Thank God for Northcutt!

by Dan S on Jul 8, 2009 5:28 PM EDT Comment 47 comments

It's nice to see the Lions FINALLY get that all-important 7th wide receiver they were so desperately craving. Good thing the secondary, D-Line & O-Line are all solid & taken care of, allowing the Lions to fill their huge holes at WR...NOT Seriously, the Lions have 6 WR's I'd rather see play ahead of Northcutt...Calvin Johnson, Bryant Johnson, Ronald Curry, Keary Colbert (he's 5 years younger than Northcutt), Derrick Williams (exciting rookie potential) & John Standeford (really liked what I saw out of him). Is Travis Taylor still on the roster?? He's younger than Northcutt too! I hope they didn't sign him to return punts. Jax stopped using him as a PR for a reason. I don't necessarily hate Northcutt, he was just the last thing the Lions needed, unless he can play CB.....

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pride of Detroit's main writer, Sean, or the site in general. FanPosts are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable fans.

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LOL..Amen

I do hate northcut…he hasnt been legit since cleveland

http://cmufootball.blogspot.com/

by CapitolLions on Jul 8, 2009 5:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

So let me ask you this...

Would you rather have the all important 7th wide receiver who is, in all honesty, probably better than all but the first 3 of those other guys you listed (specifically in the slot), or have the all important 5th/6th safety who was going to probably be cut after camp?

Northcutt isn’t fantastic, he isn’t young, but he’s an experienced veteran who knows his job. I would be happy to see him in the slot, with Megatron and Johnson on the outside. Curry is here for return skills, but he’s not a slot reciever. If anything he COULD challenge for the #2 position, but Keary Colbert and John Standeford are 4th WRs regardless. Colbert sucks and Standeford is an overacheiver who will never really pan out.

I’ll spell it out: Young does not automatically = better. Would you rather get something for nothing or get nothing for nothing?

by Nate D. on Jul 8, 2009 6:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'd rather have something for nothing

But in this case we got nothing for nothing. I’m not saying it was a bad trade. It was a useless trade since the WR was the most stacked position we had. Why not trade for a position you need? Young doesn’t equal better if you’re talking about T.O. or Randy Moss….but we’re talking about Northcutt. He is washed up. Challenge for #2? Not ahead of Bryant Johnson, not even ahead of Curry. Standeford will continue to impress and will get a spot ahead of Northcutt.

by CelticsFever on Jul 8, 2009 11:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Then who would you have us trade Gerald Alexander for?

If we have a player who we know isn’t in high demand, who the coaches know isn’t going to make the roster, why not trade for a player who might make the roster?

We didn’t lose any value with this trade. I certainly wouldn’t fault the coaches for not being able to trade Alexander for a third-round pick—that’s just an unrealistic expectation.

Trading depth players for starters and draft picks would be great, but it doesn’t happen. Trading depth guys we don’t want for depth guys we might want is not a bad idea.

It’s easy to get so used to the swindle we pulled on Dallas for Roy Williams, but you can’t really expect every trade to be a blockbuster steal for the Lions.

I’m fine with the Northcutt trade.

by n4ry4 on Jul 9, 2009 10:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Missing the point

Yes this was a good trade, but a useless trade. I know you can’t get much for Alexander and I wasn’t expecting anything better than Northcutt. I was expecting something different than Northcutt. They didn’t need another WR, that was my point. If we actually needed another WR, then I’m very happy with Northcutt. Who would I have us trade Alexander for? How about a depth player that plays any other position besides WR, who MIGHT make the team? The Lions are lacking at many positions, WR is not one of them. How about a back up cornerback, O-lineman or D-lineman that MIGHT make the team? Nothcutt IS a very good player compared to Alexander…and in theory it was a GREAT trade. We just didn’t need a WR. I would have taken a lesser known player as long as it was at a position we needed.

by Dan S on Jul 9, 2009 10:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

No, I got the point. I just don't really agree with it.

1. We could release Alexander (if the coaches were pretty sure he’d get cut), or we could trade him and actually get something. The fact that we traded him already gives us something.

2. We don’t know how much value we could have got for Alexander. Maybe our top three offers were a backup Linebacker (of which we have plenty), a backup Tackle (of which we have plenty), and Dennis Northcutt. Who knows? I’ll give the coaches the benefit of the doubt that that the got the trade that would be the most useful trade for the team.

3. Just because we already have a bunch of backups on the roster doesn’t mean that they’re all the same, or that a particular WR out there, with is own set of skills, can’t beat a lot of them for a spot on the depth chart.

4. You brought up Derrick Williams as an example—I see the Northcutt trade as a good thing, because of what I’ve heard about Williams. Williams has been slowed by injuries so far this offseason.

If a rookie (who already may need extra development time because he’s a rookie) falls even further behind because of injury, then it’s actually a good idea to go out and get a veteran with the same skill set (slot guy with return skills) who can contribute right away while the rookie heals and catches up.

If the coaches hoped that Derrick Williams would be a solid slot guy with return potential, and Williams is not where they’d like him to be, then why not plug Northcutt into that role because he’s ready right now, and give Williams time to heal and prepare?

This is not a big trade, but I still think it’s got the potential to be very useful for the start of the season, possibly longer.

by n4ry4 on Jul 9, 2009 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Jax knew what they were doing

Northcutt was their #2 receiver last season and they don’t have much depth at the position this season. Matt Jones, Reggie Williams and Jerry Porter are gone. Why trade Northcutt for basically nothing when your team is short on receivers? They must know Northcutt is washed up and doesn’t have anything left to offer. All they have is a slightly less washed up Tory Holt and never-was Troy Williamson. Mike Walker is their WR#3 as of now…if Northcutt wasn’t good enough for them, why would he be good enough here?

by Dan S on Jul 10, 2009 6:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Jax is very happy

with their draft picks. They drafted 3 WR’s. What Jax does not have is any Safety depth. That is why Jax sought out a trade with Detroit.

by JCruize on Jul 10, 2009 9:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

To back up JC, the Jaguars drafted Mike Thomas and Jarret Dillard and are very happy with both.

I have been a regular visitor of the Jaguar SB site lately and they are very thrilled about Thomas. He looks to be an excellent PR/KR guy and an outstanding slot receiver. I agree with them. I really liked Thomas and I think they got a steal in the fourth round.
Their weakness is at #2 receiver. Or #1, depending on how you look at Holt. They have a good TE and are planning on running the ball a lot. I suspect they will pick up another WR in the last round of cuts after training camp.

by NorthLeft12 on Jul 11, 2009 9:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

There are a number of teams looking for Defensive Tackles

While I would like to see them sign another DT to augment our currently horrible group, they are just not available.
Someone on this site mentioned the possibility of picking up a late DT cut near the end of the training camps. Unfortunately, that is probably the Lions best option unless Fluellen and Hill show that they can become a regular part of the DT rotation.

Northcutt has some value and I for one see him as our #3 WR now. A #3 WR is far more valuable than a #4 Safety.

by NorthLeft12 on Jul 9, 2009 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think we all just have to pray...

that Mayhew knew what he was doing here. They were able to evaluate all their talent at minicamp and they obviously didn’t see anything in Alexander and saw a need for a wideout. My guess is they were hoping that Curry or D.Williams would be ready to play the slot and they are not. Heck, Williams can’t even get on the practice field, let alone learn the slot position. I’ll bet you Charles Roger’s current salary that Northcutt starts the season as the #3 receiver.

by DrewsLions on Jul 8, 2009 7:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'll bet real money

that Northcutt doesn’t make the final roster unless there are injuries. Johnson & Johnson and Curry are easily 1,2 & 3. If Curry isn’t ready I won’t be surprised to see Standeford impressing his way into the job. My guess is that Northcutt was brought here to compete for the punt return job, which we will end up not needing. You need speed at the slot position and Northcutt hasn’t had that for a while.

by CelticsFever on Jul 8, 2009 11:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

please learn who is the Lions

number one pick was. I have no idea who " Standeford " is.

by JCruize on Jul 9, 2009 1:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He is a 6th string WR

Actually got playing time last year. That tells you why the coaches thought we needed more help on WR.

by ATL Lion on Jul 9, 2009 8:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

John Standeford is a 2nd year WR

who actually started the last 4 games when McDonald was out, and had 3 catches for 82 yards in the finale against Green Bay. Matt Stafford is a QB and the #1 draft pick…not the same person.

by Dan S on Jul 9, 2009 10:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah I know.. My BAD

I was half asleep when I read CelticsFever post. I just think it was his " Handle" that made me take a shot at him.

by JCruize on Jul 9, 2009 11:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wow Bishop

A little touchy today? lol. I’ with him on this I realy liked what I saw out of him last year as well. All the guy did was catch everything near him. What more can you want out of your #3? More speed?

by davis0169 on Jul 11, 2009 1:35 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not sure I agree... and might take that bet.

Northcutt is good for about 40 catches every year – which is about all you need from the slot in our offense. No, he’s not as fast as he used to be, but he’s still very quick in and out of his breaks and has decent hands. I’ll almost guarantee he’ll make the roster and most likely contribute. He’s a stop-gap, no doubt. But should be effective.

Think about it. If C.Johnson gets 85 balls, B.Johnson gets 60, Pettigrew about 50, Northcutt around 40 and figure the backs will get 40ish… what else do we need? That’s close to 200 passes right there. I think we are set at receiver now. The big question is not what Curry or Northcutt gives us, but what Bryant Johnson does that’s pivotal. Can he take some pressure off Calvin?

Curry has underachieved for a few years now. They brought him here to compete and see if he could build back to his pre-injury self. There’s no guarantee whatsoever that he contributes this year. Standeford showed a little spark in pre-season… enough for the Lions to keep him around in some capacity. But when he got his chance, he was overmatched. He’s a training camp body with all the other potential at the position.

by DrewsLions on Jul 9, 2009 7:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Look at Jacksonville

Matt Jones, Reggie Williams, and Jerry Porter are gone. Tory Holt is WR1 Troy Williamson is WR2 and a guy named Mike Walker is WR3. Why would Jax trade Northcutt for a guy the Lions were going to cut? If Northcutt can still contribute, why not keep him when you obviously need him? All the reasons people give for liking Northcutt on the Lions should also apply to why Jax should like Northcutt. But they didn’t. THEY were the ones who were trying to trade him. That makes me think that Northcutt is no longer good for his 40 catches a year, and probably no longer good for much else. Jax sure could use a 40 catch contributing veteran right about now at their WR3…but they passed. It’s pretty suspicious.

I’ll bet Northcutt doesn’t make the final roster UNLESS Curry isn’t ready AND D Willaims isn’t ready AND Standeford is not impressive in the preason OR Northcutt blows us all away in the preseason. I’m all in favor of Northcutt contributing, I just don’t think he will. Those are my terms, name your bet sir! (BTW I’m CelticsFever, I just couldn’t stand the name anymore)

by Dan S on Jul 10, 2009 7:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Jacksonville drafted two slot receivers in 2009

Thomas and Dillard are both ideal for the slot receiver position. Cheaper and younger and probably faster than Northcutt. The Lions don’t have a slot receiver. Curry and Williams are #2 receiver types. I would not be surprised if Northcutt is second or third in receptions on this team by the end of the year. I am not a big fan of Bryant. He has been amazingly mediocre for the Cardinals then the 49ers.

by NorthLeft12 on Jul 11, 2009 10:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hope you misses about 50 rec.

And let them be screen plays to a certain RB. Or circle plays out of the backfield, Smith has to be more than just a running RB. That’s one thing we have not ever talked about is how is Smith going to be used in the passing game, or Morris he can catch pretty good out of the backfield.

by davis0169 on Jul 11, 2009 1:39 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

smith has hands too

not faulk like by any means, but he can certainly be effective on swing plays or circle routs

by londonlion on Jul 11, 2009 10:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Northcutt is easily 4th or even 3rd on the depth chart

Do I like the trade? Not really, but Northcutt is a talented veteren and I see him helping our team more than Alexander, since I didn’t see him featuring largely this year.

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

by Hyperion Ecta on Jul 8, 2009 9:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Everyone here

is talking like it was the Lions that sought out a trade with Jacksonville for Northcutt. What if it was Jacksonville that wanted Alexander? With cap numbers and everything, maybe Northcutt was the best that the Lions could get. This is not Madden football. This is the real thing. Not to many teams our illing to give up good DT’s. Or even average DT’s. The Lions got a good player. For a player that was not going to play. When the Lions bought in Curry and Johnson. They were the best option at that time. Maybe Schwartz thought thaqt Curry would help in the return game. But after the draft with Williams. Now maybe it is Curry that is the odd man out. What my point is that. There is alot of maybes and what if’s. It is not even training camp yet. Wait to after training camp to judge this trade.

by JCruize on Jul 9, 2009 1:41 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Northcutt was a good trade

and there was no way the Lions could have gotten anything better for Alexander. Except you don’t need depth at WR. Why not take a player who isn’t as well known as Northcutt, and maybe even not as good, but at a position you actually need? We already had 6 WR’s good enough to make the team. Now we have 7, and one or maybe two won’t even make the team. Trade for a position that actually needs depth. Even if it’s a lesser player….that’s all I was saying…not that the trade was bad. It was a good trade, but a useless trade.

by Dan S on Jul 9, 2009 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The only problem with your argument...

is that you are assuming that we have 6 good wide receivers. We don’t see the practices. The coaches obviously had concerns over depth and more specifically the slot position.

Everyone keeps talking about Curry, but he’s not a slot guy. I don’t believe he’s even played that position before. He’s a classic flanker at 6-2, 200+ pounds. Even if he looks good, he’s backing up Johnson & Johnson on the outside (unless he beats out Bryant). I think the coaches were counting on Derrick Williams to pick up the slack in the slot, but he can’t even get on the field. Right now, he can’t be counted on for anything other than kick/punt returns.

I’m a tad perplexed on the Alexander trade too, but I’m also not sure where everyone is seeing this 6-7 receiver depth. I see Calvin and a bunch of question marks. At least Northcutt is close to a proven commodity at the slot and good for a solid 40+ balls. Please… someone name me these 6 or 7 solid wideouts we have?

by DrewsLions on Jul 9, 2009 7:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

See above...

Jax only has 2 decent receivers, why not keep Northcutt? (See my post above)

Here’s who I like btter than Northcutt:
C Johnson
B Johnson
Curry
Standeford
D Williams
Colbert
Travis Taylor (if he’s still on the roster)
Of course I’m under the assumption that Northcutt is completely washed up and that was why Jax was willing to let him go. I may be wrong, and if Northcutt is impressive in the preseason he definitely goes up the list. I hope he proves me wrong.

by Dan S on Jul 10, 2009 7:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

also

Northcutt isn’t a slot guy either, at least not anymore with those old legs. You need a speed guy for the slot, which is probably the reason JAX didn’t want him anymore. They probably saw in THEIR practices that the speed was gone. There was some indication of that last season when he stopped returning punts for the first time in his career.

by Dan S on Jul 10, 2009 7:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Watch the tape....

He’s faster than you think he is. He’s a ninth year player. He’s got some legs left.

by DrewsLions on Jul 10, 2009 8:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Northcutt caught 44 balls last year...

so I don’t think he’s washed up. They just badly needed safety depth and felt like they had enough at receiver. I think that maybe we’re overthinking this trade too much. We needed a reliable slot man and back-up returner and JAX needed safety depth. As for all those guys you mentioned beside Calvin… big question marks. Northcutt played better than all of them but Bryant Johnson last year and that’s a fact.

BTW… Johnson caught 45 to Northcutt’s 44…. not a very big difference. Oh yeah… Curry caught only 19!

by DrewsLions on Jul 10, 2009 8:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Has anyone mentioned

Who was throwing the ball in Jax last year? The answer is no one threw the ball in Jax last year. I would like to think that Dr.Pepper or Staff who ever wins out is a better passer than what they played with in Jax last year at least.When I think Jax I think 1 thing and that is pound the ball with the 2 Backs that they HAD last year.

by davis0169 on Jul 11, 2009 1:45 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Umm... David Garrard?

Last time I checked, he was a pretty good quarterback. Better than both Culpepper and Stafford right now. He had a little bit of an off year, but he’s a solid QB.

by DrewsLions on Jul 11, 2009 8:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Last Year?

Take away the screen plays to both of the rb’s and Garrard had a very average year at best. It was more like MJD left MJD right and 3rd down bring in old reliable for a run. With a sprinkling of pass plays.

by davis0169 on Jul 11, 2009 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think it had more to do with the talent around him

That’s why they basically cleaned house around him. Also, they had many injuries on the offensive line last year. Garrad is a better than average quarterback.

by DrewsLions on Jul 11, 2009 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

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

by Hyperion Ecta on Jul 11, 2009 7:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh same here

But Garrard really didn’t have a good season throwing the ball last year, And I think he will be moree productive here this year than last year in Jax. Especially when Megatron will demand at least double coverage if not man with zone over and under him.

by davis0169 on Jul 11, 2009 11:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Jacksonville was trying to deal Northcutt

They probably wanted a pick, but Detroit offered them Alexander instead.

Pride of Detroit, SB Nation's Lions Blog

by Sean Yuille on Jul 9, 2009 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

As Sean said,

Jacksonville was trying to deal Northcutt, I have to believe Mayhew & Co felt it would improve their training camp roster, even if only by .0001% it’s still an improvement. I feel comfortable with the trade because Schwartz faced Northcutt twice a year and I’m sure seen plenty of film on the guy. If the Lions keep improving the bottom end of the roster we will eventually have depth.

by Runnin' Rebel on Jul 9, 2009 1:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Is Bryant Johnson really that good?

He played on the 49ers last year with Martz as the offensive coach ( you know, the guy that likes to throw.) and I don’t think he was all that impressive. I had him on a fantasy league and he was inconsistant at best IMO. Guess I will do some research.

by Lead Hunter on Jul 9, 2009 9:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

After further review.......

Northcutt, Curry, B.Johnson and Colbert have stats that are simular, when averaged out per year. Granted, Northcutt is older but only by a couple years. I am not trying to say he will be great but Megatron being the obvious #1, he could emerge as the number 2 receiver. Key word COULD. I do not see Standeford, or even Colbert knocking Northcutt off the team. IMO, this could be an interesting battle for starting and depth at WR.

by Lead Hunter on Jul 9, 2009 9:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed!

Does he actually help our roster?? I really liked Standeford last year. i never heard of him but he really showed me he was worth playingNorthcutt;s to old let the younger ones with just as much talent play!!

by doubleb12 on Jul 10, 2009 11:12 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

in all these wr pickups...why has no one looked at

marvin harrison. what a great #2 & mentor to a young megatron. slide whoever in at slot & #4 i don’t care really…but c’mon…marvin is still out there. the only reason i can think of is that he is holding out for the right contract & if he doesn’t get it he will go back to indy towards the end of preseason

by londonlion on Jul 11, 2009 10:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I got this one guys.

Starvin Marvin wants top dollars no matter where he plays. And if no one will pay him, he claims that he will retire. Or shoot someone outside of his club. I think Starvin Marvin is just waiting until camps open then he will sign somewhere. Thank god that the Patriots already signed Galloway, think of how scary that could of been. Moss and Harrision on the outside with Welker in the slot. No secondary would of been safe.

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

no doubt

thanks

by londonlion on Jul 12, 2009 8:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I can't believe...

…this trade even turned in to this much discussion. I don’t see how either team made huge strides or mistakes with this move. What I got out of the post was that why out of all the positions still needing improvement are the Lions even looking at Wide Receiver? I think that’s a valid point, but considering everything the Lions have done in the last eight years I give this move a 5/10 on benefit and a 0.5/10 on relevance.

by Mushy on Jul 13, 2009 12:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs