Lions Trade for Safety Ko Simpson, Release Orion Martin

by Sean Yuille on Sep 4, 2009 7:14 PM EDT in Detroit Lions Roster

The Lions have traded an undisclosed 2010 draft pick to the Buffalo Bills in exchange for safety Ko Simpson pending a physical. To make room on the roster for Simpson, the Lions released defensive end Orion Martin.

Simpson is entering his fourth year in the league. He played in all 16 games in his rookie season and last year. In 2007, he suffered a broken ankle during the first game of the season and was placed on the injured reserve. On the first day of 2009 Simpson was arrested in his hometown of Rock Hill, South Carolina, for "hindering police while they were attempting to break up an unruly crowd." He supposedly said to police, "I'm Ko Simpson with the Buffalo Bills. I am worth millions!"

This move was a bit surprising since we are just a day away from the final round of roster cuts, but the Lions obviously didn't feel completely confident in the safety position. If they did, no trade would have been made, especially not a day before the roster will be trimmed down to 53 players.

Brian Galliford of Buffalo Rumblings had this to say about the trade:

Indeed I am floored.

Not that y’all didn’t pick up a solid player. Ko’s actually entering his fourth year out of South Carolina. He missed the 2007 season in its entirety with an ankle injury. He doesn’t produce a lot of stats, isn’t terribly athletic, and lost his job last year to Bryan Scott, a guy we picked up off the street.

Still, as far as young guys go, Ko’s pretty dependable. He’ll give up the occasional big play, but he can be pretty tough in run support. If you guys have a pass rush, he might make a play here and there, because he does have some ball skills. It’s not a bad trade. I guess I’m just floored because literally, the chances were extremely slim that he’d make our roster.

I guess we will just have to trust Martin Mayhew on this one.

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Comments

Strange....Indeed

I don’t really know what to think about this one, so I’ll just go with you Sean and trust that Mayhew sees something that we all don’t.

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

by Hyperion Ecta on Sep 4, 2009 7:56 PM EDT reply actions

I don't know...

I think this is a good move. Even if Simpson doesn’t start, he should add some depth and is a likely improvement over Schwiegert (whom I personally like, but let’s be realistic about his ability) and Manuel. He might even be an upgrade over Pearson and be our starter. I think this trade says more about our lack of talent versus how good Simpson is or isn’t.

I think we all need to be prepared for a flurry of post-cut Lion’s signings. Even after our own roster cuts, this team make-up is going to change dramatically. In other words, just because someone makes it through the 53 man cuts Saturday, does not mean he will be lining up for Detroit in New Orleans. Any player that gets cut on another team will not care which team signs him and the Lions will “pounce” on everyone they feel is an upgrade – and the players will sign too. Uncertainty of a job will give an 0-16 team an advantage if they are the first with the checkbooks open.

by DrewsLions on Sep 4, 2009 7:57 PM EDT reply actions

WTF ?

You give up a draft pick knowing full well that come Sunday night over 700 players will be on the waiver wire. Why the rush ? I’m sure we’ll lose some good players and maybe pick up some talent. However, I think some one hit the panic button early and this smacks of a bone head move to me…

by Keevatron on Sep 4, 2009 8:05 PM EDT reply actions

The Lions would have had first shot at him on the waiver wire… I am curious about the trade myself.

He is not a bad player, just not a great player. He will be good depth for you guys he just lost his spot on our roster right now.

Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.

by MattRichWarren on Sep 4, 2009 8:19 PM EDT up reply actions

it is his contact they wanted

Just Remember matt... what would Daunte do??

by det32 on Sep 4, 2009 8:38 PM EDT up reply actions

He is an upgrade over Pearson, Manuel, and Schweigert

SO I am happy with that…….2 time all SEC and 2 time All American…..4 years removed. I think he will be a good addition to the team. Whoever Brian Galliford is, he might not know what he is talking about. Bryan Scott is entering his 10th year in Buffalo, so they can have good luck with that guy.

by KDawg on Sep 4, 2009 9:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Brian Galliford

Is to the Bills what Sean is to the Lions, he most likely knows more than we will ever know

We didn't lose the games, we just ran out of time -- Bobby Layne

by detpistons3 on Sep 4, 2009 11:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Um yeah

Brian runs our Buffalo site. As detpistons3 pointed out, his knowledge of the Bills is like my knowledge of the Lions.

Pride of Detroit, SB Nation's Lions Blog

by Sean Yuille on Sep 5, 2009 12:46 AM EDT up reply actions

That is good

I am sure he is a rather knowledgeable guy when it comes to the Bills. However, not even you know everything there is to know about the Lions, Sean. I do not claim to know it all myself either. It would be delusional to think that you do. All I meant to say was that we are all outsiders and we do not know what is truly going on, nor do we know what the Bills intended to do with Ko Simpson. Not only that but we do not know what Martin Mayhew, or any other GM, has been told, seen, or been involved in. Brian Galliford and Sean Yuille may be very knowledgeable in reference to their chosen fanaticism, but neither one of them is an insider. It is not impossible, or even unlikely, that they do not know all of the circumstances surrounding their chosen team’s decisions. No offense intended.

by KDawg on Sep 5, 2009 1:12 PM EDT up reply actions

True

But imagine if a team (let’s call them Dallas) traded for Kerry Colbert and their community didn’t know anything about him. Sean would most likely say the same that Brian did, he was about to be cut. We’ve seen what he can do, and we’re pretty confident in saying this. I imagine the same is true for Brian

We didn't lose the games, we just ran out of time -- Bobby Layne

by detpistons3 on Sep 5, 2009 1:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Just to let you know...

Scott was a second round pick out of penn st. and was not drafted by the bills. he has only been on the team for a few years. I am a member of Buffalo rumblings and as the other guys pointed out Brian is incredibly knowledgeable about the bills. Scott is a hard hitter and is finally learning the nuances of the Cover 2 defense. With our drafting of Jarius Bird from Oregon in the second round, having a 1st round pick in Whitner and keeping George Wilson Simpson became the odd man out which is whyit is shocking (and pleasing) to bills fans that we got anything at all for this guy. Just for the record there are plenty of All SEC and All Americans that stink it up in the NFL. That said Simpson is a solid player who is decent in run support but lacks working knowledge of true cover skills and closing angles. I watched LaDanian Tomlinson run by him WHEN SIMPSON HAD THE ANGLE like he was standing still. For your team he will provide immediate depth and may even start. So good luck with that guy.

by drewzilla53 on Sep 5, 2009 3:09 AM EDT up reply actions

He’s making a million with one year left if I am not mistaken. It’s not a bad deal for you guys. If you pick him up on waivers don’t you get the contract?

Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.

by MattRichWarren on Sep 5, 2009 9:46 AM EDT up reply actions

I do not think so

I think anyone who is waived and claimed has to sign a new contract.

by KDawg on Sep 5, 2009 1:12 PM EDT up reply actions

im sure it was a 7th rounder.....

…..plus this way they were guaranteed to get him…..Who knows maybe buffalo wasent goingto release him

by BennieBladesFan on Sep 5, 2009 8:27 AM EDT up reply actions

He was caught in a numbers game, sure. But if the Bills don’t release him can’t they make the trade on Sunday or Monday? I just think it’s odd timing.

Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.

by MattRichWarren on Sep 5, 2009 9:47 AM EDT up reply actions

I can agree with that

The timing may have been odd, but nobody knows what other potential deals were out there for the Bills to consider. Maybe Mayhew just decided not to wait, in case someone else made an offer before Sunday or Monday.

by KDawg on Sep 5, 2009 1:14 PM EDT up reply actions

something else to consider

you guys remember a comment made by gunther about a month or so ago about mayhew and how he made him watch all this film on some guy and he busted his balls about it…

I get the impression from that alone that Mayhew consults other people specifically his coaching staff on whether they want a guy or not…maybe that isnt the case, but thats the impression I am under, so perhaps this is something that schwartz and co wanted as well.

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

by alpha lion on Sep 4, 2009 9:11 PM EDT reply actions

not too concerned

It is probably a pick based on production, and unless he has a pro bowl season it won’t be any higher than a 6th.
He’s young and has experience starting in a rough division. Sounds like he has a chip on his shoulder. That’s my only concern, Shaun Smith and now Ko.
So we could have the Cletus and Ko show on sundays…. LoL

When angry, count four; when very angry, swear. ~Mark Twain, Pudd'nhead Wilson, 1894

by Leapin Lion on Sep 4, 2009 9:11 PM EDT via mobile reply actions