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Louis Friend
Joined: 07 Apr 2010
Posts: 7191
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 Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 12:33 am Post subject: Lions Rookies |
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I know we have a thread dedicated to each player, but despite all the bickering in each thread, there really isn't much info about each pick. So I figured we can have the details listed here.
1. Riley Reiff, 6'6" 313lbs OT Iowa
http://www.detroitlions.com/news/draft/article-1/Twentyman-Reiff-has-a-blue-collar-mentality-that-will-fit-in-Detroit/6fba89a0-84e5-458a-878f-4ee7bb37b915
| Quote: | "I'm a blue-collar guy," Reiff said. "I wouldn't be wearing this (grabbing at his sport coat), but they told me to wear it.
"I come to work every day and lead by example. That's what I like to do, bring your lunch pail and go to work every day."
That's exactly the type of player Reiff was at Iowa, and it's that mentality that made him an easy selection for the Lions at No. 23.
"Riley Reiff - big, smart, tough guy, versatile," Lions general manager Martin Mayhew said after the pick. "The guy is a three-year starter in a good program. He's a good, solid offensive lineman."
Reiff started his football career as a tight end and parlayed that into a great career as a tackle. He says he never lost that athleticism required for a big man to play tight end.
"I think it's the athletic part of things," he said. "I think if you can put on the weight and keep that athleticism that's a big deal. You need a little athleticism playing right or left tackle."
The Lions expect Reiff to come in and compete for one of their starting tackle spots right away. For his part, Reiff said he plans to come in and compete and learn from the veterans and whatever happens, happens.
"Wherever the team needs help and I can help the team, that's what I'll do," he said. "It starts off by coming in here and working hard and that's all I can guarantee." |
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Kb49CL8HiE 
2. Ryan Broyles, 5'11" 192lbs WR Oklahoma
http://www.detroitlions.com/news/draft/article-1/WR-Ryan-Broyles-introduced-in-Allen-Park/6f5af4d0-2f98-4696-a1b2-1fd79e31cba6
| Quote: | "I just have to stay in the weight room," he said. "Got my range of motion back, I feel good. I've been running; had a pro day not too long ago, so I got to show the scouts a little bit.
"I'm on pace. I feel good about the situation I've been in, (have) had a great staff around me – doctors, therapists – that have walked with me along the way, so I feel positive about playing football again." |
| Quote: | "There's all kinds of profiles and things that you look for in players, but the No. 1 thing that you look for in a player is what he does on tape and the production he has in college," said Schwartz.
"Ryan is unparalleled in those areas. At a high level of competition at Oklahoma, he's been a four-year producer. He set not just Oklahoma records, he set NCAA records.
"We're very excited to have him." |
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyI5RtCsD8A
3. Dwight "Bill" Bentley, 5'10" 182lbs CB Louisiana-Lafayette
http://www.detroitlions.com/news/draft/article-1/Twentyman-Bentley-looks-to-buck-the-undersized-tag/cd2d237a-ef19-4bb2-8fd8-ac368abcff70
| Quote: | "He will throw his body around – all 182 pounds of it, he throws it around," Mayhew said.
"He's from a smaller school. Sometimes those guys come to our situation and our weight program, our strength and conditioning coaches do an excellent job with those guys and we'll see what he weighs later, but he plays big. He makes big plays. I like the way he plays."
Schwartz had a similar assessment.
"You go back and you see him against people like (Justin) Blackmon at Oklahoma State, you go back and look at those things, he was always able to rise to the level of competition," Schwartz said.
"He's not the tallest or the heaviest, but he ran real fast and he's a really good cover guy. He's an aggressive player also. I wouldn't classify him as physical just because he's 180 pounds, but he certainly throws his body around like Martin said.
"He's a good playmaker. When you watch the Senior Bowl, it didn't take very long for him to stand out when it came to the cover guys."
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dK-2GBAuhRA
4. Ronnell Lewis, 6'2" 253lbs DE Oklahoma
http://www.detroitlions.com/news/draft/article-1/Lions-view-Ronnell-Lewis-more-as-a-defensive-end-in-their-scheme/856e6952-de71-4e24-bbd0-48b753a294ec
| Quote: | | “It was my freshman year in my first game against Stanford and I had a few big hits on special teams and coach (Bob) Stoops named me “The Hammer” after that game,” Lewis said. “It’s an honor to have that name from a coach like coach Stoops.” |
| Quote: | “(He’ll play) the hammer position,” Lions coached Jim Schwartz said with a smile.
“He’s a productive football player. He’s a little short for our defensive ends but that’s where he played. He’s been very productive. He’s a good special teams player…probably more of a defensive end, but he might find a hybrid role somewhere.” |
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQgjTtfmg5w&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DS5coCK-qCg
5. Tahir Whitehead, 6'1" 233lbs LB Temple
http://www.detroitlions.com/news/draft/article-1/Tahir-Whitehead-a-little-surprised-to-be-a-Lion/7fbcdd57-6d5a-4c0e-9426-8723af4e10b7
| Quote: | “He played like a 3-4 outside linebacker role at Temple,” Lions coach Jim Schwartz said. “He’s a guy that has a very good skill set. He’s quick, he’s got a little bit of size, but he’s more of a speed player. He makes a lot of plays on the field.
“He has a little bit of a projection with him, sort of moving him back and making him an off-the ball linebacker. We like what we saw and like his skill set. He was a guy we though highly of, enough to move up for him.” |
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AueVrSgx3fI&feature=related
5. Chris Greenwood, 6'1" 196lbs CB Albion
http://www.detroitlions.com/news/draft/article-1/Twentyman-Lions-see-Chris-Greenwood-as-their-Brandon-Carr/fa7b58c9-a2e0-4639-ac3c-567521c1c7d8
| Quote: | “His measurables were off the chart,” Mayhew said. “He’s got height, he’s got speed; his athleticism was something that really attracted us. A lot of guys are big and fast. This guy’s movement and his skill level, his feet, quickness, all that stuff, this guy is a really, really good athlete.
“When you watch him on tape, you watch Albion, they don’t challenge him very much, so it’s sort of a projection and a developmental project, but we really like this guy’s skills.” |
| Quote: | “He’s a size-speed corner,” Lions head coach Jim Schwartz said. “He runs real fast. When I first saw him, down at the East-West game, and you see right away that he has physical attributes, he can run quick, he’s got great length.
“That was a big step up in competition for him but we stayed with him through the process. He worked out at – I can’t remember if it was Michigan or Michigan State’s – I think it was Michigan’s pro day. He obviously didn’t look out of place there either.” |
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBtMRqPd2Vs
6. Jonte Green, 5'11" 182lbs S New Mexico State
http://www.detroitlions.com/news/draft/article-1/Lions-liked-Jonte-Green-all-through-the-pre-draft-process/1a507cea-97b5-4228-a77c-fb2842cacacc
| Quote: | | "My visit was great,” Green said. “I knew coach (Marcus) Robertson, I saw him at my pro day. He already had high expectations of me. He knows what kind of player I can become. I came in there met the coach and felt real good about the opportunity and I actually feel real good about the team." |
| Quote: | “He jumped through a lot of hoops for us,” Lions head coach Jim Schwartz said of the pre-draft process with Green.
“We liked his combination of size and speed and aggressiveness. He’s an aggressive tackler.” |
7. Travis Lewis,6'2" 246lbs LB Oklahoma
http://www.detroitlions.com/news/draft/article-1/Travis-Lewis-coming-to-Detroit-with-a-chip-on-his-shoulder/2868ccb2-0f5a-467e-ab98-e653166912d1
| Quote: | "Absolutely there's a chip,” Lewis said. “All I can think about is I have two weeks to get into the best shape of my life and show up at mini-camp ready to roll."
So how does a player with that kind of production on defense from a major college program fall to the seventh round?
"It's not about stats sometimes, it's all about how fast you run how high you can jump,” said Lewis, who had a disappointing showing at the NFL Scouting Combine in February when he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.88 seconds.
“I'm just happy (the Lions) saw something in me and that I'm going to prove them right and I'm going to prove a lot of teams wrong. I'm going to carry that mentality with me to Detroit." |
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAtNJ13-gdg
UDFA. Kellen Moore, 6'1" 191lbs QB Boise State
http://blogs.detroitlions.com/2012/04/28/nfl-com-report-kellen-moore-looking-to-sign-with-lions/
| Quote: | According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, one of those players set to sign with the Lions is Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore.
Moore finished a terrific college career as the winningest quarterback in NCAA history (50-3). He was very productive at Boise State (14,667 yards and 142 touchdowns), but stands only 6-foot-tall with an average arm.
The Lions need a third-string quarterback after Drew Stanton left in free agency. It seems Moore would have a great opportunity at making the Lions roster. Lions backup quarterback Shaun Hill has two years remaining on his contract and his future with the team is uncertain after that. |
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyV2V_I5GuY
Last edited by Louis Friend on Sun Apr 29, 2012 11:55 am; edited 1 time in total |
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detroitroar
Joined: 24 Jan 2011
Posts: 2949
Location: USA
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| Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 12:44 am Post subject: |
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I have a great feeling about this rookie class. It may take half of them several years to make an impact, but I like the combination of players we got.
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calvin81mixes
Joined: 27 Mar 2012
Posts: 166
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| Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 7:53 am Post subject: |
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I have high hopes for this draft calss, and I have a feeling they won't let me down 
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stylish313
Joined: 17 Jan 2009
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| Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 8:57 am Post subject: |
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That's a lot of defense 
Honestly, if for the next 6-7 years, we draft an OL and RB/WR in the first two rounds, then go defense heavy for the rest of the draft, I'd actually be happy every time.
Not saying that should be our plan, but if that's what drafting BPA brings, I'd be absolutely fine with the results.
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LionsFTW
Joined: 25 Jan 2010
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Location: Rock City, Arkansas
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| Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 9:07 am Post subject: |
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There's one thing I think should be noted. We didn't draft a runningback! I think that means Mayhew and Schwartz are comfortable with Best and LeShoures injury status.
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studdogs
Joined: 02 Feb 2007
Posts: 820
Location: Linden, Mi
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| Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 10:17 am Post subject: |
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| nice post - Mr. Louis |
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38andy38
Joined: 02 Jan 2009
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| Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 10:17 am Post subject: |
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| LionsFTW wrote: | | There's one thing I think should be noted. We didn't draft a runningback! I think that means Mayhew and Schwartz are comfortable with Best and LeShoures injury status. |
Personally I add LeShoure to this rookie class. Bonus is he has had a season to get the playbook under his belt and become comfortable being a Pro.
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LionsFan630
Joined: 13 Mar 2007
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| Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 11:03 am Post subject: |
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| 38andy38 wrote: | | LionsFTW wrote: | | There's one thing I think should be noted. We didn't draft a runningback! I think that means Mayhew and Schwartz are comfortable with Best and LeShoures injury status. |
Personally I add LeShoure to this rookie class. Bonus is he has had a season to get the playbook under his belt and become comfortable being a Pro. |
Probably could add Fairley too. I mean sure he played but the injury kinda hampered him all season.
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Big Cat
Joined: 13 Jan 2007
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| Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 11:37 am Post subject: |
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| I fear not getting a RB will come back to hunt us, unless we pick up a FA. |
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stylish313
Joined: 17 Jan 2009
Posts: 13818
Location: Flat Rock, Mi
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| Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 11:54 am Post subject: |
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| LionsFan630 wrote: | | 38andy38 wrote: | | LionsFTW wrote: | | There's one thing I think should be noted. We didn't draft a runningback! I think that means Mayhew and Schwartz are comfortable with Best and LeShoures injury status. |
Personally I add LeShoure to this rookie class. Bonus is he has had a season to get the playbook under his belt and become comfortable being a Pro. |
Probably could add Fairley too. I mean sure he played but the injury kinda hampered him all season. |
Yeah, if LeShoure and Fairley pan out, and then our rookies do nothing more than improve our ST's, our off-season was a raving success.
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Louis Friend
Joined: 07 Apr 2010
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| Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 12:02 pm Post subject: |
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I think a healthy Fairley, LeShoure, Best with Reiff, Broyles, Lewis & Lewis and one of the DBs will improve our team greatly from last season.
Ronnell can really improve our special teams. I think Reiff will play this season. Broyles looks healthy (maybe not 100%) but I think he'll play and add dimension to our team. Travis Lewis is arguably the third best player we drafted. He's already better than Hogue and should see some snaps this season.
My question is about these DBs. Bentley, Greenwood and Jonte. Greenwood looks like the one with the most potential but is he ready to contribute now? How will Aaron Berry and Jacob Lacey do? There's going to be a competition, hopefully the best guy wins.
Overall, I like the players the Lions drafted/signed. Lions didn't have the most highly touted draft, but I think they got alot of talent and filled alot of needs. |
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TheROARisBACK
Joined: 22 Jan 2011
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| Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 2:45 pm Post subject: |
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Does anyone know the contract situation with Lacey? I honestly wouldn't be surprised to see him cut, although I doubt it. Will probably be the #4 corner on DC. Going in, I fully expect Houston and Berry to be our two starters, given Berry's durability concerns I see Bentley seeing the field often.
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Louis Friend
Joined: 07 Apr 2010
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| Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 2:59 pm Post subject: |
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Supposedly the Lions are high on Lacey. It's Alphonso Smith they are trying to shop around.
I think Houston/Berry will be the starters going in, since they know the system. but I think Lacey/Bentley/Greenwood will be competing for spots. Will the Lions keep both rookies on the 53?
Jonte seems more of a S, I could see him in competition with Erik Coleman. |
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TheROARisBACK
Joined: 22 Jan 2011
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| Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 3:12 pm Post subject: |
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| Louis Friend wrote: | Supposedly the Lions are high on Lacey. It's Alphonso Smith they are trying to shop around.
I think Houston/Berry will be the starters going in, since they know the system. but I think Lacey/Bentley/Greenwood will be competing for spots. Will the Lions keep both rookies on the 53?
Jonte seems more of a S, I could see him in competition with Erik Coleman. |
I think Jonte ends up on PS along with Greenwood. It seems like all that Alphonso Smith trade talk has cooled down a bit, but we'll see what happens.
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Detroitlions703
Joined: 22 Dec 2008
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| Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 3:42 pm Post subject: |
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| TheROARisBACK wrote: | | Louis Friend wrote: | Supposedly the Lions are high on Lacey. It's Alphonso Smith they are trying to shop around.
I think Houston/Berry will be the starters going in, since they know the system. but I think Lacey/Bentley/Greenwood will be competing for spots. Will the Lions keep both rookies on the 53?
Jonte seems more of a S, I could see him in competition with Erik Coleman. |
I think Jonte ends up on PS along with Greenwood. It seems like all that Alphonso Smith trade talk has cooled down a bit, but we'll see what happens. |
if greenwood goes on the ps he easily could get picked up. i would say he makes the roster
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