OT: Lions resign Chris Houston
According to Tom Kowalski, Chris Houston resigned with for the Lions for two years. I can live with him and Eric Wright starting at CB this year. Also, I think too many people bash Alphonso Smith (he did burned a few times on Thanksgiving) but he had 5 interceptions and is a good nickel back.
I think the db's for this team need only be good, not great. We're going to cause so much chaos up front QBs will be running for their life most of the time. I like this deal a lot. This year I think the Lions go 8-8 or 9-7. If they focus on the OL and DBs in next years draft I think they are a legit playoff team come 2012.
Maybe I'm being a homer, but I think they're a legitimate playoff team right now. Sure, they aren't great at every position (no one is), but they have no glaring weaknesses, playmakers on both sides of the ball, and more depth than I remember since Millen came to town. I'm just crossing my fingers that guys like Stafford, CJ, and Backus can get through the season healthy.
Totally agree. This is the most excited I can ever remember being for a Lions team. They've really got a chance to be a solid playoff contender this year, and are only going to get better.
You're not alone.
I think there are 2 big questions that determine our playoff hopes this year. First, what kind of step back does Chicago take, they didn't have a great off season but did win the division last year. Second, what kind of impact can Donovan McNabb have in Minnesota?
I think we can all agree the Lions are probably in the second or third toughest division in football (AFC East being toughest) and that makes winning the wild card that much tougher.
Honestly, I think regardless of what the Bears and Vikings do, we have more talent than both of them. We just need more experience starting with Matt Stafford.
I think the NFC south is really tough as well with the Saints, Falcons, and Tampa Bay is starting to piece somethings together but I would be downright giddy about the Lions playoff chances if they played in say NFC West so I'm just optimistic about the team this year.
That was the other division I was thinking about. I really think Tampa is a very good young team, with an above average QB talent in Freeman. The only thing I think sets that division apart is that they get 2 automatic wins vs Carolina.
Haha oh carolina, they are gonna be bad for a long, long time.
I wouldn't drink too much of the kool-aid until I see the offensive line protect Stafford. That's the big question mark. Defense looks nice, offense looks nice assuming we're not starting the 3rd string QB by week 8.
That O-line didn't give up a whole lot of sacks last year. I don't have the stat handy, but they were actually top 10 in sacks allowed... with the elusive Shaun Hill at the helm most of the season. That O-line isn't great by any stretch, but I don't think they're as bad as everyone says they are. I think Stafford also needs to learn how to fall.
I'm so sick of that 'o they by golly need to get an oline to keep stafford on his feet lol'. Just because he has a glass shoulder (read: bad luck) doesn't mean he's getting sacked a lot.
The Lions really really need to draft a high quality LT next year to replace Backus. He's getting up there in years.
Assuming the Lions season ends up in the range of 7-10 wins that means they will have a draft pick somewhere around 15-20 there isn't a huge amout of quality LT's left at that point. Most times you would have to trade up into the top 10 (or higher) or get lucky in later rounds.
They've gotta get one somehow. Backus won't be able to hold it down much longer.
Although I agree with you that the oline wasn't that bad last year, the numbers that you are referencing when discussing sacks can be misleading. I watched every snap last year and after Stafford went down we rarely ran patterns that weren't based off a 3 step drop. Although there are definitely other areas the Lion's need to improve this year, the offensive line still can be better and will need to be if we want to compete for championships.
They were 10th in sacks allowed, but 6th in sacks per pass attempt last year. I don't think anyone has a case for them being one of the top units in football, but the notion that they are a terrible glaring weakness is also offbase.
I knew I saw that on the internet somewhere.
You guys can have Max Starks if you want him, Steelers released him a few days ago.
Detroit's offensive line gave up 27 sacks last year, which was sixth in the league. Not only that, but they did so while attempting the third highest amount of passes. People definitely exaggerate about how bad the offensive line is. Rob Sims was a big help last year.
August 1st, 2011 at 12:32 PM ^
I believe they passed 5th most in the league last year, and the oline gave up the 6th fewest sacks. Possibly flip those numbers, fact remains oline is good in pass pro.
I am glad the Lions were able to resign Chris. Could be an important piece to a possibly very stout defense.
How do you get upvoted for stating the obvious?
It's called karma. He starts with 2 points much like me. Click on my account and you can see yours, which judging from your post, it won't be too good.
Understood. Thanks, Keeeunt!
As long as he is nickel and we get enough push up front we could be straight but we always get injured, always. We need a sick corner, and a legit safety besides Lou. We need lots of things but if we can be healthy and click we could possibly make the playoffs. I say that and still I think we could also go 6-10 7-9. I love the Lions so much. I used to wear a skirt to every game, a lions skirt I found in Marquette, Mi. I flew from Gun Ru to Seattle in that Lions skirt and boots with no laces. A shirt that I bought off some kids back for 13 dollars that says Restoar the Roar. And a hat with ear phones and antenna. We got our ass beat by the Seahawks. I hate Seahawks fans. Anyways, I had a son that was a blow up Lion we named him Leo. He watched me play a college basketball game. He is smooth. If we don't go 10-6 I'm gonna be really sad. I'm sad every time we lose. I'm watching this Mich-Mich St. game. That 18 yard catch by Martin on 3rd and 15 was huge. I know Greg was bad but man I have watched every game from last year several times each and people were in position to make plays all the time. I hate Michigan State so much. When I was in high school I went to their campus for some FFA thing and i remember 2 things from that trip. 1. East Lansing smells like shit. 2. I snuck in the football stadium with a few of my boys and I took a piss on the S in the middle of the field. I took a shit on Lambeau Field but that's a story for a different day. 1Love
Let me guess: English major?
That was very entertaining. Thanks
That was very entertaining. Thanks
really? you couldnt fit the lambeau field story in there somehow?
really? you couldnt fit the lambeau field story in there somehow?
Just imagine if they still had this guy in the backfield:
Billy Sims please.
He was just resting so he would have fresh legs this season.
If they still had that guy in the backfield it would really say a lot about the running back talent in the NFL. At 43 nobody should be playing RB in the NFL.
If you're going to spend money, spending it on a player like Joseph would be ideal. That being said, I'm quite satisfied with the Lions off season thus far. The Lions did what good teams do, they let the market settle, and still got good players who fit their system. Teams like Seattle spending wildly on iffy at best guys like Gallery and Rice will regret it 2 years later. Spending money compulsively in a new CBA environment that no one completely understands is foolish.
Kudos to Mayhew and company for not over spending. You'd be hard pressed to find a scenario where the Patriots, Steelers, or Packers over spent for players, it's just not smart football.
Huge signing....hopefully they can repeat with another solid 6 - 10 season.
Maybe know they will draft a LT, unless Jason Fox is really going to be special
I thought this post meant they released him. Then I realized they re-signed him.
Yes, me too. Can we have a board policy to use a hyphen in the word re-signs? There is a big difference between:
Brady Hoke resigns
and
Brady Hoke re-signs.
Im not so sure if the Lions are a playoff team but I expect them to compete for a wild card position the last few weeks of the season. My main concern right now is if Stafford can stay healthy and the secondary. Its improved but we have to see what they do on the field. If Stafford can stay healthy I expect the offense to be fine, hopefully they can finally have a respectable run game now.
My realistic expectations are 7-9 or 8-8 but I would love 9-7.
This may be the usual Lions-fan-syndrome talking, but the Lions went 6-10 last year without a healthy Stafford or Best. I feel like if those guys are healthy, plus a year of development for Suh, plus Fairley, plus much better linebackers, plus maybe even two functional cornerbacks and a healthy Delmas.....I really think all that should add up to more than one extra win. Staying relatively healthy = winning season, I think.
With all the talk about our DL, new LBs, needs at CB, Delmas seems to get lost in the shufle. He's a very good player and a great playmaker. He might be my favorite Lion. Even if it is only because of this:
http://youtu.be/rf-gPVBKTA0?t=10s2010 the Lions and theNFC North also played the AFC East (N.E. /NYJ) this year they cycle in the AFC West which will help with the S.O.S..
That is a significant loss at DE. He was one of their best pass rushers. Defensive end becomes an even bigger need to be filled next offseason.
RIght now this team needs upgrades at LT, G, CB, and DE. LT and CB should be the top priorities in the 2012 offseason.
I am saying 7-9. I really do not have an adequate feel on how good Stafford is going to be. He has shown flashes, but he has yet to stay healthy long enough for me to express confidence in him as a QB. The rest of the team is solid enough to win 5-6 games by themselves. I just don't know about Stafford.
I don't think DE is a huge need at all. We've got KVB and Avril (if he resigns, which he should). Backups are Lawrence Jackson and now Willie Young - a solid young player. That's good enough for me.
August 1st, 2011 at 12:32 AM ^
McBride was a nice player, but given our loaded DL he was expendable. Stafford potentially not panning out is a legitimate concern, but I'm optimistic that he'll have a breakout year. As for the other position groups, there isn't a single team in the league that doesn't have an obvious weakness somewhere, and the Lions did a nice job filling most of them. To me, 7-9 is very pessimistic and would be a huge disappointment. I think the bar should be 9-7, with 10-6 with a wild card berth. Probably not enough to eclipse the Packers, but the Bears and Vikes are going to suck this year. Take that to the bank.
The Lions sure are building a great team.