Happy to sign on as a DFN subscriber today. The comprehensive coverage was too good to pass up. Has G Manu actually impressed enough to supplant Skipper as OT3? That would be a very encouraging sign for how they feel about the big boy and his future.
Welcome aboard, David. I don't think this was a Manu/Skipper conversation. I think it was a Jamarco Jones/Skipper conversation. I still view Manu as OT4. Manu repped behind Skipper AND Jones all camp.
You know who already has great intel on your plays and philosophies? The three teams in the division that have gone against it for three years, including the one coached by the guy who installed and led it. The scheme isn't full of unique plays. It was successful because of the talent executing the calls and the effectiveness of the timing of those calls, and the occasional curveball to keep things off balance. The West Coast principles, Martz's digit system, all that is just football that's been around for years and years. Hooker won't add much knowledge to any opponent's advanced scouting. If it were midseason, the Lions would have to shift some verbiage and checks. The biggest thing he might offer is some tendencies of his defensive teammates.
Maybe. They've been flirting for months, but not all flirtations end in relationships. I've waffled from 20% to 70% throughout the offseason. Probably closer to 55-60% right now.
No way to say. If he gets offered a main roster spot anywhere else, he should take it. It's a significant pay gap, and no, the Lions can't match it, p-squad salaries are capped.
And it's a borderline Day 3 pick. That's like saying, Ted Williams was pretty good in 1941, but have we considered what he did with the 59% of at bats he didn't get a hit?
As I said, Holmes has an amazing track record. No GM is close to perfect given all the decisions they have to make. But if you had to choose his biggest draft mistake, wouldn't it be Broderick given the draft position and assets used to take him? If not, who else?
Sure, but given the trade chart value of pick 96, that's like screwing up a two-year, $6 million deal in free agency. It's just not a needle mover, in the grand scheme of roster construction. It would take missing on nine Brodric Martins to equate to missing on one top-10 pick or five Martins to mess up one late first-rounder (a la Tyleik Williams or Terrion Arnold). That's not perfect, but the new and modern draft trade charts hint at future expected value. If you hit on pick No. 96 (or the three lesser picks given up to get pick 96), that's largely the expected outcome over 3-4 seasons.
Campbell was pretty enthusiastic about Strickland's performance against Houston. And they liked him enough to keep him last year. At this point, with the other cuts you've noted, I expect it.
Skipper being cut could be one of those "cut the veteran who can't be picked up on waivers" moves to make room for a younger guy who would be more vulnerable to being snagged.
I think our practice squad will be a parking lot for veterans that don't need to clear waivers and can jump up to the active roster and fill in an immediate need. We learned a tough lesson last year, having to start guys straight off the street.
This year, the practice squad will look more like the Syracuse team from Slap Shot, full of older guys with lots of tricks up their sleeves and enough tread on the tires.
Not a year for developmental projects... this team will be full of ride or dies.
Jamarco is a better pass blocker than Skipper. Could be small hint into how Morton envisions this offense.
Happy to sign on as a DFN subscriber today. The comprehensive coverage was too good to pass up. Has G Manu actually impressed enough to supplant Skipper as OT3? That would be a very encouraging sign for how they feel about the big boy and his future.
Welcome aboard, David. I don't think this was a Manu/Skipper conversation. I think it was a Jamarco Jones/Skipper conversation. I still view Manu as OT4. Manu repped behind Skipper AND Jones all camp.
Who signs Hooker? Pack? Minn? Chi? Going to have great Intel on our plays and philosophy.
You know who already has great intel on your plays and philosophies? The three teams in the division that have gone against it for three years, including the one coached by the guy who installed and led it. The scheme isn't full of unique plays. It was successful because of the talent executing the calls and the effectiveness of the timing of those calls, and the occasional curveball to keep things off balance. The West Coast principles, Martz's digit system, all that is just football that's been around for years and years. Hooker won't add much knowledge to any opponent's advanced scouting. If it were midseason, the Lions would have to shift some verbiage and checks. The biggest thing he might offer is some tendencies of his defensive teammates.
So has Zadarius signed yet?
It seems with clearing out all the bodies from the D-line that it’s to make room for Z.
Maybe. They've been flirting for months, but not all flirtations end in relationships. I've waffled from 20% to 70% throughout the offseason. Probably closer to 55-60% right now.
Dan Skipper?!?!?! Nooo!!! My man exudes the Detroit Grit!! Chance he joins the practice team and potentially plays for us this year?
No way to say. If he gets offered a main roster spot anywhere else, he should take it. It's a significant pay gap, and no, the Lions can't match it, p-squad salaries are capped.
Buh-Bye BroMart. You were given a chance to succeed but it appears you ran outta time...
Brad Holmes has an amazing track record, but Broderick Martin has to be his biggest miss.
And it's a borderline Day 3 pick. That's like saying, Ted Williams was pretty good in 1941, but have we considered what he did with the 59% of at bats he didn't get a hit?
As I said, Holmes has an amazing track record. No GM is close to perfect given all the decisions they have to make. But if you had to choose his biggest draft mistake, wouldn't it be Broderick given the draft position and assets used to take him? If not, who else?
Sure, but given the trade chart value of pick 96, that's like screwing up a two-year, $6 million deal in free agency. It's just not a needle mover, in the grand scheme of roster construction. It would take missing on nine Brodric Martins to equate to missing on one top-10 pick or five Martins to mess up one late first-rounder (a la Tyleik Williams or Terrion Arnold). That's not perfect, but the new and modern draft trade charts hint at future expected value. If you hit on pick No. 96 (or the three lesser picks given up to get pick 96), that's largely the expected outcome over 3-4 seasons.
Damn. Sorry about Skipper. Your ice bath story with him was one of your very best, Justin.
It was the visuals, obviously.
I like when you threaten to get in the same tub.
That might be the only scripted moment of my career.
Putting on a pot of coffee and will be monitoring Skip's account on twitter thru the night! Nothing yet.
Kennelly, Whiteside, Hallett all being waived. Either Strickland made it, or they are going very light in the secondary.
Yep, I missed on this one, was sure it would be Hallett making the team.
Campbell was pretty enthusiastic about Strickland's performance against Houston. And they liked him enough to keep him last year. At this point, with the other cuts you've noted, I expect it.
There just HAS to be more to the story with Skip in my humble opinion. This is roster gymnastics (please be roster gymnastics 😓)
Skipper being cut could be one of those "cut the veteran who can't be picked up on waivers" moves to make room for a younger guy who would be more vulnerable to being snagged.
I thought this too, but Justin said no in the chat.
There’s always a left field shocker and this is it for me.
If it's roster gymnastics, he was not informed of that. That's not typically how these things go.
When is the next time Campbell or Brad is available for questions?
Later this week.
No one could declare themselves ELIGIBLE like the Skip!
I think our practice squad will be a parking lot for veterans that don't need to clear waivers and can jump up to the active roster and fill in an immediate need. We learned a tough lesson last year, having to start guys straight off the street.
This year, the practice squad will look more like the Syracuse team from Slap Shot, full of older guys with lots of tricks up their sleeves and enough tread on the tires.
Not a year for developmental projects... this team will be full of ride or dies.
There’s still a limit on number of vets allowed on PS, IIRC.
Correct. Six out of 16. Used to be zero several years ago, so significant improvement.
I mean, they have to be resigning him in like 24 hours.
I don't think we've seen the last of Skipper. Probably just roster manipulation to be brought back later.