JohnnyMusso wrote: ↑Tue Feb 25, 2020 5:40 pm
I like this signing and agree it is an upgrade, but this question was asked on 3 Down Nation:
How can Lions afford him?
Many think Lions are over the cap and I agree. This is a good signing, but I think before training camp, 1 or 2 vets will be cut for Lions must be close to cap if not over. Something has to give and find it hard to believe they are under with the money they spend during free agency.
As usual many fans obsess with who is getting added and all but disregard the contracts that are off the books. I think one really has to look at both sides of that coin and also look at things not in terms of individual players but rather in terms of position groups.
By my count 9 starters from the last half of 2019 are off the books. Menard & Luke with a combined 12 starts effectively make that a 10th starter. Coming in I'd say that only Rhymes and Mathews are newcomers assured of starting spots on offense while the 4 DL; Johnson, Casher, Tavai and Brown plus Ladler are newcomers to start on D. And of course Rainey on special teams. The rest of the guys signed are more likely looked at for depth.
QB:
Out: backup O'Brien
In: backup Arndt
Effect: Maybe a wash but likely small savings going from a 6th year veteran to a QB who hadn't stepped onto the field prior to 2019.
OL:
Out: Starting RG David Foucault and starting RT Justin Renfrow
In: Ryker Mathews
Effect: Should be some savings given Foucault was a NAT who started with a pretty good deal coming out of the NFL.
WR:
Out: Duron Carter and depth NAT Rashaun Simonise
In: Dominique Rhymes, Caleb Holley and depth NAT Devon Bailey
Effect: Carter was no doubt paid a lot more than Rhymes' rumoured $95K, perhaps close to double. Holley should be less than Rhymes if he even sticks. Regardless he's being brought in for depth not to be part of the main core. Simonise and Bailey are washes. Decent savings here but reduced by new deal for Durant..
DL:
Out: Odell Willis, Shawn Lemon and 2 NATs Junior Luke, David Menard who combined for 12 starts
In: Micah Johnson, Chris Casher, JR Tavai, Ryan Brown
Effect: No doubt Johnson is the big bread earner here. Willis and Lemon would have been paid handsomely as well. Casher, Tavai and Brown are young vets just starting to establish themselves. Johnson's deal will make for increased overall cost for the position group. How much though is a good question. Willis + Lemon out might = Johnson + Casher in.
LB:
Out: Maleki Harris, Chris Edwards (NFL)
In: Likely Kenny Ladler into Edwards spot.
Effect: Harris and Edwards were both FA signings a year ago
SECONDARY:
Out: Branden Dozier, Crezdon Butler and NAT sometimes starter Anthony Thompson and depth DB Josh Woodman.
In: Possibly Ladler if he doesn't take Edwards spot at OLB. Otherwise only have added a couple of NAT depth players.
Special Teams:
Out: KR Ryan Lankford, PK Sergio Castillo and P Josh Bartel
In: KR Chris Rainey and so far 2 rookies PK Greg Hutchins from UBC and P Stefan Flintoft out of UCLA
Effect: Likely a wash. More for Rainey but offset by 2 rookie kickers replacing 2 veterans.