Larry Foote to Test Free Agency
by Sean Yuille on Feb 4, 2010 10:35 AM EST
in Detroit Lions News
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PrintLarry Foote came to Detroit after being released by the Steelers last year with the hope of finishing his career in his hometown. Now, though, whether or not that will actually happen is very up in the air, both because of the Lions' potential future plans for the linebacker position and because of Foote's feelings about the way the organization is handling this situation.
With the emergence of DeAndre Levy, it is unknown if the Lions will want to spend the money on someone like Foote, who possibly could be beat out by the young linebacker from Wisconsin. Gunther Cunningham has talked about how he someday wants to see Levy leading the defense as the starting middle linebacker, although it's possible he could start at outside linebacker as well. Just how long the Lions want to wait before Levy becomes a starter, namely at MLB, will play a big role in whether or not Foote is brought back.
On top of that, there is an issue with how many years Foote would get on his contract if he is brought back. Foote wants a multi-year contract, but who knows if the Lions will be open to that considering there is no guarantee that he will be anything more than a backup in a few years. I suppose the Lions could take the risk considering how great Foote is for the city of Detroit off the field and considering he passed up other offers to join the Lions last year, but the newest issue with this situation is that he is feeling a little unwanted right now and is more than willing to listen to offers from other teams.
"We're just going to free agency and see from there," said Foote, citing unproductive talks between his agent, Brian Levy, and Lions general manager Martin Mayhew. "I mean, obviously, I'm not a big priority for them. So that's just how I'm taking it."
I think it would be a big mistake if the Lions don't bring Foote back. I definitely understand that they don't want to break the bank or anything like that, but Foote is a great leader, brings a veteran presence to the defense, and as mentioned, he is a great person for the city of Detroit. If DeAndre Levy continues to improve and it gets to the point where he is ready to start full time either in the middle or outside, then some serious consideration will have to be given to which other linebackers should stay on the team. Obviously Foote's name will come up as someone who may not be part of the picture down the road, but I don't believe the Lions are quite to the point where they can pass up talent at linebacker. Sure, it's nice to have solid depth at that position for a change, but that doesn't mean that players like Foote suddenly have become expendable.
I guess we will have to wait and see what happens with Foote, but my guess is that his comments are nothing more than an attempt to gain some leverage with the Lions. If he hits the open market, I'd be willing to bet more than a few teams will come calling, so this is basically a warning to the Lions that if they're going to get something done with a new contract offer, they better do it before free agency begins. At that point, anything could happen.
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Footes leadership on defense is invaluable. We need people in the locker room like foote to build a winning mentality with our young defensive players.
Yes
We do he was one of the Lions best players defesively but he is getting older and might fall apart anyways.
love to have him for depth
but we should be looking to start Levy at MLB. Follett has earned a closer look. if he can play MLB, then he might be a good back-up. Dizon remains a good passing situation MLB.
Peterson-Levy-Sims to start things off.
Yawn
First off this type of chatter always gets thrown around to get negotiations going. Secondly there is not a “market” for Larry Foote. Just us and the Colts were really interested a year ago, and nobody was willing to trade for him. Lastly I do like Larry Foote as a Lion. It would be a mistake to let him walk away and at the same time it would be a mistake to pay a two down linebacker like a full time starter. I hope they find a happy medium.
If he leaves he leaves.....
…..at least we will get a compensatory pick in 2011……I wouldnt pay him big bucks either.
by BennieBladesFan on Feb 4, 2010 11:22 AM EST reply actions
Just me?
Or is it funny to anyone else that Foote’s agent is named Levy and the guy who will probably take his starting spot is also named Levy. Probably just me.
I root for the Tigers, Pistons, Red Wings and yes, the Lions.
www.twitter.com/zajareich
Martin Millen
He is no different. When you go out and mess around with Larry Foote and say you want to resign Will James i seriously question your ability to run a Football team. Larry Foote is the leading tackler for us but yet we have an up and coming supposed star. How do we know that Levy is not a one hit wonder? Sims what the heck did he do for us this year? Injuries, what if your boy Levy goes down? you want Follett to take his place? you want Old man Peterson to play every down out there? Don’t even tell me about how we can get a FA MLB. Use a Draft pick on one? what a waste. Martin Mayhew is nothing more than the next Matt Millen. WILL JAMES IS GOING TO BE RESIGNED!!! am i seriously the only one who watched a game last year? he got burned on every single play. Resign Larry Foote to start (Screw Levy what the heck has he proven? oh he made some tackles, Whop de do da day.) Larry Foote has Started 2 Superbowls, Levy is a Rookie. KEEP THE VETERAN ON THE TEAM. Goodness please somebody tell me a good reason to let Larry Foote walk away? and don’t give me the DeAndre Levy is an up and comer or the it frees up a roster spot. Please, please tell me how does this make any sense?
To be clear
Mayhew didn’t say anything about who specifically he wants to re-sign. Tom Kowalski simply reported those names as players the Lions would like to bring back. And Foote was on that last anyways.
Pride of Detroit, SB Nation's Lions Blog
yes i know
Where does Killer get these lists though? he has heard rumors with his connections.
Mayhew is not some great GM he got lucky with Roy Williams and had such a crappy team that all his Draft picks could be impact players. We will see what he does this year
Will James....
….is a good backup corner and is great for depth…..He would also come cheaper then Foote…..Levy is clearly the starter at MLB and they dont want to pay Foote big bucks to be a backup….They also know we will get some sort of compensatory pick in 2011 for him leaving.
by BennieBladesFan on Feb 4, 2010 12:02 PM EST up reply actions
how do we get a Compensatory Pick?
he is not a Restricted FA. Sign Foote to a 2-3 year Deal at a nice price and let him and Levy go at it in Training Camp. Levy has earned nothing.
You may be .....
….right about RFA but it stil goes into effect for compensatroies next season….I love Levy and think he will be fine next year in the middle…Also if someone doesnt want to be here I dont want him here.
by BennieBladesFan on Feb 4, 2010 4:02 PM EST up reply actions
It's called sources
How about you wait to see what happens before completely writing off Mayhew.
Pride of Detroit, SB Nation's Lions Blog
your right lets wait and see
I just think its a spit in the face to Larry Foote who sacrificed a ton to come home and help build up an organzation. I think it is wrong and i think Mayhew is handling it incredibly terrible
it's early
we have till March 1st… it’s that just that…. leverage.. don’t you see it.. try to drum up the market? It’s way too early to freak… some deals are done at the last minute… relax… it’s a normal process… but I would at least be cordial to the guy so he does want to resign
GO LIONS in 2010! the transformation starts now.. they have much to do.
Define sacrificed a ton...
because the steelers were going to put him on the bench so he asked to be released, they obliged and then we gave him a market value contract. I’m glad he was a Lion last year and would like to see him back but if we end up using the money we would’ve spent on him on a quality player at another position we can’t really complain.
Colts
he could be the Starting MLB for them right now so tell me where does that put him?
Foote had a mediocre year....
And is NOT a guaranteed starter. There’s no way he’s getting a top MLB paycheck from the Lions.
by CLF on Feb 5, 2010 8:00 AM EST up reply actions
Agree
Foote gaev up a lot to go from a superbowl team to an 0-16 team. Literally from first to worst. I don’t care that Levy “might” become a starter, Foote is good enough to play for at least 3 or 4 more years, so lets sign him to that. You can rotate Levy through. Its not like we have so many superstars that we need to cut someone for cap reasons.
What concerns me the most is how Mayhew is handling it. Foote left the Steelers because they wanted to make a younger guy the starter over him. He then fought with PIT a little bit to make sure he was released in such a way that he could go to the Lions. Why we would suggest he take a backup role to a guy with 1/2 a season of good work is beyond me. Even if Levy ends up being an all-world player, we have still crapped on a guy who gave up a ton to come play for us. Why? To prove to other FAs that if you come play for us we will stab you in the back? Big boo to the FO.
What in the heck are you guys talking about?
How else does one “handle” it? This is a football team, not a philanthropy contest. Every player has 2 variables….talent and cost. Obviously Foote has NFL talent, but that talent might warrant a backup position next year…if his cost is that of a starter then it is simple….no deal.
Being a great guy and a great leader is irrelevant. If the team is full of appropriately costed players at the starting and backup positions that happen to be great guys and great leaders, then awesome…that’s great….but it doesn’t drive the decision making.
You don’t “suggest” a backup role to an employee….you assign it.
We’re not “crapping” on a player…all this emotional stuff is just typical negotiating strategy between both sides to sway public opinion because public opinion tends to assign emotional characteristics like “deserve” and “earn” and “character”, etc to what is really just a simple, cut-throat business decision.
…in my opinion
by HoorayForEverything on Feb 4, 2010 12:55 PM EST up reply actions
ha, you posted this 10 seconds before...
mine, and they are the same thing. Funny.
by lions_sucker on Feb 4, 2010 12:57 PM EST up reply actions
well if i am nuts
then i am not alone
by HoorayForEverything on Feb 4, 2010 1:04 PM EST up reply actions
+1000
This is bullshit. Sorry guys but I’m not heralding Levy as some up and coming player… He’s shown me nothing that Teddy Lehman didn’t show me in 2005 or whatever.
I’m pissed.
Did you watch......
….Lecy play last year…..Great reads…..Amazing knack for getting to the ball…..Plays good coverage./….Thats enough for me to say start Levy
by BennieBladesFan on Feb 4, 2010 4:07 PM EST up reply actions
I agree Nate
The Lions would be making a major mistake by not resigning Larry Foote. I say give him a 4 year deal and get it done now. Levy was good as a fill in player, for a ROOKIE in a BACKUP role. He is NOT suddenly a starter, and he should not be thrust into that role yet. That is the fastest way to turn him into the next Teddy Lehman, Paris Lenon, or Boss Bailey. We need Foote to remain here so that Levy can learn from a solid veteran with Super Bowl experience. Foote need not play every down, and Levy can continue to rotate in at OLB and even MLB. Don’t get me wrong…..I am duly impressed with Levy. I just do not think he has the experience needed to lead our defense, which will be younger still next year. Foote has that experience, and we need him.
Totally agree
The thing with Foote, as I understand it anyways, is that he DOES want to play every down, and unlike other people and the team apparently, I think he will do much better for us here. Like someone else said, he’d be a starter on a team like the Colts.
The FO said we’re not in the business of giving talent away, the cupboard is too bare… so how is this any different? You’re telling me that Levy or whoever we bring in is going to do better than him? It just seems crazy to me.
And that’s all BESIDE the fact that the guy WANTS to be a Lion for the rest of his career.
Agreed
Especially on the bare cupboards. I suppose it depends on the details of the contracts, but I have to imagine that they can make room for both Levy and Foote…at least for a few years. Worst case scenario, the Lions have a couple of talented linebackers that can play multiple positions. It doesn’t make any sense to me to allow talent to walk away that actually wants to be here. I have to imagine that regardless of negotiating tactics Foote will sign with another team for any less than what he was prepared to play here for.
If Levy had looked like the second coming of Ray Lewis, I may change my stance on this, but both players look like they could be comparable and we all know what injuries can do to a football team when there is no talent sitting on the bench.
"Under certain circumstances, profanity provides a relief denied even to prayer." -Mark Twain
I agree
Foote wants to finish his career here. He’s preparing for life after football, and as expected has done a lot this year to reset down roots here in the community for life after football. That open willingness by Foote to play here was taken advantage of to some degree in the signing negotiations last year, and that seems to still be the case now. Foote’s recent position is an attempt to counteract that.
Larry’s a valuable player and valuable teammate and community asset on a team that needs to hang onto whatever talent and usable depth it has. I hope they find a way to resign Larry for multiple years at a reasonable and fair price.
Driver of the Kyle Wilson Tour Bus and Keeper of the Dreadlocks!
Proud supporter of DE Jerry Hughes, safety Earl Thomas, and OG Mike Iupati
(I hear that Eric Berry guy is pretty good, too)
Hey, as long as Zack Follett keeps hitting people, he can rap to Barney the Dinosaur for all I care.
Just keep hoping that is true
I hope Levy is great. I would like to see more than 10 starts out of him before I crown him league MVP.
Hm, well I guess I'll have to take your word for it...
Lehman’s rookie year:
Tackles 102 (75 solo)
Sacks 1.0
INTs 1
Forced Fumbles 1
Levy’s rookie year:
Tackles 85 (61 solo)
Sacks 0.0
INTs 1
Forced Fumbles 1
Pretty similar stats if you ask me….
I'd say that pretty much sums it up.....
And if I recall correctly…..Lehman was supposed to be the next Chris Spielman and he was a 2nd round pick in 2004. Levy was just a kid out of Wisconsin that Mayhew decided he liked, who had no notable achievements (other than 1st team all Big 10 once), and who we drafted in round 3.
It's business...
simple as that. Foote was unwanted by his team and he left to be a full time starter. Not many teams wanted to have him be a full time starter. Don’t get me wrong, I like Foote and hope we can work something out, but I want the best players and I want the right amount of money spent on those players. If Levy is who the lions have their hearts set on and he makes the plays, and if Foote’s paycheck stops us from picking up a player we need (i.e. CB, S, DT, DE, OG) then let him go.
The funny thing is, is that the same people who say Mayhew is terrible for looking at the team as a business are the same people who scream for Backus to be cut. What, he hasn’t done enough for the city, he hasn’t suffered through hard times. Also, isn’t, what most of you say is doing the right thing, a la keeping a guy out of respect or what is the “nice thing to do”, the same thing that got us into the hole to begin with. I remember Millen being unproductive and still getting contract extensions.
Bottom line, Foote is a solid leader and contributor, but he’s gonna have to face the fact that Levy is the future, and he will be brought back if he accepts it.
You can run a buisness and not be a dick
But lets put that aside for a second and just go by football business:
You want to run off your leading tackler and a guy who has played at that level for years for a guy who got 15 fewer tackles and 2 fewer sacks while playing at a different position? So say Levy is now considered the best player on the defense; does that mean we have to get rid of the second best player on the defense? That doesn’t make football sense.
I don’t think that signing Foote will keep us from signing another player because we don’t have that many big money players right now. Maybe Peterson. Regardless, we are entering an uncapped year, so what does that matter.
Leaving aside the storyline of the player (first to worst, coming home to help the franchise, etc.) what does it tell the rest of the league about how you treat players when a guy makes some sacrifices to play for your team is kicked the the curb (if you don’t think Foote could have played elsewhere, at least agree that having to endure 14 losses is a sacrifice)? It is hard enough to get FAs to sign up for a team that will be happy with 6 wins next year, but now you are going to tell them you are going to stab them in the back? Sure places like New England can get away with that, but they can also promise a trip to the playoffs and a real shot at a superbowl. We can promise a cheap house due to foreclosures.
by ATL Lion on Feb 4, 2010 2:33 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Where are you guys getting this from...seriously?
“slap in the face”…..“being a dick”…..kicked to the curb"
As far as I can tell, two factual events have occurred so far:
1) Mayhew has stated that the franchise tag will not be applied to anyone.
2) Larry Foote does not currently have a new deal.
That’s it. No one is getting kicked to curb or slapped in the face or anything like that. This is like a snowball for no reason. Larry Foote using language like “not a priority” and “test free agency” is negotiating 101.
by HoorayForEverything on Feb 4, 2010 3:03 PM EST up reply actions
Regardless
The guy has said he wanted to finish his career here. I don’t care who you say the future is or whatever, Larry Foote is better than the vast majority of the players on our team, and you’re going to replace him (the middle linebacker, the QB of the defense, a guy with a great reputation and hard worker) with a (4th?) round draft pick who had an OK year in a different position? Larry Foote should get a contract, as long as its not exhorbitant, and keep him here.
It’s a mistake. Put Levy at SLB and let him get some more experience before you claim he’s better than Foote.
But that’s just one man’s opinion.
What's a mistake?
Levy isn’t the starter yet.
They have not not signed him yet either.
My point is that we’re reacting to something that hasn’t happened as if it has happened.
by HoorayForEverything on Feb 4, 2010 3:11 PM EST up reply actions
I should clarify
They have not not signed Larry Foote
by HoorayForEverything on Feb 4, 2010 3:12 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah, he wants to play here...
But also wants top dollar.
Here’s Larry Foote’s Quote from last year….
“I’m excited because it’s a fresh start for me,” Foote said Tuesday night in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. "It’s a one-year deal to show my talents, and hopefully end up signing a long-term deal after showing the Lions and their new coaching staff what I can do.
Seems to me, Larry had a pretty flat year…. hopefully not one he’s proud of either. He’ll get paid by the lions for the work he’s capable of and nothing more.
To throw extra cash at Foote because it ‘feels good’ or ’he’s given up alot to be here’ is bullshit and poor business.
Larry Foote makes his own bed in Detroit…. and right now he’s at a super single… not a King.
-CLF
by CLF on Feb 5, 2010 8:08 AM EST up reply actions
Flat year?
Not only did he lead our team in tackles, but it was his second highest total of his career. Ignore the “feel good” story, but why people are ready to ship off our top defensive tackler is beyond me.
I feel like this is the Ernie Sims debate all over again. Why do some fans look at our roster and point to the guy with the most tackles and say “that guy is a bum. Lets trade/cut/not resign him!” and then wonder why our defense is depleted and bottom of the league every year.
One would think, that signing Larry Foote...
Would be a significant improvement over Paris Lennon.
Statistics would prove other wise.
by CLF on Feb 5, 2010 8:23 AM EST up reply actions
To add....
40th in the league in tackles… is flat to me.
by CLF on Feb 5, 2010 8:25 AM EST up reply actions
To add...
He doesn’t even make the top 50 in solo tackles.
by CLF on Feb 5, 2010 8:26 AM EST up reply actions
To add...
Unless he had over 10 solo tackles in each of the games he missed, his rankings wouldn’t have changed much.
by CLF on Feb 5, 2010 8:28 AM EST up reply actions
AND to go one step further...
I would argue that the Lions provide ANY defensive player PLENTY of opportunities to rack up tackles as the Defense is on the field longer than any team!
The Lions LBs, should be the top tacklers in the league.
by CLF on Feb 5, 2010 8:30 AM EST up reply actions
The other LB's had even fewer tackles
Do we cut/not resign ALL our LB’s?
Driver of the Kyle Wilson Tour Bus and Keeper of the Dreadlocks!
Proud supporter of DE Jerry Hughes, safety Earl Thomas, and OG Mike Iupati
(I hear that Eric Berry guy is pretty good, too)
Hey, as long as Zack Follett keeps hitting people, he can rap to Barney the Dinosaur for all I care.
So lets cut our entire roster
Because not one of our players made it to the top 50.
I am not saying Foote is worth the franchise tag and $10 mill a year. I am saying that he is our top tackler, at least the second or third most valuable person on defense if not first, and wants to play in Detroit. Why would we not resign him?
This is not Levy or Foote, lets have them both. We are crappy enough I think we can get both on the field at the same time.
Where do you see we won't resign him?
Here’s the scenario I see….
Foote and his agent call Mayhew and exchange the # of $$$$ each has in mind…. Obviously, based on Foote’s play, Mayhew’s # is lower than Foote’s. Realizing the intangibles that Foote possesses(and I don’t deny), Mayhew says to Foote "hey, we really want you back… go test the market and get me a couple of #s other teams are offering you and we’ll negotiate a deal based on your current market value.
This is the smart way to play an aging veteran like Foote. If Foote really wants to play in Detroit, he’s gotta drop some ego off and realize that he’s on the back end of his carreer and may not even be a starter on this team.
Make sense? The days of overpaying FA’s is over.
by CLF on Feb 5, 2010 8:44 AM EST up reply actions
And you're making some pretty broad assumptions
Sure that sounds like a great scenario, but you have no idea. You’re just throwing out an idea you came up with. You assume that the FO is making anothing smart move (something I don’t totally rule out) when they could just be in love with their young player who is much cheaper than Foote.
Great points about Foote by the way – I totally was expecting the guy to be top 10 in total tackles on a 1-15 team with one of the worst defenses in the league. That’s completely reasonable.
Not to mention
Bad defensive tackles who allowed linemen to get out and block our linebackers…..which is why there were so many tackles in the secondary (outside of the fact that opposing teams could throw on us all day long since there was no pass rush).
Hmmm.... isn't everyone making assumptions?
Tis the season.
Oh, nice little sarcasm to finish it all off… excellent.
by CLF on Feb 5, 2010 9:34 PM EST up reply actions
+1000
Thank You HFE, I don’t understand why people are going nuts…I could understand it if he was ‘kicked to the curb’ but he hasn’t been. Be patient people.
The Bringers of Hope: Stafford - Delmas - C. Johnson - Pettigrew - Levy - Hill - Schwartz
Zack Follett: he will hurt your mind.
by Hyperion Ecta on Feb 4, 2010 5:48 PM EST up reply actions
You are right, no decision has been made
I had just hoped we could get this deal done without any animosity. The fact Foote is saying he is planning to test FA tells me that is not happening.
It tells me that...
He thinks Mayhew’s contract offer was too low. The FA market will tell the truth.
by CLF on Feb 5, 2010 8:46 AM EST up reply actions
Personally, I think Foote is looking at Washington...
Word on the street is, they’re looking to run a 3-4 D.
Foote would be FAR MORE valuable to a team like that than the Lions.
by CLF on Feb 5, 2010 8:47 AM EST up reply actions
If u want to talk about tackles...
Yes Levy got 15 fewer tackles but with way less playing time… If Levy had been a starter all season I’d almost guarantee he would’ve had more tackles.
Don’t get me wrong, i like foote just fine and i’d want him to come back if for nothing else depth, but it’s pretty obvious he doesn’t want to be part of “depth” he wants to start. To say Levy has proved nothing is a HUGE understatement, not that i’m saying he should just be given the starting job.
Foote sacrificed NOTHING! The Lions gave him the opportunity to start and he took it. For all we know the reason he didn’t sign with the Colts is they wouldn’t have started him. We as fans almost never REALLY find out what goes on behind the closed doors.
This is painful
100% agree on those who say this a slap in the face to someone who sacrficed to come play for the worst team in pro sports. Levy hasn’t proven much yet. He’s shown to be a decent player who was worth the spot he was drafted in but like someone else mentioned, how does anyone know he’s not a one hit wonder who’s going to fall off in his sophmore season.
I am a fan of Larry Foote, and while he’s getting longer in the tooth he’s still got years ahead of him as a starting caliber MLB. Levy seems to be more versatile and I’d rather see him go outside where he’d be at his best.
This just seems too old hat. Creating animosity and taking the fun out of the game for these players is a Lions staple.
YEAH!!! The Lions should sign Larry Foote...
Because he show’d pity for his home team.
WTF?
by CLF on Feb 5, 2010 8:10 AM EST up reply actions
How about
not assuming the idea of my post and reading it. I didn’t say sign him because he showed pity. I say sign him because a one year player still has question marks that Larry doesn’t.
It’s not like the Lions are swimming in talent anywhere and I don’t see the point of shipping off a guy who wants to play here and plays at a high level. This just doesnt seem right to me.
YEAH!!! nice touch…
But it does seem right to overpay an
aging veteran, who had a lackluster year?
by CLF on Feb 5, 2010 9:35 PM EST up reply actions
I agree.... with you CLF
Fuck you Foote. If you want more money that you deserve. Fuck you. I am a child of the 313. But If you really want to help turn this franchise around. Than be the man. I went to Pershing HS. Be the man. A white boy from the 313. I am tired of this shit. If you want to help turn this franchise around. Than go to Mayhew. Not the media. And express you desire. I am sure you and Mayhew and you could come to agreement. Dont use the media for your selfish ends.
if the shoe fits...get another one just like it - George Carlin
Kinda harsh
I get what you’re saying and agree with most of what you’re saying, but telling homeboy “fuck you” is a bit over the top.
I'd say this reply is as presumptuous as any
That other people are lambasting for jumping the gun and claiming we should keep him out of loyalty.
No offense man, but get a grip.
This wasn't it me...
My MSU roommate is visiting. He is a “lightweight” and can not hold his beer. Anyone that has WIndows 7. Knows you just jump to a web site without logging in. And he used my ID. I dont agree 100% with his views. He gets alittle emotional when he drinks to much.
if the shoe fits...get another one just like it - George Carlin
Drink too much
JCruize, I understand. When I drink to much, I give myself a self-prostate exam.
Larry Foote, from a Steeler Fan
Hey guys – Steeler fan here to comment on Foote. We liked Larry in Pittsburgh – he was an excellent player and we hated to see him go – but our Steelers were deep at LB and had just drafted a couple of guys to step up. I think if Larry were still in Pittsburgh, he would still be a starter – those young guys would’ve just had to wait longer to break in. You guys should keep him – he’s only 29 (30 in June), and he’s an excellent football player who plays hard. He’s not some cast-off. The Steelers just made a business decision to get younger and get under the cap.
Good Luck to you guys!
RS
Thanks for the insight! I agree 100%
Larry’s a good solid player and teammate who’s still in his prime. We can find room for him and Levy both. We’re also good with cap room right now, and Larry’s not asking for huge money. The main issue seems to be contract length, but 3-4 years seems reasonable. No logical reason that we can’t get this done. May cooler heads prevail.
Driver of the Kyle Wilson Tour Bus and Keeper of the Dreadlocks!
Proud supporter of DE Jerry Hughes, safety Earl Thomas, and OG Mike Iupati
(I hear that Eric Berry guy is pretty good, too)
Hey, as long as Zack Follett keeps hitting people, he can rap to Barney the Dinosaur for all I care.
If we lose him
Detroit better be damn sur levy is ready to take over. We can’t afford a mistake of anykind. Guess ernie ain’t going anywere just like I said.
The best there is, The best there was, and the best there ever will be - Bret the Hitman hart
Well, if we do lose him then expect a LB in the draft
Maybe not high though. That’s if he doesn’t come back, which I think he will. Levy was good last year but he still needs improvement and experience.
The Bringers of Hope: Stafford - Delmas - C. Johnson - Pettigrew - Levy - Hill - Schwartz
Zack Follett: he will hurt your mind.
Stir the stew in the pot
One thing none of you mentioned is that Peterson is due $7 million this year. Foote is more valuable, and Levy has more value. There’s a difference.
Not this year
But there will be after that under a new CBA. Foote’s asking price is less than Peterson’s, and we’re not carrying too many big contracts right now, not compared to how it was a few years ago. Resigning Foote seems doable, at a fair and reasonable price.
Driver of the Kyle Wilson Tour Bus and Keeper of the Dreadlocks!
Proud supporter of DE Jerry Hughes, safety Earl Thomas, and OG Mike Iupati
(I hear that Eric Berry guy is pretty good, too)
Hey, as long as Zack Follett keeps hitting people, he can rap to Barney the Dinosaur for all I care.
How do we know this is on Mayhew...????
Maybe Foote is asking for a ton of money? Maybe he wants to test the market just to see what offers come in? There are a bunch of team swicthing to the 3-4 scheme. Or, teams that already use the 3-4 looking to add some linebackers. I know NE, GB, and KC will be looking for LB’s. The Pats have a history of bring in older but still good and experienced LB’s. And maybe this “ I am not feeling wanted” is just a ploy? Football is a business. Foote knows this and you know his agent Brian Levy knows this.
I had a strong feeling that this could happen. We have no idea whats goes on in Foote’s mind. Maybe he was not comfortable in a 4-3. Maybe the simple fact of losing could make him have a change of heart about Detroit. Or maybe he thinks he could get one last big payday before he hangs it up.
if the shoe fits...get another one just like it - George Carlin
He's 30
The verbal agreement Mayhew gave him was to pay him based on his production this season. It certainly sounds like that may be more than he wants to pay him.
The best there is, The best there was, and the best there ever will be - Bret the Hitman hart
I don't think
that losing Larry Foote would be THAT big of a deal. He’s a leader and has a wealth of experience yes, but the defense will most likely suck with or without him. This will give Levy an opportunity to step up as an every down playmaker. Don’t get me wrong, I would prefer to have Larry Foote than to not, but at the end of the day they’re still the Lions and one player isn’t going to be the difference on defense.
However.....
One player could make a BIG difference in the case that someone else gets injured AGAIN…..and that is why we need to keep our depth.
+1
People get hurt. They sure did in 2008. They sure did in 2008. They sure did in………
Driver of the Kyle Wilson Tour Bus and Keeper of the Dreadlocks!
Proud supporter of DE Jerry Hughes, safety Earl Thomas, and OG Mike Iupati
(I hear that Eric Berry guy is pretty good, too)
Hey, as long as Zack Follett keeps hitting people, he can rap to Barney the Dinosaur for all I care.
uh, 2009 too
I guess they REALLY got hurt in 2008, lol.
Driver of the Kyle Wilson Tour Bus and Keeper of the Dreadlocks!
Proud supporter of DE Jerry Hughes, safety Earl Thomas, and OG Mike Iupati
(I hear that Eric Berry guy is pretty good, too)
Hey, as long as Zack Follett keeps hitting people, he can rap to Barney the Dinosaur for all I care.
I called it months ago
I had a feeling the Lions would let Foote walk.
If you over-analyze it, it’s win-win for both sides no matter what the outcome is…
1- if they resign him, great! We keep depth at LB and he stays home to eat moms cooking
2- if he walks, he can go to a contender and possibly win it all again and not waste his remaining years left getting beat up for a team thats a few years from just being at a mediocre level. The Lions could get as high a a 3rd round compensatory pick for 2011
I like Foote, but it’s not the end of the world if the Lions decide not to resign him. Comparing Mayhew to Millen over this is just bullshit guilt-by-association.
No Compensatory Pick
Toote only signed a 1 year contract. Hid contract is up/
Good Man
The Bringers of Hope: Stafford - Delmas - C. Johnson - Pettigrew - Levy - Hill - Schwartz
Zack Follett: he will hurt your mind.
by Hyperion Ecta on Feb 7, 2010 7:14 AM EST up reply actions
Lions doing it again
Here they go again. Making broad assumptions about their future without taking the present into consideration. The LAST thing they should be thinking about is whether or not Foote fits in with their long term plans. No matter how they look at it, they should be bending over backwards to keep him. Levy is doing great, but really, they have had a problem with depth for over a decade. And, I would bet you that if Levy becomes a starter in a year or two, Foote would probably be willing to renegotiate his contract. He’d be in the city he wants to be in, and in 2 seasons he’ll be getting into the downhill curve of his career making him less marketable for trades. (Sorry, Larry, but it’s true). The question should not be whether or not to keep Foote, it’s whether they can afford too.
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