Posts by SA Sportswriter | Detroit Lions Tickets

Terry Foster: NFL commissioner smart to say no to replacement players

Terry Foster

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said the league is not considering using replacement players if the lockout continues through any or all of the 2011 season.

That’s a smart move on his part because there would be very little interest in watching a bunch of nobodies and has-beens race across a football field on Sundays. The NFL is not about the logo. It is about watching the best players in the world compete at a high level.

It’s hard to imagine many Lions fans would turn out to Ford Field to watch men they’ve never heard of play. It’s Ndamukong Suh and Matthew Stafford or bust. We are not interested in seeing Bob Smith of Ferris State.

Say no to Dom

Thankfully, former NHL goalie Dominik Hasek made it clear he does not want to return to the NHL, that he is content with playing Russian hockey.

If Hasek hinted he wanted to return to the NHL, every other Red Wings fan would scream to have the 46-year-old clean up the goalie situation and lead the Wings to the playoffs, although I am betting Hasek’s butter fly doesn’t float the way it used to.

There is a lack of trust in Jimmy Howard — or Chris Osgood and the other backups — in this town. The Wings will live and die with Howard.

Be careful, U-M

We will see pretty quickly what kind of coaching staff they have at Michigan as the Wolverines attempt to transform Denard Robinson into a more conventional quarterback. They don’t want him running as much, which is understandable, because the main goal should be getting him through an entire game without getting his bell rung.

But Robinson is what he is. He is a multi-dimensional and dual-threat quarterback. The Atlanta Falcons attempted to turn Michael Vick into a west-coast quarterback and that failed. Let’s see what this staff can do with Robinson.

Pistons’ fan base dries up

This town is no longer a basketball town, thanks in part to the Pistons. It is a town of front-runners. Did you see the number of LeBron James jerseys at The Palace the other day when the Miami Heat came to town? People kept saying how much they hated James after “The Decision.” I kept telling you that would make him bigger and more powerful.

People love to follow the hot name. There were a group of guys who wore James jerseys and red watches to the game. I just don’t get it. But again I do. What Piston jersey would you wear? Nobody. The most recognizable name is Richard Hamilton, and the Pistons tried to run him out of town.

Quick hits

* I got some phone calls and e-mails from people upset that I wrote that the Heat won’t win the NBA title. They guaranteed the Heat will win. Don’t bet the house my friends. You will lose that bet.

* Speaking of bets, let’s place them now: Who will contribute more to the Tigers this year, Carlos Guillen or Joel Zumaya?

terry.foster@detnews.com

Players saving during lockout

NFl: Roundup

Barry Wilner / Associated Press

Marco Island, Fla.— Don’t buy that car. Shorten that vacation. Eat at home.

Whatever they do, NFL players have been warned for years about the need to save and importance of budgeting money in case of a work stoppage.

Well, the lockout is here.

“We’ve been hammering the point home for two years that you have to be careful and you have to be prepared,” Browns linebacker Scott Fujita said. “Guys I know have made concessions.

“There are always a few guys you have to be concerned about, that you think might not have taken the right steps. It’s a part of the education process. Maybe you have to spoon-feed them on filling out direct deposit slips or coaching them on a change of lifestyle.”

The lifestyle for professional football players is a good one. Seahawks guard Chester Pitts, a nine-year veteran, calls it “very comfortable.”

But Pitts notes it also needs to have limitations, more so when the players have no money coming in from the owners because of the labor stalemate.

“The guys in the locker room call me the cheapest guy around,” Pitts said with a laugh, “but you have to be wise with your money. You can live a great life and still be careful and still be smart.

“I tell guys, ‘Why do you need that $250,000 car? A Mercedes is a great car and it’s $85,000. You can afford that on your salary, and what’s that ($250,000) car going to do for you?'”

Willie Colon didn’t need that advice; he already had decided to stay out of the automotive market this offseason.

Colon, a Steelers tackle who missed the 2010 season because of a torn right Achilles’ tendon, had thoughts of purchasing a car for himself and his brother.

Won’t happen.

“I wanted to buy a car for my brother because his car is beat up,” said Colon, who earned $2.198 million last year. “But I told him this is not the year to make a lot of moves, especially with me being a (restricted) free agent and the lockout.”

Colon also said he’s eating out less and being responsible with his money, something he admits wasn’t always the case.

“When I was coming into the league as a rookie and I was able to get a signing bonus, I was somewhat dumb in spending it,” he said.

Extra point

Cowboys cornerback Bryan McCann is denying reports he was intoxicated when arrested by Dallas police during the weekend.

WFAA-TV of Dallas and Fort Worth reported early Sunday that the former SMU star was arrested early Saturday, charged with public intoxication, taken to the Dallas city detox center about 3 a.m. Saturday and released almost eight hours later.

However, McCann issued a statement Sunday that he “was not intoxicated and did not pose a danger” to himself or others.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell e-mails all active players

Associated Press

Commissioner Roger Goodell wrote NFL players Thursday, outlining the league’s last proposal to the union and cautioning that “each passing day puts our game and our shared economics further at risk.”

Goodell ended the letter, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press, by telling players: “I hope you will encourage your union to return to the bargaining table and conclude a new collective bargaining agreement.”

Talks between the teams’ owners and the NFL Players Association broke off last Friday, the 16th day of federal mediation in Washington. The union dissolved that afternoon, allowing players to file a class-action antitrust suit in federal court. Hours later, owners locked out the players, creating the NFL’s first work stoppage since 1987.

“I’ve told my guys to take the letter and set it on fire. We’re not that stupid,” said Seattle Seahawks guard Chester Pitts, whose reaction was relayed by NFLPA assistant executive director George Atallah.

Goodell wrote that the NFLPA “walked out of the federal mediator’s offices … and filed a lawsuit.” He also said owners “are prepared to resume those negotiations at any time.”

“We need to come together, and soon,” Goodell wrote.

He told players he wants them to “understand the offer that we made,” a proposal put forth during the final day of negotiations.

“We believe the offer presented a strong and fair basis for continuing negotiations, allowing the new league year and free agency to begin, and growing our game in the years to come,” Goodell said.

His letter goes point-by-point through 10 categories Goodell said were included in the NFL’s last proposal. Among them:

— Salary and benefits would be $141 million per club in 2011, and rise to $161 million by 2014;

— Free agency after four seasons;

— Less offseason work and fewer padded practices in the preseason and regular season;

— Keeping a 16-game regular season for at least the next two seasons and not changing to 18 games without the union’s agreement;

— Guaranteeing up to $1 million of a second year of a player’s contract if he is injured and can’t return to play;

— A new rookie compensation system;

— A jointly appointed neutral arbitrator for all drug and steroid appeals.

Report: NFL not likely to change ‘Calvin Johnson rule’

Tim Twentyman / The Detroit News

The NFL is unlikely to make changes to the “Calvin Johnson rule” this offseason, New York Giants owner John Mara told Newsday.

Mara said the controversial rule — which contributed to a Lions loss in Chicago in Week 1 last season — will not be brought up for discussion by the league’s competition committee; Mara is a member of that committee.

Johnson had a touchdown taken away after officials ruled on replay that Johnson did not maintain complete possession of the ball through the entirety of his catching motion with 25 seconds left in the game. The Lions lost 19-14.

Johnson clearly had control of the ball in his right hand as he fell to the ground, and established both feet and his left hand inbounds. But the ball came loose when his right hand, holding the ball, hit the ground.

NFL players, owners do not have meeting

NFL: Notebook

Associated Press / Associated Press

Washington — The tension and stakes are rising in the NFL labor talks with only a day remaining before the twice-extended collective bargaining agreement expires.

NFL general counsel and lead negotiator Jeff Pash said Thursday the league is committed to getting a deal done, adding: “I don’t know if both sides have an equal commitment. … Obviously, we have the commitment.

“If both sides have an equal commitment to getting this done, it will get done. It’s a process, not an event. Things can come together quickly and they can fall apart quickly.”

When those comments were relayed to NFL Players Association spokesman George Atallah, he responded with an e-mail to the Associated Press that said: “Jeff Pash was part of an executive team that sold the networks a $4 billion ticket to a game they knew wouldn’t be played. The only thing they’ve been committed to is a lockout.”

Atallah says the union and the NFL owners didn’t meet face-to-face Thursday. He said union officials were heading home, but would return for talks, if asked by the mediator.

With the twice-extended collective bargaining agreement due to expire today, nine of the 10 members of the owners’ labor committee were at the office of the federal mediator overseeing negotiations.

Union leader DeMaurice Smith, lawyers and several active or former players arrived at the mediator’s office in the morning, then left a few hours later.

The only missing member of the key league group was Patriots owner Robert Kraft, part of a delegation visiting Israel with Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick. Asked Thursday whether he expects next season to start on time, Kraft told the Associated Press: “That’s my belief.”

While Mara, Hunt and Murphy occasionally have participated in the talks since mediation began Feb. 18, a group this large attended only one previous session, last week.

A work stoppage would end 24 years of labor peace

Bronco to stand trial

Details of sexual assault allegations against Broncos cornerback Perrish Cox will remain secret after his attorney waived his client’s right to a preliminary hearing on the evidence.

That means the case will proceed directly to a trial.

Cox’s next court date is an arraignment May 16, when he’s expected to enter a plea.

Braylon Edwards due in court today in DWI case

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Lions keep making moves in midst of labor unrest

Tim Twentyman / The Detroit News

Allen Park — With all eyes focused on the labor unrest in the NFL Thursday, the Lions were busy shaping up their 2011 roster.

The team decided to part ways with veterans Kevin Smith and Julian Peterson while offering restricted free-agent tenders to a number of other players, including linebacker Zack Follett.

The Lions did not offer a tender to former starting running back Smith, 24, making the fourth-year player a free agent. That doesn’t rule out the chance of Smith re-signing with the Lions, but it seems unlikely at this point.

With Jahvid Best expected to be the back-of-the-future and Maurice Morris coming on strong at the end of last season, the Lions felt Smith was expendable.

That’s good news for Best, a third-year pro out of Cal who thought his career might be over after he was carted off the field with a neck injury while covering a fourth-quarter kickoff during a 28-20 loss to the Giants at the Meadowlands on Oct. 17.

A third-round pick in 2008, Smith showed potential after running for 976 yards as a rookie. But injuries have derailed the last two seasons for Smith, who has rushed for 880 yards combined over that span.

Smith’s 2009 season ended because of a torn ACL. He played in only six games last season and finished it on injured reserve because of torn ligaments in his thumb. He also had a shoulder injury.

Smith rushed for 1,856 yards and 12 touchdowns in three seasons with the Lions.

The Peterson move was expected as Lions general manager Martin Mayhew confirmed to reporters last month that the move was imminent.

“We had a meeting, a great meeting, and I thanked him for his two years of service,” Mayhew said.

Peterson, 32, who was scheduled to make $8 million next season, made 15 starts last season and had 83 tackles.

Switching to players that will be wearing Honolulu Blue when camp starts, the Lions offered linebacker Zack Follett an exclusive rights tender for next season.

“I didn’t even know if they would offer me a contract,” Follett said. “I’m just thankful to be offered the opportunity to play for another year.

“I still don’t know if my neck will keep holding up, but I don’t think this contract would have been offered if they didn’t think that it could.”

Follett was placed on injured reserve following the incident in New York, and later told reporters he didn’t know if he’d ever play again after suffering a displaced disk that tapped his spinal cord.

Follett said he’s been intensively rehabbing his neck and feels he’s ready for camp. But he also said there is one more hurdle to cross.

“I haven’t hit anybody yet, so we’ll see,” he said. “Before I actually go back into camp to make it a full go we’ll do another series of tests to make sure there’s more space between the disk and my spinal cord and make sure I won’t be doing any permanent damage.

“It’s a little scary because the one thing the doctors did tell me is that by playing more, my situation can only get worse, and that’s the risk factor that’s involved here.”

The Lions gave fifth-year guard Dylan Gandy and special teams Pro Bowl alternate John Wendling original-round tenders on Thursday and reportedly issued tenders to some of their other four- and five-year players, including cornerback Chris Houston and kicker Dave Rayner.

The original-round tender for Gandy and Wendling mean that another team can offer them a contract but the Lions have the right to match that offer or let them sign with the other team for a fourth-round pick in Gandy’s case and a sixth-round pick for Wendling, the round they were originally drafted in.

Those players could ultimately test the free-agent market as unrestricted free agents, though, depending on the language in the new collective bargaining agreement — whenever it’s agreed upon — as it pertains to free-agent eligibility.

In last year’s uncapped season, free agency changed from four to six years, but it could revert back to four years in the new deal.

The Lions also extended exclusive rights original-round tenders to fullback Jerome Felton (fifth round) and defensive tackle Andre Fluellen (third round).

They also reportedly gave a second-round tender to defensive end Turk McBride.

ttwentyman@detnews.com

Character issues at question as Lions search for potential pick

NFL Combine

Chris McCosky / The Detroit News

Indianapolis — Would the Lions be interested in a self-proclaimed shut-down cornerback with the 13th overall pick in the draft? One who has great size (6-2 ¼, 211 pounds), good speed (ran a 4.37 in the 40-yard dash in Arizona last week), long reach (77 inches) and thrives on playing physical, press coverage?

One who was so respected in college that he was rarely thrown at? Even when he was matched against Georgia’s A.J. Green, one of the top receivers in the draft, he faced two passes and both were incomplete. One who was so respected that he was named first team All-Big 12 without intercepting a pass?

Of course they would.

Would they draft that same player if they learned he might have character issues; that he had minor brushes with the law and four positive drug tests early in his college career and questions about his work ethic? Would it be another red flag that he fired one agent and hired another before he has participated at the NFL scouting combine?

This is the dilemma when considering Colorado cornerback Jimmy Smith. Physically, he is everything the Lions would want in a cornerback. But is he trustworthy for such a high pick?

“I know teams are going to ask me about that stuff and I am prepared to answer all their questions,” Smith said Sunday. “The sky is the limit for me as long as I do what I know I can do out there, especially in these combines. I think these interviews are going to make or break me.”

Smith will meet with 28 teams over the next two days. The Lions are expected to be among them. General manager Martin Mayhew, though not speaking directly about Smith, told reporters Friday that character issues weigh heavily in this process, but he prefers to make his own judgments.

“I learned a long time ago that you can’t judge a guy on a quote, on what a guy said or what you heard that he said,” Mayhew said. “If you don’t know the guy, you can’t judge him.”

In his media session Sunday, Smith was poised, extremely confident and forthright, often flashing an impish, Isiah Thomas-like grin.

“I’m a big, physical corner who loves to press,” he said. “I have great speed, great size and great ball skills. I am a shut-down corner.”

When asked if he also had great modesty, he flashed his Isiah grin and said, “Yeah, that’s in there somewhere.”

He didn’t hide from the character issues.

“I will tell the teams that I am a great person,” he said. “I was young when I got to college and I made some young mistakes. I grew as a person and as a football player.”

His brushes with the law came in his first three years at Colorado. They mostly involved alcohol. He was caught with a beer before his 18th birthday. He was also cited for being a minor in possession of alcohol his freshman year.

“I was a true freshman and it was the first day out of camp,” he said. “I walked outside (of a bar) with a red cup. It had nothing in it, but walking outside with a red cup is not OK in Boulder and I got popped. Just a lack of judgment.”

He was caught in a police raid on a campus bar in his junior year, when he hadn’t yet turned 21. There was also four positive drug tests.

“When I go before the teams I am just going to be honest,” he said. “I can only control what I can control. I went to college and made some mistakes when I was a young kid. I have definitely learned from them.”

The charges against his work ethic are baffling to him.

“I think I have a great work ethic,” he said. “I think my coaches would say the same thing about me. In the weight room (at Colorado) I hold most of the records for lifting weights and running. Every Friday we had competitive drills and I won every single Friday.”

He hired Colorado-based agent Peter Schaffer initially, but fired him and hired Drew Rosenhaus.

“I needed better representation,” he said. “It’s not that Peter Shaffer wasn’t a good agent, I just didn’t want him to represent me. I didn’t think he knew how to do what needed to be done for me. I don’t want to bash him, and I just needed to change.”

It would be a near-perfect scenario for the Lions if they could get an elite cornerback with the 13th pick. The consensus best corner in the draft is Louisiana State Patrick Peterson and he is expected to be one of the top three players off the board.

It could happen, though, that both Smith and Nebraska’s Prince Amukamara are available at 13, though most mock drafts presently have Amukamara going earlier. It would be a fascinating decision for the Lions to have to make.

Amukamara is shorter (6-0), though he is strong and plays just as physical at 206. He wouldn’t discuss his 40-yard dash time, but scouting reports call him quicker than he is fast — not a compliment.

His demeanor is completely different than Smith’s. At the podium Sunday, he was all business. When asked about those who doubt his speed, he said, “I think some people don’t know what they’re talking about and haven’t seen me on film,” he said. “I guess I will show them on Tuesday.”

He has been getting some tutoring from Lions tackle Ndamukong Suh, a former teammate at Nebraska — which explains his dead-serious approach.

“Yes, Suh has been giving me tips about this process,” Amukamara said. “He just told me to treat it as a business trip, which is what I’ve been doing. I am happy with that advice.”

Draft experts like NFL.com’s Mike Mayock and ESPN’s Mel Kiper, Jr., believe that Peterson and Amukamara are far and away the top two cornerback prospects in this draft. They believe there is a big gap between those two and the next tier, which features Smith and Miami’s Brandon Harris.

But for the Lions, it could come down to Amukamara and Smith. Amukamara would be the safe pick. It’s on Smith now to prove he’s the right pick.

chris.mccosky@detnews.com

(313) 222-1489

Lions might appeal draft penalties from tampering charges

Chris McCosky / The Detroit News

Indianapolis — Lions coach Jim Schwartz, addressing the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Thursday, indicated the Lions might appeal the league’s ruling on tampering charges filed against them by the Kansas City Chiefs.

“I think that too much has been said about something that should be confidential,” Schwartz said. “I am disappointed so much has come out.

“We have received that notification and I believe firmly in our case and that they reached the wrong conclusion. We still have some options we can pursue.”

The Lions have until Monday to file an appeal.

After a six-month investigation, the league ordered the Lions to forfeit their seventh-round pick in the 2011 draft and switch fifth-round picks with the Chiefs — losing the ninth pick and gaining the 23rd.

The tampering incident involved, at least partly, some comments made by defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham in reference to then-Chiefs safety Jarrad Page. Commissioner Roger Goodell ruled that the Lions made “impermissible contact with a player (or his agent).”

“An appeal is one of our options,” Schwartz said. “But, again, I will leave it at that. Too much has been said about this already.”

Schwartz was also loathe to discuss the rehab of quarterback Matthew Stafford’s surgically-repaired throwing shoulder. Schwartz was asked if he was worried that a potential lockout might interrupt the rehab process.

“Our rehab schedule is the way it has been with all of our players and hopefully we will continue on that track,” he said. “You are talking about ‘if.’ We’re not counting on ifs. We are going ahead the way we did it in the past. I feel optimistic he’ll have a good rehab.”

Lions’ DeAndre Levy has bevy of options

Chris McCosky / The Detroit News

Allen Park— In a perfect world, the Lions would lock in DeAndre Levy at middle linebacker and concentrate their offseason efforts toward filling the gaping holes at the two outside linebacker positions.

But, as Levy well knows, the world is anything but perfect. That’s why he is ready and willing to move back to outside linebacker.

“Whatever happens, I am willing to play any position,” he said while cleaning out his locker back on Jan. 3. “I am always ready. I know both positions and I have no preference.”

Levy, in his second year last season, certainly gave the Lions no reason to move him out of the middle. Once he got healthy, he validated the coaching staff’s belief that he could lead the defense.

In the team’s last four games, all wins, Levy delivered a game-saving interception against Green Bay, a winning pick-six at Miami, and a pair of 11-tackle performances at Tampa Bay and against Minnesota.

So why would the Lions consider moving Levy? Because the Lions presently have no true starter at either outside linebacker position and it’s possible that a quality middle linebacker will be easier to acquire than two outside linebackers.

Certainly there’s no guarantee the Lions will be able to acquire a middle linebacker, especially one who would be an upgrade from Levy, but it is one of the scenarios the Lions would consider.

Presently, the only outside linebackers on the roster are Bobby Carpenter, Ashlee Palmer and Caleb Campbell, none of whom the Lions consider a full-time starter. General manager Martin Mayhew said that two-year starter Julian Peterson would not be back. Opening-day starter Zach Follett’s career is in jeopardy because of the neck injury he sustained in Week 6. His replacement, Landon Johnson, is an unrestricted free agent.

Although neither Mayhew nor Schwartz will discuss the team’s offseason priorities, they will certainly look hard at linebackers, both inside and outside, in the draft (April 28-30) and when the free-agency period begins, which will be whenever a new collective bargaining agreement is reached.

The consensus among draft experts, thus far, is that Von Miller of Texas AM and Akeem Ayers of UCLA are the top prospects at outside linebacker, and both are expected to be taken before the Lions pick at No. 13.

“We are going to take the best player available and you have to understand that, at that point, we’re talking about a group of players with a similar grade,” Mayhew said.

Most of the mock drafts have the Lions taking an offensive lineman at 13, validating Mayhew’s point.

But here’s another scenario that could impact Levy. What if Mayhew thinks the Lions can land a quality inside linebacker through free agency, somebody such as Tennessee’s Stephen Tulloch or Buffalo’s Paul Posluszny?

Would they not move Levy to the outside in that scenario? It’s something they would have to at least consider.

Like Schwartz said, the Lions believe that Levy is their guy at middle linebacker and they aren’t actively looking to move him. But the goal is to upgrade the entire linebacker unit, and if the best way to do that is to bring in another middle linebacker and move Levy to the outside, that’s what they will do.

Personnel dept.

The Lions have signed safety Erik Coleman , who was recently released by Atlanta.

chris.mccosky@detnews.com

(313) 222-1489