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Detroit Lions News & Rumors

Rob Sims Retires

August 23rd, 2015 at 9:59pm CST by Ben Levine

Veteran offensive lineman Rob Sims is retiring, reports Fox2 in Detroit (via ESPN.com’s Michael Rothstein on Twitter). The 2006 fourth-round pick spent nine seasons in the league, starting 114 of his 125 games. The 31-year-old hadn’t missed a regular season contest since 2009, and he started 16 games in each of his five seasons with the Lions.

Sims’ career began in Seattle, where he played 45 games in four seasons with the Seahawks. He was traded to Detroit in 2010 for defensive end Robert Henderson (as well as fifth- and seventh-round picks), and he consistently ranked as the Lions’ best offensive lineman for three seasons, according to Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics (subscription required). While his production has apparently dropped over the past two years, the 31-year-old still rated as an above-average guard.

In June, Sims told Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press that he could still be productive.

“I still can play,” he said. “I want to play. I guess, for me, (by) getting my ducks in a row (while I was still playing), I have the ability to look for the right deal, just don’t take any deal. I can actually pick what’s right for me and my family.”

The Lions had reportedly made the veteran an offer for 2015, but Sims had said that the contract wasn’t worth considering.

NFC Notes: 49ers, Walsh, Vikings, Lions

August 23rd, 2015 at 7:18pm CST by Ben Levine

Despite suffering three concussions during his two years in the league, 49ers safety Eric Reid said he hasn’t thought about retiring. The comments come after former teammate Chris Borland hung up his cleats due to concerns over brain trauma.

“No. Not at all,” Reid told Eric Branch of SFGate.com. “Every guy has to evaluate their decision, whether it’s a concussion, whether it’s an ankle sprain, a torn ACL. With any injury, you have to evaluate yourself and make a personal decision.”

Let’s check out some more notes from the NFC…

  • 49ers nose tackle Mike Purcell is set to play a bigger role this season, and Branch notes that the former undrafted rookie is going to have to adjust to the spotlight. “I just want to stay humble and keep working,” said the 24-year-old. “My goal right now is to show I can do it back-to-back.”
  • Vikings kicker Blair Walsh missed three field goals during last night’s game, and Matt Vessel of the Star Tribune says the team should definitely be concerned about the position. Walsh inked a four-year extension with Minnesota in July.
  • Even with the emergence of Vikings rookie receiver Stefon Diggs, Vessel believes Marcus Sherels‘ roster spot is still secure. The writer cites the player’s production on both the kick and punt return units.
  • Cornerback Captain Munnerlyn could very well be a backup for the Vikings, notes Vessel. However, even with the veteran’s $3.45M salary, the writer believes the team should retain their depth.
  • Jermelle Cudjo has been a revelation during Lions camp, and ESPN.com’s Michael Rothstein says the player is ready for an opportunity. “I’m just hungry, you know,” Cudjo said. “Sitting out last year, having a chip on my shoulder and I just want to come out here and blessed with the opportunity to showcase my skill.”

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/22/15

August 22nd, 2015 at 5:13pm CST by Ben Levine

Here are Saturday’s minor signings, cuts, and other transactions from around the NFL, which we’ll continue to update throughout the day:

  • The Browns made a pair of moves at tight end, signing Anthony Ezeakunne and releasing Manasseh Garner, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. Ezeakunne is an undrafted free agent out of Chapman University, while Garner – formerly of Pitt – was briefly a member of the Chiefs in May.
  • After bringing him in for a workout, the Bills signed Austin Willis, according to Wilson (on Twitter). The Raiders cut the former Emporia State deep threat earlier this week. The 5-foot-9 Willis, an undrafted free agent who was one of Division II’s best receivers the past two years, has a 4.3-second 40-yard dash clocking and a 40-inch vertical to his credit. Buffalo cut defensive tackle Jeremy Towns to make room for Willis, according to Joe Buscaglia of WKBW (Twitter link).
  • The Lions have added former Central Michigan University tight end Deon Butler, reports Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press (via Twitter). The undrafted rookie had previously participated in the organization’s rookie camp, and he’s expected to take the spot of injured tight end Jordan Thompson.

Lions Release Taylor Mays

August 22nd, 2015 at 5:03pm CST by Luke Adams

SATURDAY, 5:03pm: The Lions have officially released Mays, according to ESPN’s Adam Caplan (via Twitter).

FRIDAY, 4:04pm: After not playing in last night’s preseason game against Washington, safety Taylor Mays has asked the Lions for his release, and it appears the team will grant his request, tweets Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. Mays will become an unrestricted free agent when Detroit makes the move official.

It’s already the second time this year that Mays has been released by an NFC North team — the veteran safety and special-teamer signed with the Vikings earlier in the year, and was cut by Minnesota back in June. Mays signed with the Lions less than a week later, so we’ll see if he finds a new job as quickly now that he’s becoming available again.

In five NFL seasons with the 49ers and Bengals, Mays has made 84 tackles, recorded one sack, and recovered a pair of fumbles. While his numbers aren’t exceptional, Mays is a solid contributor on special teams, and drew interest from multiple teams when he hit the market this offseason. Teams hit hard by secondary injuries this preseason could be potential suitors for Mays this time around.

NFC Links: Saints, Washington, 49ers, Eagles, Lions

August 22nd, 2015 at 5:02pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are some notes from the NFC just before Week 2 of the preseason continues.

  • Before Washington agreed to a trade for 49ers tight end Derek Carrier, the Saints and Bears were interested in doing the same, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. The Saints, in particular, now have a need at tight end, with 34-year-old Ben Watson possibly serving as their starter while the player previously thought to be ready to replace Jimmy Graham, Josh Hill, having an uneventful camp, per Katherine Terrell of NOLA.com.
  • Despite Nick Toon‘s struggles in training camp, the fourth-year receiver with just 21 career catches should make the 53-man roster, Terrell opines. She views R.J. Harris as a developmental player New Orleans hopes to have on its practice squad.
  • The Saints scribe, however, doesn’t view Anthony Spencer as a lock to make the roster with his health again serving as a deterrent. The veteran edge presence carries a $230K dead-money charge.
  • Carrier’s arrival represents one of the reasons Chris Cooley‘s last-ditch attempt to return to Washington is over, writes JP Finlay of CSNMidAtlantic.com. Aside from the fact Washington GM Scot McCloughan said Cooley would not be re-signed, the veteran’s inability to play special teams would get in the way of a potential return.
  • In what’s become a rebuilding look in San Francisco, the 49ers are building toward the future with their two summer trades, writes Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com. A source told Maiocco they insisted on acquiring 2017 draft choices in trades of Andy Lee to Cleveland and Carrier to Washington and now have nine picks in that draft. Maiocco also posits the team could trade a defensive lineman for a pick before roster cutdown day. With three compensatory picks projected, the 49ers have 12 selections in next year’s draft, along with two fifth- and seventh-round selections in 2017.
  • Safety Earl Wolff‘s waived/injured distinction will likely play out with the third-year performer receiving an injury settlement rather than going through to the Eagles‘ injured reserve, offers Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer (on Twitter).
  • Zach Zenner is pushing George Winn for the Lions‘ fourth tailback job behind Joique Bell, Ameer Abdullah and Theo Riddick, writes Kyle Meinke of MLive.com. Winn’s special teams value could still win out after Pro Football Focus ranked him as Detroit’s third-best special-teamer last year, but Zenner has shown more upside as a runner, per Meinke.

NFC Mailbags: Packers, Lions, Rams, Washington

August 22nd, 2015 at 9:52am CST by Ben Levine

It’s Saturday morning, and that means ESPN.com’s NFL writers are opening their mailbags and answering questions from readers. Let’s take a look at some interesting whispers out of the NFC…

  • Looking ahead to the Packers roster decisions, Rob Demovsky believes John Kuhn will be in Green Bay for at least another year. Meanwhile, he believes backup quarterback Brett Hundley is a lock to make the team.
  • Michael Rothstein tries his luck at guessing which Lions players could make the squad and contribute on special teams. At the gunner position, the writer believes Jeremy Ross and Don Carey have the advantage, with Nevin Lawson having shown “mixed results.” For blockers, Rothstein opines that both Zach Zenner and George Winn will make the roster.
  • Even though neither of the players have been very productive throughout their career, Rothstein is under the impression that the Lions will keep both of their backup quarterbacks, Dan Orlovsky and Kellen Moore.
  • Nick Wagoner can’t envision the Rams holding on to defensive back Brandon McGee. The former fifth-rounder hasn’t seen the field much during training camp or the preseason.
  • John Keim says it’ll be tough for Washington to keep three quarterbacks and four running backs. Trey Williams would seem to have the advantage over Chris Thompson, but the writer isn’t convinced that either of the running backs are safe.

NFC Notes: Manning, Smith, Lions, Spadola

August 21st, 2015 at 8:35pm CST by Rob DiRe

Giants quarterback Eli Manning has been making headlines recently, as he has allegedly demanded and then refuted reports that he demanded to be the highest-paid player in the NFL. Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com writes that all this could be the “storm before the calm” as was the case with Philip Rivers’ contract, noting that there is a reason all the top quarterbacks have received long-term extensions.

Here are some other notes from around the NFC:

  • With a need at safety, Jordan Raanan of NJ.com was asked if the Giants might be interested in the recently released Taylor Mays (via Twitter). Raanan opines that the team would not be interested, noting that perception around Mays isn’t positive.
  • Eagles’ 2014 first-round pick Marcus Smith will miss two to three weeks with a hamstring injury, writes Zach Berman of the Philadelphia Inquirer. “It was not as bad as I thought it was,” said Smith. “Three weeks is probably the most. I’ll definitely be ready for the Falcons game. Try to be ready for the last preseason game.”
  • The Lions have a pair of key starters dealing with high ankle sprains, in offensive guard Larry Warford and defensive tackle Caraun Reid, writes Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. It is uncertain when they will be able to return to the field, and head coach Jim Caldwell would not put a timetable on their recovery.
  • Cardinals receiver Ryan Spadola is considering a career as a ref after his football career comes to an end, writes Bob McManamoan of AZCentral.com. Spadola has been a practice squad player bouncing around the league for two seasons, and is competing for a spot on the Cardinals’ roster.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/21/15

August 21st, 2015 at 6:01pm CST by Luke Adams

Here are Friday’s minor signings, cuts, and other transactions from around the NFL:

  • The Eagles have waived/injured safety Earl Wolff, who has been bothered by knee injuries since 2013, writes Tim McManus of PhillyMag.com. Wolff, a 2013 fifth-round pick, started six games for Philadelphia in his rookie year, but has been plagued by injuries since that season. He confirmed today (via Twitter) that he underwent surgery on his troublesome right knee.
  • Rookie receiver Isiah Ferguson suffered a torn ACL and torn meniscus, and will be sidelined for the year, per Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, who reports (via Twitter) that the Rams have waived/injured the young wideout.
  • The Colts announced today that they’ve made a change at the back of their roster, waiving wide receiver L.T. Smith and replacing him with free agent guard Harland Gunn. Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle adds (via Twitter) that the team also reached an injury settlement with linebacker Cody Galea, removing him from the roster.
  • As Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press tweets, UDFA wideout Jarred Haggins announced today that he has been cut by the Lions. Neither this transaction nor the reported release of safety Taylor Mays showed up on today’s transactions log, so the team will probably officially confirm the moves tomorrow.
  • After working him out earlier today, the Cowboys have signed free agent defensive tackle Carlif Taylor, waiving offensive lineman Cody Clay with an injury designation to clear roster space, tweets Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com.
  • According to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (Twitter links), the Eagles have waived linebacker Brandon Hepburn off their injured reserve list with an injury settlement, while the Saints have removed wide receiver Andy Tanner from their IR.

NFC Notes: Benjamin, Falcons, AP, RGIII

August 19th, 2015 at 2:33pm CST by Luke Adams

The Panthers are holding their collective breath as they await the results of an MRI on Kelvin Benjamin‘s left knee. The Panthers wideout went down with an apparent non-contact injury during today’s joint practice with the Dolphins, and while head coach Ron Rivera indicated that it’s a sprained knee, there’s a chance the injury is more serious than that. If Benjamin has to miss regular-season action, it’ll be bad news for a Carolina receiving corps that’s lacking legit playmakers outside of Benjamin. Jonathan Jones and Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer have the details.

As the Panthers and their fans wait on the results of that MRI, let’s round up a few more items from across the NFC….

  • A report yesterday suggested that free agent quarterback Rex Grossman was drawing interest from the Falcons, but D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution says it’s the other way around, tweeting that Grossman is interested in the Falcons. According to Ledbetter, the team is happy with T.J. Yates and Sean Renfree behind Matt Ryan.
  • Within an extensive look at Adrian Peterson‘s unusual offseason, Eli Saslow of ESPN The Magazine says that the Vikings running back wants to play another eight season in the NFL, in the hopes of breaking Emmitt Smith’s career rushing record.
  • Washington would like to stick with Robert Griffin III as the team’s starting quarterback for the entire 2015 season in order to make a fully informed decision about his future, according to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link). The club has already picked up RGIII’s fifth-year option for 2016, but that salary doesn’t become guaranteed until the first day of the ’16 league year, so Washington could still decide to move on from the young QB if this season doesn’t go well.
  • The Cardinals‘ signing of running back Chris Johnson is a potential coup, and a move straight from the Steve Keim playbook, writes Dan Bickley of the Arizona Republic.
  • Lions safety James Ihedigbo, who had been seeking a new contract earlier this year, still feels like he’s in his prime as he prepares to turn 32 years old, he tells Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.

More Minor NFL Transactions: 8/18/15

August 18th, 2015 at 6:04pm CST by Zachary Links

Earlier today, we rounded minor signings, cuts, and other transactions from around the league. Here’s the latest batch..

  • The Giants announced that they have claimed defensive tackle Jimmy Staten off waivers from the Seahawks and waived rookie defensive tackle Carlif Taylor, Ralph Vacchiano of the Daily News tweets.
  • The Jets announced that they have acquired tight end Arthur Lynch off waivers from the Dolphins. Lynch was the fifth-round pick (No. 155 overall) of Miami in the 2014 draft out of Georgia. He had 56 career receptions for 907 yards and eight touchdowns for the Bulldogs and was an All-Southeastern Conference first-team selection as a redshirt senior.
  • The Raiders announced that they have signed free agent receiver Devon Wylie. Wylie, originally drafted by the Chiefs in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL Draft, appeared in six games during his rookie campaign, recording six receptions for 53 yards.
  • Offensive tackle Chris Martin, who was waived by the Dolphins recently, was awarded to Patriots, Wilson tweets. Martin, who is 6’5″ and 305 pounds, has had two prior stints with the Patriots.
  • The Patriots cut tight end Logan Stokes, Wilson tweets.
  • The Saints will sign defensive tackle David Hunter, according to Brett Martel of The Associated Press (on Twitter). Hunter joins New Orleans after DT Austin Brown went down with an injury.
  • The Lions released David Ausberry with an injury settlement, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press (via Twitter).
  • The Lions waived/injured center Darren Keyton, Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com tweets.
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