Daily Blog for Detroit Lions. If the Detroit Lions are your cup of tea, you're going to love what we've got to offer on LionsLocker.com, the blog that covers everything having to do with the Lions, from the news and scores to the ammunition you need to play your fantasy games or bet on the Lions, like up-to-date stats, rankings, standings, player profiles and more. Deliver your own "expert" commentary or check out what others have to say. We can't deliver you to Ford Field, but we can you as close as possible. Wait – come to think of it, we CAN deliver you to Ford Field, because we can point you in the right direction to get the best ticket deals. It's not easy to stay on top of things, but that's why we do all that for you – even when it comes to purchasing premium Lions merchandise and apparel. Make sure you drop by LionsLocker.com, where we have restored the roar!
The Lions have signed 29-year old linebacker Landon Johnson to a 1-year deal. Johnson played in 10 games for the Panthers last season finishing with 20 tackles including 1 tackle for a loss. He has now played in 89 games in his NFL career in which he has made 432 tackles, defensed 13 passes, he has 3.5 sacks, 8 forced fumbles and he has 1 interception. This was a good depth signing for the Lions.
The Lions have acquired 30-year old QB Shaun Hill from the 49ers for a 7th round pick in 2011. Hill played in 6 games for the 49ers last season in which he completed 87 of 155 passes (56.1%) for 943 yards with 5 TD passes and 2 INTs (79.6 QB Rating). He also carried the ball 8 times for 70 yards (8.8 ypc) last season for the Niners. Hill has now played in 19 games in his NFL career in which he has completed 322 of 522 passes (61.7%) for 3,490 yards with 23 TD passes and 11 INTs (87.3 QB Rating). Hill also carried the ball 46 times for 197 yards (4.3 ypc) with 3 TD runs. This was a outstanding trade for the Lions as Hill will be a good backup for Matt Stafford in 2010. Hill might not have the strongest arm in the league but he gets the job done.
The Lions have signed 25-year old cornerback Jonathan Wade. Wade played in 15 games for the Rams last season and he finished up with 20 tackles and 3 passes defensed. He has now played in 47 games in his NFL career and he has made 67 tackles, defensed 7 passes and he has 2 interceptions. This was a nice signing depth wise and for the special teams.
The Lions have acquired 25-year old cornerback Chris Houston from the Falcons for a 6th round pick in the 2010 NFL Draft and a conditional 7th round pick in 2011. Houston played in 12 games for the Falcons last season and he made 47 tackles, 1 tackle for a loss, he defensed 9 passes and he had 1 interception. Houston has now played in 44 games in his NFL career and he has made 166 tackles, he has defensed 34 passes, forced 1 fumble and he has 3 interceptions (one returned for a TD). I love this trade for the Lions as they continue to fill needs for the 2010 season as Houston has a nice upside.
The Lions have signed 26-year old WR Brian Clark. Clark played in 14 games for the Buccaneers last season in which he caught 6 passes for 65 yards (10.8 avg) and he made 6 tackles. Clark has now played in 34 games in his NFL career in which he has caught 11 passes for 100 yards (9.1 avg). He has also returned 29 kickoffs for 636 yards (21.9 avg) and he has made 18 tackles in his career. I like this signing for the Lions as Clark will provide depth at WR and he is a good special teams player.
The Lions have released 30-year old DE Dewayne White. White played in 10 games for the Lions last season and he made 8 tackles, 1 tackle for a loss, he defensed 3 passes and he had 1 interception. White played in 36 games in his three years with the Lions in which he had 89 tackles, defensed 9 passes, had 13 sacks, forced 6 fumbles and he had 3 interceptions. The Lions were smart to rid themselves of White as he didn’t help them much at all last season.
The Lions have released 37-year old DT Grady Jackson. Jackson played in 15 games for the Lions last season in which he made 33 tackles, had 2 tackles for a loss and he forced 1 fumble. Jackson’s career appears to be winding down and that was a big part of the reason the Lions added Corey Williams in a trade earlier today.
The Lions have signed 31-year old DE Kyle Vanden Bosch to a 4-year, $26 million dollar deal. He played in all 16 games for the Titans last season and he made 44 tackles, 5 tackles for a loss, he had 3 sacks, forced 2 fumbles and he defensed 1 pass. Vanden Bosch has now played in 109 games in his NFL career and he has made 344 tackles, forced 4 fumbles, defensed 5 passes and he has 42.5 sacks. I really like this signing for the Lions as Vanden Bosch will help the team’s pass rush from day #1.
The Lions have signed 28-year old WR Nate Burleson to a 5-year, $25 million dollar deal. Burleson played in 13 games for the Seahawks last season and he caught 63 passes for 812 yards (12.9 avg) with 3 TD grabs. Burleson also returned 30 punts for 254 yards (8.5 avg) last season. Burleson has now played in 90 games in his NFL career and he has caught 263 passes for 3,547 yards (13.5 avg) with 27 TD grabs. He has also returned 156 punts for 1,523 yards (9.8 avg) with 3 TD returns and 56 kickoffs for 1,286 yards (23.0 avg) with a TD return. The Lions might have overpaid a bit for Burleson but he will take some of the pressure off Calvin Johnson starting this season. He is a good receiver and punt returner so I like this move for the Lions.
The Lions have acquired 29-year old DT Corey Williams from the Browns for a future late round pick (5th or 6th rounder). Williams played in all 16 games for the Browns last season and he finished up with 31 tackles, 1 tackle for a loss, 4 sacks, 1 forced fumble and 4 passes defensed. Williams has now played in 88 games in his NFL career and he has made 199 tackles, 21.5 sacks, forced 6 fumbles, defensed 11 passes and he has 1 interception. Williams will likely shift back inside where he truly belongs as the Browns miscast him as a DE. I like this move for the Lions as it gives them more options on draft day because they won’t be forced to take one of the DTs at the top of the draft. I sense a trade down to get more picks after the Browns/Lions trade.
UPDATE: The Lions will also receive a 7th round pick in 2010 from the Browns in this deal and they will give up a 5th round pick in 2010. I like this move for the Lions.