Detroit Lions Roster Cuts: Mike Bell, Dave Rayner, 6 Others Released
by Sean Yuille on Aug 29, 2011 10:53 AM EDT
in Detroit Lions News
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PrintThe Detroit Lions have made their first set of roster cuts. Eight players were released in the first wave, and the list includes some notable names. Take a look:
- RB Mike Bell
- WR Demario Ballard
- WR Marcus Harris
- TE Richard Dickson (waived/injured for the second straight year)
- DT Montavious Stanley
- LB DeJuan Fulghum
- S Michael Johnson
- K Dave Rayner
The two names on this list that jump out to me are Bell and Rayner. After missing the Patriots game with an illness, Bell's chances of making the 53-man roster took a big hit, so it's not a huge surprise he has been let go. Still, it's notable because the running back competition now includes one less player.
It's also not a big surprise that the Lions have parted ways with Rayner. Jason Hanson has locked down the kicking job during the preseason, and by releasing Rayner now, the Lions have given him more time to land a job elsewhere.
The Lions still need to move two more players off their roster by 4 p.m. on Tuesday to get down to 80 players.
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Too bad about Rayner, he did a great job for the Lions in 2010.
I won’t forget his clutch kicks in Miami and Tampa to help the Lions win their first two road games in about a century.
The good news for him is that I am sure he will catch on with some other team. I wish him well……….in the AFC hopefully.
"Filling a need doesn’t necessarily mean you’re getting a good player," said Schwartz. "It doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re getting a player that best fits; it doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re getting a player that’s better than what you have already."
by NorthLeft12 on Aug 29, 2011 10:57 AM EDT reply actions 2 recs
its good we released him rather now than later
im sure the schwartz has alot of respect for him and now he has a chance to get on another team before the season starts.
im a little surprised about bell already though with 1 more audition still.
I was impressed with Dave in his time here
I think he was cut today because the Lions were trying to do right by him. He has more time to find a spot for another team now. Hopefully he doesn’t hit any of those big kicks against us this year.
by fiendishdr.wu on Aug 29, 2011 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions
Props for Rayner Too
They say “what goes around comes around.” If so, I wouldn’t mind picking him up again after Hanson retires. Nice to see our Living Legend kicking it well again, though. Kudos for both!
by LionFanInChiefsLand on Aug 29, 2011 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions
My thoughts exactly.
Here’s to hoping that Rayner is available a year or two from now when Hanson decides to hang up his cleats for good.
Best of luck to Rayner
Definitely clutch last year.
"We're looking to improve this team every day, every week, every month until we get to our ultimate goal which is to win a championship."
-Martin Mayhew Detroit Lions GM, Master of the Universe
"Fairies don’t win championships. Bad Ass Mofo’s Do!"- Kevinz418
by Home in Cleveland, Heart in Detroit on Aug 29, 2011 8:43 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I think that
DWill will get a one last chance against the Bills to make the roster. Other cuts that I can see happening are Lt Campbell (sorry, great guy at a now talent laden position), Robinson (4th string QB), and Tim Toone (good story but is just a small white guy with average speed and no tackle breaking ability).
I wish we could have kept Rayner as an insurance policy, but I’m pretty sure that Hanson can handle the load.
Ballard was not much of a surprise, hope he can make it to the practice squad.
Sorry but I gotta say it...
Toone is better then DWill. He has better hands, and has special teams potential. DWill drops to many passes and has no special teams potential.
LITTLE MAN IN BACKFIELD! LITTLE MAN IN BACKFIELD! GO STEFAN LOGAN!
Ah cuts...
Everyone was hoping Balliard was the diamond in the rough..but there is a reason he hardly played.
I really wanted DWheelz to make it..but i think Stovall is going to push him out. Tho DWheel did have a special teams tackle Saturday.
Mike Bell is a little bit surprising.
The Disassembly Line....nuff said.
Stovall had a St tackle too
Can someone say Mayhewed!? by rames on Jul 31, 2011
by BarryStillRules on Aug 29, 2011 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, Stovall has been a stud on ST...
i think DWheelz has the physical tools but it seems he is missing the mental portion.
He will be our first “bust” kinda…under the new administration.
The Disassembly Line....nuff said.
Hey everybody, new poster here....
I’ve been lurking around here for a looooong time reading just about every article and post you guys have made and finally decided i’d like to get into the action. Long time Lions fan from downriver.
These cuts make sense now, especially Rayner for the exact reason you guys mentioned. They are giving him a chance to make another team because Hanson is back to his old self.
Ballard just didn’t cut it. It would have been beautiful to find a 6’5" UDFA that could play but he just didn’t shine. And with Stovall’s size and showing he REALLY wants to play, ST play has been TREMENDOUS, Ballard and possibly DWill become bubble players.
Bell was just a dud to me. Thought he might be a capable power compliment to Best but he didn’t show me a damn thing that said “keep me”.
Thanks for reading and here’s to hoping i’m an acceptable, fun and mildly knowledgeable poster to the best damn blog around the interwebs. LOL
Slainte!
bienvenido!
The Dis-Assembly Line - The unofficial, official name for the next best D-line in football.
Welcome
"We're looking to improve this team every day, every week, every month until we get to our ultimate goal which is to win a championship."
-Martin Mayhew Detroit Lions GM, Master of the Universe
"Fairies don’t win championships. Bad Ass Mofo’s Do!"- Kevinz418
by Home in Cleveland, Heart in Detroit on Aug 29, 2011 8:38 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
R.I.P. Killer
Thanks for all of the information over the years…you will be missed.
2 things about ballard:
1. he is extremely RAW. he has a lot of learning to do before hes ready to play.
2. knowing this, im thinking they didnt want to showcase him for other teams, with the intention of signing him to the PS, and it gave their other guys, stovall, hughes, dwill, and toone more play time. maybe next year.
also, to all the rayner supporters, yeah, he did great last year. But when you have a guy like hanson, you keep him. we’ll find someone else when the time comes. it wasnt that long ago matt prater was the next big thing.
Matt Prater.. LOL.. i haven't heard that name in a WHILE....
again, RIP Killer, Detroit sports and specifically Lions news won’t be the same without you. Prayers to your friends and family for sure.
by WolfmannHoss on Aug 29, 2011 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions
RIP Killer
I wasn’t a fan but still respected you
Build a man a fire, he'll be warm for a day. Set a man on fire, and he'll be warm for the rest of his life.
yeah wasn't too shocked with these
still hoping Ballard gets signed to the PS but let’s all face it, Bell had little to no shot at making this team so might as well cut him now.
Also wanted to thank Dave Rayner for filling in last year, he did a fantastic job and I have no doubt he will be successful elsewhere
Watching #49 was a blast but now it's time for some #53
by TheForceOfFollett on Aug 29, 2011 1:14 PM EDT reply actions
No, not a thirty-two year old gimpy kneed Center on the severe downslope of his career.
Go to the Cowboys blog to see how they feel. It is a pretty well overwhelming consensus that he was one of the real weak links on that O Line.
That he was picked for the Pro Bowl just shows how meaningless that is.
"Filling a need doesn’t necessarily mean you’re getting a good player," said Schwartz. "It doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re getting a player that best fits; it doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re getting a player that’s better than what you have already."
Well, I've hear differently,
things like cornerstone of the OL, NFL’s top 100 players, etc. Cowboy fans think they’re going to the Super Bowl, I really don’t care about what they think. I’m sure there’ll be 100’s of fanposts on it and other cuts.
NO HOMO!!!!!!!
32 year old Center who has been a PB player the last 5 years
And we have mighty Mouse who has NEVER been to the PB and is roughly the same age. Yeah your right we don’t need him in the middle. Lefty, I will be shocked if the cowboys cut him for any reason that does not have a 5.5 million dollar tag attached to it. Mayhew get on the phone!
How many lumps you want Doc?
Having no input from Cowboy's fans (I really try never get their input)
I would take a pass on Gurode. Not EVERY upgrade is worth taking. I find it hard to believe Gurode, even at 33…new to the team….coming off knee surgery, that he wouldn’t still be better than Dom. However, how long will he last? Age and knee are a concern. If it was my decision, I’d take a pass and look to next years draft.
It's turkey, Lions and Macy's. Any other combination is just ludicrous.
"Only a real man quotes himself in the 3rd person" - Nate D. circa 2011
"Ambition is a poor excuse for not having sense enough to be lazy." - Charlie McCarthy
First mistake I've seen
cutting Rayner. Why we need to pay twice as much for a similarly talented kicker at the end of his career vs a young up and comer is a mistake I believe. Watch for Rayner on another team shortly. Possibly New Orleans. Hartley pulled something last night.
Is he worth every penny?
You’re God damn right he is. You can’t put a price tag on confidence. Since 1992, there’s only been one player in the entire NFL that has never lost my confidence. I’ve seen Rayner miss kicks. I’ve seen Rayner in several NFL jerseys. I don’t have that confidence in him. Yes, Hanson has missed kicks. However, I can’t specifically remember a single one. I don’t fixate on it, worry about it because he is just that reliable. Is that worth four times the salary? You’re God damn right it is.
Side note: I was playing an older Madden the other day. I was playing just one player and it was simming the rest of the game’s plays. It simmed Hanson missing a 29 yard field goal. I immediately turned it off and gave the game to my nephew.
It's turkey, Lions and Macy's. Any other combination is just ludicrous.
"Only a real man quotes himself in the 3rd person" - Nate D. circa 2011
"Ambition is a poor excuse for not having sense enough to be lazy." - Charlie McCarthy
I think Mr. Hanson has earned his spot....
Don’t you? lol kicker is always a position that is easily filled by capable backups. Rayner is a nice kicker but i really dont think he’s Jason Hanson by any strech. Hanson has continued to show that he is money inside 50 even at his age. And there arent many better outside of 50. Gimme the automatic over the potential.
If he gets hurt its not impossible to find another rayner-type on the market.
by WolfmannHoss on Aug 29, 2011 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions
i thought it was for
most FG’s made over fifty years, but yea probably that one too
Records
Most Seasons, One Club
20 Jackie Slater, L.A. Rams, 1976-1994; St. Louis, 1995
Darrell Green, Washington, 1983-2002
19 Jim Marshall, Minnesota, 1961-1979
Bruce Matthews, Houston, 1983-1996; Tennessee,
1997-2001
Jason Hanson, Detroit, 1992-2010
Most Field Goals, 50 or More Yards, Career
45 Jason Hanson, Detroit, 1992-2010
40 Morten Andersen, New Orleans, 1982-1994;
Atlanta, 1995-2000; N.Y. Giants, 2001;
Kansas City, 2002-03; Minnesota, 2004;
Atlanta, 2006-07
John Kasay, Seattle, 1991-94; Carolina, 1995-99,
2001-2010
Most Field Goals, 50 or More Yards, Season
8 Morten Andersen, Atlanta, 1995
Jason Hanson, Detroit, 2008
6 Dean Biasucci, Indianapolis, 1988
Chris Jacke, Green Bay, 1993
Tony Zendejas, L.A. Rams, 1993
Mike Vanderjagt, Indianapolis, 1998
It's turkey, Lions and Macy's. Any other combination is just ludicrous.
"Only a real man quotes himself in the 3rd person" - Nate D. circa 2011
"Ambition is a poor excuse for not having sense enough to be lazy." - Charlie McCarthy
see....ill take automatic over potential
since the ageless kicker seems to be back to his old self i’ll take the automatic over the money savings….those are beautiful stats…lol
by WolfmannHoss on Aug 29, 2011 5:34 PM EDT up reply actions
I'd love for Hanson to play two more years...
just for the longest tenure with one team record. To me, that’s THE most impressive stat I’ve ever seen in this day and age of free agents in sports.
It's turkey, Lions and Macy's. Any other combination is just ludicrous.
"Only a real man quotes himself in the 3rd person" - Nate D. circa 2011
"Ambition is a poor excuse for not having sense enough to be lazy." - Charlie McCarthy
With the kickoffs moved up that 5 yards
Hanson may last until he is 50.
How many lumps you want Doc?
They allow crutches on the field, right?
He doesn’t need a running start to chip in PATs, does he? Let him play til he’s 80 for all I care, the man deserves a ring. He deserves what Vinateri got, because Hanson is, and always will be, the most clutch kicker of all time.
by Mavyrk on Aug 29, 2011 6:31 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Agree
Best kicker ever. Worth ever penny.
"We're looking to improve this team every day, every week, every month until we get to our ultimate goal which is to win a championship."
-Martin Mayhew Detroit Lions GM, Master of the Universe
"Fairies don’t win championships. Bad Ass Mofo’s Do!"- Kevinz418
by Home in Cleveland, Heart in Detroit on Aug 29, 2011 8:41 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Yes.
I think he’s 7th all-time in the NFL currently.
It's turkey, Lions and Macy's. Any other combination is just ludicrous.
"Only a real man quotes himself in the 3rd person" - Nate D. circa 2011
"Ambition is a poor excuse for not having sense enough to be lazy." - Charlie McCarthy
Yeah
I can’t even think of jason hanson being expendable.the dudes had a horseshoe hair cut for the last 10 years and is still rockin kicks behind the 40 yd line.
Unlike Samson
Hanson gains more power as he loses hair.
It's turkey, Lions and Macy's. Any other combination is just ludicrous.
"Only a real man quotes himself in the 3rd person" - Nate D. circa 2011
"Ambition is a poor excuse for not having sense enough to be lazy." - Charlie McCarthy
is it just me
or is hanson taking about a 5 yard longer run up to kick off than just about any other kicker? seems like he starts from farther behind the line than any other kickers.
I asked God for a bike, but I know God doesn't work that way. So I stole a bike and asked for forgiveness.
I definitely noticed that....
Wonder what hes getting out of that. Not necessarily gettin distance because it doesnt look like hes any faster to the ball and hes kicking about the same distance…
by WolfmannHoss on Aug 29, 2011 8:30 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I definitely noticed that....
Wonder what hes getting out of that. Not necessarily gettin distance because it doesnt look like hes any faster to the ball and hes kicking about the same distance…
by WolfmannHoss on Aug 29, 2011 8:30 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
i know
thought it was wierd, he’s been doing it the whole preseason,
but hey, whatever works for him, i ain’t complaining, i love hanson
I asked God for a bike, but I know God doesn't work that way. So I stole a bike and asked for forgiveness.
by yooperlionfan on Aug 29, 2011 8:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Not to surprised.
I was high on Bell and i was highley wrong.
Rayner is a very good kicker and hope he can suceed agaisnt everyone, execpt the Lions.
Ballard was very raw. I was hoping he would make PS but oh well.
And RIP Killer
"Lakers in 4, Pistons cant score" - NBA Analysis. Jokes on you!
"In Mayhew we trust"
Thank you Kris Draper and Chris Osgood for all the memori
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