Monday Notes: Dan Gronkowski to Be Activated from Practice Squad

by Sean Yuille on Nov 30, 2009 6:12 AM EST in Detroit Lions Notes

As expected, Brandon Pettigrew's spot on the roster will be filled by rookie Dan Gronkowski, who is currently on the practice squad. Once Gronkowski is activated from the practice squad, it will mean that every single one of the Lions' 2009 draft picks made it to the active roster of an NFL team. All but one of them will have been on the Lions' active roster, as Lydon Murtha is on the Dolphins. I'd say that is pretty impressive and says a lot about the Lions' draft this year, though it also says a lot about the lack of talent on this team.
Dewayne White is probably going to return against the Bengals this week.
Jim Schwartz didn't express any regret over starting Matthew Stafford and made sure to point out that his shoulder was not the reason for his interceptions.
Packers tight end Jermichael Finley apparently told Louis Delmas that "payback's coming" after Delmas delivered what is considered a dirty hit on him during the game on Thursday. The payback never actually came, but Finley hopes that Delmas will receive a fine for the hit. My guess is that Finley will be satisfied in that regard, because Delmas will almost certainly have to open his checkbook.
Matthew Stafford was voted the NFL Rookie of the Week for his performance against the Browns.
The Silverdome's new owners plan on using the facility for more than just soccer.

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I'm excited for Gronkowski

I actually liked him coming out of the draft. At first I was wondering why we didn’t use the 1st round pick for a need position and just take Gronkowski later if we already had our eye on him.

Of course, that was before I actually got to watch Grew on the field. He is a beast and has improved in every game he has played. I would honestly say he seems to be the most improved player on the team over the course of this season. That is why it is such a blow to this team for him to go down for the season.

It’s going to stunt his growth right when he and Stafford were starting to get something going. I would love to see Gronkowski come in and actually get in a game. Fitzsimmons could be replaced.

I’m not too horribly worried at this point because Heller really isn’t all that bad, but I am happy for Gronkowski either way.

by MatthewDC on Nov 30, 2009 10:18 AM EST reply actions

Jermichael...

is a Jerfuckface.

by IAmGross on Nov 30, 2009 11:22 AM EST reply actions

that's my new favorite word.

by sgdbw90 on Dec 1, 2009 12:55 PM EST up reply actions

I just really hope

that all these interceptions in the near term are worth it in the long run. At some point Staff just needs to play better – thats it (I know its too soon right now but at some point if Staff continues to throw 2 – 5 picks a game he will be benched)

I still think CPep should have played. Staff never looked comfortable IMO on Thanksgiving.

I spray paint my dog Honolulu Blue and Silver

Pic - me vs. Bears fans

by NYCLionsfan on Nov 30, 2009 11:40 AM EST reply actions

cmon nyc

we cant praise the kid and then say he deserves to be benched, if he wasnt running for his life 70% of the time he wouldnt make those weak off the back foot throws.

by IAmGross on Nov 30, 2009 1:37 PM EST up reply actions

I agree Gross!!!

Totally but at some point in time, even under extreme duress, Staff needs better decision making. Some of his picks on Tgiving were not due to pressure and the weak, off the back throws makes me think Staff needs to learn that the NFL is not college and those passes, in this league, are gonna get picked.

Don’t get me wrong – I love Staff and I think he can do wonders behind an even average offensive line but at some point the int’s have to be reduced.

I spray paint my dog Honolulu Blue and Silver

Pic - me vs. Bears fans

by NYCLionsfan on Nov 30, 2009 2:10 PM EST up reply actions

Hes A Rookie Man

Would you rather have him just throw dump offs……Not me….Im glad hes going down field and learning what he can and can not do against certain coverages and players.

by BennieBladesFan on Nov 30, 2009 3:07 PM EST up reply actions

+10000

by Nate D. on Nov 30, 2009 4:04 PM EST up reply actions

I agree Bennie

That’s why I am saying I hope all these picks are learning experiences, ie: Staff doesn’t make the same reads again next year. Considering we should have a much improved O Line next year I think Staff will continue to get better. Once the decision was made to go with Staff we all knew, as fans, he would be taking some lumps this year – that’s to be expected. The great ones learn from past mistakes………….here’s hoping Staff is one of those!!

I spray paint my dog Honolulu Blue and Silver

Pic - me vs. Bears fans

by NYCLionsfan on Nov 30, 2009 4:14 PM EST up reply actions

i think we may read too much in to the int's

the first one was a great play by the DB, probably should’ve been thrown away completely but wasn’t a result of inaccuracy or a misread
the second one is half on stafford and half on northcutt, matt shouldn’t have thrown it but what the hell was northcutt doing running right behind a DB?
the third one was a low throw that again, the DB made a great play on
and the last one was just trying to force it in and when you give woodson a chance to make a play, he’s going to… i’m unabashed in my man love of stafford and trying to explain away Int’s doesn’t get results but I think if the supporting cast gets better and he’s not forced to come from behind all the time, the turnovers will significantly decrease.

by stumpy8100 on Nov 30, 2009 5:27 PM EST up reply actions

Rookie of the Week!

A Lion won Rookie of the Week, considering the amount of rookies we have playing the numbers were with us.
The thing about big “Dirty” hitters is everyone hates em, until they are on your team. If jermichael (What is this new American thing about putting “Jer” in front of regular names????) ever got on the Lions or Louis went to Green Bay they would be buddies byt he end of first practice.
Heller is not to bad, I think at TE will be fine, well as fine as a 2-9 team coming off a 0-16 season can be.
LAstly since evveryone seems to be talking draft already anywhere, i think we should draft as many Bosie State players as possible, maybe start a new fan base inthe Rockies and then see if the Lions someday ever finish the regular season with 10 wins but kept out of the playoffsbecause the NFC North is a not one of the major divisions like the NFC East or AFC North. Whoa, sorry got a little college football on the brain.

by Beerhero on Nov 30, 2009 4:10 PM EST reply actions

agree with much of what you said...

but the last thing we need is any donkey’s from boise state on our roster… undersized over achievers make for good stories but they also make for a lot of losses. The only good pro Boise junior college has ever produced is Ryan Clady. And in case you weren’t sure, I am a University of Idaho alum and I am bitter as hell.

by stumpy8100 on Nov 30, 2009 5:30 PM EST up reply actions

Yup....

,……We had one in Geraald Alexander…..Although That olineman Clady looks good in Denver.

by BennieBladesFan on Nov 30, 2009 8:04 PM EST up reply actions

Theyve got this saftey

That will be playing on sundays next year…..Cant remember his name

by BennieBladesFan on Nov 30, 2009 8:05 PM EST up reply actions

you probably mean kyle wilson

he’s pretty big and he’s fast, but he has no ball skills… think Orlando Scandrick for the cowboys, another Boise junior college product who is mediocre at best

by stumpy8100 on Nov 30, 2009 8:19 PM EST up reply actions

Gronk

I shall be looking forward to seeing him on the field. He was impressive in pre-season and I think he can be a factor in the passing game. Actually, I hope he solidifies a roster spot because then next year we can have Grew and Gronk lining up on the field….sounds like enemies from an RPG game.

2009 = The start of the Lions Golden Age (We hope).
Zack Follett: he will hurt your mind.

by Hyperion Ecta on Nov 30, 2009 5:07 PM EST reply actions

gronkowski

from what I saw in Pre season Gronk seems to have a good upside and looks like he could eventually be a solid number 2 to pettigrew in the future and Will heller has been looking good too so as much as I hate to lose pettibeast Tight end is one of the few spots we have depth at

by The Profiler on Nov 30, 2009 11:04 PM EST reply actions