Weekend News Roundup

The Bucs gave Earnest Graham a new deal, thus enduring that Earnest goes to camp. Here all week folks.

Pittsburgh released backup RB Najeh Davenport. The writing was on the wall for Davenport when the Steelers drafted Illinois back Rashard Mendenhall in the first round of this year's draft.

New England's Wes Welker took a shot at departed CB Asante Samuel:

"Asante's a great player, so it hurts not to have a guy like that. But then again, it's part of the business of the game... He chose money over championships, and that's the way it goes sometimes."
- Wes Welker during a football camp at Oklahoma University

Interesting, but perhaps it's easier for Welker - who would have had a one year deal with Miami had New England not stepped in last year - to talk about such things, because New England was essentially his only option when he was in the same situation.

Kevin Jones update: Despite reports to the contrary late on Friday, Jones worked out for four teams (The Dolphins, Steelers, Packers and, of course, the team that knew best what he could do, the Lions) on Saturday afternoon. The Cleveland Browns also asked for a video of the workout, which suggests at least a partial interest.

Following the off-season pattern, the Titans signed Tackle David Stewart to a long term deal. The money being thrown at the offensive lines of many franchises (The Bills and Jets for example) is indicative of a shift in strategy around the league. We think that many teams are now focusing not just on the glamour Left tackle position, but on cohesion. Linemen depend on each other, and many teams now seem to recognise that having a consistent group of starters is better than 1-2 great players.

Shaun Alexander claims to be in contact with seven different teams. For now at least, the main starting gig going seems to be in Detroit. At least, it's the only one going for someone who goes down as easily as Shaun Alexander.

Just how bad is Matt Millen?

While reading an interview with Detroit Lions Hall of Famer Lem Barney earlier, it was difficult not to have a spot of sympathy for the beleaguered Matt Millen, General Manager of the franchise.

I think he has the capability to be a good general manager. He's just had some ups and downs. ... You can't just blame Matt. Players have to want to win, too. You have to be hungry enough. Look at what Boston did -- (the Celtics) were hungry. One guy can't do it by himself. That's why it's called a TEAM. Together ... everyone ... accomplishes more.
- Lem Barmey

Which illicited this response from a Lions fan who commented on the site:

When a player as classy and intelligent as Lem Barney speaks, sometimes you have to listen to what he didn't say as opposed to what he did say.
He didn't say "Matt Millen is a great GM" or even "Matt Millen is a competent GM."
That is really all we need to know about his opinion of Millen.

FIRE MILLEN. HIRE DUNGY.
- outlawsrock

Obviously, getting away from the aforementioned user's clear intelligence issues, it's a widespread view amongst Detroit fans that Millen in fact is to blame for their woes, and has been ever since he took over in 2001. Even the most obviously culpable defendants still have the right to a fair trial (Like I say, we're based in Britain), so in the interest of impartiality, here are the findings of our arduous (and trust me, there is no horror like a Lions draft study) investigation into Matt Millen's (mis)management of the Detroit Lions:

He's really really bad at evaluating talent.

The numbers are staggering, frankly.

First up, the team has only four of it's eight first round picks still on the roster. Calvin Johnson, Roy Williams, Ernie Sims, and Jeff Backus. Charles Rogers and Kevin Jones are both out of work, while Joey Harrington and Mike Williams will likely never start in the NFL again. That's a 50% attrition rate, something which makes you wonder if Millen makes picks with the flip of a coin...

Only two starters (Cory Redding and Roy Williams) are still with the team from four drafts (2002-05). That's an astonishing number. Consider also, that only one player is still active on the Lions roster from the 2002 draft (John Owens). He's not even a starter. The Lions seemed to have faired slightly better in the second round, but this off-season Shaun Rogers, Kalimba Edwards, Teddy Lehman and Boss Bailey all departed Ford Field. six of Millen's ten second round picks are still with the team, however, making it easily his best statistic.

The really serious problem arises when we get to later rounds. Many teams talk about getting a steal on day two of the draft, a Tom Brady or Marques Colston who surprises everyone. For some teams, such as the Colts, the second day is just as important as the first - and they have the rings to prove it. Of Millen's thirty second day picks, only six players are still on the Lions' roster. That's a mere 20% of the players drafted since 2001.

Also of note are the number of draft choices traded away. Since 2001, Millen has given away thirteen draft choices (including nine in last year's draft) in a frivolous disregard for the conventional wisom of today's NFL. In an age where most front offices spend copious amounts of time desperately attempting to secure even late round picks, it is baffling - especially considering the players that the Lions drafted with the picks that they secured from all of those trades.

We haven't included any stats from the 2008 draft in this. It's impossible to judge who will be a star from that class, and maybe if they've learned their lesson... what's that? Already traded away their fourth round pick in 2009?

Actually outlawsrock has a point...

Kevin Jones

The Detroit Lions cut starting RB Kevin Jones earlier this year. A multitude of injuries had left Jones's career looking about as stable as a CBS production meeting.

Jones worked out for reporters this week, and while the reports are impressive, a few quotes from the man himself are slightly worrying. Regarding contract offers from the Patriots and Titans, Jones says:

“I’m not trying to break the bank, but I’m not about to go anywhere just to go, just because there’s a team out there and I haven’t gotten picked up yet,” Jones said. “I know my worth. A lot of the teams know my worth, but they figure, ‘OK, you’re hurt right now. We’ll bring you in.’ They’re just going to lowball you. But that’s not happening with me."

While Kevin Jones is clearly talented enough to play somewhere, it's a ridiculous assumption on his part to think that he will get anywhere near starter money right now. We find it particularly interesting that if the Patriots offered him a deal of any sort, he rejected it. The Pats' pass happy offensive scheme has given perrenial backups like Kevin Faulk and Sammy Morris decent numbers, so a proven back like Jones could potentially ressurect his career behind Tom Brady.

Regardless of who is offering the deal though, we definately think Jones's hand is short. In fact, he's holding a Joker and 'The rules of Gin Rummy'. A solid one year deal (in the Jamal Lewis mould) would see Jones entering Free Agency next year aged just 26. For one thing, it's unlikely that any team will sign someone as injury-prone as Kevin Jones to a multi-year deal anyway.

If we were Jones, we'd take less money now and prove we could get it done next season, putting him in a very strong position this time next year.