Detroit Sports Thread

[ALinChainz]

It's prime time for Lions; season ends with bang

April 14, 2005


BY CURT SYLVESTER
FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER



The Lions will open the season with traditional rivals Green Bay and Chicago, but the real fireworks in their 2005 NFL season might be exploding in the final six weeks.


Beginning Thanksgiving Day against Atlanta, the Lions will meet six teams with a combined 60-36 record in 2004; all had records of 8-8 or better; and three of the final four games are on the road.


The wild ride to the finish includes:



The Falcons, defending NFC South champions, in the traditional holiday game at Ford Field on Nov. 24.


The Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field on Dec. 4.


The Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on Dec. 11, in the Lions' first ESPN prime time appearance since the 2000 season.


The Cincinnati Bengals in the final regular season game at Ford Field on Dec. 18.


The New Orleans Saints in a Christmas Eve road game.


The Pittsburgh Steelers, defending AFC North champions, in the regular-season finale at Heinz Field on New Year's Day.

With that kind of finishing schedule, it is probably in the Lions' best interest to get off to a fast start, and that's what coach Steve Mariucci had on his mind after getting his first look at the NFL schedule announced Wednesday.


"We always emphasize the importance of our division," Mariucci said in a statement released by the team. "What better way to start the season than with two divisional opponents who also happen to be arguably our two greatest rivals?"


The Lions open the season at home Sept. 11 against the Packers, followed by a road game against the Chicago Bears on Sept. 18 and a bye in the third week.


Six of the next eight games are against teams coming off losing seasons -- Tampa Bay, Carolina, Cleveland, the Bears, Arizona and Dallas. Baltimore (9-7) and the Vikings (8-8) also are included in that eight-game span.


The Lions' elevated expectations for the 2005 season are reflected in their three games scheduled for national television -- a Monday night exhibition game against St. Louis on Aug. 29, the Thanksgiving Day game against Atlanta and the Sunday night game at Green Bay on Dec. 11.


It will be the most nationally televised games the Lions have had since the 2000 season, when they had four.


The Lions also have two Sunday afternoon late games -- the 4:15 p.m. opener against Green Bay and the 4:05 p.m. final home game against Cincinnati -- that are shown to a larger nationwide audience than the 1 o'clock games.


NOTEBOOK: The Lions have agreed to contract terms with two restricted free agents -- tackle Kyle Kosier of San Francisco and linebacker Brad Kassell of Tennessee. Their teams can match the Lions' offers by next week or let the players go in exchange for compensation. ... Alex Smith, the tight end from Stanford, was among the draft prospects who visited Wednesday. Other players who spent at least part of the day at the team's Allen Park headquarters were Adam (Pac Man) Jones of West Virginia and defensive end/linebacker Johnathan Goddard from Marshall.

[ALinChainz]

Lions re-sign CB Goodman to one-year contract

April 15, 2005


ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) -- The Detroit Lions re-signed cornerback Andre Goodman to a one-year contract on Friday.

Detroit drafted Goodman in the third round three years ago. He started the last four games of the 2004 season and finished the year with 23 tackles, one interception, three passes defended and a forced fumble.

Goodman was a starting cornerback at the start of the 2003 season, but he had a season-ending shoulder injury in the third game. He has made two interceptions in his career and 85 tackles.

[ALinChainz]

Lionsfans.com mock draft

Mike Fowler - Scout.com

April 17, 2005 at 11:36am ET


A mock draft is nothing more than your basic crap shoot. You have about 0% chance of being right and 1000% chance of being wrong, but isn't that the fun of putting a mock together? Lionsfans.com's Mike Fowler weighs in with his version of how the 2005 NFL draft will fall and it's a doozy. (Above) Utah quarterback Alex Smith asks "Excuse me?" perhaps in disbelief at Mike Fowler's mock draft for Lionsfans.com

A mock draft is nothing more than your basic crap shoot. You have about 0% chance of being right and 1000% chance of being wrong, but isn't that the fun of putting a mock together?

The trade rumors involving the Miami Dolphins possibly acquiring Travis Henry of Buffalo would seriously damage my mock draft because that would mean that Miami would no longer be looking for a running back while Arizona would be in serious need of a franchise ball carrier.


Also with Edgerrin James and Shawn Alexander both being shopped for as little as a second run pick, those holes could be filled without using a costly #1. So here goes with our 2005 mock draft (the double asterisks indicate a high probability of a trade at this position.)

1. San Francisco 49ers (2-14)
Braylon Edwards | WR | Michigan .
San Francisco has a servicable quarterback in Tim Rattay . If they use the first overall pick on Aaron Rodgers , they won't get any value from it for two seasons. Edwards is the kind of pure playmaking receiver that the 49ers have had since Jerry Rice and Terrell Owens left the Bay.

2. Miami Dolphins (4-12) ***
Ronnie Brown | RB | Auburn
This pick immediately changes if the Dolphins obtain the rights to Travis Henry for their second round pick, but why take Henry when James is available for likely the same price?

3. Cleveland Browns (4-12) **
Travis Johnson | DT | Florida State
The Bill Billichick system begins getting installed in Cleveland as new coach Romeo Crennel gets his franchise run stopper.

4. Chicago Bears (5-11)
Mike Williams | WR | USC
The Bears were hoping to pair Braylon Edwards with free agent acquisition Mushin Muhammad but with Edwards off the board, they get a solid chain mover in Williams who complements Muhammad in the star role.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Cadillac Williams | RB | Auburn
Jon Gruden gets the pass catching, slashing back he favors as he makes over a team two years removed from a Super Bowl appearance. Williams immediately becomes the feature back in the Chris Simms era.

6. Tennessee Titans
Antrel Rolle | CB | Florida State
With the Titans losing both their starting corners, Rolle is too good to pass up. Watch him show why he's the best corner in the draft by making a pro bowl appearance as a rookie.

7. Minnesota Vikings
Troy Williamson | WR | South Carolina
Look for the Vikings to find a big play man to take the play of departed Randy Moss . Williamson's rep as a deep ball threat fills the bill here.

8. Arizona Cardinals
Aaron Rodgers | QB | California
Rodgers may be the best QB in the draft, but he isn't as good as past QB prospects. Still, Dennis Green is always looking for the next great arm and decides that with the running backs off the board, he'll go for the QB.

9. Washington Redskins
Adam Jones | CB | West Virginia
Redskins are still feeling the pinch from trading away Champ Bailey and need a shut down corner. Jones has the reputation but somehow I get the feeling he's going to be the draft's big disappointement.

10. Detroit Lions **
Alex Smith | QB | Utah
Look for the Lions to trade out of this spot. They would like to get a defensive player, but not this high. They also want extra picks to build up the depth on the team. If they stay here and Smith is on the board, Detroit will grab him and say adios to Joey Harrington . Harrington will count almost $9 million against Detroit's cap if he's on the roster on July 1. With his lack of productivity and veteran Jeff Garcia ready to hold down the starting job for the next two to three years, Detroit can bring Smith along slowly to be the quarterback of the future that Harrington never developed into.

11. Dallas Cowboys **
Derrick Johnson | LB | Texas

12. San Diego Chargers **
Marcus Spears | DE | LSU

13. Houston Texans
Cedric Benson | RB | Texas

14. Carolina Panthers
Heath Miller | TE | Virginia

15. Kansas City Chiefs
Alex Barron | T | Florida State

16. New Orleans Saints
Thomas Davis | S | Georgia

17. Cincinnati Bengals
Erasmus James | DE | Wisconsin

18. Minnesota Vikings
DeMarcus Ware | DE | Troy State

19. St. Louis Rams
Khalif Barnes | T | California

20. Dallas Cowboys
Carlos Rogers | CB | Auburn

21. Jacksonville Jaguars
Mark Clayton | WR | Oklahoma

22. Baltimore Ravens
Shawne Merriman | DE | Maryland

23. Seattle Seahawks
Alex Smith | TE | Utah

24. Green Bay Packers
Adrian McPherson | QB | Florida St.

25. Denver Broncos
Travis Johnson | DT | Florida St.

26. New York Jets
Justin Tuck | DE | Notre Dame

27. Atlanta Falcons
Roddy White | WR | UAB

28. San Diego Chargers
Dan Cody | DE | Oklahoma

29. Indianapolis Colts
Darryl Blackstock | LB | Virginia

30. Pittsburgh Steelers
David Pollack | DE | Georgia

31. Philadelphia Eagles
Terrence Murphy | WR | Texas A&M

32. New England Patriots
Matt Roth | DE | Iowa -------SECOND ROUND------
1. San Francisco 49ers
Marion Barber III | RB | Minnesota

2. Cleveland Browns
Shaun Cody | DT | USC

3. Philadelphia Eagles
Kevin Burnett | LB | Tennessee

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Brodney Pool | S | Oklahoma

5. Tennessee Titans
Jamaal Brown | T | Oklahoma

6. Oakland Raiders
Fabian Washington | CB | Nebraska

7. Chicago Bears
Josh Bullocks | S | Nebraska

8. New Orleans Saints (from Washington )
Mike Patterson | DT | Arkansas

9. Detroit Lions
Adam Terry | T | Syracuse The Lions need a replacement for veteran Stockar McDougle and Millen strikes gold simply by staying put and taking the best tackle after the big three of Barnes, Barron and Brown are gone. Terry has big-league size and good skills and best of all, a second round price tag.

[ALinChainz]

Lions | Aiming for Defensive Help in First-round? - from www.KFFL.com
Wed, 20 Apr 2005 12:12:50 -0700

ESPN.com's John Clayton reports the Detroit Lions can now address the defensive side of the football after acquiring WR Kevin Johnson. There had been speculation the Lions would use their third straight first-round pick on a wide receiver during the upcoming NFL Draft.


Lions | WR K. Johnson Agrees to One-year Deal - from www.KFFL.com
Wed, 20 Apr 2005 12:12:31 -0700

ESPN.com's John Clayton reports the Detroit Lions have reached a one-year agreement with free agent WR Kevin Johnson (Ravens). Financial terms were not disclosed.


Lions | Gain Kosier, Lose Seventh-round Pick - from www.KFFL.com
Wed, 20 Apr 2005 06:20:43 -0700

Associated Press reports the Detroit Lions have signed free agent OL Kyle Kosier, as the San Francisco 49ers declined to match the offer sheet Detroit gave him. The one-year deal has been previously reported worth around $1 million and the Lions will now need to give the 49ers their seventh-round draft choice as compensation.

[ALinChainz]

Why wait? New WR Johnson fills need now

April 21, 2005






BY CURT SYLVESTER
FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER



With a little luck, Matt Millen figures the Lions will have no holes left to fill when they get to the NFL draft Saturday.


The No. 3 receiver position is no longer vacant.


The Lions reached agreement Wednesday on a one-year deal with six-year veteran Kevin Johnson, an unrestricted free agent who caught 35 passes for 373 yards and a touchdown with Baltimore last season.


And they seemingly are closing in on a veteran to compete with Victor Rogers and Kelly Butler at right tackle, a position vacated when Stockar McDougle left for Miami.


The San Francisco Chronicle reported that the 49ers will not match the Lions' offer to restricted free-agent tackle Kyle Kosier, but Millen was still waiting for notification from the 49ers late Wednesday. The Lions did announce the re-signing of Rogers, also a restricted free agent.


It appears less likely the Lions will succeed in their bid for restricted free-agent linebacker Brad Kassell of Tennessee, but two out of three in the week leading up to the draft isn't bad, especially if the two are players who fill clearly defined holes.


"If you look at our team right now, I don't think we have one glaring need," Millen said.


That means when Millen and coach Steve Mariucci get into the draft, they won't have to feel guilty about taking a player simply because they like him instead of looking for a lesser player who might fill a specific need.


The goal now -- after a concerted effort the past four years to get younger and faster -- is to acquire difference-makers.


And drafting 10th in the first round, Millen expects to find a number of players of that caliber available, including Texas linebacker Derrick Johnson, whom many draft observers are projecting as the Lions' top pick.


Should the Lions draft Johnson, he would join a solid set of linebackers, including four drafted in the past two years -- Boss Bailey and James Davis in 2003, Teddy Lehman and Alex Lewis last year. The Lions also have veterans Earl Holmes, Wali Rainer and Donté Curry.


"I'm looking to get as many playmakers as I can get," Millen said. "I think Derrick Johnson is a playmaker. I think Boss has that in him. I think we have one at the corner; No. 32 is a playmaker."


The Lions' No. 32 is Dré Bly.


If the Titans experience a change of heart and let Kassell escape to the Lions, it could be a real logjam of linebackers.


"Would it crowd it?" Millen asked. "Yeah, but so what? I'd like to have that problem for a change."


Although the Lions have won only 16 games total in the past four years, Millen has put together a team facing much higher expectations. The Lions might have a chance to compete for the NFC North title.


Assuming the veterans stay healthy, the rookies won't be thrown into the battle prematurely.


"The persons we take don't have to come in and be frontline guys right away," Millen said. "That's a good position to be in, for us."


The addition of Kevin Johnson gives the Lions the veteran presence they wanted as a No. 3 receiver in Mariucci's West Coast offense. Johnson started 71 of 73 games in his first 4 1/2 seasons at Cleveland before being released midway through the 2003 season.


Johnson, 28, finished 2003 at Jacksonville and was traded to Baltimore.


"Kevin Johnson has had success in this league," Millen said. "I think our two outside guys" -- Charles Rogers and Roy Williams -- "if they're going to do what I think they're going to do, it will be good for the inside people."


Johnson is expected to line up most of the time at an inside slot position, where he can benefit from the attention defenses must pay to Rogers and Williams outside.


"I like his hands, he's a good route runner, he's a hardworking kid, he's a smart guy," Millen said.


Kosier, 27, started all 16 games last season at San Francisco and has experience at guard and tackle. He is expected to compete for the right tackle job, and if he doesn't win it can provide depth.

http://www.freep.com/sports/lions/lions21e_20050421.htm

[ALinChainz]

Lions take Mike Williams with 10th pick in draft

April 23, 2005


ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) -- The Detroit Lions played out plenty of draft possibilities, and never really considered Southern California receiver Mike Williams among them.

Yet when it was the Lions' turn to make their selection in the first round of the NFL draft on Saturday, they followed a familiar pattern by picking Williams 10th overall, the third straight year Detroit chose a receiver.

``We ran a lot of scenarios and in all of those scenarios, we didn't believe that Mike Williams would be sitting there,'' Lions CEO Matt Millen said. ``There are a lot of ways to help an offense and a defense. Scoring points is one of them. Mike Williams does that very well.''

Williams caught 176 passes for 2,579 yards and 30 touchdowns in two years at USC, but hasn't played in more than a year.

He was forced to sit out last season after the original court decision in Maurice Clarett's case against the NFL was overturned and the league was allowed to keep players from entering the draft until they were three years removed from high school.

Then, Williams was not allowed to return to school because the NCAA wouldn't restore his eligibility.

In 2003, Detroit picked Charles Rogers, and last year they selected Roy Williams. Rogers' seasons have been cut short by injuries.

Mike Williams, who will wear No. 88 next season, said he is not looking to replace anyone, just fit in where he can.

``I'm just excited to be a part of that receiving group,'' he said. ``They have some big guys that can stretch the field and do their thing. I'm just excited to go up there and identify what I can bring to this offense.''

Coach Steve Mariucci said the door is wide open on where Williams will line up -- inside or out.

``The thing about him is that he can do both,'' Mariucci said. ``He loves playing inside because he's big and physical, and he doesn't mind releasing off linebackers and working in holes and taking a hit. But he's good enough to play outside as well.''

The 6-foot-5 receiver didn't know where he would end up after Tennessee and Washington took cornerbacks Adam ``Pacman'' Jones of West Virginia and Auburn's Carlos Rogers, respectively. He said no promises were made.

``Being a top-10 pick after not playing for a year is a blessing. That's something that no one thought would happen,'' Williams said. ``I could care less about what teams didn't draft me. What's important is the team that did draft me.''

The Lions liked their options heading into the draft. They have needs, but they are not so desperate that they had to take a player because of the position he plays rather than his talent. They had the luxury of trading up or down, or sticking with the 10th pick.

``We made the appropriate calls and we had stuff set up before, and then we actually waited a little bit and nothing happened,'' Millen said.

The Lions aren't forgetting about the defensive side of the ball, and will likely address those needs in the later rounds of the draft.

[Warham]

Excellent draft so far: A for a grade

[ALinChainz]

Lions trade up, take DT Shaun Cody with 37th pick

April 23, 2005
NEW YORK (Ticker) - The Detroit Lions traded up four spots with the Tennessee Titans and selected Southern California defensive tackle Shaun Cody with the 37th pick in the NFL draft.

The Titans moved down four spots and also received a fourth-round pick in the deal.

A cornerstone on the Trojans' back-to-back championship teams, Cody was a finalist for the Lombardi Trophy and co-winner of the Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year award last season. He recorded 45 tackles, including 13 for losses, and 10 sacks with two forced fumbles last season.

Detroit selected USC wide receiver Mike Williams with the 10th overall pick.

[POJO_Risin]

Here's an article on the Mike Williams pick with the grade at the bottom...

What in the heck is this team doing? Unless this team has a deal worked out for Williams with another team, why would they draft him? This is a luxury. Not a need. They have Charles Rogers. They have Roy Williams. Both were high first-round picks. And although there is some injury concerns with those two, no team can afford three high first-round picks at one position. This is a terrible move, no matter what kind of player Williams can be. D

[POJO_Risin]

Here's another...

CZAR'S FRONT OFFICE TAKE: The only thing Williams may hate is that he could line up as a tight end. The Lions were pegged to take LB Derrick Johnson, but GM Matt Millen loved Williams' competitive attitude and his ability to strong-arm defensive backs. Doesn't have big-time speed, but catches in traffic and has super hands. There will be no excuses for QB Joey Harrington with his receiving lineup: Roy Williams and Charles Rogers. This off-season Rogers had a plate inserted over his collarbone, so there will never be a repeat of that injury. Pretty scary receiving lineup.
DELUCIA'S SCOUTING TAKE: An excellent pick in taking the best player on the board, although they needed a pass rusher or another athlete at LB. Credit Matt Millen for being bold and smart due to the durability questions with Charles Rogers and Roy Williams. Mike Williams has the size and physical skills to create a lot of matchup problems. The Lions' passing game will be dangerous with a core built around young stars Mike Williams, Charles Rogers, Roy Williams, Kevin Jones, and veteran Marcus Pollard. If these guys stay healthy, they will be fighting for the ball. Joey Harrington is on the hot seat to produce quickly.

[POJO_Risin]

and another...

Mike Williams WR
Southern Cal | 6-4.5 | 230
If Joey Harrington can't find someone to throw to at this point, we're going to have to start to look at him. Williams is not only a good wide receiver, he's great. Tall, strong, great hands. Maybe the Lions didn't need him -- remember, they have Roy Williams and Charles Rogers, two first-round picks, already -- but you better believe they'll use him. The Lions went for best available talent and, in doing so, look to be one exciting offensive team on the rise. If Harrington comes through, that is.

[ALinChainz]

Critics ain't liking it, but the fans seem to really like it.

The crowd at Ford Field watching seemed to be excited.

I like it, no question.

[POJO_Risin]

You know Detroit's phones will be ringing about potential trades...

[Warham]

Critics change their minds about as much as they change their underwear.

If Williams is a pro-bowl player in two years, they'll all say they raved about this pick.

[POJO_Risin]

I don't think it's a question of IF...he will be if he gets the touches...

there is potential trouble here though...starting with touches...and the QB situation...which I know you all feel good about...but deep in your hearts...you feel like I do right now with my Steelers...

I think Ben can be an outstanding QB...don't get me wrong...but the standards are pretty damn high right now...being that he's 16-1 as a starter...

I thing Harrington is going to be playing with a ton of weight on his shoulder...and he's done nothing to make me calm in thinking he can handle it...

and Garcia...as a backup for a game or 2...sure...but if he ends up your starter...I don't think it would matter if you had Rice, Stallworth, Swann and Tim Brown in their primes...

I love the Mike Williams pick up...still think they are going to need to go out and get a QB...but hope for the best...

I don't dislike Detroit...and wouldn't mind seeing them come out of this in incredible fashion...

needless to say...I think their running game is going to be a major player this year...