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Undrafted Free Agents Signed by the Lions

I'll keep this updated throughout the day, as I expect the Lions, like every other NFL team, to be busy signing undrafted free agents today.  Here is who the Lions have signed so far:

  1. LB Andrew Downey, Maine (Bangor Daily News)
  2. DT John Gill, Northwestern (Daily Northwestern)
  3. WR D.J. Boldin, Wake Forest (Detroit News)
  4. C Dan Gerberry, Ball State (Detroit News)
  5. K/P Swayze Waters, UAB (Birk's Eye View)
  6. LB Daniel Holtzclaw, Eastern Michigan (Arrowhead Pride)
  7. S Otis Wiley, Michigan State (Tom Kowalski)

0 recs  |  Comment 78 comments |

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I know this is a bit off subject, but..

Pats signed Hoyer. HAHAHA. I brought it up yesterday and only thing anyone had to reply with was how funny it would be him standing next to Stanton.

Guess the Patriots think he’s ok.

by BIGWalt2990 on Apr 27, 2009 6:58 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

He Is OK.....

….Hes not a horrible QB…Rocket Arm and I believe that His recievers droped over 150 passes in 4 yeras…..that would have helped his completetion %……Billichech knows Football players too.

by BennieBladesFan on Apr 27, 2009 9:44 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Finally, a MLB

And one so good he was passed on 256 times.

Starter indeed!

by ATL Lion on Apr 27, 2009 7:00 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I wouldnt say that....

…..Rookie FA are brouggt in as possible guys to maek the team…Not as guys to start……You need to learn about the NFL man….Harrison from Pittsburgh was a rookie FA though.

by BennieBladesFan on Apr 27, 2009 9:45 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Sorry, I forgot you were a scout

Yes, my complete lack of NFL knowledge is sure a hardship. It puts me at about even with Millen (and only a half step behind Mayhew).

I know there are some great FAs out there to be had. Right now, we don’t have a MLB on the roster. We are hoping to move an OLB to MLB, a plan that has not worked out for us to well for the past couple years. So when we add a FA MLB, I think that means he is the top of our MLB roster today. Teams like Pittsburg have the depth to try and take the time with a FA and make them into a probowler; we need guys to start today. Sometimes it is ok to make a safe pick and not have huge gambles at every position.

Look, I know you like the draft. I think you know I did not like the draft. Different opinions. I would love to have faith in the front office, but these are the same guys who have been there for the last decade. To me-as a fan-they have to earn my trust and the place to start is the draft. I think we flushed Rounds 3 and 4 down the toilet. I think two of our glaring needs were Oline and MLB and we got one OT in the 7th. So far, I don’t have a lot of trust in them. I am not sure why you do.

That said: we are both Lions fans and I am going to support them just as much as last year.

by ATL Lion on Apr 27, 2009 10:49 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

on harrison

let us not forget harrison didn’t make the steelers team his first year either hell he didn’t even make the practice squad for them, it’s about determination and what kind of character these guys have. Not very many of the golden boys drafted are all-pro caliber players and I wish I would of remembered that prior to my own spews about how bad the draft was! It’s all about the system and how the guys fit into it!

by davis0169 on Apr 28, 2009 11:43 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

DT and MLB?

Do we need those positions? I thought we already had Jordon Dizon and Chuck Darby?

by Mushy on Apr 27, 2009 10:28 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

r u serious or just foolin?

ahhhh who? you are on the sause writing about those two unless you are trying to be funny ha ha not fopaw! I can’t remember any plays that they made since being a lion, can anyone remember any plays those 2 made????

by davis0169 on Apr 28, 2009 11:46 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

A few names 2 throw out there...

I saw them pickin Pettigrew 20th (when they brought him in a few weeks back, I was puzzled because I knew that’s most likely where they’d have2 pick him in order 2 get him) & posted on Lydon Murtha after the combine, size & speed, intelligence, so idk mayB. Murtha was a good pick, 4 the spot, but would’ve like 2 c them get @ least a top guard. Darry Beckwith & Antonio Appleby, the latter seems 2 fit the “Mold” they’re lookin 4 & was a top prospect ILB 6’4 245#, DB was highly reguarded, thought they’d take him the last pick, which again tells me they’re bringin P. Lenon back again, which he lead the team in tackles last year, so…idk he has alota haters, but he beat out Ernie, just barely, 4 tackles, although not sayin much as no1 was tackling last year. Will Johnson, UoM DE, Zack Potter, Mitch King &/or Mike Bennet, I gotta think they were targeting Scott Dorrel, but didn’t make it that far. Then Roger Allen, Greg Isdaner OL a few guys still left UDFA

by LTownDown on Apr 27, 2009 10:42 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Ya, but he's a kick a$$ special teams guy!

well worth that 2nd round pick, I knew after his run in w/ John Denver’s friends, that of course bn the Boulder PD, sorry I lived n Denver a few years. Back n the Rashaam Salaam & the rediculous pass that won CU the game over MI, where it bounced off the guys back n the nZone, nice! But, then we got 1 n the 3rd, who 2 me, could’ve been picked up later on, idk, seemed like a list of guys I woulda picked n that spot b4 this Landry guy.

by LTownDown on Apr 27, 2009 10:48 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I can't stand

trying to read your posts. Makes me a bad guy but dang…1337 much?

by MattyZ on Apr 27, 2009 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Ralphie's got better

His posts are a lot more coherent now.

2009 = The start of the Lions Golden Age (We hope).

by Hyperion Ecta on Apr 27, 2009 10:48 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Andrew Downey

Here’s a link to His stats at maine… you’ll have to scroll down a bit.
http://goblackbears.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2008-2009/teamcume.html#TEAM.IND

I’m liking the 10.5 TFL…. even if he played in a smaller conference.

Here’s a Stat page on Gill….
http://www.draftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/dt/John-Gill.php

Here’s a Q&A with Gill; April 6th ’09…
http://www.nfldraftbible.com/Draft-Bible-Q-A/qa_john_gill_dt_northwestern_4609.html

by CLF on Apr 27, 2009 10:49 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

The Q&A is interesting....

Sounds like a gym rat…. a big 300lb gym rat.

by CLF on Apr 27, 2009 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

He looks pretty descent

though I’m not sure who they play & how well that translates 2 the NFL. idk, I live up by the GLIAC, so…

by LTownDown on Apr 27, 2009 10:54 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Liosns also sign

C Dan Gerberry (Ball State)
PK Swayze Walters (UAB)
DL DJ Boldin (Wake Forest)

by SLPtransam on Apr 27, 2009 11:17 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

reminds me of...

Anquan, kinda. Lived out n AZ 4 a while, watched them go from, how the Lions r 2 what they’ve become….Aq B was a big part of that…I think that’s why that situation w/ Him out there is 4, but I think they could use him 2…good pick up!

by LTownDown on Apr 27, 2009 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

huh???

o.k he can catch and run but he’s the #2 reciever on that team and that team didn’t go to the superbowl cause of iether of them they went because of Warner not either of those rec.!!!

by davis0169 on Apr 28, 2009 11:49 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

+ UDFA

Detroit Lions
- D.J. Boldin, WR, Wake Forest
- Andrew Downey, OLB, Maine
- Dan Gerberry, C, Ball State
- John Gill, DT, Northwestern
- Swayze Waters, K/P, Alabama-Birmingham

by LTownDown on Apr 27, 2009 11:20 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

What kind of name is...

Swayze Waters?…lol… " Swayze waters attempts a 40 yarder…."

by CLF on Apr 27, 2009 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Hold on now...

No one is better than the Swayze-man. Mr. Roadhouse, old swivel hips Dirty Dancing? He would be an excellent addition to this squad! His footwork and pad level are unmatched, you know he can show two and poke three with the best of ’em. Instead of that aweful (and rarely heard) song that the hard hat wearing D.B. sings after the Lions score, they could just belt out a little “I had the time of my life”.

by Mushy on Apr 27, 2009 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Damn, you got me.

You had to pull Roadhouse out, didn’t you?!

Now I have to watch it to watch the monster truck rally they randomly put in the middle of the movie.

by Nate D. on Apr 27, 2009 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I do and I'm her father.

How old are you like 37?
PS: I’m 42
“police rush in throw Swayze to the floor”

by MattyZ on Apr 27, 2009 3:40 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

pump ur breaks son

Patrick Swayze’s a national treasure! the Dirty Dancing man, Donnie darko, Point Break, the Outsiders …c’mon! idk, he’s got d kinda build of CB, can he play, mayB his Hair wdyt?

by LTownDown on Apr 27, 2009 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Can you translate

I have no idea what you just said.

;)

by Nate D. on Apr 27, 2009 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Given that these are FA's

Gill was a good sign and all guys back here will be developmental guys, its going to take some work but you cant teach size and he has a good motor. Downey was second on his team with 96 tackles and 10.5 tackles for loss thats pretty good even for a small time guy. At least we know he can tackle unlike some of our.. cough cough players

by Liontotheextreme on Apr 27, 2009 11:22 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Downey

Downey was 2nd on the team in tackles and he missed atleast one game and only played one half against Iowa in the opener due to a sprained ankle. He didn’t get all of the fanfare that some other guys did, but he’s solid and he is super athletic. Oh yea, and he’s my brother, but I’m keeping my bias out of the picture.

by ndowney on Apr 27, 2009 7:11 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

You guys signed LB Daniel Holtzclaw

Over at ArrowheadPride we have been following Daniel for a long time and really wanted the Chiefs to sign him. Check out ArrowheadPride’s coverage of Daniel Holtzclaw. He could end up being your starting middle linebacker.

by Vince D on Apr 27, 2009 6:11 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Yeah we are big Holtzclaw fans at AP

Glad to see he got picked up. I think you guys got a solid player here.

by Joel Thorman on Apr 27, 2009 6:42 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

this guy can play

he was in a system that wasn’t all that and you can blame Herm Edwards for that I keep saying how he handcuffed Cunningham in K.C. And How Herm edwards ever got a second chance at being a head coach makes me scratch my head, he is nothing more than a good cordinater, he’s killed 2 different teams.

by davis0169 on Apr 28, 2009 11:56 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'm sold.

not just his quickness, his demeanor, and willpower to be the best.

Give this man 41.7 million instead.

by BIGWalt2990 on Apr 27, 2009 6:59 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Now that's the kind of guy we need...

He sounds awesome .. let’s hope he plays as good as he thinks he does..

by MatthewDC on Apr 27, 2009 7:25 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Tied Jason Smith and Raji for reps. Most reps of all the LBs. Faster than Mauluga. Rejected from combine, seems like no one really saw him.

Are MatthewDC and I the only ones excited about this signing?

by BIGWalt2990 on Apr 27, 2009 8:09 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

ya he looks good

hopefully follows n2 a James harrison type guy, we’ll have to wait & see. Good thing they found time 2 go down 2 Ypsituckey, they were probly checking out TJ Lang, score!

by LTownDown on Apr 27, 2009 8:19 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Are you kidding me?!? I am very happy about this!

I’ve been bringing up his name for the last month or so. He has done really well at Eastern Michigan, never injured, played about three seasons without missing a game, good size, fast, what else do we want?

I know he is not anywhere near ready to start, but I would love to see him on the team and develop over a couple of years.

by NorthLeft12 on Apr 28, 2009 6:05 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Howzabout Holtzclaw?

Eastern Michigan guy, ILB, good size [ 6’1" 242], very productive and injury free college career. Lets give Little Levy from Munchkinville a little competition.
Then there is Antonio Appleby from Virginia, 6’4" 245. Rated the ninth best ILB on NFLdraftscout.

Come on Mayhew, work with me.

by NorthLeft12 on Apr 27, 2009 7:06 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Apparently...

…we signed Daniel Holtzclaw, a lineback out of E. Michigan. Kansas City Chiefs fans wanted him bad.

GO LIONS! RESTORE THE ROAR!

by Twon82 on Apr 27, 2009 8:24 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Great to see how aware we are, here in Michigan. It was brought up by Vince D at 3:11

by BIGWalt2990 on Apr 27, 2009 8:27 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Otis Wiley cool

I was hoping we would take in the 6th or 7th after seeing him still there. Good size for a DB hits hard and did some returns. He can help.

by lionsfan64 on Apr 27, 2009 11:06 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Ya, he looks good

I’m not much of a state guy, but looks like good pick-up, can tackle, almost 90 & Int + ret yds, & can return kicks. I liked David Bruton, but Denver picked him up, not sure if he’ll be the next Steve Atwater, tho…mayB

by LTownDown on Apr 28, 2009 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Lions should try

signing a offensive lineman instead of a kicker they’re just going to cut immediately after preseason. At least the lineman might make the practice squad.

by rwum14 on Apr 28, 2009 12:02 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Is the Holtzclaw acquisition official?

So far the only word is from Arrowhead Pride. I really hope it is, because this kid looks like he could be a serious contender for starting MLB.

by AZ Yooper on Apr 28, 2009 3:48 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Not sure yet

Lions will release a list today, so we should know shortly.

Pride of Detroit, SB Nation's Lions Blog

by Sean Yuille on Apr 28, 2009 5:57 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

...

www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20090428/SPORTS/904280311/1007/RSS02
www.nepatriotsdraft.com/2009/04/2009-undrafted-free-agent-signings-list.html

Lions
DT John Gill (Northwestern)
LB Andrew Downey (Maine)
LB Daniel Holtzclaw (E. Michigan)
C Dan Gerberry (Ball State)
S Otis Wiley (Mich State)
PK Swayze Walters (UAB)
WR DJ Boldin (Wake Forest)
DB Mark Parson (Ohio)

by LTownDown on Apr 28, 2009 8:37 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Let's hope a couple of these guys make the team

I’m thinking Holtzclaw, Boldin & maybe Parson and Gerberry.

2009 = The start of the Lions Golden Age (We hope).

by Hyperion Ecta on Apr 28, 2009 8:38 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

definately

Holtzclaw & Boldin for sure look like they can play, I still hope they can make this Larry Foote deal happen, would b a great mentor for these guys…

by LTownDown on Apr 28, 2009 8:55 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

sum new 1s

 Detroit Lions: Darrell Blackman, WR, North Carolinia State; Allen Ervin, RB, Lambuth; Rudolph Hardie, DE, Howard; Carroll Madison, G, Syracuse; Tyronne Pruitt, LB, Boston College; Bobbie Williams, DB, Bethune-Cookman

That’d b nice, but Champ’s not in his prime anymore, he (DJ) looks better than Larry Fitzgeralds brother going to the Viks, had about 1/2 the production DJ did.

by LTownDown on Apr 30, 2009 10:15 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

UDFA OT from Akron; (ignore last 1 discovered it was from last year, sorry)

Chris Kemme

  1. 74
    Offensive Lineman – OL
     
    Height: 6-6 Weight: 300
     
    Junior
     
     
    Previous Affiliations
       Upper Arlington HS
    Hometown
       Upper Arlington, Ohio
     
     
     
      
     
     
      
     
     
     

Courtesy: Akron Media Relations
Release: 07/18/2006
Last name is pronounced KIM-ee … After earning all-league honors the last two seasons (2006 & ‘08), tabbed 2008 preseason All-Mid-American Conference by Athlon (first team), MAC Report Online (second team) and Phil Steele’s College Football Preview (third team).
Junior (2007): Named second team All-Mid-American Conference by the league’s coaches for the second straight season … Also voted Akron’s Most Valuable Offensive Lineman … Was heavily relied upon as he anchored a line that featured four new starters, three of whom only had two games experience between them … Akron produced an All-MAC running back in Bryan Williams … Williams only had 728 yards on the season … However, he had 612 of those yards in league play, averaging 4.9 yards per carry versus MAC opponents, to be tabbed third team as a running back … Also in 2007, Williams and Alex Allen combined to rush for 1,148 yards, averaging 4.5 yards per attempt, as the Zips averaged 127.8 rushing yards per game – the best averaged in the four years under head coach J.D. Brookhart … At the valued left tackle position, Kemme also played a role in the Zips prolific passing over his first three years as receivers Domenik Hixon and Jabari Arthur all have set nearly every UA record.
Sophomore (2006): Tabbed second team All-MAC, paving the way for fellow All-MAC performer Dennis Kennedy and providing protection for one of UA’s all-time passing leaders Luke Getsy … Started all 12 games, including 11 at right tackle … An injury to Tim Crouch forced Kemme to move as the starting left tackle for the Cincinnati game … Named Most Improved Offensive Player by the coaching staff.
Freshman (2005): Appeared in 11 games at right tackle, starting the final eight contests of the season … Earned his first career start in his first-ever appearance for the Zips at Purdue … One of six true freshmen to play during the season … Joined Merce Poindexter as the first true freshmen to start since Domenik Hixon in 2002 … Part of an offensive line that produced a 1,000-yard rusher (Brett Biggs), the first UA back to top 1,000 yards since Bobby Hendry in 2002 … Also provided excellent protection for quarterback Luke Getsy, allowing Getsy to throw for 3,455 yards, while surrendering just 1.62 sacks per game, third lowest total in the MAC … Aided the Zips in becoming the 31st team in NCAA history to boast a 1,000-yard passer, 1,000-yard receiver and 1,000-yard rusher in a season.
Prior to Akron: An honorable mention All-Ohio Capital Conference selection as a senior … Earned three varsity letters … Three-sport athlete, earning letters in basketball and lacrosse … Averaged nine points and nine rebounds per game as a junior … Coached by Darrell Mayne.
Personal: Brother, Wes, played lacrosse at Ohio State (2004-07).

by LTownDown on Apr 30, 2009 10:25 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

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