Lions News

[chemiclord]

For what it's worth, there's no guarantee the Lions would have taken Willie Roaf with that pick. They probably would have grabbed a DE.

[Futureshock]

Nick Caserio on Brandin Cooks: We’ll do what’s best for the team

Posted by Josh Alper on February 28, 2023, 3:11 PM EST

Getty Images

Wide receiver Brandin Cooks wanted out of Houston before the trade deadline and he made it clear at the end of the season that he hasn’t changed his mind, but it remains to be seen if the team will be moving on without the veteran.

General Manager Nick Caserio did not show any cards when he was asked about Cooks’ status during a press conference at the Scouting Combine in Indianapolis on Tuesday.

“We’re kinda in the team building process here,” Caserio said. “Every player, every situation ultimately we’ll do what we feel is best for the team, the organization moving forward.”

Cooks has a fully guaranteed salary of $18 million for 2023 and the Texans would not get any cap relief by releasing him. A trade would bring some room to work with under the cap, but it’s unclear if there’s going to be any more interest in dealing for him now than there was in the middle of the 2022 season.

[Sanders Fan]

[Iron Lion]

Lol, supporting Fatty Matty Patty for clicks. What a world we live in. I've never read a single article by that obligate contrarian.

HCMCDC's one weakness has always been game/clock management but that declining of the offsides @GB to keep the 2nd and 1 was a 300 IQ play. Game management was FMP's one thing but I doubt he'd have done that. Either our coach is learning or is surrounding himself with the right people to help out. We are super close to sprouting a coaching tree. The seeds have definitely been planted and watered. The rebuild is over. Exciting times.

[jaadam4]

But holy jumpin jacks are the rumors of Ramsey being traded and Detroit be THE place are hot as an incinerator. It's being reported that most at the Combine are looking at it as a done deal.

I'll believe it when I see it.

A done deal? Seriously? Man I’m not sure how to feel about that one. Really great I guess as long as it’s just one of those seconds

[whatever_gong82]

After two trades with Lions, Vikings GM discusses changing dynamics of dealing in division

Justin Rogers

The Detroit News

Indianapolis — Given his previous career as a portfolio manager and commodities trader on Wall Street, no one should have been surprised that Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was a deal-making machine in his first year on the job.

During his first draft, Adofo-Mensah made 10 trades. And a few months later, at the trading deadline, he acquired tight end T.J. Hockenson from the Detroit Lions for a package of picks. That was the second trade between the division rivals, with the sides swapping first-round draft picks, which allowed the Lions to move up 20 spots to get wide receiver Jameson Williams.

In the past, trading within the division, particularly one involving a Pro Bowl-caliber player like Hockenson, was uncommon. But Adofo-Mensah and Lions general manager Brad Holmes are showing that way of thinking is becoming less common with this current wave of first-time decision-makers.

"I can't answer that for everybody," Adofo-Mensah said Tuesday at the league's scouting combine. "Just for myself, it's one of those things — I get it; it's hard. When you make these decisions, you run the risk of being second-guessed, and understanding there's uncertainty to all of it.

"I think as these new GMs come into the league, they've grown up in a world where these trades have happened more frequently," Adofo-Mensah continued. "So, I think they're a little more used to the uncertainty. Ultimately, look, I know I'm going to get second-guessed for a lot of the things I do, and ultimately, I have to be able to sit on the couch when it's all said and done, minimize regret, be OK with what I did, and (know) I was intentional about trying to chase a championship."

Immediately after dealing Hockenson, Holmes made similar comments, joking that the broadcast cameras would be quick to focus on him every time the tight end made a catch when the teams matched up. And Hockenson certainly delivered in a way the Vikings hoped, catching 60 passes in 10 games in the regular season and snagging another 10 for 129 yards in his playoff debut.



On the other hand, the Lions didn't seem to miss his presence, winning eight of their final 10 games. Plus, they got valuable draft assets in return, including a second-rounder this year. The mutual success ensures the two sides wouldn't hesitate to work together in the future.

"I know, ultimately, your first path to the playoffs is winning your division, right?," Adofo-Mensah said. "So, you never want to obviously make your division stronger. But, ultimately, the best path I have to the playoffs is putting the best team on the field. So, that's where that starts. Brad and I have a really good relationship, and I said this earlier, you can do trades where both sides kind of know what their interests are and both can win.


"Sometimes, you're trading time value," Adofo-Mensah continued. "My needs might be more current, and his needs might be more (in the) future. So, you can come together and trade a player for draft picks and have that make sense. There's no reason you need to run people over. I plan on being in this business more than one year, and I want to be able pick up the phone and call people and do those things.

"That's how I've dealt in this business, that's how I've dealt in Wall Street. I wasn't going to be a guy that was going to call people up and try and see when they were vulnerable or convince them of something they don't want to do. I have a vision of what I think player value is or whatever, and I'm trying to do that, and if you have your vision and that can work, then let's meet together in the middle. If not, we'll go our separate way and go with alternatives."


jdrogers@detroitnews.com

Twitter: @Justin_Rogers

[jaadam4]

I think we robbed him with the Jameson Williams pick. That one is going to bite him but truthfully I like his mentality about it. Had he not got the ball rolling we might not have traded Hock to
them and that’s as a strong move on their part.

[-Deborah-]

Lions fans, do you have the off-season blahs? Did you lose your will to bite kneecaps? Do you need inspiration to run through a wall once again? This video is for you!

lol

[froot loops]

I like the hiring of John Fox, the Lions never use to do much of this in the past. Having grizzled veterans in the background to provide support seems like a good thing.

[jaadam4]

I like the hiring of John Fox, the Lions never use to do much of this in the past. Having grizzled veterans in the background to provide support seems like a good thing.

I liked the move as well and agree it’s great to have solid leadership at all levels. I think it’s good to have a blend of old and new to keep things even but I like what Holmes is doing.

[Mainevent]

Good video, thanks for posting Deb. Some thoughts:

- Sheila continues to impress, she’s the right mix of involved and leading without getting in the way.
- The constant drumbeat about everybody on the same page at all levels just continues and seems 100% genuine.
- They give the impression that Spielman is very influential without saying too much about it. I’m sure that has a lot to do with the man himself.
- Sewell family seems like a great crew.

[jaadam4]

F’ing fantastic video. Shelia deserves all the credit in the world. You can see the honesty when she speaks about how important it was to bring #54 onboard

[kayrone]

ohhhh that was fantastic. Thanks for posting, Deborah!!

[Futureshock]

I think we robbed him with the Jameson Williams pick. That one is going to bite him but truthfully I like his mentality about it. Had he not got the ball rolling we might not have traded Hock to
them and that’s as a strong move on their part.

VILLAIN!

[whatever_gong82]

I accidentally posted the image twice.DET-FAS-Table.jpg



Overview

The Detroit Lions were ranked 15th overall in the team guide. Most categories reviewed came back with generally positive reviews.

The two issues that were highlighted as areas for improvement were first, a feeling that the training room was understaffed, and second, that the food service was significantly lacking.

88% of respondents to our survey believe that the club ownership is willing to invest money to upgrade their facilities, ranking 21st in the league.


Breakdown of Key Categories

Treatment of Families
B TIED FOR 12TH

Support of Players' Families: Ranked 14th
They offer a family room and daycare, but with limited space
Post-Game Gathering Area: Tied for 17th

Food Service / Nutrition
D- RANKED 28TH

Quality of food: Ranked 28th

Players feel that there are not a lot of food options available
All three meals provided
Only 59% of players say there is enough room for everyone in the cafeteria.

Weight Room

B+ TIED FOR 13TH

Generally positive reviews, but players feel like they could use a little more space.
98% feel they have enough strength coaches

Strength Coaches
A- TIED FOR 17TH

The players believe that the strength coaches significantly add to their individual success. Most teams rated their strength staffs positively, which is why the Lions are tied for 17th but still receive a high grade overall.

83% of players believe they receive an individual plan (Tied for 27th)

Training Room
D+ TIED FOR 24TH

Staffing

80% feel they have enough ATCs (6th worst in the league)
64% feel they have enough PTs (6th worst in the league)

Steam Room/Sauna
There is a sauna (92% feel it is big enough)
One of only 4 teams in the NFL that does not provide a steam room



Tubs
78% of players feel they have enough hot tub space
80% of players feel they have enough cold tub space


Training Staff
B+ TIED FOR 22ND

The players believe that the training staff moderately adds to their individual success. Most teams rated their training staffs positively, which is why the Lions are tied for 22nd but still receive a respectable grade.

Locker Room
B TIED FOR 14TH

Overall, the locker room was rated as slightly above average compared to all the other teams. Not much to complain about, but nothing to brag about either.
93% of players feel like they have enough space (13th)

Team Travel
A TIED FOR 4TH


95% of players feel like they have enough room to spread out
No players are forced to have roommates
A lot of first-class seats made available to players