OT: Should the Lions sign more Michigan players?
There are two/three former Michigan players that need NFL homes and I see no reason the Lions shouldn't sign them. Plus, I think it would be awesome to see a roster dominated with Michigan players.
In no particular order they are the following:
1. OL Jon Runyan: He's a tackle which Detroit has an abundance of, but didn't he play guard in college? Could the Lions move him back to guard position? I think having a line with Jansen, Runyan and Backus would be hilarious and interesting. Even though he's coming off injury, he started 192 consecutive games. Even as a back up, he would be quality depth.
2. QB Brian Griese: He needs a home and the Lions should have another veteran for the 3rd QB. Why not Griese? He's better than Stanton and can provide some quality depth and experience for the Lions.
3. CB Ty Law: I have no idea what he's up to but he was healthy enough to be picked up by the Jets' late last year and from what I heard, he played well. He could definitely play for the Lions right now (can you even name me their starting corners?)
August 11th, 2009 at 6:20 PM ^
starting corners - travis henry and phillip buchanon?
August 11th, 2009 at 6:31 PM ^
James K. Polk and Joe Tiller
August 11th, 2009 at 6:32 PM ^
They should pick up more Michigan players just so that we can bolster our stats about sending players to the NFL.
The downside is, then they're going to Lions which hurts our stats about having players SUCCEED in the NFL. Ugh, this is quite a pickel.
August 11th, 2009 at 6:40 PM ^
Then they should sign guys who have no business in the NFL. Have them sign Andre Criswell and a couple Masseys. Then we have more guys in the NFL.
August 11th, 2009 at 6:38 PM ^
That's not how it works.
August 11th, 2009 at 6:48 PM ^
I think they should sign Jon Runyan and Ty Law, they may still be able to contibute and help the team get better. On the other hand, Brian Griese wasnt that good at his last stop and the Lions already have Culpepper so they dont need to pick up another veteran presence.
August 11th, 2009 at 6:48 PM ^
it's called "spending money on washed up dudes is usually not a really good idea".
the lions are only 4 mil under the cap. a player in his 8-10th year is due a MINIMUM of 720,000. An 11 year veteran is due 820,000. Now, factor in these guys might not play for the bare minimum, and it might not even be financially possible to sign them.
runyan, eh, maybe.
griese is unnecessary - the lions are on the hook for culpepper and stafford's massive salary - stafford is the obvious heir, culpepper the obvious mentor, why pay another vet? it doesn't make sense. you'd end up paying griese more than stanton to hold a clipboard.
ty law is 35 years old, he didn't play that great for the Jets. from a prominent jets blog : "Ty Law was an absolute non-factor in New York. His experience was supposed to be the difference between what Law can do and the inexperienced Dwight Lowery—the promising rookie he supplanted from the starting lineup."
besides, he said before signing with the jets that he wanted to play, but only for a contender. you're kidding yourself if you think law is a shadow of the guy who starred in the league.
i'm not trying to knock these guys. but time has caught up to them, and there's not a lot of room on a 53 man roster for high paid vets that aren't contributing.
August 11th, 2009 at 7:19 PM ^
The only reason to sign more Michigan players would be marketing... let's face it, Metro Detroit is Michigan territory (not firmly, but it's not 50/50 either... probably 60/40) so there is some benefit to be gained in the PR sphere from more Michigan alums. But the truth is, Dex just outlined all the reasons none of these will happen.
August 11th, 2009 at 7:41 PM ^
Do what a lot of our Wolverine fans say Rodriguez should do? You know, just get the bestest players, no matter where they come from.
August 11th, 2009 at 8:26 PM ^
I've always hated to see Michigan players end up on that sad sack franchise. It's a one-way ticket to golfing during playoff time. If Spartoons and Buckeyes end up playing for the Fords, fine.
August 11th, 2009 at 9:20 PM ^
I wouldn't want to see the Lions pick up any of these guys because as much as I hate to say it they are way past their primes. Also you wouldn't want to spend some of your last pro football years with the Lions.
August 11th, 2009 at 10:01 PM ^
None of these players are on the D-line. After Jared Devries went down for the season, they need to go after someone at that spot. D-line was already the Lion's worst position before that injury, and even if all of those players weren't washed up we couldn't sign them.