From: chipl@crchh427.BNR.CA (Chip Lewis)
Subject: Re: Lions News
Reply-To: chipl@crchh427.BNR.CA (Chip Lewis)
Organization: "Bell Northern Research - Richardson Texas"
Date: Thu, 27 Aug 1992 20:07:03 GMT

In article <27AUG199213275740@venus.lerc.nasa.gov>,
smorris@venus.lerc.nasa.gov (Ron Morris ) writes:
|>Time for another try at getting some Lions discussion going.   Never
|>works, but what the Hell.  Here's the Lions' situation as I know it.
|>If anyone with better access to Detroit media than I has additions
|>or corrections, feel free.

Well, I can't say that I have any access to the Detroit media, but I'm an
avid Lion's fan and I've been waiting for a Lion's discussion so I could
put in my two cents worth.
 
|>
|>Holdouts:
|>
|>The Lions are pretty much set.  Kevin Glover signed Tuesday, Dennis
|>Gibson signed Yesterday and Bennie Blades is expected to sign today.
|>The only holdouts left are backup and injury-prone NT Lawrence Pete,
|>who probably wouldn't have made the team anyway, and RB D.J. Dozier,
|>who wants to play baseball, even though he sucks at it.

I have a feeling Dozier is just using baseball for negotiating leverage
to get as much money as he can from the Lions. I wouldn't be at all 
surprised if he shows up right before the first game.

I always thought Pete was a pretty good backup to Jerry Ball. Especially
useful since Ball seems to slow down later in games. I figured since they 
cut Sileo they might be close to getting Pete in camp. 

I had also heard that Sheldon White and Melvin Jenkins were not in camp
(Jenkins just walked out this week). Did those guys show up without me
hearing about it? With Crockett's injury the CB situation looks a little
scary right now. By the way, is Willie Clay a CB or safety? 

|>
|>Quarterback:
|>
|>No QB controversy, Peete was handed the job ... (stuff deleted)

I heard on ESPN that, on draft day, Houston offered a first round pick
for Ware and Detroit turned it down! I can't believe it! They should have
taken it and ran. Since Houston's backup QB situation looks much better
now than it did then they probably aren't nearly as interested. Personally, 
I think the Lions should hold on to all their QB's for this season. The 
only one I would want to trade is Ware and I don't think they could get much
for him. Better to wait and see if Peete can really play more than half
of a season. 

Didn't Phil Simms get hurt each of his first three seasons and then win
the Superbowl
in his fourth? Maybe Peete can do the same. (I realize that's awfully
optomistic, 
but what the heck ...)

|>
|>
 ... <stuff deleted> ...

|>Offensive Line:
|>
|>As expected, the biggest problem area.  Shawn Bouwens, who was 
|>supposed to replace Andolsek, has not looked good.  They signed
|>Crawford Ker, but I don't think he's the answer.  I look for a trade.

I also heard they signed Dennis McKnight who was waived from Philadelphia (?)
but I don't figure he's an answer either. Didn't he play for the Lions a few
years ago? I think we just have to hope Bouwens and Conover play well. It's
definitely good to have Glover back in there.

|>
|>Defensive Line:
|>
|>Lots of good young players, but they still need that killer pass
|>rushing defensive end.  First round pick Porcher has looked good in
|>general and has shown flashes of maybe being the guy they've been 
|>looking for.

In pass rush situations, I'd like to see a four man line of Porcher,
Pritchett, 
Spindler, and Hunter. Have they ever shown signs of doing this? It would
be a good
way to give Ball and Owens some rest while getting some of the young DL talent
in there.

|>Injuries:
|>
|>No bad ones as yet.  Spielman, Cofer, and Crockett have missed
|>significant parts of the pre-season, but are expected to be
|>ready for the start of the regular season.
|>
|>Ron
                                                                        
Any word on Pritchet's injury from last week? Is he going to play this
week? I'd love to see some real improvement from him this season. That
way we wouldn't have to rush Porcher and Scroggins as pash rushers if they're
not ready yet.

Also, I haven't heard anything about Tracy Hayworth. Is he alright? I thought
he filled in for Cofer pretty decently last season.

Chip 
(Lion's fan in the middle of Cowboy country)