Thursday Notes: 2009 Salary Cap Increased by $4 Million

by Sean Yuille on Feb 26, 2009 12:02 AM EST in Notes Comment 8 comments

The salary cap was just increased by $4 million, putting the total number for 2009 at $127 million. The Lions may be around $40 million under the cap, meaning they should be able to add quite a few players to the roster once free agency begins on Friday. I don't think the Lions will go after any high-profile players, though. They could definitely afford to, but since so many different positions need to be addressed, I'm guessing they will spread the money out in order to fill as many of those needs as possible.
Former Bears quarterback Rex Grossman, who is a free agent, talked up the Lions and said he has his eye on them during an interview on Sirius NFL Radio. Although the Lions do need a backup, I would not be a fan of bringing in Grossman. He constantly underperformed in Chicago, and I don't think the Lions need another below average QB on the roster. They do need to make a move to find a backup for Daunte Culpepper, but I would rather see many players other than Grossman be signed.
Just to update everyone on the Matt Cassel trade I was offered in the Football Burrito mock draft, I turned it down. Just like some of the other things I've asked for your opinion on recently, I was leaning toward turning it down and the poll results cemented my decision. 72% of the 292 votes said to turn down the trade, mainly because there are simply too many questions about how good Cassel would be on a team like the Lions. Besides that, why give up a first-round pick for a player that could end up being the next Scott Mitchell?
Not a whole lot worth talking about has happened, but one thing I will make note of from the Football Burrito mock draft is that Andre Smith was picked by the Bengals with the #6 overall selection. This is pretty surprising considering Smith's stock is dropping so far in real life. Peter King actually thinks Smith could drop all the way to the #33 pick, which is the first selection of the second-round (the pick belongs to the Lions). If Smith did end up falling that far and the Lions hadn't already drafted an offensive tackle, I would be in favor of pulling the trigger on him. Would it be a gamble? Of course. But if you can get his head on straight you're looking at a steal. There is no doubt that he is talented; his problem seems more mental than anything else.
SI.com's Don Banks has the Lions picking Aaron Curry in his latest mock draft and NFL.com's Pat Kirwan has the Lions selecting Jason Smith. Although most mock drafts still have the Lions picking Matthew Stafford, there are more without Stafford being the top pick than there were before the combine. Maybe some of these "experts" will start to realize that just because the Lions need a QB doesn't mean they will draft one with the top pick. After all, they have needs at quite a few other positions as well. I guess they just aren't as high-profile as the quarterback position to some of the draft analysts out there.
The Buccaneers cut Derrick Brooks, Joey Galloway, Ike Hilliard, Warrick Dunn, and Cato June on Wednesday.

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Grossman

I don’t know what orlovsky will get on the open market but if he doesn’t come back I don’t see why we don’t look at Grossman or Lossman, if we don’t take a QB at #1 then I don’t seem the harm at looking at him. This might be my fear of giving Culpepper the job but not giving him competion could be hanging ourselves. My first thought is hoping Orlovsky comes back if not feel free to sign a backup of either of the 2. As I said before I belive Culpepper will fumble this chance and we better have a fail safe if orlovsky isn’t here. Grossman or Lossman could be that person…

by msivits on Feb 26, 2009 1:30 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Football Burrito Mock

Maualuga going at 5 to Cleveland isn’t too surprising, Im expecting him to be taken early on. It looks like that mock will be both interesting and somewhat realistic compared to the individual mocks I’ve read.

I wouldn’t mind bringing in Grossman, but i imagine that would stir up more QB controversy than Schwartz may want. Hypothetically speaking it would be very interesting to see Grossman start for the Lions against the bears, it may bring a more competitive edge to him resulting in better play on his second team. However it seems very unlikely and would more than likely not result in that optimistic way.

and another, its too bad Rod Marinelli is gone. He would have his pick at 5 bucs, which if he were still coaching, I would not doubt for a second he would jump at the opportunity to snatch Brooks.

by BtotheLT on Feb 26, 2009 1:47 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Even if we do take an OT before round 2

I’m not opposed to taking two OTs that early. The line needs vast improvement and you can never have too many linemen.

by ReichardZ on Feb 26, 2009 10:32 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

2 OT's?

We spent last year’s top pick on a RT

Backus needs to be replaced sooner or later (hopefully sooner), but what would the other OT do? We probably wouldn’t want to draft another OT in the top few rounds if there wasn’t a starting spot open for him.

by n4ry4 on Feb 26, 2009 1:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Am I wrong

But wouldn’t you rather have Scott Mitchell instead of Andre Ware (obviously you would rather have neither)?

I know you don’t plan on taking a QB so its kind of a moot point but if the Lions take a QB in the first two rounds I would rather have used that pick to acquire Cassel than Stafford, Sanchez, or Freeman.

I still remember my first pack of football cards and it had Andre Ware’s rookie card, was so excited, now I just get to listen to him call big ten football on espn. What a career…

Its a funny story actually.

by Wad on Feb 26, 2009 11:30 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

2 OLs

I have no problem taking two offensive lineman with our first 2 picks.

by giggy09 on Feb 26, 2009 11:39 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I agree

If we didn’t take Curry at #1, Jason Smith is just as worthy.

I’ve advocated it before…Alex Mack at #20

He has the right size (6-4, 316) and is very athletic and has all the intangibles (motor, work ethic, leadership, smarts). He could be the long-term replacement for Raiola at Center, but start at Left Guard immediately.

The best interior OL in the draft is usually (not always, but usually) selected somewhere in the bottom half of round 1. Mack won’t last to pick #33, but he’d be a very good value at #20.

by n4ry4 on Feb 26, 2009 2:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Grossman? Stuff a wire brush up my ass!

My son and I have prayed every year that Rex the wreck stays healthy and stays the Bears starter. Can you say Rusty Hilger? How about Gino Toretta? Rick Mirer ring a bell?Save me from this carnage!!!!! Please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by dylan415 on Feb 27, 2009 12:25 AM EST reply actions 0 recs