From what I've heard, the Lions didn't even offer him a contract. Actually, the last I heard Duckett say, he hadn't even heard from the Lions since the end of the season. How can a team that needs help at RB and has been talking about "pounding the rock" not even talk to this guy? It sounded like TJ really wanted to stay a Lion (which is rare in and of itself) and most likely would have given the team a home town discount. They'd rather look at aging, injury prone players than a guy that proved he could get it done behind our crappy O-line. A young player entering his prime, who combines good speed with great toughness.
Ozark.......I appreciate all of the true Lions fans and the fact that they stick with the team through thick and thin. Letting TJ go seems to be setting the table for more "thin' times.
Actually I'm pretty upset over losing Duckett myself. Hondo is going to have some details later. Gist is the Front Office according to an article that Hondo wrote is in discord. Seems offers are made verbally, then the written contract offer is less than agreed upon. It looks like in this case a worse case happened. No offer was even made, when it was supposed to have been.
Chuck Darby has been signed. Who??? He's a solid (not fancy) DT that won't have the ability of Rogers, but is consistent and has played for Marinelli before in Tampa. He's a workhorse bluecollar type player that will fit easily into what attitude and work ethic Coach wants here.
I wasn't overly impressed with Duckett this past year. I'm glad the Lions didn't sign him to a 5-year deal. That seems like a long time for a mediocre running back.
Duckett averaged over 5 yards a carry. He was not supposed to be the bellcow, but did what he was brought here to do---power back. Kelley has indeed been signed. That gives us a pretty solid DB squad now with Pearson yet to be signed (have to wait on a possible matching offer from the Bucs).
We are looking at several vets on Oline, LJ Shelton came threw but didn't sign. He did sign a guy 6'4" 325 Dan Morgan at LB.
I liked Duckett because he averaged an additional 2 yards per carry after the first 4 guys piled on. Averaging over 5 yards per carry with our line....that's Barry numbers. Ozark is right though. He's good for about 130 carries a season, double what he had last year.
Super Bowl here we come! I'm ok with this move. I'd rather have TJ though. But, IMO, it's better than overpaying Jones, Turner or Dunn for a multi year deal.
I think he didn't like being the backup on a Mike Martz offense. Since the starter only gets 12-15 carries a game, the backup doesn't have a chance.
Bell had a terrible attitude that caused friction between him and KJones. But in his defense, he never ran WR routes like Martz wanted out of his RB's. Martz wanted him here, but in having to do that, he was learning on the job. I figure we will draft a RB high. Maybe of these four: Ron Rice, Mendenhall, Felix Jones or Jonathon Stewart.
Darby, ChuckSeaDL6-0" 02978th32-- Visited Tuesday, March 4 --Agreed to terms on March 7; Started six games in 2007 before being placed on Injured/Reserve; originally signed by Tampa Bay as an undrafted free agent in 2000 and spent the season on the practice squad; played for the Bucs from 2001-04 before joining the Seahawks in 2005. 6' 0" that's too stubby...
Wasn't Ron Rice on the Lions squad before as a safety? Did he go back to school and re-trained as a running back?
