Tracking former Lions

[Futureshock]

Logan Thomas on moving to tight end: Rome wasn’t built in a day

Posted by Josh Alper on June 2, 2021, 7:06 AM EDT

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Tim Tebow‘s bid to return to the NFL as a tight end with the Jaguars has drawn a lot of attention in recent weeks and Washington tight end Logan Thomas is one of the people watching to see how Tebow does.

Thomas has some familiarity with what Tebow is trying to do. He came into the NFL as a quarterback as a 2014 fourth-round pick of the Cardinals, but he found himself out of the league in 2016 when he got a call from the Lions about trying his hand at tight end. That effort moved to Buffalo in 2017 and Thomas broke out with Washington last year with 72 catches for 670 yards and six touchdowns.

When discussing the transition recently, Thomas said it was difficult to know “what to expect and how to execute what you’re going to do” as a blocker given his lack of experience with it. He added that it took him two years to feel comfortable at his new position and offered some advice to Tebow as he moves ahead with the position change.

“Just be patient with yourself. Rome wasn’t built in a day,” Thomas said, via Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com. “It’s one of those things where it’s a process. Try to pick up one thing every single day and that’ll make you better, because you’re going to take your fair share of losses early on. But learn from your losses and don’t let those losses stack up. Don’t make the same mistake twice. . . . That’s what I tried to do.”

One significant difference between the players is when they began the transition to a new spot. Tebow is 33 while Thomas was 25 when he first began working as a tight end. That may not have made the process any easier, but it did give Thomas a little more time to figure things out before teams wondered if there was a realistic chance of the move paying off.

[Futureshock]

DeSean Jackson “dialed in” with Matthew Stafford

Posted by Josh Alper on June 9, 2021, 7:37 AM EDT

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Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey wondered why the Rams didn’t make a stronger push to land Julio Jones in a trade with the Falcons, but the team’s current wide receivers seem pretty sure the team’s got enough on that front.

Robert Woods said last month that the team is loaded at the position and Cooper Kupp thinks the versatility of the group is going to be a strength. On Tuesday, DeSean Jackson shared his belief that the Rams are “definitely a scary group” for opposing defenses.

Jackson and all of the other receivers have to get used to working with Matthew Stafford in order to fully unleash the unit’s potential. Jackson made that sound like a pretty simple undertaking when he spoke to reporters.

“You continue to be great and just throw the ball, and I’m going to continue to be great and just run past everybody and use my speed,” Jackson said, via Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times. “I think that’s the good niche about us, we’re just going to be dialed in and just continuously just learn the plays — and once the season starts, we’ll be in rare . . . form.”

Stafford’s arrival has sparked a lot of optimism about how the Rams will look on offense in 2021. Landing Jones would likely have added to that feeling, but seeing him go to Tennessee hasn’t dampened the outlook in Los Angeles.

[Futureshock]

Jackson needs to concentrate on staying healthy. I give him 4 games before his knees overheat for the season.

[Futureshock]

Daniel Jones: You can tell Kenny Golladay is a true pro

Posted by Myles Simmons on June 8, 2021, 5:15 PM EDT

USA TODAY Sports

After spending his first four seasons with the Lions, Kenny Golladay signed with the Giants. In doing so, he gave quarterback Daniel Jones a dynamic weapon on the outside.

Jones and Golladay haven’t been working together for very long, but the quarterback and wide receiver have formed the basis of a solid connection.

“It’s been great working with Kenny so far. You can tell he’s a true pro,” Jones said during his Tuesday press conference. “He understands offensive football. He’s still, obviously, learning our system, but you can tell he’s got a good understanding of football and where to be, timing, understanding concepts. So he’s been fun to work with. Obviously his talent and skill level — you can tell as soon as you get on the field with him. So he’s a good player, smart player, and excited to keep working with him.”

This season is a big one for Jones, as the Giants have a decision to make on his fifth-year option next spring. Jones has shown some flashes, but largely been up and down since New York selected him with the sixth pick in 2019. In 2020, Jones completed 62.5 percent of his passes for 2,943 yards with 11 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 14 games.

If Golladay can be a strong receiving weapon, that could go a long way in Jones’ development in 2021.

[Futureshock]

Jarrad Davis: Coming to Jets has been a rebirth

Posted by Josh Alper on June 10, 2021, 1:22 PM EDT

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Linebacker Jarrad Davis came into the NFL with high expectations because the Lions picked him in the first round of the 2017 draft, but things did not pan out for him in Detroit.

Davis started all 41 games he played in his first three seasons, but played just 330 defensive snaps in his fourth and final year with the team. He told reporters recently that he has tried not to think that much about why things didn’t work out in Detroit and that he’s moved on to learning his role in Jets head coach Robert Saleh’s defense.

“It was a great learning experience for me and made me appreciate the game more than before,” Davis said, via the team’s website. “Sure, my performance could have been better, but at the end of the day it is what it is, no hard feelings, no bad blood. I definitely feel very excited to be in New York, with this scheme, Coach Saleh, and the players out there. I’m happy to be on a team that is young and talented. I feel extremely blessed to be in this position because it didn’t have to go this way. For lack of a better term, it’s a rebirth.”

Davis will get a chance to show that the Lions’ loss of confidence was misguided and that the Jets identified an undervalued asset when they signed him to a one-year, $5.5 million deal this offseason.

[Futureshock]

Former Lions offensive lineman Hessley Hempstead dies at age 49

[Futureshock]

Calvin Johnson: I wanted to play elsewhere, Lions wouldn’t let me

Posted by Mike Florio on June 19, 2021, 1:06 PM EDT

USA TODAY Sports

The relationship between the Lions and Hall of Fame receiver Calvin Johnson continues to be strained, at best. On Friday, Johnson disclosed another reason for his hard feelings.

Johnson claims that he wanted to finish his career with another team, but that the Lions wouldn’t let him leave.

“We asked would they release me or let me go to another team,” Johnson recently told WoodwardSports.com. “They wouldn’t.”

Asked whether he wanted to play for the Raiders, Johnson said he would have gone anywhere. He also recognizes that quarterback Matthew Stafford wanted out, and that he got his wish.

“You know what, it sucked that they didn’t let me go, but they let Matthew go, but hey, you know, it is what it is,” Johnson said.

Of course, the Lions got two first-round picks and a third-round pick plus quarterback Jared Goff (and his bloated contract) for Stafford. It’s unclear what the Lions would have gotten for Johnson, or whether they even listened to offers.

Johnson’s disclosure makes the way his career ended even more confusing. Five years ago, we raised the question of whether Johnson wanted to be cut by the Lions. That would have extinguished any obligation to repay bonus money, and it would have allowed Johnson to play for any other team at any other time.

If he hadn’t retired when he did, the Lions would have had to figure out how to deal with a $24 million cap number for Johnson in 2016. Maybe they would have cut him. At a minimum, Johnson’s cap number gave him leverage that should have been used by his agents to get the Lions to agree not to ask him to return a portion of the bonus money, or to secure an unconditional release if he did. Instead, he had to pay back some money, the Lions avoided a $24 million cap charge, and they were able to squat on his rights indefinitely.

A year later, there was speculation that Johnson could return to the NFL, with a trade of his rights to a new team. If he wanted to play for someone else in 2017, he simply needed to pull a Brett Favre and show up. Instantly, Johnson’s $16 million salary would have landed back on the books. The Lions would have had to cut him or trade him, promptly.

It’s confusing, to say the least. If Johnson had played hardball, he could have gotten to keep his money or he could have obtained the ability to sign with a team or maybe both.

Perhaps Johnson simply didn’t want a full-blown confrontation with the Lions. Instead, Johnson and the Lions are engaged in a cold war that has lasted five years and counting. Although the Lions would like to bury the hatchet, Johnson said that the relationship remains fractured.

“I’m not back in the family with Lions or anything like that,” Johnson. “It would be nice to if they try to resolve things, but that’s neither here nor there.”

Johnson has previously given the Lions the blueprint for rebuilding the bridge: Give him back the money that they made him repay.

Five years ago, Johnson received bad advice (or he got good advice and ignored it), and the Lions took full advantage of the situation. If they want to make things right with Johnson, they need to just give him a no-show job that pays out over time the amount they made him pay back.

[Futureshock]

The Detroit Lions made a major mistake not trading Calvin Johnson


__________________________________________________ ______________________________

Quinn would have messed the pick up anyway

[DanO]

Calvin Johnson: I wanted to play elsewhere, Lions wouldn’t let me

Posted by Mike Florio on June 19, 2021, 1:06 PM EDT

USA TODAY Sports

The relationship between the Lions and Hall of Fame receiver Calvin Johnson continues to be strained, at best. On Friday, Johnson disclosed another reason for his hard feelings.

Johnson claims that he wanted to finish his career with another team, but that the Lions wouldn’t let him leave.

“We asked would they release me or let me go to another team,” Johnson recently told WoodwardSports.com. “They wouldn’t.”

Asked whether he wanted to play for the Raiders, Johnson said he would have gone anywhere. He also recognizes that quarterback Matthew Stafford wanted out, and that he got his wish.

“You know what, it sucked that they didn’t let me go, but they let Matthew go, but hey, you know, it is what it is,” Johnson said.

Of course, the Lions got two first-round picks and a third-round pick plus quarterback Jared Goff (and his bloated contract) for Stafford. It’s unclear what the Lions would have gotten for Johnson, or whether they even listened to offers.

Johnson’s disclosure makes the way his career ended even more confusing. Five years ago, we raised the question of whether Johnson wanted to be cut by the Lions. That would have extinguished any obligation to repay bonus money, and it would have allowed Johnson to play for any other team at any other time.

If he hadn’t retired when he did, the Lions would have had to figure out how to deal with a $24 million cap number for Johnson in 2016. Maybe they would have cut him. At a minimum, Johnson’s cap number gave him leverage that should have been used by his agents to get the Lions to agree not to ask him to return a portion of the bonus money, or to secure an unconditional release if he did. Instead, he had to pay back some money, the Lions avoided a $24 million cap charge, and they were able to squat on his rights indefinitely.

A year later, there was speculation that Johnson could return to the NFL, with a trade of his rights to a new team. If he wanted to play for someone else in 2017, he simply needed to pull a Brett Favre and show up. Instantly, Johnson’s $16 million salary would have landed back on the books. The Lions would have had to cut him or trade him, promptly.

It’s confusing, to say the least. If Johnson had played hardball, he could have gotten to keep his money or he could have obtained the ability to sign with a team or maybe both.

Perhaps Johnson simply didn’t want a full-blown confrontation with the Lions. Instead, Johnson and the Lions are engaged in a cold war that has lasted five years and counting. Although the Lions would like to bury the hatchet, Johnson said that the relationship remains fractured.

“I’m not back in the family with Lions or anything like that,” Johnson. “It would be nice to if they try to resolve things, but that’s neither here nor there.”

Johnson has previously given the Lions the blueprint for rebuilding the bridge: Give him back the money that they made him repay.

Five years ago, Johnson received bad advice (or he got good advice and ignored it), and the Lions took full advantage of the situation. If they want to make things right with Johnson, they need to just give him a no-show job that pays out over time the amount they made him pay back.

Doesn't surprise me at all. What a pathetic organization. Hopefully things have changed with Sheila.

[Forsh]

I still don't see why the Lions owed it to him to let him play elsewhere. 3 years into an 8 year contract which he got a huge signing bonus for ... and they have to cater to his trade demand? Knowing this (that he definitely didn't retire primarily for injury reasons) puts me more on the Lions' side than ever.

Give me $60 mill guaranteed to sign 8 years, but 3 years in oh I'm hurt I quit ... unless you trade me and eat the bonus in dead cap ... yeah right great guy I want him repping the organization big time. Go tell Aaron Rodgers after a game how you wish you could be on his side again

[chemiclord]

They didn't "owe" him, but I can promise you players look at how the Lions have treated their greats. "If this is how they treat Calvin Johnson or Barry Sanders or [insert name here], how do you think they're gonna treat YOU?" The Lions aren't a particularly desirable FA spot to begin with. Petty bullshit like this helps turn the Lions into a "only if there isn't any other option" or a "only if they drastically overpay me" location.

About the only team that even comes CLOSE to the sort of hardball the Lions played with their greats was Green Bay... and I can promise you right now they are TERRIFIED of a season without Rodgers behind center, and they have no one to blame but themselves.

[Forsh]

They didn't "owe" him, but I can promise you players look at how the Lions have treated their greats. "If this is how they treat Calvin Johnson or Barry Sanders or [insert name here], how do you think they're gonna treat YOU?" The Lions aren't a particularly desirable FA spot to begin with. Petty bullshit like this helps turn the Lions into a "only if there isn't any other option" or a "only if they drastically overpay me" location.

About the only team that even comes CLOSE to the sort of hardball the Lions played with their greats was Green Bay... and I can promise you right now they are TERRIFIED of a season without Rodgers behind center, and they have no one to blame but themselves.

Pretty good point, but I guess my point is that I feel no empathy for Calvin Johnson. 3 years into an 8 year contract that he got paid major up front dough for, he said trade me or bye bye ... quit, then got mad when the team wanted a teeny bit of the money he'd been paid for an 8 year deal he wouldn't play out. He quit on the team huge. Great teammate

[Fraquar]

They didn't "owe" him, but I can promise you players look at how the Lions have treated their greats. "If this is how they treat Calvin Johnson or Barry Sanders or [insert name here], how do you think they're gonna treat YOU?" The Lions aren't a particularly desirable FA spot to begin with. Petty bullshit like this helps turn the Lions into a "only if there isn't any other option" or a "only if they drastically overpay me" location.

About the only team that even comes CLOSE to the sort of hardball the Lions played with their greats was Green Bay... and I can promise you right now they are TERRIFIED of a season without Rodgers behind center, and they have no one to blame but themselves.

Rodgers wasn't happy with the former GM, the current GM, the previous HC, the current HC - he's just a diva.
This guy has more issues than Good Housekeeping.

[Futureshock]

GOLDEN TATEWR, UNSIGNED FREE AGENT
Free agent Golden Tate said he’s looking at signing with the Titans, Colts, and Rams.


Tate is from Tennessee and had his best years with Matthew Stafford. The Colts and “all of the NFC West” are also potential landing spots. Tate’s free agent market has been quiet after his fallout and March release from the Giants. The 32-year-old, who played 2020 at a $7.9M salary, could land a non-guaranteed deal before training camp.

RELATED:

• Tennessee Titans
• , Indianapolis Colts
• , Los Angeles Rams

SOURCE: SiriusXM NFL
Jun 26, 2021, 9:49 AM

[edindetroit]

GOLDEN TATEWR, UNSIGNED FREE AGENT
Free agent Golden Tate said he’s looking at signing with the Titans, Colts, and Rams.

How is he going to juggle the schedules of three teams? What if two of the teams play each other?