Here are the Church of Schwartz questions for this week. As per usual, I will link to the other bloggers' answers once they are posted. Couple really made me think this time...
1. Are there any undrafted rookies that you expect to be on the team this season?
Honestly, there are not any of the undrafted rookies that I "expect" to be on the team this year. The one who has probably an outside to good shot is Antoine Smith. Behind Kevin Smith and Mourice Morris the Lions really don't have anyone outstanding there. After the release of Calhoun, looking at the Lions' roster Antone Smith is only fighting with Allen Ervin, Avieon Cason and Brown for what is likely to be two RB spots. His special teams play will go a long way towards determining if he makes the roster. Of all UDFA signed, RB is the least cluttered and most likely spot for one to stick.
2. If you can pick ONE remaining free agent on the market for the Lions to sign, who is it?
As of right now, there aren't any FA out there that I really want the Lions to sign. I'm sure Mayhew will keep scanning the waivers and releases. I expect to see a lot more moves as young players with potential are let go as teams trim down to the camp roster limits. As of now, you can tell where they wanted to work on the team as they have 15 Olinemen, 14 Dlinemen, 13 LB's and 11 WR under contract right now with the signing of Colbert.
There will be a LOT of fierce competition for those positions in camp. 15 Oline fighting for maybe 8 spots. 14 dlinemen fighting for 8-9 spots. 10 LBS fighting for 3-4 backup LB spots behind Sims-Foote-JP. 10 WR fighting for 4-5 spots. Really, 8 fighting for 2-3 spots behind Johnson & Johnson. They have brought in a mix of young and old to duke it out, and hope enough stick to improve those positions.
So at this point, it's more of a holding pattern to see if there are any more Larry Foote type cap cuts who can assist an area of need.
3. What retired Lion (if any) deserves Hall of Fame consideration?
Didn't have time to research this one, by my favorite historical Lions (Night Train Lane and Lem Barney) are both in the hall already. I know Kickers don't often get in, but Eddie Murray should warrant consideration, and when Jason Hanson eventually does he most certainly should.
9 comments:
SORRY!
3. BARRY! No brainer. First ballot, hands down. More exciting to watch than Gayle Sayers.
Barry is already in the hall as well, and yes is one of my favorite retired Lions.
When feeling down about the Lions, break out the Barry highlights and all is well.
The question asked about players not already in the hall -- and I couldn't think of any others that should be in. How about you guys???
My favorite Lion was recently inducted (C. Sanders)
MGLion
Hanson should get in to the hall of fame, but I don't think he will unless they make special rules for kickers. He's got three strikes against him:
-he's a kicker
-he hasn't kicked many meaningful kicks (if any)
-He's been kicking at the same time as Adam Vinatieri, who probably WILL get into the hall
Detroit Lions (13/4)
(Portsmouth Spartans - 1930-1933)
LEM BARNEY (1992) - 1967-1977
JACK CHRISTIANSEN (1970) - 1951-1958
EARL (DUTCH) CLARK (1963) - 1931-1932, 1934-1938
LOU CREEKMUR (1996) - 1950-1959
BILL DUDLEY (1966) - 1947-1949
Frank Gatski (1985) - 1957
John Henry Johnson (1987) - 1957-1959
DICK (NIGHT TRAIN) LANE (1974) - 1960-1965
YALE LARY (1979) - 1952-1953, 1956-1964
BOBBY LAYNE (1967) - 1950-1958
Ollie Matson (1972) - 1963
Hugh McElhenny (1970) - 1964
BARRY SANDERS (2004) - 1989-1998
CHARLIE SANDERS (2007) - 1968-1977
JOE SCHMIDT (1973) - 1953-1965
DOAK WALKER (1986) - 1950-1955
ALEX WOJCIECHOWICZ (1968) - 1938-1946
Detroit Lions (13/4)
(Portsmouth Spartans - 1930-1933)
LEM BARNEY (1992) - 1967-1977
JACK CHRISTIANSEN (1970) - 1951-1958
EARL (DUTCH) CLARK (1963) - 1931-1932, 1934-1938
LOU CREEKMUR (1996) - 1950-1959
BILL DUDLEY (1966) - 1947-1949
Frank Gatski (1985) - 1957
John Henry Johnson (1987) - 1957-1959
DICK (NIGHT TRAIN) LANE (1974) - 1960-1965
YALE LARY (1979) - 1952-1953, 1956-1964
BOBBY LAYNE (1967) - 1950-1958
Ollie Matson (1972) - 1963
Hugh McElhenny (1970) - 1964
BARRY SANDERS (2004) - 1989-1998
CHARLIE SANDERS (2007) - 1968-1977
JOE SCHMIDT (1973) - 1953-1965
DOAK WALKER (1986) - 1950-1955
ALEX WOJCIECHOWICZ (1968) - 1938-1946
Al "Bubba" Baker:
In his 5 year career, averaged over 15 sacks a year. If he had only played longer.
Billy Simms:
4.5 yard per carry career average and was also a very good receiver out of the backfield. On short yardage and goal line plays, he was unstoppable. Again, if only he could have stayed healthy longer.
YEAH
your time off was tough because it looked like killer took a week off too, but was a good time for me, got a new computer a couple of weeks ago and had all kinds of trouble getting it up on line, fianlly got my email and everything pretty much done on it yesterday. Hope the wife is well now.As far as your questions go, id like to see us resign paris lennon as a backup, he could play all 3 linebacker positions if he needed to.
Wise Chief:
Smart move wanting Lenon as a backup; he's a great backup type guy. I think his agent might be asking for more money (starter money) than teams think Lenon is worth though. He has had pretty crazy defensive numbers the last few years. Just a complete guess on my part of course; but it makes logical sense as to why a guy with his number of tackles is just sitting on the market, unclaimed.
Hope yours and Detfan's lives calm down some soon! It's been a super-slow week for Lions news; there basically hasn't been any. The only stories to come out are all basically editorials and cheap shots at the Lions by the National media in stories about other teams/players, as usual. Snore me a river.
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