Lions News

[edindetroit]

All that to say "not" at the end.

[ghandi]

This is dumb. Why would we want to do that?

James Houston Listed as Surprise Trade Candidate
Could the Detroit Lions trade James Houston?

• JOHN MAAKARON
• 15 MINUTES AGO

In the past few days, rumors of the Detroit Lions parting ways with James Houston have started to make their way around NFL circles.

Houston presents the Lions an interesting dilemma, as he has a skillset that is coveted by every coach in the league.

Unfortunately, he still is not ready to be an every-down player in Aaron Glenn's defense.

That is not to say Houston cannot reach that level in a year or two in Detroit's system, but pundits have started to wonder if Brad Holmes would consider adding pieces or draft capital by trading Houston.

PFF, in a recent surprise NFL trade story, listed the former sixth-round pick as a surprise candidate to be traded.

"While preseason football is not quite the real product, there are still many different takeaways to be had from the action leading up to the regular season. Participation data can serve as a key indicator of a player’s location on the depth chart, for example, which made Houston’s 27 snaps in the second half of preseason Week 2 quite notable. Detroit rested the lion’s share of its starters and top contributors, yet Houston handled a significant workload in the second half."

In his rookie season, after spending the majority of his initial campaign on the Lions' practice squad, Houston recorded 17 quarterback pressures and eight sacks on just 92 pass-rush snaps.

In Holmes' tenure, first- and second-round picks have been used on on edge defenders. Additionally, with veterans like Romeo Okwara, Charles Harris and John Cominsky already on the roster, Houston could be expendable.

PFF explained further, "It appears Houston may be the odd man out in Detroit, but the Lions definitely shouldn’t release a player with three years of cheap control remaining who showed a knack for getting after the quarterback on limited snaps last season. Many teams would be happy to take a flier on a developmental pass-rush specialist coming off a season with an 88.2 pass-rush grade."

While it is understandable Houston's name will pop up in rumors, it is highly unlikely he will end up on another team this season.

I cannot understand it either Deb.....That man was a wrecking crew those 7 games he played...Why would they want to mess with that?...He has proven he can get to the QB at an elite level and he has stayed healthy...Something neither of the Okwaras or Harris can say....He has elite speed for an edge and helps neutralize running QBs like FIelds......He should be getting the same treatment as Hutchinson but they are treating him like an unproven rookie.

[jaadam4]

I’m pretty sure this is all click bait. Some of the beat writers were taking heat for continually adding him to the “on the fence” for the cut list. Why in the absolute fuck would they get rid of him. That would be insanely stupid.

Wait and see what we’ve got in him before letting him go

[chemiclord]

A bunch of sports pundits decided Houston's name could be used to drive clicks and engagement during the preseason... and lo and behold... a bunch of "rumors" started appearing.

Yes, Campbell, Holmes and the Lions have generally wanted their reserves and backups to be more flexible, jacks-of-all-trades types that can play multiple positions rather than situational specialists... but when you have someone who has flashed that much potential, you don't just let him go... unless you're positively certain he'll never be more than a situational guy and someone offers up a king's ransom.

Which is... possible, I guess, but there's no way such a deal is in the rumor mill. It's either leaked outright or declared outright at this point.

[Cody_Russell]

Oh man, the Cade York dream is still alive:

I had the thought of being “fine” with Patterson, but apparently some of y’all were correct about being proactive about the situation.

[chemiclord]

That the Lions would be "fine" with Patterson, and looking around for upgrades, aren't inherently mutually exclusive thoughts.

[chemiclord]

The thing with kickers is that sometimes it can take them a while to make that jump to the NFL level; they see those narrower goalposts, and it breaks a little something in their brain. They scramble to make an adjustment that doesn't really need to be made. I've heard it compared to walking a tightrope; by all technical means, walking a tightrope from six inches off the ground is no different than 60 feet, but your brain doesn't really understand that.

It's possible that York had that same stumble, and once he sorts that out in his head, he'll re-emerge like Matt Gay did.

[DanO]

I’m pretty sure this is all click bait. Some of the beat writers were taking heat for continually adding him to the “on the fence” for the cut list. Why in the absolute fuck would they get rid of him. That would be insanely stupid.

Wait and see what we’ve got in him before letting him go

YEP!!!

[Cody_Russell]

It’s possible that the Lions were in on Will Lutz trade discussion given the Saints-Lions coaching connections. Lutz was just traded to the Broncos after they curiously let go of McManus.

[froot loops]

I don't think that Houston story is click bait, he had been taking a lot of reps on the 3rd unit and is on the bubble. They probably don't want to waive him. It doesn't mean he is going to get traded but as far as the cuts go, he is close to 53. They really like Harris, Hutch gets every snap on one side. Paschal is going to get a ton of snaps on the other side and they are going to be in nickel a ton. So only two linebackers.

[chemiclord]

I'd wager it is conjecture rather than anything that was heard from inside the den.

[Iron Lion]

As an armchair fan I'd say the best move is keeping all of our edge guys as they're all NFL worthy and it's a premium position. Healthy scratch the lower ones and if this depth cuts into other positions, fill those spots with practice squad elevations on game day. Eventually one of the edge guys will get hurt and you IR them, then sign up a PS guy to fill the spot that was lacking.

[ghandi]

I’m pretty sure this is all click bait. Some of the beat writers were taking heat for continually adding him to the “on the fence” for the cut list. Why in the absolute fuck would they get rid of him. That would be insanely stupid.

Wait and see what we’ve got in him before letting him go

I can see why the beat writers were thinking that though...Houston was playing alot in preseason with the backups...It's like they didnt even care if he gets hurt.

[JGSpartan]

As for kicker, they could just bring Badgely back again.

Doubt they will but I wanted a reason to ask which nickname is better. Monopoly Money Badger or Play Money Badger? For a kicker who just isn't quite money.

[jaadam4]

Oh man, the Cade York dream is still alive:

I had the thought of being “fine” with Patterson, but apparently some of y’all were correct about being proactive about the situation.

I was with you that draft year for York. I hope they make a play for him