Monday Notes: Roderick Hood to Visit Lions Today

by Sean Yuille on May 18, 2009 12:02 AM EDT in Notes Comment 29 comments

Matthew Stafford of Georgia, (9), the No 1 overall first pick of the NFL draft, joins fellow Detroit Lions rookies Derrick Williams (12) of Penn State, and Brandon Pettigrew (84) of Oklahoma State, as they are photographed by Scott Clarke for Top Deck as National Football League draft pick rookies posed for NFL trading card photographers, at the Los Angeles Coliseum Saturday, May 16, 2009. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)

6 months ago: Matthew Stafford of Georgia, (9), the No 1 overall first pick of the NFL draft, joins fellow Detroit Lions rookies Derrick Williams (12) of Penn State, and Brandon Pettigrew (84) of Oklahoma State, as they are photographed by Scott Clarke for Top Deck as National Football League draft pick rookies posed for NFL trading card photographers, at the Los Angeles Coliseum Saturday, May 16, 2009. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)

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Rookies are going to report to Allen Park today to get ready for the first full-team OTA on Tuesday.
Cornerback Roderick Hood is going to visit the Lions today. Hood was released by the Cardinals mainly due to cap reasons and visited the Bengals and Browns last week.
The Lions released offensive tackle Junius Coston and wide receiver William Franklin, who was claimed in mid-April, last week. They also signed rookie tryout Ryan Kees to a contract.
Maurice Morris thought the Lions should have won eight games last year. I think that was just a general estimate based on watching highlights, but his point was that the Lions were not as bad as their record indicated last season. Quite a few of their losses were because of fourth quarter collapses, and others were just close games that didn't go in the Lions' favor.
Gosder Cherilus is more comfortable now that he has a year of the NFL under his belt.
Jim Schwartz brought Daniel Loper in to compete for a starting spot at left guard.
The salary cap has again gone up, this time by $947,000. The increase is due to accounting numbers being finalized, and usually the jump wouldn't be applied until the following year's cap. Since the cap is going to expire after this year, though, the NFL is applying the increase to 2009. (By the way, labor talks between owners and the NFLPA are going to begin next month.)
An interesting tidbit mentioned in the above-linked article is what the NFL's first ever cap number was, $34.6 million in 1994. It's pretty amazing to think about that when you consider that Matthew Stafford got $42 million of guaranteed money in his contract. It definitely shows you how much things have changed in the last 15 years.
According to Pro Football Talk, prior to the recent increase, the Lions had $7.4 million of cap space.
Calvin Johnson is 3rd in NFL.com's and 5th in The National Football Post's wide receiver rankings. I think those rankings are much more accurate than the Sporting News' rankings, which placed Megatron 11th.
Lions tight end Dan Gronkowski was quite the hockey player in high school. He said he will become a Tigers fan, but he isn't going to ditch the Buffalo Sabres for the Red Wings.
Former Lions defensive end Roger Brown is a member of the 2009 College Football Hall of Fame Class.

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I was wondering how much cap room they had

Is there any better source to compare to than Pro Football Talk? I am glad to see that they are looking to play Loper at LG. I was really starting to wonder what they were going to do there. I am glad that you didn’t name CBSSports.com as a source for WR (or any other positional) rankings….lol. I agree that 5th is much more accurate than 11th or lower, even though I say he is #2 at the least (behind only Larry Fitzgerald). One last thing…..is it just me or does the Honolulu blue in those new uniforms look lighter than usual? Good post as usual Sean.

by KDawg on May 18, 2009 12:48 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

it does seem to

be a shade lighter. I am hoping that it is just the lighting. I really wish they would use a deeper blue. Almost like the Cowboys. I think it would really show off the Silver more.

by JCruize on May 18, 2009 7:29 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh, and in advance

I have no clue why Lexus has taken over the site. Lol.

Pride of Detroit, SB Nation's Lions Blog

by Sean Yuille on May 18, 2009 1:12 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Brandon Pettigrew

Brandon Pettigrew looks like a beast in that uniform looks as big and strong as Tony Gonzalez and Antonio Gates he s gonna make a difference on that line for QB and RB

by Detroit_lionchief on May 18, 2009 1:27 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I wish I could get NFL trading cards!

Staff, Grew and DW look pretty nifty in their uniforms. Can’t wait to see them in action.

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

by Hyperion Ecta on May 18, 2009 2:35 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Pettigrew is a monster

when is the last time the Lions have had a TE like him?

by JCruize on May 18, 2009 7:30 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

yeah...

QB will have at least two HUGE targets to hit when he goes out…

JJ Fe

by Rydaddy617 on May 18, 2009 7:40 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1

i was definitely puzzled with taking him at that second pick, but its all starting to make some sense. looks like a beast.

by cridg1zt on May 18, 2009 10:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

David Hill Or Cahrlie Sanders....

……Hill was a beast too in the late 70s early 80s

by BennieBladesFan on May 18, 2009 10:35 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I have a good feeling about Loper

Pettigrew is going to be an all-around beast. Would’ve loved to have seen some more defense drafted, but he was an excellent pick.

by JazzyBBP on May 18, 2009 12:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Ryan Kees Stats

UD FA Rookie DE from Cloud st.

LINKY

Looks like he might’ve had an injury last year, judging by production. Hell of a year in ’07 though.

6’5" 277lbs.

by CLF on May 18, 2009 1:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yep

And he talks himself up alot like Jason Smith too…..I hope he isn’t all hot air.

by KDawg on May 18, 2009 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Regarding the cap

GB has 21 mil, Chicago 12 mil, Minn.,10 mil more cap room then us
Now i understand all the 1 yr contracts given by the Lions
evidently there is a lot of wasted money on the roster I will
not be surprised in the least to see many big $ vets off the roster
when the season begins.

by Runnin' Rebel on May 18, 2009 4:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

That would be nice to get Hood...

Another CB to help out our defense.

Feeling confident about this season…

If our line can hold, who knows what could happen.

by ZWC11 on May 18, 2009 5:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Don't practices end around 2pm?

I’m dying to see some pictures and articles about the practice today. Don’t know what’s taking so long.

by BIGWalt2990 on May 18, 2009 7:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

You'll probably have to wait for an update until Wednesday morning (like 1-2 a.m. or so)

Since I’ll be at the Wings game :-)

Pride of Detroit, SB Nation's Lions Blog

by Sean Yuille on May 18, 2009 9:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm wondering if they cut thoe 2 guys

to make room for Hood

by cincyboy on May 18, 2009 10:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

hood

with the specter of favre coming back to exact revenge on the nfc north, we need all the help we can get! i think hood would be a good signing.

by big smoove on May 18, 2009 10:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Freep.com new article(tuesday)

At the bottom it says “Two rookies aren’t eligible yet to join the off-season program because of their schools’ academic schedules. Linebacker Zack Follett can return Thursday. Defensive tackle John Gill can’t return until June 20.”

WTF. June 20!? How does a school’s academic schedule dictate when that player can practice with their new NFL team.

by BIGWalt2990 on May 19, 2009 7:50 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

wait…they’re not still attending classes are they?

by BIGWalt2990 on May 19, 2009 7:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wasn’t the school it was the NCAA. If you are still in class working towards your degree then you are not eligible to participate in OTAs. Im guessing the Follett is taking a spring class in order to graduate and thats why he is stuck in school til the 20th.

by Curse of Bobby Layne 50 Years Strong on May 19, 2009 8:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That is very likely the case

by KDawg on May 19, 2009 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pettigrew all day

An interesting tidbit mentioned in the above-linked article is what the NFL’s first ever cap number was, $34.6 million in 1994. It’s pretty amazing to think about that when you consider that Matthew Stafford got $42 million of guaranteed money in his contract. It definitely shows you how much things have changed in the last 15 years.

It also shows how much inflation has devalued the U.S. dollar in such a short time

by CardsDefense on May 19, 2009 1:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Lions should sign hood

as a cardinals fan i was dissapointed when Hood was released, he plays well most of the time and would be a great #2 corner for the lions. He would allow anthony henry to be used as a safety.

by CardsDefense on May 19, 2009 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree with that idea

I want Hood in Detroit. FYI, Stafford is only really guaranteed 17.05 million unless he meets his playing time incentives and the team exercises the option in his contract.
http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2009/5/19/879945/matthew-staffords-contract-only#comments

by KDawg on May 19, 2009 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hood has been to 2 Super bowls

how many active Detroit Lions can say that?

by cincyboy on May 20, 2009 8:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

What kind of criteria is that to add players?

There are a lot of great players who have never been to a Super Bowl.

I have not seen individual data on cornerbacks [ie. TDs against, catches and yards against] so its hard to comment intelligently on Hood’s play in 2008. What I do know is that the Cards gave up the most passing TDs in the NFL [36!] by a lot, and were 30th in QB rating against. Them letting Hood go seems to me to be an indication that the Cards think they can upgrade their pass defence more without him, than with him.

Why not use Eric King as a starter? He was behind a couple of good corners at Tennessee, maybe he can do the job if given a chance.

I guess it also matters how much Hood will cost. I would not expect him to cost that much to sign.

by NorthLeft12 on May 21, 2009 8:21 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why not bring in some competition?

I don’t think anyone on the roster has any more than an inside track at CB. The less CBs the more they will get cozy and not give110%. Hood can do some good things as we saw in Philly and Arizona. I want to see a good pair of CBs playing on sundays for the next 4-6 years.

by cincyboy on May 21, 2009 9:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't have a problem with competition, I just did not like your reason for adding him.

Sometimes, teams are successful in spite of the play of some of their players or units. It looks like Hood started [or at least played a lot] for the Eagles in 2004 and 2005. He will be 28 by the start of the season so don’t expect more than two or three good years out of him.

I just recall that in the playoff games that I saw the Cardinals in, it seemed that the player Hood was covering was constantly being thrown to. At the time I did not know Hood from Adam, but it was very noticeable that he was constantly in the picture when the Arizona defence was on the field. And not in a good way either.

He may be a better option than what we have but I would like to see the Lions give some playing time to guys who have not had an opportunity to start to hopefully find and develop a solid starter.

by NorthLeft12 on May 22, 2009 9:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs