Mini-camp News and Notes

First off, here is a nice photo gallery of Lions players at the mandatory mini-camp. Killer also had a nice article on Rookies once again having to earn their starting position.

Feel free to post your thoughts on the photos/story. I'm gathering some thoughts/analysis on the news/stories here and will be writing more on them as far as analysis goes after the min-camp is completed. That way, I'm looking over a whole picture versus a snippet or two.

Great quote from Marinelli regarding Bell (Foxsports.com, from Lions notes and quotes page):

Running back Tatum Bell looks a bit heavy, but it's only May. "He might be up there a little bit more, yeah," Marinelli said. "But like I told these guys -- told them all -- just make sure we're aware of where we're at. Right now, it's still the offseason. But I want to make sure we're working toward the perfect weight to enter camp. I'm aware of every guy. They're made aware of where I want them."

Sounds like, to me, we are right on in our evaluations of the heated RB competition this season -- I'm sure that Bell knows in no uncertain terms where he needs to be -- along with any other player that showed up out of shape. If Marinelli will dump 1st round draft picks and pro-bowl DT's, then what will he do to you? The example has been made enough in Det that even though some people are too stupid to catch on, the majority of players know that with Marinelli it's put up or ship out.

Also, sounds like Bell might not be the only one who wasn't where Marinelli wanted...wonder who the other players are?? However, as always, he is placing the burden of success on them...they know what they are expected to do -- it is their job as men in Marinelli's employ to get it done, or exceed it; no one else can do if for them.

Got a good chuckle today - reading about Atlanta signing Matt Ryan to a HUGE contract...mainly because my gut says that he will be the second coming of Joey Harrington -- both for the league, and the Falcons. My second thought? Another stupid move by Blank, overpaying someone he didn't need to, after unnecessarily giving away his bargaining tools. They might as well have stuck with Joey and saved the money for other need areas. Amazing that in stage one of rebuilding, it looks like Atlanta might have made a Millenesqe pick, and topped it off with a larger-than-a-millen-contract contract. Ant Atlanta didn't even have the good Oline draft Millen did for the guy to stand behind...

Dave Birkett had some nice additional snippets about the mini-camp as well.

Keep up the great thoughts on the RB position battles; don't forget the Lions still have more than 80 players, and they're going to need to cut someone before camp. Who will it be?? (post on the bubble cuts link at the side)