With the last-second signing of Brandon Pettigrew, all of the Lions’ draft picks will be strapping on the pads for the first practice Saturday at Allen Park. What is more amazing when you consider this: As of this writing, only 15 of the 32 first round draft picks have signed — and two of them are on the Lions. Kudos to Mayhew and Lewand for getting things done effectively!
Thanks for all of your entries on the “30 Lock” roster picks. Feel free to post your own up if you have not yet — this is all for fun, after all. (Spenser Smith was the last cut to get to the 80 man camp roster limit. See the current depth chart here.) The poll taken over the last couple of weeks on this site indicated that about 30% percent of us felt there would be one or two holdouts, while a full 70% felt that all would be in camp on time. It is nice to see the Lions beating expectations for a change!
I’m looking forward to camp, and seeing how some of these position battles begin playing out.
Go Lions!!! Great start with no holdouts!!
Tags: 2009 Draft Picks, Brandon Pettigrew, Detroit Lions, Martin Mayhew,Tom Lewand, Training Camp 2009
By Lopper on Jul 30, 2009
So you don’t think IAF will make the team? I’ve still got hope that he will be an effective DT for us this year. Other than Avril, IAF is one of the best athletes that we have on the d-line. I was surprised to see him missing from your list.
By chiefger139 on Jul 30, 2009
hey you finally got yours in-guess i could submit another but why bother-if I remember right I kept having trouble because id have the same guy down twice so then id move one up then , move up another then have to pick one for the final group-think im all set and see the guy I just added I already had on one of the earlier 2 groups-suddenly im faced with guys i never even heard of,or worst ones I knew who arent any good and of course knowing i already got to many offensivelineman-not enough runningbacks etc. finally said the hell with it just pick the guys I want regardless of position-not all i pick will make it anyhow. And ill be darned if im going through all that again-like I said to much work and im on this blog purely for fun and entertainment-not work-I do that 10 hrs a day as it is-keep up the good work-signed the wize chief!!
By detfan1979 on Jul 30, 2009
It was a tough call on the line, but I felt like fluellen was more of a tweener DT/DE — and Peterson will be a DE at times on rushing downs. I like IAF, but in the end I essentially flipped a coing, and decided on Hunter. Also, I won’t rule out Harris either (the DT they just picked up). I think Darby (who was on many lists, but absent mine) is a goner if any of the young guys or new roster additions step up.
I also have a feeling that Grady could end up on the chopping block, depending on how quick Hill and Gill progress — not likely, but at this point I’m expecting anything!
Thanks as always for the comments and keep em coming!!
By Lopper on Jul 31, 2009
Thanks for the reply. That’s a good thought that you have about Grady being on the chopping block. I wouldn’t mind seeing Hill get a ton of playing time even if he isn’t quite ready. The best place for him to learn will be on the field, and our horrible D-line provides a perfect opportunity to get him some experience and film of himself to watch.
I do hope that you’re wrong about Alama-Francis. I don’t know what it is, but I’ve got a huge man crush for that guy. It seems like he’s got the frame and athleticism to put on some weight and be a good DT. I’ll just keep on hoping.
By detfan1979 on Aug 2, 2009
After seeing practice today, I think I’d have to revise IAF to the 30 lock status. He has really bulked up, and appeared to be running with the first team DTs — and he was was fitting in well there.