Scanning the Savanna

Detroit Lions

Cap status: About $16.5 million under

But the team the Vikings (and the Packers and the Bears) may have to concern themselves with could very well be the Lions.

I saw ex-Detroit Lion running back Tommy Watkins escorted into the dining hall in a wheelchair. He was honored that night, but he didn’t go to the podium. His son spoke on his behalf.

I sat and chatted with Mike Ditka, a Hall of Fame tight end, who is one of the biggest advocates for helping older football players. Ditka walks with a limp, but, at 71, he’s still as feisty as ever.

I saw ex-Detroit Lions quarterback Greg Landry, now 64, with gray hair, and Hall of Fame linebacker Joe Schmidt, still appearing in good shape, at the age of 79. You couldn’t tell that he was once one of the best football players in the game; with age, he’s become smaller.