NFL Roster Cuts: Detroit Lions Release Chris Morris

by Sean Yuille on Sep 4, 2011 3:06 PM EDT in Detroit Lions News

As I mentioned earlier, it didn't seem likely that the Detroit Lions were going to go into the regular season with only three true running backs and 10 offensive linemen. As it turns out, that's because they aren't planning on going into the season with 10 linemen.

Dave Birkett reports that offensive lineman Chris Morris was released today, opening up another spot on the roster. It's likely that the Lions claimed Jacques McClendon to take Morris' spot on the roster, whereas Aaron Brown was released so the Lions could add someone else.

It's not clear who the second new player to be added to the roster is right now. I'm assuming it's a running back, though. If McClendon was added to take Morris' spot, you have to imagine the Lions released Brown in favor of a running back. That would make the most sense and would explain why he was released.

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So who do u guys think the RB will be

John Clay maybe

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by Detroitnr1 on Sep 4, 2011 3:08 PM EDT reply actions

maybe, but he has a 5.0 40 time. Thats not overly impressive.

by supupeoples on Sep 4, 2011 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions

But as Power back

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by Detroitnr1 on Sep 4, 2011 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions

His power is useless

If he lacks any sort of acceleration or burst through the whole. Players in the front 7 are far more powerful than he is at the NFL level – so what does he have to offer an NFL team willing to take a chance on him?

I don’t know, but the fact that he isn’t employed should give you a hint.

by Hussein Beydoun on Sep 4, 2011 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions

A 248 pound running back isnt expected to have breakaway speed

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OG64tTWmGKw

Watch his highlights and you’ll see he’s fast enough to run the ball. His strength is what he centers his game around, and it shows

by Kalzilla on Sep 4, 2011 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

thanks for the link

by supupeoples on Sep 4, 2011 3:17 PM EDT up reply actions

one thing i absolutely love about him

is how hard he hits the pocket.

by supupeoples on Sep 4, 2011 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Name a power back

That moves a pile forty yards.

by Mavyrk on Sep 4, 2011 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions

It would just be nice to know,

that if he breaks one, hes going to have what it takes to go the distance.

by supupeoples on Sep 4, 2011 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions

True, doubt we will sign him but you can always specualte

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by Detroitnr1 on Sep 4, 2011 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions

We've got something like 12 home run hitters on offense.

Just like the Packers, but they still make room for John Kuhn, who couldn’t hit a home run if his life depended on it, but who gets a lot of goal line carries.

by Mavyrk on Sep 4, 2011 3:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Kuhn

is a tremendous pass blocker and receiver. That’s his greatest value to Green Bay. Clay has neither of these attributes.

by Hussein Beydoun on Sep 4, 2011 3:24 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

When he started?

Kuhn had neither of these attributes either. It took him til this past season before he ever saw even 10 receptions OR carries in a single season. This past season? 84 rushing attempts, 15 receptions; his number was called multiple times (successfully) as a short yardage rusher. I don’t think we agree on what “greatest value” means.

by Mavyrk on Sep 4, 2011 3:32 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm not asking you to agree with me

The proof is in the numbers. He was in on 91 plays as a rusher, but 132 plays as a receiver. He was in on 107 plays in pass protection, and 90 as a runblocker. His greatest value to the Green Bay Packers was clearly as a receiver/3rd down back type.

He was an asset running the ball, but not nearly that good. Though it shouldn’t take much effort to decipher why he saw such a spike in his carries – The Packers struggled to find anybody to replace Grant’s production when he went down.

by Hussein Beydoun on Sep 4, 2011 3:56 PM EDT up reply actions

That doesent mean its not important.

Only one person can have the ball at a time, so the other twelve arent going to be able to do much when he has the ball. its still nice if they can run a 4.7 or lower. Honestly he’s slower than suh.

by supupeoples on Sep 4, 2011 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions

His 40 time was a 4.7

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by Reno09 on Sep 4, 2011 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Incorrect

I believe his official 40 times was 4.83, but the average scout timed Clay between 4.86-4.91. That was after he shed about 30 lbs preparing to impress scouts. Oops.

by Hussein Beydoun on Sep 4, 2011 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions

I just saw that he ran a 4.72 on pro day

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by Reno09 on Sep 4, 2011 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Laurence Maroney? John Clay? The Hulk?

I never met him, but he was family to me... R.I.P. Tom Kowalski We will all miss you.

by TuffLynx on Sep 4, 2011 3:17 PM EDT reply actions

Oooo The Hulk!

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by Detroitnr1 on Sep 4, 2011 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions

We gotta sign him before Philadelphia does...

that would just be too much green for any one player.

I never met him, but he was family to me... R.I.P. Tom Kowalski We will all miss you.

by TuffLynx on Sep 4, 2011 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Ha Lol

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by Detroitnr1 on Sep 4, 2011 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Chuck Norris.

by mcivor on Sep 4, 2011 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Comment Number 400 for Me!

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by Detroitnr1 on Sep 4, 2011 3:19 PM EDT reply actions

when is the party to celebrate this monumental achievement?

Individuals should protect themselves. Governments can't protect individuals from themselves, it's just impossible, otherwise they become a tyranical state. -Ron Paul

by Ee Oulo on Sep 4, 2011 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Well, are we finally seeing the long....

Awaited focus placed squarely on the Oline?

Seems to me they are trying to upgrade the overall line talent in the worst way. Churning and burning them almost hourly.

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

by delusional on Sep 4, 2011 4:13 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Churning and burning, they yearn for the cup ....

They deftly manuever and muscle for rank
Fuel burning fast on an ……

wait wha?!? oh …. sorry

Do you try to spell that fucked up on purpose?
by delusional on Nov 20, 2010 9:51 PM PST via mobile

by OKCLion on Sep 4, 2011 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

+1

For the Cake reference

by The Sledge on Sep 4, 2011 5:20 PM EDT up reply actions

C'mon now!

Who will be filling Brown’s spot?! Too much suspense.

by Forward Down The Field on Sep 4, 2011 4:27 PM EDT reply actions

Mayhew looking for a trade?

I’m thinking a late round pick or OL for Jonathan Dwyer from Pittsburgh. Dwyer is 4th in the rotation and they need some help up front. Dwyer looked good in preseason after he dropped some weight and got in shape.

by ncbur10 on Sep 4, 2011 4:46 PM EDT reply actions

the best running back situations i see out there are....

via free agency….
Larry Johnson
Jalen Parmelly
Andre Brown
John Clay
Stafon Johnson

I myself don’t like the prospects of these free agent scenarios

I think that if the Lions can make a trade happen it would have to be with a RB rich team …. to throw a player and a low draft pick into the deal for someone….IF they can’t pull off a “Mayhew” type deal. I am thinking they go with the BEST special teams running back on the market.

by Shankdiddy on Sep 4, 2011 5:01 PM EDT reply actions

infact i am thinking the very reason it is taking so long is because they are attempting a trade

Likely trying to get a Saint running back… i think we all have talked about J. Bell from the Saints… but somehow i think the Saints would be more willing to part with Pierre Thomas and roll with Ingram and J. Bell as a 1 2 punch than to get up Bell.

The Steelers are also a running back heavy team… and i could see a Dywer trade going down….

again if the price is too high the Lions may just roll with what they have and add a really good special teams back or full back

by Shankdiddy on Sep 4, 2011 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions