Detroit Lions Free Agency: 5 Players That Won't Be in Detroit in 2011

It seems as though every year at this time the Bleacher Report transforms into a virtual free agent wishlist for NFL fans.

We spend countless hours analyzing and projecting players’ interest in our teams in an almost prophetic manner.

It never fails.

I myself have fallen subject to this very aura.

On June 23, 2011 I wrote an article titled “NFL Trade Rumors: Nnamdi Asomugha to Detroit Could Legitimately Happen.”

And like a used car salesman, I worked diligently in trying to make the Detroit Lions look like an “ideal” situation for Asomugha.

But let’s be honest, It probably wont happen.

It looks as if a new collective bargaining agreement is on the horizon, effectively bringing the NFL lockout to an end.

Free agency will then kickoff, and great players will come and go.

It was fun while it lasted right?

At least we had the opportunity to envision Nnamdi in Honolulu blue and silver.

Here are five players that WILL NOT be in a Detroit Lions uniform in 2011.

Nnamdi Asomugha

2010 Team: Oakland Raiders

Position: Cornerback

Age:30

Free Agency Status: Unrestricted

Let me begin by saying that I firmly believe that the Detroit Lions are very much in play for Asomugha.

As far as cornerbacks in the NFL go, I don’t know that there is one better than Asomugha.

Nnamdi at 30 years old would be a huge veteran asset to a young Detroit Lions team, but the decision is really in his hands.

It has been speculated that Asomugha’s primary interest is to play for a team that can win now. In that respect teams like the Dallas Cowboys, New York Jets, New England Patriots, and Green Bay Packers have the inside track.

Even the Oakland Raiders who he played for in 2010 have a good chance at re-signing him.

NFL.com’s Michael Lombardi believes the Miami Dolphins have picked up momentum, he considers the Dolphins to be a “good fit” for Asomugha.  

Only Asomugha knows where his interests lie.

One thing is for sure.

The Asomugha sweepstakes is going to be an absolute bidding war, a war that the Detroit Lions are in no position to win.

Davin Joseph

2010 Team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Position: Guard

Age:27

Free Agency Status: Five Year

After New England’s Logan Mankins, Davin Joseph is the NFL’s next-best guard.

Davin Joseph is 27 years old and will be 28 this November.

Joseph is a critical piece in Tampa Bay’s running game, he is a virtual road grader.

The 6’3", 313-pound Joseph is an elite talent, and a former first-round selection for Tampa Bay. You can be sure the Buccaneers will make re-signing him a priority.

The Buccaneers do not have the depth on the offensive line to let Davin walk.

New offensive line coach Pat Morris will work diligently in ensuring that his best talent is squared away.

With a young up-and-coming talent like Josh Freeman you can be sure that Tampa Bay will put stock in protecting him.

Though Joseph would be an ideal fit in Detroit, it looks as if his price tag will be massive.

I predict that the Buccaneers will ultimately re-sign Joseph.

Paul Posluszny

2010 Team: Buffalo Bills

Position: Linebacker

Age:26

Free Agency Status: Four Year

Paul Posluszny will be one of the most highly sought after linebackers in free agency.

It seems as if Posluszny is really picking up steam in Detroit Lions conversations, but we might as well start looking elsewhere now. 

I can almost, without a shadow of a doubt, guarantee Posluszny will be in a Buffallo Bills uniform in 2011.

He is and will be until the day he retires the heart and soul of the Buffalo Bills defense.

He is more than content in Buffalo.

I would love to see Posluszny in Detroit for the 2011 season, but it's highly improbable that he leaves Buffalo.

Plaxico Burress

2010 Team: Last Played 2008 New York Giants

Position: Wide Receiver

Age:34

Free Agency Status: Unrestricted

Listen, I understand Plaxico Burress played at Michigan State.

It's obvious that Detroit fans have been following him with an eager eye since he entered the league in 2000.

I saw it when University of Michigan product Braylon Edwards became available in Cleveland.

I understand the desire to follow and want homegrown talent.

Believe me, I am an MSU guy.

Please understand though, that neither Plaxico nor Braylon will be in a Detroit Lions uniform in the foreseeable future.

You can be sure that agent Drew Rosenhaus will attempt to capitalize on some teams “need” for a big-play wide receiver.

That means BIG money, money that Detroit will rightfully use to sign "Megatron" in 2012.

Ike Taylor

2010 Team: Pittsburgh Steelers

Position: Cornerback

Age:31

Free Agency Status: Unrestricted

Detroit fans need to look at Ike Taylor’s free agent availability like they do current Lions cornerback Chris Houston’s. Free agency is really just their chance to test the waters, a way to guarantee big money contracts with their current teams.

Taylor is guaranteed high-money interest from other NFL teams. He will use free agency to guarantee himself a lucrative contract that will allow him to retire as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers, and remain on a team that is a perennial Super Bowl contender.

When you put in the time and work that he has into an organization, that is how veteran free agency works.

Not only will Ike Taylor not be a Lion, he won’t leave Pittsburgh.