2019 Football Thread!

[DynoDave]

Detroit Lions find their slot receiver by signing Danny Amendola

LETS GO LIONS!


Report: Lions make Justin Coleman the highest-paid nickel in the NFL

LETS GO LIONS!


Report: Trey Flowers, the top free-agent pass rusher in the NFL, intends to sign with Detroit

LETS GO LIONS!


Detroit Lions reportedly signing TE Jesse James too in whirlwind start to free agency

LETS GO LIONS!

[Tom]

I had hoped Steelers would retain Jesse James.

He is a decent 2nd tight end and has such a great name.

Always was criticized for his run blocking in Pittsburgh.

Wow on Trey Flowers. That's a lot of $$ for 7 sacks a year.

But he seems like a good player.

Amendola....always injured. Nice complimentary piece when/if healthy. Which is not often.

Highest paid nickel back in NFL......LOL.

That's quite a title.

Redskins doing Redskin things by signing a run stuffing safety for 6/84

Run stuffing safety also means "poor in pass coverage"

which is not an admirable trait in a passing league. LOL

I'm not even getting started about Antonio Brown.

I will say this.............

I hope the Steelers sign wide receiver John Brown and give him #84.

That way my 84 Jersey can still be worn. LOL

[hanks73340]

I know the Lions did a lot of signings the other day and some do look good, but I will wait to see what the record will be by game 8 and that's if I watch any football again this season.

Antonio Brown.....hehehehe...I'm sure he's looking forward to playing in Vegas once they move.

[DynoDave]

With all the issues NFL teams and players have to player conduct, professional behavior, and not falling for all the trappings of wealth and success, can you imagine having your team in Las Vegas where every possible temptation is right outside your front door?

[DynoDave]

Lions’ big splash into free agency gives them newfound freedom with top-10 draft pick

"...

In just seven hours on the opening day of the negotiating period, Lions GM Bob Quinn had pocketed what appears to be the best free-agent class of his time in Detroit. It just might have been the Lions’ biggest single-day haul in the modern era of free agency. If there were ever a bigger day, I haven’t been able to find it.

Detroit wasn’t just throwing cash around either. It was targeted. It brought in players who know this scheme and fit it. Hell, this very scheme is what helped turn Trey Flowers into what he is -- which is one of the best all-around defensive ends in the game, and certainly the best one to hit the open market. He’s gotten better every season in the league, and is still just 25 years old. Throw him into a defensive front that was already starting to roll behind Snacks Harrison, A’Shawn Robinson, Da’Shawn Hand, Romeo Okwara and Devon Kennard, and Detroit suddenly looks like it has turned a weakness into one of the best fronts in the league.

Defensive end was probably Detroit’s No. 1 need heading into the offseason. Tight end was right there too, and now that’s at least partially satisfied with James, a solid pass-catcher who can really move people in the blocking game. He’s not a household name, but you probably weren’t going to find anyone better this year either. And the Coleman signing helps fortify a secondary that has good top-end talent in Darius Slay and Quandre Diggs, but depth issues that were revealed by the Jamal Agnew injury last season.

That’s three needs filled with players who, on paper, sure seem like upgrades. The only real question is at slot receiver, where the 33-year-old Amendola is replacing Golden Tate. That’s a downgrade both in age and production, but the tradeoff is Detroit got him for less than $5 million. Tate could command as much as $10 million for multiple years. So Detroit is a little worse at receiver, but was able to re-invest that money elsewhere and its defense is better for it.

Suddenly, most of the Lions’ most urgent needs -- pass rusher, tight end, cornerback, slot receiver -- have been met. And they’ve done it without even touching their best resource of the offseason: A top-10 pick.

That’s why there was so much to like about their signing binge on Monday. They weren’t just throwing stupid dollars at big names. They targeted good players at positions of major need, and all but Amendola are still in their mid-20s and at the height of their prime. And by doing so, Detroit has freed itself up to take the best possible player at No. 8.

If the Lions really like an EDGE like, say, Montez Sweat or Clelin Ferrell or Rashan Gary, hey, knock yourself out. But they don’t have to either. Not anymore. And that’s a powerful position to be in. Quinn could address one of his remaining needs with that pick, maybe adding an offensive lineman like Cody Ford, Jawaan Taylor or Jonah Williams. But if he wants a tight end like T.J. Hockenson, or a freak vertical receiver like D.K. Metcalf, he can do that too.

That’s the beauty of this signing blitzkrieg. Sure, Detroit still needs an offensive lineman to replace T.J. Lang, and still has to figure out who to pair with Darius Slay at outside cornerback, and still needs a complement for Kerryon Johnson at running back. There’s work to be done. But free agency hasn’t even officially started yet, and the stuff the Lions needed to do the most this offseason is already in the bag. That buys them a freedom they haven’t had in a long time, and certainly not last year, where they were playing catch up throughout the draft.

They’re not going to be raising any banners after Monday. But there’s also no question they are in a stronger position today than they were last week."


See the full story HERE.

[Tom]

Free Agency may be exciting for some. Certainly a joyous occasion for the players getting paid.

However, it's fairly time proven that "off season winners" don't win much in the regular season.

Good teams are primarily composed of players drafted and signed as non drafted free agents. 

With salary caps. Free Agents (overpaid) can only be sparingly signed to address specific need.

With that said.....the Browns traded for OBJ. They suddenly look real strong.

I hate to say it....but at minimum, I think they will win the AFC North this year.

[DynoDave]

It's draft night!

Sitting here with my Lions mug in hand, enjoying a pizza, and waiting to greet the newest Detroit Lion to the family!