Tag: free agency

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The Detroit Lions should not resign Kenny Golladay

Its seems probable at this moment Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford has played his last game in a Lions uniform. With a Brad Homes hired as the new general manager it seems like a total or near total rebuild is on the horizon. That is part of the reason the Lions should not resign wide receiver Kenny Golladay. Seriously.

Kenny Golladay is a very good receiver. Even though he fails to get a lot of separation from defensive backs which is an issue. The lack of separation gives way to Golladay having to make seemingly great catches.

Making catches like this look amazing! Until you realize Golladay did not get separation and actually takes a pretty hard hit. The point is Golladay was limited to five games this season, in part because he takes big hits because of the lack of separation.

The going rate for a good wide receiver in free agency is $19 million. For the Detroit Lions looking at, at the very least a massive retooling of the current failed roster left over from recently fired Lions GM Bob Quinn, that $19 million can be invested in bigger needs. Such as the defense. A unit that finished dead last in the NFL.

DETROIT, MI – OCTOBER 07: Quarterback Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions congratulates teammate Kenny Golladay #19 after he caught a touchdown pass against the Green Bay Packers during the second half at Ford Field on October 7, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

There will be very good free agents in this years wide receiver pool. Cheaper more effective players. It is being reported all over the place the Lions are locked into former Lions tight end current New Orleans Saints tight ends coach/ assistant head coach Dan Campbell for the head coaching opening.

With a new GM and head coach, it is very possible they will want to put their own stamp on the franchise moving forward. A new quarterback and receivers could be in order.

From a fans point of view at first glance losing Kenny Golladay would sting. From a football stand point, it really would not be all that bad. ASs I mentioned better, cheaper wide receivers will be hitting the open market soon.

 

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The Detroit Lions make big,bold moves first day of free agency

Embed from Getty Images Bob Quinn put his end of the season stamp on the Detroit Lions 2018 season by saying “I did not put us in a position to win.” While that was true, Quinn also followed it up by saying “We need playmakers on both sides of the ball.” That also was a true statement. Yesterday, the first day of NFL free agency, Quinn put his words into action.

While signing top flight free agents is nice, it by no means guarantees success right off the bat. That needs to be stressed first and foremost.Team chemistry is the key to winning games. Last season the Detroit Lions did not have enough players who bought into head coach Matt Patricia’s system. Those players are now gone.

Detroit has needs all over the place. They address slot receiver early in the morning by grabbing Danny Amendola,  from the Miami Dolphins. It is some what a ho-hum signing because Amendola has never had 1,000 yards receiving. He has not even broken 700 yards. But he will be a safety valve for quarterback Matthew Stafford.

Next Detroit went with a bigger signing. Netting Justin Coleman a cornerback with the Seattle Seahawks. One of the top CB on the market. Coleman is not a CB2. The Lions still need to find one. What Justin Coleman is, is a very good nickel-package cover guy. In fact the best nickel corner in the league. He fits Patricia’s defense perfectly.

Then we get to the final two signing. They were HUGE additions for the Detroit Lions. Ezekiel Ansah, Detroit’s top pass rusher was not coming back. Enter Trey Flowers, New England Patriots. This is a monster get for the Lions. Flowers is a very good player. His value is not so much rushing the quarterback. It is his ability to slide into a 3T/0T alinement. Flowers quickness  gives offensive linemen a ton of problems. He is excellent at finding creases on stunts.

Next the Detroit Lions, in desperate need of a tight end, agreed to terms with the best one on the open market. Pittsburgh Steelers Jesse James. At 6′ 7″ James is a huge target. The Lions like him because Jesse James is the best blocking TE in the NFL. Be it on the line of scrimmage or down field.

Of the four players Detroit signed, three are former New England Patriots. Amendola, Coleman, Flowers. They all have connections to Bob Quinn and Matt Patricia. All three players are “by-in” players. Flowers said yesterday he would “run through walls to play for Patricia again.”

It is those players who Detroit has focused on. In one day the Lions got three of the top players at their positions. Flowers, Coleman and James. Playmakers. Just like Bob Quinn said.

 

 

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The Detroit Lions enter free agency with 40 million in cap space

Embed from Getty Images As the Detroit Lions season concluded general manager Bob Quinn said he was looking to add playmakers for his team. The day he announced that the Detroit Lions had $31,237,788 in available cap space. That changed yesterday when the team released team captain T.J. Lang.

$40 million in cap space is the most money the Lions have had headed into free agency. Ever. Once he took over the general mangers chair Quinn has held money back to give the team wiggle room.

He has used that wiggle room to add players during the season, as well as sign players off the practice squad. It is difficult to cut any captain. But from a business stand point it was the right move.

T.J. Lang had signed as a free agent from the Green Bay Packers two years ago. Injuries has kept him off the field more than on it. At 33 years old and due a large pay raise, the Lions cut bait.

Given Bob Quinn’s insistence to add playmakers some names to remember as free agency starts next week are;

Defensive End, Trey Flowers, New England Patriots, One of the best pass rushers on the open market coupled with Quinn and coach Matt Patrica’s Patriots history is something to keep an eye on. The team is in need for a veteran edge rusher.

Wide Receiver, Adam Humphries, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Detroit is in dire need at slot receiver. Humphries is the best of the free agent bunch. Last season Humphries had a career high 816 yards and 5 touchdowns. Would be a really good signing.

Safety, Landon Collins, New York Giants, It is hard to believe the Giants are not resigning Collins who is one of the best safeties in the NFL. Detroit just cut Glover Quin and would be both a solid replacement and a more athletic player. Collins is the best player in the free agent class.

Detroit will enter free agency with a shopping list. Expect Bob Quinn to fill his cart and prepare his team for a playoff run next season.

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