MichiganCardinal

I've said it before, but I don't think it's even judgment flaws per se that are the fatal flaw to Carter being drafted by the Lions. I think it's the totality of the rumors leaking that he's not a big off-the-field workout machine, followed a month later by this situation, followed by a complete and total lack of accountability... He's immature and relies on his freakish athletic abilities, rather than putting 110% into being the best football player he can be.

FWIW, I don't think it's Sheila that is the primary concern with taking Carter, I think it's Dan, his staff, and the locker room culture he has assembled of no-nonsense, hardworking, kneecap biting football dudes. They're two years into this complete tear down and rebuild, and the rebranding of the Detroit Lions is still a work-in-progress until substantial and tangible differences are seen (e.g., winning a playoff game)... I don't think they are to the point of the Steelers or Patriots, where they can take a Jalen Carter and know that no matter what happens, the culture you've instilled will withstand. In New England and Pittsburgh, the culture and winning ways have been around since before Carter was born and - so long as Belichick and Tomlin are there - will still be there if Carter has to get labeled a bust and cut by 2026. In Detroit, if Carter is toxic to locker room morale, it could be a substantial flaw in what is being built... That's kind of the way I think Allen Park is looking at it at least. It's not exactly the Ford family's MO to sign character concerns, but I get the impression that SHF would not stand in the way of drafting or signing a player who doesn't piss sunshine and rainbows, if that's what Dan and Brad think is best.

Your Matt Patricia Hate Tweet of the Day:

I think it depends on what they think of Okudah. If they don't offer him his 5th year option (which I think they have to decide by May), then they will have a hole at starting corner in 2024 anyway, even if Sutton is still CB1. If they think Okudah is a starter of the future, whether by the 5th year option or otherwise, then we only need depth at the position (other than maybe the slot) until 2025. Corner is a position where you don't like to force a rookie into starting too early, so taking a corner could still play to their advantage. I think the good thing draft-wise about signing Sutton and Moseley is that there is no longer a position group where the issue needs to be forced. At this point I don't see a group that you look at and say "if the Lions don't address this position in the draft, they're totally screwed." It's a good spot to be in, because you can largely go BPA down the line and still be very competitive in 2023.

I'm expecting Walker to be 100% by training camp. He's been active on Twitter throughout his recovery stating that he is ahead of schedule and that he hopes to be on the field by Spring camp (which is the same window Okudah used prior to 2022).

Moseley was probably a top three pure slot corner on the market. He blew out his ACL last October, so obviously it's a prove-it deal, but the last time they signed someone to a prove-it deal it worked out pretty well.

For a QB coming off a year where he threw a career low in yards, career low in QBR, 2nd lowest in his career in TDs, 2nd highest in interceptions, and who would rather be hosting Jeopardy. Let me know how that works out for you.

I hope after Rodgers assembles all of these pieces in New York, completely changing the makeup of both franchises, he retires. Leaves New York with Jacoby Brissett or Gardner Minshew.

The one I saw was from the unverified "NFL Free Agency Rumors" account on Twitter, with like 400 followers. Those ones typically throw shit at the wall and hope something sticks and they can run with it as "see my 'sources' had it first!" for more followers

Taylor Heinicke signed with Atlanta for $10MM a year. Not exactly backup money.

With the addition of Sutton, I think my target board is something like: 1.6 Will Anderson (EDGE - interest in trading up), CJ Stroud (QB), and Tyree Wilson (EDGE) 1.18: Bijan Robinson (RB), Brian Branch (DB), Paris Johnson (OL), Calijah Kancey (DT), and Jack Campbell (LB) 2nd and 3rd Rounds: Remainders of 1.18, Antonio Johnson (DB), O'Cyrus Torrence (OG), Cody Mauch (OG), Darnell Washington (TE), Bryan Bresee (DT), Mazi Smith (DT), Cam Mitchell (DB), Quan Martin (DB), Byron Young (DT), Trenton Simpson (LB), Daiyan Henley (LB), and Clark Phillips (CB)

If we get the Anzalone of the last five weeks or so of 2022 (sans Carolina) spread across a 17+ game NFL season, this is fine. A good-not-great player at market value. But color me skeptical that will be the case. The guy is not some up-and-comer. He is a six-year veteran who was statistically the 3rd worst linebacker in all of football in 2021, was outperformed by a 6th round rookie in training camp, and had games this year against Dallas and Seattle where he may have benefitted the team by not suiting up.

I'm just going to watch this on repeat until I can tell myself it's going to be okay.

Heard a listener on 97.1 say that Anzalone is the Brandon Inge of the Lions. I see it.

I'll take Sutton.

I agree with this, but I think it goes both ways. I think Detroit is by far the best place to be in 2023 if you're Alex Anzalone. This coaching staff turned him from a player on the brink of irrelevance, let walk by the Saints, and turned him into a (sometimes) okay starting linebacker. On better teams, he probably doesn't make the 53-man out of camp in 2021 and/or 22. Why triple his salary? He should want to be here just as much, if not more, than we want him here. I will say if they can easily get out after a year, I'll settle down considerably.

I will say that reading around on the signing is lowering my blood pressure to healthier levels. His season last year may have been better than I give him credit for. I'll be more sensible and calm down until the numbers are released.

Anzalone had a one-year / $1.75MM deal in 21 and a one-year / $2.25MM deal in 22. On what planet did he deserve three more years and a raise tripling his annual salary based off of his total performance over those two years? If there were other teams offering him that much, let him freaking walk. There is not much that could have annoyed me in free agency. Over-paying and over-extending for a guy who was out-performed by a 6th round rookie until very late in the season though? That'll do it.

Trash.

Bears are devoting a lot of money to (arguably) the least valuable position on the defense. They’ll be able to cover Hock and Josh Oliver. They’ll watch Justin Jefferson, ASB, and Jamo take them to the house.

FWIW, Rapoport has not announced this yet, and he and Rodgers have some connection I am pretty sure. -edit- Now saying that the original report from Dov and his source is incorrect.

Big fan of Sutton. Good price. Great player. I think this opens up your options in the draft quite a bit. If you're happy with Sutton as your outside CB1 and Okudah as your outside CB2, then you really just need a healthy Tracy Walker at Strong Safety and a 2nd or 3rd round nickel corner (Antonio Johnson, Quan Martin, and Cam Mitchell all fit the bill) and your secondary is head and shoulders above where they were last season.