View from Training Camp 8/3/2015

Went to training camp today:

Observations:

Ameer Abdullah is a stud. Crazy quick. Catches the ball.

Corey Fuller looked good. He had some battle with Darius Slay.

Slay is by far the best CB. Not a surprise.

The Defense without Ngata and Jones was not the same.

Tully looked good. He looked like he should be ready.

Nevin Lawson was active and rusty. coached up a number of times at Dback drills.

That 5th receiver job will come down to Moore, Salas, Broyles and Jones. I pick Broyles.

Lions used a lot of Van Noy. He bounced around in individual. He went from pass rush to pass drop.

Scenes:

Quandre Diggs and Nevin Lawson

Big Joe and Don Carey

Taylor Mays

Joique on the PUP

Nate Ness

Detroit lions trade Mohammed Seisay to Seattle

Lions trade 2nd year man Mohammed Seisay to Seattle for a 2016 6th round draft pick. Seisay signed in 2014 in as UDFA and played 13 games and the play-off. He is an outside corner in the Seattle mold. I think this is a mistake to give up on him. Injuries happen and he will develop.

13 games 5 tackle
1 play-off game 1 tackle

Good luck Mohammed

Detroit Lions training camp preview Special Teams

After two of tradition, the specialists are back intact. Can they be more consistent.

Don Muhlbach 11 years in Detroit FA 2005
Contract: 1 year $665,000 hit

Texas A&M
164 games 21 tackles 1 FF

Analysis:
Good long snapper rarely screws up. hard worker. Good guy.

Matt Prater 10 years in the NFL 2nd in Detroit FA 2014
Contract: 3 years $1,437,500 Hit

Central Florida
11 games 21/26 Field goals

Analysis:
A good kicker once he knocked the rehab rust. Should be fine in 2015.

Sam Martin 3 year 5th round in 2013
Contract: 2 years $625,075 hit

App State
32 games 140 punts 46.7 ave

Analysis:
Good player who can kick as well. Must rebound from the 10 yard punt oin the playoffs that will go down in Lions infamy.

Kyle Brindza UDFA rookie
Contract: 3 years $437,500 $2,500 bonus

Notre Dame

Analysis:

Could develop into an NFL kicker.

Detroit Lions training camp preview Safety

A strength for the Lions. Traditionally, the Lions have been awful at this position. They have had to cut quality players of late. Jerome Couplin is in Philly for example. If everyone is healthy the Lions will have to cut one or two NFL players.

Glover Quin 7th year in the NLF 3rd in Detroit UFA 2013
Contract: 3 years $3.572 Million hit

New Mexico
32 starts 130 tackles 10 int

Analysis:
The best safety in Detroit since Kurt Schultz. Pro Bowler who can play center field, man to man or in the box.

James Ihedigbo 8th year in the NFL 2nd in Detroit UFA 2014
Contract: Final year $2 million hit

UMass
13 starts 71 tackles 4 int

Analysis:
A tough player who makes plays. Struggled down the stretch and in the playoffs. The Lions are hoping he has one year in the tank. One of the nicest guys on the team.

Isa Abdul Quddus 5th year in the NFL 2nd in Detroit Waivers 2014
Contract: Final year $1.5 mil hit

Fordham
16 games 4 starts
32 tackles

Analysis:
Has developed into an NFL starting caliber safety. Better at centerfield but can tackle. Has been used in big nickle packages. Excellent special teams player.

Don Carey 7 years in NFL 5th in Detroit FA 2011
Contract: 2 years remain $995,000 hit

41 games 12 starts
92 tackles 2 int

Analysis:
A perfect # 4 safety. Great special teams player and good safety. Has been forced to play in the slot because of injuries, Excellent run defender but overmatched by NFL slot receivers.

Nate Ness 7th year in the NFL 2nd in Detroit
Contract: Final year $585,000

Arizona
1 game

Analysis:
Depth guy who can play some corner as well. Likely an injury fill in late in the season.

 Taylor Mays 6th year in the NFL 1st in Detroit
Contract: 1 year $585,000 hit

USC
66 NFL games 10 starts

Analysis:
A nickel linebacker. Who could play special teams and in specific situations. Not a full time player.

Isaiah Johnson UDFA Rookie
Contract: 3 years $439,000 $12,000 bonus

GA Tech

Analysis:
Good size and range. Is NFL player but where? Can he make this team?

Brian Suite UDFA Rookie
Contract: 3  years $435,833 hit

Utah State

Analysis:
Another guy who will play in the NFL. Big kid who can run. Will make his mark on special teams. Where will he play?

Detroit Lions training camp preview Corners

The Lions have developed one NFL quality CB since Millen/Mayhew took over Darius Slay. It has been the biggest failure of Mayhew. He is trying to find a guy who can play in the slot and hope Mathis has one more year of average play.

Darius Slay 3rd year 2nd round pick 2013
Contract:2 years 1.442 mil hit

Mississippi State
29 games 20 starts 95 tackles 22 PBU 2 int

Analysis:
Really good sophomore season for Darius. His play against Dez Bryant in the playoff was the best corner play in Detroit since Dre Bly. Hopefully he continues to ascend.

Rashean Mathis 13 years in the NFL 3 rd in Detroit Free agent 2013
Contract 2 years $ 1.625 hit

Bethune-Cookman
31 games 29 starts 97 tackles 1 int 24 PBU

Analysis:
Mathis has been steady but turns 35 and has shown some wear. If he falters the Lions have very little behind him.

Josh Wilson 9th year in the NFL 1st In Detroit Free agent 2015
Contract: 1 year $665,000

Maryland
118 nfl games 85 starts

analysis:

Wilson has plenty of experience in the slot. He is 30 and did not play well in 2014. Has the first shopt at the slot job.

Chris Owens 7th year in the NFL 1st in Detroit Free agent 2015
Contract: 1 year $585,000 hit

SJSU
83 NFL games 17 starts

analysis:

Veteran making a case for the 5th spot. Has experience in the slot but did not play well in 2014.

Mohammad Seisay 2nd year UDFA 2014
Contract 2 yeatrs $370,588 hit

Nebraska
13 games 5 tackles

Analysis:
the forgotten guy at this spot. Seisay saw action in 2014 but mostly at slot. He is not a slot CB. He could be the primary back up outside.

Nevin Lawson 2nd year in Detroit 4th round pick 2014
Contract: 3 years $391,911 hit

Utah State
2 games 1 tackle

Analysis:
Lawson was injured vs, the Panthers and missed most of 2014. He did not play in the off-season and could start the year on the PUP.

Alex Carter rookie 3rd round pick
Contract: 4 years $607,186

Stanford

Analysis:
Puzzling pick by Mayhew. A corner that does not make plays. He can tackle and has size. is he a corner?

Crezdon Butler 6th year in the NFL 1st in Detroit Free agent 2015
Contract: 1 year $587,500 hit

Clemson
36 nfl games 3 starts

Analysis:
An outside guy with some size and experience. Unlikely to make the team but could be a mid season injury replacement.

Quandre Diggs Rookie 6th round pick
Contract: 4 years $463,838 hit

Texas

Analysis:
Good surprise is off season. A guy who has instincts for the slot. Small and slow, he cannot play outside but inside he has a chance.

RJ Stanford 6th year in the NFL 1st in Detroit Free agent 2015
Contract: 1 year

Utah
46 NFL games 1 start

Analysis:
A guy who some experience in the NFL. Will get a look at slot corner. A long shot.

Detroit Lions training camp preview Linebackers

A good group in 2014. Should be bolstered by the return of Tulloch and Van Noy.

DeAndre Levy 7th year in Detroit 3rd round pick 2009
Contract: 5 years remain $4.5 million hit

Wisconsin
89 games 82 starts 618 tackles 3.5 sacks 12 int

Analysis:
has played an elite level much of the last two seasons. He did wear down late in the season in 2014. He has to be the three down backer for the Lions. This is his contract year.

Stephen Tulloch 10th year in the NFL 5th year in Detroit UDFA 2011
Contract: 2 years left $5.8 million hit

NC State
51 starts 379 tackles 9 sacks 3 int

Analysis:
A great in the box linebacker. Can stop the run and control the tackle to tackle. Lost a step in coverage and is no longer a three down backer. Can he return to his pre ACL tear form.

Tahir Whitehead 4th year 5th round pick 2012
Contract Last year $713,000 hit

Temple
46 games 15 starts 106 tackles 2 int 2 sacks

Analysis:
Played well at the MLB in 2014. His beast position is Sam and special teams. He is a valuable player in the this scheme. The teams hardest hitter.

Kyle Van Noy 2nd year 2nd round pick 2014
Contract: 3 years $1.59 million hit

BYU
8 games 6 tackles

Analysis:
Rookie year was a wash out. A great player in college who was always around the ball. Will we see him make plays in 2015.

Travis Lewis 4th year in Detroit 7th round 2012
Contract: last contract $674,793

Oklahoma
27 games 11 tackles

Analysis:
A guy on the bubble. Struggled the two years. Suspension in 2013 and injury in 2014. Slow player who has not made a lot of plays.

Josh Bynes 5th year in the NFL 2nd in Detroit Free agent 2014
Contract: 2 years $785,000 hit

Auburn
39 NFL 9 starts  13 Games in Detroit 22 tackle s 1 int

Analysis:
Picked up of the Ravens practice squad after Tully's injury, Played well, Can cover a little and stop the run. A valuable back up and special teams player.

Julian Stanford 4 years in the NFL 3rd in Detroit FA agent 2013
Contract: Final Year $660,000

Wagner
34 NFL games 6 starts 18 games in Detroit 5 tackles

Analysis:

Another guy on the bubble. Had a big taunting penalty last season vs. Green Bay. He does not make a lot of plays and is limited at LB.

Jerrell Harris 4th year in the NFL 2nd in Detroit Free Agent 2014
Contract: 2 years $435,000 hit

Alabama

Analysis:
Practice squad guy who was cut early in camp.

Brandon Copeland 3rd year in the NFL 1st in Detroit Free agent 2015
Contract:1 year $460,000 hit

Penn

Analysis:
Ravens practice squad guy who blew up the veterans combine. Had offers from multiple teams picked Detroit. I think he makes the team.

Kevin Snyder UDFA Rookie
Contract: 3 years $435,000 hit

Rutgers

Analysis:

Practice squad or bust.

Detroit Lions training camp preview Defensive Ends

This group has is also in flux. Losing George Johnson to Tampa and An injury to Jason Jones has put their depth to the test. The Lions will hope young players will rise to the occasion.

Ziggy Ansah 3rd year 1st round pick 2013
Contract: 2 year $5,071,232 hit

BYU
30 games 28 starts 15.5 sacks 82 sacks

Analysis:

A key player in 2015. Can he step up to a double digit sack guy and pro bowl player. He becomes the focal point of the line and must provide pressure.

Jason Jones 8th year in the NFL 3rd year in Detroit UFA 2013
Contract: last year $3.98 mil cap hit

EMU
19 starts 5 sacks 23 tackles

Analysis:
Key player because he is strong against the run at end and good pass rusher at tackle. He fits well in situational units. Will miss the 1st two preseason games with a minor injury.

Darryl Tapp 10th year in the NFL 2nd in Detroit UFA 2015
Contract: last year $950,000 hit

VA Tech
16 games 0.5 sacks 17 tackles

Analysis:
A solid year for the veteran in 2014. He was strong against the run and offers some speed off the edge. Can play special teams and mentor the young ends.

Devin Taylor 3rd year in Detroit 4th round pick 2013
Contract: 2 years left $660,146 cap hit

South Carolina
30 games 3.5 sacks 29 tackles

Analysis:
A good rookie season was followed by an off year in 2014. He trained in the Jason Jones spot in mini camp. Will he set up?

Larry Webster 2nd year 4th round pick 2014
Contract: 3 years $585,146 hit

Analysis:
Redshirted in 2014. He has put on muscle and hopes to make an impact in 2015. Has great measurables but lacks football experience.

Philip Hunt 6 years in the NFL first in Detroit Free agent 2015
Contract: 1 year $585,000 hit

Houston
22 NFL games

Analysis:
a once promising player who got hurt in 2013. Is back healthy and has a chance to stick or be an injury replacement. Could be this years sleeper.

Corey Wooten 6th year in the NFL 1st in Detroit Free Agent 2015
Contract: 1 year $665,000 hit

Northwestern
60 NFL games 22 starts

Analysis:
A versatile player like Jason Jones. If one of the young guys slips up or there is injury Wooten can make the team.