44 Comments
User's avatar
Dan P.'s avatar

2016 feels like yesterday.

Michael Rost's avatar

Is this evidence of lack of communication with another long time player? It's weird that Decker announced he's coming back on IG before it's clear he needs to take a paycut. Shouldn't the pay cut have been communicated weeks ago? It seems strangely like Frank announcing his come back and then not.

Brian's avatar

Could the Lions try to trade him first instead of granting an outright release?

LR's avatar

Brad no doubt hinted that switching Penei to LOT was an option, apart from any physical or financial considerations.

Bottomline, we all wish Decker well, but it is time both parties go their separate ways.

Charles Wolfson's avatar

Doesn’t change things that much. They were basically going to be looking for someone who could start anyway to back up then replace Decker. All this adds really is the need to find someone to back up THAT guy.

Kevin Green's avatar

Decker has to have some value on the trade market. Why wouldn’t they trade him and try to get some value out of him as opposed to releasing him?

Kevin Green's avatar

Exactly. But we control that at this point.

Charles Wolfson's avatar

That’s what I was wondering. They could try to accommodate him by trading him to a team he preferred. But it may just be that the relationship was too fractured.

kwasny.james10@yahoo.com's avatar

It's a business and it is always about the money.

Jim Pen's avatar

Well they drafted Taylor in 2016 one round earlier than they are drafting this year so it's not exactly a stretch that an OT could be the highest rated player on their board when they are called to select. As for getting in a bidding war for Linderbaum: I hope not.

Rich Nemesi's avatar

Fraley needs to work magic this year.

Ryan Nestingen's avatar

Just my vibes is this is just a year early. Does it suck? Yes! But they (team) know the health issues and don’t think it warranted the salary earned. It adds another hole to fill on the left side which at complications AND forces the pick in some capacity at 17 or 1st round unless there is something in the wings.

I have to assume they played this out when they approached Deck for a pay cut AND if they didn’t that’s another interesting decision from this front office. The blessing is this happened a before the draft vs the Ragnow decision

Dank Amble's avatar

The Lions will have to replace their other tackle, not their premier tackle. Teams have to do things like this all the time.

newmanian's avatar

Its seems likely the Lions were already looking past him when he said he was done. This is going to be a hugely interesting next week, and off season beyond free agency.

I just have a feeling the Lions are going to plug one of their large holes with a Big Deal. But they'll still have a number of holes to fill.

Crixcyon's avatar

Looks like a semi-major retooling will be in the works...Monty gone, Decker, Glasgow and Ragnow gone. Maybe Raymond, Amik, Reader, Anzalone and Rodriguez gone. Arnold in hot water. Rakestraw a huge question mark as well as Branch and Joseph health concerns. Still not hearing of any contract reworks to free up capital. And Holmes seems to prefer building his teams with the draft. Suddenly, the overall talent on this team has taken a step back.

Philip Fracassi's avatar

WOW. This is particularly shocking since the Lions really need him next season. Strange that they would do something dramatic enough that he would walk.

Jay Scott's avatar

Ironically the last DFN story was on “Even with Decker returning the Lions could still use OT depth”.

Matt Hunter's avatar

My disappointment is immeasurable and my day is ruined.

RyanH's avatar

Dang. Im wondering if the lingering shoulder injury, was forcing the team to invest in a higher level swing tackle that could be counted on to fill in for him.