so i remembered a thread a few weeks back where everybody was talking about meeting sports stars and i had an encounter last night worth mentioning.  i live in dc and have caps seasons tkts, so every once in awhile they'll do a screen shot of one of the redskins during the caps game on the big screen. 

so during second intermission i head out with some buddies to grab another beer and sure enough Chris Cooley comes walking through.  he seemed like a good dude, stopping to take pics with everybody, sign some autographs, whatever.   my buddy, who is a huge skins fan, took off running.  i, however, had some liquid courage.  i walked up to cooley, looked him straight in the eye, shook his hand, and told him that i was a huge fan...

of the detroit lions.

the look on his face was a mix of astonishment and disgust.  and that ended my drunken encounter with a sports star.

from the fine folks at PFT...

BUCHANON PICKS LIONS

Posted by Mike Florio on March 4, 2009, 6:30 p.m.

Free-agent cornerback Philip Buchanon has agreed to terms with the Detroit Lions, a league source tells us.

Per the source, it’s a two-year, $8.5 million contract.

Buchanon most recently played for the Buccaneers.

The one-time first-round pick of the Raiders started every game last year in Tampa.

Buchanon also has played for the Texans.

 

http://www.nashvillecitypaper.com/news.php?viewStory=66535

I don't know how credible this paper is, but it def raises some eyebrows.  I'd love to see Chris Simms in honolulu blue.  I think he's an awesome option to contend for the starting position.  He played well for the Bucs prior to his spleen injury and he's still real young.  Any thoughts?  Do you think he could contend for the starting spot?  And how does signing him effect how we draft? 

L.J. SMITH TO VISIT LIONS- from PFT

"Philadelphia Eagles free agent tight end L.J. Smith is on his way to Detroit where he’ll meet with Lions team officials tonight and Tuesday, according to Albert Breer of SportingNews.com.

Smith caught just 37 passes for 298 yards and three touchdowns last season one year removed from being the Eagles’ franchise player.

In 2006, Smith caught 50 passes and five touchdowns.

As Breer points out, the Lions are hurting at tight end. Between Michael Gaines and Casey Fitzsimmons, they combined for just 35 receptions last season."

Any thoughts on Smith? 

And what about Owen Daniels?  He had a huge year last year for the Texans and is a free agent, but havent heard much news on his status?

Looks like Mike Furrey has some inside information...

http://www.profootballtalk.com/2009/02/15/lions-leaning-to-culpepper/

I'm from the camp that would like the Lions to "build the trenches" in the draft rather than go for a QB, so i see this as good news (but yeah, PFT is pure speculation and who knows what Furrey's intentions are).  I think the only way this is confirmed is if Dan O isn't signed before free agency opens up.  There is no way he comes back with another QB already named as a starter, without the opportunity for open competition.

I'm undecided on how I feel about C-Pep as the starter.  Yeah, he hasn't exactly put up great numbers, but I'd be interested to see how he plays after a full off-season/pre-season with the team.  I'd still much rather have open competition with Dan O in the mix.  Better draft class of QBs next year or a maybe a project QB late in this draft, depending on availability.

Sources: Linehan to coach Lions' offense

Comment Email Print ESPN.com news services

Scott Linehan, the former St. Louis Rams coach who tun red down the San Francisco 49ers' offer to become their offensive coordinator, has agreed to join the Lions in that position, team sources told ESPN senior NFL analyst Chris Mortensen on Friday.

 

Linehan declined the 49ers' offer Sunday, saying he wasn't ready to commit to his next coaching move.

Linehan, a respected offensive coordinator for Miami and Minnesota, was fired four games into his third season as the Rams' coach last September.

 

I'm definitely happy with the move.  Schwartz has brought in some real experience with his staff choices.  Any thoughts on Culpepper's status now that he's reunited with his old OC?

REPORT: SCHWARTZ TO COACH LIONS

Posted by Josh Alper on January 15, 2009, 3:31 p.m. EST

Chris Mortensen and Michael Smith of ESPN are reporting that Jim Schwartz and the Lions have agreed in principle to a deal that will make Schwartz the next head coach of the Lions. Per the ESPN duo, it will be a four year deal.

Schwartz’s hiring means that the Titans are looking for a new defensive coordinator. It won’t be former coordinator Gregg Williams. Williams, who had the job for four years before leaving to become head coach of the Bills in 2001, joined the New Orleans Saints staff earlier on Thursday.

Schwartz inherits the NFL’s first-ever 0-16 team which, by his own modest admission, has “some holes” on their roster. One of his first duties will be to find a starting quarterback, something the team’s been looking for, per Schwartz, since Bobby Layne was sent packing.

Those quotes are both from an entertaining Monday press conference that may have served as a trial balloon for how Schwartz would handle taking over a team mired in the muck. He did it with good humor, something that may be tested in the years to come.

Prince Georges, MD December 31, 2008

 

A seven year old boy was at the center of a county courtroom drama yesterday when he challenged a court ruling over who should have custody of him. The boy had a history of being beaten by his parents and the judge initially awarded custody to his aunt, in keeping with child custody law and regulation requiring that family unity be maintained to the highest degree possible.

 

The boy surprised the court when he proclaimed that his aunt beat him more than his parents and he adamantly refused to live with her. When the judge then suggested that he live with his grandparents, the boy cried and said that they also beat him. After considering the remainder of the immediate family and learning that domestic violence was apparently a way of life among them, the judge took the unprecedented step of allowing the boy to propose who should have custody of him.

 

After two recesses to check legal references and confer with the child welfare officials, the judge granted custody to the Detroit Lions, whom the boy firmly believes are not capable of beating anyone.

 

a family member was nice enough to pass this on.  nowhere to go but up.