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» Lions Redzone Original - Uncapper Year: Implications for the Lions
Uncapped Year: Implication for the Lions
Ryan "K-Dawg" Kohler
www.LionsRedZone.com
Jan. 11, 2010
Consider the fact that the uncapped is basically going to happen. The one really interesting particular about that is that the top 8 teams can NOT sign a free agent unless they lose one. And then they can only sign equal value. Example. Detroit signs G Jahri Evans from the Saints, 5 years, $25 million. The Saints can now go out, and spend 5 years, $25 million on ONE player. I love it.
A lot of people ask now, what happens when the cap is reinstituted? You just screwed yourself over. Not necessarily. To avoid being hammered when the cap is reinstituted (however that ends up working out) you FRONT load the contracts. Example again. Detroit signs G Jahri Evans to a 6 years $50 million contract. $10 million signing bonus. $35 million is paid out in the first year. That leaves $5 million over 5 years, $1 million a season. And the players SHOULD want to do this. Contracts now are back loaded tremendously. You hear of these monster seven year deals, and in year seven the guy is scheduled to make $20 million. But teams usually cut the guy before he gets a chance to make that. Obviously, there would be a pretty big pay cut if you front load for the uncapped year...So you offer incentives in the rest of the contract to bring up the money they can make.
Now all Ford has to do is shell out the dough.
As for who the Lions should be going after in FA, I think the Lions should concentrate on Offense in FA, and build the Defense through the draft, while picking up a player or two on Defense.
On Offense:
I would target Kevin Walter (6'3", 218), a big target with good hands, who gets over looked in Houston. He has the potential to be a taller Wes Welker. But he is fighting for catches as third behind Johnson and Daniels.
In the slot, I would make a run at Brad Smith and David Clowney of the Jets. Both can be return men, and both can fill what the Lions need in the slot.
Depending on what you think of Kevin Smith and Aaron Brown, depends on what you do with the running backs. If it was me, I would go after LenDale White to be the guy to split time with Smith or Brown. If you are not a fan of White, then maybe a guy like Le'Ron McClain would suit you better. Regardless of what you think of White, I think McClain would be a big signing, he can be a power rusher, and he can play FB. There are other fullbacks in FA I would look at if you wanted McClain to carry the ball though. Guys like Leonard Weaver, Mike Tolbert, and John Kuhn can also be a big help in the backfield.
If you think the RB position needs a full overhaul...Then I suggest looking at McClain, Leon Washington as the complement, and bring in one of the aforementioned fullbacks.
Fixing the OL would help the running backs even more then bringing in new Running backs. I'd like to experiment with Backus at LG, others don't, I think if you're going into FA to fix the OL, you ignore the LT and you take a LG, draft a young LT instead. That being said, there are some good guards out there that can handle the left guard. The Lions have come out and made it seem they were willing to ride out Peterman and Cherilus on the right side. So we'll ignore that for now. Guys like Jahri Evans, Logan Mankins, and David Baas can solidify one of the spots on the left, until something can be done with Backus.
I'm in the camp of drafting Suh at #2, which gives the Lions Hill and Suh in the middle. As well as Foote did this year, he's going to be 30, and I think the Lions can get younger AND more productive on D. My top two targets on defense are Kirk Morrison, and Demeco Ryans (although, with the guidelines in the uncapped year, Ryans, I think, is an RFA.) I think Peterson is over paid, and doesn't produce for what he makes. There's not a lot out there in FA that would replace, but if you want to build a D through the draft, there's no reason the Lions can't find a LB again like they did with Levy.
As I said, I would take Suh at #2. So no Berry. But there are some good safeties in FA this year that the Lions could target. Guys like Antoine Bethea, Nick Collins, Roman Harper, Atari Bigby Sean Jones, Brodney Pool, Dawan Landry and Gerald Sensabaugh could be plugged into the other safety slot to form a good tandem with Delmas.
Lastly, the Lions need two starting CBs. I don't think you're going to find two starters in FA. I would look at guys like Dunta Robinson, Richard Marshall, and Carlos Rogers to fill one spot.
In the draft, you take Suh at #2, then you look for a DE in round 2, a LB in the 3rd. The Lions have come out and said they're going BPA at a position of need, so the picks could get flip flopped. And I'm not against starting Sims and Levy on the outside to avoid looking for a starting LB to round out the corps. I think solidifying the offense and getting one or two starters on D in FA would help out more then trying to build both sides of the ball in the draft. Focus on D in the draft, and the Lions could be respectable next year.
My top five targets in FA would be :
Kirk Morrison
Logan Mankins
Le'Ron McClain
Dunta Robinson
Kevin Walter
After that, the next tier of guys I look into are :
Brad Smith
David Clowney
Nick Collins
Leon Washington
John Kuhn
The Lions may still be shaky on D, but the O would be improved, the return game would be improved, and the Lions would have some solid pieces on D to work with in Suh, Hill, Morrison, Robinson, Levy, and Delmas.
» Lions Redzone Original - A Look into the Lions Defensive Line
A Look into the Lions Defensive Line
JP "ChewieBacca" Banner
www.LionsRedZone.com
August 10, 2009
One of the weakest parts of the Detroit Lions team is the defensive line. I'm going to delve into roster, and take a look at the players involved in the mess and really find out what the problem is. Lets start on the outside.
Cliff Avril – Avril led his rookie class (Defensive Linemen) with 5 sacks and 4 forced fumbles. That’s with only 4 starts and 15 games. That’s better than top pick Chris Long, who had double the tackles, but started every game for the Rams last year. Cliff Avril could be a shining gem in the dark and one of the few things that the Marinelli regiment succeeded at doing. Avril is a bright spot in a dark mess. Grade - A
Ikaika Alama-Francis – You have to feel sorry for this guy, we all rooted for him. The savage from Hawaii, who had what appeared so much upside hasn't done much of anything since arriving in Detroit. A major portion of the blame can go to the coaching staff who tried to make Francis a faster prospect. Well that idea didn't pan out and no one knows what’s going to happen with him. A report in June said he is going to be adding weight, so maybe he can move inside. Grade – C
DeWayne White – White is another one of Marinellis experiments that may have succeeded. Maybe. White has gotten better as his career has gone on. He has averaged at least one interception a season since arriving here. He also has a steady 6.5 sacks a season. So, what’s the problem? If White could stay healthy and start all 16 games, we would have a solid defensive end whose 6.5 sacks could have been 12-14. He only played 12 games last season and started 11. I'll give White the benefit of the doubt this season, because Head Coach Jim Schwartz is making players work on getting stronger and build muscle. White may be able to go the whole 16 this season. Grade – C+
Jason Hunter – Who is this guy? Oh he's a former packer who has never started a game. Who accumulated 2 sacks last season. Hunter doesn’t have very impressive stats and there is very little footage on him. Grade – N/A
Landon Cohen – This Ohio University project may be just that. A project. He has a lot of upside and was said to of benched 225 pounds 50 times in camp. That’s insane! That’s strong for a guy that only weighs 300 pounds. He may get work on the outside, or the inside. At this point only Jim Schwartz only knows where he'll stick Cohen. Grade – C+
Sammie Lee Hill – 331 Pounds, 6-4 and his build suggest he play DE. Hill is what Schwartz hopes to be the next Albert Haynesworth. Hill has all the physical tools, but he was drafted out of Stillman. A small school prospect it may take Hill some time to adjust to the NFL speed. Hill may be one of the most intriguing prospects the Lions have taken in years. Grade – C
Grady Jackson – The Lions finally have someone to fill in the massive gap left by Shaun Rogers. Lets hope that’s not all Jackson does and actually makes some plays. Jackson is what the Lions haven't had since Marinelli took over, a nose tackle. A big guy in the middle to line up and fill space to prevent rushes up the gut. Jackson is having some health trouble already, but he's a 36 old man who weighs 345 pounds. Hopefully he'll stay healthy enough to help the Lions run defense. Grade – C+
Chartric Darby – Darby was Marinellis crude joke at getting the Lions a nose tackle. Darby I would say is average when he plays best. Grade – C
Orien Harris – Acquired via trade with the Rams for WR Ronald Curry. Harris hasn't played more than one season with the same team since he joined the league. He had four solo tackles last season for the Bengals while starting one game and playing 14. I wouldn't expect much out of Harris, but I wouldn't throw him under the bus right away. Grade – D
Shaun Smith – Newly acquired Shaun Smith. With Jared DeVries out for the year, enter Mr. Smith. Average again, but Schwartz seems to like him. Smith is considered a bad locker room guy. He got in an altercation with Brady Quinn and punched him in the face and apparently got in a verbal scuffle with the Browns defensive line coach. Smith played defensive end in the Browns 3-4 scheme, but at 320 pounds he'll most likely see time on the inside. Grade – C
Andre Fluellen – Keep an eye on Fluellen because he's played defensive end and defensive tackle. Forced to move to the outside last season due to injuries, Fluellen in the Schwartz brigade could be a project. Told to add weight, Schwartz may want to use him on the inside again. At 296 pounds Fluellen is really going to have to beef up. Grade – C-
Defensive Line Overall Grade – C+
While not the best line out there, the Lions do have some bright spots and some intriguing young prospects. One thing to remember though is the defense Marinelli ran, and the one Schwartz/Cunningham will run will be complete opposites. Mid-Season most of these grades could change for the good. It will be important for Schwartz to find a focal point on the line. If Sammie Lee Hill does start and does well the line will be instantly better. Cliff Avril is a great contributor and will only get better. The future of the line is just that, the younger players.
» Lions Redzone Original - Pros and Cons of the Big 3 in Detroit
Pros and Cons of the Big 3 in Detroit
Jim "millenbacker" Cone
www.LionsRedZone.com
Feb. 1, 2009
Head Coach Jim Schwartz:
Jim Schwartz has served as the Titans Defensive Coordinator for the past eight seasons, and was runner-up to Mike Nolan for the SF head coaching position in 2005. In January, 2008, he interviewed for head coaching positions with the Redskins, Dolphins, and Falcons. Schwartz interviewed twice for the head coaching job with the 0-16 Detroit Lions and on January 15, 2009 was named the Head Coach of the the Lions.
Schwartz's defenses have been notoriously successful on third down against the run. He does, however, continue to receive criticism from Tennessee Titans fans who blame him for the decline of their once dominating defense. Others argue that the decline of the Titans' defense is a result of the loss of numerous defensive stars from 2003-2005 due to salary cap considerations. Indeed, Schwartz's defense rebounded into the top half of the league during a 10-win 2007 season.
Jim Schwartz got his start in the NFL doing research for Bill Belichick on the Cleveland Browns staff in the mid-1990s.
Schwartz, according to team president Tom Legwand, will be able to give the Detroit Lions the needed qualities that are needed to change the Lions into a "Championship Contender". He grew up in Halethorpe, Maryland and is a graduate of Mount Saint Joseph in Baltimore.
Pros: Eight years experience as DC for the Titans, building one of the better defenses in the NFL for that span. His ability to adjust the defensive style around the talent was key in rebuilding the defense after the loss of key players in the 2003 to 2005 salary cap purge seasons. With scouting experience from working under Bill Belichick, Jim Schwartz is arguably the most qualified HC the Lions have had in a long time.
Cons: No HC experience.
Assessment: I am very happy with the hiring of Jim Schwartz. He is determined to build the defense around the talent rather than force a style on them that they don't totally fit. That to me will pay faster dividends on the field.
Defensive Coordinator Gunther Cunningham:
Gunther Cunningham has presided over some of the most successful defenses in NFL history (1995 & 1997), typically ranking at the top of the league in many statistical categories.
Cunningham was born in 1946 in war-torn Munich Germany to an American serviceman and a German mother before moving to the US at age ten. He attended the University of Oregon, where he played linebacker and placekicker before beginning a coaching career that has now spanned almost forty years. In 1995, Cunningham was hired by the Chiefs as the defensive coordinator after spending the previous four seasons as a coach with the Oakland Raiders.
During his original tenure as defensive coordinator, Cunningham's defenses allowed an average of only 16.4 points per game, the best mark in the NFL and had a turnover margin of +30, tops in the AFC. Under his lead, a number of players excelled, including stars such as Derrick Thomas, Neil Smith, James Hasty, and Dale Carter. Cunningham's defenses led Kansas City to an overall record of 42-22.
After the Chiefs missed the playoffs in 1998, head coach Marty Schottenheimer resigned, opening the door for Cunningham's promotion to the head coach position. After finishing two seasons with a .500 win percentage, Cunningham was fired and replaced by Dick Vermeil. Cunningham went on to become a successful linebackers coach for the Tennessee Titans. Under Vermeil, the Chiefs' offense exploded, but its defense struggled, resulting in the firing of Vermeil's choice of defensive coordinator, Greg Robinson. Cunningham was hired again to revitalize a defense that had finished near or at the bottom of the overall rankings since Schottenheimer and Cunningham departed.
For the 2008 season, Cunningham coached the Chiefs' linebackers as well as serving as the defensive coordinator.
Cunningham was hired as the Detroit Lions defensive coordinator on January 21, 2009, about a week after the Lions hired new head coach Jim Schwartz, who he worked with on the Titans from 2001-2003.
Pros: With almost 40 years coaching football, Gunther brings a wealth of experience to the Lions. Gunther has consistantly built some of the better defenses in the NFL as a Defensive Coordinator. He admits to running a very agressive defense built arount the talent rather than any specific style, much to the liking of Jim Schwartz. With a past history of working together Cunninham and Schwartz should be in sync with the rebuilding of the Lions defense.
Cons: Gunther has has average to less than average success as a HC.
Assessmant: With his history of success in building top quality defenses and his agressive attitude as a DC, I feel he is exactly the type of DC the Lions and the Lions fans need.
Offensive Coordinator Scott Linehan:
He previously held the head coaching position of the St Louis Rams. He also served as the OC for the Miami Dolphins in 2005 and the Minnesota Vikings for three seasons (2002–04).
Linehan began his coaching career as a volunteer coach at Sunset High School in Portland in 1987.
His college coaching career began in 1989 as the wide receivers coach at his alma mater, Idaho. He also coached in the college ranks at UNLV, Washington, and Louisville. He took his first NFL job as the offensive coordinator/ wide receivers coach with the Minnesota Vikings in 2002. He served in a similar capacity with the Miami Dolphins in 2005 before being handed his first head coaching position by the St Louis Rams in 2006.
As HC of the Rams he experienced on and off the field disputes with star players such as Steven Jackson, Torry Holt, and most notoriously, QB Marc Bulger whom he benched for his final game as head coach. Linehan was fired early in the 2008 season.
On January 9th, 2009, Linehan interviewed with the 49ers as a candidate for the open OC position. A second interview with the 49ers was held on January 15, 2009. He then declined the offer of the offensive coordinator position of the 49ers.
Linehan was announced as the offensive coordinator of the Lions on January 23, 2009 by new head coach Jim Schwartz.
Pros: He has has success as OC with the Vikings and Jim Schwartz likes his ability to move the offense against defenses. Linehan runs an attack style spread offense which could fit the Lions nicely with Kevin Smith and Calvin Johnson as his main weapons.
Cons: Limited NFL experience and a poor record as HC. He also had issues with some players as the Rams HC.
Assessment: Not sure.I'll give HC Jim Schwartz the benefit of the doubt in this one. Linehan has had some success as OC so time wil ltell if he was the right hire for OC of the Lions.
Over all I am happy with the hirings as they have the most overall experience of any staff we've had in many many years. Hopefully this is the beginning of the championship team we have all been waiting for.
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