According to John Clayton, the Lions have traded safety Gerald Alexander to the Jaguars for Dennis Northcutt. He has caught 44 passes the last two seasons, and did have two 100 yard games towards the end of last season. He is 31, and has played in 128 games in his career so he does have some wear and tear. But, like Bryant Johnson, he could potentially give us 40-45 catches, 500 yards and 2-3 touchdowns. Combined, they make a pretty good #2/3 WR combo. The #4 and #5 WR's will probably be Ronald Curry and Derrick Williams, the rookie from Penn State.
Alexander started every game for us in 2007, but was only able to start once last year because of a severe neck injury. With the drafting of Louis Delmas and the FA signing of Marquand Manuel, we became crowded at the safety position and somebody needed to go. Mayhew and company decided it was time to cut bait with Alexander. Even with this trade, we are left with the above two safeties and Kalvin Pearson, Daniel Bullocks, Stu Schweigert, and LaMarcus Hicks. Of these, Delams is almost certain to start, and I expect Manuel and Bullocks to battle it out for the other safety spot. Pearson may also fit into that battle. Schweigert will provide depth and Hicks will fight for a spot on the roster.
All in all, I like this trade. We have solidified our WR core and opened up additional opportunities at safety. If nothing else, this trade provides further proof how awful Millen was. Alexander was his second round pick in 2007, and he probably would have struggled to make a team that was 0-16 last year.
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13 hours ago
2 comments:
Isn't Otis Wiley fighting for a spot too?
They signed him as an undrafted free agent. Usually, those guys are placed on the practice squad for the first year. But, if he impresses, he will make the roster. I should have included him, as well. Good catch.
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