Detroit Lions patience in free agency might just pay off
By Robert Jones
The Detroit Lions have conceived of a gameplan to add the necessary talent to improve upon this past season and it is starting to look like it might just work.
Bob Quinn and the Detroit Lions headed into the offseason behind the rest of the league. After being quick to send former head coach Jim Caldwell packing, they had to play the waiting game for the New England Patriots season to end in order to hire Matt Patricia as the Lions new head coach.
This of course left the Lions scrambling to try to catch up in their preparation for free agency and the draft.
Then came the release of their much maligned tight end Eric Ebron who could never possibly live up to what Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald has done at a position of need for Detroit or the amazing hands of Giants receiver, Odell Beckham Jr, despite his immaturity, both of whom were selected after Ebron in the 2014 NFL draft.
Finally when the Lions rock in the middle of their defensive line, Haloti Ngata, signed with the Philadelphia Eagles, the sky was officially falling.
Suddenly the Lions not only had needs at running back, offensive line and the defensive line, but they had added to their needs by saying good-bye to their top receiving tight end.
How could they ever get out of this sink hole that was ready to consume this franchise and all of its panicking fans?
Apparently the answer was to stay patient and let general manager Bob Quinn and Matt Patricia do their thing. A thing that is starting to pay dividends and looking like these Lions may not be ready accept second or third best in a tough division.
The early returns were nice when they signed linebackers Devon Kennard and Christian Jones to bolster an area of concern. They added DeShawn Shead at corner back to create more depth in the secondary and veteran power back LeGarrette Blount who immediately gives the ground game some added muscle.
These were all good signings that not only addressed needs, but also created more talent and depth. Something no team can have enough of in the NFL.