Detroit Lions Offseason Thread 2023

[MichiganCardinal]

 

[Motown Bombers]

Lions seem to rank middle of the pack. 

 

[KL2]

6 minutes ago, Motown Bombers said:

Lions seem to rank middle of the pack. 

 

apparently our training room sucks and we make guys eat too many coney dogs

[djhutch]

14 hours ago, MichiganCardinal said:

 

That was a fun watch!

[MichiganCardinal]

11 minutes ago, djhutch said:

That was a fun watch!

I thought so too! A bit of pandering to ownership at times, but she’s earned it LOL

[Motown Bombers]

They pandered to ownership but Sheila rarely gets talked about when they talk about the progress and change in culture on the Lions. She never gets credit for finding Holmes and Campbell who were on no fan's radar before they were hired. 

[Motown Bombers]

 

[RandyMarsh]

3 hours ago, Motown Bombers said:

They pandered to ownership but Sheila rarely gets talked about when they talk about the progress and change in culture on the Lions. She never gets credit for finding Holmes and Campbell who were on no fan's radar before they were hired. 

Yep. I also think she deserves credit for being patient and not doing anything drastic after following the 3 win season with  a 1-6 start heading into the bye week. When many Lions fans were calling for Campbell's head and reporters questioned her about it she said she was disappointed with the record but could see things were moving in the right direction and had complete confidence in Dan and Holmes. Didn't make any threats or say something that may have put people on edge. 

[1984Echoes]

15 minutes ago, Motown Bombers said:

 

Good.

[Motown Bombers]

 

[Mr.TaterSalad]

5 hours ago, Motown Bombers said:

That's disappointing to hear. If the Lions add an immediate impact player or two in free agency or via trade, like a Jalen Ramsey or Jamel Dean, they could really go places next year in the weaker NFC. Sitting on their hands and bringing back a bunch of their own guys or bargain shopping like they did last year is a mistake IMO. They're in a position now to take a giant step forward.

Maybe I'm misreading the the context of the quote or over thinking it, but it gives me serious Ted Thompson in Green Bay vibes. The Ted Thompson model for building a team and only signing bargain free agents and resigning all your own guys only worked on Green Bay because they had two generational QBs in Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers. I hope Holmes isn't trying to replicate that here.

Edited March 2, 2023 by Mr.TaterSalad

[Stanley70]

6 hours ago, Mr.TaterSalad said:

That's disappointing to hear. If the Lions add an immediate impact player or two in free agency or via trade, like a Jalen Ramsey or Jamel Dean, they could really go places next year in the weaker NFC. Sitting on their hands and bringing back a bunch of their own guys or bargain shopping like they did last year is a mistake IMO. They're in a position now to take a giant step forward.

Maybe I'm misreading the the context of the quote or over thinking it, but it gives me serious Ted Thompson in Green Bay vibes. The Ted Thompson model for building a team and only signing bargain free agents and resigning all your own guys only worked on Green Bay because they had two generational QBs in Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers. I hope Holmes isn't trying to replicate that here.

I suggested last week that he Lions wouldn't be big players in free agency and KL2 went ape shit. He said I didn't understand how contracts work, brought up the Trey Flowers deal, and said we need to focus on the AAV. 

[Hongbit]

8 hours ago, Mr.TaterSalad said:

That's disappointing to hear. If the Lions add an immediate impact player or two in free agency or via trade, like a Jalen Ramsey or Jamel Dean, they could really go places next year in the weaker NFC. Sitting on their hands and bringing back a bunch of their own guys or bargain shopping like they did last year is a mistake IMO. They're in a position now to take a giant step forward.

Maybe I'm misreading the the context of the quote or over thinking it, but it gives me serious Ted Thompson in Green Bay vibes. The Ted Thompson model for building a team and only signing bargain free agents and resigning all your own guys only worked on Green Bay because they had two generational QBs in Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers. I hope Holmes isn't trying to replicate that here.

Their initial plan had them taking a year more of building the foundation before going out and adding big FA pieces.   The weakness in the NFC combined with how they finished last season has opened the window early.  I think they should make every effort to explore big moves right now.  

[KL2]

2 hours ago, Stanley70 said:

I suggested last week that he Lions wouldn't be big players in free agency and KL2 went ape shit. He said I didn't understand how contracts work, brought up the Trey Flowers deal, and said we need to focus on the AAV. 

Wow talk about not accurate at all. 

I went "ape shit" because you said we could AFFORD big players. That is why. Then you change an said we wouldn't be big players. Those are two totally different concepts. 

I said you didn't understand how contracts work because you don't. You in your argument the Lions couldn't AFFORD players used examples of Bradberry making $15 million a year. that is AAV not cap hit, different concept which you don't understand. 

I used Flowers as an example to show how AAV and cap hit isn't the same. In year one (which is what the Lions would be signing any big player for this offseason) it was dramatically less than his AAV. 

I never once said we should focus on AAV, never not once. You can link it. 

Just keep making stuff up, you were wrong in your inital post, wrong in your summary of it. And have shown you don't have a grasp of the siutation. 

[RandyMarsh]

It may just be lip service on management's part. They may not want to go public that they are in the market for big name/expensive guys, if you openly say that and then you don't end up getting any of those guys it makes you look bad. 

[Motown Bombers]

 

[Hongbit]

The best owner in town getting things done yet again. 

[buddha]

24 minutes ago, Hongbit said:

The best owner in town getting things done yet again. 

talk about damning with faint praise...

[Mr.TaterSalad]

2 hours ago, Hongbit said:

Their initial plan had them taking a year more of building the foundation before going out and adding big FA pieces.   The weakness in the NFC combined with how they finished last season has opened the window early.  I think they should make every effort to explore big moves right now.  

Agreed. I would be genuinely disappointed if their major offseason moves consisted of only spending money to bring back their own guys, the likes of John Cominsky, Alex Anzalone, Jamaal Williams, and DJ Chark. Not that I don't want some of those guys back, I do. There are a couple of top-tier free agents out there like Jamel Dean, James Bradberry, Daron Payne, Dalvin Tomlinson that the Lions should be in pursuit of. You can't rely on the draft to try and fill every needs because you simply don't have enough picks and won't hit on every one of them.

[buddha]

3 minutes ago, Mr.TaterSalad said:

Agreed. I would be genuinely disappointed if their major offseason moves consisted of only spending money to bring back their own guys, the likes of John Cominsky, Alex Anzalone, Jamaal Williams, and DJ Chark. Not that I don't want some of those guys back, I do. There are a couple of top-tier free agents out there like Jamel Dean, James Bradberry, Daron Payne, Dalvin Tomlinson that the Lions should be in pursuit of. You can't rely on the draft to try and fill every needs because you simply don't have enough picks and won't hit on every one of them.

payne was franchised.

[Motown Bombers]

I feel like there was a plan in place and this year wasn't they year they spend big in free agency. I'm not sure the fact they exceeded expectations will change their plan. I would like to see them be a little more aggressive in free agency but I would pass on Ramsey. He's in decline, is going to cost picks, and wants a new contract making him one of the highest paid corners. 

[Mr.TaterSalad]

1 minute ago, buddha said:

payne was franchised.

As I said above, Daron Payne is overrated and would not be a good fit here. Dude stinks haha!

I am giving Brad Holmes the benefit of the doubt because he seems like the best GM in my lifetime for the Lions. He deserves the benefit of the doubt for at least one more offseason. However, I'm the type of fan that often overreacts and reads too much into comments by coaches and front office management. When I read what Campbell said I get nervous that he and Brad Holmes trust the core they have and don't want to make any significant additions to it via free agency and I think that's a mistake.

I don't want Brad Holmes taking the Ted Thompson approach to team building by paying big bucks to only his own guys and then only minimally using free agency to sign guys to 1 year prove it deals or a bunch of depth signings. We are in a position to take a big step forward next year and while there is no guarantee it will work out, adding a Jamel Dean, Jalen Ramsey, Dalvin Tomlinson could really elevate this team.

[Motown Bombers]

I mean, the Packers dominated the division for over a decade and did win a Super Bowl. It's not exactly a bad thing. The Lions have a lot of draft capital this year so that may be why they are shying away from free agents. Another thing, the Lions were the 2nd youngest team in the NFL last year. Their oldest player is 29. That young core is returning and it's reasonable to assume their young players are going to get better. They are basically adding three first round picks with Williams being available from the beginning of the season now. I would maybe like to see one significant free agent meaning more than a two year deal. Maybe someone like Tremaine Edmunds or Dean. 

[MichiganCardinal]

I really want them to get one good corner in free agency. Preferably Dean or Bradberry. I don't think there is starting corner talent on the roster after Okudah, and I don't think it's fair to expect a rookie corner not named Sauce to start on day one as an outside corner in the NFL. Beyond that, I'm perfectly content with drafting and re-signing. Bobby Wagner would be nice for a veteran presence, but if they don't want to spend the money I am not going to complain.

We saw them stand pat last season (particularly on defense) against many fan's wishes, and they tripled their win total. They absolutely have a plan, and I'm definitely not in favor of blowing that plan up and spending for the sake of spending.

[Jason_R]

Was anyone enthused when they signed John Cominsky? No. But he turned out to be one of the team’s most valuable defensive players. 

They didn’t say they were sitting out free agency, but they did say they will fill roles and not look to one FA signing to get them over the hump. That makes perfect sense. And if they can fill holes through FA, Holmes has demonstrated that he will be aggressive to get game changing players through the draft.

I think this will be a fascinating draft for Lions fans, and I suspect Holmes will make at least one major move that catches everyone by surprise.