Remaining Free Agent Cornerbacks
The lockout is finally over, and free agency has hit us in full swing. The free agent market which was once flooded with top flight CBs has now stretched relatively thin, and if the Lions are not happy with Wright and Phonz as their starting cornerbacks, they still have many viable options left.
(note: Understand that free agency is dynamic and names and rumors pop up at a moment's notice. If I have missed anyone, or if someone has already been signed, please let me know in the comments. Thank you)
It remains to be seen which free agent cornerback, if any, will be donning Honolulu Blue by season's start
Edits: Added Kelvin Hayden, Removed Nate Clements
Kelvin Hayden, Colts (Age: 28)
Overview: Kelvin Hayden was just recently cut from the Indianapolis Colts as a cap saving move. Many may remember Hayden as the player that picked off Rex Grossman in Super Bowl XLI, sealing the Colts victory. He can definitely still play the position and at only 28, he has plenty left in the tank.
Thoughts: He's been dinged up for the past 3 seasons, and he may not be the best at man to man coverage. He's more of a zone coverage player, however he has safety size (6'0, 200 lbs), and has a great IQ for the game. I really like him as a player, he's still an excellent cornerback, but the question is does he fit the Lions scheme?
Antonio Cromartie, Jets (Age: 27)
Overview: Cromartie has his ups and downs. He gambles for the interception at times and will get caught out of position, However he is entering his prime, and he's an undeniable talent. But one must wonder what having Revis on the other side of the field does for your stats.
Thoughts: He's a bit of a diva, he's had off the field issues and may bring an unhealthy atmosphere to the Lions, but there is no doubt he has skill. It was only 3 years ago that he had 10 picks. Also interesting to note, Cromartie ranked 9th in success rate per PFF.
Carlos Rogers, Redskins (Age: 30)
Overview: Carlos Rogers has had a myriad of injuries last season, and his play undeniably regressed because of it. But when healthy, Rogers is a good starting cornerback and he's made it clear he doesn't wish to be a Redskin any longer
Thoughts: The Lions are no stranger to cornerback injuries, and may want to stay away, but Rogers isn't exactly injury prone. He played the full 16 games in both 2008 and 2009. The Lions should assess his health, and may want to take a chance on him. He's tall and physical, although his speed is an issue.
Chris Houston, Lions (Age: 26)
Overview: We know the story with Chris Houston, he's a solid option at cornerback, if the class of free agent CBs wasn't so strong, I'm sure the Lions would've resigned him without a second thought.
Thoughts: In my opinion, Houston can be a great cornerback with someone better starting opposite him. It wouldn't be horrible of the Lions to resign him and stick with Wright on the other side.
Kelly Jennings, Seahawks (Age: 28)
Overview: We're entering the cornerbacks who are, in my opinion, not as talented as Houston. But dammit we love our Seahawks converts, and we may give Jennings a look. He's really fast and cover those speedy slots, he has long arms and can break up the pass with good awareness, but he's a poor tackler and is past the point of being coached.
Thoughts: Good alternative if Houston becomes pricey, saw improved play in 2010
Fabian Washington, Ravens (Age: 28)
Overview: Fabian Washington has the ability to be a good starting corner in this league, the problem is he's injury prone. But when healthy, Washington has elite speed and good instincts. He's small and that undoubtedly contributes to his injury troubles.
Thoughts: If he can add some mass and stay healthy, he'll be a great signing, if he comes cheap that is.
Have someone you want on this list? Let me know in the comments. I admittedly made this as fast as possible to make it relevant so I'll try to add more information in the future.
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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Nice post
Tough choice. I think MOST importantly (considering the defensive backfield) is Delmas has GOT to be a playmaker this year like his rookie year (and he’s vowed to do so). That makes anyone of our CB’s that much better.
If I had to take one of the above though it would be Fabian Washington. He knows what a top tier defense is. Anyone think we should sign Dre Bly (sort of kidding)
Come on Lions! Its a 60 minute game!!!!!
He has a great chance to be this year.
With the addition of Durant, the development of Levy and the possible addition of Tulloch I think Delmas will be able to play the middle of the field more rather than being forced to come into the box to help stop the run.
yeah nice post.
I’d actually like Nate Clements, if we can get him for no where near what San Fran paid him. If not, I’d like Carlos Rodgers or I’d be fine with Chris Houston returning. I’d be a bit disappointed if we went into the season with the Phonz and Wright…
I have a gut feeling...
…that we will go into the season with battles between Wright, Phonz, Berry, and Vasher. Sounds like Schwartz really likes Berry.
As much as I don't like his attitude......
I think we gotta get Cromartie. He has all the tools to really thrive on this defense, and although the Jets were good, their pass rush wasn’t nearly as good as ours. With Cromartie and Wright, I think our CB tandem would be great, not to mention the depth we have in Phonz, Berry, etc.
My only issues with Cromartie
Is his poor tackling and that horrible “lack of work ethic” label that’s been placed on him. If he doesn’t wanna perform day in day out, why make the investment? But I agree, he’s a great CB when he wants to be, but he of all people wouldn’t want to come to Detroit for cheap
We didn't lose the games, we just ran out of time -- Bobby Layne
His tackling I can see.....
But on this team, I don’t think Albert Haynesworth could even have a poor work ethic on this team with all the leaders we have.
I do not want Crow
Undeniable talent, yes
But he is looking for a big payday, has to many distractions in his personnal life like 100 kids. Labled with a poor work ethic, underachiver that gambles way to often on plays. Bad locker room presence.
Even tho we have a great locker room, I do not want him rubbing off on our young CB’s.
Re-sign houston
And grab one if the above cheap. You can never have enough DBs’
by Dave Marshall on Jul 30, 2011 6:55 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
+1
Come on Lions! Its a 60 minute game!!!!!
by NYCLionsfan on Jul 30, 2011 10:08 PM EDT up reply actions
We don't have the cap
No way we have enough money for Houston and one of these DB’s. We are talking about trying sign an LB and that may finish off the sigings as it is. Most likely, we will have a choice between an LB and another DB.
I liked what Houston did last year. He was solid. No reason to over spend. With Houston, we have a solid DB front line with the young developing guys. I like where it would be.
However, if we cannot sign any of the the above, I think that we have quite a weakness in the secondary. An OLB would be a definite must in that case.
houston wont be worth much but after resigning avril we probly wont have enough
but seriously if houston was getting what he wanted he woulda signed by now hes not gonna make much off 1 good year
by Daniel Simonelli on Jul 31, 2011 11:36 AM EDT up reply actions
Houston...
he knows the Defense, players, ect..and hes entering his prime..Houston, Wright, Phonz, Berry, Vasher, and Williams should do the trick for this year…i have a really good feeling about Berry for some reason…all the reports on him are really really good so far.
Thanks for the year Red Wings!! Come back strong in 2012
To me it is between Rogers and Houston
I don’t think the Lions have enough money to get both so I am going to say we should get Rogers for a two year contract. I think Houston is after a big payday so he would likely sign for only one season so that he can try free agency again next season when there isn’t as much competition. I would rather get somebody to match the two years we ahve with Wright so that we can settle in and develop the young CBs we have for when Rogers will be done.
Others
Kelvin Hayden was informed a little bit earlier that he’s going to be released by the Colts. Could add him to the list.
Also Nate Clements was just signed by Cincinnati (per Jason La Canfora)
Thanks for the info man
I’ll get on Hayden soon, those over at Stampede Blue seem pretty shocked he’s been released
We didn't lose the games, we just ran out of time -- Bobby Layne
Oops, I didn't see that you had already reported on Nat Clements.
I thought your post was about Hayden getting released. Sorry for parroting you.
Cross another one off the list
The Bengals and Clements have agreed to terms Saturday, a league source told NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora.
nfl.com
edit
Added Hayden, got rid of clements
We didn't lose the games, we just ran out of time -- Bobby Layne
A few other under the radar names
Roderick Hood – Titans
Randall Gay – Saints
Lito Sheppard – Vikings
I’d like to get Cromartie. I like gamblers, I’d rather have a guy gambling on a pick 6 every once in awhile than a guy who is constantly leaving so much acreage that opposing receivers take easy 8 yard gains all day. Every once in awhile, the gamblers win too.
Maybe he isn’t feeling so well loved in NY right now after their very public pursuit of Asomugha had to leave him feelin a bit like chopped liver after he played great for them last year.
Thank you.
Oh, and by the way
A corner who isn’t very fast is like a lineman too weak to block. What’s the point?
Thank you.
dont know if its possible but ....
i still think they should have just signed Houston to a short /long term .. as a #2 / 1 pending who step it up in camp and on field. this is Ez-E’s year at redemption and he could actually be more dominant than Houston who know’s but phonz being on Pup to start + fact he is a nicke/dime down back at best and maybe support 2 cb when needing a breather + situational . … says they concentrating too much on the LB spots and hoping berry and the others step up and Phonz picks up where they left off.
one has to wonder though is this front office afraid of making some real deals or doing what it takes to put together a championship team. Im sorry but one thing i feel is that its not just about the future and what u can win but its about the here and now … if ur only suiting up to be competitive than y suit up at all ? there should only be one goal each year for all 32 teams … to win the Superbowl period. Not just improve a record and show they are moving towards.
A coward dies a thousands Deaths a soldier dies once ....
We tried to sign him
He didn’t like the number we were diving him and decided to test out free agency. Mayhew said repeatedly that he would like to have Houston back but I think something was said in the negotiations that really put Mayhew off of Houston. My impression is now that Houston is all about the money and he is not really a character guy. He had a good year because he was playing for a contract but the suspicion is that he would regress if he got his big contract. I think that is the feeling around the entire NFL about Houston.
I actually got the impression that Detroit jumped the gun a bit in the bidding war for Joseph along w/ their name popping up for Asomougha and this actually turned Houston off regardless if he was testing the market or not. Now lets keep in mind that we havent heard Houston name almost all off season in regards to any one specific team besides the Lions, so if you dig around there’s very little to go off of but I found one particular comment it was on Rapid Reports that said that because the Lions were trying to court other CBs and the market is getting small the lions may opt back to Houston however this may cause Houston to ask for more $$ which the Lions would have to pay. IF this is what happened than how can one be mad at Houston for not wanting a few more $$‘s for feeling under appreciated and pretty much told your not who we want for real, u played good but not good enough for us to give you more or keep you here even as possible cb 2 or compete w/ someone like Eric for 1. Detroit still isnt attractive place for FA’s probably never will be just off the City alone so until they are in the playoffs consistently no one no matter how good this D Line will be, FA’s will not flock to Detroit.
Look at JJ’s answer why he chose Houston “they just need a couple pieces for a playoff run at the superbowl, they got a good Qb one of the top WR in the league, a top TE and then named ppl from the Defense” .. I dont think Foster has another season like last, the D is good and Schaub has finally gotten over his injury bug (this should give anyone who thinks Stafford could be a glass shell hope Schaub missed 10 games in 2 seasons and it hurt the Texans bad in their hunt) but SB bound in the AFC no .. maybe playoffs or division winner. One could make the same points for Detroit though they havent been in playoffs they have all the essentials to put them there and a few key pieces can put them deep if Stafford and Co play up to potential but at same time this is why they shouldnt have hesitated in pulling the trigger w/ someone like Houston where if u pay the man he’ll stay and doesnt mind being in Detroit. W. out being an attractive place kinda gotta get what u can and work from there.
A coward dies a thousands Deaths a soldier dies once ....
by JaiGaiaAries on Jul 31, 2011 7:34 AM EDT up reply actions
You could be right
I don’t have anything solid to go on about the relationship between Houston and Mayhew. It is just an impression that formed in my head somewhere along the line and stuck.
Now that the Lions have signed Stephen Tulloch I am not sure they have the money to give Houston a payday. I think that he will have to settle for a relatively small contract if he returns to the Lions. My guess would be something between $2 million and $3 million is the cap.
Wow
really good post brother, it was great reading. I would love to have Clements if for the right price. Rogers is very intriguing to me also. But I also would be happy to have Houston back.
"I’d probably get arrested because football’s my only time I get to go out there and hit people as hard as I can, and it’s legal," Follett said. "I need that once a year."
My bad
I guess I should re-read before posting. I read the post earlier and had to go to my daughters softball game. I posted when i got back, then noticed Clements had been removed.
"I’d probably get arrested because football’s my only time I get to go out there and hit people as hard as I can, and it’s legal," Follett said. "I need that once a year."
by Rick Chaffee on Jul 30, 2011 11:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Carlos then Houston for the right price
IMO Carlos Rogers is a great fit for us. I f we can get him at the right price its a great signing. He has no charachter issues on or off the field and is a true ball player who lives for the game. He wants to get paid because Wash somewhat dissed him over Dang Hall and he will have something to prove.
um not? were lucky if we can get one after resigning avril?
by Daniel Simonelli on Jul 31, 2011 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions
Yah, I am wondering the same thing.
We have to be running close to the cap. I haven’t really kept up, but after the signings of Durant and Tulloch we must be running up close.
My fear is that it will be Avril or DB for this year. I don’t think that we can afford to lose Avril. I saw a post earlier that said this would be no problem due to LoJack. I totally disagree. Avril is really rounding into a good player and gets better and more consistent each year.
by The Maestro on Jul 31, 2011 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions
You could be right about the money situation.
Unless they withdraw their offer the Lions are committed to giving Avril $2.773 million which is what I understand to be the value of a first round tender under the new CBA.
Fabian Washignton to the Saints.
I guess you guys passed on another Husker CB.
Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!
Green Bay Packers: Super Bowl XLV Champions!!!!
I also edit things at Ridiculous Upside. Check it out.
Word is crossing twitter that the Lions signed Houston for 2 years.
It is still being verified so take that with a grain of salt for now.

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