Thursday Notes: Larry Foote Not Interested in Playing for Lions After All

by Sean Yuille on Feb 12, 2009 6:17 AM EST in Detroit Lions Notes

Despite what one of his friends told the Detroit Free Press, Steelers linebacker Larry Foote apparently isn't interested in playing for the Lions.

So why was Foote pledging his allegiance to the Steelers a week after winning Super Bowl XLIII? And why did the Detroit native feel compelled to tell me he has no desire to play for his hometown Lions, despite a newspaper article that implied otherwise?

"It would be ludicrous for me to say I want to leave my last year. It would be stupid to even want to do that," Foote said. "The bottom line is in 2002 the Lions had a chance to draft me. They chose not to. The Steelers did."
As the quote above implies, Foote is not about to be a free agent. He won't be one until after the 2009 season. He still has another year left with the Steelers, meaning his friend was incorrect in saying that Foote was in the last year of his contract this past season. I guess we should have realized it was unlikely for someone to go from the Super Bowl champs to a winless team, but that would have been obvious from the start had it been known that Foote wasn't going to be a free agent for another year. Things could obviously change and Foote very well could end up a Lion down the road, but for the next year, at least, he is a Steeler through and through.
Dave Birkett took a look at the connections the new Lions assistants have to Jim Schwartz, Scott Linehan, and Gunther Cunningham. The most interesting thing is that three assistants have coached with Nick Saban in the past. Although you obviously have to have some talent to end up in the NFL, having connections certainly helps.
Mel Kiper recently talked about whether or not the Lions should draft a QB or attempt to trade for Patriots QB Matt Cassel. Kiper correctly said that Cassel is the better option compared to a rookie, as he has proven that he can play in the NFL. Kiper also said that a trade is unlikely to happen since Tom Brady's health isn't exactly certain right now. I also think that statement is correct, but I don't think a trade would happen because the Lions can't afford to give up draft picks.

Trading for Cassel would take a couple first-rounders I imagine, and those picks are vital to the Lions rebuilding. Besides that, Cassel had one good season and very well could be a QB that succeeded because of the system he played in. Whether or not that is an accurate assessment is irrelevant, as the Lions simply can't afford to take such a big risk. Their draft picks are far too important, and although the Lions will have to find a QB, building the trenches is much more vital to any success they will have down the road in my opinion.
Pro Football Talk put together a list of salary cap numbers. The Lions are pegged at $85 million, which is the second lowest in the league (the Cardinals are the lowest at $84 million).
Monster.com put together a promotion that will name one lucky fan the NFL Director of Fandemonium. What exactly does that mean? Well, the winner of the contest will get to announce a pick at this year's draft, call a play at next year's Pro bowl, get two season tickets to their favorite team's games, and receive $100,000 among other things. You can enter the contest here.

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Comments

Favre helps Lions, kind of...

Favre’s retirement leaves another team who could be looking to upgrade via the draft. it’d be smart to keep acting like we want stafford to see if it will stir up any trade interest and trade down.

“build the trenches”

by cridg1zt on Feb 12, 2009 8:26 AM EST reply actions

My buddy, Mel!

Of course, I’m foaming at the mouth waiting to hear what he has to say!

Actually, he’s pretty spot on with his comments about Stafford and Sanchez from what I’ve seen. I disagree that that Lions should go after Cassel, though. If they don’t draft a guy this year, then I’d prefer they just wait until next year instead of giving up mulitple draft picks that are needed badly for one player.

by DrewsLions on Feb 12, 2009 12:55 PM EST reply actions

by Sean Yuille on Feb 12, 2009 5:18 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah, if he had...

two good years in a row, I’d say maybe take a good hard look at him. But at this point, we don’t know if he’s a one-year wonder on a good team or the real deal.

by DrewsLions on Feb 13, 2009 11:39 AM EST up reply actions