Ultimately, the Lions probably would have been better off, for this coming season anyway, if they had not traded Dre' Bly.
He was, arguably, their best defensive player. They are void of quality cornerbacks. His departure makes the Lions even more vulnerable defensively.
At least, however, the Lions got something of value in return. Tatum Bell is not an ideal every down back, but rather a smallish runner with excellent speed who, when spotted properly, can be an impact player. Used in tandem with Kevin Jones (depending on his health), Bell could work out very well for the Lions. George Foster does help the Lions with their offensive line. A draft pick always helps. It was not like the Lions got nothing from Denver for Bly, who was entering the final year of his contract, is expensive and is getting older. I do not see where the Lions could have done much better under the circumstances.

Random Thoughts

- On my first day down in Lakeland to write columns for The Oakland Press, the player I was most impressed by is Gary Sheffield. He really looks like a pure hitter. Two things: He is in great shape physically and he has extraordinary bat speed. At 38, it does not appear he has lost anything at the plate. I think he will hit 30 home runs this season and knock in 100 runs. That would be a huge help for the Tigers.

- Jim Leyland seems almost paranoid about his batting order for the coming season. It is almost weird. It is a no-brainer, is it not? Sheffield and Mags hit in the three and four spots, and Pudge hits down the order. Granderson leads off and Polanco hits second. After the first four, it is pretty much mix and match. What is the big deal? It cannot be Pudge's ego, could it?

- Anybody notice just how bad the Michigan State basketball team has been on the road? I think the Spartans will get into the NCAA tournament, but it has not been good the way they have played away from the madhouse that is the Breslin Center on game night.