1984Echoes

Doesn't pass the smell test. The Wings have wilted at almost the same point in the season for 3 years running. McLellan is last year only. No... the issue is that playoff level teams amp up their playoff level play around February until season's end. Crunch time to make it or miss it: the playoffs. They hit more. They fight for the puck more. They are tough, battle-tested teams that get tougher to play down the stretch run. Simply put: The Wings aren't that. They aren't built yet for the playoffs or playoff crunch time. Not when all they do is wilt. When they fix that... they'll stop wilting during crunch time and make the playoffs. Yzerman has been trying to fix exactly that the past two years, as well as this offseason... but hasn't gotten us there yet... So he's still trying...

Transactions are showing JHen and Chase Lee... where are you seeing SGL coming up...?

When is he supposed to get back? On that note... how about SGL getting up to speed as a potential starter come October...?

I think I’m more comfortable with a Melton start.

I am going to guess that Holmes is looking at something different than "how much money do we have committed to this position"... I mean, I'm not saying he is completely ignoring that as a factor... But again, just guessing... I'm thinking that Holmes' and DC's thought processes go something like this: 1) Does this player give us the best chance at getting Super Bowls? (I think this is their primary concern or factor... And I mean this only in retaining their own players... I think money plays a MUCH larger factor in Free Agent decisions). 2) Can this player be easily replaced with a similar player costing much less? What is the degree of difficulty in replacing him? I think the factors in #2 say that Jamo can be replaced because there are always so many options or ways to replace receiver production. Obviously, it's a lot more complicated than just that... St. Brown and maybe TeSlaa (in the future) and LaPorta will factor into they're thinking. Has Jamo fully matured into a dominant/reliable WR? Do they predict Jamo with more future/shelf life than a St. Brown (for instance)? Or did they just draft a speedster at WR in the 1st or 2nd or 3rd in the latest draft that they think can slip into Jamo's role...? I say those factors apply also to Gibbs. I know he's explosive. But RB's do last shorter in NFL life than I think any other position. 5-6-7 years in the NFL for a RB... seems to be the limit of high-level productivity... before injuries or wear & tear take their toll... And every year, it seems, REALLY good RB's slip late into the 1st or into the 2nd or 3rd rounds... 3) Only at this point do I think Holmes' and DC would start to consider dollars spent on one position group. 4) But I also think Holmes tries to mitigate costs with the following philosophies: (A) Don't spend on the interior O-Line. Too easy to find them in almost any round in the draft... so just keep drafting them. (B) RB's have short shelf lives and are often injured... so keep drafting or searching for them, even when you have good starters at the position. (C) Constantly draft RB's, WR's, DL, OL, and DB's. That just about covers everything... but not really. The NFL takes a heavy toll, so having drafted and developed backups at positions is a necessity. And when a game-changer is available, get him. So I don't know where that leaves Branch. Is he easily replaceable? Does one of the many safeties Holmes' is always bringing onto the team develop into one as capable, or nearly as capable, as Branch? At a far significantly lower cost? Does the NFL rigors of playing Safety diminish Branch's impact within a few years and it makes more sense to NOT extend him but to just move on...? I don't really know these answers... just some thoughts rolling around in my head...

I don't think it's Branch. I would start with Jamo. There are just so many receivers floating around... 2nd: I would offer Gibbs as the next candidate to NOT get a huge contract offer. RB's have such a short shelf life. I know they're trying to extend his shelf life as long as possible by having a "heavy" RB do a lot of the dirty work (Montgomery right now) and soaking up half or close to half of the snaps (I'm guessing though that this year it will be Gibbs 60-70-ish and 30-ish other...). 5 years Gibbs. Franchise him... once or twice? And be certain to find the "next" explosive back in year 5 or 6 to eventually take over for him. Without paying Gibbs a huge/monster contract which will invariably age BADLY. Just my 2 cents.

PS: Lions fill final practice squad spot with former All-American edge rusher - mlive.com Lions fill final practice squad spot with former All-American edge rusher Published: Aug. 28, 2025, 5:11 p.m. By Jacob Richman | jrichman@mlive.com

Andre Carter II was added to the practice squad today... VERY interesting flyer to take at DE...

Gotcha...

This has absolutely ZERO to do with what Hongbit posted and you quoted. Why are you taking this angle? When Hongbit's point (not to put words in your mouth HB) was Homes needed to work FASTER on a Hutch extension because waiting just makes him more, and more... expensive. NOTHING to do with trading for Parsons...

I'm waiting to hear the signing of Smith...

I think it's time for this thread also to get started... General Detroit Lions topics outside of the game threads... First topic: After they set the 53... I'm going to guess subsequent practice squad: Starting with Hendon Hooker. I'm going to guess here that they try to keep him, on the practice squad... although DC might just be ready to move on (from his comments...). So this is maybe even less than 50/50. More like 25/75. But guys I think they will DEFINITELY try to keep by putting them on the PS: Deon Jackson, RB Jackson Meeks, WR Tom Kennedy, WR Kingsley Eguakun (I think he doesn't make the 53 but they want to keep him in the Org...) Mitchell Agude, Edge Nate Lynn, Edge Anthony Pittman, LB Nick Whiteside, CB Erick Hallett, DB Ian Kennelly, S Morice Norris, S I think the team actually LIKES a lot of these guys that they are releasing... they're releasing them early to try and slip them through the cracks... IMO. But... We'll see.

I'm going to take a wild guess that there is actually some ability in there. And if this year is a practice squad year (Lions or otherwise...) I think the UFL is a great suggestion. I think he needs a vast amount of work IN-game, on-the field, so he can actually develop some timing/ reading (defenses)/ etc... and the UFL is the place for him to get it. So... we'll see.

Not really. They're thinking of Decker's past history of injuries. First priority is a competent starting or starter-replacement tackle. That's not Skipper. He's the gimmick guy. Or the 3rd tackle for a "Heavy (3 OT's)" line... They'll get him back on the roster. After they put guys on IR...

Bert + Anti-Bert = nothing. They cancel each other out. So... New ballgame in the bottom of the 5th...

Who STILL has to negotiate per his client's wishes/ demands. If Max tells Boras "I want one of those 8 year deals with little-to-no MLB experience"... Boras will get him the best 8-year deal he can on that basis... If Skubal tells Boras "It's Detroit or nothing."... Same thing. On Skubal... I think he desires finding out his market value on the open market; which Boras would agree with. On Max and McGonigle and Clark... I like those 8 year deals for kids that you REALLY believe in... I like the Keith deal, for example...

12-5. 13-4 if they avoid injuries and Goff has good protection. If they struggle with a few (hopefully very minor) injuries and O-Line learning curve issues, then 12-5.

Lions Practice Squad. IMO.

Like a horse race... "Tork back in front leading Wenceel by a nose .815 to .812..."

I think his ears must have been burning...

Good Jack is worthy of the #2 spot in our rotation. Bad Jack creates problems in the rotation for us... especially come playoff time... IMO.

Wenceel bypassed Tork in OPS (.816 to .813) with that HR...

I think Sweeney just read my posts on his smartphone and decided to take some positive action... 😉 Nice triple BTW...

But they trust Sweeney's...? Or Sweeney's bat?

I could live with this. Especially if Holmes could finagle a 6th/ conditional (stays on roster all year) 5th...