Now n’ Den: Detroit Lions News and Links
By Tony Fischer
Offeseason! What offseason? After the Lions 11-5 finish last season interest in the Detroit Lions has never been higher this offeseason. A solid draft, position competitions and a schedule loaded with prime time games have all added fuel to the fire that is burning at the team facility in Allen Park. Even ex-Lions seem unable to avoid the spotlight.
It’s not a surprise that the back-up quarterback is getting attention in Detroit but the third string quarterback? That is whats happening to Kellen Moore who will be battling to become the back-up signal caller despite signing a contract extension this offseason. There is no more a polarizing figure among Lions fans than Kellen Moore who has a loyal group of fans pulling for him to finally get respect. Even though he was passed over in 2014 despite outperforming back-up Dan Orlovsky in the preseason, Moore has kept a cool head during the process.
Moore is comfortable with QB situation via MLive:
"“Like it here. Simple as that,” Moore said. “We’ve been here for three years, and it has been fun. We have a good room, you know? It’s just a good situation.”"
While Kellen Moore is settling in to his role as perennial back-up, DeAndre Levy has been chasing new ways to feed is appetite for adrenaline. Levy’s high adventure vacations have been the focus of social media this offseason but none more thrilling than wing walking. Apparently the Lions linebacker has become something of an expert on wing walking. The big question is how is that not forbidden by his contract.
Levy’s Not Scared via Detroit Free Press
"“Not at all,” the Detroit Lions linebacker said with a dismissive look. “If you’re chicken (excrement). Not at all. Are you kidding me?”“You can only step on certain places on the plane,” he said. “There’s only certain cables and things you can touch. It’s kind of a muscle-memory thing that you practice on the ground. You can’t grab and touch certain things.”“I mean, people think sitting by a pool is fun,” he said. “It’s not fun to me.”"
Meanwhile Lion turned Buccaneer George Johnson seems destined for a rotational role in Tampa. As a rotational linemen for the Lions last season, Johnson had a breakout season that led to a offseason skirmish over an offer sheet between the Bucs and Lions. Johnson figures to the main cog in the defensive line rotation for Tampa but defensive line coach Leslie Frazier still plans to limit his exposure.
George Johnson Ideal For Rotational Role via Buccaneers.com
"“No question we would like to have a good rotation across the line, so when we get to the fourth quarter our best guys are on the field in those key situations,” said Buccaneers Defensive Coordinator Leslie Frazier. “We don’t want to put George in a situation where he has to play 80 percent of the downs nor do we want even Gerald to play 80-90 percent of the downs. We would like to have enough depth where when we do take guys off the field to get a blow, we don’t have a big drop off.“Hopefully this year we will have the depth to do that. That includes George. I think he had [about] 600 snaps a season ago, so he may end up right around that range, again, a little bit more. That will probably depend on how well the other guys are playing around him as well.”"
In case you were living under a very sizable boulder you probably know Ndamukong Suh signed with the Miami Dolphins this offseason. Even though many Michiganders spend the winters in Florida and the summers in Great Lakes State, it appears the snow bird lifestyle isn’t for the ex-lion defensive tackle. Suh has officially placed his Birmingham home on the market and if you have a few million to invest it might be the place for you.
Suh Puts Birmingham Estate On Market via Free Press
"According to Hall & Hunter Realtors, which lists the property, the five-bedroom home sits on 1.26 acres near downtown Birmingham. It has four full bathrooms and three half-baths, an indoor “sport court,” a massage room, pool and full-size workout room."