Julian Peterson is still IN the doghouse

by Scotty G on Feb 10, 2011 12:50 PM EST

With the release of Eric King today and yesterdays release of Shaun Rogers, I don't think I'm the only Lions fan that is wondering why Julian Peterson is still on our roster. Our general manager Martin Mayhew has already stated publicly that Peterson will be released (I believe Peterson is due a roster bonus at some point) and many thought the day the Lions were able to release him, they would do so.

Well he's still on the roster and we can only speculate as to why. While I suppose they may be holing onto him to try and trade him for a low round pick or a backup player, I'd like to point out another option.

I think the front office is holding a grudge against him. I think that they are going to hold onto him until the lockout starts (on March fourth) thus hindering his chances of signing with another team and reducing his value to other teams once he is free to sign. I think this is a message to all players that wear the Detroit Lions jersey that taking plays off and not giving your full effort WILL NOT be tolerated.

I think we can all agree that Julian Peterson didn't play up to the hype since his arrival in the D. I also think most will agree that JP took a play or thirty off this season. We all know how he has played in the past and even if he's lost a step, that's not the end of the world for a linebacker. Guys like Ray Lewis may loose a step as they age but their extensive NFL experience and knowledge of the game makes up for that. Julain CAN still play, I believe anyway, but he just wasn't motivated to and I truly believe that the Lions are getting back at him for it.

Does JP really have any trade value? Am I right about the grudge I suspect the FO holds?

Poll

Why, to this point, has the front office kept Julian Peterson on the Lions roster?

They are trying to get something for him in a trade

106 votes

They are upset with his lack of effort

32 votes

They are still considering keeping him for 2011

18 votes

156 votes | Poll has closed

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pride of Detroit or its writers. FanPosts are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable fans.

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Comments

I think it's likely

That they felt he was a waste of money, and are ensuring that he can’t sign with a team before free agency starts.

by Mavyrk on Feb 10, 2011 1:12 PM EST reply actions

+1

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by SmittyJ on Feb 10, 2011 1:14 PM EST up reply actions

i pick the missing option

Reading to much into nothing

"Show me someone with an offseason and I'll show you someone in last place"- Ndamukong Suh ( All Pro, Pro Bowl, Pepsi Rookie of the year, AP defensive rookie of the year, Sporting news rookie of the year,)

by The Profiler on Feb 10, 2011 1:14 PM EST via mobile reply actions

If our front office were to do what you stated

I fear for our future. It is hard enough to get player to come to the D through free agency. If we are in a pissing contest with a vet that had a deal when he got here and WE traded for his deal, then our front office is making a mistake.

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by Waitingfortheroar on Feb 10, 2011 1:28 PM EST reply actions

+1

not a good way to recruit talent to come

by BillySimsMadeMeDo on Feb 10, 2011 2:07 PM EST up reply actions

I disagree.

I think it puts forth a strong no-nonsense image. If it dissuades potential slouches from pursuing a free contract at our disadvantage, all the better.

What do you really think a free agent is going to say or do? “Hmm, I want to come here for a contract year, but I’m concerned you guys might not like my work ethic and will retain my services until the league year ends to prevent me from signing with another team prior to a lockout in the future.”

Besides, we all know the PR department will put a spin on this even if it is for vindictive reasons. On top of that, this is a rare issue that’s only going to concern with a looming lockout and labor breakdown. It’s not like this is going to be happening every season.

by Mavyrk on Feb 10, 2011 2:26 PM EST up reply actions

it just seems to lack good business practices IMO

he didn’t work out, let him go, and move forward

if anything I’d say maybe they think he has trade value rather than to punish the player

JP was a beast and played on some bad teams…with everything happening in Detroit – players and coaches going all out, I don’t feel like JP tanked on purpose though I agree he didn’t play up to our expectations.

by BillySimsMadeMeDo on Feb 10, 2011 2:51 PM EST up reply actions

Maybe it's a bit of both?

But the notion that this would somehow harm our prospects is ridiculous. Regardless of the reason behind this, the only bad business practice would be if the FO admitted it was for vindictive reasons. They’ll put a spin on it regardless of whatever motivated it, and no one will think any less of any parties involved.

Except for JP, who may be groaning about not being on a team during a lockout.

by Mavyrk on Feb 10, 2011 2:52 PM EST up reply actions

Purgatory is a good spot for him...

I say release him on March 3rd at 11:58pm….lol.

by CLF on Feb 10, 2011 1:51 PM EST reply actions

i doubt we hold this over players to motivate

like you said initially, it is likely they are just shopping him around a little first. the FO will do what is in the best interest of the team, but they won’t be hanging departing players out to dry. we are more professional than that.

by x$pcents IV on Feb 10, 2011 2:02 PM EST reply actions

I agree...

Just my 2 cents, but what Free Agent would want to come to an organization with vindictive management? I voted that the Lions are probably shopping him around a bit before they release him with nothing in return.

It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it ~Aristotle

by BriansLions on Feb 10, 2011 2:50 PM EST up reply actions

So Al Davis must really hate Nnamdi

I don’t think he’s been released either

"The right (draft) move sometimes might be to strengthen a strength. Filling holes in the 1st round leads to grabs and busts." - Steve_Chiefs.

by JazzyBBP on Feb 10, 2011 2:40 PM EST reply actions

Not sure how that works

If the void thing means he is already free or if they have to officialy cut him

by The Profiler on Feb 10, 2011 3:57 PM EST up reply actions

trade bait

i think

by hasselhoff on Feb 10, 2011 3:10 PM EST reply actions

What if they are negotiationg with him for a cheaper deal as a backup ?

by Libran on Feb 10, 2011 3:21 PM EST reply actions

Mayhew already told him he wasn't gonna be on the team next year

by The Profiler on Feb 10, 2011 3:58 PM EST up reply actions

Unsure actually

I hope we aren’t keeping him for a petty grudge, and I doubt it.

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by Hyperion Ecta on Feb 10, 2011 6:42 PM EST reply actions

JP was asked to do things in Detroit that he has never excelled at

He was placed in a system that did not play to his strengths. JP is not going to dazzle anyone in coverage but I saw him out there in coverage 100 times to 1 time blitzing (where he is strongest, BTW). Square peg, round hole. Round peg, square hole. apples, oranges. bla bla.

He is flat out not the kind of LB this team needs and he never will be. He was miss used all season long because the coaches had no choice. Their scheme could not adjust to his skill set and his skill set could not translate to their scheme.

All you people out there bashing this guy need to rewatch the games. He was out there busting his ass doing the absolute best he possibly could given the circumstances. Does it surprise me that he knew he was being improperly used and probably voiced his opinion about that? Nope. also notice. He probably voiced his feelings about how he was being used to the coaches and NOT THE MEDIA, as the season wore on. Eventually leading to his benching. Does that surprise me? Not even a little. He was a pro bowler before he came here. You do not get to be a pro bowl player by rolling over when the going gets tough and he never did the entire season.

The guy was not the same player he was a few years ago but that happens to every player eventually. He never quit either. On the field or with the coaches. I don’t blame him.

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by joshsun on Feb 10, 2011 10:04 PM EST reply actions

Seriously?

And the year before when he was asked to blitz because of no pass rush and he didn’t get that done either, what was his excuse then?

Come on Josh, the guys skills have diminished and he was just in it for the check.

He may find another team willing to take him on, but I promise it will be at a back up rate and he’s going to be a scrub on a good team, or a starter for a Carolina type team.

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by delusional on Feb 11, 2011 12:15 AM EST via mobile up reply actions