Detroit Lions

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Chris Fry

Chris Fry created this group on SportProjections.com.

Detroit Lions Free Agency Grade and Review

Contributor - Mick Miller , The Lions Den

Team Needs - OL, DL, LB, RB

Key additions - S Dwight Smith (Vikings), CB, Leigh Bodden (Browns), CB Brian Kelly (Bucs), Chuck Darby (Seahawks), S Kalvin Pearson (Bucs)

Key Losses - DT Shaun Rogers, RB Kevin Jones, DE Kalimba Edwards, LB Boss Bailey, LB Teddy Lehman, OL Damien Woody, S Kenoy Kennedy.

Key Free Agents Retained - CB Travis Fisher (Re-Signed), CB Keith Smith (Re-Signed), DE Corey Smith (Re-Signed), RB Tatum Bell (Re-Signed)

Free Agency Notes - Head coach Rod Marinelli is using the line "addition by subtraction" and continuing his course of stocking the Lion roster with "his guys", players who are passionate and live for the gridiron, and are of a tireless work ethic. In trying to upgrade one of the NFL's most woeful defenses, the Lions are looking for players who can help implement the vaunted Tampa 2, which means pilfering former Tampa Bay players seems to be the chosen method. Marinelli, along with defensive coordinator Joe Barry and secondary coach Jimmy Lake, believe that they are headed in the right direction in rebuilding a sorry secondary with veterans of the scheme and the league. With cornerbacks Brian Kelly and Leigh Bodden as the new starters and the safety position revamped with playmakers Dwight Smith and Kalvin Pearson to add to young incumbents Daniel Bullocks and Gerald Alexander, the Lions can turn their attention to the front seven and the offensive side of the ball.

Grade - B

Review of Grade - So far, so good. Nothing too splashy and filling needs for the distinct reason of focusing the direction the team will take in the upcoming NFL Draft. With so many holes to fill, the Lions can ill-afford to make a mistake with any pick made throughout the process. Marinelli would rather build a team by developing talent, not paying big free agent money for it, which means finding the right players on both days of the draft.

detnews.com

Briefs: Roddick is out of the French Open

Andy Roddick withdrew from the French Open on Monday because of a right shoulder injury and hopes to be ready for Wimbledon.

Army's Campbell will join Lions for mini-camp

ALLEN PARK -- Rookie linebacker Caleb Campbell has arranged his schedule at West Point in order to participate in part of the Detroit Lions' mandatory mini-camp that begins Tuesday and runs through Thursday.

Behind the Scenes: Jones' comeback mission

Kevin Jones is preparing for a combination audition/job search. Jones, released in March after four seasons with the Lions, has scheduled a workout June 28. He must show NFL teams he is healthy enough to play. For the second consecutive season Jones, a running back, is coming off a season-ending injury that required surgery (left foot, 2006; right knee ligament damage, 2007).

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freep.com

National columnist: Lions LB Ernie Sims Pro Bowl bound?

Vinny Iyer of the Sporting News believes Lion Ernie Sims is one of 10 players most likely to be a first-time Pro Bowler this season. A portion of his column:

Detroit Lions' Fisher gives donation to Godby track team

Thanks to Travis Fisher, Godby High's boys' track team will have fewer cars to wash and fish to fry.

Ex-Lion Shaun Rogers fitting in with new team, impressing coaches and ex-UM star Braylon Edwards

The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports ex-Lion Shaun Rogers impressed in the Browns' recent off-season workouts. Rogers weighs in the 360 range and is wearing No. 92. A portion of the Plain Dealer story:

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nfl.com

Kitna says Lions will be disappointed by not reaching 10-win mark

A season after Jon Kitna said he expected the Lions to reach 10 victories, the 12-year veteran said he and his teammates won't settle for less in 2008.

Rookie RB Smith out to prove he's a good fit in Detroit

Kevin Smith and the rest of the team's 2008 draft class took part in their first professional workouts Friday, and he got the most attention.

Lions sign Pinner to one-year deal

The Detroit Lions announced Thursday that they have signed free agent RB Artose Pinner to a one-year deal. Additional contract terms were not disclosed.

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prideofdetroit.com

Lions Employee Drops F-Bomb on Fan

Monday Notes: Mandatory Minicamp Begins Tomorrow

Lions to Offer Mini Season-Ticket Plan

Caleb Campbell Scouting Report

Landon Cohen Scouting Report

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blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider

Update your RSS feeds

This blog has moved. The Lions Insider is now a part of MLive's Detroit Lions page. Please look for Tom Kowalski's blog entries at http://www.mlive.com/lions. If you are subscribed to the RSS feed from this blog you'll want to change...

Mayo would likely start out at SLB

AP PhotoJerod Mayo, top, tackles Wisconsin quarterback Tyler Donovan in the 2008 Outback Bowl. Tennessee linebacker Jerod Mayo is in Detroit for a predraft visit with the Lions and he could potentially be a first-day pick. Because of his versatility,...

OLB doesn't rank high on priority list

There has been a lot of chatter recently about the Detroit Lions considering outside linebackers Keith Rivers (USC) or Jerod Mayo (Tennessee) with their first- or second-round pick in the draft. It makes sense on the surface of it because...

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lionsgab.com

Be a Part of Lomas Brown’s Performance Enhancement Camps and Golf Outing

The camp dates: June 27, 28 - Lansing, MI July 11, 12 - Adrian, MI July 18, 19 - Rochester Hills, MI July 25, 26 - Grand Rapids, MI Lomas Brown’s Performance Enhancement Camps are designed to help athletes from the ages of 7 to 18 improve their football skills and techniques. The athletes at the camp [...]

Lions Begin OTAs

The Lions held their first Organized Team Activity workouts as they prepare for the upcoming season. Quarterback Jon Kitna said yesterday’s OTA session was a lot better than he expected. He added that he welcomes the added responsibility of calling audibles at the line of scrimmage, something he was unable to do with Mike Martz [...]

Lions Wrap Up Rookie Minicamp

The Lions coaching staff got their first look at the team’s crop of rookies at a minicamp over the weekend. Head coach Rod Marinelli said he saw good things from third round pick Kevin Smith, a running back out of Central Florida. The Lions also moved Caleb Campbell, who played safety at Army, to linebacker. [...]

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mvn.com/nfl-lions

Kevin Smith: Key to Lions Draft

Both right tackle Gosder Cherilus and linebacker Jordon Dizon were selected to fill gaping holes in the Lions’ roster. Depth and toughness were needed along the offensive line and with the departure of Teddy Lehman and Boss Bailey, the team needs playmaking linebackers for its Tampa Two scheme. But perhaps the most important, and intriguing [...]

The Caleb Quandary

I have never served in any branch of the United States military and am a staunch supporter of anyone who has or does. Whether its war time or not, whether its in the field or behind a desk, it takes courage and fortitude to enlist in my opinion. In my support, I also greatly respect [...]

Lions Feel Dizon is “Insane” on Defense

Size matters… doesn’t matter… depends on who you talk to. As Detroit continues to work on the Tampa Two, you can see where the team is trying to pick players who resemble those who have excelled in the defense before, such as Derrick Brooks. Lion defensive coordinator Joe Barry has repeatedly said that quickness and instincts [...]