Signing SS Atari Bigby Could Kill Two Birds With One Stone.

Week 6: Green Bay Packers 26, Detroit Lions 0,

     As a Lion's Fan; this is a sight that I would care to never see again. "Green Bay Packers' Atari Bigby intercepts a pass in the end zone that was intended for Detroit Lions receiver John Standeford in the fourth quarter during the game at Lambeau Field on Oct. 18, 2009".  But if you are a Lions fan like me, this is something all to familiar whenever we play the Packers. 

     Atari Bigby is not planning on signing his restricted free agent contract tender any time soon, according to Greg A. Bedard of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. With the Packers unable to really reduce his $1.76 million tender, he will probaly opt to hold out a little while longer.  Bigby is not happy with his contract, and with the addition of draft pick Morgan Burnett impressing the coaching staff in Bigby's absence for OTA's and camp, there is a possibilty of his job being in jeapordy.

     Before I get to the obvious point of how he could help the Lions let's take a look at his production over the last several years.

  2009: games: 13, 37 tackles, 12 assists, 4 int, 8 passes def.

  2008: games: 7, 15 tackles, 6 assists, 1 int, 2 passes def.

  2007: games: 16, 66 tackles, 20 assists, 5 int, 9 passes def.

     The current projected starter; C.C. Browns best year compares at:

  2006: 66 tackles, 10 assists, 1 int, 4 passes def.

     He has yet to put up the same numbers in a giants uniform, and I don't see him doing it in Detroit either.

     Now to the obvious of killing two birds with one stone: 

  1. Signing Atari Bigby would fill the huge whole opposite ever-increasing star Louis "the missile" Delmas.  With Bigby's 5 years experience and his popular hard-hitting tendacies would allow Delmas to explode into the player we all know he is.  Not to mention they would be "the braided duo" capable of shutting down the air attack in the open field, and coming up to squash the running game at the line.

  2. It would elminate anymore of the agony you see in the picture above. Let's face it anytime you can pull a potential player away from the rivalry team that we've been looking up at from the bottom of the NFC North for decades is always a plus!

     Everyday I get on the computer and hope to see some news other than O.J. Atogwe, but it seems thats not going to happen until someone is foolish enough to sign him. 

  2009: games 12, 58 tackles, 16 assists, 2 int, 5 passes def.

     His best year:

  2007: games 16, 66 tackles, 9 assists, 8 int, 12 passes def.

     Now I can't argue that these are some pretty good numbers. He is a consistent player, but for the money he wants and the injury factors is he worth it.  At the price he is asking and the length of the contract; I just don't see the Lions staff going for it.  I hope they don't.

     Bigby has had his share of injuries also that slowed his play over the last year or two, but it appears he his healthy and in shape to play.  At 1.76 million, it appears to me that he would be a great aquisition to the Lion's backfield.  Atagwe wants a long-term deal, while Bigby is a year younger and could possibly be signed to a two maybe three year contract and give Detriot time to find a long-term investment in the 2011/2012 draft.  Bottom line Bigby is one of the best free agent safeties out there on the market, and at this point maybe the best choice for the price.  The deadline is coming up quick and with Atogwe and Hamlin obviously out of the question, Bigby is the next reasonable possibility.  I just can't understand why there hasn't been a buzz about him yet.  Is this a far-fetched and desperate hope on my part, or is Bigby being completely over-looked here.

     Please feel free to leave your comments and thoughts. I am curious to know what everyone else thinks. Thanks for reading.