Its unfortunate that anyone with a keypad can be a writer now-a-days. Little thought and even less research yields an ignorance in far to many blogs.

Calling the Lion's "losers" proves the opening statement. Burleson has a price tag of 25 mil but only 11 is guaranteed. I good find given he was one of 3 WRs that appeared on nearly everyone's best WR FA lists. He will take away most of the triple teams Calvin Johnson has had to deal with and many of the double teams in 3 WR sets. Can also provide value as punt and kick returner as well. As for Vanden Bosch…. Head coach Schwartz coached him while he was DC in Tennessee. He is the type of player who knows his system and can teach others playing along side him as well. Sure he is 31 years old but he is a huge improvement over what was in place last year. I don't see the point in saying they are losers in an uncapped era. Money matters how?

Corey Williams for a 5th rounder is a steal. A 'saving grace"? Hardly. They need help every where. To truly rate whether or not they were winners or losers you can' relate their efforts to the efforts of others or base it on money alone. Simply look at how much a team improved themselves with their signings. To do this you need to look at last year's team closely and understand how poor they were. The improvements are significant, so much so they can only be winners.

Somehow I had a feeling that post would bring out at least one Motown homer. You obviously are a fan of what your team is doing, and I can't fault you for that. That said, I don't feel as though the initial comment helps you all that much in the credibility department, seeing as it's a personal shot and isn't needed for the conversation. You could have easily done without it and still made your point effectively. Your opinion is important, but so is mine. You're viewing these signings through rose colored glasses, whereas I have no personal agenda one way or another against the Lions and can stand back to call it as I see it. Showing disrespect for the thoughts of others is the first way to lose a debate, regardless of how good your take is.

I get that the Lions have improved over what they had last year. Hence the part about it being hard to say the Lions actually lost… you must have missed that one. Where I disagree with you though, dropping $51 million on two players that are clearly past their prime, and have been inconsistent at best over the past few seasons doesn't make you an automatic qualifier for the free agency championship.

Burleson will not draw away the double teams from Johnson any more than the other receivers you've had in the past did. Teams are still going to double and triple the guy because no one else represents that big of a threat in your offense. The only way that stops is by having two outstanding WRs, as the Cards used to have with Fitzgerald and Boldin. Until then, enjoy watching Johnson stay covered because that's not changing.

As for Vanden Bosch, you're right he is a Jim Schwartz guy and will put out solid effort every week for you. I think your D-line will be much improved, especially if you use your first round pick on a guy like Suh or McCoy and play him next to Williams. But the kind of coin you sent KVB's way should be reserved for upcoming playmakers, not over the hill vets that will be locker room leaders and give you 5-7 sacks a year.

Yes they're better than what you have, and yes they'll be decent contributors next year. But the price tag doesn't warrant the production you'll get and I'm not alone in those sentiments. The Lions definitely get credit for not sitting back and waiting for things to come to them, but they also outspent the competition for their signings by a long shot and that is why I'm critiquing them.

Thanks for the thoughts and drop back in anytime…

The post seems to have brought out only one fan period. Pardon my passion and rose colored glasses… Fair volley on your part and no issues with your claim. I was not looking to debate and my opener should have been worded better.

Here’s the bottom line from my view. 32 teams in the league. Some got better, Some got worse through attrition, and many stayed pat. The Lions do not fall in the latter two. Many teams did however stand pat and/or got worse. They are losers. Teams that did anything and improved should at a minimum be in the middle; not a loser.

The 51 mil tag is not accurate… unless Vanden Bosch landed a 40 mil contract. Burelson is only guaranteed 11 mil. It is doubtful he’ll see much more than that. And until he does the conservation should be focused on what is guaranteed and not on what is potentially possible.

I also disagree that Burleson can’t open the field more. Pettigrew will have more looks as well. I was not saying Burleson is a savior of any kind but a viable option to help open things up. They will not make the playoffs this year but they should win more than 3 games. Improvement is improvement and anytime you do better than the previous year… you’ve won in some form or another. Specially in an uncapped era where total money spent means so little (in a sport that does not have money woes no less). Are there other guys that could do the same for less or are better and command more and will do more? SURE. Will they come to Detroit? Well, no. No they won’t. Overpaying is a necessity and should be weighted as such.