Lions sign Raiola to 4-year extension | Detroit Free Press

It seems like fans either love or hate Dominic Raiola, so what do you guys think of this move?

4 months ago Sean Yuille 23 comments 0 recs |

Comments

good move...

Raiola is competitive, is a good center (although a little undersized) and is the last member of our oline to make it to a pro bowl.

by lions_sucker on Jun 25, 2009 2:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

When did he make a Pro Bowl?

I’ve always heard them mention that he is a future pro-bowler, or has the potential to be, but I don’t recall him making a pro bowl?

by Mushy on Jun 26, 2009 12:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Named 2nd Alternate in 2007...

…behind starter Andre Gurode of Dallas, backup Matt Birk of Minnesota, and 1st alternate Kreutz in Chicago. Not exactly setting the world on fire, but I do stand corrected…at least sorta.

by Mushy on Jun 26, 2009 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Anytime I read anything about the Lions O Line, He is named our best player.

That may be a case of damning with faint praise, but I think this is a good move. I’m sure he was not that expensive and it will be good to keep a little continuity on the line.

by NorthLeft12 on Jun 25, 2009 3:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Centers aren't hard to find...

…but Good to Great Centers are. RAiola has proven he is at LEAST a good center. He deserves the extension just based on being with the Lions his entire career. Good move.

by TonyDC on Jun 25, 2009 3:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

And I really believe that he leaves everything on the field. And I completely understand " Finger Gate" from last season. Playing for the dumbest coaching staff in football. Losing every game. Being blown-out in most. Playing with players that most should have been back-ups at best. A bunch of people yelling at you. I would have used both hands.

by JCruize on Jun 25, 2009 4:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

This year

we will find out how good he really is. My belief is the line this year is the best line we will field in several years. Although I still think Peterson is the weak link. He will have talent around him to help him out. So if Backus and Raiola don’t produce this year we will really see what we have in them. I have stated before that those 2 have been the only good players we have had on our oline for some time. No more excuses they have to put up or shut up. My prediction is one or the other may be in the pro bowl as a laternate this year. Especially since everything I have read about the new oline coach is very positive. He has taken them back to the fundametals during the entire OTA process. Hopefully we will see good things form them this year.

by shanndiggit on Jun 25, 2009 5:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

i think

jansen and salaam should play RG & LG

by beef99 on Jun 25, 2009 10:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

form what I have read

they will practice at both G positions in training camp. But Jansen has stated in interviews he thinks he can play G. One thing to note though is the Redskins released him becuase they felt he couldn’t play G and didn’t have the versatility to do it. That was what was posted in articles after he was released anyways. Everything I have read about Salaam said he wsa going to be the backup LT. Of course Schwartz has stated that no postion is secure and the depth chart is open. During most of the work in OTA’s though Loper and Peterson we seen more frequently as the G’s.

by shanndiggit on Jun 26, 2009 1:11 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I like Raiola

But I hope he can power block, or we just signed an undersized center that will not be a good run blocker in the new scheme. I hope he dominates and goes to the pro bowl. I also hope Backus steps up. but at least we have Salaam and Jansen as a backup plan. I think Peterman looked a lot better near then end of last season….maybe he finally understood the zone blocking scheme? Hopefully him and Gos will do even better together in the new scheme. I don’t think Peterman is the weakest link. I think Backus was, and probably is. Hopefully the new additions will help him play better too.

by KDawg on Jun 25, 2009 5:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

undersized...

by 10-20lbs…. big whoop.

by CLF on Jun 26, 2009 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

CLF

I agree. Add tons of fire and desire and loyalty to his teammates, and he’s much bigger. Remember what new Lion’s unnofficial ‘spokesman’ Kevin Jones said about Dom. “No one has his tempo.” Also remember, if he steps on the scales BEFORE his morning dump, you’re talking 3 or 305. That’s the way it works for me, anyway.

by dylan415 on Jun 26, 2009 7:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

CLF

I’d say he is about 4-5 inches too short as well, which affects his reach and ability to hold off defenders. It is not all about how much he weighs, even though he should be 320lbs at least.

by KDawg on Jun 27, 2009 3:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Plus

I said I like the guy.

by KDawg on Jun 27, 2009 3:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm happy with the extension

He’s a solid player with the potential to be very good with a stronger line around him.

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

by Hyperion Ecta on Jun 25, 2009 7:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

This is dumb.....

…..this guy yells at fans that are unhappy with the team…….Hes undersized and overated…..Maybe they will move him to guard……DUMB MOVE!!!

by BennieBladesFan on Jun 26, 2009 11:49 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

No thumbs up here...

While I find it irritating the sour relationship he has with fans, I take more offense to his play on the field. I can’t ever get the image of him being pushed on his @$$ for seven straight goal line plays against the Packers a few years back. I’m extremely anti-Raiola and very nearly pissed off about this extension, so I’m constantly watching for him to screw up. That’s probably not entirely fair, but he screws up a lot!!! Tripping up his QB on pass plays, getting knocked on his rear in short yardage situations, and it seems like he’s constantly running into other blockers on run plays when he doesn’t have anyone to hit after the ball is snapped. The fact that he’s so vocal off the field only fuels the fire for me, but I seriously can’t stand this guy!

by Mushy on Jun 26, 2009 12:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

AMEN!!!!

He yells at fans that booed the team for playing awful last year…..yes overated at the center position as well……maybe he will play better……..But the way he treats the fans is sick…..Just sick

by BennieBladesFan on Jun 26, 2009 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

give him a break...

he was drafted in 2001 he has had arguably some of the worst coaches in franchise history since (marty, steve, rod) I am a firm believer that the o-line’s ineptness over the last few years had a more to do with the coaching and lack of communication than the players. wasn’t there an interview with a former lion a month ago that said the oline coach and OC were not on the same page at all last year.

also if i am not mistaken he had one altercation with fans last season when lost his cool and yelled at them after they were giving him crap. i dont excuse the behavior, he is a pro, but i believe it is an isolated incident, besides he apologized immediately afterwords.

"If your not with us...
you're with the terrorists!!"

by alpha lion on Jun 26, 2009 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh I'll give him a break...

…not really, that guy may suck (in my opinion) but I’m pretty sure his fat ass would shut me down like Michael Jackson’s heart (too soon?). Anyway, while I agree that the coaching has been aweful, that same coaching did still manage to get results out of Dre Bly, Shaun Rogers, Corey Redding, Roy Williams, Calvin Johnson, Kevin Jones and even Charles Rogers (at least to start). Raiola’s claim to fame is never missing any games and he even had that taken away from him this last year. Even is last year was a complete debacle on the Coach’s part, this guy has had almost a decade of suckiness that he should be held accountable for and not rewarded with. He’s just not a good football player, and that is what I take exception to most of all.

by Mushy on Jun 26, 2009 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Others

have done the same thing. Hell I remember Vick flipped off his fans too. Not to excuse the behavior. There is no excuse he is getting paid big money to be a professional. And I have always believed in the Quiet Professional concept. But emotions had to be going high last year with all the losses. And no one is perfect. I ask all of you who hold this against him “haven’t you ever made a mistake and done something or said something you regreted?” Would you not asked to be forgiven?

And to the comments on his playing ability. Think about it who has been our OL coach almost his entire career? I mean seriously the guy sucked. I am sure the whole staff debated on this extension and believe Raiola deserves it and will live up to it in the future. And I am sure they got the new Oline coaches opinion on the matter and I have heard nothing but great things so far about him. Especially the fct that he is a former NFL player at too. I see great things for this guy in the future.

by shanndiggit on Jun 26, 2009 2:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Let's See.....

Coaching. Remember Foster’s comments, which I believe to be true. How many of you have had bosses that didn’t know shit? For 20 years I worked for people that weren’t as smart as me, (Coletto), or couldn’t do my job in their lifetime, (Coletto). Now I’m training under people that know their shit (Yarno), did my job as they moved up (Yarno), and went through the same training back in their day (Yarno). I’m learning more than I ever have, even though I’m a veteran.

by dylan415 on Jun 26, 2009 7:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

great post

I completely agree. I think the reason you stated is exactly why they didnt go after a lineman in the draft ( aside from murtha) Schwartz thinks this line has at least some grossly misshandled talent including Dom.

"If your not with us...
you're with the terrorists!!"

by alpha lion on Jun 26, 2009 8:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs