Lions' signings put team in scoring position
BY CARLOS MONARREZ • FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER • March 8, 2009
If you will excuse the wanton use of a summer metaphor to discuss the Lions' first week of free agency, it's pretty clear the team did not hit a home run. Instead, it was more like a steady stream of singles mixed with a couple of strikeouts and a very interesting foul tip.
Is anybody going to come around to score? It's hard to tell in the first inning. The good news for the Lions is that they have runners on base. They just need management to stick to its game plan in order to bring them home.
The Lions chanted their "right player, right price" mantra with gusto while adding six players through free agency. Instead of taking a sledgehammer to their piggy bank, the Lions played it safe and gave their new additions modest contracts -- none for more than three years or $9 million.
Team officials have said they plan to rebuild through the draft and, so far, it looks like they're in position to do that. Three of their new free agents could be starters, and the three others will provide depth.
Two free agents the Lions struck out on were fullback Moran Norris, who was a catalyst in helping Kevin Smith run effectively in the second part of last season, and guard Derrick Dockery, who dodged a trade to the Lions and then spurned them in free agency to sign with Washington for less money.
The most interesting scenario was the reported failure of a three-way trade that would have brought Denver quarterback Jay Cutler to Detroit.
Here's a look at the Lions' acquisitions and what they bring to the table.
Phillip Buchanon, CB
Age: 28. Contract: 2 years.
Games started in 2008: 16.
Outlook: It's no surprise that defensive-minded coach Jim Schwartz wants to beef up the 98-pound weakling that was the Lions' defense last season. The secondary was especially ineffective and had only one interception. Buchanon had two picks last season for Tampa Bay and returned one for a touchdown. He's looking for a lot of playing time and could get it. Buchanon and trade acquisition Anthony Henry expect to give the secondary a boost.
Grady Jackson, DT
Age: 36. Contract: 3 years.
Games started in '08: 14.
Outlook: The Lions traded Shaun Rogers to Cleveland after the 2007 season, and they sorely missed his run-stopping presence. Cory Redding struggled noticeably without Rogers drawing double teams. Jackson, conservatively listed at 345 pounds, is expected to plug the huge hole in the middle Rogers once filled on running downs.
Bryant Johnson, WR
Age: 27. Contract: 3 years.
Games started in '08: 12.
Outlook: Johnson is expected to start at wideout opposite Calvin Johnson. At 6-feet-3, 211 pounds, he's a big target like Roy Williams. Johnson was slowed by leg injuries last season in San Francisco, when he had a chance to establish himself as the No. 1 receiver after years playing behind Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin in Arizona. It didn't quite happen in Frisco, but he still had a nice 12.1-yards-per-catch average and could complement "Megatron" very well in Detroit.
Eric King, CB
Age: 26. Contract: 2 years.
Games started in '08: 1.
Outlook: He's expected to be a backup and contribute on special teams. King has a reputation as a tough, hard worker the past three seasons with Schwartz in Tennessee.
Daniel Loper, OL
Age: 27. Contract: 1 year.
Games started in '08: 0.
Outlook: He didn't start in four seasons at Tennessee and contributed primarily on special teams. He plays guard and tackle and could vie for the starting left-guard job.
Maurice Morris, RB
Age: 29. Contract: 3 years.
Games started in '08: 6.
Outlook: He's expected to complement Kevin Smith and provide a veteran presence in the backfield and could be used on passing downs. Despite a shaky Seattle offensive line, Morris had a 4.3-yards-per-carry average last year.
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