Rarely do we get a see the inside workings of the Detroit Lions organization. On this special occasion, join me for and walk within the walls of my Detroit Lions mind….
Retired:
RDE Kevin Martin – Long and storied career for Kevin Martin in the Detroit Lions franchise. His later years were spent more in a mentor role as the organization focused on adding to the trenches in recent years. While never consistently attaining the success he saw during his first 4 seasons with Rapid Valley, Martin peaked during the 2043 Season in Detroit with 34 Tackles, 18 Sacks, 16 Hurries and 1 Knocked Down pass
QB Daniel McCrea – Sucks
Tip the hat to Retired coaches: Aaron Wilke and Michael Johnson
Free Agency:
Offers were made, outbid was the game. For what it was worth, Detroit was able to sign some veteran depth.
DT Armando Ramsey – Not the most athletic profile so naturally not the most desired. He will provide the leadership role needed with RDE Kevin Martin stepping away from the game. Familiarity may have been a factor in this signing from Motsinger.
WR John McKenzie – This was seen as a low risk veteran signing. The low bonus gives the team an opportunity to cut ties with this contract if things spoil at any time. He is not expected to see much time on the field, however having the 8th year WR ready to go when called will be vital to make it through the season in Moguls league.
Re-signings:
RB/FB Robert Howe – Keeping a familiar face around for at least a while longer, the team brought back Howe to at least compete during the pre-season. There is not really much to say that he does particularly well but he did top 100 yards receiving last season and has never allowed a sack. Run blocking is relatively average or slightly below, but it is a tough job being the lead blocker. There is a chance he can make the roster even as a depth piece and due to familiarity but he enters the season on the hot seat. FBs serve less and less purpose, so being a less than average FB just doesn’t equate to production.
CB Gabriel Hoff – Hoff comes in with a lot to prove and not a lot of snaps to prove it in. Barring serious injury somewhere in the depth chart on defense it is really hard to see Hoff competing for a job – lack of speed alone. It is sad to see a player with so much technical ability lack so much translation onto the field, but the creator does as he sees fit. Hoff has accepted this and has said this is what keeps him coming back and motivated.
WR George Guerrero – Similar to Hoff, tons of ability while having no ability to run. If someone gets hurt, expect to see a lot of this guy in pre-season action. Otherwise, be looking for him at a local unemployment office. If he is lucky, another team will be pressed to pick him up off of the waiver wire where he may provide the right depth mid-season for an injury depleted team.
Also signed Coach Tom Herron to the Backfield, he has no prior experience but Detroit figured “what the ****”. He has watched football for some years as anyone would say, and really hates when RBs fumble. He will add an emphasis that point with his coaching or lack thereof. Also signing Coach Walter Stevens because anyone named Walter and currently 35 here in 2048 is a real American and probably going to do something impressive. He will be the overseer of the secondary and will essentially grow into football as does his unit whose most veteran player is Year 6 CB Frank Tolman who is more of a special teamer, as is Year 9 Lowell Woodson.
The 2048 Football Moguls Detroit Lions have Selected:
1.23 TE/RB/WR/RB William Hicks – Detroit’s fan base likely fell out of their seats when the pick was announced, undoubtedly there was more risk/reward type players available. Hicks floor is high enough that this was a comfortable pick for the organization. He will enter training camp as a TE before being asked to drop weight because his speed is seen as lacking. Very likely he will be used as in a utility role on offense – a position I just created.
2.28 LB/DE Richard Kibby – Kibby was asked to pack pounds onto his small frame at UCLA and will be asked to the do the exact opposite if he wants to continue his football playing career. He is viewed as a Linebacker at heart, and speed kills, so coming down in weight is going to be essential. Kibby possesses elite Man to Man coverage ability for a big man and comes with big gorilla arms to assist with his solid tackling ability. Oh yea, great pass rusher. Dropping weight is the biggest key, working around the low acceleration will be the sustaining factor. He is intelligent enough of an individual that it is believed he will handle the transition well and thrive on the defense for a decade – may be seen as a reach in the second round, but he will play day one.
3.23 RB/WR Carmello Campbell – Detroit was happy to land Carmello in the third round, and Detroit again plays it safe by selecting a low volatility player. The RB/WR does not have the top end acceleration or speed, but will look to add in those areas during training camp. He will serve as a primary back for running backs behind last year’s 1.31 RB/WR Lawrence Dunn, in addition to seeing snaps at WR. He has great route running and avoidance abilities but will likely have his pass catching questioned. It should be noted that while playing at 214 lbs during his days at Wisconsin, he was known as a receiver who wanted to see the contested catches. If he can lean into what he is good at, and add to the speed, he will see chances to show what 86 picks prior missed.
3.27 CB Clark Cope – Clark is a day one special teamer, and instant depth to the secondary and will never once make you say “wow” – but he plays on day one. Having slightly above average Man to Man skills and middling ability to cover close he may serve mostly as safety depth. Given the potential of injury there will be a need for some snaps at CB. Most notable is that Clark Cope is pretty dumb, or at least as though he is dumb. But…. This guy dances really really good so everyone is hoping he gets interceptions so they can see him celebrate. Fans like dancing, and fans + like = money. Gimmie.
4.24 FS/SS/LB Mark Rincon – Rincon is the second college defensive lineman Detroit would take and convert to a new position, this time taking the DE from Southern California and converting to Free Safety! Coach, whoa… what is going on? Bottom line, the Lions continued to play it safe with the talent that was on the board and embraced the idea of the draft containing players poorly suited for their true positional value. Rincon will shed pounds and will still never be the fastest, but if he makes it through training camp unscathed he could have the ability to truly stick at his new position. He is really strong and has great coverage ability but will really need to increase his all around game by at least a little bit to see a successful career.
5.23 RG Alfred Johnson – Johnson needs time to develop after losing his senior season to an arm injury that required surgery while playing at Illinois. Prior to the season there was a lot of optimism Johnson who is seen as an all-around interior lineman. He was never able to get the technical pass blocking foundation he needed to be able to play at this level, but showed tenacity during his recovery efforts and at the school’s pro day where he was a participant. He has a high football IQ, good strength but most importantly runs at a fast pace while towing 327 pounds of girth. If he can up his game during training camp, he is a lock for the roster and a steal for the team as they look to horde offensive lineman.
6.24 LG Ronnie Wright – This TE converted to LG is seen as a project player, but is someone who has the raw ability to succeed and become great. Strong, smart, disciplined – though all great they do not work without technical ability. If the offensive line coach can get through to this guy then he becomes more of a steal then Alfred Johnson who was selected on pick prior. What Wright does not have is great speed which will limit the positions he plays, but he can – much like Alfred Johnson – play at ever interior position of the line.
7.23 K Luis Hancock – While Detroit is not in an immediate need for kicker, the well admittedly dried up quick for players on their board. Hancock received a lot of attention from Detroit during early draft conversations and at the senior bowl. Hancock was glad to join former college teammate Ronnie Wright for a trip up north – it can be nice to have a familiar face. There was speculation last season as other teams expressed interest in Stanley Morgan, the teams current kicker, but the Lions held onto Morgan for the season. While there is no immediate opening for the kicker job there does always need to be competition at every position. Hancock will almost certainly need at least one season to develop into a Moguls kicker, but first must go through training camp to see if the coaches can bring the most out of him.
Contract Extensions:
RB Vincent Crum – 6 Year Extension – Great speed and primarily a depth piece. Will always be on the hot seat but Detroit was not willing to see an end to this relationship yet and was willing to double down on it.
CB Robert Daggett – 6 Year Extension – The team enjoys having Daggett but he will also be consistently on the hot seat. As the depth chart fills he could find himself on the outside looking in, but again Detroit stays true to their draft talent and shows some commitment by locking this player up on a team friendly deal.
SLB/CB Robert Gavin – 6 Year Extension – Gavin may have already seen his best days but the team is just hitting its normalizing stage. He has great speed that will be needed and will find himself falling in the depth chart – or you’d hope. Once again, the Lions felt compelled to lock it up and keep this player in the future plans for now.
C Floyd Weber – 6 Year Extension – Weber has been a solid contributor and a team player since being drafted. Not initially getting the recognition deserved he quickly asserted himself as the most reliable swing tackle on the team. Now, he will be recognized as the starting Center on the team – as long as he can old off the incumbent during training camp and pre-season. Detroit needed a future at the position and regardless of what happens in 2048, the job is there for Weber in 2049.
