Considering how defensive players flew off the board, the Lions filled their biggest need on offense with Iowa offensive tackle Riley Reiff.
He can challenge for time this season at right tackle and then eventually move to the left side to replace Jeff Backus. Left tackles are usually at a premium on draft night because that's such an important position in the pass-happy NFL. So the Lions should consider themselves lucky.
Obviously, Detroit needs help on defense, but all the top cornerbacks were off the board. The Lions could have added another pass rusher like Whitney Mercilus of Illinois. He would have been a nice bookend with Cliff Avril down the road — I think the Lions will sign Avril to a long-term deal — but Reiff had more value at that pick. Lions GM Martin Mayhew has all but ignored the offensive line in past drafts so maybe it was time.
Sports Columnists
Dennis Chase: Reiff a good value at 23
-
-
James Cook: Who will Lions take at No. 5?
The great debate on sports message boards throughout the state has been divisive, bitter and stark.
Continued ... -
Dennis Chase: Only Mother Nature can slow Bellaire
Stan Sexton likes to say his Bellaire Eagles ended the regular season 19-1. "We won 19 and Mother Nature won one," he said, laughing. "But she beat up on a number of teams this winter."
Continued ... -
James Cook: Day of sports ends with clunker
If you're a sports fan — and if you're reading this, it's likely you are — Sunday was likely a great day.
Continued ... -
James Cook: Complaint over mascots misguided
Forest Area Schools does it right. The Michigan Department of Civil Rights doesn't.
Continued ... -
Dennis Chase: Manville has young Panther team rolling
When you call Reggie Manville and ask if he has a couple minutes, he responds, "I'm retired."
Continued ... - Monday, January 14, 2013
-
Dennis Chase: Time for U-D to make move?
Maybe it's time to call on Dick Vitale.
Continued ... - Monday, January 7, 2013
-
James Cook: NHL not only place to see good hockey
Want to see some good hockey for cheap while waiting for the NHL to finally start? Plan on being in Traverse City this weekend.
Continued ... - Sunday, December 23, 2012
- Dennis Chase: This is not like the old days for the Tigers
- Monday, December 17, 2012
-
James Cook: Lions won't overreact with changes
You'd think there will be a lot of turnover with the Detroit Lions next season. Think again.
Continued ... - Monday, November 26, 2012
-
James Cook: Schwartz should know better
You'd figure an NFL coach would know the rules. But you'd also figure the NFL would make sensible rules. Wrong on both accounts.
Continued ... - Tuesday, November 13, 2012
-
Dennis Chase: Smart decision for Bellaire
For Bellaire, it was a matter of survival.
Continued ... - Thursday, September 27, 2012
-
James Cook: West-Central game a special one
When Traverse City Central and Traverse City West tangle, there's often the "you can throw the records out" phrase tossed out there.
Continued ... - Thursday, September 6, 2012
-
Mike Eckert: Not much of a home advantage
Kingsley resident Larry Smith was at Wuerfel Park early on Wednesday.
Continued ... - Tuesday, August 7, 2012
-
James Cook: Lions need to stay out of jail
The Detroit Lions could be pretty good this year.
Continued ... - Saturday, July 7, 2012
-
James Cook: Wings in unfamiliar offseason spot
It's interesting that of all the major Detroit pro franchises, the Red Wings are suddenly the ones that people have concerns about.
Continued ... - Tuesday, May 1, 2012
-
James Cook: Lions' pick of receiver makes long-run sense
The NFL Draft's second round is four days past us, and a lot of die-hard Detroit Lions fans have been foaming at the mouth. Why a wide receiver?
Continued ... - Friday, April 27, 2012
-
James Cook: Linemen fell to Detroit
Riley Reiff or David DeCastro? Martin Mayhew couldn't go wrong with either lineman that fell into their laps after a run on defensive linemen.
Continued ... - Thursday, March 29, 2012
-
Bob Gwizdz: Bluegills already hitting
Today the Record-Eagle introduces a weekly column by veteran writer and outdoorsman Bob Gwizdz.
Continued ... - Sunday, March 25, 2012
-
Dennis Chase: Remarkable seasons for teams
Traverse City St. Francis coach Keith Haske was passing Flint Beecher coach Mike Williams and his players in the media room Saturday afternoon when he paused to congratulate them.
Continued ... - Thursday, March 15, 2012
-
Dennis Chase: Defense leads Glads to title
Keith Haske had just led his St. Francis Gladiators to a Class C basketball regional championship Wednesday night and he was savoring the moment afterwards with well wishers. He was talking about his team's character, his team's defense, and football.
Continued ... - Sunday, February 19, 2012
-
Dickerson: Fans seem as excited as ever
Spring is here. Well, at least in the baseball world.
Continued ... - Sunday, February 5, 2012
-
Giants on Cruz control
Once again, the Giants come in as the underdog and once again I think they leave with the Vince Lombardi trophy.
Continued ... -
James Cook: Bet against Belichick?
There's one big reason the pick is New England. Remember 2008?
Continued ... - Wednesday, February 1, 2012
-
Dennis Chase: Family tradition continues
College football recruiting has changed dramatically since Shane Bullough went through the process nearly 30 years ago.
Continued ...
-
AK-47-wielding thug may be the most bumbling crook ever
Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage
Trout's cycle a boost for Angels
Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado
Kim Kardashian Flaunts Pregnant Bikini Body in Greece
NBA star pledges $1M to help tornado recovery
Shakira's Shocking Talent
Morgan Freeman falls asleep on air
GRAPHIC: Blood-Soaked Machete Killer Caught on Tape
Elin Nordegren Furious With Lindsey Vonn For Parading Kids in Public
Camera Captures Climber As He Loses Grip And Falls
Helen Mirren Meets with Dying Boy in Queen Elizabeth's Place
Crowd Chants '¡Si, Se Puede!' After Passage of Immigration Bill
DWTS Crowns a Winner
Police Ram House to End Hostage Standoff
Demi Moore a Rocks Bikini at Harry Morton's Family House
Anthony Weiner: I'm running for New York City mayor
Kate Middleton's Dress Flies Up
VIRAL: Baby makes epic soccer goal
The Hangover Baby All Grown Up
