Gridiron 3.14.07: Lions Sign Several

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The NFL Draft is still weeks away, so it may be preemptive to discuss draft picks when there are still so many moves to be made. The Dre’ Bly trade and the signing of TJ Duckett were just the beginning for the Lions. While these small signings may not be as glamorous as a #2 overall pick in the draft, the Lions are slowly attempting to fill holes in their roster.

• Rod Marinelli should like the signing of Dewayne White. The defensive end signed a five-year contract worth $29 million with the Lions earlier this month. With 14 career sacks in his four years at Tampa Bay as a part-time player, White may not be the dominant force one would like to see, but he does provide youth and quickness. Time will tell whether the Lions were wise to invest so much money in him. [TWFE]
• Without Bly, the Lions had to find a cornerback to start opposite of Fernando Bryant. Travis Fischer could be the solution after signing a one-year deal with the club. The NFL veteran of five years has played all of his games in a St. Louis Rams uniform. If healthy, it is expected that Fischer will fit into Detroit’s defensive cover 2 scheme nicely. [ESPN]
• Another former Ram, receiver Shaun McDonald, reunites with Mike Martz. Over four years in the Lou, McDonald caught 106 passes for just over 1200 yards. All signs point to Matt Millen withholding from drafting a wide receiver. [ESPN]
• Don Banks thinks Tatum Bell will exceed expectations playing for the Lions:
  

  But I’m higher on the Lions’ acquisition of Bell than some, because he has averaged 4.9 yards per carry on 481 attempts in his three-year career, and that’s nothing to sneeze at. With Detroit’s Kevin Jones a question mark in the first half of 2007, Bell could be in great position to take the starting job and run with it. And remember, the last time Detroit had itself a former Oklahoma State running back, things worked out pretty well for both the Lions and that Barry Sanders guy.

  I’ll go out on a limb and say Bell won’t be as much of a superstar as Barry Sanders, however with things looking more and more like Kevin Jones will not be ready for the upcoming season, he should be able to put up some yardage in significant playing time. [Sports Illustrated]

• Former Lions Alert: Fullback Cory Schlesinger has signed in Miami, Dre’ Bly is reportedly upset with his trade to the Broncos, and Jeff Garcia has signed with the Bucs of Tampa Bay.
• Is Brady Quinn Matt Millen’s next big draft pick? If so, he did show some stuff at Notre Dame’s pro day workouts. [ESPN]

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