How tough are hockey players?

Wings Cap'n Nick Lidstrom takes one for the team

Let’s ask Detroit Red Wings captain Nick Lidstrom:

DETROIT — The general manager of the Detroit Red Wings says captain Nicklas Lidstrom missed the last two games of the conference finals because of surgery.

Ken Holland told The Associated Press on Sunday the operation was May 24, although he would not say what kind of surgery.

Lidstrom told the Detroit Free Press he had testicular surgery after he was speared by Chicago’s Patrick Sharp in Game 3 on May 22.

Lidstrom’s operation came on the same day the Red Wings beat the Blackhawks 6-1 in Game 4. Detroit won the Western Conference finals in Game 5.

Lidstrom returned to the ice for the Stanley Cup finals, which the Pittsburgh Penguins won in seven games.

So… Nick Lidstrom gets speared so badly that he requires “testicular surgery” and only misses 2 games.  Hockey players are tough.

DETROIT — Detroit Red Wings captain Nicklas Lidstrom, speared in the testicles by Chicago’s Patrick Sharp during Game 3 of the Western Conference finals, said he had surgery during Game 4.

“I did skate the next day and thought it was going to get better,” Lidstrom said. “I was preparing to play (in Game 4) and have it checked out once we got back here by our doctors. Sunday morning, I was in so much pain we had to go into the hospital to see what was going on.

“I’m not angry about what happened. It was painful.”

wow. never question a hockey player’s toughness.

Corwin Brown

http://www.detroitlions.com/document_display.cfm?cont_id=43704

http://www.detroitlions.com/document_display.cfm?document_id=3565#

http://www.sptimes.com/News/102000/Sports/Knocked_silly.shtml

Detroit Lions, NFL Draft picks (update)

I have included the picks the Lions traded away in order to evaluate the trades at a later date.  Interestingly, only 2 picks were taken at the original slots, the Lions were active in trading down for more players.

The Lions also acquired Denver’s 5th round pick in 2010.

The general strategy the Lions followed was to take the BPA (best player available) or trade down if no BPA filled a need.  This resulted in the Lions acquiring 2 immediate starters (TE Pettigrew & S Delmas), a “QB of the future” in Stafford, starting KR (and 3rd down back Brown) & PR (and slot receiver Williams), 2 LBs (Levy & Follett) to compete for MLB/special teams, a DT project (the raw but althletically talented Hill), an OL project (Murtha), & TE project (Gronkowski). They chose talent over polish with the idea that they can “coach up” & develop talent into a better player in the long run.

Draft picks

1. R1#01(001) Matt Stafford QB, Georgia
2. R1#20(020) Brandon Pettigrew TE, Oklahoma State, from Dallas via Trade #1
3. R2#01(033) Louis Delmas S, Western Michigan
4. R3#01(065) Shonn Greene RB, Iowa, to New York Jets via Trade #3
5. R3#18(076) DeAndre Levy LB, Wisconsin, from New York Jets via Trade #3
6. R3#18(082) Derrick Williams RS/WR, Penn State, from Dallas via Trade #1
7. R4#01(101) Stephen McGee QB, Texas A&M, to Dallas via Trade #1
8. R4#15(115) Sammie Lee Hill DT, Stillman, from New York Jets via Trade #3
9. R5#01(137) Jason Phillips ILB, TCU, to Baltimore (thru Seattle) via Trade #2
10. R6#01(174) Tom Brandstater QB, Fresno State, to Denver via Trade #4
11. R6#19(192) Aaron Brown RS/RB, TCU, from Dallas via Trade #1
12. R7#01(210) Vance Walker DT, Georgia Tech, to Atlanta (thru Dallas) via Trade #1
13. R7#19(228) Lydon Murtha OT, Nebraska, from New York Jets via Trade #3
14. R7#26(235) Zack Follett LB, Cal, from Denver via Trade #4
15. R7#46(255) Dan Gronkowski TE, Maryland, NFL compensatory pick

Trades

1. Detroit Lions get: R1#20(020) Brandon Pettigrew TE, R3#18(082) Derrick Williams RS/WR, R6#19(192) Aaron Brown RS/RB – Dallas Cowboys get: Roy Williams WR, R4#01(101) Stephen McGee QB, & R7#01(210) traded to Atlanta Falcons (Vance Walker DT)
   
2. Detroit Lions get: Julian Peterson OLB – Seattle Seahawks get: R5#1(137) traded to Baltimore Ravens (Jason Phillips ILB), Cory Redding DE/DT
3. Detroit Lions get: R3#12(076) DeAndre Levy LB, R4#15(155) Sammie Lee Hill DT, R7#19(228) Lydon Murtha OT – New York Jets get: R3#1(065) Shonn Greene RB
4. Detroit Lions get: R7#26(235) Zack Follett LB, Denver’s R5 in 2010 - Denver Broncos get: R6#1(174) Tom Brandstater QB
   

Links

• ESPN Draft page
• NFL.com – Draft Tracker

1st pick Bobby Layne, 2nd pick Charlie Sanders…

it proves Schwartz cares about 3rd down and red zone… shows he knows the Lions haven’t had a legit TE since Charlie Sanders…

• first pick Bobby Layne (Georgia QB Matt Stafford graduated Bobby Layne High School)
• second pick Charlie Sanders (consensus top TE in draft Brandon Pettigrew)
• third pick Bennie Blades (SS Louis Delmas)
• fourth Chris Spielman?

LionHawkeye’s Detroit Lions Draft Board cheat list

link to original list

Q: how was this list made?

theNetRat: “He (LionHawkeye) read hundreds of local papers, blew up pics of pro-days and then cross-referenced everything to verify it was true. An excellent list and 10 for 11 counting last year and this.”

LionHawkeye: “Sometimes I dont think (people) understand the scouting process. 300-350 players are scouted, tape viewed, ranked, evaluations written. After that Campus visits at end of season leading to bowl games, and senior bowls. Then the Combine. The players are all re-ranked, and the coaches go see, watch tape, interview, players, and do (individual) workouts. Then some picks are brought in to Allen Park. They then spend a week ranking position needs (often called Horizontal) and player rankings (often called Vertical). They then make up a master board in order of all players. They spend a week arguing about who is better. Now a horizontal ranking may bump a player different amounts based on team philosophy. But unless the team is run by a egomaniac with an inferiority complex (Millen), they stick to the board. This is how the best teams draft. They even value trades and picks and not necessarily by the old trade chart. They spend Millions (on) this function. They dont just say ‘I need a MLB’ and pick one.”

The number to right is number of verified contacts.

Round 1

1. DETROIT LIONS – Matt Stafford QB Georgia, 4 visits (Grade: 96, overall: 7, pos: 1) Stafford has very good upside. He has a very strong arm, good size and adequate height. In other words, the sky’s the limit for Stafford. Our concern is that he lacks elite intangibles. This is problematic when you look at the situation in Detroit. The best-case scenario is Stafford winds up as the Lions’ franchise quarterback for years to come. In order for that to happen, however, the Lions need to bring him along slowly and that’s going to prove difficult. If they rush him, the Lions risk losing out on their investment.
2. St. Louis – Jason Smith OT Baylor, 4 visits (Grade: 97, overall: 2, pos: 1)
   
3. KC – Tyson Jackson DE LSU, 0 visits (Grade: 94, overall: 14, pos: 3) REACH!
4. Seattle – Aaron Curry LB Wake forest, 4 visits (Grade: 97, overall: 1, pos: 1)
   
5. NYJ – Mark Sanchez QB USC, 4 visits (Grade: 95, overall: 8, pos: 2) trade! (from Cleveland)
   
6. Cinci – Andre Smith LT Alabama, 3 visits (Grade: 95, overall: 10, pos: 3)
7. Oakland – Darrius Hayward-Bey WR Maryland, 0 visits (Grade: 90, overall: 25, pos: 4) REACH!
8. Jax – Eugene Monroe OT Virginia, 4 visits (Grade: 96, overall: 5, pos: 2)
9. GB – BJ Raji DT Boston College, 4 visits (Grade: 96, overall: 4, pos: 1)
10. SF – Michael Crabtree WR Texas Tech, 1 visits (Grade: 96, overall: 3, pos: 1)
11. Buffalo – Aaron Maybin DE PSU, 2 visits (Grade: 96, overall: 6, pos: 1)
12. Denver – Knowshon Moreno RB Georgia, 0 visits (Grade: 94, overall: 12, pos: 1)
13. Washington – Brian Orakpo DE Texas, 1 visits (Grade: 95, overall: 9, pos: 2)
14. N’orleans – Malcolm Jenkins CB OSU, 2 visits (Grade: 94, overall: 13, pos: 1)
15. Houston – Brian Cushing OLB USC, 2 visits (Grade: 92, overall: 19, pos: 2)
16. SD – Larry English DE N.Illinois, 0 visits (Grade: 89, overall: 28, pos: 6) REACH!
17. Tampa – Josh Freeman QB Kan.St, 3 visits (Grade: 85, overall: 46, pos: 2) trade! (from NYJ thru Cleve) REACH!
18. Denver – Robert Ayers DE Tenn, 0 visits (Grade: 93, overall: 15, pos: 4) trade! (from Chicago)
19. Philly – Jeremy Maclin WR Missouri, 3 visits (Grade: 95, overall: 11, pos: 2) trade! (from Tampa thru Cleve)
    
20. DETROIT LIONS – Brandon Pettigrew TE Oklahoma St., 3 visits (Grade: 93, overall: 17, pos: 1) trade! (from Dallas) Pettigrew is the most complete tight end prospect in this class. At 263 pounds he’s an effective drive-blocker who can hold his own working against NFL defensive ends. Although he lacks elite speed and isn’t going to stretch the field as much as some other prospects in this class, Pettigrew is a reliable possession receiver who does an excellent job throwing his weight around and using his frame to shield defenders from the ball.
21. Cleveland – Alex Mack C Cal, 3 visits (Grade: 87, overall: 39, pos: 1) trade! (from Philly)
22. Minnesota – Percy Harvin WR Florida, 0 visits (Grade: 89, overall: 27, pos: 5)
23. Baltimore – Michael Oher LT Miss, 2 visits (Grade: 92, overall: 20, pos: 4) trade! (from NE)
    
24. Atlanta – Peria Jerry DT Miss, 2 visits (Grade: 91, overall: 23, pos: 2)
25. Miami – Vontae Davis CB Illinois, 0 visits (Grade: 90, overall: 26, pos: 2)
26. GB – Clay Matthews OLB USC, 2 visits (Grade: 91, overall: 21, pos: 3) trade! (from Baltimore thru NE)
    
27. Indy – Donald Brown RB Utah, 0 visits (Grade: 89, overall: 30, pos: 3)
28. Buffalo – Eric Wood OC Louisville, 3 visits (Grade: 86, overall: 41, pos: 2) trade! (from Carolina thru Philly)
29. NYG – Hakeem Nicks WR UNC, 0 visits (Grade: 91, overall: 22, pos: 3)
30. Tennessee – Kenny Britt WR Rutgers, 0 visits (Grade: 88, overall: 34, pos: 6)
31. Arizona – Chris Wells RB OSU, 0 visits (Grade: 93, overall: 16, pos: 2)
32. Pittsburgh – Evander Hood DT Missouri, 3 visits (Grade: 86, overall: 42, pos: 3)

Round 2

1. DETROIT LIONS – Louis Delmas SS W.Michigan, 3 visits (Grade: 89, overall: 29, pos: 1) There aren’t many things Delmas can’t do. His greatest strength is his instincts. He reads keys, locates the ball quickly and gets to it quickly. He’s capable of delivering a big hit or playing the ball over the middle. The one concern with him is that he played at a relatively small school, but he showed at the Senior Bowl that he can compete with the big boys.
2. NE – Patrick Chung S Oregon, 0 visits (Grade: 79, overall: 62, pos: 4) trade! (from KC) REACH!
3. St.Louis – James Laurenitus LB OSU, 3 visits (Grade: 89, overall: 32, pos: 2)
4. Cleveland – Brian Robiskie WR OSU, 0 visits (Grade: 77, overall: 72, pos: 10) REACH!
5. Denver – Alphonso Smith CB Wake Forest, 2 visits (Grade: 89, overall: 33, pos: 3) trade! (from Seattle)
   
6. Cincy – Rey Maualuga ILB USC, 3 visits (Grade: 91, overall: 24, pos: 1) VALUE!
7. Jax – Eben Britton OT Arizona, 2 visits (Grade: 89, overall: 31, pos: 5)
8. NE – Ron Brace DT Boston College, 2 visits (Grade: 81, overall: 56, pos: 4) trade! (from Oakland) REACH!
9. NE – Darius Butler CB UConn, 0 visits (Grade: 88, overall: 35, pos: 4) trade! (from GB)
   
10. Buffalo – Jairus Byrd CB Oregon, 0 visits (Grade: 81, overall: 58, pos: 7) REACH!
11. Carolina – Everette Brown DE Florida St., 2 visits (Grade: 92, overall: 18, pos: 5) trade! (from SF) VALUE!
    
12. Miami – Pat White WR W.Virginia, 0 visits (Grade: 79, overall: 67, pos: 8 ) trade! (from Washington) REACH!
13. NYG – Clint Sintim OLB Virginia, 0 visits (Grade: 87, overall: 40, pos: 5) trade! (from N’orleans)
14. Houston – Connor Barwin DE Cincy, 3 visits (Grade: 85, overall: 47, pos: 7)
15. Oakland – Michael Mitchell CB Ohio, 0 visits (Grade: 0, overall: 0, pos: 0) trade! (from SD thru NE) REACH!
16. Denver – Darcel McBath S Texas Tech, 0 visits (Grade: 69, overall: 101, pos: 6) REACH!
17. Chicago – Max Unger C Oregon, 3 visits (Grade: 85, overall: 45, pos: 3)
18. Cleveland – Mohammed Massaquoi WR Georgia, 3 visits (Grade: 83, overall: 53, pos: 7) trade! (from Tampa)
19. Buffalo – Andrew Levitre OG Oregon St., 0 visits (Grade: 82, overall: 55, pos: 1) trade! (from Dallas)
    
20. Cleveland – David Veikune DE Hawaii, 0 visits (Grade: 78, overall: 69, pos: 10) trade! (from NYJ)
    
21. Philly – LeSean McCoy RB Pittsburgh, 0 visits (Grade: 88, overall: 37, pos: 4) VALUE!
22. Minny – Phil Loadholt OT Oklahoma, 2 visits (Grade: 80, overall: 59, pos: 7)
23. Atlanta – William Moore S Missouri, o visits (Grade: 81, overall: 57, pos: 3)
24. Indy – Fili Moala DT USC, 2 visits (Grade: 79, overall: 63, pos: 6) trade! (from Miami)
    
25. Baltimore – Paul Kruger OLB Utah, 0 visits (Grade: 88, overall: 36, pos: 4) VALUE!
26. NE – Sebastian Vollmer OT Houston, 0 visits (Grade: 74, overall: 80, pos: 9) REACH!
27. Carolina – Sherrod Martin CB Troy St., 0 visits (Grade: 79, overall: 61, pos: 8 )
28. NYG – William Beatty OT UConn, 0 visits (Grade: 85, overall: 48, pos: 6)
29. Miami – Sean Smith CB Utah, 2 visits (Grade: 82, overall: 54, pos: 6) trade! (from Indy)
    
30. Tennessee – Sen’Derrick Marks DT Auburn, 2 visits (Grade: 76, overall: 75, pos: 7)
31. Arizona – Cody Brown OLB UConn, 0 visits (Grade: 79, overall: 64, pos: 6)
32. Denver – Richard Quinn TE UNC, o visits (Grade: 67, overall: 108, pos: 9) trade! (from Pittsburgh) REACH!

Round 3

1. NYJ – Shonn Greene RB Iowa (Grade: , overall: , pos: ) trade! (from Detroit)
2. St. Louis – Bradley Fletcher CB Iowa (Grade: , overall: , pos: )
3. KC – Alex Magee DT Perdue (Grade: , overall: , pos: )
4. Chicago – Jarron Gilbert DT San Jose St., 3 visits (Grade: , overall: , pos: ) trade! (from Seattle)
5. Dallas – Jason Williams OLB W.Illinois (Grade: , overall: , pos: ) trade! (from Cleve)
6. Cincy – Michael Johnson DE Georgia Tech, 2 visits (Grade: , overall: , pos: )
7. Oakland – Matt Shaughnessy DE Wisconsin (Grade: , overall: , pos: )
8. Jax – Terrence Knighton DT Temple (Grade: , overall: , pos: )
9. Jax – Derek Cox CB William & Mary (Grade: , overall: , pos: ) trade! (from GB thru NE)
10. SF – Glen Coffee RB Alabama (Grade: , overall: , pos: )
11. Dallas – Robert Brewster DT Ball St (Grade: , overall: , pos: ) trade! (from Buffalo)
12. DETROIT LIONS – DeAndre Levy OLB Wisconsin, 1 visit (Grade: 76 , overall: 170, pos: 15) trade! (from N’orleans thru NYJ) Levy has excellent instincts and good range and gets to the ball quickly. Although he doesn’t have great bulk at 236 pounds Levy uses his hands very well and is a much better run defender than his measureables would indicate. He does lack elite man-coverage skills, but we like his ball skills and think he can develop into a playmaker.
13. Houston
14. SD
15. Pittsburgh
16. Washington
17. Tampa
18. DETROIT LIONS – Derrick Williams WR/RS PSU, 2 visits (Grade: 78, overall: 71, pos: 9) trade! (from Dallas) Williams doesn’t have outstanding size but he does possess impressive athleticism. He displays a quick burst off the line of scrimmage and reaches top-end speed in an instant. He also brings strong versatility to contribute on special teams as a return man. That said, he’ll need some refining at the top end of his routes; because he shows too much wasted movement getting in and out of his breaks.

Round 4

Marcus Freeman LB OSU, 2 visits

Jared Cook TE S.Carolina, 3 visits
Duke Robinson OG Oklahoma, 2 visits
Chase Coffman TE Missouri, 2 visits

#82

Pat White QB WVU, 2 visits
Travis Beckum TE Wisconsin, 2 visits
Tyronne Mckensie ILB USF, 2 visits
Cory Irvin DT Georgia, 3 visits
Tyronne Greene OG Auburn, 2 visits
TJ Lang OG/OT EMU, 3 visits
Jon Cooper C Oklahoma, 2 visits

#174

Donald Washington CB OSU, 3 visits
Demetrius Byrd WR LSU, 3 visits
Jason Phillips ILB TCU, 2 visits
Daniel Holtzclaw ILB EMU, 2 visits
Seth Olsen OL Iowa, 2 visits
DeAngelo Willingham CB Tennesee, 3 visits

#192

Pannel Egboh DE Stanford, 2 visits
Jerraud Powers CB Auburn, 2 visits
Ellis Lankster CB WVU, 2 visits
DJ Boldin WR Wake Forest, 3 visits

#255

Roy Miller DT Texas, 2 visits
Nick Hennessey OL Colgate, 3 visits
Carson Butler TE Michighan, 2 visits
EJ Bigger CB WMU, 3 visits
Tristan Davis RS Auburn, 2 visits
Bradley Fletcher CB Iowa, 2 visits
Johnny Knox WR Abeline Christian, 3 visits
Jacob Wyatt SS EMU, 2 visits
Brice McCain CB/RS Utah, 3 visits
Alex Fletcher C Stanford, 2 visits

George Foster returns for the 3rd time

file this under: here we go again!

The Detroit Lions … added another former player today when they re-signed tackle George Foster.

The Lions also announced the signing of free agent center Dylan Gandy, a former fourth-round pick by the Colts in 2005. Gandy, who has also spent time with the Broncos and Raiders, did not appear in a game last season. Both Foster and Gandy signed one-year contracts.

source: mlive.com/lions

Lions deal Cory Redding for Seahawks’ Julian Peterson

well, so much for the 3-4… hahaha

Cory Redding, a DE/DT tweener in a typical 4-3 system, is finally cut loose… The Lions also give a 5th round pick in the 2009 Draft and get 30-year-old MSU Alumni, 5-time Pro Bowl OLB Julian Peterson.  Peterson will probably line up as the Sam LB unless the Lions also deal WLB Ernie Sims… stay tuned!

Moving Redding opens up the door for young DTs Andre Fluellen & Landon Cohen.

mlive story

ESPN: Peterson declines pay cut

Lions: “3-4″ Defense In Leos’ Future? (update2)

Detroit Lions head coach Jim Schwartz has his work cut out for him.

Okay, I admit it.

At first glance this must sound like a crazy idea.

How could the 0-16 Detroit Lions go from a undersized, quicker “Tampa-2″ style defense to a “3-4″ which requires bigger, more powerful guys?  The answer is 345# NT Grady Jackson.

Signing Jackson — to a 3-year deal — solidifies the NT position and gives the Lions their Tony Siragusa, the wide body who clogs up the middle. More to the point, it also allows DTs Cory Redding & Andre Fluellen to play DE.

Redding is considered a “tweener” — too small to play tackle, too slow to play end — exactly the type you want in a 3-4.  You might even say he’s a “natural” 3-4 DE.

Fluellen… (insert scouting report on Fluellen’s skill set)

Now what about the LBs?

A lot of times a “3-4″ is really more of a “5-2″ with the ends standing up as OLBs.  So this means the Lions may actually need less new LBs running a “3-4″ scheme than even a standard “4-3″ does. ”Tampa-2″ style LBs are 225-230# while “3-4″ LBs range from 245-280#, depending on the position.  The OLBs are more like stand-up defensive linemen than typical “4-3″ LBs.

The SOLB is more of a run stuffer, but can also have pass rush skills. The WOLB has the least responsibility, he’s primarily a pass rusher. His job is to get sacks. At 251# 2nd-year pass rusher — and “4-3″ DE – Cliff Avril would play the rush WOLB position and collect sacks.

Cliff Avril’s “10 Yard Split” time, 2008 Combine: nat’l football post

To put the 10-yard splits into perspective, I constructed a range of times using only the DE/OLB position.

Note: NFL Combine times as a whole have gone down dramatically each of the past couple of years, so the most relevant times are those from the past three years.

A “Great” 10-Yard Split Time (1.55 seconds and under)
Cliff Avril, Lions: 1.50 (2008)
Chris Long, Rams: 1.53 (2008)
A “Good” 10-Yard Split Time (1.56-159)
Gaines Adams, Buccaneers: 1.58 (2007)
Derrick Harvey, Jaguars: 1.59 (2008)
An “Average” 10-Yard Split Time (1.6-1.62)
Kamerion Wimbley, Browns: 1.6 (2006)
Bruce Davis, Steelers: 1.62 (2008)
Below Average 10-Yard Split Times (1.63-1.69)
Charles Johnson, Panthers: 1.63 (2007)
Anthony Spencer, Cowboys: 1.64 (2007)

Dewayne White plays the strong side OLB position. White is good in space, has rush skills, and is also good vs the run. Rarely seen 3rd year DT/DE project Ikaika Alama-Francis backs up White at SOLB.

Ernie Sims plays the “tackling machine” WILB position and racks up 120 tackles, a la Chris Spielman. Jordon Dizon or Alex Lewis becomes Sims’ backup.

And the punchline?

The Detroit Lions draft the best player available in 2009, Wake Forest OLB Aaron Curry for the starting SILB spot.  A natural 4-3 SLB, his all around speed, skills, and explosiveness finally allow the Lions to cover a TE on 3rd down…

Crazy enough to work?

(insert diagram of base “3-4″ lineup)

But Curry could also play the Ray Lewis “tackling machine” WILB position or even the WOLB rush end position… he’s a nice problem to have.

Lions new head coach Jim Schwartz is known as a “moneyball” coach.  In other words, he’s a stats and trends kind of guy.  If his numbers say they have a better chance of running the ball on 3rd and 4, Schwartz will pull the trigger.

So let’s look at the trend of running a 3-4 defense and how it affects the most important stat of all, wins and losses.

2008 NFL teams playing “3-4″ defense

• 12-4, AFC, Pittsburgh Steelers
• 11-5, AFC, Baltimore Ravens
• 11-5, AFC, Miami Dolphins (hybrid)
• 11-5, AFC, New England Patriots
• 9-7, AFC, New York Jets
• 9-7, NFC, Dallas Cowboys
• 8-8, AFC, San Diego Chargers
• 7-9, NFC, San Francisco 49ers
• 4-12, AFC, Cleveland Browns

Seven out of nine teams running the “3-4″ had .500 or better records.  Moneyball, indeed…