August 10, 2011

7:30 PM EST

Ford Field

Oh happy day! Football is back. Maybe not officially, officially. But when you go more than six months without the National Football League, preseason may as well be the Super Bowl. And it seems I’m not alone in that sentiment, considering tonight’s game against the Cleveland Browns is sold out.

The Lions are coming off one of the most active (and not in a good way) offseasons in recent memory and  and I imagine are just excited to put those troubles behind them and focus on football. And with the recent injuries for both teams — most notably Louis Delmas and Trent Richardson — I imagine they both will try to avoid further clogging up their injured list.

After a breakthrough, 10-win season last year, the Lions are hoping to build off that success and enter the preseason with the majority of their starting spots figured out. The Browns on the other hand, will be breaking in rookie quarterback, and former minor league pitcher. Brandon Weeden in hopes that he can do what Colt McCoy couldn’t.

Here are some things to watch for: » Continue reading “Preseason Game 1: Cleveland Browns vs. Detroit Lions”

Detroit Lions running back Mikel Leshoure is hopeful he’ll return to practice next week, after missing much of the first two weeks of training camp with a hamstring injury.

As expected, Leshoure will miss tomorrow’s preseason opener against the Cleveland Browns, but says he hopes to be back next week. If that happens, Leshoure will likely be able to participate in the Lions second preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens.

“Hopefully,” Leshoure said. “I’m starting to run now. You never know how these days go, but I hope to get back on the field next week.”

Leshoure’s expectations were high after being drafted prior to the 2011 season, but an Achilles injury sidelined him for the entire year, and off the field issues this offseason have cast a dark shadow over his potential.

But with the future of Jahvid Best still questionable, Leshoure is still expected to make a huge impact this season if he can remain healthy.

Other news: » Continue reading “Mikel Leshoure Could Return to Lions Practice Next Week”

Yes, it’s true. The Detroit Lions have, in fact, had an offseason. I know that notion might be confusing to all three of my readers who — and I say this with 100 percent confidence — have no doubt checked my page feverishly over the past two months.

Oh, you didn’t? You didn’t even know I was gone? *shows myself to the door*

Regardless of whether you’ve missed me or not, I’m back. And I promise to not ever leave you hanging like that again. So, without further ado, I’m going to try to catch all of you (but mostly myself) up on the big things that have happened in the past two months. Ready? Break!

1. Someone got arrested
2. Someone else got arrested.
3. I think there was an arrest.
4. Yep, there was definitely an arrest.

Oh, I kid. Kind of, but not really. Let’s get caught for real this time, shall we? » Continue reading “The Detroit Lions Have Had an Offseason (Despite My Lack of Telling You About it)”

Detroit Lions running back Mikel Leshoure will be suspended for two games during the upcoming NFL season, according to a league source. Leshoure will also be docked two additional game checks, which will cost him $109,411, according to Dave Birkett.

Well, we kind of knew this was coming, right? Right? Sigh. The suspension comes after Leshoure was busted twice this offseason for marijuana possession. Leshoure later pleaded guilty and paid a $575 fine. Unfortunately, he couldn’t avoid further punishment.

In a radio interview with 97.1 The Ticket on Tuesday, Lions president Tom Lewand said he was expecting a suspension.

“Obviously that discipline falls under the commissioner’s purview,” he said. “And suspensions are certainly something that could be a possibility and I would say are likely if you look at similar types of incidences on other teams. “ » Continue reading “Mikel Leshoure To Be Suspended 2 Games”

Update: Details have emerged since we first learned that Nick Fairley was arrested for a DUI. We now also know that Fairley was driving 100 mph when he passed a police car and was eventually pulled over. The Lions released a statement saying simply that they are aware of the arrest and are gathering more information.

Because no nice weekend would be compete without a little controversy, it was reported early this morning that Detroit Lions defensive defensive tackle Nick Fairley was arrested for driving under the influence and attempting to elude police. According to the police report, he was also ticketed for driving recklessly, no proof of insurance, and having an open container.

And in his mugshot, he doesn’t look like he gives a single ****. Good show, Fairley.

To make the situation much worse, this is Fairley’s second arrest in as many months. In April, Fairley was arrested for marijuana possession. He apparently didn’t learn his lesson.

Alabama State Troopers say Fairley was arrested shortly after 1:00 a.m. Sunday on I-10 near the intersection of Highway 90 in Tillman’s Corner. » Continue reading “Nick Fairley Reportedly Arrested for DUI”

Detroit Lions running back Mikel Leshoure pleaded guilty Friday to a misdemeanor marijuana possession charge stemming from a March 12 incident in which the vehicle Leshoure was in was pulled over.

Leshoure was then caught trying to eat a small amount of the marijuana in order to hide it from the officer.

He paid $575 in fines and will be required next May to show proof of compliance with a treatment program conducted through the NFL.

The treatment will last 24 months and he will be required to get tested two to three times a week by the NFL. 

We still don’t know what kind of punishment — if any — Leshoure will receive from the NFL, but a suspension of some length is certainly possible.

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

There have been many rumors over the past few days surrounding Green Bay Packers running back Ryan Grant and the interest the Detroit Lions apparently have in him.

On Thursday, it was reported that the Lions had actually offered Grant a contact. Dave Birkett later reported that Grant is set to visit Lions camp Monday.

Running back Ryan Grant, who spent the last five years in Green Bay and has two 1,200-yard seasons to his credit, is scheduled to visit the Lions on Monday, his agent Alan Herman said in a text message to the Free Press. The sides have had contract talks and are within striking distance of a deal.

With the Lions current struggles in the backfield and the questions that still surround Jahvid Best and Mikel Leshourse, you’d be crazy not to be in favor of this possibility. It’s true that Grant has a history of injuries, but if things work out like they hopefully will, Grant will be used as a veteran back up and nothing more. » Continue reading “Detroit Lions Reportedly Interested in RB Ryan Grant”

Hi, I'm Nate Burleson. And I'm awesome.

Nate Burleson stopped by the NFL Network earlier this week to address — among other things — the off-season arrests that have brought attention to a few of the Detroit Lions second-year players.

When asked if he would talk to Mikel Leshoure, Johnny Culbreath, and Nick Fairley about their recent charges of marijuana possessions, Burleson gave the affirmative. And it makes sense, considering Burleson is certainly a leader in the locker room and a widely respected athlete on and off the field.

“I’m just going to say tighten up,” Burleson said during an appearance on “Total Access” Thursday on NFL Network. “We’ve done too much to get to where we’re at. There’s been a black cloud hanging over Detroit for so long, so for us to go from 6-10 to 10-6 and feel like we’re heading in the right direction and just a few mistakes happen, we’ve got to tell the young guys to get it together.

“But here’s the thing, I really believe that, in the analogy of football, you’ve got to fumble in order to have great ball security. So in life, these guys got to stumble a little bit. And you know as a young guy in the league, you’re going to make those mistakes and hopefully this is just one thing that happens and doesn’t happen again for a lot of these guys.” » Continue reading “Nate Burleson Addresses the State of the Detroit Lions”

In a radio interview Monday, Detroit Lions president Tom Lewand said that Johnny Culbreath, Nick Fairley, and Mikel Leshoure would all get a second chance after being busted for marijuana possession this off-season.

He also said he expects them to participate in the Lions voluntary workouts scheduled to start next Monday.

“We expressed disappointment last week, and I continue to express disappointment that guys put themselves in the position where they have to have an unpleasant interaction with law enforcement,” Lewand said. “That is something that should be avoided. But as we all know from life’s experiences, it happens, people make mistakes, and you want to give guys opportunities to correct those mistakes, learn from them and move forward.”

Lewand expressed disappointment in the three Lions players, but said it’s ultimately up to them to earn back the trust of the organization.

“In the case of all of our guys, they are good guys, and we still have to remember at times — and this is not to excuse anyone’s behavior — but guys are young,” Lewand said. “I think when all of us were in our early 20s, the feeling of invincibility was a lot higher than maybe it is today. » Continue reading “Lions: Culbreath, Fairley, Leshoure Will Get ‘Second Chance’”

Detroit Lions running back Mikel Leshoure — who was charged earlier this week with felony marijuana possession — showed up for his arraignment Wednesday and pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Leshoure was released following the arraignment.

He has a pre-exam conference scheduled for May 11 and a preliminary exam scheduled for May 15. According to Dave Birkett, it’s possible Leshoure could reach a plea agreement on May 11.

You can view the police reports from both the Feb. 18 and March 12 incidents here. You can also view the video of Leshoure’s March 12 traffic stop here.

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