One of the reasons this new blog came to fruition was the opportunity to do something Bleacher Report isn't particularly set up for—a weekly blog about random topics that might not be noteworthy in and of themselves, but enough so to be placed into a compilation article.
So, every Monday, tune in to Blue And Silver Pride for what we're calling, “Monday Motown Musings.” For the duration of the off-season, its topic will be various signings and other personnel moves of both the Detroit Lions and around the NFL. When the games begin, we'll use this space to recap Sunday's game and preview Monday Night Football.
Its partner will be “Saturday Silver Bullets.” That column will cover all things Lions draft related until the end of April, then it will be used to discuss notes and rumors from inside the Allen Park workouts. Once the season begins, it will preview the next days game.
Without further ado...Monday Motown Musings!
Today in Lion World, the biggest news concerned a couple of offensive guards. Manny Ramirez and then Daniel Loper signed their restricted free agent tenders today.
Good news or bad news for Lions Nation? All in all....good news. Neither of these players are starting caliber players and neither are the answer for the Lions decade long search of a left guard. However, not every player on the roster needs to be a starter. Ramirez continues to show growth as a player and Loper is capable at a number of positions.
Back up linemen with starting experience is a luxury the Lions have not always had.
Dylan Gandy has yet to sign his tender but has signed an insurance agreement which protects him from financial damage if he is injured in off-season workouts.
Odds are, Gandy will have a tough time making the Detroit Lions this season. On special teams, he has been replaced by a host of linebacker and defensive back signings and depth at defensive line has never been better.
On offense, Gandy is undersized at guard and is a spot replacement at best for Raiola. The former Bronco played for Mike Shanahan in Denver and could possibly fight for a starting spot in Washington. The Lions would be best served getting Gandy signed and flipping him East or to another zone blocking team.
In other NFL news, Sam Bradford drama is heating up. First Bradford had an outstanding pro day—amazing scouts and personnel men alike. Gil Brandt used the word “breathless,” while others said “flawless,” and “decision making.”
In this mind, and many others in the NFL world, all Bradford needed to do was prove he was healthy.
Bradford excelled beyond expectations. The script for his pro day was both challenging and lengthy—15 passes with a difficulty at about 9.5/10. Deep outs, and longer stop routes are passes that pro days usually avoid over doing. Those passes require both arm strength and deft touch which can disintegrate after a few bad throws.
Bradford went 49/50 and displayed 100% arm strength and an ability to place the ball few remembered he had.
He is the number one pick for any team that doesn't have a QB—i.e. St. Louis.
But wait, there's more. It's been reported that Sam Bradford is reluctant (read: refusing) to sign a pre-draft contract with the Rams.
Ruh-ro Reorge.
This could be anything from a minor speed bump to a draft changing hurdle for St. Louis. The first pick comes with enough financial uncertainty, signability has to be an issue—to think otherwise belies a lack of knowledge that the NFL is first and foremost...a business.
What this means for the Lions is that Ndamukong Suh begins to look more attractive to a St. Louis coaching staff that still lacks a game changing defensive lineman. Especially if Suh comes out and says he's willing to sign, for less, before the draft.
In that scenario, Sam Bradford falls to #2 and the Honolulu Blue phone in the Lions' war room begins to ring off the hook.
Mike Holmgren, lines one, two, three, and four through nine.
Final note for the night: if you claim to be a Detroit Sports fan, you should know about The Knee Jerks, a weekly radio show with Greg Eno and Al Beaton. Earlier today, I was asked to be their “expert” guest (*giggle*). We talked for just under an hour about Detroit Lions topics so far this offseason and heading up to the draft.
Michael Schottey operates Blue And Silver Pride and is a Detroit Lions featured columnist for Bleacher Report. He also serves as a team correspondent for DraftTek.com and is a guest blogger for Mlive's Highlight Reel. Check out his Podcasts and add him on Twitter!
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