Friday, July 4, 2008

Can Dr.Ping bring jones back early?

Dr. Ping has helped Kevin Jones get back in almost half the time that he was expected to get back. Jones does look good and looks healthy but for how long? How many times can one guy bounce back from injury? Yes, right now he lloks great and the reason is he has worked his butt off and put 100%faith in Dr.Ping.

read the article here: http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080704/SPORTS0101/807040304/1126

Rockies manager Hurdle thinks Lions can clear one in 2008

Posted by Philip Zaroo | MLive.com July 01, 2008 15:02PM

Not many are predicting big things for the Detroit Lions in 2008, but Colorado Rockies manager Clint Hurdle sees some similarities between his 2007 World Series team and this year's Lions. Former MLive Tigers Insider Danny Knobler writes about it in The Knobler Blog at CBS Sports. Check it out here.

CBS Sportsline, June 27: "I felt the same way about the Rockies as I feel about the Lions, that they'd have their day, and then they'd be off and running," Hurdle said. "Rod and I talked about the common fabric of their '07 season and our '06 season. Because in '06, we were on top of the division after the All-Star break, and within a three-week period we had fallen to the bottom of the division."
...
"I told him we'd get together and share some of the lessons I think I learned from that ('06) season," Hurdle said. "You never know how close you really are."

Former Steelers backup RB Davenport eyeing Lions

Posted by Philip Zaroo | MLive.com July 02, 2008 12:11PM
Categories: Free Agents
Free agent running back Najeh Davenport, who ran for 499 yards last year while filling in for Pittsburgh Steelers starter Willie Parker, told NFL Radio that he would like to be the Detroit Lions' power running back. The 2002 fourth-round draft pick of the Green Bay Packers listed the Arizona Cardinals as another team he's interested in.

NFLGridironGab.com, June 30: Another team that Davenport mentioned was Detroit, which looks like they still may be in the market for a back after attending the workout of the RB they dumped just recently, Kevin Jones, over the weekend. Davenport would fit their need for a "power back" well.

Caleb Campbell playing for more than his paycheck

Posted by James Schmehl | MLive.com July 03, 2008 10:32AM

Caleb Campbell's NFL adventure is officially underway.
Campbell - the Detroit Lions' seventh-round draft pick - was one of 252 first-year players in California this week participating in the 2008 NFL Rookie Symposium - designed to teach rookies issues such as finances, family matters, keys to NFL success and life after football.

On Monday, Campbell teamed up with other NFL rookies for a game of flag football with more than 200 children from Camp Pendleton - the largest West Coast expeditionary training facility in the Marine Corps.

San Diego Union Tribune, July 3: "Being part of the military and knowing people overseas, I'm really grateful to be" connecting with the Camp Pendleton children, Campbell said.
Receiving the opportunity to participate in the NFL's symposium might mean more to Campbell than most of the other 251 rookies.

It might mean his life.

The former Army safety was spared having to serve in Iraq after he was selected by the Lions with the 208th overall pick in the final round.

But the 6-foot-2, 230 pound linebacker's impending tour of duty might not be dismissed - just yet. First and foremost, he must make Detroit's roster.

If he makes the Lions roster, Campbell said, he'll be allowed to serve part time as a recruiter in Detroit while he plays football. After two years, he'll have to choose between a career in the Army and the NFL.

Former Lions DT Rogers: I'm happy to be where I'm wanted

Posted by Philip Zaroo | MLive.com July 03, 2008 10:50AM
Categories: Former Players
This just in from the Department of Selective Memory: While practicing with some inspiration for his new team – the Cleveland Browns – former Detroit Lions defensive tackle Shaun Rogers says he's gaining inspiration from playing for a team that wants him.

USA Today, July 2: Rogers, still beaming after signing a six-year contract worth $42 million, is vowing to make the most of his fresh start. He says of the Lions, "They weren't happy with my services at the time, and somebody welcomed me with open arms. And I'm just glad to be here."
Browns head coach Romeo Crennel says he sees a different big man than what the Lions apparently saw, and is happy with the acquisition so far.

"Shaun is a physical specimen. He's got good size, good strength. I think he'll be hard to handle one-on-one, which will force some double teams," the coach says. "His attitude has been good. He's been working. No problems, smile on his face."

Scouting Report: Jonathan Scott

by Tom Kowalski
Friday July 04, 2008, 12:03 AM
JONATHAN SCOTT

2008 Scouting Report

If Scott could stay healthy, the former fifth-round draft pick might be considered a rarity -- a good late-round Detroit draft choice. Scott, who can play both tackle positions, is a solid player with good athleticism and agility, but he's got a heavy history of being injury prone.


In his rookie season, Scott started late in the year for the injured Barry Stokes. Scott started four games but then suffered a significant hip injury against the Cowboys in Week 16. Scott bounced back this season and moved back into the starting lineup for an ineffective George Foster.

After playing well in his first start, he suffered a hand injury that knocked him out of a couple of games. In his first game back, against the Packers in late November, he had a serious hamstring pull tear that sidelined him for the rest of the season.

With the Lions drafting Gosder Cherilus in the first round, Scott will be reduced to a backup role this season. Scott, though, has more upside than Foster in that role because Scott is smoother at handling speed rushers on the left side.

Scouting Report: Dwight Smith

by Tom Kowalski
Thursday July 03, 2008, 12:04 AM


2008 Scouting Report

When Dwight Smith was first signed, it appeared to be as a backup safety to replace Kenoy Kennedy, but it seems more likely that Smith will be one of the starters and it'll be either Gerald Alexander or Daniel Bullocks who are battling for the other safety position.

Smith can still play at a high level and, like more NFL head coaches, Detroit's Rod Marinelli has more confidence in veterans - especially those who are well-versed in his Tampa Two system.

Smith will also bring some attitude to the secondary. The nine-year vet still has decent range and he's very savvy and won't hesitate to jump routes - but he rarely takes high-risk chances.

He can still make the big play from time to time. He had a 93-yard interception for a touchdown against the soon-to-be world champion New York Giants. Smith had another pick in that game for Minnesota, which whipped the Giants 41-17 in New York.

While the tandem of Bullocks and Alexander might be the future of the Lions at safety, it seems that future is at least one year away.

Scouting Report: Nick Harris

by Tom Kowalski
Wednesday July 02, 2008, 12:01 AM
NICK HARRIS

2008 Scouting Report

Harris rebounded from a mediocre 2006 to have a very strong season last year. He had 26 punts inside the 20-yard line and only dropped five into the end zone. He also did a good job with his directional kicking, helping limit the damage done by Chicago's All-World Threat Devin Hester in two contests.


In his net punting average, Harris was just 36.4 - his lowest in the last three years. Most of that, though, was due to poor coverage teams overall - the Lions allowed 12.1 yards per punt return - the third-worst average in the league.

Harris ended the season on a high note: In the last five games, he dropped 13 punts inside the 20. Harris can still find himself on a roller-coaster from time to time but he's much more consistent than he was as a young kicker when he first joined the Lions midway through the 2003 season.

One of the most important jobs Harris has is his double duty as holder for kicker Jason Hanson. Harris, a very good all-around athlete, has great hands and does a good job of getting the ball in consistently the same position for Hanson.

Scouting Report: Brian Calhoun

by Tom Kowalski
Tuesday July 01, 2008, 12:09 AM
BRIAN CALHOUN

2008 Scouting Report

Despite not showing much in his first two years because of the same knee injury, the coaching staff remains extremely high on Calhoun because of his speed and running ability. It should be noted, though, that the Lions still found it necessary to trade up in the third round and draft Kevin Smith.

That's not to say the team doesn't have a role for Calhoun.

The Lions see him as a third-down back who can put pressure on the outside and also a player who can contribute on special teams. Calhoun didn't get a lot of chances last year - he only played in four games and didn't appear 100 percent - but he still made some big plays in key situations.


The question is whether Calhoun can keep up that playmaking ability and whether he can stay healthy. At 5-10 and 208 pounds, he's solid but small and isn't going to break many tackles. On special teams, he has to play "bigger.'' He needs to do more than return kickoffs, which he did a decent job of number-wise, even though he doesn't appear to have a natural knack for that spot.

Calhoun, a former third-round pick, is going to have an interesting training camp. His draft status is going to help him, but it will only take him so far. Calhoun has to prove that he's 100 percent and that he can practice every day - and show more than just the flashes he's displayed in the past.

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

JONES HOPING TO BE A BUC?

Posted by Mike Florio on June 30, 2008, 9:24 p.m.
Former Lions running back Kevin Jones is trying to get back into the league. And he could end up landing with a team that, on the surface, would seem to not really need his services.

Per Adam Schefter of NFL Network, Jones is seriously considering signing with Tampa.

But why in the hell would Jones be doing that? The Bucs just signed Earnest Graham to a three-year extension, and Warrick Dunn is back after a six-year detour to Atlanta.

Jones would have a hard time winning one of the top two spots on the depth chart in Tampa, and his chances of being one of the first two options would be much greater elsewhere.