November 25, 2012; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back LeGarrette Blount (27) works out prior to the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers re-signed running back LeGarrette Blount to a one-year deal today and while that wouldn’t seem to have implications for the Detroit Lions, at least one NFL writer thinks it does.

CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora reports that the Bucs and Blount have reached an agreement with the understanding that the running back would be traded. As a restricted free agent, signing the deal gives Blount a certain level of financial security while it allows the Bucs to get something in return for him in a trade. That’s where the Lions fit in. La Canfora speculates that the Lions could be a trade partner.

Thus a trade would be a win-win, and with Detroit among the teams in need of a back, and Blount younger than most of the options in free agency, general manager Mark Dominik should be able to get something in return for the player.

It doesn’t strike me as a likely scenario give the fact the Lions are looking for a running back like Reggie Bush instead of a big back like Blount. The Lions aren’t just looking for a running back, they are looking for a specific running back and Blount doesn’t fit the profile.

However, it is worth noting that the Lions coaching staff, or at least the part that is still around, coached Blount at the Senior Bowl three years ago. Still, trading for Blount would signal that the Lions have already given up on Mikel Leshoure. Nothing about this speculation from La Canfora makes much sense at all.

Hopefully you’re also following on twitter @SideLionReport, here is a sampling of what you’re missing if not:

Trading for LeGarrette Blount makes no sense unless the #Lions are already giving up on Mikel Leshoure. And that doesn’t make sense either.

— SideLion Report(@SideLionReport) March 9, 2013

#Lions aren’t looking for just any running back, they’re looking for Best’s replacement. That is not LeGarrette Blount in any way.

— SideLion Report(@SideLionReport) March 9, 2013

Aug 26, 2012; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis (24) during the second half of their game against the Carolina Panthers at MetLife Stadium. The Panthers defeated the Jets 17-12. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

The Detroit Lions are virtually in salary cap hell with three players taking on half of the allotted salary cap, but this could be a bit misleading. The Lions have 22 free agents and they have the ability to extend Matthew Stafford’s contract to free up a significant amount of cap space. Of the Lions’ biggest free agents, Chris Houston, Cliff Avril and Louis Delmas, it’s likely only two of them are re-signed based on what the Lions are willing to spend. That could free up some cap space compared to what they spent last year. Finally, the Lions have the option to cut underperforming veterans such as Kyle Vanden Bosch to save even more money.

If the Lions wanted to take a chance on Revis, they could probably afford him. But that would come at a cost beyond what is sent to the Jets and the money devoted to Revis. It would also significantly limit the Lions ability to be active in free agency, including retaining their own players set to become free agent.

Then there is the fact that Revis is only under contract one more season and his contract nullifies teams abilities to use the franchise tag on him.  Let’s not forget that Revis is coming off an ACL tear and might not be the player he once was. Do the Lions really want to take a gamble on another injured player?

Finally, what would the Lions trade in exchange for Derrelle Revis?

It is unlikely the Jets and Lions could agree on a player to send to New York to facilitate a trade. That leaves the Lions with the possibility of dealing 2013 and/or future draft picks. The Lions should be reluctant to give up their most powerful tool in acquiring talent at an affordable cost, especially since they don’t have much wiggle room under the salary cap.

With that said, there is one more option that could work great for the both the Lions and the Jets, but it may be unrealistic.

Cliff Avril is set to hit the free agent market this offseason and Revis looks as good as gone the next offseason. Would the Lions attempt to re-sign Avril with the intention of flipping him to the Jets for Revis? It would be a risky move and might be too far outside the box for the Lions to seriously consider. However, the needs and desires of each team seems to line up with this scenario.

Both teams certaintly don’t want to lose key players in exchange for nothing. Both teams have top 10 picks which gives each team a great chance of adding high quality talent at other positions if they need to. This could be a great opportunity for both teams to get what they want.

What do you think Lions fans, would Revis, the best cornerback in the game, be worth the certainty of losing Cliff Avril and potential draft picks? Personally, I’d be thrilled if the Lions acquired Revis as long as everything checked out medically. It would probably take Cliff Avril and as high as a third round pick to make the deal happen, but the deal would immediately make the Lions secondary a top unit with Chris Houston (assuming he’s re-signed), Louis Delmas (assuming he’s re-signed), and Darrelle Revis, all proven playmakers.

Aug 10, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Kellen Moore (17) warms up before the preseason game against the Cleveland Browns at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-US PRESSWIRE

Thursday on ESPN 710 Seattle’s twenty-minute daily segment with ESPN NFL Insider’s John Clayton called, “Clayton’s Cold Hard Facts,” Clayton talked about the Lions quarterback situation and what the Lions may end up doing as far as the decision making goes on rookie undrafted free agent Kellen Moore earning a roster spot with the Detroit Lions.

I don’t think Kellen Moore is going to make the team. I think it’s going to be tough. I think he has a decent chance to get back there to the practice squad because I think there is no doubt that Scott Linehan is a big fan of Kellen Moore and is going to give him as much of an opportunity as he can. I think the [Lions] are going to be in a dicey position. I think easily they’ll keep two [quarterbacks]. They’ll keep Shaun Hill as the backup quarterback; obviously, Matthew Stafford is going to be the starting quarterback. I think it is going to be tough for [Moore] to make the roster and probably rightfully so. He came in and didn’t have great arm strength. He’s a left handed quarterback trying to make the transition [to the NFL]. I think that he has a future, but it may not necessarily be on the Lions’ roster to start the season.

This is a position I have been taking all offseason because it is clear that Kellen Moore does not have the physical attributes of making the Lions’ 53-man roster, but he does have the smarts to earn a practice squad spot. He could easily morph into a career backup in the NFL, especially if he toughs it out on the Lions’ practice squad until longtime veteran Hill retires.

I think there will always be a spot for Moore in Detroit on the practice squad as long as Linehan is the offensive coordinator because Linehan is a big fan of successful quarterbacks at the collegiate level and having a hard worker like Moore as a Lion does nothing but boost the potential of all quarterbacks the Lions employ.