Detroit Lions Offseason Thread 2023

[Hongbit]

The off-season is early but I’d like to nominate this as dumbest Lions draft scenario.  I feel confident this will be the worst NFL article you read all day.  

 

[buddha]

not reading that.

[CMRivdogs]

10 hours ago, Hongbit said:

The off-season is early but I’d like to nominate this as dumbest Lions draft scenario.  I feel confident this will be the worst NFL article you read all day.  

 

Almost enough to turn me into a Red Guardians (or whatever Bezos calls them, Bozos?) fan

[MichiganCardinal]

9 minutes ago, NYLion said:

I'm as bullish on the Lions future as anybody but the Eagles likely would have dismantled them as well.  I wouldn't have liked their chances against the Niners with a healthy QB either but the Eagles in particular are just a bad matchup for a very young defense. Speed at all levels, elite running QB, veteran offensive line. It would have probably gotten ugly at least defensively against those guys.

I would agree that the division is there to be had next season but I don't think the Lions are ready to compete with the big boys yet. I also don't think Holmes will make any clear cut win now moves to mortgage the future.

Sheila gave Holmes/Campbell a long, long term deal for a reason. These guys are builders and I think they will continue to build through the draft. Of course, the Lions are ahead of the original timeline but I don't think that will change their course of action. For instance, I don't see them making a move for Ramsey or a big splurge in free agency.

I guess the question is who you consider the big boys to be. For me right now in the NFC it's the Eagles and maybe the Niners if they can find a QB. I don't think there is another team in the NFC who I look at and see a perennial power in the making.

And if you're at the point where you can realistically be the 2nd or 3rd best team in the conference with the right moves, you should damn well try to make those right moves. At that point you're on the fast track to be hosting a playoff game - to be favored in a playoff game - to be one or two wins (one or two opponent's mistakes or injuries) from the Super Bowl.

[Stanley70]

Philly looks like they are in cap hell after this super bowl run. They have over 27M in dead cap and are only 2M under right now. And that is with Hargrave, Bradberry, Kelce, and Brandon Graham unsigned for next year. Plus Hurts will be a FA after this year and may want a contract done this offseason.

That is what happens when you manipulate the salary cap numbers and push contracts out, eventually it comes due.

[Motown Bombers]

Good. The Lions can sign Bradberry. 

[Motown Bombers]

 

[MichiganCardinal]

 

[Motown Bombers]

I wonder if the guy they brought in from Arizona will be the assistant coach?

[MichiganCardinal]

I didn’t think that Staley would leave unless he was joining an Aaron Glenn staff. This may mean Glenn is staying.

This also may mean Tanner Engstrand may receive a promotion to Assistant Head Coach now.

[djhutch]

5 minutes ago, MichiganCardinal said:

 

I'd imagine that it would have to be as the OC - Why would he leave for a lateral move?

[Motown Bombers]

Staley and Reich were together in Philadelphia so there is a prior connection. 

[djhutch]

Just now, Motown Bombers said:

Staley and Reich were together in Philadelphia so there is a prior connection. 

I didn't remember Reich being in Philly.  I guess that makes sense then.

[RedRamage]

6 hours ago, buddha said:

not reading that.

Here's the proposed trade:

Now, looking JUST at the trade... nothing else... not looking at if the Bears would do it would the Lions actually be interested in Field as their QB... looking at just the assets being traded... it's intriguing.  I was expecting some weird way over the top trade but this is "reasonable"  I think for the Fields.

If I was a team in a need for a QB and I felt that Fields would improve as a passer with a better team around him, I would probably be willing to spend that draft capital on him. BUT I'm not sure I believe that Fields will be a better passer and I don't believe that QB is a need for the Lions right now.

[Motown Bombers]

Hard pass. Not giving up that for a running back. Would rather just re-sign Jamal Williams. 

[buddha]

10 minutes ago, RedRamage said:

Here's the proposed trade:

Now, looking JUST at the trade... nothing else... not looking at if the Bears would do it would the Lions actually be interested in Field as their QB... looking at just the assets being traded... it's intriguing.  I was expecting some weird way over the top trade but this is "reasonable"  I think for the Fields.

If I was a team in a need for a QB and I felt that Fields would improve as a passer with a better team around him, I would probably be willing to spend that draft capital on him. BUT I'm not sure I believe that Fields will be a better passer and I don't believe that QB is a need for the Lions right now.

the bears SHOULD do that, but wont.

the lions shouldnt do that, and wont.

[RedRamage]

2 minutes ago, buddha said:

the bears SHOULD do that, but wont.

the lions shouldnt do that, and wont.

For the record, I agree with you on the last part for the reason stated.  But, purely as hypothetical thought experiment...  what if:

1.) Jared Goff announces his surprise retirement.
2.) Ben Johnson, Dan Campbell and the rest of the coach staff come up to you (playing the role of Brad Holmes) and say: "We know what's stopping Fields from being a better passer and we can, at the very least, make him a league average passer in 2023."

Now... assuming that the coaching staff is telling the truth... do you do it?  I mean in our silly scenario you're probably going to spend one of your first round pick on a QB anyway.

[buddha]

Just now, RedRamage said:

For the record, I agree with you on the last part for the reason stated.  But, purely as hypothetical thought experiment...  what if:

1.) Jared Goff announces his surprise retirement.
2.) Ben Johnson, Dan Campbell and the rest of the coach staff come up to you (playing the role of Brad Holmes) and say: "We know what's stopping Fields from being a better passer and we can, at the very least, make him a league average passer in 2023."

Now... assuming that the coaching staff is telling the truth... do you do it?  I mean in our silly scenario you're probably going to spend one of your first round pick on a QB anyway.

i'd keep 6 and draft a qb.

fields is due to get paid in 2 years.  gimme the qb on the rookie deal and i'll build the roster around him.

besides, im sure tom brady would reconsider his retirement talk if he knew the lions job was open.

[Motown Bombers]

The Lions had their shot at Fields and passed and enthusiatically took Sewell instead of Fields. I don't know what Fields has done between then and now that would change their minds. 

[Motown Bombers]

So Duce Staley is from South Carolina and went to college at South Carolina. Given that and his previous connection to Reich, it makes sense. 

[Tigeraholic1]

 

 

[CMRivdogs]

Do we get a draft pick for Staley? 

There's still some Steeler in my DNA...hoping the guy does well

[MichiganCardinal]

I'm not that bent out of shape about losing Staley. Sure I would have preferred keeping everyone, but he is probably #4 or #5 on my coaches priority list.

1 - MCDC (if you count him)

2 - Ben Johnson

3 - Aaron Glenn

4 - Hank Fraley

5 - Duce Staley

[Hongbit]

44 minutes ago, RedRamage said:

Here's the proposed trade:

Now, looking JUST at the trade... nothing else... not looking at if the Bears would do it would the Lions actually be interested in Field as their QB... looking at just the assets being traded... it's intriguing.  I was expecting some weird way over the top trade but this is "reasonable"  I think for the Fields.

If I was a team in a need for a QB and I felt that Fields would improve as a passer with a better team around him, I would probably be willing to spend that draft capital on him. BUT I'm not sure I believe that Fields will be a better passer and I don't believe that QB is a need for the Lions right now.

Read the article.  Everything about it is wrong,  how they value Fields, the perceived market for Fields,  the Lions level of interest,  the lack of fit with the Lions and where they are now.   None of it makes sense.  

Fields is great for fantasy football managers and that’s it.  It’s way more than just need to improve throwing the ball.  He has shown very little ability to run an offense and make quality decisions and those are the main qualities of what has made the Lions offense successful.  
 

I wouldn’t trade just the 6 pick for Fields.  Shit, I may not trade just 56. He’s not a fit here.  

Edited February 1, 2023 by Hongbit

[MichiganCardinal]

These two tweets put some more pieces together.