Monday Notes: Lions Re-Sign Stanley Wilson

by Sean Yuille on Apr 14, 2008 2:20 AM EDT in Notes Comment 1 comment

The Lions re-signed restricted free agent cornerback Stanley Wilson last Friday. This re-signing means that the Lions drafting a CB becomes much less likely as they seem to be content with the players they have right now. A CB could be drafted late second day, but I highly doubt an early pick would be used on one now.
Detroit also signed free agent punter/kicker Paul Ernster and waived safety Patrick Body. Ernster will be one of many punters/kickers that come in during training camp and the preseason only to be cut before the regular season begins.
Tom Kowalski discussed the Lions possible draft strategy in an article written over the weekend, and it seems to echo what I posted earlier today. Detroit wants Derrick Harvey, but would take either Ryan Clady or Chris Williams. Unfortunately, all three of those players could be gone by the time the Lions go on the clock. If that scenario happens, then the next option could be to select a linebacker. And to answer Kowalski's question at the end of the story, I would take Jerod Mayo over Keith Rivers simply because Mayo is a better eventual fit at MLB.
The Lions are shifting to a zone blocking scheme that is similar to the Broncos' running game.
Kalvin Pearson is getting rave reviews from a couple of the Lions' defensive coaches.
Another Texas paper talked with Roy Williams about him possibly becoming a Cowboy. This is getting old fast, but articles like this will continue until the Lions make a move. Unless the franchise tag is applied, which is a very likely possibility, Roy will just end up being a free agent and probably will sign with Dallas.
Finally, something all NFL fans can celebrate is that Bryant Gumbel has left the NFL Network. No offense to him, but he just absolutely stunk at announcing. It was very hard to listen to.

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Comments

zone blocking

good article for zone blocking 101: http://espn.go.com/ncf/columns/davie/1440703.html

I share Sean's opinion that the team needs to draft Harvey if he is available, you have to have a strong edge rush in the Cover 2. However, the offensive line is of major concern espescially when changing to a zone blocking scheme. I definitely agree drafting an offensive lineman would be the smartest move in the first round. When Denver's zone-blocking was at its peak, there was something unique about their lineman. They were small! A few of them did not even weigh 270lbs. This seems to be contradictory to football common sense, unless you understand that in the zone blocking scheme lineman need to be quick, agile and have the ability to double team and then get to the linebacker before they get to the running back. After reading NFL.com's analysis of the top 5 offensive tackles, I feel that Ryan Clady is the player Detroit should try to get. Obviously Jake Long will be "Long" gone (couldn't help myself) and Otah who most rank higher than Clady will probably be gone as well. Clady is praised for his agility and ease of movement as well as his ability to work in space which are all qualities needed in a zone-blocking scheme. Williams is a good mauling lineman but Clady would fit, in my opinion, better into the scheme the Lions have switched to.

by ferg1975 on Apr 14, 2008 3:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs