The Lions have a ton of holes to fill throughout the roster, and will need to address many of them in Free Agency, prior to preparing their final draft wish lists. The Lions have a good amount of cap room going into next season and should be major players in the free agency market. As in the first edition of Virtual GM, I have appointed myself GM of the Detroit Lions and will now discuss the players I will be interested in and/or targeting this offseason as well as the reasoning behind it.
Aside from the obvious, which is that the Lions need to get better everywhere, I will make it a point to address the trenches (offense and defense) and get some play makers on defense.
Granted, this is a wish list, therefore more than one person may be listed at a position while obviously we may only be able to sign one guy. For ease of reading, I will follow the position title with the # of signings I'm looking for in parentheses ().
DEFENSE
DT (2)
A. Haynesworth- Top DT available and is having a tremendous year for Tennessee. He would be the huge force needed on the DL and fill the void left by Shaun Rogers.
G. Watson - An awesome run-stopper in college (Michigan) and a massive presence at 6'3" 332 lbs.. Has seen limited action in Arizona and is stuck down in the depth chart. When he does get in the game though, things happen. He has seen time in eight games this season, with eight Tackles, one Sack, and two Forced Fumbles.
Analysis- Signing these two guys would allow the us to move Redding back to DE and rotate him at DT when needed along with Andre Fluellen and Chuck Darby.
DE (1)
J. Peppers - An absolute beast! No question, the best FA available. Strikes fear in the opposition every time he takes the field. He will likely re-sign with the Panthers, but if not, i'd certainly pay to get him.
T. Suggs - Doesn't get as much pub as Peppers but might be just as good. The NCAA single season sack king has wreaked havoc at the Pro level on one of the perennial top defenses. He'd be a great fit as a pass rusher, but has enough bulk to play the run too.
Analysis- Signing either of these guys, along with the monster DT's would instantly give the Lions one of the best DL's in football. A rotation of Redding, DeWayne White, Cliff Avril, I. Alama-Francis, and the signee would be pretty tough at the ends.
MLB (1)
J. Vilma - Odd man out in New York in the 3-4, but is a perfect 4-3 MLB. Injury concerns stopped the Lions from getting him last year. I wouldn't make that mistake twice.
C. Crowder - Fast, Hard-Nosed, good in coverage. What isn't to like here.
K. Dansby
25 comments Last one added 6 months ago — Leave a Comment
Zach Kruse 7 months ago
Uffda, that's a pricey list. If the Lions could get one MAYBE two it'd be a big surprise and a big upgrade
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Scott Rieger 7 months ago
Agreed, it's pricey....but one or two signature guys and then some of the second and third level signees like Watson, Scott and Crowder could be done.
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Zach Kruse 7 months ago
I don't know, it's going to take a lot to get a high profile free agent to come to Detroit. Until the atmosphere around that team clears, no one is going to want to step foot near Ford Field. You really think Albert Haynesworth would leave his probably 13-14 win Titans for the 0-fer Lions? I'd say getting just one third level guy, like a Crowder, would be a tremendous success.
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Scott Rieger 7 months ago
Historically, we have been able to get high profile guys, but we have to overpay to get them....Damien Woody (6yr. 31M), Dre Bly (5yr. 24.5M), etc.
Not out of the question that we overpay to get one or more of the high profile guys.
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Zach Kruse 7 months ago
I wouldn't put either of those two in the same class as a Haynesworth, Peppers, or Suggs. And those guys weren't signed after a 0-16 season. Lions are going to have to build respectability through the draft, which they should be capable of now that Millen is gone. Once they've gained back that respectability to some degree, then some of the big free agents might consider Detroit.
Overpaying for ONE of those guys would be stupid and irresponsible, because one guy can't fix the Lions right now. Know what I mean?
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Scott Rieger 7 months ago
I agree to a point Zach. Overpaying is a bit irresponsible but not if you have a plan on how to make things work. There are numerous examples in baseball where smaller market teams have been successful overpaying to compete with the Yankees and Red Sox. While it isn't ideal, and it's unfortunate, the only valid motivation for a guy to want to play for the hapless Lions (unless they are from the area like Bart Scott) is loads of cash and a promise of better times ahead.
You are right that those guys aren't in the same class as those guys, but in 2003 and 2004 respectively, they were the best available guys at their positions, CB and G respectively.
I also believe that now that Millen is gone, we will likely find more success through the draft but we cannot build solely through the draft unless we want to be doormats for the next 4 or 5 years.
The great teams build through the draft and supplement with key FA's. We aren't great yet so we have to draft well AND make a big splash in Free Agency. The Jets are a perfect example of this. They made the most noise last year in FA and it has paid off handsomely for them.
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David Geller 7 months ago
With three picks in the top 35, ownership suffering through significant money loss, and poor attendance, it will be hard to attract that many of those caliber of players. It sounds lame but in 2000 the Pats signed a guy by the name of Larry Izzo and with that brought in leadership and a winning attitude.
What the Lions need is a winner. A not so pricy, team player, who has pedigree.
Who's that guy? We don't know right now.
Still, you're already more qualified then the guy that the Lions currently have.
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Scott Rieger 7 months ago
Thanks for the compliment. I realize we wouldn't be able to sign all of the guys or even a guy at every position I listed, but making inroads at a few of them would set us up perfectly going into the draft.
I would be happy to have Haynesworth, Suggs or Peppers, along with one of the MLB's, Gabe Watson at DT, and Robinson or Gamble at corner. I believe that is do-able and should be looked into.
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Ja Tonio Lewis 7 months ago
Long time no hear buddy! Hey, I read the article and I have to tell you that you and I share the same feelings in regards to a lot of the Lions needs. We need to stop guys from running all over us; your ideas on DT would not only obliterate the oppositions run capabilities, but it would provide a nice interior pass rush. I gotta tell you I like Johnny Vilma. He is a solid cover guy, but more improtantly, he can lay the wood when it is called for. Personally I would re-tool the offensive line through the free agent market, but I really can't trust the Lions to make the selections that would prove beneficial to the team. Your selections for o-line would give us the old Marino type pocket which requires a QB with a quick release. However, because we have Calvin Johnson we need a pocket that can give us something we have not had in a long, long, long time, and that is time to throw the D@^* ball! Now your secondary selections in my opinion would leave a gap over the middle, but we at the least would kill the run. And if a team is willing to attempt a 70:30 run versus the pass ratio against us with the defense you have assembled, I must say, "On any given Sunday, I like our chances." I just want whoever takes over to do right by the city, the legacy, and the NFL and build a freaking contender. Lord knows the city of Detroit needs it; the pre-merger legacy is slowly becoming tarnished, and it is high time the rest of the NFL stop looking at the Lions on their schedule as another bye week. Scott, as always it was a pleasure to read your magnificent insight.
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Scott Rieger 7 months ago
Thanks Ja Tonio, I appreciate your input. I think that you are correct in your assessment of my picks and to be sure, these picks alone won't do the trick. They will need to be supplemented by a good, solid draft that produces at least 3 or 4 starters. Given that we have 5 picks through the first 3 rounds and the potential for another 3rd round pick stemming from last seasons FA loss of Damien Woody, that could be six top quality players coming in. The chances of landing 4 starters is pretty good if we draft correctly. A big IF knowing the Lions.
I agree that the Lions are a once proud and glorious franchise but have been run into the ground for the last 50 years. Hopefully, things are changing and signing some of the guys i've pointed out here could really give us a push in the right direction.
I do think that our secondary could be good with only one key FA signing because I think Bodden can be effective if surrounded by other talented guys. A secondary of Alexander, Bullucks, Bodden and either Gamble or Robinson would be solid. Add a couple good young guys from the draft to provide depth and we're looking pretty good.
As far as the gap over the middle, that is where the MLB comes in. All of the guys I listed, as well as Brandon Spikes and James Lauranitis (definite draft possibilities) are fast, good tacklers, and also good in coverage. Getting a MLB that can cover a lot of ground in the passing game becomes a huge strength in the Tampa 2. Just ask the Bears how important Brian Urlacher is.
So, again...the Lions have a ton of needs, but if we can protect the QB, stuff the run, get pressure on the QB from the DE position (and front 4 in general), and tackle people...we'll be a tough get every week.
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Keith Shelton 7 months ago
not a bad list at all Scott.
I think the two guys Detroit needs to make priority is Albert Haynesworth and Matt Cassell who I'm surprised isn't on your list. The Lions have the cap space to potentially throw a lot of money at both of them.
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Scott Rieger 7 months ago
I don't want to go anywhere near Matt Cassell. He is Scott Mitchell....revisted.
Honestly, I don't think it's necessary that we sign Haynesworth although I really want him. I think a solid pickup of Watson would be good as long as we add another good DT in the draft.
But for sure, we need to come out of FA with at least 4 or 5 starters, and then do the same in the draft.
Taking the Cap into consideration, if we could come away with this crop, i'd be ecstatic.
FA
Terrell Suggs - DE
Channing Crowder - MLB
Dunta Robinson - CB
Jon Runyan - OT
Richie Incognito - C
Gabe Watson - DT
Draft
1. Andre Smith - OT Alabama
1b. Brandon Spikes - MLB Florida
2. Duke Robinson - OG Oklahoma
3. Terrance Taylor- DT Michigan
3b. Joe Burnett - CB UCF
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Keith Shelton 7 months ago
that would be amazing...
I see you're on the Matt Cassel = Scott Mitchell bandwagon. I can see where you're coming from on that, but I like Cassel's intangibles. The way he pulled that team together after everyone thought their season was toast when Brady went down is pretty impressive. Back to back 400 yard games is something even Brady hasn't done, and you know the guy is humble and hard working being a 7th round pick who hadn't started since high school.
I like him a lot and lets face it, the Lions can't do any worse. It would at least put the idea of drafting a quarterback out of their heads. Even if he is the next Scott Mitchell, Mitchell wasn't any worse than Kitna in his best years.
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Scott Rieger 7 months ago
You might be on to something with Cassel but I just don't see it with him. He has been in the system for sometime now and learning from one of the best, which I believe sets him up pretty nicely. Then factor in his awesome receiving core and you have a recipe for success. Now, would he be able to go to a new team with new coaches, systems, players, and do well....that is where I have my doubts.
I am hopeful that the Lions leave the QB position alone through next year to really give DC a chance to make the offense go. He needs more protection and Kevin Smith needs more running lanes, so if we get that and improve our defense, I see us being much more stable and then we'd be able to assess the QB position and all other positions for that matter.
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Bob Biscigliano 7 months ago
Keith, Scott Mitchel threw for a bunch of 400 yard games too.
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T.W. Krems 7 months ago
Good article dude. Like to see what thye will do at QB and I cant see sproiles being allowed to leave after losing Turner already.
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T.W. Krems 7 months ago
one more thing, how you do that photo, its pretty cool.
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Scott Rieger 7 months ago
Thanks for the read Tom. I made the pic myself by collaging a bunch of pics together using Adobe Photoshop.
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Randy O 7 months ago
I think just Albert Haynesworth and Nnamdu Asomugha would be enough talent through free agency. That would give us a stud at every level of our defense. I don't think I would move Redding to end though, I would leave him in the middle with Haynesworth. DeWayne White, Cliff Avril, Ikaika Alma-Francis and Corey Smith should do wonders with all of the attention Haynesworth would get. Then I would take a middle linebacker with the second first round pick. A rookie middle linebaker shouldn't struggle playing behind Hayneworth and Redding. This should stop teams from running right up the gut. Im sure Ernie Sims will hangle any runs to the weakside. Strongside linebacker might be our weakest position. I think Lennon and Dizon could halde things though. Lennon could add depth at both middle and strongside positions. We could play man coverage and Asomugha would shut down the oppositions #1 reciever, Bodden could handle the #2. Gerald Alexander could play nickel and and sub eith safety. Pearson and Bullocks could be our safeties. I would be very confident sending that defense out every week. We surely wouldn't be giving up 32 points per game like this year.
I would rather resign Dan Orlovsky(Our Matt Cassel) than bring in Matt Cassel or keep Daunte Culpepper(7 million if we keep him). I think we should take an offensive tackle with the first pick and move Backus to guard. You hit the nail on the head with that one.
This means we only sign 2 free agents. I only used 2 draft picks so we could add tons of talent and depth with the rest of the draft.
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Scott Rieger 7 months ago
Thanks Randy and good points, but I still think we need to add more beef to the interior line, even if we sign Haynesworth. Redding could stay and has shown that he can be effective when next to a huge DT. I am big on signing Watson no matter what. He'll come cheap and could be a big steal since nobody has really seen much of him yet, but he is good.
I'd be comfortable with the DE's you listed but would surely have to add another pretty high in the draft. I mean, we'd only be an injury away from having IAF and Smith starting....ouch!
I don't want Asomugha. He is awesome, but is going to command an insane amount of money (ala Asante Samuel last year). I think we can target Robinson for less and still get about equal production.
Dizon should be better with time so I'm not too concerned about him, but I just hate Lenon. The guy is HORRIBLE as a starter. I guess I wouldn't be opposed to him backing up someone and playing ST.
Pearson is a good hitter and active, which is nice, but I don't see him being better than Alexander. I'd start Alexander at one Safety spot and Bullucks at the other.
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Bob Biscigliano 7 months ago
Good piece. It's going to take a lot for the Lions to be anything next year. It's possible though. I think if the Lions go 0-16 they might have a better shot at landing more players if they have the mindset that they'd like to be a part of this thing when it does turn around. Let's say the Lions find a way to win 9 games next year, after going 0-16 this year, the story is that much greater. Kind of like the Tigers in 2006. I agree that it's going to take a risky payout to show other players they are willing to pay to win, in addition to just get someone to show other FAs that path to Ford Field.
I think it's sad what is going on in state of Michigan on the whole. The longer that Michigan is held in a bad light because of the economy and the Big 3, negative connotations are going to further keep FAs from signing in Detroit. Having a miserable football team year in and year out certainly doesn't help. Another thing that will be huge is woh the new coach is going to be...
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Scott Rieger 7 months ago
Great comments Bob! I'll tell you what, thank god for my Michigan Basketball team. Talk about silencing critics and putting on a show. Those kids are well-coached and fun to watch.
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Bob Biscigliano 7 months ago
Amen to that. That was a great game to watch. Great to see some energy generated out of Chrysler ;-) ha!
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Nicholas Grant 6 months ago
I would lose my MIND if we could land Suggs...but why would be sign Crowder to play MLB if we could get spikes or vice versa doesnt make tooo much sence to me..I say
Suggs playing OLB would be great and we can have him walking up to rush, simliar to Merriman, and we can have averages DE playing because of the threat of Suggs.
Aside from that I agree with what Randy said above, except that lose Culpepper, because don't be fooled, any QB with a big arm can throw bombs to Calvin Johnson, hes not playing spectactular. Get a young guy in there to replace him.
sorry if my thoughts are not very well put together, i should be studiyng for exams right now..
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Scott Rieger 6 months ago
Nicholas,
Good luck on your exams. I would love to have Suggs but he'd have to play DE for us in a 4-3. He plays OLB now in a 3-4 but would be exposed as an outside backer in a 4-3. He would be a hell of a rush end for us though.
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