| 05 September 2010
With the Lions needing to find players for their practice squad and siging newly released players found to be a better fit than a few who had survived yesterday's cutdown to 53 players, several personnel moves were announced.
Dropped from the 53 man were WR Dennis Northcutt and the Ginger Kid, Rocky Boiman.
Northcutt was brought in as a free agent last off season in order to solidify the wide receiver position. But the 11 year veteran never did much as the 3rd wide out, catching 35 passes for 357 yards. Not exactly the production the Lions were hoping for, even with a rookie quarterback at the helm.
Boiman, the Hellspawn Ginger Kid, was signed less than a week ago to help shore up a thin linebacker position. As linebacker is even thinner after the release of Vinny Ciurciu on cutdown day, either Deandre Levy is going to be healthy enough to play Sunday, or the Lions have someone else in mind to fill the backup linebacker role.
Could that someone be Spencer Havner, who was signed off of waivers by the Lions this afternoon? Havner was a linebacker at UCLA before converting to tight end with the Packers last season. With linebacker being a position of great need, especially when compared to the relatively loaded tight end position, would he switch back? Havner didn't catch many passes as a tight end, an unimpressive seven. But of those seven catches, four went for touchdowns, one Hell of a high percentage (57%). No matter where the Lions decide to play Havner (I'm thinking it'll be at tight end), his versatility has to be considered an asset.
Also picked up for the 53 man was KR/WR Stefan Logan, who was one of the Steelers' final cuts. Logan was the Steelers primary return man in 2009, averaging 26.7 yards on kickoffs, and 9.3 on punt returns. With Northcutt...well, cut, and Derrick Williams proving to be an out and out bust as a return man (and as a wide receiver), it looks as Logan will be handling returns in Chicago Sunday. Hopefully Logan will close for good the revolving door (one of several) on special teams.
The Lions began to fill the eight allowed slots on the practice squad as well. As we were told yesterday, the additions of LB Caleb Campbell and WR Tim Toone to the practice squad were made official.
Mr. Irrelevant is still relevant!
Three other players who spent camp with the Lions, waived on cutdown day, then re-signed to the practice squad, were WR Mike Moore, DT Rob Callaway and CB Paul Pratt.
If my public school educated self has added correctly, this means the Lions still have three openings on the practice squad.
As cornerback and linebacker still need to be addressed, the 53 man roster and practice squad will remain in flux for at least another day. The Lions will now sort through the players who avoided the Turk yesterday, only to cross paths with him today, as the free agent dance continues.
Players at the end of the roster should not get too comfortable. Not yet. There are depth issues which need to be addressed. This team is not done making personnel moves.
Even if you believe your roster sport is safe, the Turk may still find you.
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