Lions (hopeful) offseason moves

Since the conclusion of the 2011 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions have become one of the most popular teams and picks for this (hopefully) up-coming season. Thanks to the addition of Big Nick Fairley, the "Silver Crush", is already being considered as one of the top defensive lines in the entire league, and how can you disagree, we know have maybe the two most dominate, dominate defensive tackles in college in the last 10 years. But not only did the Lions brass add a disruptive force on the defensive side of the ball, but they also added Boise State wide out Titus Young, a deep threat receiver, who will finally take the top off of the opposing secondary and open up the field for Calvin and Nate to be even bigger threats in the offense. Another offensive weapon has been added to help solidify the very potent Detroit offense, Illinois running back Mikel Leshoure.'Shoure is a big (6'1'' 230) power back that rushed for 1700 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2010 for the Fighting Illini. Along with top picks, the Lions added project players, Doug Hogue and Johnny Culbreath. Hogue is a speed outside linebacker out of Syracuse, and Culbreath is a extremely athletic offensive tackle from South Carolina State.

Now we have to wait until this ridiculous lockout is over until the Lions can add the final pieces to solidify this team into a consistent playoff contender year in and year out.

My free agent moves:


#1. Go out and solidify the secondary. The dream would be to go out and do what it takes to sign and land Nnamdi Asomugha, who will legitimize the defense and team. Nnamdi is one of the only 2 shutdown corners in the entire league and could really be willing to play in Detroit especially behind that great D-Line for the right price.

 Another idea would be to save money and go for a solid, tackling, cover corner like Ike Taylor or Carlos Rogers who both could lock down that #1 corner position. On top of adding a top flight free agent corner, the Lions will have to go out and re-sign Chris Houston who was the best corner on the team last year.

Rogers (left) Taylor (middle) Houston (right)

#2. Fill the gaping holes at Linebacker. Besides corner, the biggest hole on the entire team this past season was at outside linebacker, and now with the releasing of Julian Peterson, the Lions have Bobby Carpenter and Ashlee Palmer to be the OLB's on the sides of MLB DeAndre Levy.

Now there isnt a great amount of talent at the outside linebacker position in free agency, or in any position overall really, so the Lions will need to find the right player(s) that fit their system, which means they will need athletic linebackers who can cover and also step up and fill the gaps. Mayhew has already said that he expects Carpenter and Palmer to compete for one OLB position, probably weak side, so that leaves the team with the need for one impactful, starting strong side linebacker.....

My pick in the free agency pool would be either James Anderson or Stephen Nicholas. Both players are great against the run and had over 100 tackles this past season and neither would break the bank, which will be very big if we do go after Nnamdi Asomugha.

Anderson (left) Nicholas (right)

#3. Find more hidden gems. There were a ton of quality players that went undrafted this past draft and I think the Lions should jump all over them and add some more decent free agents to fill the voids that we have in the depth chart.

Players Id like to at least see get picked up for training camp.....

• DeAndre McDaniel, S, Clemson, UDFA - was considered a 1st round pick last year
• Jake Kirkpatrick, C, TCU, UDFA- won the Rimington award for top collegiate center
• Darvin Adams, WR, Auburn, UDFA - was one of Cam Newton's top targets
• Henry Hynoski, FB, Pitt, UDFA - bulldozer of a fullback, old school type of player
• Mark Herzlich, OLB, BC, UDFA - Great story, before cancer he was a top 10 pick
• Thomas Howard, OLB, Free Agent - Extremely athletic outside backer
• Eric Wright, CB, Free Agent - Has all the physical tools to turn his career around

So to recap all the moves I would like to see before the next season (whenever that may be)

1. Sign Nnamdi Asomugha (If not available, Ike Taylor or Carlos Rogers)
2. Re-sign Chris Houston
3. Sign James Anderson or Stephen Nicholas at OLB
4. Find the gem UDFA's and lower level FA's.