Detroit Lions 2024 Offseason Thread

[Sports_Freak]

2 hours ago, MichiganCardinal said:

I don’t think it’s the biggest weakness. Receiver was a strength last year, and I don’t think losing just Josh Reynolds makes it a weakness. I think a lot of the concern was also there when we lost Chark last year, and we were fine.

I think the biggest weakness in the short-term is still the secondary. It’s been overhauled, but It’s likely we’ll be counting on at least one, if not two, rookies to start in week one. The best veteran corner is also new to the team and system. Some of the returning players (Branch) may be asked to play a new position. The talent is there, and if Arnold is as good as advertised, they’ll be fine. But it’s a lot to ask rookies to come in and contribute week one.

Correct. Its well known that rookie CBs struggle their first year. And they usually don't get calls from the referees. But the Lions coaching staff know this and they usually ease rookies into the fold. I think our secondary will be a strength by years end, headed into the playoffs. Can you imagine how good this team can be if we have a top 5 defense? Let's go!!

[Motown Bombers]

Stephon Gilmore is still a free agent. If the Lions weren't satisfied with the rookies, there's a pretty decent option sitting out there. 

[Hongbit]

19 minutes ago, Motown Bombers said:

Stephon Gilmore is still a free agent. If the Lions weren't satisfied with the rookies, there's a pretty decent option sitting out there. 

I think what’s exciting is we are now one of those top echelon teams that a vet of his stature would want to come play here.  We wouldn’t have to try to overpay for his services either.  He’d come for market or maybe even a little less.  

[Sports_Freak]

On 5/17/2024 at 11:23 PM, MichiganCardinal said:

The safety, Ryan Neal, looks worse than Davis on this play. Neal is in the 1x1 with Jamo and never even attempts to locate the ball. Davis drops to cover ASB which is what caused the 1x1 though. Based on this video, it’s possible that the slot corner or a linebacker was supposed to cover ASB, but he would have been wide open if Davis didn’t cover him, so you can’t really blame him. Doubling Jamo deep at the expense of leaving ASB wide open in the intermediate would be outrageously stupid. But I hope Jamo makes teams do it this year!!!

Davis is 6’1, fine height for a corner.

I was thinking of Amik Robertson. 5'9".

[Motown Bombers]

 

[MichiganCardinal]

1 hour ago, Motown Bombers said:

 

Good riddance

[Motown Bombers]

 

[Shinzaki]

On 5/29/2024 at 2:50 PM, Motown Bombers said:

 

F that guy

[Tigeraholic1]

 

[MichiganCardinal]

If I’m Brad, I’m working with a PI right now to determine the veracity and seriousness of these allegations. McManus’s camp had previously said these were “demonstrably false” claims, which - if words mean anything - means something.

The last good Lions kicker was a Bronco who ultimately was released due to off the field controversy (DWI). Will the next be the same?

[Tigeraholic1]

 

[Motown Bombers]

 

[RedRamage]

On 6/3/2024 at 8:38 AM, MichiganCardinal said:

If I’m Brad, I’m working with a PI right now to determine the veracity and seriousness of these allegations. McManus’s camp had previously said these were “demonstrably false” claims, which - if words mean anything - means something.

The last good Lions kicker was a Bronco who ultimately was released due to off the field controversy (DWI). Will the next be the same?

I dunno... I don't want to jump to conclusions and the man deserves his day in court. But I have some concerns:

"To be clear, these are absolutely fictitious and demonstrably false allegations made as part of a campaign to defame and disparage a talented and well-respected NFL player," McManus' lawyer, Brett R. Gallaway, told CNN last week. "We intend to aggressively defend Brandon's rights and integrity and clear his name by showing what these claims truly are - an extortion attempt."

First this happened on team flight to London last year. If this was just an extortion attempt by the women, this seems like a really bad "venue" to fake a claim in. The only witnesses are generally going to be the rest of the team, which seems like they would be more likely to lie to protect their own than to lie to get one of their teammates in trouble.

Second, if they were going to extort someone for financial gain, it seems like a kicker probably isn't going to have have nearly as much income to go after vs. some other more star players. Why pick him to extort?

Third, the Commanders were made aware of the lawsuit on May 27th. It looks like they didn't release him until June 2... now maybe part of that is getting past the June 1 cut date, but they had time to investigate and research for nearly a week and still decided to cut him. It wasn't a knee-jerk: "A lawsuit?!?! Fire him now!!!" sort of thing.

[buddha]

11 hours ago, Motown Bombers said:

 

well, his hands are made of stone so if he punched a glass door i'm sure it would break...

[Jason_R]

On 6/4/2024 at 6:59 AM, Motown Bombers said:

 

Add him to the list of guys whose careers Stafford made. 

[Motown Bombers]

 

[Hongbit]

58 minutes ago, Motown Bombers said:

 

Isn’t he still facing NFL discipline?  He did not play well enough last year for a team to take a chance on him.  This is bad PR along with the bad play.  

[MichiganCardinal]

I expect Roger Goodell will spin the NFL wheel of punishments to determine his fate and it will land on a four-game suspension.

[Motown Bombers]

 

[Hongbit]

5 minutes ago, Motown Bombers said:

 

I hope his agent is saying no freaking way unless an extension is signed.  

[Motown Bombers]

Chris Simms has Goff ranked 10th in the NFL. Simms has always been a Goff hater but I have to say I agree with everything he says here.

 

[Motown Bombers]

This was also tight coverage by Davis. 

 

[Hongbit]

I wonder if the Steelers signing Sutton will have any impact on the Lions hope of getting some relief from the NFL for voiding his contract.   

[MichiganCardinal]

RE Rakestraw, from Charlie Campbell. Source.

Quote

Finding Missouri cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. mocked to go in the first round was a frequent occurrence in the months leading up to the 2024 NFL Draft. Rakestraw was one of the best cornerbacks in the SEC during the 2023 season, and he displayed few flaws. Rakestraw possesses a good skill set, impressive tape, and the versatility to play as an inside or outside cornerback. Thus, it was surprising when Rakestraw slid before going late in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

According to team sources, the primary reason for Rakestraw’s slide was a sports hernia injury. He worked out before the draft but was not 100 percent. Some teams were underwhelmed by his 40 time, while others felt that given that Rakestraw was still rehabbing and didn’t have true combine preparation time before running, it was a good time. Some sources thought Rakestraw was brave and competitive to do the workout, considering his recent injury. The injury and 40 time were the primary reasons for Rakestraw’s slip in the 2024 NFL Draft.

The Detroit Lions ended Rakestraw’s slide, and they were a fantastic landing spot for him. He landed in a situation where he can compete for playing time immediately. The coaching staff in Detroit has also done a phenomenal job of developing young talent, and Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn is a highly regarded teacher. Rakestraw also has the luxury of getting healthy in a non-urgent time frame. The Lions drafted Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold in the first round plus traded for veteran Carlton Davis and signed veterans Amik Robertson and Emmanuel Moseley. Thus, Rakestraw can get healthy and learn behind those veterans.

In a year or two, Rakestraw and Arnold could be the starting outside cornerbacks in a Lions defense that has other good talent on that side of the ball to help their cover corners. While Rakestraw might be disappointed he had a bit of a slide, he landed in a nearly ideal situation to put together a good pro career.

 

[Motown Bombers]

When was the last time you read someone drafted by the Lions landed in an ideal situation?