A Look At What The Lions Did In Free Agency

by Brandon on Mar 7, 2011 7:00 AM CST in Green Bay Packers Free Agency

One surprising loss for the Green Bay Packers in 2010 was at Detroit to the Lions. Part of the reason was the first half concussion suffered by QB Aaron Rodgers. QB Matt Flynn is a solid backup, but all backup QBs enter mid-game pretty cold since they don't take many snaps with the first team during that week's practice. But the biggest reason why they lost that game was because of the Lions defensive line.

DT Ndamukong Suh was disruptive, but he was often stuffed by RG Josh Sitton. While DT Corey Williams and DE Kyle Vanden Bosch were the big name veterans they added last season, it was guys like DE Lawrence Jackson and DE Turk McBride (two former high draft choices that washed out with their former teams) who did most of the damage against the Packers. The Packers offensive was abused by their defensive line more than any other over the last several games of the season.

So when the Lions re-sign a fringe veteran like CB Nathan Vasher to start, any of his short comings are almost masked by their pass rush. DE Cliff Avril didn't record a stat of any sort in his last game against the Packers, but he's certainly a promising young pass rusher who wants to remain long-term in Detroit. Also, they're working to bring back McBride and DE Andre Fluellen next season too. They have the makings of a tough defensive opponent for the Packers again in 2011.

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Corey and Lawrence were picked up through trades.

Corey W. was a terrible fit for a 3-4 scheme and Detroit got him and a seventh round pick from Cleveland for our 2010 fifth round pick.
Lawrence J. was a former # 28 pick in the first round by Seattle who just never got it going. The Lions got him for a 2011 sixth round pick.

Both of these guys had outstanding 2010 seasons. Jackson being especially impressive in the second half of the season after KVB was injured and he began to get a lot more playing time.
Turk McBride was a FA pick up in 2009 and has been a solid rotation guy and spot starter for the Lions.
Fluellen is one of the few Millenpicks remaining. He is a valuable depth player and special teamer who looked very good in the limited snaps he got in 2010.

I really like the line depth that the Lions have and look forward to an even stronger year from them in 2011.

Also, don’t be surprised if the Lions take another DE at # 13 if a player like Cameron Jordan or Robert Quinn somehow slips to our spot. It is not a need, but this would be the best value for the Lions.

"A lot of people have stayed 3 minutes in the ring with the bear, and they didn't do it by going at the bear. They did it by getting on their bike and running around. - Jim Schwartz 2011

by NorthLeft12 on Mar 7, 2011 8:27 AM CST reply actions

The Corey W deal was a nice one for Detroit. I had a hunch he’d be decent back in the 4-3.

The Green Bay Packers...Putting bad coaches out of their misery since 2010

by TrevorR on Mar 7, 2011 1:05 PM CST up reply actions

The (@) Detroit game clearly demonstrated

the importance of the trench warfare battles.
The Pack was overpowered in the trenches in that game. Because of this, they lost and looked bad in the process.
I thought less of College until after that game. The O-line looked almost helpless after he got knocked out, early in the game. That game demonstrated the Packers need for more strength, power, and meanness up front. The games against the Bears were similar.
The NFC North is going to be a tough division for a while, mainly because of the strong D-lines. Thank goodness the Williams (non)brothers have aged and are done in Minnesota.

by docg on Mar 7, 2011 10:46 AM CST reply actions

the Lions are pretty good in the front seven

but their secondary isn’t very good. while the Lions played well in that game, if Rodgers doesn’t get hurt odds are it’s a Packer win. They’ve done a really good job rebuilding their defense by starting on the line, but they still have a little ways to go

The problem for the Lions is offensively – they have an all-world receiver and a good QB when he’s healthy, but they lack a running game – and that will be their downfall until they address it. If they go into a game with the Packers this year relying on their passing game to win, that’s advantage Packers

by rip_city_swagger on Mar 7, 2011 11:17 AM CST reply actions

Sorry, the Packers have a running game? I missed that.

You had a lower yards per carry average than us [4.0 vs 3.8] and rushed for less yards total than Detroit. Even though we trailed in most of our games and had our two top RBs injured all year.

And don’t tell me about the great playoff run rushing. You averaged 101 yards per game, same as the regular season, and 3.7 yards per rush, just under your regular season average.
Oh, and we ran pretty well against your team, 313 yards in two games, while you guys had 158 in those two games. You guys better fix your run defence or we may not have to worry about passing too much.

And stop whining about your injuries. The Lions had more important injuries to their team than the Packers had. And we don’t have Peter King doing our crying for us like you.

"A lot of people have stayed 3 minutes in the ring with the bear, and they didn't do it by going at the bear. They did it by getting on their bike and running around. - Jim Schwartz 2011

by NorthLeft12 on Mar 8, 2011 6:55 AM CST up reply actions

More important injuries than

Franchise QB
Starting TE (#1 offensive option)
Starting RB
Starting CB at beginning of year
Best pass rusher in the game/Starting OLB
Starting DE
3 players who started at other OLB
2 players who started at SS
Starting RT
Help me out if I forgot anything.

Yeah, I'd say Matthew Stafford is more important than all that

The Lions played very well with the backup QB in…

"They’re good players. They’re basically all the same guy, except for Jordy Nelson is Caucasian."

--Ryan Clark, Pittsburgh S, on the Green Bay receivers

by Kuhl on Mar 8, 2011 9:20 AM CST up reply actions

ILBs Barnett & Chillar on IR, WR Driver for a couple of games

OL Clifton & Colledge each left games & did not return, I believe.

Plus, WR Driver, CBs Woodson & Shields in the SB.

It was more than just Stafford; Hill, KVB, Jason Hanson & Kevin Smith are the guys I can recall off the top of my head (although, most of those guys were near the end of the season). It is nowhere near the injuries that the Packers fought through.

13.

by Wiedmann on Mar 8, 2011 12:30 PM CST up reply actions

Oh, and all the midseason injuries to our TEs, too

I think Crabtree was our only healthy TE for at least one game, so we signed Havner (after the Lions cut him!), and he promptly went on IR after a week or two.

13.

by Wiedmann on Mar 8, 2011 12:35 PM CST up reply actions

I don't know

how I missed barnett, chillar, and driver.

Smith was a backup RB, Hill hurt because he played like a starter, and how could I forget Suh’s extra point attempt.

Either way, no team (except for MAYBE the Colts) could argue that they were more affected by injuries this year than the Pack!

"They’re good players. They’re basically all the same guy, except for Jordy Nelson is Caucasian."

--Ryan Clark, Pittsburgh S, on the Green Bay receivers

by Kuhl on Mar 8, 2011 1:07 PM CST up reply actions

I'm going to have to disagree with you there.

The colts were still in the playoff hunt going into the final game of the season and we all know how your season turned out. Its a fact that you guys had a ridiculous number of injuries, nobody can possibly argue that. But to say that it affected your team more than any other after winning a championship? That’s just being overdramatic at that point. There are plenty of teams out there that might have a better case. Aqib Talib for Tampa Bay was a huge blow to them at a crucial point in the season and arguably could have cost them a playoff birth. That’s just one example.

It's turkey, Lions and Macy's. Any other combination is just ludicrous.

by Leonuro on Mar 8, 2011 1:15 PM CST up reply actions

Whatever

This is all in response to you telling us to stop whining about our injuries and that the Lions had more important injuries than the Pack. I proved you wrong, and now you’re changing your comment.

And we don’t have Peter King doing our crying for us like you.

BTW, you had everyone in the sports media doing your crying for you when Johnson put the ball down in the endzone.

"They’re good players. They’re basically all the same guy, except for Jordy Nelson is Caucasian."

--Ryan Clark, Pittsburgh S, on the Green Bay receivers

by Kuhl on Mar 8, 2011 1:36 PM CST up reply actions

It was a different guy who talked about "whining"

13.

by Wiedmann on Mar 8, 2011 1:49 PM CST up reply actions

I kinda wish it had been me

I have never been quoted before, it would have been a great honor had Kuhl got the right guy.

It's turkey, Lions and Macy's. Any other combination is just ludicrous.

by Leonuro on Mar 8, 2011 1:53 PM CST up reply actions

sorry about that

"They’re good players. They’re basically all the same guy, except for Jordy Nelson is Caucasian."

--Ryan Clark, Pittsburgh S, on the Green Bay receivers

by Kuhl on Mar 8, 2011 1:57 PM CST up reply actions

Mistaken identity aside

Do you really believe that Calvin’s catch was an incomplete pass?

It's turkey, Lions and Macy's. Any other combination is just ludicrous.

by Leonuro on Mar 8, 2011 1:59 PM CST up reply actions

Yeah, that was totally a catch.

But, what he was saying is that the Lions had people crying for them, too.

13.

by Wiedmann on Mar 8, 2011 2:05 PM CST up reply actions

Yes we did

Although, I believe it wasn’t on behalf of the Lions as much as it was on behalf of the institution of the forward pass.

It's turkey, Lions and Macy's. Any other combination is just ludicrous.

by Leonuro on Mar 8, 2011 2:07 PM CST up reply actions

No, it should have been a catch

My point was just that GB isn’t the only team that has the media crying for them.

Detroit got robbed on that one. I actually cheer for detroit 14 games a year, as long as they lose the other two :)

"They’re good players. They’re basically all the same guy, except for Jordy Nelson is Caucasian."

--Ryan Clark, Pittsburgh S, on the Green Bay receivers

by Kuhl on Mar 8, 2011 2:07 PM CST up reply actions

I also cheer for Detroit 14 games a year

I’m old so I have more bye weeks, besides I’ve never fully adjusted to the 16 game schedule.

It's turkey, Lions and Macy's. Any other combination is just ludicrous.

by Leonuro on Mar 8, 2011 2:09 PM CST up reply actions

I have never been quoted before, it would have been a great honor had Kuhl got the right guy.

13.

by Wiedmann on Mar 8, 2011 2:04 PM CST up reply actions

Wow, this is so unexpected

First, I’d like to thank Charlie Sheen and his goddesses of power at Sober Valley Ranch……

It's turkey, Lions and Macy's. Any other combination is just ludicrous.

by Leonuro on Mar 8, 2011 2:08 PM CST up reply actions

I feel dumb now

I went Troll hunting, and got Leonuro instead…

"They’re good players. They’re basically all the same guy, except for Jordy Nelson is Caucasian."

--Ryan Clark, Pittsburgh S, on the Green Bay receivers

by Kuhl on Mar 8, 2011 2:08 PM CST up reply actions

Yeah, I'm kinda like the spider rings at Chuckie Cheese

you save up all those tickets for a cool prize…..and you get a spider ring instead.

It's turkey, Lions and Macy's. Any other combination is just ludicrous.

by Leonuro on Mar 8, 2011 2:10 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs

Kuhl, I agree with you about "the Catch". It was not a catch in my book.

I thought that was the most overblown issue in the NFL in 2010. And that covers a lot of ground.

I am getting a little tired of hearing about your injuries and how amazing your success is in spite of all those injuries. You only lost your starting QB for one and a half games. Try losing him for thirteen and a quarter games, then lose your back up QB for five and a half games, and your third stringer gets injured as well.

The NFL season is a long hard grind. Injuries happen. You guys dealt with the losses to your team very well, but IMO the longer term injuries were not to players that are absolutely key to your success. Obviously.

QB injuries are a completely different level than any other player on the team. I don’t think I have to remind you what happened when Rodgers missed significant time in two games.

I look forward to another couple of hard fought games in 2011 with you guys. May the best team win and I hope we both have full and healthy rosters when we play.

"A lot of people have stayed 3 minutes in the ring with the bear, and they didn't do it by going at the bear. They did it by getting on their bike and running around. - Jim Schwartz 2011

by NorthLeft12 on Mar 8, 2011 2:08 PM CST up reply actions

Our success doesn't mean we weren't affected by the injuries

It’s just shows how good McCarthy and Thompson are that they were able to find guys to step up and fill those roles. If GB had any GM other than TT, they wouldn’t have made the playoffs this year.

BTW, I’m not saying that it wasn’t a catch. I think it was. My response was just saying that no one had the media crying more for them this season than the Lions did.

"They’re good players. They’re basically all the same guy, except for Jordy Nelson is Caucasian."

--Ryan Clark, Pittsburgh S, on the Green Bay receivers

by Kuhl on Mar 8, 2011 2:12 PM CST up reply actions

I think my eyes started bleeding

when I read you didn’t think it was a catch. Goosfraba, I’m over it now, I’d be happy if “The Catch” never comes up again.

It's turkey, Lions and Macy's. Any other combination is just ludicrous.

by Leonuro on Mar 8, 2011 2:14 PM CST up reply actions

Just because we have great depth doesn't mean it didn't affect us.

13.

by Wiedmann on Mar 8, 2011 1:44 PM CST up reply actions

I'm not arguing that it didn't affect you.

Injuries affect every team, I was just put off by the notion that it affected your club more than any other in the league. That was hard to swallow for me.

It's turkey, Lions and Macy's. Any other combination is just ludicrous.

by Leonuro on Mar 8, 2011 1:52 PM CST up reply actions

He never said anything about your running game being worse than ours

He said the Packers’ passing offense was better than the Lions’ passing offense, and would win in a shoot-out.

Secondly, saying you’ve had more important injuries than the Packers just makes you sound like an idiot. Stafford going down hurt, but let’s not exaggerate.

13.

by Wiedmann on Mar 8, 2011 12:22 PM CST up reply actions

Stafford was not the only injury the Lions had.

Besides, Rodgers numbers in that game were less than impressive. However cold Flynn was, I thought he did great coming in and posted better numbers in the second half than Rodgers did in the first.
It doesn’t matter how many people were injured in the games, who performed, who had an off day, you won a game and we won a game. Quite frankly, I’m thrilled that my favorite two games of every year are so competitive. The first game was won by less than a field goal and the second by less than a touchdown, are you kidding me? Those are exciting games. I don’t care if Axel Foley and Clifford Franklin were starting games, I will post no excuses for losing and I look forward to our next meeting.

It's turkey, Lions and Macy's. Any other combination is just ludicrous.

by Leonuro on Mar 8, 2011 1:04 PM CST up reply actions

It wasn't just Stafford, I listed the ones I could think of above

Rodgers’ numbers weren’t all that impressive in the 1st half of the SF game, either, but he stepped it up in the 2nd half of that game, and there’s no doubt in my mind he’d have done the same thing in the 2nd half vs. the Lions. I do hope that Stafford stays healthy next year; I was living in Athens, GA his final year at UGA, and I got to see him play 2 games live.

I would love for nothing more than to have the week 17 game next year be at Lambeau Field with the winner clinching home field, and the loser getting the 5 seed.

13.

by Wiedmann on Mar 8, 2011 1:43 PM CST up reply actions

That'd be sweet.

I would like to talk to the NFL schedulers and have them rearrange some stuff. I would personally like our two games every year to be Thanksgiving in Detroit and Week 17 at Lambeau. Maybe I’m crazy, but that’s football weather to me.

It's turkey, Lions and Macy's. Any other combination is just ludicrous.

by Leonuro on Mar 8, 2011 1:55 PM CST up reply actions