According to WDFN, ESPN is reporting that 10 teams are interested in Dre Bly. James Hall may be traded to the Rams. Marcus Pollard is now on the trade block. And a South Florida newspaper is reporting that Joey Harrington will be cut by the Miami Dolphins.
Maybe Joey can go work with Andre Ware. They can sit around and talk about how this franchise helped ruin them. On another note does anyone think all this house cleaning will result into anything. I mean are there any players out there FA wise stupid enought to come to Detroit? The draft picks only hope is to holdout or pray we don't draft them. I'm a homer but like before last season I'm finding it really hard to get excited about anything this organization does. I used to get pumped up reading about who we might draft, now it seems I could care less. Lack of hope?
Pollard was never the same after Joel hung him out to dry. Hall regressed last year. I know he was banged up but he stank.
The TE is an afterthought in Martz's offense and Campbell is a Marenelli type of guy. The writing was on the wall. Hall was playing pretty well before he got injured. He let the team with 5 sacks in 7 games and had 17 tackles and a forced fumble. He was even drawing some double teams on the outside before going down. Apparently Hall and Millen had a big falling out this year. They haven't spoken since. Also, Hall and Bell were involved in the greivance filed during training camp. Now both will be gone. Marenelli doesn't like cry babies. I like that Marenelli isn't backing off his tough love stance. In response to some of the player's concerns about practicing in pads all year, he said that if he could get the consistent effort that he's looking for and a better result on games days, that they wouldn't always have to practice in pads. So it's up to the players to perform. If they do that, they'll be rewarded. Unlike Mooch who coddled the players without them earning it. I like the direction Rod is taking this team. But I think it'll get worse before it gets better. Potentially getting rid of your best CB (Bly), best DE (Hall), 2 top 10 receivers (Rogers & Williams), your best O-lineman (Woody), your best TE (Pollard) and a host of other players isn't exactly a receipe for instant success. Not to mention the fact that it eats up a TONNE of cap room in "dead money". That's why these (potential) moves are so impressive to me. Rod is willing to jettison these guys despite the high cost and no return.
Also, Hall and Bell were involved in the greivance filed during training camp. Now both will be gone. Marenelli doesn't like cry babies. Dude I thought we were over this. Martz screwed up the practice and Bell complained-rightfully and the coaches were punished. You can't step on players rights. Isn't this part of being a smart player? PS: If they're off the roster before the pay date it doesn't count toward the cap.
The greivance was quoted as a reason for dumping Bell and Hall on MLive, that's why I brought it up. The roster bonus doesn't count against the cap if you're released before it's due, but any remaining amount of your prorated signing bonus counts against the cap. I don't know everyone's salary and who is still owed signing bonus money, but I don't think it'll affect someone like Bell or maybe Hall, but it'll probably affect guys like Bly, Pollard and Woody if they're released.
Dre Bly apparently traded to Denver for OT George Foster and RB Tatum Bell + what appears to be a 5th round pick. I'm sure there will be more news on this soon.
Not a bad trade at all. I like Bell a lot. He's only 25 and has great speed. I don't know anything about Foster, but he's only 26, has decent size at 6'5" and 338lbs and was a former 1st round, 20th overall pick in 2003. I'll be interesting to see how this affects the Lions' draft day. Will they still go after OT Joe Thomas? I'd imagine that RB Adrian Peterson is now out of the picture. I'd have like to see a higher draft pick, 3rd round would have been nice, but overall not a bad trade. ESPN.com - NFL - Broncos acquire Pro Bowl cornerback Bly from Lions
The Lions have traded James Hall to the St.Louis Rams for a 5th round pick. ESPN.com - NFL - Signings: Veteran lineman Whittle agrees with Bills
It looks like Mike Williams' bench warming days ("playing days" doesn't really fit in this case) are over with the Lions. MLive.com blog: Lions Insider: Mike Williams' career in Detroit is all but over
Lions schedule with dates, times, and stations (dates and times were announced today) Lions 2007 schedule Sept. 9: At Oakland, 4:15, FOX Sept. 16: Vs. Minnesota, 4:05, FOX Sept. 23: At Philadelphia, 1, FOX Sept. 30: Vs. Chicago, 1, FOX Oct. 7: At Washington, 1, FOX Oct. 14: Bye week Oct. 21: Vs. Tampa Bay, 1, FOX Oct. 28: At Chicago, 1, FOX Nov. 4: Vs. Denver, 1, CBS Nov. 11: At Arizona, 4:15, FOX Nov. 18: Vs. New York Giants, 4:15, FOX Nov. 22: Vs. Green Bay, 12:30, FOX Dec. 2: At Minnesota, 1, FOX Dec. 9: Vs. Dallas, 1, FOX Dec. 16: At San Diego, 4:15, FOX Dec. 23: Vs. Kansas City, CBS Dec. 30: At Green Bay, 1, FOX Preseason schedule Aug. 9: Vs. Cincinnati, 7:30 Aug. 18: At Cleveland, 7:00 Aug. 25: At Indianapolis, 7:00 Aug. 30: Vs. Buffalo, 7:00
