Lions Notes: Jim Schwartz Calls Tampering Claims 'Ridiculous'

by Sean Yuille on Aug 10, 2011 12:36 AM EDT in Detroit Lions Notes

Jim Schwartz called claims of tampering over whatever Scott Linehan said to Ricky Williams after last year's Lions-Dolphins game "ridiculous." Schwartz says it wasn't anything more than "well-wishing" and that stuff like that goes on all the time. I just hope the NFL agrees with Schwartz's perspective on the issue.
If you are going to Friday's Lions game, I advise you to leave early. Traffic is going to be a mess with the game, the Kid Rock concert at Comerica Park and the Kid Rock block party prior to the show all taking place on Friday.
If you plan to watch the game at home, I put together a guide on how you can find it on TV.
It appears the Bengals will start rookie quarterback Andy Dalton on Friday. I think Ndamukong Suh and company will help welcome him to the NFL pretty quickly.
Schwartz described the road back to 100 percent health for Mikel Leshoure as a "long recovery but not a real complicated rehab."

(More after the jump)

Giants running back Andre Brown ruptured his Achilles two years ago. He is now fully recovered and Giants head coach Tom Coughlin actually said Brown looks more explosive now than he did a couple years ago. (Via MLive)
Kurt Warner blames injuries like the one Leshoure experienced this week on the lockout and the lack of an offseason program.
New Lions running back Mike Bell is hoping to show he can still play after a rough 2010 season.
Fellow new Lions running back Jerome Harrison, who is from Kalamazoo, says his favorite player as a kid was Barry Sanders. Harrison also said he tried to model his game after Sanders.
Although former Titans head coach Jeff Fisher was only at yesterday's Lions practice to visit his son, who is a defensive assistant, Schwartz said he is more than happy to listen to any advice Fisher might have.
ProFootballFocus.com's Neil Hornsby recapped his time at Lions practice on Monday. (Also via MLive)
I never knew about this until yesterday, but fullback Matt Clapp was suspended by the NFL for four games in the middle of last season for an unknown reason. He was a free agent at the time and his suspension has already been served, so it won't affect his status at all for this upcoming season.
The Detroit Lions are ranked 18th in ESPN's first set of NFL power rankings.

Tweet Comment 50 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

the DVR is set

I dont get home from work till 11 30 thanks Sean for the guide and Kurt Warner is right no ota’s = injuries

"In a perfect world, you look for the big, fast guys who can play" Jim Schwartz

by chucka on Aug 10, 2011 1:09 AM EDT reply actions

It's great to read that Andre Brown appears fully recovered from an Achilles tendon rupture.

And also a little depressing that it took him two years to rehab. Nevertheless, his example offers hope. And I’m definitely hoping for a speedy recovery for Mikel Leshoure.

by Stephen02120 on Aug 10, 2011 2:15 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs

He didn't really do much

but he did play last year. It didn’t necessarily take him a full 2 years to recover. It could just be that the Broncos didn’t have him very high on their depth chart.

by Trysdor on Aug 10, 2011 2:18 AM EDT up reply actions

A big part of making it in this league seems to be finding a team that truly believes in you. Andre Brown wasn’t as highly touted as Leshoure coming out of college, so his road back to the NFL was definitely more difficult. I’m just happy to read about guys who fully recover from this type of injury, regardless of the time frame.

by Stephen02120 on Aug 10, 2011 2:29 AM EDT up reply actions

The lockout was gonna have its affect, and it did

It’s too bad that it’s struck so many people this year.

by Hyperion Ecta on Aug 10, 2011 4:44 AM EDT reply actions

Could be right Hyper

hard to tell. The Leshoure injury really, really sucks. I’m bummed

Come on Lions! Its a 60 minute game!!!!!

by NYCLionsfan on Aug 10, 2011 12:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Don't be bummed

Ryan Grant got injured EARLY last year. The Packers didn’t even play wonderfully through the season. And they won the Super Bowl.

You NEVER know what to expect really. We have firepower, with or without Leshoure. He hadn’t proven anything yet, though I know he was going to be solid. And he will be.

We’re going to be alright. :)

USE THE SCHWARTZ!!!

by Twon82 on Aug 10, 2011 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions

That's the truth

The Packers did not have a potent run game.

Football isn't a contact sport; it's a collision sport. Dancing is a contact sport.--Vince Lombardi

by Quez81 on Aug 10, 2011 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah Kurt Warner firmly believes the lockout is the main reason for the increase in injuries.

And its not really surprising. For a lot of these guys, its probably the longest period since pre-high school football without organized practices and for some it may be earlier than that. Combine that with coming back and getting into pads as little as 2 practices in and its really not surprising at all to see

Jonas Jerebko once killed a charging female rhinoceros in heat protecting its young with nothing more than a hook shot.

by The Boourns on Aug 10, 2011 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions

lol...completely forgot that his comments are linked up above.

Look at me talking like I know somethin…

Jonas Jerebko once killed a charging female rhinoceros in heat protecting its young with nothing more than a hook shot.

by The Boourns on Aug 10, 2011 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Who's the genius who scheduled the Badass Beer block party and concert...

the same night as the first preseason game?? I know a few season ticket holders, myself included, who are thinking about skipping the Bengals game completely because of the gridlock around Ford Field that’s bound to ensue. Love Kid Rock, and I usually only stay until halftime of most preseason games anyway, but c’mon, man!!

by D-Lion on Aug 10, 2011 8:19 AM EDT reply actions

oh geeze

I hope you’re also 62yo… “gridlock” Come on! It’s the flippin Lions!

The Dis-Assembly Line - The unofficial, official name for the next best D-line in football.

by rames on Aug 10, 2011 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions

I am hoping there is a way to stream the game online

Seeing as I am in Afghanistan. They will probably have some games on AFN, but probably not the Detroit game.

Yeah, I'm on Zoloft, but I take that to keep from killing ya'll! - Mike Tyson

by xanderjd on Aug 10, 2011 8:23 AM EDT reply actions

The service?

Be safe out there. My respect.

That goddamn Okra and beans got you Oprah in jeans. Seems to me a little lean cuisine, wouldn't hurt much- Agh don't touch! -Obie Trice

by Skylar on Aug 10, 2011 9:17 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

firstrowsports.eu

probably will have it. also if your a MMA fan they stream the PPV fights

by mochaj on Aug 10, 2011 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions

Do you guys get the NFL Network over there?

If so they are replaying EVERY pre-season week 1 game. And on a side note I’m very happy to see you guys blew that compound that took out the Navy Seals Helicopter to kingdom come!

How many lumps you want Doc?

by davis0169 on Aug 10, 2011 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions

no nfl network here...

But we get some of the shows off of the the network.

Yeah, I wasn’t personally part of it, but heard about it from where i am. we were all glad to have got payback on that.

Yeah, I'm on Zoloft, but I take that to keep from killing ya'll! - Mike Tyson

by xanderjd on Aug 10, 2011 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Great game here in Colorado

and by great I mean a real yawner in TB vs KC. Two up and coming teams, maybe I can find a fantasy pick up in the mess. At least there is football. I set the DVR Sat morning, travelling + Slingbox rocks!, I will catch it later in the day…on the beach…

$.02
Game on!

by HughSkarr on Aug 10, 2011 8:31 AM EDT reply actions

The Chiefs Fiasco was BS

Check out the title of this article over at Arrowhead Pride http://www.arrowheadpride.com/2011/8/9/2352942/detroit-lions-tampering-kansas-city-chiefs (could someone tell me how to work a link lol). Last year the tampering charge was ridiculous and not to add to all the negativity here but I think the NFL will take some kind of action.

"How in the hell can I make my teammates better by practicing?" Allen Iverson

by Disassembly Line on Aug 10, 2011 8:39 AM EDT reply actions

the link worked...i feel stupid now haha

"How in the hell can I make my teammates better by practicing?" Allen Iverson

by Disassembly Line on Aug 10, 2011 8:40 AM EDT up reply actions

I'm not a huge Kurt Warner fan...

… however, he’s " right on " with that observation. Cramming 6 months of work into 6 weeks invites trouble…

" I must be crazy to be in a loony bin like this. " " What are you doin' here? You oughta be out in a convertible bird-doggin' chicks and bangin' beaver. " " Medication time. Medication time. " ( One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest - 1975 )

by Keevatron on Aug 10, 2011 8:39 AM EDT reply actions

FYI. The Lions have signed Ex Chiefs C/G Rudy Niswanger

Bleed Chiefs

by tomahawk44 on Aug 10, 2011 9:52 AM EDT reply actions

funny name

But maybe some fellow PODders will relax a little.

by SaluteYourSchwartz on Aug 10, 2011 10:03 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Niswanger...

that’s what she said!

by CLF on Aug 10, 2011 1:19 PM EDT up reply actions

You beat every Lion's beat writer to that info.

Twitter then and rub it in Killer’s face.

.Does your momma have a Big Ass like your head?

by delusional on Aug 10, 2011 10:11 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Is he any good?

How many lumps you want Doc?

by davis0169 on Aug 10, 2011 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions

He's alright.

The word that describes him would be versatile. Much better guard than center though.

Bleed Chiefs

by tomahawk44 on Aug 10, 2011 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Very nice guy though.

If you have Twitter make sure to follow him.. He interacts with the fans a lot.

Bleed Chiefs

by tomahawk44 on Aug 10, 2011 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions

who knows

he started 1 season for KC and did so well they sought and signed his replacement on the offseason. flippin rocks

Ah but I was so much older then and younger than right now

by Justan Oldfart on Aug 10, 2011 12:40 PM EDT up reply actions

from rotoworld

Lions signed C Rudy Niswanger, formerly of the Chiefs.
It’s a nice pickup for the Lions, who are already getting banged up across their troublesome offensive line. Niswanger has 31 starts under his belt from his time with the Chiefs and is now reunited with his former position coach at LSU, George Yarno. Niswanger is still just 28 years old.

The bad part but an interesting notion on the end of this one as well when considering who the Lions already have on squad :

Niswanger can’t handle bigger nose tackles and too often struggles with bad snaps. The Chiefs also tried to get Lions practice squad C Dan Gerberry late in the year, but Detroit kept him by signing Gerberry to its active roster

A coward dies a thousands Deaths a soldier dies once ....

by JaiGaiaAries on Aug 10, 2011 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Oh man...I bet his former position coach George Yamo totally tampered with him too.

Jonas Jerebko once killed a charging female rhinoceros in heat protecting its young with nothing more than a hook shot.

by The Boourns on Aug 10, 2011 1:29 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

haha I have to rec that...

Bleed Chiefs

by tomahawk44 on Aug 10, 2011 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Yep.. he was a stop gap for Wiggs. Wiggs left and then came back and took his job.

Bleed Chiefs

by tomahawk44 on Aug 10, 2011 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Camp Body and depth

I can see them pulling him in to push the players on the O-Line as well as possible depth on the roster not to mention someone who started 31 games knows the speed of the game and can assimilate faster especially given his former Line coach is in Detroit . However if the Chiefs wanted Gerberry and Detroit still has then im not sure how to read this.

A coward dies a thousands Deaths a soldier dies once ....

by JaiGaiaAries on Aug 10, 2011 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions

I keep checking the guide

on NFL Network, and they don’t show the game being on Saturday at 10 a.m. They show it being aired Tuesday (Aug 16th) at 10 a.m. I have DirecTV, but i don’t think its a different NFL Network than cable.

by Alowicious on Aug 10, 2011 9:59 AM EDT reply actions

I have Directv

and it’s right there on the guide…Sat. morning at 10am. Set to record.

by Doc_H on Aug 10, 2011 10:21 AM EDT up reply actions

I'm looking at it right now

it says its the NFL GAME OF THE WEEK.

by Alowicious on Aug 10, 2011 10:26 AM EDT up reply actions

Oh...

its on the regular channel. Not in HD.

by Alowicious on Aug 10, 2011 10:29 AM EDT up reply actions

What is Not in HD?

Did we have non-HD sports at one time?

$.02
Game on!

by HughSkarr on Aug 11, 2011 6:21 PM EDT up reply actions

TY Doc.

I knew that they were putting on every pre-season week 1 game just didn’t know when the Lions were on. Wont matter cause I’m sure 1 of the local channels is going to have the game on Friday night but at least I can watch that instead of Cartoons Saturday morn.

How many lumps you want Doc?

by davis0169 on Aug 10, 2011 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions

WFQX- Traverse City-Cadillac

is scheduled to carry the game live on Friday night, and will not be re-airing it on Sunday. So if you are in the area, or can get to it, you know where you can watch it live.

I’ll be at work, but checking for updates as often as possible.

by Detroitfantc on Aug 10, 2011 11:08 AM EDT reply actions

Booya!

by CLF on Aug 10, 2011 1:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Won't get it here in NYC

but will scour the internet for the game.

Come on Lions! Its a 60 minute game!!!!!

by NYCLionsfan on Aug 10, 2011 12:04 PM EDT reply actions

As will I

USE THE SCHWARTZ!!!

by Twon82 on Aug 10, 2011 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Hey NYC

Alowicious gave me the heads up the league is selling the streams for all the preseason games for a measly 20 bucks. I jumped on it. 5 bucks a game is reasonable imo

"Common Sense, isn't" Solomon Short

by YpsilantiJeff on Aug 10, 2011 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions