Mallett signs with Philly Eagles

[D]

here is a link to an interview with the newest philly eagle

http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/multi ... lay_clip=y

[Rodu]

These guys we are getting have not yet made the team,and could get cut and end up back here after the first week of pre season in the NFL

[TheLionKing]

Like other posters I'm upset about this move. Buono to Carl Kidd: can you recommend another running back ?

[Rammer]

As upset as I am about losing yet another player to the NFL, in a way it speaks to the level of talent in this league and shows the non-believers that there are a lot of players up here that can compete in the best sports league in the world....it's just that we seem to have taken a bigger hit than most.

On the plus side, I have no problems cheering for an all-Canadian backfield of Jamall Lee and Andrew Harris. Maybe Wally will not want to turn Harris into a safety any longer. Personally, he showed me more at camp last year than virtually every back we had. This could be an exciting opportunity for two young Canadians.

[youtube][/youtube]

DH

The Lions don't have another viable avenue to go, other than the JL and AH in the backfield. Funny how an unpredicted scenario can force the Lions hands and be the right move in the end. That said, this one hurts the Lions, Mallett had a great CFL package under his belt, catch, run, run with power, and block.

Mallett wasn't using the NFL option year window escape clause, he was granted a shot at the NFL by the Lions on a 'blended' contract ....

“There are a lot of ways to get a player to agree to a contract. Sometimes you have to satisfy your needs. Sometimes you have to satisfy their needs. Sometimes you have to blend both needs,” said Buono, who would not elaborate.

Have to say that Mallett's production alleviated the loss of Logan, but how many times can you hit the ball out of the park in succession?

[David]

As upset as I am about losing yet another player to the NFL, in a way it speaks to the level of talent in this league and shows the non-believers that there are a lot of players up here that can compete in the best sports league in the world....it's just that we seem to have taken a bigger hit than most.

On the plus side, I have no problems cheering for an all-Canadian backfield of Jamall Lee and Andrew Harris. Maybe Wally will not want to turn Harris into a safety any longer. Personally, he showed me more at camp last year than virtually every back we had. This could be an exciting opportunity for two young Canadians.

[youtube][/youtube]

DH

The Lions don't have another viable avenue to go, other than the JL and AH in the backfield. Funny how an unpredicted scenario can force the Lions hands and be the right move in the end.

I'd look forward to seeing this new "Northern Lights" backfield. It could also free up an import roster spot somewhere else. Maybe a 3rd import on the O-line?

DH

[Lionsfan1976]

You can't hope to find a Smith/Logan/Mallett every year.

I wish that the CFL team supplying the player could be compensated financially if he is to sign south of the border.

Kind of like the transfer system in soccer? Sounds good to me. Why shouldn't CFL teams be compensated for losing players in their option year?

And by the way, best of luck to Mallett, Lambala, Grice Mullen.

[WestCoastJoe]

We've had so many wonderful running backs here in B.C.

Even though Martell Mallett won Rookie of the Year, and had a large number of fans, I kind of think he was somewhat underestimated, or taken for granted. But if you look at his highlight reel, he is a special runner.

The tape is very revealing of his unique skills. Bigger than one might think at 210 pounds. Faster than one might think (4.45 40). Great inside running moves. Subtle moves at the last second to avoid contact and keep the ball moving forward. Man, I loved to watch him run. Not as big as Joe Smith. A bit faster. IMO a similar style of runner. His style reminds of an anecdote from one of the Lombardi books. He was watching game tape of his fullback Jim Taylor, a no-nonsense runner if ever there was one. After a few pile-driving runs, Lombardi remarked: "Man, look at that sonuvabeeotch run."
...............

Sometimes the NFL personnel guys seem deaf, dumb and blind. Unfortunately now they are discovering that CFL personnel guys are very sharp, all over the league. We find the talent thay can't see. And then they just take what we have found, developed, and given playing time to, with nary a howdy do.

IMO Roy Shivers is still very, very good at spotting talent. O'Bie with the Tiger-Cats, Popp with the Alouettes, are top-notch. Paul Jones with the Schmos is good. Tillman was good. I think Taman finds good talent. Barker is OK with the Stamps. All the CFL teams do a great job bringing in import talent.

The non-import side of it is different. The non-import talent is the key to a long-term successful program. It takes patience to acquire and develop. Wally's team has been very good at stockpiling Canadian talent. We sprung some leaks last year, and couldn't hold onto all of our guys.
.............

Emmanuel Arceneaux. He's here for a good time, not a long time. He's probably another cup of coffee guy. Don't get too attached. Think twice about the jersey. Enjoy his play, if you don't already feel the pangs of his eventual loss.

This situation is getting past a joke.

[nelson95]

Man that replay package has that run against the Ticats, he was in! Damnit Wally should have challenged.

Wally needs a chance to explain why he let Mallet go

[WestCoastJoe]

Man that replay package has that run against the Ticats, he was in! Damnit Wally should have challenged.

Wally needs a chance to explain why he let Mallet go

... from the blog by Lowell Ullrich on Jan 19

Oh the joys of trying to be on vacation when the rest of the football world presses onward. Here's a release from the Philadelphia Eagles on their latest signing, Martell Mallett of the Lions. Not much more you're going to get from this blog when it originates in Arizona. But you can look at the entry below where we discussed his workout with the St. Louis Rams, and keep in mind that in order for Mallett to sign in the NFL he would have to have been released by Wally Buono. The coach/GM of the Lions signed Mallett to a minimum two-year contract at the start of last season.

Wally released him apparently. Why? I dunno.

[B.C.FAN]

More than ever, the recent signings speak to the quality of talent in the CFL. As long as CFL stars are making one-tenth of what they can earn as NFL backups, young players will want to try their chances. I wish Mallett well. I'd love to see Lee and/or Harris get a legitimate shot to play running back for the Lions.

[OV - 54:40]

There's lots of import backs to be looked at (2 new ones signed already?); maybe the Lions come up with another Joe Smith or Mallett - competition in TC would be a good thing and might reveal a very good new/starting RB; Is AJ Harris still around to be brought back for another try maybe?

Jamall Lee might get some work, but I'd bet he is destined to become more a utility or back-up back (like Cornish with the Stamps) or a fullback / H-Back/tight end type (like Kerry Carter with the Als) or if he a good pass catcher - maybe a receiving type specialist back (like McCarty for the Esks) or even a part-time slotback? Can't see Lee as the starting tailback for Wally (and forget about Andrew Harris as a tailback) - who I believe prefers the position designated for imports.

[korey&dante4ever]

maybe the Lions come up with another Joe Smith or Mallett - competition in TC would be a good thing and might reveal a very good new/starting RB

But we just went through that last year!... You can't keep playing with fire... Like last year, we virtually have no backup plan (Ian Smart last year, Jamall Lee this year) if we fail at finding a RB...
It's virtually impossible to not find a runninback that can carry the ball for a 5.0ypc... but can you find the 6.0 guy?.. We had them two years in a row.. Roll the dice again folks.

[DanoT]

Anyone know how much of a signing bonus will Mallet get?

[bclions16]

Anyone know how much of a signing bonus will Mallet get?

He's so young that he wouldn't likely need as much of a bonus as some others that have gone down.