News

Comment From Jim
Hey Tim! G men or Pats in the superbowl?
12:04

Tim Twentyman:
I like the Pats. I think Belichick has a plan for the Giants' defensive front this time around.
12:05

Comment From Jim
Do the lions take Jenkins the cb out of North Alabama?
12:05

Comment From Mike
Do you anticipate Tim Walton leaving? Are Mayhew and Schwartz going to put up a good fight to keep him?
12:05

Comment From BryanM
With Eli Manning headed to the superbowl, does Stafford still have a shot at the pro bowl?
12:06

Tim Twentyman:
I think there is a possibility the Lions take Jenkins, Jim. He's looked good at the Senior Bowl, by all accounts. It'll come down to where the Lions grade him out and how he interviews with some the off the field stuff.
12:08

Comment From Bdog
Any chance Lions let Avril walk to onvest $'s at other key areas? Using Young and Jackson on the outside more
12:08

Tim Twentyman:
I'm not sure on Walton, Mike. I think that's really up to the Rams. Schwartz knows what it's like to be a coordinator and get a head coaching gig. If someone gives you a chance to advance your career, I'm sure Jim won't have a problem with that at all.
12:08

Comment From Alex
Tim, do you think the Lions can top the Packers for the NFC North crown next season?
12:09

Tim Twentyman:
Stafford does not have a good shot at the Super Bowl, Bryan. Cam Newton was first alternate and has taken Eli's spot on the team. Stafford was a third alternate, which is a huge surprise.
12:09

Tim Twentyman:
I meant Pro Bowl there
12:09

Twitter racershane48n24:
#ask20man Are the Lions going to target mostly D help in this years draft? [via Twitter]
12:12

Tim Twentyman:
I don't expect the Lions to sign Avril to the type of deal Charles Johnson ($72 million) or Tamba Hali ($60 million) signed. If Cliff wants that type of cash, they could let him walk. Can they get the 11 sacks and 6 forced fumbles from LoJack and Young? That's the question they have to ask themselves.
12:13

Tim Twentyman:
I think the Lions will have a shot at the Division, Alex. The next step for them is winning consistently against good teams. All seven losses this season were to good teams. They are a couple pieces away from making a run at the division, in my opinion.
12:14

Comment From Chucka
I think theres a good chance they take an interior lineman like Konz or DeCastro. ay thoughts.
12:14

Comment From Tommy Fierova
Tim, if ISU's Kelechi Osemele is available in the second round do you see the Lions taking him?
12:15

Tim Twentyman:
I think they'll target offensive line, too, racershane. They have three lineman over 30 and general manager Martin Mayhew said that's something the team needs to look closely at.
12:15

Comment From NYC lions fan
Tim it became clear as the season wound down that we had holes on defense, Staff can put up 42 but its no help if we let up 49. Whats the biggest position to address in the offseason.
12:16

Tim Twentyman:
I think there are three areas of the draft that are strong. Quarterback, interior offensive lineman and corner. I think a player like Konz and DeCastro are great picks at No. 23. That's really getting value there.
12:18

Tim Twentyman:
I think the Lions want to upgrade at offensive line, Jimmy. Osemele has an injury history, so they'll have to really check him out.
12:18

Comment From Anh Nguyen
Are they going to draft any DBS?
12:18

Comment From Anh Nguyen
You think Detroits defense will improve next season?
12:18

Comment From Megan
Which position do the Lions need to draft first this year?
12:20

Tim Twentyman:
In my opinion, NYC Lions fan, it's secondary. That can be safety or corner. The tough part about picking 23, though, is you might have to reach on a corner. That's never good. OL is also a need and getting a guy like Mike Adams from Ohio State might ultimately be better at No. 23. If they like a corner or safety, I say choose him, if not, go OL.
12:20

Comment From Russ
Looking ahead to the draft, do you think Detroit would take a chance on Janoris Jenkins if he is available? I know the character concerns are there, but this secondary is in desperate need of a difference-maker. Is Jenkins that guy?
12:20

Comment From Wiz
Do you anticipate Titus Young taking over the starting roll from Nate Burleson, allowing Nate to go to the slot?
12:22

Comment From Ron
Tim, where do the lions go to upgrade that secondary? i have heard Finnigan or maybe flint native Brandon Carr
12:23

Tim Twentyman:
I do think the defense will be better, Anh. They've gotten better every year under Schwartz and don't see that changing next year. They are just a couple pieces away in the secondary. I think Finnigan could be a possibility, Ron. He knows the system and knows Schwartz. I like Finnigan more than I do Carr. Just my opinion.
12:24

Comment From Mike
Mayhew has done a great job at finding talent, but even he makes mistakes. Are there any players that are potential "surprise" cuts anymore on this roster? Any ideas?
12:25

Comment From Omnimon
Good afternoon, Tim. Do you feel the defensive front underperformed against their expectations? For either opinion, why?
12:26

Tim Twentyman:
I think those receiving parts are interchangeable, Wiz. I all three guys, Calvin included, can play all three spots. I do think it'll be hard to keep Titus off the field, though, if he keeps developing like some people around here think he will. But Nate did have a career-high 73 catches this season. I think receiver is the least of the Lions' worries.
12:26

Comment From Dan
Was this just a fluke year or are the lions going to continue the success next season
12:28

Tim Twentyman:
That's a good question, Mike. I don't think there are any real surprise cuts. I've heard fans talk about Burleson or Vanden Bosch or Corey Williams and I think that's crazy. All three of those guys played great this year and are great in the locker room and meeting rooms.
12:28

Comment From Doug
Do you think we should target a LB with our first pick like Mel Kuiper has?
12:28

Comment From Shawn
Is there any chance whatsoever that the Lions would possibly trade up for Jerel Worthy, like they did for Best, if he's available late first round? Lions could use help with interior run defense and he's a born run stopper.
12:29

Tim Twentyman:
I think the defensive front didn't have the same impact rushing the quarterback the second half of the season than they did early on. I think teams did a lot to neutralize them, but I think some depth issues because of injuries and some of those things were a factor, too.
12:30

Tim Twentyman:
I don't think 2011 was a Fluke, Dan. Quarterback Matthew Stafford was healthy for 16 games and that made all the difference. He's an elite quarterback in my book and you can always win with an elite quarterback.
12:32

Tim Twentyman:
Again, it's about value at No. 23, Doug. I think they could upgrade there but it wouldn't be my first choice. Tulloch is a stud, Levy had 109 tackles and Durant was all over the field. I think there are more pressing concerns but if they grade a linebacker high and he's there at No. 23, then it might make sense.
12:32

Comment From Guest
Do you think with so many resigning (coaches and players) the lions will have this offseason that it will effect some of their free agency signings?
12:32

Comment From bribri
Any chance the Lions take a shot at Steve Huthcinson?
12:32

Comment From Mike
Any chance the lions take a flier on a an athletic Tackle ala a Nate Potter from Boise or Compton from South Dakota or even Jake Long's younger brother?
12:33

Tim Twentyman:
I really don;t see Worthy, Shawn. With Williams, Suh, Fairley and Hill, I think they are really set at defensive tackle. I think that's one position they really don't target, along with quarterback
12:36

Comment From Guest
Why am I not hearing much outside of the Detroit media about Matthew Stafford being snubbed out of the pro bowl behind Cam Newton and Tony Romo? What are your thoughts?
12:36

Tim Twentyman:
Coaches don't count towards salary cap, Guest. They really have just Cliff, Tulloch Wright and Backus to worry about. That's not that many, really. Calvin is under contract next year, so he's not a must, though they'd certainly like to get his deal done to free up some cap space. They will have room to sign a few free agents. Lewand is crafty when it comes to the salary cap. Both he and Mayhew are lawyers, remember.
12:37

Tim Twentyman:
I think the Lions are wanting to get younger on the offensive line, bribri. Hutchinson makes them more talented right now, but isn't a long-term plan. I think they'd like to start building around some young pieces.
12:40

Tim Twentyman:
I don't think they take a flyer on potential at tackle. I think that's easier at a position like linebacker, like they did with Doug Hogue last year. They arleady have a player like that in Johnny Culbreath, who's a project.
12:40

Comment From brandon
will the lions ever be able to establish a consistent run game? that would also help keeping the defense off the field.
12:41

Comment From Jermayne Martin
whats ur thoughts on drafting a RB first round?
12:41

Comment From Frank
Do u think we will be able to solve the problem at running back next season? Its a huge deal that we cant run when we need to and save stafford some pressure
12:41

Tim Twentyman:
I think Stafford was snubbed, Guest, but it's not like Newton didn't deserve it. The voting took place before the last couple games when Stafford really went off. It's a snup, but he's young.
12:42

Tim Twentyman:
I think we'll see one with a healthy Leshoure and Best.
12:43

Comment From Mayor Adam West
The Lion's have shown that they can compete for a place in the playoffs. However, the games we did lose weren't helped at all by the fact that our defense didn't seem to have the ability to break through an offensive line well enough and get to the quarterback. (I'm thinking mostly of both Green Bay games and both Saint's games). Both teams have great quarterbacks and putting pressure on them is the best way to force mistakes and capitalize. With strong players like Suh at the helm already, how do we improve past this weakness in our defense?
12:44

Tim Twentyman:
I don't like running back in the first round, Jermayne. I think Leshoure is going to be really good and with Best that'll be a good combo.
12:46

Comment From GIo
I know the season just ended but is there any idea what our schedule is looking like next year? If I remember right I saw an article on here that had a couple teams that we'd be playing.
12:48

Tim Twentyman:
I don't think it was a weakness, Adam. I just think teams did a good job of really focusing on stopping them with extra blockers and chips. I think they need to shake things up when it's not going well. Maybe blitz more, even though they don't like to as much, when they are not getting pressure with the front four.
12:49

Tim Twentyman:
We have the opponents, we just don't have the dates and times, Glo.
12:49

Tim Twentyman:
Home: Packers, Vikings, Bears, Rams, Seahawks, Texans, Colts, Falcons Away: Packers, Vikings, Bears, Cardinals, 49ers, Jaguars, Titans, Eagles
12:50

Comment From Neil
How much cap space is available and how do you think the Lions will use it?
12:50

Comment From Guest
Any Chance we go out and sign Peyton Hillis?
12:50

Comment From Larry
Hi Tim, Are the Lions really going to hang on to Aaron Berry. I know he had a horrible game vs NO and that can happen to anyone, but the guys is always hurt. Thanks
12:51

Tim Twentyman:
They have enough space to get the things they want to get done, at least that's how it was explained to me.
12:51

Tim Twentyman:
I don't think there's a need for Hillis if Leshoure is healthy, Guest.
12:52

Comment From Guest
With other NFL coaching positions open, is Gunther fairly safe?
12:52

Comment From AJ
On Stafford - What do you see as his major weakness currently? As far as I thought it really was the accuracy when his hand was hurt, but other than that stretch he looked elite.
12:52

Tim Twentyman:
I think Berry has a good future ahead of him. He's a tough kid and can cover. He certainly needs to work on his ball skills but I'd like to see what he's got moving forward. The defensive coaches really like him
12:53

Tim Twentyman:
Gunther is already signed and will be on the Lions' sideline next year.
12:54

Comment From Chris
The reason we won the first five games was the defensive line play. Where did they go in the last two thirds of the season?
12:54

Tim Twentyman:
Maybe the only thing I noticed about Stafford, AJ, is that he tended to get happy feet when he was pressured early. He sometimes didn't seem comfy in the pocket after getting hit a few times early. That's really nitpicking, though, because he was so good this year.
12:55

Comment From Huperetes
With all the penalties and other attention to Suh this year, had the NFL basically forced Suh to be a non-factor? I think that all this attention hurt his aggressiveness and confidence.
12:56

Comment From JOE
jason Smith from the rams could be available free agent cut or trade any intrest from lions to play LT
12:56

Tim Twentyman:
If I had the answer to that, Chris, I'd try to be a coach and make a lot more money than I do now. I think quarterbacks got the ball out quick against the Lions, knowing that was a strength. I think they set up their protections different to help neutralize them. And injuries and suspensions didn't help late in the season.
12:57

Tim Twentyman:
I don;t that had much of a factor, Huperetes. I thought Suh played well, he just didn't have the same splash plays or sacks. He still affected the game.
12:58

Comment From Joel
Mayhew said he was going to be aggressive as far as making trades this offseason, outside of Stafford, CJ and Suh, is there any body else you consider NOT on the trading block?
12:58

Tim Twentyman:
I'd take Backus over Smith, personally
12:59

Tim Twentyman:
Delmas, Corey Williams and Vanden Bosch, too, Joel
1:00

Comment From Keith
Living in Housotn I have witnessed the Houston D go from worst to first. What are your thoughts on Spievey? I like hime but seems he might be the weak link. Also, I like wirght and houston so I think it is more so depth and lack of sustainability on the offensive side of the ball. Keep the Defense of the field. O-Line
1:00

Comment From Mike
Don't you think if we can't get pressure from our front 4, we should consider blitzing more next year?
1:00

Comment From WyattBurp
BPA in the draft. I think Mayhew should stick with his best player available theory in the draft. Where the Lions are picking, it's difficult to know who will fall to them. Agreed?
1:00

Comment From Ezerkis
Do you feel we lack talent in the secondary or depth?
1:01

Comment From marty
Lions and Colts Thanksgiving Day? Is this true?
1:01

Comment From james
Also another question I had was when Nnamdi Asomugha when into free agent how come the Lions did try to get him and if they did what was the reason he didn't come to us?
1:01

Tim Twentyman:
I think Spievey is in the second year of a position switch and he's still trying to figure it out. The question for the Lions, is how long do they give him? I think either he needs to take a big lea in year three or the Lions need an upgrade to take the next step.
1:02

Tim Twentyman:
I do agree, WyattBurp. (Love the name).
1:02

Comment From Randy
I don't understand the whole Backus thing? He gets manhandled all the time and he draws holding penalties all the time so he doesn't get manhandled. Yet, everyone makes him out to be the best LT.
1:02

Comment From Cal
Why is everyone so high on tulloch. He missed numerous crucial tackles in the playoff game. And every lb shuffle their feet sideways on run plays..henne the terrible run defense.
1:03

Tim Twentyman:
I think we have talent in the secondary, Ezerkis, with Delmas and Houston and Wright. I think the Lions certainly lack depth. But you can always improve both.
1:04

Tim Twentyman:
I think either them or Houston, Marty
1:04

Tim Twentyman:
Too much $$$, James
1:05

Tim Twentyman:
Backus isn't the best, but he isn't the worst, either. I think he's a solid left tackle who's consistent and reliable. Could they upgrade? Yes. Could they do worse? Yes.
1:07

Tim Twentyman:
I disagree, Cal. I think the missed tackles were a sporadic thing. I thought he was solid all year. He had 111 tackles with three sacks and two interceptions. Plus a touchdown on a fumble recovery. I thought he was a great addition. I couldn't disagree more.
1:09

Tim Twentyman:
Thanks everyone for joining in. I won't be chatting next week because of the Super Bowl, but I'll be back in two weeks to talk to you all again on Tuesday at noon. Enjoy the game!