James Ihedigbo who is in the middle of a contract dispute was a no show at the Lions voluntary workout today.
Ihedigbo, who is in the final year of his 2 year deal with the Lions is set to make 1.65 million, a 1.1 million base and a 500,000 roster bonus. His cap hit is 1.95 million and wants a new contract and has said he will not report until he gets one.
The Lions have little depth at the safety position, and are even weaker at the strong safety. Isa Abdul-Quddus was the leading backup last season but almost all his snaps came as free agent. Quin is the best Lions defensive back played strong safety to start the season while Ihedigbo was out for 3 weeks. So there is that option for the Lions have Quin move to strong safety and Isa could play free safety. Or the Lions could use a high draft pick on a safety.
One thing that needs to be pointed out about the starting back four is the advancing age of the starters. Mathis will be 35, Ihedigbo is 31, Quin is 29, which comprises the Lions top 3 defensive backs from last season, so a youth movement should be on the horizon.
I just don't think you can let a player of Digs quality demand a new contract and capitulate without dozens of other players on the team seeing you give in and have bad ideas start filling their heads.
ReplyDeleteIMO this situation becomes a "catch 22". You're right about not giving in from the FO stance, but from a player's stance you were the 2nd best DB and a little used rotational guy is making more money then you.
DeleteAgain I think this was misplayed by the FO. Should have been resolved behind closed doors. Either reward James for a great season or trade him. Again James came to Detroit mainly because of his ties with Austin. Maybe he feels he deserves a better contract after proving himself.
I do see Ihedigbo's point. He out produced his contract he is an aging vet looking for his very last solid pay day. At the end of the day this is a business and when you are an employee and you see the way some of your fellow employees and been shown the door by this management you could form strong opinions about your worth and what is best for you.
Still no word on whether or not the Lions will pick up Reiffs option. Lewand has said publicly that no talks about re-signing Levy has happen, than 2 days later Tom says the Lions want to get a deal done with Levy soon. Read into that however you want to. Pro-Lions FO view would be they are working on something behind the scenes. A negative view of the FO would be that the Lions have reached out to Levy's camp but they have not reached back.
If you are selling "incompetent FO" you don't have much convincing to do with me. lol
DeletePaying a backup player more than your projected starter is asking for trouble. Leave it to the Lions to find another way to piss off productive players, even if Digs did wear down as the year progressed.
The Reiff and levy contract situations are brewing into possible trouble. I just hope neither one boils over. We need both those guys to play for the Lions for a very long time. That said, i wouldn't put it past this FO to fuck up one if not both situations.
lol... I think this FO miss their calling of being firefighters cus instead of getting in front of situations like this they seem to like sitting back waiting to put out fires.
ReplyDeleteinteresting discussion…I wonder what they plan for to happen with Isa's contract and how it would go over..? I'm not totally sold on Digs, but get that NFL teams come back and ask players to take a cut when under performing, so if he has a case to be made he outperformed his contract and his back up got a raise….I can see where he's feeling "dissed". If the Lions are to count on him, I think they need to resolve it by making him a happy camper. If not, maybe he'll help bring in a late round pick during the draft. Pettigrew and Diggs for a 5th round pick from Baltimore?
ReplyDeletewhich players has this FO successfully re-signed? between players not being worth another contract to offer, and signing people from the streets, how much experience does this FO have with re-signing productive players ?
Even if Lewand goes back to M***** how many times did they have to reup his drafted finds? Dom and Backus come to mind….
interesting... IMO I do not think this FO really values depth. Every season seems like they are forced to sign guys off the street.
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