Good day, Lions fans. The Lions have been enjoying a great deal of positive press as the year has progressed toward the NFL season, and there's a reason for it. The Detroit coaching staff, scouts and front office have positioned the team such that they are but a few pieces away from being a fearful roster.
However, there are still those pieces to consider.
The Lions have taken their first steps in free agency to strengthen the roster. It is anticipated that the Lions will cut veteran wide receiver Bryant Johnson. Johnson has been a disappointment since coming here from Arizona, and despite his statements that he was never truly given a chance to contribute, Lions fans know the truth. Bryant Johnson was the 2010 version of Bill Schroeder, another former Lions free agent signing that had trouble catching the ball when it was thrown to him. Based on the Lions second round selection this year of Titus Young, it should come as no surprise to Bryant Johnson that he was going to be released, particularly when one considers his $3.2 million cap number. As a third or fourth receiver, that number is hardly acceptable.
Rather than sit still, it has been recently reported that the Lions signed former Bear wide out Rashied Davis to a one year deal. The 32 year old receiver and special teams performer was disappointed the Bears chose not to pursue him more aggressively and wasn't willing to wait. Davis is definitely more sure handed than Bryant Johnson, and is a more versatile receiver.
The Lions, as most of you probably know, began their signings of free agents from other teams by inking linebacker Justin Durant, formerly of the Jaguars, to a two year deal. Durant has the ability to play inside or outside, and it is likely the Lions signed him to play outside in their defense. That means that DeAndre Levy still has the starting spot at the Mike for the Honolulu Blue and Silver. It remains to be seen if the Lions are still pursuing former Titans MLB Stephen Tulloch. Word is that the Lions have dropped their offer, but that could be a smoke screen.
What the Lions still have to address is the cornerback spot. With the Nnamdi Asomugha sweepstakes being played out between the Jets, 49ers and current front runner Houston Texans, it is believed that the "second tier" corners like Antonio Cromartie, Jonathan Joseph and Chris Houston are waiting for him to ink a deal and set the market price. Expect players like AC and JJ to go for about $7 to $8 million per season, with Houston getting about 75-80% of that. Other players at the position the Lions could consider are former Redskin Carlos Rogers, former Brown Eric Wright, or the young and inexperienced Usama Young, formerly of New Orleans.
I personally believe the Lions need to make an honest (but not over the top) effort and offer to Chris Houston, first and foremost. He is familiar with the defense, is respected in the locker room, and played better than most give him credit for. While he is widely viewed around the league as a solid number two corner, he would still represent the best CB on our roster if he's signed tomorrow. While Joseph or Cromartie may be considered a small step above Houston on the talent depth chart for CBs available this year, the fact that Houston would likely come with experience and a lower price tag is enough for me to feel he should be the priority, particularly given the short off-season the team will be experiencing.
Let's hope the Lions are working hard behind the scenes to make something happen, and turn 2011 into a season every Lions fans will remember as the year they turned a corner and earned the respect they are finally starting to get around the nation.
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