Wednesday, May 06, 2009

Foote Will Provide Lions With Much Needed Backbone

Don't forget to checkout "The Book And His Boss" with myself and Jeff Kuehn three times per week at theoaklandpress.com

There is little doubt Larry Foote will help the Lions. The unknown is to what degree.
Foote will play next season at 29. His production has waned the past couple seasons. It remains to be seen how well he will fit in the middle of a 4-3 scheme rather than as an inside backer in a 3-4, which is the defense they run in Pittsburgh.
But he does have a championship pedigree. A new team in his hometown could revive his career. He is also a standup guy. All you have to know about Larry Foote is his reaction a few years ago when he learned he had fathered a son nearly a decade earlier. He accepted the son - no questions asked. The Lions are a team badly in need of backbone. Foote, like Julian Peterson, will provide plenty of that.
Just don’t expect the Pro Bowl or Ray Lewis, but he is definitely an upgrade.

Random Thoughts

- The way Rick Porcello bounced back Tuesday from a poor start last week against the Yankees is solid proof the kid has what it takes to be a front-line starter. Even the best pitchers get racked around. The ones that get over it quickly are the pitchers that thrive. Porcello has an exceptional feel for pitching.

- There is an opportunity there for Clete Thomas. Looks like he is intent on taking advantage of it. He has shown flashes before, though. Sustaining it has been a different story.

This is the column I wrote for Thursday's paper about the Red Wings-Duck series:

http://tinyurl.com/d8ms6z

This is the column I wrote for Wednesday's Oakland Press about whether the Pistons should consider signing Ron Artest as a free agent.

http://tinyurl.com/cl5dvd

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6 Comments:

Blogger Ross M said...

Now that the linebacking core has been established, and the secondary much improved, do you actually think the Lions could be a good defensive team in 2009? It's starting to look that way on paper.

3:34 PM 
Blogger maddog52 said...

I like the Foote signing. We have a solid LB core. I think Delmas will be a major factor and an instant impact. What I find to be the most interesting is how the Defensive Line and CB's will playout.

You know what is funny book all these folks are calling in saying see we shouldn't of trade Chauncy this and that. Well lets be honest.. Chauncy was the best player we had.. and joe cleary (though not confirmed) did this for the future as oppose to the present. Chauncy was our best asset. The reason why he is doing good is bescause the cast around hmi is putting fourth the effort. OUr cast of characters including his homeboys Prince and Rip basically just stood around and pouted. Similar to what they did last couple of years.

I really like the Tigers new lineup. I hope Granderson stays in the 5 whole. I just think he can be a bigger run producer there. the key to me is can Mags come around and can Josh Anderson be consistant...

8:14 PM 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I might have been slipped some kool aid, BUT, now that they have addressed the position; I actually don't hate their draft.

Hopefully they (administration) actually did have a clue after all.

3:07 AM 
Blogger Pat Caputo said...

Ross M,
I think their defense will be much better, not only because they have addressed needs, but because of the coaching. I thought the previous staff was awful. They need more defensive help upfront, though.
Caputo

1:47 PM 
Blogger Pat Caputo said...

Maddog52,
Foote is a very solid player. Do wonder if he has slowed down a bit and how he will handle being a 4-3. It's a different set of circumstances playing for a traditional loser compared to a constant winner.
Caputo

1:48 PM 
Blogger Pat Caputo said...

Anonymous,
I don't know if these guys are this good, but I do know this: Millen was that bad.
Caputo

1:49 PM 

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