After the first few days of NFL free agency, the Lions were active but didn't do make a huge splash.
So far, the moves have been practical. Trading QB Jon Kitna for DB Anthony Henry is not sexy but it should help.
The same goes for signing RB Maurice Morris from Seattle and WR Bryant Johnson from San Francisco.
Johnson had 546 yards receiving and three scores last year. The Lions had interest in WR Nate Washington from Pittsburgh, who had similar stats but has much more upside and can return punts. The Lions have been desperate for a decent return game for years.
Morris is a career backup that should help with depth but won't shock the world.
So far, the rumors and near acquisitions have been more exciting. They tried to get Buffalo guard Derrick Dockery but a paperwork snafu ended that. They wanted CB Ken Lucas from Carolina but he nixed the deal.
The most exciting trade that never happened was a three-way deal where New England would have sent QB Matt Cassel to Denver and Denver would have sent QB Jay Cutler to Detroit and draft picks would have found there way to the Patriots.
That would have been good for the Lions, so of course it didn't happen. Cassel ended up with the Chiefs. Who knows? Maybe the Lions will trade for Cutler after all.
Local talk radio has been buzzing with these moves and non-moves but it is so too early to judge. The Lions have a long way to go to be competitive and the draft is still weeks away. Let's wait until that's over before we cry or cheer for the Lions.
They did do one thing right. The Lions did not try to make a huge splash by signing Albert Haynesworth to some ridiculous contract. Let the Redskins blow a 100 mil. Haynesworth has been a great player but he has been banged up lately and how often do these huge signings pay off?
Until next time, enjoy Michigan and keep an eye on the Lions' off-season.
