http://gridironfans.com/forums GridironFans.com - LIONS News en Fri, 24 May 2013 18:15:17 GMT vBulletin 5 http://gridironfans.com/forums/rss/lions/images/misc/rss.jpg http://gridironfans.com/forums http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223899 Thu, 23 May 2013 01:04:28 GMT
Source: Detroit News]]> Detroit Lions 86WARD http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223899 http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223779 Tue, 21 May 2013 02:12:23 GMT
Johnson confirmed that he played with broken fingers last season earlier today, but the team said his fingers were injured. Last season, Johnson claimed to have played with a concussion and nerve damage in his hand for nearly a month before the Lions issued a press release to say that injury never occurred.

"I had a couple of injuries to them," Johnson said. "Other than that, it ain't nothing that's going to prohibit me from doing what I got to do."

Johnson was asked when the injury occurred, but he was unsure.

"The thing is, the thing with a lot of football players, is you have injuries, unless you know about, you just think it's something that's hurting, and you keep on playing," Johnson said.

Source: MLive.com]]> Detroit Lions SteveRobWhatever http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223779 http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223643 Sat, 18 May 2013 01:39:48 GMT
Of course, Woodson is very familiar with the Lions.

Woodson is currently a free agent, and seeing him in Honolulu Blue would be a dream come true for many Lions fans. It also is a possibility Woodson is not opposed to.

"Here's the thing about the Lions," Woodson said during said during the WTKA-AM (1050) "Mott Takeover" radiothon. "The Lions have players. They just haven't been able to put it together. Would I be open to playing (for them)? No question. But the dollars have to make sense, too.".

Woodson may have eight Pro Bowls on his résumé, but if he is looking to get paid like a premier free agent, he will make observations about the Lions from his couch in 2013.

Source: SBNation.com]]> Detroit Lions SteveRobWhatever http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223643 http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223575 Fri, 17 May 2013 01:21:13 GMT
“We’re going to give guys trouble, man," Fairley told the Detroit Lions' team website. "It’s like pick your poison this year with our defensive line. You cannot come in and double-team Ndamukong and you can’t come in and double-team me.”

If Fairley and Suh can avoid distractions both on and off the field, this has potential to be a correct assumption. The potential both players possess is great enough to cause plenty of problems for opposing offensive lines.

Fairley had a solid 2012 season, recording 5.5 sacks along the interior. If that production increases, with another quality year from Suh, then the defensive front could have the opportunity to live up to the potential Fairley speaks of.

Source: Scout.com]]> Detroit Lions SteveRobWhatever http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223575 http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223565 Fri, 17 May 2013 00:46:18 GMT
The ex-girlfriend, who is the mother of Young's 8-month-old son, claims that Young has been threatening and harassing her at her home in Moreno Valley, Calif.

"He would say things like, 'I understand why O.J. killed his wife,'" the restraining order request alleges. "He got mad and yelled at my neighbors and tried to fight multiple people that he doesn't even know."

After Young's most recent arrest on May 10, his father Richard told the Detroit News that he believed a brain disorder was causing Titus' problems, "He's not dealing with it the way he should be," Richard Young said. "If the judge gives him a court order, then maybe he'll get the help he needs."

The ex-girlfriend's restraining order request, originally filed on May 8, echoes Richard Young's thoughts.

"Titus Young Sr. has been clinically diagnosed with a mental disorder and I am afraid of what he is capable of doing," the request reads. "He also has been in a mental help facility more than once and still believes that he does not have a problem."

Source: CBS Sports]]> NFL General Discussion SteveRobWhatever http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223565 http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223477 Thu, 16 May 2013 03:07:15 GMT
Menzie was just released by the Kansas City Chiefs on Tuesday. He entered the NFL as a fifth-round pick of the Chiefs in 2012 after playing college football at Alabama. He didn't appear in any games during his rookie year because he was placed on injured reserve before the regular season.

Source: SBNation.com]]> Detroit Lions SteveRobWhatever http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223477 http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223371 Wed, 15 May 2013 01:32:19 GMT According to a felony complaint obtained by NFL.com, former Lions receiver Titus Young was due Tuesday in Orange County, Calif., court, where he was to be arraigned on eight charges stemming from two separate incidents last week. Young pled not guilty to all eight counts, and remains in custody, according to the Detroit Free press. If convicted of all charges, he is facing 7 years and 6 months in prison. He is eligible for bail, which was set at $50,000. Young has more charges coming in relation to two other recent incidents in Riverside County. Source: NFL.com (http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000200010/article/exlion-titus-young-arraigned-on-eight-charges)
If convicted of all charges, he is facing 7 years and 6 months in prison. He is eligible for bail, which was set at $50,000.

Young has more charges coming in relation to two other recent incidents in Riverside County.

Source: NFL.com]]> NFL General Discussion SteveRobWhatever http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223371 http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223318 Tue, 14 May 2013 03:49:49 GMT
Cribbs left Allen Park without signing with the Lions, but told DetroitLions.com's Tim Twentyman that Detroit is "high" on his list of possibilities.

"I want a team that's stable and a team that's on the verge and missing a piece to become a Super Bowl-caliber team," Cribbs said. "I want to be with the a team that's missing (a kick returner); that's missing a piece of the puzzle to be great."

Cribbs still is recovering from a torn meniscus. He also suffered his third career concussion last season with the Browns.

Source: MLive.com]]> Detroit Lions SteveRobWhatever http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223318 http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223231 Sun, 12 May 2013 17:15:50 GMT
After practice, Lions coach Jim Schwartz optimistically speculated the injury was minor. That was confirmed when Warford was back on the field Sunday.

"It gave everybody a little bit of scare when anybody goes down, but he bounced back from it quickly," Schwarz said. "When he came back out to the field yesterday, even though he didn't continue practice, he was feeling a lot better then."

Warford stretched with his teammates and went through individual drills -- including tossing a large medicine ball with position coach Jeremiah Washburn -- but he was held out of contact portions.

"He could have gone through everything, but we limited him to just individual today," Schwartz said. "We didn't want him going through any of the half-line stuff or team stuff. We made the decision to limit him just to err on the side of caution."

Source: MLive.com]]> Detroit Lions SteveRobWhatever http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223231 http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223206 Sun, 12 May 2013 00:20:22 GMT In 2012, Lions defensive tackle Nick Fairley was arrested on separate marijuana and driving-under-the influence-of-alcohol charges in April and May. It was a bad trend on a team full of good players who couldn’t curb their bad behavior. The Lions cut two of the four players who ran afoul of the law before training camp. Fairley took notice and decided it was time to change. “I learned a lot, man,” Fairley said today while hosting his second annual kickball tournament on Belle Isle. “I learned that you’ve really got to grow up and learn from your mistakes and everything that went on. “I think it was really the worst and the best. From the worst of what really happened to the best of helping me coming back down to Earth and putting my head on straight.” Source: Detroit Free Press (http://www.freep.com/article/20130511/SPORTS01/305110089/1049/sports01)
The Lions cut two of the four players who ran afoul of the law before training camp. Fairley took notice and decided it was time to change.

“I learned a lot, man,” Fairley said today while hosting his second annual kickball tournament on Belle Isle. “I learned that you’ve really got to grow up and learn from your mistakes and everything that went on.

“I think it was really the worst and the best. From the worst of what really happened to the best of helping me coming back down to Earth and putting my head on straight.”

Source: Detroit Free Press]]> Detroit Lions SteveRobWhatever http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223206 http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223195 Sat, 11 May 2013 21:02:36 GMT
During an 11-on-11 drill, Warford went to the turf while blocking on a run play, staying down for more than a minute and had to be helped off the field by the team's training staff.

While walking off the field, Warford was holding his arm as the trainers asked him to open and close his fist, which he was able to do successfully.

Warford was unable to return to action, but did rejoin teammates at the end of practice for the closing huddle.

Lions coach Jim Schwartz was encouraged by Warford coming back out from the trainer's room, but said the team will take every precaution with a potential injury.

"I don't think it's a shoulder," Schwartz said. "We'll see. It wasn't serious enough to keep him in. He stayed around."

"He caught an elbow and it hurt," Schwartz continued. "We'll err on the side of caution, as we do when it comes to just about any injury situation we have."

Source: MLive.com]]> Detroit Lions SteveRobWhatever http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223195 http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223163 Sat, 11 May 2013 02:48:42 GMT
While coach Jim Schwartz would prefer to have a fully healthy roster, he's comfortable with Slay missing this portion of the offseason.

"If you miss a couple weeks in (training) camp, it's a lot to miss," Schwartz said. "You miss a couple weeks now... it's not as much, and it's ground you can catch up."

Slay was in uniform on practice field Friday, taking mental reps while his news teammates ran through drills. He's also taking part in team meetings and working out his upper body in the weight room while rehabbing his knee.

"He can gain just as much of a basic knowledge of our defensive scheme and the techniques we require just by going through the process, not necessarily getting the physical reps," Schwartz said.

Schwartz confirmed all involved parties -- including Slay, his representation and the Lions training staff -- were all in agreement to proceed with the surgery.

Source: MLive.com]]> Detroit Lions SteveRobWhatever http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223163 http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223161 Sat, 11 May 2013 02:13:13 GMT
That could be changing as soon as next week. NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reported Friday on NFL Network's "NFL Total Access" that Freeney's market is "heating up," with four or five teams interested. Freeney is expected to begin taking visits next week, which should expedite the process.

Since the Tennessee Titans have been unable to reach a contract with John Abraham, they could be one of the teams to bring in Freeney for a workout.

Rapoport specifically mentions the Denver Broncos and Detroit Lions as two teams that could pursue Freeney once June 1 cuts are applied to bring salary-cap relief.

Source: NFL.com]]> NFL General Discussion SteveRobWhatever http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223161 http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223148 Sat, 11 May 2013 00:19:16 GMT The Detroit Lions became the second team to come to terms with a first-round draft and in doing so the first team to have all of its 2013 selections under contract. The team announced on its Web site this morning that BYU defensive end Ziggy Ansah, the fifth overall pick, has signed a five-year contract. He follows on the heels of New Orleans Saints safety Kenny Vaccaro, who became the first rounder to do a deal on Thursday night. Adding Ansah to the mix means the Lions now have all nine draft picks signed, sealed and delivered. The others are cornerback Darius Slay, guard Larry Warford, defensive end Devin Taylor, punter Sam Martin, receiver Corey Fuller, running back Theo Riddick, tight end Michael Williams and linebacker Brandon. The team starts rookie minicamp today. Source: National Football Post (http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Lions-sign-Ziggy-Ansah-have-all-draft-picks-done.html)
The team announced on its Web site this morning that BYU defensive end Ziggy Ansah, the fifth overall pick, has signed a five-year contract. He follows on the heels of New Orleans Saints safety Kenny Vaccaro, who became the first rounder to do a deal on Thursday night.

Adding Ansah to the mix means the Lions now have all nine draft picks signed, sealed and delivered. The others are cornerback Darius Slay, guard Larry Warford, defensive end Devin Taylor, punter Sam Martin, receiver Corey Fuller, running back Theo Riddick, tight end Michael Williams and linebacker Brandon. The team starts rookie minicamp today.

Source: National Football Post]]> Detroit Lions SteveRobWhatever http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223148 http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223056 Thu, 09 May 2013 15:01:38 GMT
Of course, the Lions are one of four teams (Browns, Jaguars and Texans) never to have played in the Super Bowl but that doesn't deter Fairley.

"I expect big things," the Lions defensive tackle said. "I am going to say we are going to the Super Bowl because I am competitive and that is what I want for the team and it is one of the goals. I am sure we are going to take it game by game and day by day."

"I always have high expectations," said Fairley. "It is the competitor in me that comes out on Sundays."

Source: The Redzone]]> Detroit Lions Sweets http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223056 http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223093 Fri, 10 May 2013 00:53:28 GMT
The full details on these three deals aren't currently out, but Dave Birkett reports that Taylor received a signing bonus of "just over" $300,000. We do know that all three deals are for four years, but the rest of the details aren't known just yet.

There was a report on Thursday that the Lions had also signed second-round pick Darius Slay to a contract, but Birkett reports that a deal isn't done at this point in time.

Source: SBNation.com]]> Detroit Lions SteveRobWhatever http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223093 http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223089 Fri, 10 May 2013 00:36:13 GMT
One of those holes is in the return game, and according to CBS Sports, veteran return specialist Josh Cribbs is visiting the Lions soon.

Cribbs spent the previous eight seasons with the Browns but is a free agent. Although he went to the Pro Bowl in 2007 and '09, Cribbs has just one return touchdown the past three seasons.

He already met with the Raiders, Jets and Giants this week, according to CBS Sports.

Source: Detroit Lions]]> Detroit Lions SteveRobWhatever http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223089 http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223037 Thu, 09 May 2013 02:16:13 GMT
Sixth-round choices Corey Fuller and Theo Riddick and seventh-round picks Michael Williams and Brandon Hepburn have all agreed to four-year rookie contracts.

Fuller's deal will pay him $2.28 million with a $123,100 signing bonus, Riddick will earn $2.25 million with a $91,000 bonus, Williams contract pays $2.22 million with a $65,148 bonus and Hepburn gets $2.21 million with a $45,896 bonus.

All figures were within $3,000 of our rookie contract projections from last week. The 2013 cap numbers for the four players range between $417,000 - $436,000.

Source: MLive.com]]> Detroit Lions SteveRobWhatever http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223037 http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=222974 Wed, 08 May 2013 03:31:40 GMT Free-agent offensive tackle Winston Justice is set to visit the Detroit Lions on Wednesday, according to a report. After the 2013 NFL Draft, Detroit Lions general manager Martin Mayhew made it known that the team still had some needs to fill. Justice, a former second-round pick of the Philadelphia Eagles, has been in the NFL since 2006. He was with the Eagles through the 2011 season, and he was traded to the Indianapolis Colts last year. He became a free agent this offseason after starting 12 games for the Colts. Source: SBNation.com (http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2013/5/7/4310362/winston-justice-lions-free-agents)
After the 2013 NFL Draft, Detroit Lions general manager Martin Mayhew made it known that the team still had some needs to fill.

Justice, a former second-round pick of the Philadelphia Eagles, has been in the NFL since 2006. He was with the Eagles through the 2011 season, and he was traded to the Indianapolis Colts last year. He became a free agent this offseason after starting 12 games for the Colts.

Source: SBNation.com]]> Detroit Lions SteveRobWhatever http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=222974 http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=222957 Wed, 08 May 2013 00:41:50 GMT
Lewis was arrested on three misdemeanor charges after an altercation at a bar in Norman, Okla. Lions general manager Martin Mayhew expressed his disappointment to Lewis, and the athlete used Twitter to say sorry this evening.

"Just want to say sorry to everyone for letting y'all dwn with my dumb mistakes hope everyone can forgive me n if not I understand."

Lewis followed that tweet with a second statement:

"I've learned from it and hope I can gain trust back one day at a time. Time to do work."

Source: MLive.com]]> Detroit Lions SteveRobWhatever http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=222957