OT- Lions to sign James Ihedigbo
March 13th, 2014 at 10:21 AM ^
Like it wasn't hard enough learning to pronounce Ndamukong, now we've got to learn how to say Inhedigbo. Yeesh.
(Seems like a great pickup that further increases the Lions' flexibility in the draft.)
March 13th, 2014 at 12:54 PM ^
It's pronounced "He-Dig-Bo"
I like him already.
R-O-K
March 13th, 2014 at 10:24 AM ^
Cool. Looks like a good pick up. That takes care of their safety concerns/needs.
That makes their first pick in the draft more interesting now.
March 13th, 2014 at 10:24 AM ^
March 13th, 2014 at 10:31 AM ^
I know we signed Tate, but we still need help at WR. I would love Watkins, and would settle for Evans. I also like the idea of moving back a couple spots, picking up a pick and getting the USC WR. I do like the signing of Inhedigbo.
March 13th, 2014 at 10:47 AM ^
With Tate we don't need a first-round type any more. Durham works just fine as a 3rd receiver and Ogletree and Broyles should compete for the fourth spot. No point in using a first-round pick on a receiver now when we can do a lot better shoring up the defense.
March 13th, 2014 at 10:59 AM ^
March 13th, 2014 at 11:10 AM ^
March 13th, 2014 at 11:33 AM ^
i would really like that pick, or allen robinson, or jordan matthews in the 2nd
March 13th, 2014 at 12:00 PM ^
March 13th, 2014 at 12:21 PM ^
Or lower. Could be a steal.
March 13th, 2014 at 12:47 PM ^
I think Durham is fine, but regardless, it's still a big waste now to take a 1st-round receiver.
March 13th, 2014 at 11:02 AM ^
I am not as plugged into the draft as others, but Evans just seems like a bust waiting to happen. I would much rather get Allen Robinson in the 2nd if possible than Evans anywhere.
March 13th, 2014 at 11:14 AM ^
March 13th, 2014 at 12:21 PM ^
I know it's probably the build and all of that... but this guy reminds me of David Boston. A guy who could get decent separation in college but also relied heavily on physical domination. Typically does not fly in the NFL unless you are an absolute freak athlete (read Megatron)
March 13th, 2014 at 11:21 AM ^
The draft is really deep at WR. The Lions should grab best available defender or OL in the first round, and then take a WR in round two or three if they need one.
March 13th, 2014 at 11:34 AM ^
when it's their biggest strength on offense?
March 13th, 2014 at 11:53 AM ^
March 13th, 2014 at 12:51 PM ^
If a really good tackle is available, they could draft one with the long-term view of sliding Reiff inside. Say if a Greg Robinson is there. He probably won't be, but it should be on the board as an option. OL is a position where I think you never, regardless of your circumstances, write it off the board.
March 13th, 2014 at 12:55 PM ^
is to find future starting C to replace Riaola. I don't see Matthews or Robinson at #10 anyway. Lewan isn't worth taking at #10 overall IMO.
I wouldn't reach for a 25th-overall type, no, just saying that improvement at OL should always be on the board as an option.
but it's hard to improve on a unit that is arguably the best in the league. Got a big time steal in Warford at 3rd round who played at All-Pro level. RR and Waddle shown that they will start for the Lions for the next 10 years. Sims is a solid starting LG. Riaola is the weak link but had his best season last year (PFF have him as the best C based on last season play).
"...improvement at OL should always be on the board as an option."
That's not a bad philosophy, but spending your first round pick on depth at a position of strength seems like a really big missed opportunity to improve the team where they may actually need it.
Drafting more OL in the 3rd, sure. In the first? That's just a waste of an opportunity to get skilled players where you actually need them.
March 13th, 2014 at 10:33 AM ^
I think the Lions need a kicker. It's the only weapon left to get in the draft.
/s
March 13th, 2014 at 10:48 AM ^
Unless the Lions are drafting DBs in the first AND second round of the draft this year, that secondary still looks very crappy.
March 13th, 2014 at 10:57 AM ^
Rookie DB's so I don't know why you think drafting DB's would improve it.
March 13th, 2014 at 11:28 AM ^
Because they have neglected the area for so long I want to see them build it instead of slap a bandaid on with middling free agents.
Houston is usually fine if he's your second best corner. The Lions signed him and play him like he's a #1. I haven't given up on Slay but I can't say I have much hope for Bentley.
March 13th, 2014 at 11:34 AM ^
Darius Slay who is slated to be the starting CB at 2nd round.
Bill Bentley who is slated to be the starting Nickelback at 2nd round.
Jonte Green is the backup outside CB at 6th round.
Chris Greenwood is the backup outside CB at 5th round.
They have drafted enough young CBs and it's time for them to swim or sink this year. I'm confident in Slay and Bentley. I also think Green showed promise in limited playing time. Greenwood is still work in progress. Rookie CBs won't do them any good because they will struggle in their 1st year. I'm pretty sure that Dennard, Gilbert, Fuller, etc. aren't upgrade over Houston/Slay.
March 13th, 2014 at 11:35 AM ^
we have drafted corners the last 3 years? just havent had the big first rounder stud like a patrick peterson
I think you're really overestimating the ability for any rookie CB to step in and be a shut-down defender. Petersen is really a big outlier. Everyone was complaining last draft that the Lions didn't draft Milliner, who went on to get benched by the Jets. DBs really take time to develop in the NFL; if you need an instant starter, drafting isn't the way to go.
Lions have a crop of young CBs that they need to either develop or cut loose. But throwing a 1st round pick at more young CBs that will need to also develop isn't going to solve anything.
I was OK with picking up a safety with the 1st, before they signed Ihedigbo (which I don't think has actually happened just yet). I still wouldn't be that disappointed if they went safety in the 1st, but there might be a more instant impact position need now with a new starter on board.
Drafting another rookie high when they still need a TE, DE, and OLB seems a bit unwise. However, all positions are need so BPA is almost certainly going to fill a need.
March 13th, 2014 at 10:48 AM ^
Considering that the story about Inhedigbo visiting only ran earlier this morning, this is some rather swift progress indeed. Last year, he managed 101 total tackles, 3 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles and 1 fumble recovery, according to the Baltimore Sun's article and that was statistically his best season to date. There are also 11 passes defended in there as well.
I do like the move though - if Inhedigbo can have productivity in the backfield like last year, that's huge for the Lions.
March 13th, 2014 at 10:50 AM ^
That's very common. When the "Lions visiting Tate" stories broke Tuesday night, I knew we'd probably hear about a signing the next day.
March 13th, 2014 at 11:11 AM ^
I would imagine that the Lions hiring his ex-DBs coach as their DC could be a reason for the swift progress.
March 13th, 2014 at 11:10 AM ^
"The Lions need another receiver."
March 13th, 2014 at 11:25 AM ^
Well, look at what happened to their recent second round picks.
If they were able to successfully transfer Ryan Broyles' brain into Titus Young's body, they'd be all set at WR.
March 13th, 2014 at 11:37 AM ^
Abby Normal.
March 13th, 2014 at 11:50 AM ^
March 13th, 2014 at 11:58 AM ^
Derrick Williams... a bunch of high picks who've never amounted to much for the Lions. Maybe Caldwell will be different...
March 13th, 2014 at 11:29 AM ^
March 13th, 2014 at 11:43 AM ^
You pretty much never see them in advance of the draft.
March 13th, 2014 at 12:54 PM ^
We've really gotten to the point where "trade down" is too automatic of a suggestion. All 32 fanbases want their teams to trade down at all times, forgetting that you have to find a trade-up partner to do so - and those are few and far between because trading down is so popular.
With the new rookie slotting rules, trading down is admittedly easier, but also less desirable.
March 13th, 2014 at 11:36 AM ^
I think Lions will take Eric Ebron at #10 overall. A freak athlete who can actually play football. Would be a seam stretching TE that Lions need.
March 13th, 2014 at 12:13 PM ^
Cue up the Section 1 "I'm not a Lions fan" rant.
March 13th, 2014 at 12:23 PM ^
What about Taylor Lewan for their first pick? Not sure how soon he is predicted to get picked though.