Thread for news about my Lions

[Cooley Cadets]

Lions agreed to trade SS Gerald Alexander to the Jaguars in exchange for WR Dennis Northcutt. Alexander, now recovered from a fractured vertebra suffered last October, failed to impress the new Lions staff even in a weak crowd at strong safety. Though Alexander is pure backup material on a quality defense, he could end up pushing moderately talented starter Sean Considine if he's truly at full health.

Not much of a surprise but I think this is a good move for the Lions.

Alexander was not likely to have an impact beyond holding a roster spot. Northcutt is not coming in with the organization expecting him to bring a consistent production to the WR corps or even to be a starter. I am imagining they are getting him for the right price to be a filler who can come into the game and have a positive impact.

Everyone knows Calvin is the undisputed #1 and although Bryant Johnson should emerge as the undisputed #2 he has underperformed in the past to make Northcutt a valid threat to keep him focused. I have never been convinced with Curry (hard to objectively evaluate him though with the revolving door talent in Oakland for the past several years) so Northcutt could emerge as the more consistent #3. I would not be recommending picking up DeNo for your fantasy team but for the teams depth I think he is a solid acquisition.

 

[WesDawg]

Don't overlook Northcutt if you're in a deeper league that requires/rewards individual special team stats. That may be where he makes the biggest initial impact for Detroit.

 

[Cooley Cadets]

Don't overlook Northcutt if you're in a deeper league that requires/rewards individual special team stats. That may be where he makes the biggest initial impact for Detroit.

Returns is where I am still hoping the rookie, Williams, makes an impact.

 

[Coachnorm]

Brian VanOchten, of The Grand Rapids Press, reports Detroit Lions DE Dewayne White is looking to get 10 sacks in the 2009 season. White said, "My goal is 10-plus sacks. That's the main one that I always focus on. If I do that, it'll help the whole defense, and we'll win some games."

 

[Cooley Cadets]

Brian VanOchten, of The Grand Rapids Press, reports Detroit Lions DE Dewayne White is looking to get 10 sacks in the 2009 season. White said, "My goal is 10-plus sacks. That's the main one that I always focus on. If I do that, it'll help the whole defense, and we'll win some games."

I would be happy with providing a consistent presence on the line rather than the hit/miss approach he has provided so far. He definitely has the ability so it is nice to see he may also have the drive.

 

[Coachnorm]

Tom Kowalski, of MLive.com, reports Detroit Lions CB Eric King appears to have the nickelback job solidified but could compete for one of the starting cornerback jobs during training camp.

 

[Coachnorm]

Returns is where I am still hoping the rookie, Williams, makes an impact.

Tom Kowalski, of Mlive.com, reports the Detroit Lions envision WR Derrick D. Williams (hamstring) as strictly a return specialist this season. However, the team is hoping that eventually they can move Williams around the field, from receiver to the slot and also coming out of the backfield. Williams could also play in some Wildcat formations because he has some quarterback in his background.

Williams shot at a starting WR job was deflated bye a hammy injury during OTAs. But it sounds like the Lions are still pretty enthused about the rookie.

 

[DearbornDolfan]

Aren't the Lions running a 3-4 this year?

 

[Cooley Cadets]

Tom Kowalski, of MLive.com, reports Detroit Lions CB Eric King appears to have the nickelback job solidified but could compete for one of the starting cornerback jobs during training camp.

I would not be surprised if 4 CB's rotate playing time on a consistent basis to keep them fresh. Buchanon is only in his late 20's but has been inconsistent in the past. Henry is over 30 and well need additional time to stay up to form. King and Pearson I'm hoping will provide needed relief.

 

[Cooley Cadets]

Williams shot at a starting WR job was deflated bye a hammy injury during OTAs. But it sounds like the Lions are still pretty enthused about the rookie.

With their pickups at the WR position this offseason hopefully they are just positioning themselves to give the kid time and he will eventually produce beyond the special teams.

Curry and Northcutt are not longterm solutions and at this point it isn't as though the depth behind those 2 are intimidating so we'll see who we have on the roster by the time Williams has a year under his belt.

 

[Cooley Cadets]

Aren't the Lions running a 3-4 this year?

That was my understanding, has there been news of something else?

I was thinking the line up front would be Hicks - Jackson - Avril

and the LB's Dizon - Foote - Peterson - Sims

I did hear something a while back about Grady not having been able to practice yet - if he isn't a go I could see that possibly forcing their hand to play around with the formations if Fluellen or the rookie Hill (who I would not expect) can not fill the void.

 

[chrisslabaugh]

Have you heard any news on Louis Delmas? I super excited about this guy.

 

[Cooley Cadets]

Have you heard any news on Louis Delmas? I super excited about this guy.

Only positive - not overly surprising at this point. Nothing to indicate he will not be starting from day 1.

 

[DearbornDolfan]

That was my understanding, has there been news of something else?

No, I'm just wondering how a 3-4 DE is going to get 10 sacks. That's not common at all.

 

[Remote Controller]

Caleb Campbell to Try Out for U.S. Bobsled Team --
Tue Jul 7, 2009 --from FFMastermind.com
AP reports former Detroits Lions draft pick S Caleb Campbell will try out for the 2010 U.S. Olympic bobsled team.

His little brother was nominted for an ESPY for shattering the World Record for the Pentanthalon at the Paralympics. Vote for Jeremy Campbell!!

 

[DearbornDolfan]

I don't know why he doesn't stick to football. The guy obviously has talent and it's a shame the Army screwed him. If only they had received as much bad press for reneging as they received for allowing him to be drafted.

 

[Cooley Cadets]

I don't know why he doesn't stick to football.

My guess the main reason is the military will allow him the opportunity.

 

[DearbornDolfan]

No, his contract has a two year opt-out like for all those that attend the service academy. He should be done with his service then.

 

[Cooley Cadets]

No, his contract has a two year opt-out like for all those that attend the service academy. He should be done with his service then.

For the actual event he may be out of the service but for the tryout activities/training I would imagine the service distinguishes a national team from a 2nd job for profit when it works around a schedule.

 

[Coachnorm]

New Lions defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham plans to blitz on 40 percent of downs this season, according to ESPN.com. LB Ernie Sims has been a tackling machine in his three years in the NFL, but has never been one to pressure the quarterback - he has just 2.5 career sacks. Cunningham's new high-pressure scheme could allow Sims to double his career sack total this season.