Getting Closer To Season Kick-Off

Hello to all of my fellow Lions fans. Sorry it has been awhile since my last post and I have to warn you this post is more or less a links round up of Lions News from MLive. MLive is the best when it comes to news about our favorite football team in thee state of Michigan. So this post and most likely the next will be playing catch up with all of the happenings out of Allen Park these past few weeks. I know it is a lot of information but like a buffet, eat AKA read what you like. I just try to offer you all a condensed source of Lions information.

Here are so various stories collected by Philip Zaroo from MLive. By the way I emailed Philip to see if he had a video from Fox Sports of a ‘tale of the tape’. It was like what they do in boxing comparing fighters’ weight, arm reach, etc. This one had a comparison between Calvin ‘Megatron’ Johnson and Megatron from the Transformers. It was totally hilarious and if I ever find it I will share it with all of you.

http://blog.mlive.com/highlightreel/2009/06/detroit_lions_links_roundup_ro.html
http://blog.mlive.com/highlightreel/2009/06/detroit_lions_links_roundup_li.html
http://blog.mlive.com/highlightreel/2009/06/detroit_lions_links_roundup_of.html

(In this link an excellent story about Bret Favre with the Vikings)
http://www.nfltouchdown.com/brett-favres-return-good-for-the-lions/

(A really awesome story from NFL.com by Pat Kirwan with video from the NFL Network) PLEASE READ THIS AND CHECK OUT THE VIDEO!
http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d810bd435&template=without-video-with-comments&confirm=true&campaign=email_NL0612

http://blog.mlive.com/highlightreel/2009/06/detroit_lions_links_roundup_tr.html
(In this link there is a game scenario of the 76 Buccaneers Vs, the 08 Lions, pretty funny)
http://www.profootballcentral.com/2009/06/16/game-of-the-century/

http://blog.mlive.com/highlightreel/2009/06/detroit_lions_links_roundup_lo.html
(A neat Q/A from the Detroit Lions web site with Safety Louis Delmas)
http://www.detroitlions.com/document_display.cfm?document_id=485584&nsln=061909

Some of you might have heard that the Lions are considering having practice held at a venue other than Allen Park. It is speculative right now but two possible locations are Saginaw Valley State University and Grand Valley State University. Here are a couple of articles from Tom Kowalski and another from Gregg Johnson of the Grand Rapids Press.
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/06/lions_jim_schwartz_is_big_beli.html
http://www.mlive.com/lakers/index.ssf/2009/06/talk_of_moving_lions_camp_to_g.html

Here is an interesting article from Tom Kowalski on TE Will Heller.
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/06/will_heller_should_be_no_2_tig.html

This article has Head Coach Jim Schwartz discussing there not being a depth chart and that there is a clean slate with all of the players.
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/06/lions_coach_jim_schwartz_keeps.html

Here is a neat video with Tom Kowalski on the Lions pursuing DE Kevin Carter.
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/06/tom_kowalski_on_woodtv_still_p.html

Here is an interesting story from Brian Van Ochten of the Grand Rapids Press about the OLine protecting Matt Stafford.
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/06/will_lions_line_performance_di.html

Here is a neat tidbit on Head Coach Jim Schwartz.
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/06/lions_head_coach_jim_schwartz.html

Here are some articles from Tom Kowalski on QB Daunte Culpepper, OLB Zack Follett, CB Ramzee Robinson, Safety Louis Delmas, DE Jared DeVries and DE Cliff Avril. There pretty short so check them out.
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/06/lions_daunte_culpepper_still_b.html
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/06/lions_daunte_culpepper_breaks.html
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/06/lions_rookie_zack_follett_focu.html
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/06/despite_his_high_intensity_lio.html
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/06/lions_cornerback_ramzee_robins.html
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/06/lions_use_louis_delmas_in_mant.html
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/06/despite_defensive_changes_lion.html
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/06/a_likely_starter_lions_cliff_a.html

An interesting article regarding on Marquand Manuel playing at Safety then there is the possibility of keeping Anthony Henry at CB who was possibly going to be moved to Safety.
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/06/will_marquand_manuels_play_at.html

Here is a good analysis from Tom Kowalski about the QB’s performance and another photo slide show from Mini-Camp.
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/06/lions_qbs_moved_the_ball_but_t.html
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/06/photos_detroit_lions_morning_m.html

Lions owner William Clay Ford Sr. broke his silence about firing Matt Millen and owning up to the failures of the Lions recently. Here are some stories and a Q&A with reporters. I believe he does want to win but his biggest problem he is too loyal. He said that the hiring of Jim Schwartz as head coach was his call and kudos to him on that because I believe we hit pay dirt with his hiring. If I had the choice of hiring Jon Gruden, Mike Shanahan or Jim Schwartz, I would take Schwartz in a second!
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/06/lions_owner_for_those_who_walk.html
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/06/william_clay_ford_acknowledges.html
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/06/lions_owner_william_clay_ford.html
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/06/lions_owner_william_clay_ford_1.html

Here are a couple of articles from Brian Van Ochten of the Grand Rapids Press on the changing mood of the Lions and owner William Clay Ford Sr.
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/06/lions_players_upbeat_during_mi.html
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/06/lions_owner_william_clay_fords.html

I know a lot of fans are unhappy with Center Dominic Raiola getting a 4 year extension but I am okay with this. He is not the worst center and he plays really hard. I think some continuity on the OL might lead to better production out of everyone this coming season.
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/06/lions_sign_dominic_raiola_to_f_1.html

An audio interview with Coach Jim Schwartz on WDFN-AM Detroit, a good listen, it’s about 25 minutes long so a bit long but worth it.
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/06/jim_schwartz_on_wdfn_i_feel_a.html

Here is an article on the city of Clawson’s second favorite son (right behind Justin Winslow) RT Jon Jansen who I think could start over Gosder Cherilus on the right side, play Right Guard or even Center!
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/06/former_washington_right_tackle.html

This is a bit of old news but maybe not so much to those of you who don’t follow the Lions as religiously as I do. Anyways the Lions traded Safety Gerald Alexander to the Jacksonville Jaguars for WR Dennis Northcutt. He was most likely not going to make the team and was going to have to be cut.
http://blog.mlive.com/highlightreel/2009/06/report_lions_trade_gerald_alex.html
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/06/lions_trade_gerald_alexander_w.html

Here is an article from Tom Kowalski on OT Jeff Backus, a really long article but worth it.
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/06/after_threeyear_nightmare_lion.html

Here are a couple of articles from Tom Kowalski on OG Manny Ramirez and DE Dewayne White.
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/06/manny_ramirez_needs_to_mix_pow.html
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/06/lions_dewayne_white_pits_produ.html

Lastly here is an article on Kevin Carter on playing both DE and DT by Tom Kowalski. I so hope he signs with us. If he signs I will certainly sleep better at night knowing our DLine is more stable and a Mack truck won’t be unable to run through it.
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/06/comment_rebuttal_kevin_carter.html

I know I am a little ahead of the game on this one but I was thinking about our draft wish list for the 2010 draft. Right now we have 8 picks. One for each round 1-7 and I believe an extra 5th rounder from Denver from this past draft. Then there is the chance of getting another compensatory pick from the league with free-agent losses. But let’s say for the sake of the argument we have 8 picks. What should we get with those? My little list will probably change a million times before the 2010 draft and that is probably a conservative estimate. Right now I think we should look at snagging a Cornerback/Safety, Quarterback (Stafford will need a strong back-up), Offensive Guard/Offensive Tackle, Defensive Tackle (First Round would be my choice), Defensive End, Wide Receiever (Not a First Rounder but maybe a good one in the 3rd round), Running Back (they are a dime a dozen and should snag one when a good one is available) and a Line Backer (Depending on if Larry Foote stays with us, an Inside Line Backer).

Well I hope to have another post sometime next week. I will have some original stuff here soon I just wanted to share these links with all of you. I hope you all have an awesome weekend. Until next time GO LIONS!