Davenport is the fourth Lions defender to agree to a new contract with the team in the past two days. On Friday, the Lions came to terms with three linebackers — Derrick Barnes, Anthony Pittman and Ezekiel Turner.
Look, he doesn't have to be healthy all year long. Suppose he is out for 8-10 games in the middle of the season but plays down the stretch and in the playoffs. This has a chance to payoff big.
Long term, this position, a big DE is the biggest need. Forget all of those "EDGE" rushers, no 250 pounder need apply. This year Smith, Davenport, Paschal and hopefully a 1st round rookie combine to make a mark across from Hutchinson and reduce into the interior from time to time.
I think this is more of a we have depth so not a glaring hole in our roster prior to going into the NFL Draft. I don't believe anyone is banking on Davenport in this organization to be the starter again. I will be a bit disappointed if Davenport is the answer again to the question how are we bolstering our pass rush opposite of Hutch.
Could we cut Smith still? yes...I can see how they would want to save from the dead cap in his void years. However I am not sure how many people you can bring in at his rate even with the money hitting next year that will produce as much as he has. I also don't think Davenport signing = Smith's replacement.
Maybe...the rumors about us cutting Smith started about two days after the loss in the playoff. Sure the Davenport signing may allow that to happen I think the Davenport is more of a Mosley 2nd signing. Your did not cut someone to sign Mosely but you kept him around for depth.
I have to imagine adding another Edge, via draft or FA. In which his snap count can go down significantly, and hopefully prolonging his availability. He is devastating when healthy.
Not sure what this means, unless they're just looking to beef up for a long season with injuries. Or get an early start on their IR list.
I know there's a large strategy that will start to show itself next week- one way or the other. But I didn't expect them to re-sign Davenport. That said, if he can stay healthy long enough to play a few games, it'd be a nice surprise to see him have a good year. But...I do hope the large strategy is not filled with hope rather than actual production.
Very curious to see how much is guaranteed. Hopefully vet minimum. That way, all the bonus potential wouldn’t count towards the cap given his prior season stats wouldn’t be “probable to hit”.
Given the Davenport signing, wouldn’t the logic apply to Ifeatu?
Look, he doesn't have to be healthy all year long. Suppose he is out for 8-10 games in the middle of the season but plays down the stretch and in the playoffs. This has a chance to payoff big.
Long term, this position, a big DE is the biggest need. Forget all of those "EDGE" rushers, no 250 pounder need apply. This year Smith, Davenport, Paschal and hopefully a 1st round rookie combine to make a mark across from Hutchinson and reduce into the interior from time to time.
If Davenport, Smith, and Hutch stay healthy all year and Alim comes back from his ACL the same player the Lions D line should be very good.
We haven't seen the exact contract details yet, but I think that this guy is worth a small risk.
Does this impact Smith decision?
I think this is more of a we have depth so not a glaring hole in our roster prior to going into the NFL Draft. I don't believe anyone is banking on Davenport in this organization to be the starter again. I will be a bit disappointed if Davenport is the answer again to the question how are we bolstering our pass rush opposite of Hutch.
Could we cut Smith still? yes...I can see how they would want to save from the dead cap in his void years. However I am not sure how many people you can bring in at his rate even with the money hitting next year that will produce as much as he has. I also don't think Davenport signing = Smith's replacement.
Welp, I am probably the dummest guy on these pages but guess I nailed that one. Stopped clock nails it twice a day.
Maybe...the rumors about us cutting Smith started about two days after the loss in the playoff. Sure the Davenport signing may allow that to happen I think the Davenport is more of a Mosley 2nd signing. Your did not cut someone to sign Mosely but you kept him around for depth.
That is, is it a tell?
I have to imagine adding another Edge, via draft or FA. In which his snap count can go down significantly, and hopefully prolonging his availability. He is devastating when healthy.
Not sure what this means, unless they're just looking to beef up for a long season with injuries. Or get an early start on their IR list.
I know there's a large strategy that will start to show itself next week- one way or the other. But I didn't expect them to re-sign Davenport. That said, if he can stay healthy long enough to play a few games, it'd be a nice surprise to see him have a good year. But...I do hope the large strategy is not filled with hope rather than actual production.
Definitely a prove it deal at low cost. I’m guessing his agent wasn’t getting any feelers and got what he could
Very curious to see how much is guaranteed. Hopefully vet minimum. That way, all the bonus potential wouldn’t count towards the cap given his prior season stats wouldn’t be “probable to hit”.
It'll be more than the minimum, for sure. It wouldn't be surprising to see a hefty per-game bonus. It was $50,000 per last year, so that's the floor.