It's readily apparent as the Lions finish their disappointing 3-13 2006 season, that numerous personnel changes will likely occur during this off season. In order to alter the course of the franchise, it only makes sense that the Lions front office would choose to add some new faces around the inner core of the franchise that it plans to retain. The losing culture that has had a virus-like grip upon the Lions has to be fought with a near-religious zeal this off-season. In order for the Lions to hope to ever get better, they will have to leave no option unexplored and no method should prove too unorthodox in their quest for NFL respectability. When you consider the continued failings of the franchise, the fact that they haven't enacted widespread changes to their personnel selection process is as strong of an indictment of the Ford's ownership as any that can be tendered.
That being said, the roiling bubbles of league gossip that have indicated that the Lions may choose to add two future Hall of Famers to their roster next season is a little disconcerting. Mike Martz made some offhand statements recently that he believed that Rams RB and NFL network analyst Marshall Faulk may be a worthy roster addition, should he decide to return from semi-retirement in 2007. Faulk's career accomplishments are unquestioned. His integrity as an athlete is without peer. Considering that, Faulk could provide the Lions with strong veteran leadership and could serve as a mentor and fine example of what it takes to be a winner. Faulk would potentially serve as a viable candidate for the team's third down back and could potentially provide a change-of-pace back to add to the mix. Faulk does possess some of the most complete knowledge of Mike Martz's offensive scheme of anybody in the league. He could potentially became a running backs coach and possibly an offensive coordinator, somewhere down the line. On the other hand, if the Lions were to decide to sign a 34-year old running back, with an extensive injury history, to become their everyday down back, well, that would likely lead to disastrous results.
Their are also a growing number of reports that the Lions may be interested in trading for 33-year old Bucs DE Simeon Rice, if he is not released. Rice and Lions Head Coach Rod Marinelli are simpatico, Rice has made several glowing statements about his respect for the Lions coach. Rice only had two sacks this season while playing in eight games. He had to have a season-ending surgery on his shoulder which abbreviated his season. In the previous five seasons, Rice averaged 13.5 sacks and has a career total of 121. If Rice is healthy and happy, he could make an excellent addition. I am concerned that the Lions would be making a huge misstep in their judgement if they met all of Rice's likely salary demands.
The Lions desperately need a difference-making edge pass rusher. Rice was one of the best in the business quite recently. That being said, the acquisition of players like Faulk and Rice may provide a brief improvement, but ultimately would not change the course of the franchise like adding the young, organizational cornerstone, type of players that one can find in the draft, for less money. Under the right circumstances, or if the Lions were closer to being contenders, I would advocate acquiring Faulk and Rice. Unfortunately, I don't believe that either would change the Lions fortunes very much and if they did it would not be for very long.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-10-2007 @ 1:44AM
Steve Borkowski said...
No one is looking at the obvious...dare I say OBVIOUS method to a vast overnight success with the lions. I submit to you my friends that oyster crackers are the answer. YES...oyster crackers. We approack both Mr Ford and Mr. Millen at a posh get together, oh I don't know, a charity for football foundlings, or drooling stadium idiots. It doesn't matter where. What matters is the oyster crackers. We need to approach both men with a certain savior faire, a je'ne sai quois. We must be devilishly mysterious so as to arouse their suspiscions when we tell them we have the secret to their pig skin promethean futures.
"Matt, Billy." we will whisper so softly, "we have found the holy grail of the NFL" They will turn toward us as men dying of thirst turn toward even a hint of water. "Oyster crackers!" we will say. "Oyster crackers" As if overcome by the five dollar perfume of an eight mile hooker, they will follow us. Little will they know that earlier that day, on the aforementioned Eight mile, in room 704 of the Bali motel, (hourly rates available) we sprinkled a mixture of oyster crackers, ceasar salad dressing, croutons and sweet onions, nothing so crude as spanish onions, but sweet onions on a double bed equiped with.....MAGIC FINGERS!
Matt and Bill will follow us to the room, and overcome by the aroma and tantalizing temptations to their tast buds, they will disrobe, and roll about in a veritable orgy of oyster crackers delights.
Meanwhile we will lock the doors and burn the hotel to the ground.
(Any similarity between this story and any real characters in the NFL who like oyster cracker in the nude is purely coincidental.)
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1-10-2007 @ 1:07PM
Prophet said...
It looks like to me the coaches want some guys in there that are there guys. Guys that have a sense of winning and maybe can teach there current group how to play the right way and not put in there lazy sloth like effort the clubhouse displays now. I think the current coaches see what they have and would be willing to take a chance on some older guys than roll again with what they have now.
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1-10-2007 @ 11:38AM
Big Al said...
Faulk - No way, no how. Too old, too brittle, probably too expensive. There has to be healthier and younger FA RB options available. Let alone we don't know what a healthy Brian Calhoun can do. I'd rather see if he could become the 3rd down/change of pace back, than sign a admittedly once great, but now old and brittle, Faulk.
Rice - Intriguing, to say the least. The Lions have been looking for an edge rusher for what seems like decades. I'm not sure how much he has left, but a reunion with Sgt. Marinelli might add up to a couple of good years out of Rice. Front load a deal big time, and see if he bites.
I'd much rather take a chance on Rice than Faulk.
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1-13-2007 @ 4:45AM
simon said...
big al's right. faulk is too old but simeon rice despite being 33 works too hard to be finished. i believe he has at least 3 good years left all ex bux standouts seem to(sapp, lynch, smith, warrick dunn) and maybe even a pro bowl year with marinelli's inspirational genius.
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1-14-2007 @ 5:48PM
shawn said...
what dirt does millen have on ford??? if ford wont fire him than at the least remove his power to make any decisions at all. the lions organization should have a little more respect for rookies coming out of college and stop picking them up,trade the draft picks for some decent free agents. kitna is a decent (damn good) qb, get him a front line that can pick up the blitz a little better then never.ford would be better off letting the players pick some free agents than letting millen put his 2cents in the mix
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1-23-2007 @ 12:44AM
AL said...
Sim and Marinelli is a perfect match by all means. The Lions defense will be a force in the NFL with Rice, that's the missing puzzle. With the General commanding S.Rice, S.Rodgers and Simms.....sack record watch out! Bly record breaking interceptions....this is a no brainer. Rice works out like a navy seal and some...Has 5 more great seasons under his belt. Never drank or smoke or anything but trained...Matt you have to be crazy not to make a outstanding offer to get Simeon Rice!!!!!! The Lions can make history with him and the No.2 pick
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