Monday Notes: Lions Expected to Release At Least Four Players Today

by Sean Yuille on Feb 9, 2009 12:00 AM EST in Notes Comment 2 comments

Today is the first day that players can be released, and the Lions are set to get rid of at least four players: Mike Furrey, Leigh Bodden, Edwin Mulitalo, and Dan Campbell. It isn't known if these are the only four players that will be released, but I would sort of be surprised if they are. The Lions are cleaning out the roster to clear cap space and make room for new faces, and although many players won't be back because their contracts are up, I would think a couple others will be released as well.
One player that may not be released is quarterback Daunte Culpepper. According to Tom Kowalski, it looks like Culpepper won't be released today. That doesn't mean his spot on the roster is locked up for good, but if the Lions were going to get rid of him there doesn't seem to be any point to wait. Culpepper will receive his $2.5 million roster bonus on February 27, which will begin his $2.5 million salary for 2009. I think Culpepper should be released based on his performance last season anyways, but add in the fact that he is set to make so much money and I believe the Lions would be better off clearing the cap space.
Defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth is going to be a free agent and would be an absolutely huge acquisition for a team like the Lions. Jim Schwartz's attitude is to run the ball and stop the run, and adding someone like Haynesworth would definitely help them with the latter goal.

The problem with signing Haynesworth is how expensive it would be -- he wants to be the highest paid defensive player in the NFL. The other issue you have to worry about is his past behavioral problems. Even so, I'm trusting Schwartz in this situation. He knows Haynesworth better than almost all other coaches in the league (sans Tennessee's current coaches, of course), so if he feels that bringing in Haynesworth is worth the risk and the big contract, then I'm confident in that decision. At the same time, if Schwartz doesn't think adding a big-name free agent like Haynesworth is necessary, I'm confident in that decision, too.
Apparently NBC had a conversation with its Detroit affiliate, WDIV, about what they put on their scroller while Matt Millen was on TV during Super Bowl coverage.

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Albert Haynesworth

Obviously he is the ideal type of player that would fit in Gunther Cunninghams defense, at least from my perspective. Hopefully Gunther’s resume speaks for itself and can discipline any work ethic problems Haynesworth may have…
With that said, if Haynesworth was added to the roster, do you think he could handle a transition into playing nose tackle in a 3-4? I’m pretty sure at this point there has been words of a hybrid 4-3 / 3-4 system, so I am left to assume a beast like Haynesworth would assume that position in the situation. thanks.

by BtotheLT on Feb 9, 2009 2:30 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I’m a bit leery of Haynesworth, an undeniable talent, freakish athletic ability, but doesn’t finish, (hasn’t played a complete season in a number of years), and only plays up to his potential in contract years, with a quetionable motor at times. Remind you of the last “great” guy we had at that position?

by dylan415 on Feb 9, 2009 10:28 PM EST reply actions 0 recs