Really? Playoff participant banners?

Jim Caldwell said "We kind of like hanging those banners up there."

Pathetic. A banner for playoff participation? Can anyone confirm that the Lions fan hung banners for participating in the playoffs?

Lions thoughts for the week

We recently signed a CB named Darren Walls. If you haven't heard of him before, don't feel bad, you are not alone. Apparently he is a special teams guy with some deep bench ability to play safety if a catastrophe happens at the position.

Tracy Scroggins filed yet another shot across the NFL's bow filing yet another lawsuit against their handling of concussion research ect. The NFL responded predictably that they felt it would be dismissed because they believe it is already covered under the pending lawsuit and litigation.

The four letter network has post free agency ranked the Lions 25th in the NFL. Right behind the Bears. I know the loss of CJ is not fun for anyone but really? This is a mediocre team, not a horrible one. I will have to kindly disagree.

Ramblings

Levy on IG calling out the NFL - I like it. the follow up I read had him eloquently stating his case, even comparing it to the cigarette industry warnings , let people know the risks.

Caldwell mentions Swanson getting pushed at center and has to compete and earn it.
The guy pushing him might be great, he was good in college. He's also an UDFA. Ikard

Off season musical diversion

Good morning Lions' fans- welcome to your virtual on line radio station The Roaring 20s
where we are taking DEDICATIONS  If you have a message for the Lions during this off season, give a call to the request line at 202-020-2020 and let us know what you'd like to hear!

Here's a call now- Caller 1, what's your name and what song would you like to hear?

"Hello, this is Martin, and I have a sincere message to pass along to Bobby as he gets a handle of the Detroit sports scene and fans psyche.  It's  a favorite from childhood, Bobby, listen to the message as I didn't heed the warning

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqXaJqqp2SI

Good Luck!"

DJ- " That's a great tune and I can't argue with the message. Time for another caller- Caller #2, what do you want to hear?"

"hey I am a long time season ticket holder, and I think you can improve the game day experience. There's one thing missing and I think I haves the answer.   See if this will give any ideas!"

https://www.youtube.com/user/WarpedTrio

DJ- "Really? I'm not so sure how I feel about! I got time for two more callers - Caller #3, what's your name and what would you like to hear?

"Wassup- this is Matt.  I have a special dedication to Calvin and i want the world to know exactly what he means to me. I know it's late but.....

https://vimeo.com/14991730

DJ - You're going to make me cry and I wonder why you couldn't hit him in stride.  The beating .... which reminds me the line is blinking, so I need to get the next caller.

"I'm Marvin, and I just heard Matt's dedication.  I'd like to remind him that I'm excited to contribute to a winner. Since I entered the NFL, that's all I know... at least in the regular season, which sounds like it would go over great in Detroit.  Now that I'm on the team, I'd just like you to play one of my favorites, that stresses my mindset

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6OHcxDJlpw


Alright fans, that's all I have time for, but feel free to make your song dedications

(If you're making the off season playlist to echo through the halls
and reinforce the message during the off season and OTA's , etc...  what should the Lions be playing?)

Well, we didn't land Okung....and it may be the best case scenario for the Lions

Today the long awaited news of Russell Okung's signing came down with what was a disappointing outcome for some.  The Denver Broncos were able to acquire the 28 year old LT on a 5 year deal worth $10.6 million per year. Although the idea of adding a brand name tackle was rather intriguing, the truth is Okung was no where near the proven option many envisioned. Okung surely did not see a market where he'd be settling for a deal that is essentially a 1 year prove it followed by an option for more when he opted to represent himself, but now he is in a position where he has to show his worth all over again. Whether or not he can will be determined in the upcoming season but the structure of the deal itself, sheds light on what NFL teams pursuing him thought of his value.

In terms of the Lions, it's clear they saw a stop gap player. This isn't exactly an ideal situation for the team. After years of poking through the bargain bin for options at tackle, we really are not in a position to continue looking for one year solutions, particularly not at the cost Okung was demanding. Okung is still a young player at 28 but he has yet to play a full 16 game season since being drafted in 2010.  He's made a name with his draft status & high talent level but he has not been able to put to together consistent efforts. A great contributor to that being his lack of availability.  He has a pro bowl selection under his belt from 2012 but with every passing year the validity of that accomplishment comes more into question. His play has declined since & at this point, it's not even a certainty that he would replace Riley Reiff at LT.

With the draft coming next month, it would be prudent of the Lions to turn their attention to acquiring the answer at RT there. This is a perfect time to build a young, athletic, unit that doesn't break the bank. There are many options available & if Bob Quinn is as advertised those options won't be limited to a day 1 selection.  Quinn's resistance to Okung could possibly be a key step in building the balanced team many of us Lions fans envision.

Safety dance dan is back....

I like the man, I am not a fan of the player.

Why weren't we in on Mitchell Schwartz

five-years, $33 million deal with $20.7 million guaranteed (12.6 million fully guaranteed)

That is all it took to get him. This is a 26 year old guy  on the rise and we have a desperate need at RT. The money slots right in with where you would expect for a free agent RT. The guy hasn't missed a game in his four NFL seasons. Is there something I am missing here?

free agency so far.....

it is way too early to judge but I am entirely underwhelmed.

-Jones was the "best WR FA" so you knew he would come at a premium. He is young, tall, seems to have legitimate NFL speed and hands. He doesn't seem to be afraid to take a shot and will make some pretty catches now and then. It stands to be seen what he can do when he doesn't have a guy like A.J. Green pulling coverage away from him. JBC has his work cut out for him but Lions fans got their shiny bauble.

-Ngata is old. He isn't just on the down side of his career, he is snowballing down hill. Granted, it is only a 2 year contract but the money is still unknown. Until we know the money, it is difficult to really be upset with this signing. Getting older on the D line isn't going to win the team many games. This signing suggests to me that the Lions are going to be using a 2nd to 4th round pick on DT. Ngata is a very old stop gap player at this point. Nothing more.

-Tavon wilson has a good pedigree being drafted in the second round. The problem, he has slowly been falling out of favor with the Pats for a couple years. Last year he only played 83 snaps on defense. This guy isn't coming here to replace Diggs or Isa. He will be a special team guy and depth in the secondary. We still have a glaring need for a starting S.

-We need more upgrades on both lines. The big uglies win you games. Not the shiny baubles.

-So far, the overall talent of the team has decreased. This will often happen in free agency if a team is truly committed to building in the draft but when you start losing your own young guys in free agency when you have a ton of cap space, that is not ideal.

I am not impressed.

But hey, at least we aren't the browns. Seriously, they are having some sort of massive exodus of talent....

It has been really quiet....

I am suspicious. Things shouldn't be this quiet. Our GM better not be sitting on his hands. There is a ton of work to be done and players are being snapped up.

First Barry, Now Calvin

Leave it to the Lions to suck the love of the game out of two of the greatest players that we have ever seen in Honolulu blue.

The Fords make being a Lions fan incredibly difficult.

Should have fired Mayillen years ago........

Shouldn't have hired him in the first place.......

SOL

And so it begins...

In a few minutes a new era of Lions football will begin in earnest. Another rookie GM will try to guide this franchise to places it has failed to go in over half a century. Baby Face Quinn will try to do the seemingly impossible. Build a winner out of the Detroit Lions.

Here's to you Baby face. Get your ass to work. Lions fans are historically patient but we can only take so much. You don't have to win now but it will have to be soon. Good luck.

BTW, who do you think will be the first reported Lions target during the legal tampering window?

Akiem Hicks anyone? We need more young big uglies on the D line

Only 26, huge and can cause some trouble for the opposition in the middle. For the right price, we have to be looking at him right?

Alex Mack anyone? We need a Center... Badly

As expected, Alex Mack opted out of his contract with the Browns today. That contract would have paid him 8 million a year for the next three years. 8 million in base salary this coming season and 6 million in base salary and 2 million in roster bonuses for the following two years. It is safe to believe that he will be looking for more than that  yearly in his new deal and for a longer period.

Alex Mack is a very good player who would no doubt be a rather large upgrade over Swanson. My problem, he is 30 and the down side is coming sooner than later. That always makes me weary. Does he have another 5 to 6 years in him? That is likely the length of the contract he is going to want. Seems like a tough call.