Along with the eight players the Detroit Lions drafted over the weekend, they also have reportedly signed the following undrafted free agents. A final list will be available during rookie mini-camp May 11-13, but for now this is what we know:

• Kellen Moore, QB, Boise State
• Stephfon Green, RB, Penn State
• Alonzo Lawrence, CB, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
• Ronnie Sneed, LB, Kentucky
• Patrick Edwards, WR, Houston
• Jared Karstetter, WR, Washington State
• Troy Burrell, WR, Wayne State
• Alex Gottlieb, TE, William & Mary
• Sam Proctor, S, Oklahoma
• Rodney Austin, OG, Elon
• J.C. Oram, OG, Weber State
• Quinn Barham, OT, Penn State
• Edmon McClam, DT, Old Dominion » Continue reading “Detroit Lions: List of Undrafted Free Agents”

Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson continued his media take over by being a guest on the Late Show with David Letterman Friday night. Johnson was asked to present Letterman’s “Top Ten” list titled “Top Ten Pieces Of Advice For Young Athletes.”

As I’m sure you can imagine, it was awesome. As I’m sure you can also imagine, this won’t be the last time Megatron is in the media. As a result of winning the Madden 13 cover vote, Johnson will likely be making many more stops to promote the game and subsequently himself and the Detroit Lions.

Here’s the video of Johnson on Letterman:

You can find me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MelissaHeyboer and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/barrysandersmemorialblog.

After drafting an offensive tackle and a wide receiver with their first two picks in the 2012 NFL Draft, many wondered if the Detroit Lions would address their glaring needs in the secondary. Well, they did. Big time.

The Lions picked up their first defensive back of the draft in the third round with Louisiana-Lafayette corner back Dwight Bentley. But they didn’t stop there. In rounds four through seven on Saturday, Detroit picked up two more DBs and a defensive end. Here’s a wrap up of the Lions final four rounds in the draft.

Round 4: Ronnell Lewis, DE, Oklahoma — The Lions traded down with the San Francisco 49ers in round four to select Lewis. Although he played defensive end with the Sooners, many projected him to be a linebacker in the NFL. The Lions, however, will likely use him as a DE.

Lewis apparently has a background in power-lifting and rodeo. Awesome. “I grew up in the country, I love riding horses and stuff like that. Then a little bit of rodeo locally, nothing really big. It’s just something I grew up into and my family was involved in it and it’s something I just took after. Something I like doing, kind of one of my hobbies. In high school I did bull-riding, now I just train horses.” I think I’m going to love this guy. » Continue reading “NFL Draft: Detroit Lions Round 4-7 Wrap Up”

The Detroit Lions surprised a lot of people when they made the decision to pick Oklahoma wide receiver Ryan Broyles with the 54th pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. Here’s Broyles, head coach Jim Schwartz, and general manager Martin Mayhew’s reactions to the pick.

Ryan Broyles:

On the surprise of getting picked in the second round: “Man, it’s a great deal. I just put my head down, worked as hard as I could after I got hurt. If I’m hurt or not, I feel like I’m going to be a competitor right after I get healed up. I’m just looking forward to the opportunity. I’m glad the Detroit Lions felt that I was a guy capable of coming back from the injury. I’m just excited right now.”

Prognosis with knew injury: “”I can’t give you a timetable. I’m hitting the therapy as hard as I can. I’m on pace. I showed a little bit on pro day that I’m on pace to be ready for training camp. I’m just looking forward to the opportunity.”

Rehab situation: “I’m back to doing everything normal. I’m doing all the weight stuff, all the running stuff. I’m getting my flexibility back as well, so I’m on pace. I feel better than ever right now, to be honest.”

Disappointed in how the injury affected draft stock: “I’m not a guy that’s going to hang his head. I’m just blessed to be in this position right now. All I know how to do is work and I feel God will take care of the rest.” » Continue reading “Broyles, Schwartz, Mayhew React to Second-Round Pick”

After passing on cornerback in the second round of the draft, the Detroit Lions instead used their 85th overall pick to gain some much needed depth in the secondary. The Lions used their third-round pick to take Dwight Bentley, a CB out of Louisiana-Lafayette.

Admittedly, I don’t know much about Bentley, but according to many different sources, he’s undersized (5’10) but very explosive, with quick, short movements

According to nfldraftscout.com:

He (Bentley) shows natural coverage skills but his aggressiveness which he showed in abundance during Senior Bowl practices where he looked good against bigger receivers. He confirmed he has the speed to play at the next level with an unofficial 40 time of 4.43 at the scouting combine. But his 31.5-inch vertical jump was disappointing because at his height, he will need all the hops he can get against big NFL receivers. His career stats included 232 total tackles, 13 for a loss, 1.5 sacks, seven interceptions and 20 passes broken up.” » Continue reading “NFL Draft: Lions Take CB Dwight Bentley in the Third Round”

Welp. I’m confused. Either general manager Martin Mayhew was doing his best Matt Millen impression, or else he actually knows what he’s doing. Not sure yet.

With the 54th overall pick in the NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions selected wide receiver Ryan Broyles out of Oklahoma. The pick comes as a bit of surprise, considering their needs in the secondary and beyond. The wide receiver position was one of the lone spots in the Lions roster that look solid up and down.

But, that’s why I’m a lowly fan/blogger and not the general manager of an NFL team. It seems the Lions wanted a fourth receiver to pair with Calvin Johnson, Nate Burleson, and Titus Young, and obviously felt that Broyles was the best option.

Broyles, who’s 5-feet-10 and 192 pounds, is a slot receiver, but also has experience as a kick and punt returner.

Broyles is the NCAA career leader in receptions (349), but was lost for the season with a torn ACL vs. Texas A&M late last season. Broyles had at least 1,000 yards receiving in each of the last three seasons at Oklahoma with 39 touchdowns. » Continue reading “NFL Draft: Lions Take WR Ryan Broyles in the Second Round”

After a somewhat surprising, but certainly successful first round in the 2012 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions still have some concerns entering rounds two and three tonight.

After most of the top-tiered defensive backs in the draft were selected early, the Lions probably felt drafting a high-quality position player elsewhere was mandatory. Enter Riley Reiff.

But for as good as a selection as Reiff was, there’s still work to be done. Here’s a look at the Lions needs going into tonight and who might fit in the Lions system.

Cornerback: After losing Eric Wright this off season, the Lions have a gaping whole in their secondary. Going into the first round of the draft last night, I had initially hoped the Lions would select a CB with the 23rd overall pick (preferable Stephon Gilmore and Dre Kirkpatrick), but as those guys kept going, the Lions looked elsewhere.

It’s a smart move considering there’s still some talented defensive backs in the draft. So who can we expect to be a target? I like a few guys.

• Janoris Jenkins, North Alabama: It’s a long shot that Jenkins will even be available for the Lions 54th pick overall (22 in Round 2), but if he is, they should pounce. Otherwise, they can consider trading up to get him. Jenkins was a big risk for the Lions in the first round, but his talent is too big to pass him up in round 2 if the opportunity presents itself. The off-the-field issues suck, but the Lions need help in the backfield. » Continue reading “2012 NFL Draft: A Look at Detroit’s Options in Rounds 2-3″

With his recent victory in the fan vote for the cover of Madden 13, Calvin Johnson had the honor of joining NFL Commissioner Rodger Goodell on stage last night to announce the Detroit Lions 23rd pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.

Here’s the video of his announcement of OT Riley Reiff as the Lions newest member:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=157EQoXIJmY&feature

» Continue reading “Video: Calvin Johnson Announces Lions 23rd Pick”

A few of the Detroit Lions took to Twitter to welcome first-round draft pick Riley Reiff to the locker room. Here’s what they had to say!

» Continue reading “Detroit Lions React to Riley Reiff Being Drafted”

Iowa offensive tackle Riley Reiff, the 23rd pick in the 2012 NFL draft, says he’s “super excited” to be a Detroit Lion. Which is good, because I have a feeling Lions players — especially one Matthew Stafford — might be just as excited to welcome him into the locker room.

“Words can’t describe how happy I am right now,” Reiff said during a teleconference with media. “I’m super excited to be a Lion. I really can’t put into words what I’m actually feeling but I’m excited. The Lions are a great team and it’ll be great seasons ahead.”

Reiff, who has seen his fair share of position changes since entering college, says he’s eager to join a team with weapons like Matthew Stafford, and thinks he can play just about any position on the offensive line — “excluding center.”

The 6-foot-6, 313-pound former wrestler and tight end in high school says that despite being projected as high as 15th in the draft, he wasn’t stressing about where he might fall and admits that he didn’t even watch the draft. » Continue reading “Riley Reiff is ‘Super Excited’ to be a Detroit Lion”