too many variables most of which are against the Lions.

Now I have always hated constant criticism with NO suggestions on how to fix a situation which is why I hate most of the NFL analysts and experts because they are always Lion bashing with very few suggestions on fixing the situation. So yes we need our own Albert Haynesworth and we will get them through the draft. Find those players that meet three criteria one they are phenomenal players, second they are of solid character and third they are players the fans will get excited about. Let’s go out there and find our own Troy Polamalu or Bob Sanders. We can do this if they just look right.

On a serious note most of you have heard that DE Corey Smith is missing off the Florida coast. Him and three of his friends one of them Oakland Raiders LB Marquis Cooper went out fishing Saturday and did not return as expected. As of mid-afternoon on Monday they found the boat with one survivor neither Smith nor Cooper. I know Corey Smith was on the worst defense this past season but he really tried and never gave up when things were at their worst. We can only hope and pray that they are found very soon so that they can be returned safely to their families.

Today the Redskins released DE Jason Taylor and I think the Lions should make a bid for him. He is an impact player who can immediately upgrade the defense. I think it would be prudent for the Lions to contact his agent and have him visit with the coaches and see the facilities. There are still lots of free agents available and hopefully there will be some more signings in the next few days. Well that’s it for now I will try to have another post by the end of the week if not then the weekend for sure.

Until next time GO LIONS!