The 2005 Detroit Lions...

[BackHerUp]

..are making yet another move to win the division, the NFC playoffs and go to the Super Bowl, which they host next season...and which has never been done before (host team in the Super Bowl).

Here's the latest signings:

Detroit's newest defensive acquisition, veteran safety Kenoy Kennedy, happily poses with Lions head coach Steve Mariucci (left) and club President and CEO Matt Millen (right). Both he and tight end Marcus Pollard signed multiyear contracts with Detroit on Monday afternoon.

After Hosting Visits, Lions Sign Kennedy, Pollard To Multiyear Contracts

By Jay Clemons

DetroitLions.com

March 7, 2005

ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- In moves to solidify two key positions via free agency, the Detroit Lions signed safety Kenoy Kennedy and tight end Marcus Pollard to separate multi-year contracts Monday afternoon. Kennedy inked a five-year pact; Pollard's new contract runs three years.

Kennedy, a four-year starter in Denver's defensive backfield, immediately bolsters the Lions' safety corps of Brock Marion, Bracy Walker (who re-signed last week) and Terrence Holt.

Lions President and CEO Matt Millen describes Kennedy, 27, as a "young, smart, aggressive safety -- who has a "presence"."

When discussing his on-field "presence," Kennedy simply says, "Receivers always know where I am...they're always looking for me and they develop alligator arms."

He is best known as a hard hitter, and has earned the wrath of the NFL for illegal hits.

He was suspended for one game in 2002 for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Miami's Chris Chambers, and has been fined for similar plays at least three other times.

Paired with free safety John Lynch last year, strong safety Kenoy Kennedy will likely continue his powerful ways of separating man from ball with the Detroit Lions. Kennedy tallied 90 tackles (third highest on the club), six pass deflections, two sacks, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery for the Broncos. His efforts helped Denver achieve a No. 4 ranking in NFL total defense in 2004.

"(Kennedy) had other options (to sign elsewhere); he had other places to consider...because he's a good football player, and he was in demand," said Lions head coach Steve Mariucci, adding the franchise is "happy to have him."

Regarding Kennedy (voted the No. 11, best free agent available by ESPN.com), he reportedly selected Detroit, Atlanta and Miami as the initial three stops of his free-agent tour. And he had planned to visit each market -- all the way up to boarding a post-visit flight.

Kenoy Kennedy made it as far as the gate at Detroit Metropolitan Airport. The Detroit Lions are just glad he didn't get on the plane.

The safety was about to board a flight to Miami to continue his free-agent tour March 7, but had second thoughts. He returned to the Lions' practice facility and signed a contract while the team was introducing another new player -- tight end Marcus Pollard.

"They were calling my name and saying that I had to get on the plane or I was going to get left behind," Kennedy said. "I told them to go ahead and leave me. I decided I wanted to be a Lion."

But like Pollard, he ignored his immediate travelogue and signed with Detroit for multiple seasons (five).

"I decided to come here and become a Lion," he said during Monday's press conference.

The 10-year veteran Pollard played an integral role within the Indianapolis Colts' offense for some time -- averaging 40 catches for 513 yards and six touchdowns in the last four seasons. Since 1998, the Colts have also ranked no lower than sixth in NFL total offense -- further detailing Pollard's impact.

"Until a couple weeks ago, we didn't even expect that Marcus would be available, so we feel very good about adding him to the roster," team president Matt Millen said. "He brings experience, an understanding of how to win, and some great hands."

When asked about the Lions' offensive potential, Pollard favorably compared their burgeoning talent to the present-day Colts, led by quarterback Peyton Manning.

"I'm looking forward to an exciting time," said Pollard, whose wife, Amani, is a metro Detroit native. "I'm a guy that's coming into a young team...with a lot of guys that can really play the game."

Upon reflection of the crucial signings, Millen said, "We got better today."

Pollard joins Casey FitzSimmons as Detroit's allotment of tight ends. Stephen Alexander is currently an unrestricted free agent.

---------------------------------

[buzzsaw]

Blah blah blah, The Lions will do what they did last year, which if you forgot finished low in the division again. Why didn't they try and sign a better cornerback than the often flagged Kennedy?? I mean Fred Smoot was still available.... but not anymore! Pollard was a decent signing, but why not bring in a real QB that can get your current receivers the ball???

How 'bout them Packers?? They may really stink this next year!

[Willy]

Well the Pollard signing does nothing for them because they have the worst quarterback in all of the NFL, College, and High school ranks. Kennedy is good though. I'm sure the Lions will be battling Da Bears to stay out of the cellar, just like they do every year.

[buzzsaw]

Heres another one for ya Back her up....

[vikingtom]

Better worry about you're tigers first. Last place this year then the lion's last place this fall

[NAPAFISH]

Motor city kitties headed for the cellar!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[BackHerUp]

We'll see. Who wants to put their money where their mouth is? (Buzzsaw already owes me!)

The Lions have signed SS-Kenoy Kennedy to bolster their already strong defense, added TE-Marcus Pollard, giving Harrington yet another throwing option and signed QB-Jeff Garcia to back-up Harrington if he struggles again. Since Joey is in his final contract year, Mariucci has said this is, in effect, Harrington's last chance. Joey did great the final 4 games when Mariucci let him throw downfield more often! That, and the fact that Kevin Jones outperformed every NFL running back in rushing yards after Week 10 (825 yards), capturing the NFL rookie-rushing title (1,133 yards) -- eclipsing the efforts of every tailback from the talented 2004 class.

Having Jeff Garcia as insurance is awesome, since he already knows Mariucci's West Coast Offense (which Harrington struggles with) and he's thrown for 18,139 yards over the last 5 season's (averaging 3,628 yds per season, despite last years Cleveland debacle). Garcia has never had as good a receiving corps as he'll have in Detroit. Yes, he had Terrell Owens, Tai Streets and an old Jerry Rice. But he'll have Roy Williams, Charles Rogers, Tai Streets, Az Hakim, Marcus Pollard and Casey Fitzsimmons to throw to. With your crappy Vikings linebackers, the 2 cornerbacks (Winfield and Smoot) aren't gonna be enough to stop Detroit next year. I mean you couldn't contain Kevin Jones last year. The fact that you picked up an older version of Darren Sharper makes it even nicer for us. Did you see what Kevin Jones did to Sharper in week 13?

Spun him around 2 times on his TD run!

Sharper (4 tackles/5 missed tackles) couldn't even bring Kevin down (33 carries for 156 yds)...

I think the way the Vikings are desperately going after free agents on the defensive side of the ball, is an indicator of how much they fear the Lions (who ESPN's Mel Kiper picked to win the NFC North). The Packers are beginning a re-building phase, having let go of Rivera and Wahle (so who's gonna protect Favre now? He'd be crazy to return now!), the Bears are in the midst of their re-building and it looks to me like the Vikings are too.

-------------------------------------

As far as the Tigers go...they're on track for the division title too!!

I'll give the Twins this much. They have a better starting rotation, on paper. At least as far as last years stats go.

But this is a new year...

Santana has to prove he's as good as he was last year. I personally (hope!) don't think he is...

Although Radke has owned the Tigers over the years, he's inconsistent and not the Radke of old...but he is older(!) and has no more fastball. If his change-up isn't working and he can't locate, he can't last into the 6th inning...

Kyle Lohse is just as inconsistent. He'll have a great game followed by an early exit...good curveball though.

Carlos Silva was surprisingly effective last year as the number 4. But again, I don't think he's as good as he was last year...we'll have to see.

Joe Mays as number 5? That'll change about as often as your shortstops will. Every fifth day!!

Advantage: Twins, because the Tigers still have to prove their pitching is better...

The Twins are no longer as strong up the middle as the Tigers are now.

C: Pudge vs. Mauer (or will it even be Mauer)? Pudge wins hands down...

Advantage: Tigers

2B: Omar Infante vs. Luis Rivas?

Let's see...

Rivas was only able to play 109 games and bat 336 times for a .256 avg. with 10 HR's and 34 RBI. He did steal 15 bases.

Infante played 142 games with 503 plate appearances for a .264 avg. with 16 HR's and 66 RBI with 13 stolen bases. He did commit 12 errors at 2B for a .976 FPCT. to Rivas' 3 errors for a .994 FPCT.

Infante (a natural shortstop) won't commit as many errors (this year being his second year at 2B) due to improvement alongside Guillen, but Rivas lost Guzman so there's more pressure on Rivas and there'll be a lot more errors committed just turning simple double plays now...

Advantage: Tigers

SS: Carlos Guillen was an All-Star last year...

Who's your shortstop? Yeah, I thought so...

Avantage Tigers

CF: Alex Sanchez, believe it or not, has more speed than Torri Hunter, but has yet to prove he can harness it and read pitchers' moves. 19 stolen bases last year, compared to 52 the year before. Torri had 21 stolen bases. Sanchez' glove is suspect, but improving, largely due to his sheer speed. He finally hit for average but has no power (2 HR's with a .322 avg. in 332 plate appearances)and was injured a lot of last year. He also needs to learn to lay down good, consistent bunts as a leadoff hitter...

Torri Hunter? Well, need I say anything? Besides perrenial All-Star? He does need to hit for more power...

Advantage Twins

Well, since we've gone this far...

1B: Carlos Pena is a slightly better bat (27 HR's/82 RBI) at 1B than Justin Morneau (19/58) with equal fielding abilities (Pena and Morneau had the same .995 FPCT)...

Advantage Tigers (since Pena has more experience)

3B Brandon Inge was drafted as a shortstop and converted to catcher. He's naturally adapted to third base and his bat came alive because of it. He's tied for the lead in HR's this spring training and is hitting .500!

Cuddyer's .923 FPTC.(last year) leaves a lot to be desired at 3B with Koskie's departure!

Advantage Tigers

[mnvikingsfreak]

here we go again with the awesome detroilet teams at least the tigers and the lions are consistent by the end of the year they only win a quarter of their games the vikes will clearly win the NFC north and for your comparisons between the tigers the twins have the best pitching staff in the majors defense and pitching win games and the tigers are far from that the tigers better move that fence in some more again this year so they can win more games

[buzzsaw]

oh my god are you a crackfiend!! I am serious, you need so much help! I've never ever heard a person so blindly biased with no sense of sports knowledge... my gosh you cut and paste Jeff Garcia's stats from the past five years, talk about how the Lions have the best corp of WR's he's ever thrown to... WHATEVER!! Atleast wait until the freegin' draft is over until you get that annual wet spot in your shorts. Kennoy Kennedy can't cover his own shadow, he is known as a dirty cheap shot, Fred Smoot is a stud... no comparison between the two Jackie! Lets talk about Pat Williams who is a bonafide run stopper in the middle to go with the NFC North's best defensive player... that would be Kevin "I'm still young" Williams. Sharper is an upgrade with more pro bowls under his belt than all of your "great" WR's combined!! Did I actually hear you mention Casey Fitzsimmons??? My gosh are you hurtin' another Detroit dud!! Will any of your WR's stay healthy this year? Can Charles "BUNK" Rogers ever make it in the NFL? Tai Streets?? C'mon he stinks too!! Didn't Detroit place second to Seattle for the most dropped balls last year?? I thought so and hear you are bragging about them!! Don't set yourself up to be slayed!!

Talk about the ONE area your Lions are better than the Vikings... KICKER!! PERIOD! I must stop now, I'm starting to think midevil.

Now as far as your breakdown on the Twins vs Detroilet...............

Nice try... you've got no pitching and don't even ever try to compare Pena to Morneau... you just look..... absolutely ridiculous.

Did you like the sign I posted earlier about "WE won't throw beer on you"... thats in reference to the great fans of Detroit!

[mnvikingsfreak]

win twins!!

[mnvikingsfreak]

I agree with you buzzsaw,backherup is as bias as john madden drooling when he talks about favre.Its great comedy reading backherup's posts makes my laugh

[fishyguy]

I can't believe how cold it is with all the hot air that comes out of you. I don't even know where to begin but I will start with the one that really made me roll my eyes.

You give the edge to Infante at 2nd base because of assumed improvement in his 2nd year but then discredit Morneau and give the edge to Pena at 1B because Pena has more experience. It seems your philosophy contradicts itself and is twisted to suit your bias. You also left out a couple of postitions where you would have a hard time giving the advantage to your team along with the bench and bullpen which would be strongly in favor of the Twinks. Over a 162 game season the bench and bullpen makes or breaks a team and I like my team's chances.

[buzzsaw]

No doubt brotha!!! or Brothas!!! I'm saying it's a crack problem!

Thats what a stud/prospect looks like Backherup!! Just ask all the baseball experts!!

[Down to Earth]

After the Vikes draft a Kicker this year, they should pull to pretty much even at that position.

[Willy]

Well once again you have come up with some delusional comments. I hope that you are just kidding about most of the things you say, otherwise you're just unbelievable!!

First of all it doesn't matter what the Lions do, they still have JOEY HARRINGTON. Enough said, and if you think Garcia is going to be a savior, I'll ask you why weren't other teams lining up at the door to sign him as a starter?

"I think the way the Vikings are desperately going after free agents on the defensive side of the ball, is an indicator of how much they fear the Lions"

Are you kidding? There isn't a team in the NFL that is scared of the Lions. They are an easy win year after year.

Now onto baseball...

"The twins have a better rotation on paper"

No, they have a better rotation PERIOD! And bullpen (you must have forgot about that)

You say Santanna has to prove he is as good as he was last year. All I can say to that is sit back and watch buddy!

RADKE: "He's inconsistent and not the Radke of old...but he is older(!) and has no more fastball.If his change-up isn't working and he can't locate, he can't last into the 6th inning..."

New flash: Radke never had an overpowering fastball and he does locates his pitches and consistently leads the majors in BB/9. He is regarded by most as the best control pitcher in baseball. So I'm not worried about him locating.

"C: Pudge vs. Mauer (or will it even be Mauer)? Pudge wins hands down...

Advantage: Tigers"

I wouldn't say hands down. Mauer is a great player and I think will come into his own this year. Yes, Pudge is a good player but is also getting older.

At 1B: Pena over Morneau. Okay, we'll see. But if I had to pick between the two of them I would take Morneau every time.

Go Vikes, Go Twins

[BackHerUp]

You know what kills me?

I can stand up for my teams, even in a hostile environment, with you imbeciles (n. persons of defective mentality, but above the level of (Contact US Regarding This Word)) and still put up logical arguments backed by statistics and endorsments from sports analysts...and you still can't see the ends of your noses because they're stuck so far up each others colons!

Unless you guys are giving each colonoscopy's, I can't hear or even accept your predictions for the same reasons you won't accept mine...yours sound even more ridiculous!! (desperate actually)

The Vikings are desperately trying to cover up (with defense) for the enormous hole left in the offense by Randy Moss' departure. Funny, they should have invested in the defense while they had Randy!!! Too late...your defense will not have enough time together to be effective this upcoming season. For your information, Detroit's defense ranked 22nd in the NFL in 2004 (up from 24th in 2003) to Minnesota's 28th ranking (down from 23rd). The Lions offense improved 8 spots while the Vikings dropped 4 spots in 2004...The stats are telling a story that you don't want to hear...and I can empathize. You're headed for the cellar!!

--------------------------------

Your Twins defense (outside of Hunter and Rivas) is going to be the downfall...and that will affect the pitching. Pitchers will go deep into pitch counts and the bullpen will be out early and tire...Joe Nathan will burn out, mark my words (oh yeah, I've just marked them for you!)

...buzzsaw, (aren't you afraid of losing your job, always on the internet)? Talk about a hysterical!!...I downloaded and saved all your comments, which are gonna backfire (and I'm gonna make you eat your words later, so find some "seasonings to taste", check out Emeril on the Food Network )...Joe Mauer?!! Ha-haa!! He hasn't even played one full season yet!!! How can you be serious? He has projected talent...that's it. He would love to learn from someone like Pudge, but instead he got to learn from a departed Henry Blanco!! and a Matthew LeCroy!!! Ha-haa!! What a way to start your career...and then he gets hurt sliding on the ground! He's made of soda crackers...he's done as a catcher. Just you wait and see.

Now here's are real catcher...14 years behind the plate and 11 All-Star appearances to prove it!! (...and he missed only 1 game last year, due to injury.)

...and here's a real baseball stadium...dream on, losers...

[Willy]

The reason noone agrees or stands up for your opinions are that they are so far from the truth that it's unreal. Your predictions are far fetched, even you can admitt that. Lions will suck and you know it and the Tigers, well the Tigers have a chance but I wouldn't go and crown them the division champs yet.

You started all this last year by comming here and predicting the Tigers winning the division and the Twins falling into the cellar. Hey this is a MINNESOTA fishing site. You can't expect to come here and diss our teams and then not expect to be blasted for it! Get real!

[buzzsaw]

Glad you decided to fire back with some of that potent venom the Lions and Tigers fans are known for, or was that for tossing beers at ball players???

Why do you act like your teams are so good or will be so good?? Atleast we have 3 str8 division titles in baseball to say that gives a reason to "expect" more of the same... having Cy Young hurling doesn't hurt either! and yippee the Lions finished 4 spots or whatever higher in the total defensive yards allowed category.... how did that work out for them in there games against the Vikings last year??? 0 - 2!!

and since you seem interested in why my boss allows me to be on the internet so often is because I am a commodities trader who is on the phone all the time making him a buttload of dough! oh and he gives me my share as well! I guess you could say I'm like Johan Santana... a big producer!

SINCE YOU ASKED!

Whats our side bet on Twins vs Tigers and who finishes higher in division

as well as Vikings v Detroit lions... same bet.

Oh and go to this HSOforum to learn more about your proud Lions!!

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=list/050314/nflfreeagents

[fishyguy]

Dear Mr. Hot Air,

It looks like you are telling the stories. Detroit was up 8 spots, all the way up to 24th. The Vikes actually only dropped 3 down to 4th. That still leaves the Vikes 20 spots better and 103 yrds. per game better Paints a whole different picture, doesn't it? Just because you moved up from the bottom of the pile of horsebleep doesn't mean you aren't still horsebleep. Finishing 24th out of 32 is not worthy of your bluster. Are they improving? Yes, but they had no where else to go but up since they were dead last in 2003. You griped about us not recognizing your stats behind your arguments, but unless you are willing to paint the whole picture you arguments will never mean jack. Who's head is up who's arse? I am willing to discuss the realistic improvement of either of your teams if you would like, but you talk more than any sports fan I have ever met and your Lions and Tigers haven't had any success to speak of since when? Oh yeah, it was '87 when our Twins whipped the Tigers' behinds to go to the World Series.

[buzzsaw]

Good work Fishyguy!! Way to dig up the correct facts for our shortsighted fanatic from the motor city.

[mnvikingsfreak]

I agree with buzz saw good facts see the thing is backherup has his own stats he wants to put down he doesn't give us realistic stats like the lions defense or the tigers pitching both are pretty bad the twins play baseball the way it should be played through the farm system they dont sign overrated high priced players like Detroit does pudge has 2 yrs left mauer is the real deal and will be taking his spot in all star games for a long time to come 3 straight titles and the best pitching staff the last 2 yrs isn't bad for a team that has one of the lowest payrolls in baseball

[mnvikingsfreak]

Scott Mitchell is my hero

[BackHerUp]

Quote:

---

Scott Mitchell is my hero

---

Great...I'm glad you liked him. He had his moments...

Year Att. Cmp. Cmp.% Yards Avg./Att.

1995-Scott Mitchell 583 346 59.3 4,338 7.44

TD TD% Int. Int% Rating

32 5.5 12 2.1 92.3

-----------------------------------

Well, since we're living in the past now, my personal favorite Vikings moment (among many), was the 41-0 playoff trouncing at the hands of the Giants! That's outright embarrassing...but, I'm happy you like Scott Mitchell so much...

P.S: I'm surprised no one mentioned the Tigers releasing CF-Alex Sanchez as reported on ESPN...he showed up to camp dropping fly balls and has committed 3 errors already so they cut him...

CF-Alex Sanchez released...

...and the Tigers are extremely high on prospect Nook Logan to take over the CF job soon...

("...efensively, the Tigers believe Logan is an upgrade over Sanchez. Beyond being one of the fastest players in the Majors, he showed strong jumps and direct routes on line drives during his two stints in Detroit last year. His offense is more of a question, but his performance so far this spring has encouraged club officials. If he doesn't start, he could end up being a late-inning defensive replacement.

"He has worked very hard," Dombrowski said. "He's stronger, even though he may not look it. (Coaches) feel his left-handed swing is much improved. He's grasping what they're talking about. He's bunting 150 balls a day. He should be able to bunt his way to a respectable average, he can run so well. If he continues along that line, he might be one of these guys that could just keep getting better and better. We all know his tools are phenomenal."

Logan seemed to grasp the opportunity presented to him. "This is the first time I've been in this situation," he said. "I just want to go about my business. I'm doing the same thing every day, come in and play hard. We still have three weeks.") , but it looks like the CF job may go to Craig Monroe...

[fishyguy]

From ESPN's Page 2, List of 10 worst All-time free agent signings. Finally, the Lions are #1 at something.

1. Scott Mitchell (Lions, 1994)

Mitchell was a hot property in the spring of 1994, courted by the Rams, Vikings, Saints and Lions. Everyone wanted the former Dolphins backup. The Lions lost by winning the sweepstakes, signing Mitchell to an $11 million, three-year deal. "I can't believe all these teams lining up to overpay a guy who's started seven games," one AFC scout told SI's Peter King at the time.

The scout knew of what he spoke. Mitchell was sub-mediocre from the get-go, ending the first half of the 1994 season as the 24th-ranked QB in the NFL. His four full seasons as a Lion were lousy, and in his fifth, he lost his starting job to Charlie Batch. Twice the Lions made the playoffs, and twice they bombed out in the first round thanks, in large part, to Mitchell's terrible performances. If Mitchell had been simply above average, the Lions' offense – featuring Barry Sanders and wide receiver Herman Moore – could have been hard to beat.

Footnote: Before Brian Billick became a genius, he was thrilled to pick up Mitchell for the Ravens in 1998. He played a grand total of two games in Baltimore, completing 24 of 56 passes with 1 TD and 4 INTs.

[fishyguy]

Oh yeah I forgot to comment about:

Well, since we're living in the past now, my personal favorite Vikings moment (among many), was the 41-0 playoff trouncing at the hands of the Giants! That's outright embarrassing...but, I'm happy you like Scott Mitchell so much...

Do you really want to discuss success vs. failure of our two teams? 41-0 is embarassing but remember you do occasionally have to make the playoffs if you would like the opportunity to be embarassed in them.

P.S: I'm surprised no one mentioned the Tigers releasing CF-Alex Sanchez as reported on ESPN...he showed up to camp dropping fly balls and has committed 3 errors already so they cut him...

If he didn't matter while he was on the team, he certainly doesn't matter after he was cut. I did like the quote in the news story you posted. It said, that if Nook does not start he will be a late inning defensive replacement. Not exactly a description of future all-star material. I guess "one man's trash is another mans treasure". How about this? "Breaking news out of Detroit. Tigers replace guy who can't catch with guy who can!"

Geez, you make this awfully easy.