Slumgoli

Just some random thoughts tonight that struck me the last couple of days, including responses to your comments on the last posting, as I prepare my Pre-Preseason "Marinelli Men" (Final 53 Roster). That will be posted tomorrow. I will update it for injury, and then again after the 3rd preseason game and just before final cutdown. But this first one will be my intuitive guess, so to speak, of how I think it will shake out.

My bigger point on the OT's was that KC and Chicago are catching little to no flak for their top picks being hurt (same as Panther's with Otah) -- however, were that to have been Detroit -- it would have been all about how anyone could have seen it coming, Millen drafts Awful, and basically make it seem as though no NFL team would have chosen that player in 7 rounds were it not for the Lions.

Baloney.

I was just pointing out how lucky it is that for once, the guys the Lions chose are competing for starting spots (first three picks) and not injured, a bust, etc. So far, so good with their draft picks. Better research, and looking for better fits is finally leading to -- as some have complained would never happen, considering the talent level of the team -- the likelihood that 4 draft picks will be starting by the end of the season, including the first 3 picks of the 08 Draft. Shows great improvement, in the least, of drafting for need/fit for the team.

BTW - the knock on OT C. Williams (Chicago)coming out of College were questions on whether he was "tough enough" for the NFL. While it remains to be seen, he's still out with "back spasms" -- something you expect from a player in their mid-30's doing 2 a days, not a rookie.
Thought it would be interesting to take a look outside the box of Detroit, and see how they are faring based on a league-wide lens.

Wonderful commentary, and nice back and forth.

I will say to the anonymous poster:I want proofs/logic for arguments. If you say a player is better, etc. please state what makes you think so other than "Millen did the picking."
Also, I prefer that each person at least use a "handle" ie nubsnobber, DetFan1979, Isphet, Cheif, StreetWorm, JJLions, JChadwick, 5BakerStreey, Jreffy et al to ID their posts. It builds the rapport better as each member of the community discusses the various bits of analysis and interpretation we do on this site. I've censored myself for a stupid post with no substance -- don't think I would hesitate to do the same if need be for others.

Anonymous, consider thyself warned: Criticism of the team is encouraged, but keep it constructive, not destructive.

If Smith starts for the Lions as the workhorse runner it appears he is developing into, then it is generally acknowledged league-wide that K.Smith is the leading candidate for "steal of the draft" when all is said and done.

Mendenhall is a backup/rotational guy with Willie Parker, and has already been dinged up two different times during camp.

Street -- you are right about injuries. It was only 3 or 4 years ago the Lions had, I think it was 13 guys on IR. Too tired to check -- Mooch's last year, I think, or Marinelli's first. It has significantly improved the longer Marinelli has been here, and I'm glad to see it.

JJ - check out NetRat's site for the latest cap info. It was "bank error in your favor" on the mathematical formulas. Don't jump around too much -- they are still an estimated 2.7 million under the cap, which is still scraping pretty close to the top. That's all they have for injury signings, and extensions of current players this cap year. As I stated earlier, look for cap numbers to impact the cuts when two players are close to equal in the eyes of the coaching staff, but have differing cap impacts. The cuts to 53 will help, but they only have room for maybe one more FA (Detroit is currently the only team with an offer in to Spikes, according to the last reports. He is waiting to see if someone has a camp/preseason injury and needs to pay him more than the Lions are willing to in order to fill an immediate need.)

Basically, they are KJ's cap savings away from the brink.

JChadwick -- I agree, as you will see when I release my prediction of the depth chart/53 (Pre-Preseason Games) tomorrow. I will update it after the third preseason game, before the final cutdown.

To clear up one thing: Teddy Lehman went on IR-Minor. This means the Lions will give him an injury settlement, and can't re-sign him until 6 weeks after a specified date. [I believe week 6 of the season, but I'm not sure] Teams weren't beating down his door before, and his best chance is to hope the Lions (or TB) need a mid season injury replacement on the LB corps. He knows the D, can play MLB, SLB, and ST -- he will be a valuable late season ninja-replacement should he be needed, and will come cheap. Too bad -- I was hoping the injuries were behind him, and he would be productive again like in his rookie year.

I agree {correction from previous version - see comments} with the Cheif on Cherilus -- the Lions are trying not to get the expectation for Cherilus too high. He is a rookie, and is going through a rookie learning curve. Foster is on a one year deal and even if it takes Cherilus half the regular season, or the whole year at worst to supplant Foster -- Foster is a one year band aid who might be retained to back up Cherilus next year (for the right price) although I see them drafting a LT to develop behind Backus and keeping Scott as the other backup OT as he can play both sides. Cherilus is, from what I've read, right on pace to be starting sooner rather than later, but don't look for him to be a big upgrade over Foster until 2009. Same for Dizon taking over the middle.

You thoughts on camp? Happenings? Anyone from Wisconsin or the UP hear any football news not concerning Brett Favre?

Thursday we see how the 3rd stringers are coming along. It will be interesting to watch.