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Detroit Lions News & Rumors

North Notes: Bears, Ihedigbo, Hoyer

November 10th, 2014 at 2:32pm CST by Luke Adams

Following last night’s embarrassing 55-14 loss in Green Bay, it’s time for the Bears to re-evaluate every aspect of the team, from the roster to the head coach to the front office, according to David Haugh of the Chicago Tribune. Jon Greenberg of ESPNChicago.com expresses similar sentiments, writing that an overhaul of the club shouldn’t be out of the question.

However, it doesn’t sound as if major changes are in store in the short term. Speaking to reporters today, including Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun Times (Twitter link), head coach Marc Trestman indicated that no coaching changes will be made in the wake of consecutive blowout losses.

Here’s more from out of the NFL’s two North divisions:

  • Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap singles out Bears quarterback Jay Cutler as his “new contract disappointment of the week,” writing that Cutler needs to do better, since the team is stuck with him for at least the next two years.
  • The Lions’ investment in safety James Ihedigbo in free agency this past offseason has paid off significantly, as Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com details.
  • Brian Hoyer’s agent, Joe Linta, tells Peter King of TheMMQB.com that he hasn’t talked to the Browns about a new contract for his client since May. However, King says he’d be “amazed” if Cleveland lets Hoyer get away in free agency this winter.
  • Meanwhile, Pat McManamon of ESPN.com attempts to find a multiyear contract structure for Hoyer that could work for both the quarterback and the Browns going forward.

NFC Notes: Peterson, 49ers, Palmer, Cox

November 9th, 2014 at 8:31pm CST by Luke Adams

The Vikings front office has become very sensitive about bringing back running back Adrian Peterson following his prolonged legal saga, writes Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com, who adds that there are “no guarantees” the club would welcome him back if he’s reinstated by the NFL. Citing multiple sources with knowledge of the situation, La Canfora writes that the Vikings harbor “serious concerns” about Peterson’s physical and mental state — while the running back accepted a no-contest plea, the team isn’t sure he recognized the seriousness of the charges he was facing. La Canfora also hears from sources that Peterson isn’t currently in game shape.

As we wait to see what the NFL and the Vikings decide to do with the former All-Pro running back, let’s check in on several other items from around the league….

  • The Vikings should cut Peterson and let another team deal with the circus surrounding his return, argues Tom Powers of the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
  • 49ers nose tackle Ian Williams suffered what head coach Jim Harbaugh called a “small fracture” in his left leg today, as Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle details. The team’s regular nose tackle, Glenn Dorsey, is on track to return soon from off the injured reserve list, but if he’s not quite ready yet, Quinton Dial figures to get the start next week.
  • According to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (via Twitter), Carson Palmer‘s new extension features $10MM in guaranteed signing and roster bonuses, as well as a $10.5MM salary for 2015 that’s guaranteed for injury. So even though he may have torn his ACL today, the Cardinals quarterback has secured $20.5MM in guarantees over the course of this year and next year.
  • Giants running back Michael Cox was in a wheelchair with what appeared to be a serious leg injury following the team’s loss in Seattle today, according to Dan Graziano of ESPN.com, who tweets that the club is likely to add a replacement running back this week. The Giants confirmed tonight that Cox fractured the lower part of his left leg, tweets Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News.
  • Lions offensive lineman Larry Warford doesn’t have an ACL injury, a source tells Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (Twitter link). Warford will undergo further tests to determine the severity of his knee injury.
  • Jeremy Maclin bet big on himself when he turned down a multiyear contract offer from the Eagles in the offseason to sign a one-year deal, and that decision is paying off, writes Bob Ford of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

NFC Notes: Suh, Seahawks, Rams, Vikings

November 8th, 2014 at 10:39pm CST by Rob DiRe

The Lions boast one of the top defenses in football this year, based on the strength of their defensive line. Where they are particularly strong is the interior of that line. However, the team has a dilemma on their hands this coming offseason, with Ndamukong Suh, Nick Fairley, and C.J. Mosley all hitting free agency at the same time. The team will have a hard time projecting their personnel at defensive tackle in 2015, but Kyle Meinke of MLive.com puts the odds on re-signing Suh at 51%. He notes that while Suh is intent on reaching free agency, that he will accept the largest offer and that the Lions would be most inclined to give it to him.

Here are some other notes from around the NFC:

  • Percy Harvin is the most recent defending champion to leave the Seahawks, but he is far from the only one. Of the 72 players that were on the active roster, practice squad, and injured reserve for last year’s Super Bowl, 25 of them have moved on from the team, with 13 of them stationed on active rosters around the league. Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times takes a look at these 13 players and how they have fared since switching teams.
  • Rams‘ owner Stan Kroenke owns 60 acres of land in Inglewood, California, which has been rumored to be potential land for an arena for a Los Angeles based team. While neither the team nor the city has mentioned anything definitive about the move, Inglewood mayor James Butts announced that he would have a meeting with Kronke, according to Doug Vaughn of KMOV.com.
  • This will not be the first time the mayor has met with Rams‘ owner Kroenke, as Jason Cole of BleacherReport tweeted that the two sides have already met a couple of times (via Twitter).
  • No general manager in the NFL hits a home run on 100% of his decisions, writes Matt Vensel of the Minnesota Star-Tribune. While that may be the case, he writes that Vikings‘ general manager Rick Spielman has been pretty close. Vensel looks through the immediate effectiveness of a number of the team’s signings and draft picks, such as Everson Griffen, Matt Cassel, Linval Joseph, Captain Munnerlyn, Anthony Barr, Teddy Bridgewater, and Jerick McKinnon.

NFC Mailbags: Giants, Panthers, Lions

November 8th, 2014 at 10:53am CST by Ben Levine

It’s Saturday morning, and that means a fresh batch of NFL mailbags from ESPN’s writers. We’ve compiled some of the more interesting notes from the articles, and we’ll start with whispers out of the NFC…

  • Dan Graziano believes that Giants general manager Jerry Reese is safe and will not be fired following the season. The writer shares a similar sentiment for head coach Tom Coughlin, but he warns that a lot could change in the second-half of the season.
  • Based on what the team has seen from Robert Griffin III, Washington probably won’t be in the position to give their quarterback an extension this spring, writes John Keim.
  • Following a disappointing season, teams often place the blame on somebody besides the general manager or head coach. David Newton opines that Panthers offensive coordinator Mike Shula could be that guy in Carolina.
  • Michael Rothstein writes that Calvin Johnson is practically indispensable to the Lions organization, and having the wideout on the roster will have no impact on Ndamukong Suh or DeAndre Levy‘s future with the team.

Justin Houston Aiming To Top Watt?

November 6th, 2014 at 7:00pm CST by Matt Feminis

“Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker Justin Houston’s career year is happening at the right time, as he is in the final year of a four-year rookie contract that pays $1.406 million this season,” says NFP’s Joel Corry, who goes into detail forecasting the premier pass rusher’s contractual future. Corry’s main points:

  • First the stats. . .Houston is leading the NFL with 12 sacks through eight games (a pace that would break the all-time single-season record), ranks as Pro Football Focus’ top-rated 3-4 outside linebacker and is tied for second in the league with 44 pressures (combined sacks, QB hurries and QB hits).
  • Signing Houston to a long-term deal is a priority for the Chiefs, but multiple reports indicate the team and player (agent Joel Segal) are far apart on terms.
  • Segal will likely seek to top Texans defensive end and reigning defensive player of the year J.J. Watt‘s record-setting, six-year, $100MM mega deal ($51.88 guaranteed), which is the gold standard for defensive players right now. Watt is the NFL’s highest-paid non-quarterback based on average yearly salary ($16.67MM).
  • While Houston’s deal is up, he won’t be able to enjoy the fruits of unrestricted free agency because the Chiefs can (will) franchise tag him twice if need be. Corry estimates the tag number will be approximately $13.25MM in 2015 and $15.9MM in 2016.
  • One “major obstacle” to a deal could be the team’s insistence on quarterback Alex Smith, who signed a four-year, $68MM deal ($45MM guaranteed) in August, remaining the highest-paid Chief. This is typical salary cap structure, according to Corry, who sites the example of Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford‘s place atop Detroit’s salary hierarchy even though receiver Calvin Johnson is widely regarded as a better overall player.
  • In summation, “Based on the changing market conditions for elite defensive players and the relationship between salaries of top pass rushing defensive ends and linebackers that consistently pressure opposing quarterbacks, expect Houston to sign a long-term deal somewhere between $14.5 million per year and $15.5 million per year as long as he doesn’t sustain a serious injury before the end of the season,” estimates Corry.

NFL Announces 2015 London Games

November 6th, 2014 at 1:05pm CST by Luke Adams

1:05pm: Per Albert Breer of the NFL Network (via Twitter), all six teams heading to London next year will have their bye weeks following their overseas games. The automatic bye for teams playing in London could be removed as soon as 2016, says Breer.

9:45am: The NFL has officially announced its three games scheduled to take place in London’s Wembley Stadium during the 2015 season. The Dolphins, Lions, and Jaguars will all be heading back to Europe after playing games there this season. Here’s the full schedule:

  • Week 4 (October 4): Jets at Dolphins
  • Week 7 (October 25): Bills at Jaguars
  • Week 8 (November 1): Lions at Chiefs

The Daily Mail had previously reported that the league intended to increase the number of games in London next season from three to five, but it appears that’s not the case. Still, 2015’s lineup reflects the NFL’s desire to further experiment with the schedule and the stadium — games will be held in London on back-to-back weeks for the first time, and with three games bunched together in five weeks, the schedule will put Wembley Stadium’s playing surface to the test. The NFL’s international chief, Mark Waller, explained earlier this season why such changes were coming.

“I’m less focused on going from three (games) to four, four to five, five to six,” Waller said in September. “Can we do back-to-back games? Will the surface hold up? Can we start sending teams there without the bye attached? It’s not about the number anymore. … We’re at a place now where if we continue to do the job with the fans, the fan base will grow, and we’ll be able to have a team (in London). The questions now are logistical.”

While the NFL’s full schedule for 2015 has yet to be announced, it’s worth keeping an eye on whether any of the teams visiting London will do so without having their bye the following week, as Waller suggests.

Additionally, the Jets/Dolphins game in Week 4 represents the first time a divisional matchup has been held in London. The decision by Dolphins ownership to give up a divisional home game is already being panned by local media.

Workout Notes: Bengals, Saints, Lions, Bucs

November 4th, 2014 at 10:30pm CST by Dallas Robinson

As teams around the league assess themselves during the early part of the week, we’ll learn about the latest tryouts as clubs try to remake the back ends of their rosters. We’ll keep track of today’s audition notes here:

Earlier updates:

  • The Bengals worked out tight end Michael Egnew, reports Adam Caplan of ESPN (Twitter link). Egnew, a third-round pick in 2012, has spent time with the Dolphins, Lions, and Jaguars. Cincinnati also brought in defensive back Josh Victorian, who was dropped from the Lions’ practice squad in early October, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter).
  • With fullback Austin Johnson nursing a knee injury, the Saints auditioned fellow FBs Michael Zordich and Ray Agnew, per Caplan (on Twitter). New Orleans also tried out ex-Washington safety Bacarri Rambo, who started three games last season, tweets Caplan. Wilson passes along a few more names (on Twitter), noting that the club brought in defensive backs Malcolm Bronson, Stan McKay, and Brandon Taylor, and running back Toben Opurum.
  • The Lions worked out cornerbacks Trevin Wade and Robert Steeples, says Wilson (Twitter link). The duo worked out for the Panthers a few weeks ago.
  • The Buccaneers auditioned linebacker Jeremy Grable, per Wilson (via Twitter). Grable was on Tampa Bay’s roster over the summer.
  • Offensive lineman Maurice Hurt is one of 15 players whom Washington is trying out today, according to John Keim of ESPN.com (on Twitter). We should learn the names of the other participants shortly.

North Notes: Peterson, Little, Browns

November 4th, 2014 at 2:27pm CST by Luke Adams

Vikings running back Adrian Peterson has officially accepted a no-contest plea, meaning he’ll be placed on probation, will pay a $4K fine, and will be subject to 80 hours of community service. It also means that the legal process for his case has concluded, so the Vikings and the NFL will have to decide on the next step for the embattled running back.

The NFL doesn’t seem to be rushing a decision, with spokesman Greg Aiello telling Pro Football Talk today that the league will review the court documents and can’t speculate on a timetable for a ruling. Still, that decision should come by next week, when the Vikings return from their Week 10 bye. As ESPN’s Ed Werder observes, the NFLPA “expects that the league will punish Peterson as it would any other player determined to be guilty of a misdemeanor,” which suggests the Vikings star could be back on the field sooner rather than later.

As we wait to see how the Peterson situation plays out, let’s check in on a few more items out of the league’s two North divisions….

  • For their part, Peterson’s Vikings teammates sound ready to welcome him back with open arms, as Ben Goessling of ESPN.com details.
  • Wide receiver Greg Little, who was cut by the Browns earlier this year after an up-and-down three years with the team, is looking forward to facing his old team as a member of the Bengals this week, as he tells Paul Dehner Jr. of the Cincinnati Enquirer. “I was coming in to a new coaching staff I was growing towards and they were looking at me to come in and play well,” said the former second-round pick, discussing the end of his time in Cleveland. “I had a great relationship with them and the front office decided to go in another direction. Hopefully I’ll make them pay.”
  • Asked today by reporters about the possibility of re-signing Josh Cribbs as a return man, Browns GM Ray Farmer didn’t express any interest in the idea, suggesting the team didn’t want to cut anyone on the current roster for a player whose value is exclusively linked to kick and punt returns (Twitter link via Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer).
  • Maggie Hendricks of USA Today identifies the Bears and Lions as a couple clubs that should have some interest in rookie defensive end Michael Sam, who has been a free agent since being dropped from Dallas’ practice squad.

Minor Moves: Monday

November 3rd, 2014 at 7:11pm CST by Luke Adams

As teams deal with Week 9 injuries and look ahead to Week 10, we can expect to see several clubs tweak the backs of their 53-man rosters and their practice squads. Here are Monday’s latest minor transactions:

  • The Dolphins have placed safety Michael Thomas on injured reserve after he suffered a significant chest injury in Sunday’s game, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link). To take his place on the roster, Miami signed fellow S Jordan Kovacs off the Eagles’ practice squad, per Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald (via Twitter). The Fins will also add tight end Jake Stoneburner to its taxi squad, tweets Salguero.
  • Two Buccaneers players, defensive end Da’Quan Bowers and fullback Jorvorskie Lane, have been reinstated from the suspended list, according to Howard Balzer (Twitter link).
  • The Buccaneers have waived defensive tackle Matthew Masifilo, reports Caplan (on Twitter). The 2012 undrafted free agent played in one game this season for Tampa Bay.
  • Because return man Trindon Holliday was waived/injured, and has now cleared waivers, he has reverted to the Buccaneers’ injured reserve list, according to Wilson (on Twitter).
  • More Bucs news, as the club has made several changes to its practice squad. Tampa added linebacker Denicos Allen and tight end Ted Bolser to its taxi squad, while cutting fullback Lonnie Pryor and linebacker Mister Alexander, says Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com (via Twitter).
  • To make room for Square (referenced below), the Chargers have cut safety Adrian Phillips, who was just signed on Saturday, per Wilson (Twitter link).
  • The Bengals announced several changes to its practice squad, tweets Coley Harvey of ESPN.com. We learned earlier today that linebacker Khairi Fortt was lost to the Jaguars, but the team also cut tight end Kevin Greene. To replace them, Cincinnati signed tight end Jake Murphy and linebacker Justin Jackson.
  • The Cardinals have re-signed defensive tackle Bruce Gaston, who was let go on Saturday, to their taxi squad, according to Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com (on Twitter).
  • The Jets have made an addition to their PS, bringing in receiver Chris Owusu, per Brian Costello of the New York Post (Twitter link). Owusu caught 13 balls for the Buccaneers last season.

Earlier updates:

  • Defensive end Damion Square, who was cut by the Chiefs on Saturday, has been claimed off waivers by the division-rival Chargers, according to Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune (via Twitter). San Diego doesn’t have an open roster spot, so the team will need to make a corresponding move for the transaction to become official.
  • The Bills have filled their lone open roster spot by claiming safety Jerome Couplin off waivers from the Lions, per Mike Rodak of ESPN.com (via Twitter).
  • The Lions have made a few changes to their practice squad, according to Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com, who tweets that the team has added tight end Jordan Thompson, cornerback Trevin Wade, and defensive tackle Roy Philon, releasing tight end Ifeanyi Momah.
  • After working them out earlier, the Vikings have signed quarterback Pat Devlin and tight end Rashaun Allen to their taxi squad, according to Matt Vensel of the Minneapolis Star Tribune (via Twitter). To make space on the unit, the team moved quarterback Chandler Harnish to the practice squad IR list and cut tight end Ryan Otten.
  • Fullback Michael Zordich has signed with the Saints‘ practice squad, according to his agency, Tier 1 Sports Management (Twitter link).
  • The Buccaneers are set to sign tackle Matt Patchan to their practice squad, reports Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (via Twitter).

Lions Re-Sign Andre Fluellen, Cut Gorrer

November 3rd, 2014 at 1:11pm CST by Luke Adams

After announcing a pair of roster moves earlier today, the Lions have made two more, according to Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com, who tweets that the club has re-signed defensive tackle Andre Fluellen and waived defensive back Danny Gorrer.

With Nick Fairley sidelined for the time being, defensive tackle was an area Detroit needed to address, and the team did so by bringing back a player who has spent most of his six-year NFL career as a Lion. Fluellen, who was released by the club during preseason roster cutdowns, appeared in 170 defensive snaps for Detroit in 2013, recording three tackles, pressuring the quarterback five times, and recovering a fumble.

According to Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com (Twitter link), this is the eighth time Fluellen has been added to the Lions’ roster, by way of drafting, signing, or re-signing.

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