The Detroit Lions make big,bold moves first day of free agency

Embed from Getty Images Bob Quinn put his end of the season stamp on the Detroit Lions 2018 season by saying “I did not put us in a position to win.” While that was true, Quinn also followed it up by saying “We need playmakers on both sides of the ball.” That also was a true statement. Yesterday, the first day of NFL free agency, Quinn put his words into action.

While signing top flight free agents is nice, it by no means guarantees success right off the bat. That needs to be stressed first and foremost.Team chemistry is the key to winning games. Last season the Detroit Lions did not have enough players who bought into head coach Matt Patricia’s system. Those players are now gone.

Detroit has needs all over the place. They address slot receiver early in the morning by grabbing Danny Amendola,  from the Miami Dolphins. It is some what a ho-hum signing because Amendola has never had 1,000 yards receiving. He has not even broken 700 yards. But he will be a safety valve for quarterback Matthew Stafford.

Next Detroit went with a bigger signing. Netting Justin Coleman a cornerback with the Seattle Seahawks. One of the top CB on the market. Coleman is not a CB2. The Lions still need to find one. What Justin Coleman is, is a very good nickel-package cover guy. In fact the best nickel corner in the league. He fits Patricia’s defense perfectly.

Then we get to the final two signing. They were HUGE additions for the Detroit Lions. Ezekiel Ansah, Detroit’s top pass rusher was not coming back. Enter Trey Flowers, New England Patriots. This is a monster get for the Lions. Flowers is a very good player. His value is not so much rushing the quarterback. It is his ability to slide into a 3T/0T alinement. Flowers quickness  gives offensive linemen a ton of problems. He is excellent at finding creases on stunts.

Next the Detroit Lions, in desperate need of a tight end, agreed to terms with the best one on the open market. Pittsburgh Steelers Jesse James. At 6′ 7″ James is a huge target. The Lions like him because Jesse James is the best blocking TE in the NFL. Be it on the line of scrimmage or down field.

Of the four players Detroit signed, three are former New England Patriots. Amendola, Coleman, Flowers. They all have connections to Bob Quinn and Matt Patricia. All three players are “by-in” players. Flowers said yesterday he would “run through walls to play for Patricia again.”

It is those players who Detroit has focused on. In one day the Lions got three of the top players at their positions. Flowers, Coleman and James. Playmakers. Just like Bob Quinn said.