Robert Mathis
by nhlionsfan on Feb 20, 2012 4:10 PM EST
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PrintLong time Lions fan here who has followed the Pride for a few years now. Have not posted yet because I feel like
this blog could consume my life. I am writing to see what you guys think about the possible signing of Robert Mathis
to fil the void if we can not resign Avril long term. Avril's cap hit would be 10.8 million next year if we tag him. This cap
hit would really hurt the chances of resigning Tulloch or grabbing a free agent such as Finnegan or Griffin from the
Titans.Looking at Mathis' statistics and leadership qualities makes me think he would be a great fit with the Lions
on a one or two year contract that would only take a cap hit of 2-4 million a year. This would give the ample amount
of time for Willie Young or a high draft pick to be groomed into the possible successor of the very important pass
rusher from the Left side. I know typically Mathis lines up primarily from the RDE side that VDB lines up on, but I am
pretty sure he and Freeney switch sides consistently to create matchup problems. I love Avril as a difference maker
and think he is a great team player (not selfish as some fans have come to think recently) but his cap hit I feel will
really hurt our chances of improving in other areas. Let me know what light you can shed on the issue.
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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Rather keep Cliff
Mathis is good no doubt but I think Avril is a better investment. Knows the team, The System and the city. IMO the price tag isn’t gonna varry enough to make it worth picking Mathis over Avril.
"People ask is winning really the only thing? My answer to them is my answer to you. Ask Yourself The Damn Question! Is winning the only thing that matters to you? Is it what you want ? Do you want to be remembered as a winner...Or something else? ~ (Dan Lauria as Vince Lombardi)
PCP 4 LIFE
Hey Pro,
How come I haven’t seen the Enforcer ’round here lately?
"Life's hard. It's even harder when you're stupid."
- John Wayne
no idea man
Probably out getting fitted for a Tebow Jersey
"People ask is winning really the only thing? My answer to them is my answer to you. Ask Yourself The Damn Question! Is winning the only thing that matters to you? Is it what you want ? Do you want to be remembered as a winner...Or something else? ~ (Dan Lauria as Vince Lombardi)
PCP 4 LIFE
by The Profiler on Feb 20, 2012 9:00 PM EST up reply actions
Hey, fuck you.
That said, I’ve been around just not around here. No paticular reason really.
"Detroit doesn't pat itself on the back, it gets the job done."-Barry Sanders
"All I can say is, that boy ballin’," said wide receiver Calvin Johnson on Matt Stafford
by Enforcer on Feb 20, 2012 9:03 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Haha. Good to see you're still around, man!
"Life's hard. It's even harder when you're stupid."
- John Wayne
Why do you think Mathis will sign for only $2 to $4 Million per year?
He is coming off a contract that averaged $6M per year and he played pretty well last year.
He will be 31 years old, but I think a team will have to pony up more than $4M to sign Mathis. And I would think more than two years too. He will be looking for something around four years and around $7M per year.
Mathis is not a much better run defender than Cliff, but he does not take penalties. I mean three in one year was the most I found. One year he had no penalties.
Suggesting the Lions sign a stop gap DE for a couple of years is not a bad idea in my opinion. I would prefer to keep Cliff, but suggestions like this are not bad ones by any means. I even like the idea of signing John Abraham for two years and using him in the DE rotation with KVB, Lawrence, and Willie.
I just don’t see options like that saving much money in the short term and setting up some long term problems when half of the DE rotation has to be replaced.
"I’m sorry for all the people who want us to run the ball 40 times a game, but we’re going to put the ball in No. 9’s hands and he’s going to make plays for us like he did today," Lions coach Jim Schwartz said. Amen to that Jim!
Abraham!?!?!?
I have always loved his game. I know he is on the down side but if we could get him for a reasonable number, something like 1/2 what Avril is asking, than we should do that in a minute. No Questions asked.
And take a look at this. His is still being graded extremely well against the run while his pass rushing skills are noteworthy too!
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-There are approximately 45 cats and dogs for every person born.
-Only 1 out of 10 dogs born ever get a home.
-Only 1 out of 12 cats born ever find a home.
-Approximately 800 dogs & cats are KILLED each HOUR in the United States, because there are not enough homes for them!
And a little more for the discerning fan
this shows us a lot about what he have in Avril and makes some great points on his game.
The bad news for Avril is he fell a little short of his terrific 2010 breakout season. While 56 total pressures is certainly nothing to be ashamed of, it is worth noting that 41% of them came in games against Chicago and Minnesota–teams who don’t boast particularly proficient pass-blocking right tackles.
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-There are approximately 45 cats and dogs for every person born.
-Only 1 out of 10 dogs born ever get a home.
-Only 1 out of 12 cats born ever find a home.
-Approximately 800 dogs & cats are KILLED each HOUR in the United States, because there are not enough homes for them!
I dunno about Abraham
Besides, I doubt ATL is going to let its best only best rusher go that easily.
House of Spears | My Detroit Lions/NFL Blog
Follow @THouseOfSpears
They are going to run into the same situation we are with Avril
Not wanting to commit as much to the player as he is asking.
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-There are approximately 45 cats and dogs for every person born.
-Only 1 out of 10 dogs born ever get a home.
-Only 1 out of 12 cats born ever find a home.
-Approximately 800 dogs & cats are KILLED each HOUR in the United States, because there are not enough homes for them!
Have'nt you heard? Pass rushers are a dime a dozen.
That bit of wisdom from some of our newest contributors.
"I’m sorry for all the people who want us to run the ball 40 times a game, but we’re going to put the ball in No. 9’s hands and he’s going to make plays for us like he did today," Lions coach Jim Schwartz said. Amen to that Jim!
by NorthLeft12 on Feb 20, 2012 10:23 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I'll pay more for the young guy with an upside
This isn’t the old Lions where we take the hand me downs anymore. Lots of respect for Abraham, but theres no way I’d choose him over Avril unless we already lost out on Cliff….Than I’d consider it
"People ask is winning really the only thing? My answer to them is my answer to you. Ask Yourself The Damn Question! Is winning the only thing that matters to you? Is it what you want ? Do you want to be remembered as a winner...Or something else? ~ (Dan Lauria as Vince Lombardi)
PCP 4 LIFE
by The Profiler on Feb 21, 2012 12:11 AM EST up reply actions
If we lost out on Avril
I honestly wouldn’t mind seeing the Lions send a fourth or fifth rounder to get another DE back kinda like the Lawrence Jackson or Corey Williams type deals. That would really be their best chance at getting good yet affordable replacement for Avril.
House of Spears | My Detroit Lions/NFL Blog
Follow @THouseOfSpears
by Latif Masud on Feb 21, 2012 12:30 AM EST up reply actions
I'd rather keep Cliff.
I like Mathis but he isn’t my first choice.
"Detroit doesn't pat itself on the back, it gets the job done."-Barry Sanders
"All I can say is, that boy ballin’," said wide receiver Calvin Johnson on Matt Stafford
by Enforcer on Feb 20, 2012 9:06 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Just to clarify
Mathis lines up at the same position that Cliff does. At LDE Freeney is the one who goes against left tackles and they rarely ever move.
We are taught from an early age how to deal with failure not success. (If at first you don't succeed try try again, if at first you succeed then what....) -Charlie Sheen
I come ready, when I came out the womb I was ready, tell them mama that's why you had me, you knew I was ready. -Moss
Dominating your opposition physically is great and all, but confounding them mentally is sooo much more fun.
2-15-DEN 44(14:36) (Shotgun) K.Moreno up the middle to DEN 47 for 3 yards (N.Suh). FUMBLES (N.Suh), RECOVERED by DET-N.Suh at DEN 47. N.Suh to DEN 47 for no gain (K.Moreno). FUMBLES (K.Moreno), recovered by DET-C.Houston at DEN 47. C.Houston to DEN 47 for no gain (O.Franklin). Denver challenged the fumble ruling, and the play was REVERSED. (Shotgun) K.Moreno up the middle to DEN 49 for 5 yards (S.Tulloch).
LDEs go up against right tackles.
Avril is an LDE and goes up against right tackles. Freeney is an RDE, he goes up against left tackles.
"You've got to respect your opponent, no matter who it is. You respect him best by going out there and beating him up." - Calvin Johnson
IF they can't keep Avril for a reasonable sum
Going after a short term option like Mathis or Abraham makes a lot of sense. I like Avril, but I don’t think he’s the elite player that he thinks he is. If he’s reasonable with his contract demands, keep him. If he starts looking for blue chip player money, let him test the market.
I couldn't think of a better signature.
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