The Detroit Lions jumped into the water with both feet in last week’s first wave of free agency and emerged a better team. I don’t know if it helps out much in predicting who the Lions will draft next month but it sure goes a long way towards the Detroit Lions and respectability being used in the same sentence again.
Oct 14, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans strong safety Glover Quin (29) breaks up a pass intended for Green Bay Packers tight end Jermichael Finley (88) during the third quarter at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Campbell-USA TODAY Sports
The one thing that I noticed about the new guys was that they each bring with them a strong positive presence to the locker room. After last years dismal performance and his job on the line, Martin Mayhew has stocked the locker room with the power of positive thinking. Add to that the bullhorn that is Louis Delmas‘s mouth along with the absence of knuckleheads getting arrested this offseason – so far so good with no Lions on the police blotters – and you have the makings of at least getting off to a good start this year.
I don’t know which acquisition is more important to the Lions success this year, Reggie Bush or Glover Quin? Jason Jones will be something of role player. With both DE starters gone from last year that position badly needed bodies. Bush brings another big name to the Lions. He’s been on the front pages of the football world since his days at USC. Every football fan knows and admires his Barry Sanders like swivel hips and speed. While some think Bush’s best days are behind him, I think Bush feels like his best days are ahead of him. He won’t be used to pound the rock like he did in Miami. He’s going to used like Marshall Faulk was like back in the day with the Rams when they were the “Greatest Show on Turf”. I expect the Lions offense to come alive and be a yard chewing scoring machine with Bush coming out of the backfield.
Honestly, who ever heard of Clover Quin before the Lions signed him up? Like everyone else I scrambled to You Tube and other sites to see what his game is about. Turns out Mayhew did his homework on the guy. He’s an ex-cornerback and plays the cover safety position. He’s an excellent ball hawk and a leader on the field and clubhouse. He is also the opposite of Louis Delmas, durable. That being said, I’m happy that Delmas was resigned. When Delmas is on the field the Lions defense is much different, it’s noticeably better. Delmas is also a perfect compliment to Quin in that Delmas like to play up near the box and lay the wood to opponents. All we need out of Delmas is for him to stay on the field.
The re-signing of Chris Houston was also a huge deal. With Houston now signed, the Lions have solidified three quarters of their defensive backfield. All of the sudden, what was a glaring weakness now could become a strength if the Lions should choose CB Dee Milliner of Alabama with their first pick.
In baseball terms, Mayhew knocked one out of the park when he stepped up to the plate in the middle innings. The Almighty Draft is next month and Mayhew will be batting in the bottom of the ninth. With his career in the balance, he needs to hit another home run.