May 22, 2013; Allen Park, MI, USA; Detroit Lions head coach Jim Schwartz during organized team activities at Lions training facility. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

The Detroit Lions wrapped up their offseason program with yesterday’s close of minicamp. Players can still use team facilities if they would like, but the team is officially on summer break for the next five to six weeks. The next time the team formally assembles it will be for the start of training camp.

This marks an important time for the Lions and each player has just one task: staying out of trouble. Dave Birkett had a little about Jim Schwartz’s closing remarks to his team yesterday:

But when Jim Schwartz said good-bye to his players Thursday, very little of his message was a reminder to stay trouble-free.

“It was more about where you guys are as a team, I like your attitude,” receiver Nate Burleson said. “I think he was just saying nobody’s running around here cocky, but we’re not feeling sorry for ourselves, either. We’re working in a very highly competitive atmosphere, and he loves what he’s seeing.”

Staying out of trouble may not have been Schwartz’s main message, but ‘very little’ is still some.

At this point Schwartz may not even need to say much. Some players, Stephen Tulloch in particular, admitted that the offseason shenanigans of a year ago played a part in the team’s disappointing 2012 season. It would seem likely team leaders would be intent on delivering the message that a repeat is not acceptable.

Perhaps Nick Fairley had some words of advice for his younger teammates. Fairley experienced his fair share of trouble but has since been a good citizen, showing more maturity on and off the field. I would bet Fairley wishes he did a few things differently earlier in his career and would like to see others avoid his mistakes.

The NFL is king of the news cycle, but for the next month and a half, the Detroit Lions will look to stay out of the news.

Sept. 9, 2012; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Seattle Seahawks defensive end Jason Jones (90) reacts to the official during the fourth quarter against Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Hilderbrand-USA TODAY Sports

The Lions signed Jason Jones as a free agent and Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press has reported that Jones will take over the left defensive end position previously held by Avril.

That is an interesting tidbit considering Avril and Jones are not interchangeable pieces. Two inches taller and 20 pounds heavier, Jones has the ability to line up inside while Avril was strictly a speed pass rusher.

What’s even more interesting is what the change in personnel means for the Lions and their use of the much-debated wide nine. Jones’ arrival as the new left defensive end suggests we’ll see more traditional four-man defensive fronts from the Lions next season. In fact, Birkett has a quote from Schwartz that indicates Avril’s presence may have been the largest factor in the team’s use of the wide nine in the past:

“I think his (Jones) talents sort of stand alone,” Schwartz said. “And it’s more about just putting the players that we have in position to be able to make plays. We couldn’t do that with Cliff. That didn’t fit his skill set.

“We put Cliff in what we thought was the best position for him to be effective and for him to help us. It didn’t necessarily put Nick Fairley or Ndamukong Suh in the best position. But that’s coaching. You just try to put guys in the best position that they can do.”

The Lions did what they thought they had to do to be successful overall, even if it wasn’t in the best interest of some other individual players. That’s a shockingly honest statement from a head coach who usually keeps information under lock and key. It also goes to show why the Lions, and apparently no one else, was willing to break the bank on a new deal for Avril.

Initially it seemed that Willie Young might be poised to take over Avril’s spot. The Lions tendered him at the second-round level rather than original round – a sure sign they had big plans for him and didn’t want to risk another team stepping in with just a seventh round pick as compensation standing in the way. While Young is surely still in line for an increased role, it still may be as a situational pass rusher since he is not well-suited to take over for Vanden Bosch. Lawrence Jackson remains a free agent and would be a better fit considering his ability to play right defensive end and his familiarity with the team.

Jackson is just one option but it is clear the Lions still have a hole to fill at defensive end opposite Jones. Perhaps it will be another free agent or even a rookie. But at this point it sounds like whoever will start at right defensive end for the Lions is not currently on the roster.

Photo Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Remember that Thanksgiving Day touchdown the Houston Texans scored on the Detroit Lions that shouldn’t have been a touchdown? The one where Justin Forsett was down by contact but the play was not whistled dead and Forsett ran nearly the entire length of the field for a touchdown. Yeah, I know you have been trying to put it out of your mind but I had to bring it up again.

Here is a video of former NFL head of officiating and current FOX Sports contributor Mike Pereira talking about the play and the rule:

The good news is that the rule has been changed meaning a similar situation will no longer be a touchdown. Unfortunately, there isn’t anything that will or can be done retroactively in the box score but at least common sense has prevailed. After all, the whole point of replay is to get a call correct and anything that stands in the way of that happening is foolishness.

My feelings on the matter a perfectly summarized by a scene in the iconic movie Billy Madison. Here it is:

The NFL has realized there are delicious Triscuit crackers but they can not put the delicious Triscuit crackers into a Lions fan’s stomach.