After visiting the Lions last week, free agent linebacker Takeo Spikes has a new job if he wants it.  The Lions want to sign Spikes as soon as today in order to get him in town for the start of training camp, but that doesn't appear likely at this time.  Spikes is still "exploring other options," which I can't fault him for at all.  If he can find a team better than Detroit that wants him, then by all means go for it.

“I think there’s a chance if we can come to terms that we could get him before camp,” coach Rod Marinelli said today.

“There’s an interest there on both sides,” president Matt Millen said. “I think he wants to still look at some things. We’ll be patient.”

Even though Spikes finished last season on the injured reserve, he was having a good year before he was sidelined.  After all, the Eagles' main reason for releasing him was based on saving money, so it's not that he can't play or something like that.

I've previously said that I'm for brining Spikes in simply because he is a better middle linebacker than anyone else on the current roster.  He is an upgrade over Paris Lenon and certainly is better than Jordon Dizon, who is only a rookie.

Spikes would be able to join the Lions and likely jump to the starting spot at MLB fairly quickly.  On top of that, having a veteran like Spikes around would be good for the younger players as he could serve as a mentor to them.

I highly doubt the Lions will be able to get Spikes signed before training camp gets underway, but I do think he'll join the team before long.  There's always the chance that a better offer could come along in the meantime, but for the Lions' sake I hope no other teams come calling.

Linebacker Jordon Dizon was arrested six days before the 2008 NFL Draft for a variety of driving charges, including suspicion of drunk driving.  Although the arrest happened way back in April, the public never learned about the incident until late last month.  The Lions were in the same boat as they had no knowledge of any arrest when they drafted Dizon in the second-round.

"We do all the background checks right up to the draft and none of that came through,'' Millen said.

A source close to the situation said that Dizon's arrest might not have been "in the system'' because it wasn't processed immediately.

Millen would not speculate on how news of the arrest might have affected Detroit's decision to draft him, but said that head coach Rod Marinelli addressed the situation with Dizon.

"As soon as it happened, he and Rod had a nice long talk about it,'' Millen said.

As much as I'd like to bash Millen and the Lions for not knowing about the arrest, I'm going to go easy on them this time.  Since Dizon was arrested the week of the draft, it would be pretty tough to learn about the charges before draft day arrives, especially when we didn't even find out about them until June.

On the flipside, no free pass is given for drafting Gosder Cherilus despite his involvement in a bar brawl as that happened last summer.  Obviously Detroit felt that the slip up was a onetime thing and that Cherilus will behave himself.  It's either that or they just didn't do their homework, which I suppose is a very possible explanation.  Either way, both Cherilus and Dizon are on a short leash now with both the NFL and Rod Marinelli.

I apologize for the "captain obvious" type of title, but it needs to be said after some recent comments Matt Millen made.

As you all probably know by now, the Lions made a really bad commercial that featured an even worse slogan.  "Do you believe in now?" is the commercial's tagline, and by the way, the answer is no.  Detroit undoubtedly could have come up with something that doesn't draw instant mocking, but that's exactly what happened with the slogan as most people answer the question with "no."  To be specific, 77% of over 1000 people voted no in a poll on Pride of Detroit that featured the Lions' slogan.  That means well over 800 people do not believe in now, which should come as no surprise.

Anyways, Matt Millen talked to the Detroit Free Press yesterday and discussed what fans' expectations should be in regards to whether or not they should believe in now.  Basically, he made his case for why fans should believe in now, and in the process made himself look like a fool, not that that is hard to do in the first place.

“I think that our fan base is a pretty knowledgeable fan base, so I think they’ll believe their eyes,” Millen said.

“And I think this is a great football town. I’ve said that a million times. So I think the more they can see and the more they get a feel for this group, I think they’re going to like what they see.

“That’s my opinion. So they’ll make their own decisions.”

You're right, Matt, Lions fans are pretty knowledgeable.  That's why there are websites, groups, and events dedicated to calling for your firing.  We're knowledgeable enough to see that you have done a terrible job throughout all your years working for the Lions, and we definitely knew there needed to be a change long ago.  Even so, you still have managed to survive somehow, and until you do go, I don't think any Lions fan will believe in now. 

For me to believe in now, I would have to hear that Millen was finally fired and was on the first flight out of Detroit (assuming, of course, that he was actually in Detroit at the time since he doesn't even live here permanently).  Since that won't be happening anytime soon, I will continue to not believe in now and will not even think about changing my mind until I do see something that tells me different.

It's funny; Millen says he thinks we're going to like what we see.  Well, Matt, what exactly are we going to see in 2008?  A flat out horrible season that produces only a few wins or less?  A promising start that turns out to be a kick in between the legs to Lions fans everywhere?  Or is it going to be the usual mediocre season where the Lions win only 5 or 6 games?  Tell me, Matt, because I'm dying to hear how the Lions can screw it up again.

If Millen had some merit to back up his little prediction that we're going to like what we see, then I'd be singing a different tune.  Unfortunately, that's not the case at all.  Although Detroit did show great things by starting 6-2 last season, that is completely forgotten by a 1-7 finish.  On top of that, Detroit has had 7 straight losing seasons.  Why is this year going to be any different?  All Detroit has done is added some old players and then had another questionable draft.  Considering that's basically what the entire Millen era is based around, I highly doubt 2008 will be the year everything finally comes together.

Matt Millen is right about one thing.  I'll believe it when I see it.  I just hope that I'll actually be around long enough to see a winning Lions team as it seems like that will never happen.  I would start to believe a little bit the second Millen is fired, but similarly, that doesn't seem like it will ever happen either. 

Who would've guessed it?  In a state with such a crappy economy and high unemployment rate, Matt Millen is the one guy that can't lose his job.  No matter what he does, William Clay Ford just can't utter the words, "You're fired," to Millen.  Hell, I bet he could run across Ford Field in a bodysuit and still be immune to being fired.  If Millen purposely tried to lose his job -- and with some of the moves he's made, it actually looks like no one could be that dumb by accident -- he would probably fail at that as well.

Free agent quarterback Daunte Culpepper is looking for work, and his search will have to continue as the Lions don't have any interest in his services.  Culpepper recently got in contact with the Lions to see if they would want to bring him in, but thankfully Detroit isn't interested at this time.

There's been a lot of speculation that the Lions might be interested in Daunte Culpepper, but as of now, there's no interest in signing the free agent quarterback.

The Lions are going to go into camp with their current crop of quarterbacks and they're hoping that either Drew Stanton or Dan Orlovsky steps up to secure the No. 2 spot behind Jon Kitna. There's a difference between having the No. 2 job and actually being a solid backup NFL quarterback.

While the Lions don't have any interest in Culpepper right now, that might change in several weeks if Stanton and/or Orlovsky fail to look good in practice and the preseason games. The Lions obviously have a long-term goal of going with a younger quarterback, but they also have to make sure they've got a quality backup behind Kitna for this season.

Raiders running back LaMont Jordan and Buccaneers quarterback Chris Simms have been mentioned as two players that could join the Lions as well, but it appears that neither is coming to Detroit anytime soon.

Running back LaMont Jordan was also in for a visit, but the Lions, according to sources, aren't interested in signing him. There also has been a lot of discussion about the possibility of bringing in quarterback Chris Simms, but those rumors are -- according to sources -- baseless.

That's very good news to hear as it would take a trade to add Jordan or Simms, and neither really is worth giving up a draft pick to make a deal happen.

If the Lions are looking to add a washed up quarterback to their roster, it would likely be an easy task.  Although they reportedly have some interest in acquiring Buccaneers QB Chris Simms, one time Vikings signal-caller Daunte Culpepper has got in contact with the Lions to see if they would want to sign him.

Quarterback Daunte Culpepper, a former Pro Bowl star with the Minnesota Vikings but a journeyman since sustaining a serious knee injury in 2005, has contacted the Lions to see if they are interested in signing a quarterback before the start of training camp.

The contact by Culpepper, a first-round draft pick by the Vikings in 1999, has been confirmed by a Lions official. It is not known when Culpepper called the team's management, but it is believed to be earlier this month.

I can't see Detroit wasting their time with Culpepper since Jon Kitna is the starting QB, but then again, it wouldn't shock me one bit for Detroit to bring in someone that has definitely seen his better days.

Free agent linebacker Takeo Spikes did visit the Lions recently.  A Lions official confirmed that to the Detroit Free Press, which confirms an earlier report from the NFL Network.  Spikes was released in March by the Eagles as the move saved Philadelphia $5 million in regards to the salary cap.

"Takeo did a really good job for us last year," Eagles coach Andy Reid said in a statement. "But we are excited about the young linebackers that have developed over the last year. We wish Takeo all the best. He's a true team player on and off the field."

It will be interesting to see if anything comes of this visit in the future as Detroit could use help at the middle linebacker position.  Although the Lions shouldn't go and break the bank for a linebacker that is past his best days, they certainly should consider signing him.

Looking at the currrent MLB situation, there's no way anyone can seriously tell me that Spikes is worse than Paris Lenon or Jordon Dizon, so if the right opportunity presents itself, the Lions definitely should bring Spikes in.  He would improve the starting group of linebackers for sure, and although there is the chance he could get injured or something like that, I'd say the risk is worth the reward if the price is right.

Supposedly (I didn't see the report, but have received a few e-mails about it) the NFL Network recently reported that free agent middle linebacker Takeo Spikes was scheduled to visit the Lions today.  Spikes was released by the Eagles earlier this offseason after only one season in Philly.  The move was based primarily on money as the Eagles saved $5 million in cap space by cutting Spikes, but performance was undoubtedly a factor as well. 

Spikes' better years are definitely behind him, but he would probably be an upgrade at the MLB position for the Lions.  Let's be honest, Jordon Dizon doesn't really seem like someone that is ready to come in and make any type of impact at MLB, so having a veteran like Spikes on the roster can't hurt.

I suppose we'll find out more in the coming days about whether or not this visit actually happened, and if it did, what it means for the Lions.  If Detroit could sign Spikes for the right price, I wouldn't mind seeing him in a Lions uniform this season.

For the second year in a row, the Lions are making some of their training camp practices available for public viewing.  In 2007 the Lions did the same thing on a limited basis, but this year fans will have more opportunities to get a look at the team.

Practice will be open to fans on July 29, Aug. 1 and Aug. 4-5. There are double practices all four days. Admission will be for 700 fans to each practice, on a first-come, first-serve basis. Other practices will be open for fans who have season tickets (July 24-29), suite and club-seat holders and sponsors (July 30).

In all, 22 practices will be open to the public. Players report to training camp on Wednesday. The first practice is Thursday morning.

Usual starting times for practices are 8:35 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Viewing for fans will be in bleachers and standing areas.

If there are any days where the weather is bad -- since we're in Michigan, it's assumed there will be at least one -- then practice will be moved to the Lions' indoor facility.  Unfortunately, there is no room for fans inside, so the Lions likely would reschedule the open practice for fans or just cancel it altogether.

Ex-Lions running back Kevin Jones has officially re-joined the NFC North.  This time he is a member of the Chicago Bears as he signed a one-year deal with them today.

Seven days before the Bears are to report for training camp, the club decided they needed help at running back and signed veteran Kevin Jones.

The former first-round draft pick of the Detroit Lions checked out medically Tuesday morning and signed a one-year contract worth $605,000. Jones comes on board five weeks after Cedric Benson was launched following his second offseason arrest, and provides some depth to a position the team still expects rookie Matt Forte to anchor.

As stated in an earlier post, I already am envisioning him having a career game when the Bears play the Lions.  Hell, I am seeing it happen twice as the Bears and Lions play each other two times.  Jones should have a great chance at becoming the Bears' starting running back if he can stay healthy, so he will definitely have a chance to prove the Lions wrong.

Former Lions running back Kevin Jones has finally found a team.  Who that team is won't be known until later today, but we do know who the two finalists are to land his services.

Tampa Bay is officially out of the running for Detroit free agent running back Kevin Jones.

Jones will sign with either Pittsburgh or Chicago on Tuesday, according to agent Tony Fleming, who said that late Monday evening. 

Previously, Fleming said five teams including Tampa Bay were interested in Jones, but despited a published report last week stating Jones was going to visit Tampa Bay this week, he said it was untrue.

I'm really hoping Jones decides to sign with Pittsburgh simply because I don't want to watch him play the Lions twice this season.  It's not that I'm scared of his talent or anything like that, but we all know what happens when ex-Lions play their former team.  Does the name Artose Pinner ring a bell?  Although he is back with the Lions now, he spent time in Minnesota and had a career day against Detroit when the two teams played.  The possibility alone of Jones signing with Chicago is already giving me thoughts of him having career days of his own against the Lions.

Unfortunately, early signs are that Jones will join Chicago as he will be visiting the Bears to take a physical today.  No contract has been offered yet, but I imagine if he passes the physical a deal will be put on the table.