Lions News/Notes

[Ego74]

Lions won't get answers now

Web-posted May 31, 2005

By STEVE PATE
Of The Oakland Press

ALLEN PARK - Though pleased with their direction and the steps taken this offseason to upgrade the roster, the Lions nevertheless open two weeks of organized team activity today with a number of wrinkles to iron out.

Advertisement
Almost every player is expected for the 10:15 a.m. practice, although draft picks Bill Swancutt (Oregon State) and Stanley Wilson (Stanford) might still have college finals to complete. But with most here, the coaches can go to work.

Some of their concerns won't be settled until the pads start popping sometime after training camp begins July 29. It's tough getting reads on players in shorts.

But coach Steve Mariucci and staff will have to address the following issues at some point - now or later.

THE OFFENSE: The base offense includes a running back, fullback, tight end and two wide receivers. Charles Rogers and Roy Williams are those wideouts. But No. 1 draft pick Mike Williams, another gifted receiver, will merit plenty of playing time, and the West Coast offense includes more spread formations - zebra (3 receivers, 1 TE, 1 back), eagle (4 wides, 1 back, 0 TE) and E (3 wides, 2 backs, 0 TE).

Mariucci and new offensive coordinator Ted Tollner will have to determine how often to go with those multi-receiver sets, likely even on first down. Mariucci is a run-oriented coach and swears he will not deviate from that main theme. But tailback Kevin Jones can run out of those spread formations, and the offense could be far more explosive on first and second downs - if they choose to open things up.

THE EDGE RUSH: The one area the front office did not address in free agency was acquiring an explosive outside pass rusher. President Matt Millen believes No. 2 pick Shaun Cody (USC) will team up with All-Pro Shaun Rogers at tackle to provide a relentless inside pass rush. James Hall and Cory Redding are at the ends.

Millen also believes Swancutt, a sixth-round pick at defensive end, could be a tireless pass rusher. Kalimba Edwards, the second-round pick in 2002 and a disappointment while slowed by injuries, and fiery Jared DeVries, a seven-year vet, give the Lions some options. Hall has easily been the best of the lot, but this team needs to pressure opposing quarterbacks from the edges better this season.

FREE SAFETY: In previous seasons, the Lions have relied on over-the-hill veterans at the safeties. But they went out in free agency and snatched hard-hitting Kenoy Kennedy, 27, out of Denver to solidify the strong safety position.

That leaves third-year player Terrence Holt and 34-year-old Bracy Walker, a starter last season, to battle it out at free safety in one of the few positions truly up for grabs. On Wednesday, NFL clubs will begin unloading big salaries and players no longer deemed valuable to their teams. A safety could fall the Lions' way when that shopping spree begins. (Detroit wideout Az Hakim will likely go then.)

RIGHT TACKLE: The Lions did not put up the greatest fight to retain starter Stockar McDougle, who accepted a modest salary to play for home-area Miami. Instead, Detroit signed free agent Kyle Kosier from San Francisco and will place him in a dogfight with raw second-year player Kelly Butler and raw fourth-year player Victor Rogers for playing time.

The ideal situation would be for Butler or Rogers to stand out, allowing the more versatile Kosier to slide up and down the line and play both guards and both tackles for depth purposes. But Kosier, 27 and in his fourth season, has the game experience. That right tackle lines up next to guard Damien Woody and is the biggest question mark on the Lions' settled offense - assuming Joey Harrington staves off Jeff Garcia at quarterback.

MIDDLE LB: For two seasons, the Lions have looked to unseat veteran Earl Holmes with a fresh body at middle linebacker. If Boss Bailey is back from a year-long knee injury to play on the strong side, and if James Davis and Alex Lewis can man the weak side, Teddy Lehman will move to the middle.

When they drafted him in 2004, the Lions dubbed Lehman their middle 'backer of the future. The question now will be how soon the Lions decide to go to the younger, swifter player.

 

[TescoVee]

Lions DE Kalimba Edwards was arraigned Tuesday on charges of resisting arrest.
Edwards refused to show his license upon getting pulled over Sunday evening. He resisted arrest, requiring pepper spray before his complied. Edwards has been a bust since being drafted early in the second round of the 2002 Draft

 

[The_Man]

Ty Law and R.W. McQuarters are coming in for visits in the next few.

 

[Ego74]

thanks guys!!!

 

[Ego74]

Thursday, June 2, 2005

Lions: Notebook

Detroit to meet with McQuarters

Free-agent cornerback played for Mariucci in San Francisco; ex-Pat Law is still a possibility.

By Mike O'Hara / The Detroit News


ALLEN PARK -- The NFL's second phase of free agency starts today and the Lions are looking at two cornerbacks already on the market.

R.W. McQuarters, released May 24 by the Bears, was expected to arrive in town Wednesday and visit with the Lions today. Previously, the Lions welcomed former Patriots cornerback Ty Law, who was released in February and is recovering from a broken left foot.

"There are still a couple of people who could make our football team better," Lions president Matt Millen said Wednesday. "If we can make it fit, then I'd do it."

McQuarters was released partly for salary-cap reasons. He was scheduled to make $3.05 million in base salary this season.

McQuarters was San Francisco's first-round draft pick in 1998 and played his first two seasons there under current Lions coach Steve Mariucci. McQuarters was traded to Chicago in 2000 for a sixth-round draft pick and was a valuable defender and return specialist for five seasons.

McQuarters had two interceptions in 2004 and has 10 in his career.

Law has a much higher profile.

The former University of Michigan star was a starter on four Super Bowl teams for New England and played in four Pro Bowls. He holds the franchise record with 36 career interceptions and is one of the NFL's toughest, most intense defensive backs.

Law's recovery from his broken foot, and his contract demands, are the keys to any deal with the Lions -- or any team.

"I'd still like to do something with Ty Law," Millen said. "I haven't forgotten that. We've got our updates on him. There's a lot of stuff involved. He's got to get ready to play."

Edwards update

Defensive end Kalimba Edwards' legal problems, stemming from his weekend arrest for a traffic violation, have no bearing on his playing status, Millen said.

"To me, they're separate," Millen said. "You can talk to him about it, but I'm fine with Kalimba."

Edwards was arraigned Tuesday on charges of resisting arrest and failing to produce a driver's license during a traffic stop in Southfield.

Edwards was Detroit's second-round draft pick in 2002, but has not built on a promising rookie season when he had 6 1/2 sacks. Edwards has had only 6 1/2 sacks the last two seasons combined, and did not start a game in 2004.

Edwards would not comment Wednesday.

Wilkinson plan

Defensive tackle Dan Wilkinson has been absent from the voluntary practices, but could participate next week Mariucci said.

Wilkinson has started every game for two seasons since signing with the Lions as a free agent near the end of training camp in 2003. Wilkinson lives in Virginia during the offseason, and has family matters to attend to, Mariucci said.

"You guys have got to keep in mind, these are voluntary camps, and I hope he volunteers to be here soon," Mariucci said.

"Dan's trying to work it out where he can be here. He's got to deal with a couple of things at home. Then hopefully, he will be here at some point. I spoke to him last week. I'm hoping he gets here."

 

[Ego74]

Jun. 1 - The Saints, in search for veteran help at wide receiver, brought Az-Zahir Hakim in for a visit on Tuesday, the New Orleans Times-Picayune reports. The seven-year veteran, who has been mostly a third receiver and return specialist for the Detroit Lions and St. Louis Rams, has not been offered a contract.

"He's a good player, so we're just kind of exploring it and he's exploring us, and we'll just see where it leads," Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said.

 

[Ego74]

Rogers says he is back in the 'flow'

Lions receiver, finally cleared for contact drills, opens up about recovery from collarbone injury.

By Mike O'Hara / The Detroit News

ALLEN PARK -- Charles Rogers would rather not talk about anything related to his recovery from a second broken right collarbone in two years. No news, and no comment, really would be good news.

Rogers' first two seasons with the Lions were shattered by the injuries. He played five games at wide receiver in 2003 and three plays of the first game in 2005.

On Tuesday, the Lions' medical and training staff deemed Rogers healthy enough in his recovery to shed the red practice jersey he had been wearing in mini-camp. He was in blue, with the rest of the offense.

Rogers bypassed reporters Tuesday but stopped to talk Wednesday. The broken collarbone is a touchy subject, he admitted.

"Because it's the second year I've been going through this," he said. "Most of the questions are the same questions from the first time I broke it. You've got to be a little touchy about it. The same thing -- but a different day."

Practicing in blue was a positive step for Rogers, but he would have accepted waiting until training camp starts in July to ditch the red jersey.

"I feel like I'm getting the flow back a little bit," he said, "getting back in the rhythm, getting back in the swing of things.

"With the red off, with the blue, I feel more a part of the team. If they had me wearing the red jersey until training camp, cool. As long as I was ready for the first game of the season."

The Lions' receivers will be lined up at different positions this year.

Rogers will play the split end instead of the flanker, split out from the tight end, where he played his first two seasons. Roy Williams moved from split end to flanker last year after Rogers was hurt. Williams will remain at flanker. Rookie Mike Williams is working in the slot and backing up Rogers.

The receivers are interchangeable in many formations, and Rogers is not opposed to the move.

"I'm in a position where they can put me anywhere as one of the wide receivers," he said.

Rogers will be a larger presence this year. He is about 15 pounds heavier than his playing weight of 200 pounds. There has been a natural gain from lifting weights to strengthen his upper body.

"He was thin when we got him, a skinny guy," coach Steve Mariucci said. "Lean and mean. Now he's gained some muscle. He's had to do that. A lot of lifting, upper body, to protect his shoulder. He needs to play with more muscle mass. He's done that."

Drummond update

Return specialist Eddie Drummond has taken part in all offseason workouts and mini-camps, even though he has not signed the one-year tender offer the Lions made to maintain his rights as a restricted free agent.

If Drummond signs the tender, the Lions are committed to paying him $1.4 million for 2005. Under NFL rules, he has until June 15 to sign. Beyond that date, teams have the right to withdraw the tender. It is unlikely that would happen.

Drummond has demonstrated good faith by participating in the offseason workouts. Many players on other teams who are in a similar situation have skipped them.

Drummond said Wednesday that he and his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, hope to complete a long-term deal.

"This is where I want to be," Drummond said. "We're working on a long-term deal to get it out of the way. A lot of guys who haven't signed now wouldn't be here with the team.

"That tells them I'm dedicated to the lions right now. I love Detroit. This is where I want to be."

Briefly

The Lions have signed offensive lineman Brock Gutierrez, who appeared in 98 games in nine seasons with Cincinnati (1996-2002) and San Francisco (2003-04).

Gutierrez made Cincinnati's roster in 1996 as an undrafted rookie from Central Michigan.

 

[Ego74]

Lions snag CB McQuarters

June 11, 2005

BY CURT SYLVESTER
FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER

On the theory that he can never have too many good defensive backs, Lions president Matt Millen has landed another one -- former Chicago Bears cornerback R.W. McQuarters.

The seven-year veteran has agreed to terms on a one-year deal believed to be worth approximately $1.6 million.

The Lions had shown a strong interest in both McQuarters and former New England Pro Bowl cornerback Ty Law, but Law is recovering from a broken foot and Millen didn't want to take a chance on losing McQuarters while he waited on Law's rehab work.

"I love Ty Law and I want to think I would still consider him but right now -- with where we're at -- I wanted to make sure I'm getting something," Millen said late Friday.

The addition of McQuarters, 28, adds experience and firepower to a defensive secondary which has been upgraded in recent years by the acquisition of free agents, including Pro Bowl cornerback Dre' Bly, heavy-hitting strong safety Kenoy Kennedy and veteran cornerback Fernando Bryant.

The Lions also have added defensive backs through the draft -- safety Terrence Holt in 2003, cornerback Keith Smith in 2004 and Stanley Wilson Jr. this year -- and still have former starters Chris Cash and Andre Goodman on the roster.

"This is the best our defensive backs have looked in a long time," Millen said.

It remains uncertain, however, exactly where McQuarters will fit into the secondary but Millen likes the flexibility he brings. He has started at corner, played at free safety and is capable of covering a slot receiver. He also gives the Lions a backup to kick returner Eddie Drummond. McQuarters had two interceptions, one for a touchdown in 16 games, 14 of them starts, last season.

"I'm looking for him to compete in a lot of spots," Millen said. "He's a younger guy but he's been around and he knows the division."

McQuarters was a first-round pick of the San Francisco 49ers in 1998 and played his first two seasons under Lions coach Steve Mariucci. He was traded to Chicago in June 2000. He was released last month -- in part for salary cap reasons.