The Detroit Lions replace key player and head coach aiming for the 2014 playoffs. The Detroit Lions in-depth analysis of the free agents signed and players lost for the 2014 NFL season and where they will fit in on the roster. Will these additions help The Detroit Lions improve on their 2013 season and get them to the NFL playoffs in 2014?
The Detroit Lions were busy in the off season so far. They have lost some players to free agency and they signed some as well. Detroit Lions are hoping that this influx of new talent will help them improve on their 2013, 7-9 season, and get them to the 2014 playoffs. After their end of year implosion, they fired head coach Jim Schwartz and hired new head coach Jim Caldwell who was the former coach of the Indianapolis Colts. Caldwell is the opposite personality of Schwartz and will bring a calming to what is a very emotional team. The confidence and leadership will definitely make an impact on the field immediately, especially on the new players signed. The tide is turning positive in Detroit and 2014 might be the breakout season that may make the 2014 playoffs. The 2014 NFL playoff race will be most likely be decided at the earliest in week 16. Most likely in week 17, as the NFC North is the most evenly matched division in the NFL. The Lions had a slim draft, read my in-depth 2014 Detroit Lions NFL Draft Report Card and Player Analysis.
Players lost in the off season to other teams
- Nate Burleson WR–one year contract with the Cleveland Browns.
- Blake Clingan P–one year contract the Washington Redskins
- Louis Delmas FS–one year contract with the Miami Dolphins.
- Jason Fox T–one year contract with the Miami Dolphins.
- Shaun Hill QB–one year contract with the St. Louis Rams.
- Israel Idonije DE–one year contract with the Chicago Bears.
- Willie Young DE–one year contract with the Chicago Bears.
Players signed in free agency from other teams
- Kourtnei Brown LB–signed from Buffalo Bills
- Jed Collins FB–signed from New Orleans Saints
- James Ihedigbo SS–signed from Baltimore Ravens
- Vaughn Martin DE–signed from Miami Dolphins
- Dan Orlovsky QB–signed from Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Naaman Roosevelt WR–signed from Cleveland Browns
- J.B. Shugarts T–signed from New York Jets
- Darryl Tapp LB–signed from Washington Redskins
- Golden Tate WR–signed from Seattle Seahawks
Summary
The big signings are obviously wide receiver and special teams player Golden Tate to replace the loss of wide receiver, Nate Burleson. A definite upgrade and should just add to the arsenal for Matt Stafford. We all saw how terrible QB Matt Stafford looks without WR Calvin Johnson on the field. The addition of Jed Collins should help create some holes for Reggie Bush and aid the Lions in the red zone. They have added some depth to the linebacker corps and brought in Vaughn Martin to add some depth behind Ndamukong Suh, Nick Fairley and C.J. Mosely. Good additions with a change in the coaching staff will make this Detroit Lions a team to watch in the 2014 NFL season.
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