Part of the signings should also depend on who the Lions have waiting in the wings.
With Otis Floyd you have to look at guys like Jamal Johnson who could take his spot. But at the same time you have to figure where Carl Kidd will be next year as well. Then we also have Pottinger and possibly Foley (to a smaller degree) to fill holes. not to mention what other diamonds in the rough we can scout out. John Grace might be wanting to make a comeback.
On DT there picking might be a bit slimmer. We seem to have some depth at DE but not necessarily so at DT. As such I would think trying to find a replacement for Williams would be much more difficult. So this is where my priority would go.
Thelwell, a good CDN receiver. But realistically - what other team woudl employ him. I know he's Quesdad's fave and rightly so. I don't want to take anything away from what Thelwell brings but I just don't see him having much interest from other teams. He fits well with the Lions. The question now just becomes if he deserves a pay raise, a pay cut or stay the course. Depending on how the numbers crunch, I think Thelwell might be fine with staying the course and re-sign with the Lions. Also at receiver, the Lions have been trying out new players this year (mainly due to injury necessity) so there may be some young blood wanting to push for the position. So once again, is that a position of urgent need? I don't think so.
So of the 3 options, IMO Williams would be the priority to sign because it leaves us with the biggest hole to fill should he leave
Awesome post LFITQ!! I agree totally that Williams would be the priority. His age is not as much a factor at defensive tackle...because age effects speed the most while endurance increases. At the defensive tackle position Williams needs to be strong and quick and smart...we're not using him to chase down punt returners! Williams can be very effective for a few more years.
I agree that we have some potential outstanding linebackers in the wings including some with a Canadian pedigree. Jamal should also be ready to step in next season. However, I wouldn't underestimate what Otis Floyd has done this season. He's been much more important to our team than last year. His role has changed!! Glatt would not be having the season he's having without Floyd. Floyd is the guy who has stepped into the middle linebacker position on passing downs....spying quarterbacks, blitzing on occasion! That has allowed Glatt, on passing downs, to do what he does best, and that is cover. Glatt has made key interceptions and some big plays, in part, due to Otis's changing role. Prior to the Leos making this change in roles Glatt had struggled at times, early in the season. It's just that Otis is less noticed this year in that new role.
However we do have depth and it's possible we could even go with two Canadian linebackers next season.
I'd love us to sign McKay Loesher. You're all aware how high I was on his potential from training camp last season. A Canadian who could play defensive end regularly and very effectively, across from Johnson, is a catch and he's young as well. If we could get Foley also playing the defensive end position we could go with a defensive line rotation and drop an import, if we chose to. I could potentially see a defensive line of Hunt, Williams, Johnson, McKay, and Foley. Kirk should also continue to improve.
I can't rationally talk about Ryan Thelwell...I'm too biased because he may not be our best offensive player but he's my favorite...along with Rob Murphy so I defer to all your expertise with regard to resigning Ryan!!
"When I went to Catholic high school in Philadelphia, we just had one coach for football and basketball. He took all of us who turned out and had us run through a forest. The ones who ran into the trees were on the football team". (George Raveling)