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One thing you can count on with the Detroit Lions is that they are never, ever boring. Follow the latest news including injuries, roster moves and more here daily from Oakland Press beat writer Paula Pasche. Plus you'll find regular commentary about the team.

4/30/2009

Lions could be in the market for Foote, another QB

The Lions are still studying any and all ways to upgrade their roster, including possibly adding a starter at middle linebacker (Larry Foote?) and a backup at quarterback.

“There's not many positions on this team that on April 30 that we're saying, 'We're set, we're 100 percent set at that position. We're good, don't worry about that,'” Lions coach Jim Schwartz said. “We still have a lot of work to do.”

The two most pressing needs are middle linebacker, where the Lions drafted DeAndre Levy in the third round last week, and defensive tackle, where good big men are hard to find. Levy will play exclusively in the middle at this weekend's rookie orientation, and is penciled in as the starter for now.

But the Steelers could trade or release Foote, a Detroit native, and the Lions are in a position to sign him if they choose.

“It's fair to say that we're looking (at middle linebacker) and we're also looking at a lot of other positions,” Schwartz said. “Now, that being said, that doesn't mean it'll necessarily happen. We'll see where we go with the guys on our roster, see where we go with the guys that are drafted and their play will determine a lot of where we go.”

Schwartz cautioned about reading too much into performance at this weekend's camp, which serves more as a welcome-to-the-NFL session with the rookies than a test of football ability.

“Middle linebackers need mouthpieces and shoulder pads,” he said. “One of the biggest things here is to get a good feel for the guys athletically.”

At defensive tackle, there aren't many options available, though the Lions did welcome end Kevin Carter in for a visit recently. Carter played four seasons with Schwartz in Tennessee, and Schwartz said he's a “giant” who could double as a defensive tackle in nickel situations.

The Lions could be in the market for a third quarterback, too. For now, Daunte Culpepper is the starter, Matthew Stafford is the future and Drew Stanton is No. 3 on the depth chart, but Stanton won't get many reps going forward and the Lions might want a veteran for insurance instead.

“There's so many different paths you could take there,” Schwartz said. “That wouldn't necessarily mean bring a veteran in to compete, it might be bring a veteran in to learn as an insurance policy, something like that. A lot of different ways you can go with it. We're not there yet. We'll cross that bridge when we get to it.”

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5 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

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http://my.wrif.com/mim/?p=2076#comment-4424

3:44 PM 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

er, radio interview.

3:45 PM 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

i would say, as long as he doesn't get traded to another team, foote will be a lion right after he gets released.

4:26 PM 
Blogger Unknown said...

In Schwartz' own words, the competition at QB is open. If Stafford wins it, he's the starter. If Pep does, etc. Yes, that includes Stanton if he's not cut before camp. The best scenario I see is Stafford winning the starting job with Pep as the vet back up and Stanton as #3. It solves all issues for now. If Stanton impresses in camp, I can see Pep getting cut and adding another QB to the roster.

Still don't see anything happening, though, until after training camp.

5:04 PM 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I see that there is a lot of issues with finding a receiver with good hands and speed...The Giants drafted Hakeem Nicks surely with the intentions to replace Plaxico Burress, leaving Mario Manningham as a 5th option as receiver. Mario was a player who did not get much playing time due to a lack of performance on his part, but a work force that could not be stopped including 3 very solid running backs. Mario could be acquired for little in return and a player who showed much more talent than Steve Breaston (Cardinals) during his Michigan debut. Also Jason Avant, showed great promise through the entire season at the Eagles who at times seemed to be the go-to guy at slot but with Desean Jackson and Kevin Curtis as the 1 and 2 along with the Rookie drafted Jeremy McClain surely to jump ahead in roster to likely the number 2 receiver, we could acquire Jason Avant for little as well. The reason for these two players mentioned is simply that it could be a great lift for the few Lions fans left! I think that the Ford family should be looking at bringing some “hometown” talent into the stadium in order to sell those tickets. There was a lot of hope of seeing Drew Stanton play last year especially with the performance of a QB running out of the end zone, or a guy who was a rival for many years coming out of retirement. Obviously Stanton is no longer an option so whom do we get excited about? Why not bring some talented youths from University of Michigan lets not shoot ourselves in the foot…literally (Plaxico)!

9:54 AM 

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