Where The Lions Roster Stands: Defense, Special Teams

by Sean Yuille on Jan 17, 2012 5:23 AM EST in Detroit Lions Roster

Just as we did yesterday with the offense, today we are taking a look at where the Detroit Lions defense and special teams stand going into the offseason. After the jump you can check out a rundown of each position with the players divided up based on if they are under contract or if they are set to become a free agent this offseason. This will serve as a general overview of the defense and special teams as we get set to take a more in-depth look at each unit in the coming weeks.

Defensive End

Under contract: Kyle Vanden Bosch (through 2013), Lawrence Jackson (through 2012), Willie Young (through 2012), Ugo Chinasa (futures deal)

Free agents: Cliff Avril (UFA)

Defensive Tackle

Under contract: Ndamukong Suh (through 2014 with club option for 2015), Corey Williams (through 2012), Nick Fairley (through 2014)

Free agents: Sammie Hill (RFA), Andre Fluellen (UFA)

Linebacker

Under contract: Justin Durant (through 2012), Doug Hogue (through 2014), Slade Norris (futures deal)

Free agents: Stephen Tulloch (UFA), DeAndre Levy (RFA), Bobby Carpenter (UFA), Ashlee Palmer (RFA), Isaiah Ekejiuba (UFA), Cody Brown (ERFA)

Cornerback

Under contract: Chris Houston (through 2012), Aaron Berry (through 2012), Alphonso Smith (through 2012), Don Carey (through 2012), Ross Weaver (futures deal)

Free agents: Eric Wright (UFA), Brandon McDonald (UFA)

Safety

Under contract: Louis Delmas (through 2012), Amari Spievey (through 2012), John Wendling (through 2013), Ricardo Silva (through 2012)*

Free agents: Chris Harris (UFA), Erik Coleman (UFA)

Kicker

Under contract: Jason Hanson (through 2012)

Free agents: None

Punter

Under contract: Ryan Donahue (through 2013)

Free agents: Ben Graham (UFA)

Long Snapper

Under contract: None

Free agents: Don Muhlbach (UFA)

*Hat tip to Dave Birkett for the heads up on Silva, as I could not find contract information for him anywhere.

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Comments

I can't wait to see what Mayhew is gonna do

Getting bored with the guessing game

by msivits on Jan 17, 2012 5:33 AM EST reply actions

I'm thinking

The window for the Lions is the next 2 years. Everything will change after 2014.

"I’m not a talker on the field, but if you say something to me, I may say something back to you or I may ignore you. It’s funny because a lot of guys usually come up and say something to me like right before, something like ‘Have a good game,’ or whatever, and I just ignore it. I’m not here to meet friends. I’m here to cause you problems and meet your quarterback. I’ll shake his hand when I’m hitting him." Ndamakong Suh

by Detroitfantc on Jan 17, 2012 7:16 AM EST via mobile reply actions

The window is open as long as Stafford and Megatron are wearing Honolulu blue.

Hey that's a timeout, I can play right? yeah, get me--get the F-- Help me up...I can throw the ball if you need me to throw the ball...

by n4ry4 on Jan 17, 2012 8:25 AM EST up reply actions

Tom Brady proves this every year.

Remember Stafford is 23.. he IS the key to success. Our teams skill with go up and down throughout the years. But having a great quarterback should be the consistent variable that keeps us competitive.

by Chandra on Jan 17, 2012 10:40 AM EST up reply actions

Exactly

If you have a franchise QB, every year is your year. Look at the Patriots this year, they do NOT have the best team on paper (or even a top 5), but they have Brady.

A great QB makes up for deficiencies in other areas.

by Arrogant on Jan 17, 2012 11:03 AM EST up reply actions

The Lions would hover around .500 without Stafford.

Megatron is the best player at WR in the world, but Stafford is the lynchpin to this franchise’s success.

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

Discount Double Choke, 2011 Packers.

by Skylar on Jan 17, 2012 12:37 PM EST up reply actions

think it's 3 years

2012, 2013, 2014. i could be wrong though

by redwingxviii on Jan 17, 2012 10:17 AM EST up reply actions

Bye Bye Levy

He is a decent player, but if the Lions are sticking with the wide 9, they need a playmaker at OLB.

by Arrogant on Jan 17, 2012 11:05 AM EST reply actions

Levy is staying put

I don’t mind Levy… I think he’s not too bad a player, BUT… love him or hate him… he’s staying put… at least for this year. The truth is that teams just don’t let even half decent RFA leave in the off-season. The salary obligations are just so reasonable that you can’t let them walk. Roster depth players often get tendered an offer. I just don’t see them letting Levy walk considering he is a starting caliber player on most NFL rosters.

by Mayhewed on Jan 17, 2012 12:17 PM EST up reply actions

Totally my bad

Didn’t see he was a RFA. Your right, he will be back for sure.

by Arrogant on Jan 17, 2012 12:28 PM EST up reply actions

RFA or not...

Levy is a good Linebacker. He’d be starting on any team in the NFL.

BTW, he had over 100 tackles this year.

http://twitter.com/#!/rumbulls

by CLF on Jan 17, 2012 3:19 PM EST up reply actions

The Case for Trading Suh

Let me start by saying that I realize this idea of trading Suh is obviously controversial and by some people’s standards – crazy. Before you castigate me, let me make my case.

Jim Schwartz is a disciple of Bill Belichick. One of Belichick’s “trademarks” is his willingness to cut loose highly paid (and highly productive) personnel – via trades. Usually, he gets draft picks in return. Over the years, Belichick has been able to stockpile a vast amount of extra draft picks which he uses judiciously to ensure that New England has been able to remain a powerhouse in the NFL for many, many years.

The business side of this strategy would seem to infer that Belichick realized years ago that there was simply no way to maintain the core nucleus consisting of too many highly prized (and highly paid) superstars. He was also smart enough to realize that you cant put too much money into too few positions thus leaving the rest of the team mediocre (or worse).

The Lions current situation is that they have 1/2 of their salary cap tied up in 4 players (Stafford, Johnson, Suh and Vanden Bosch). There is NO WAY that you break up the Stafford/Johnson connection. That leaves Suh and Vanden Bosch and Kyle isnt going to yield very much in return if he was put on the trading block – not to mention that he is a leader on this team without equal.

The Lions are extremely deep in talent on the D line and Suh’s absence would more than be compensated for by the likes of Fairley, Williams, Hill and Fluellen. Would it cause a decrease in capability? Perhaps a bit – but, probably not as much as you would think.

Another factor to consider is that Suh is NOT a team player; nor is he the type of guy in the locker room that “fits in”. Did you know that Suh was the ONLY Lion player to NOT circle the stadium after the last home game and high five the fans?

The Lions could garner a wealth of draft picks in exchange for Suh. Probably at least a couple of 1st rounds, perhaps a 2nd or a couple of 3rds as well. There would be no shortage of suitors if the Lions were to make it known that a deal for Suh could be had if the price was right.

The other benefit of trading Suh? It would free up a substantial amount of cap space not only this year, but, for the next several years as well.

by Strawboss on Jan 17, 2012 7:45 PM EST reply actions

It doesn't clear up much cap space.

Even if he was cancer in the locker room, you cant trade him. The old rookie system kills your cap if you trade/release the player. The Lions aren’t in any position to trade him. Remember when the Lions still had C. Rogers on the books 3 years after he was cut?

I’m not going to even include how shortsighted it would be to trade him.

by Arrogant on Jan 18, 2012 11:19 AM EST up reply actions