The Lions have added more depth to a defensive line that already has a good deal of starpower, signing Israel Idonije to a one-year contact, a league source told PFT’s Mike Florio on Tuesday.

The 6-foot-6, 275-pound Idonije looks like a solid fit for Detroit. He made starts at left end and defensive tackle for Chicago in 2012, and such flexibility will suit him well playing for Lions DL coach Jim Washburn, a proponent of rotating linemen to keep them fresh.

The 32-year-old Idonije notched 48 tackles and 7.5 sacks for the Bears a season ago, making 11 starts. Per Pro Football Focus, he played 514 snaps at end and 212 snaps at tackle in 2012.

The Lions have a different look at defensive end after losing Cliff Avril in free agency and releasing Kyle Vanden Bosch. However, they have restocked the ranks at the position. Ex-Seahawk Jason Jones, like Idonije, can play end and tackle. Also, rookie Ezekiel Ansah, the No. 5 overall pick, is a young rush prospect with promise.

Now, after wrapping up their offseason work, the Lions have brought in Idonije, who strengthens their hand at both line positions.

_________________

They're going to be carrying Cutler out of Ford Field in a body bag.

_________________
Fire Phil Emery

A good guy. Glad to see him continue his career. Not sure if the Bears offered him a contract or not, even if just for vets minimum.

Here ye, here ye:

Beware the Detroit D next year.

_________________
"All crowds boycotting football games shouldn't care who sings or takes a knee because they aren't watching." - Nas

Meh. People been saying this for the last few years.

The Lions are still the Lions and will forever be the Lions.

_________________
"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

I probably would have taken Ziggy as high as #2. I think that guy is going to be borderline HOF material.

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-senior-bo ... highlights

_________________
"All crowds boycotting football games shouldn't care who sings or takes a knee because they aren't watching." - Nas

Not sure if serious. Are you saying the acquisition of Idonije is a move that puts the Detroit defense over the top?

_________________

No.

The only times they have been good over the past few years was when Delmas was playing. The vaunted defensive line has not lived up to expectations and now they are down Avery, probably the hardest working in the group.

Israel was a lot like Alex Brown. I don't imagine his contributions will be missed and Wooten looks ready to fill his role better.

_________________
O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

I tend to agree with your view of things. The Lions have been living on potential for a long time. It seems like they don't have the right coach to realize that potential. Everything about that team seems a little off--despite the considerable talent on its roster.

_________________

Idonije is more versatile than Brown was. The floor will drop out because of age but he's probably got a good season left in him.

The Lions are in a very good place next season. An unlucky team last year that got to load up on the draft because of it.

_________________
Fire Phil Emery

No. But he's a nice toy to add to an already impressive defensive line.

_________________
Fire Phil Emery

Jesus these guys are going to be beasts on D.
If skinny(er) Louis Anderson (Stafford) has a decent season they're could take the division or be serious contenders for wildcard.

_________________
"Play until it hurts, then play until it hurts to not play."
http://soundcloud.com/darkside124 HOF 2013, MM Champion 2014

impressive on paper and underwhelming in production

_________________
O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

it doesn't matter what the lions or the bears do this year..... the season is already over:

_________________

_________________
"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

Overrated and lazy. Not worried about the Lions at all. This is a two team division.

_________________

Actually I don't think the Pack is very strong this year.

_________________
Elections have consequences.

In that case I'll go from 11-5 to 12-4.

_________________

Yeah, they've got all the potential in the world but perpetually underachieve. A little lazy, undisciplined, and not that well coached.

_________________

Vikings may just be the team to beat in the division. It hinges on Ponder who was making plays down the stretch. I wouldn't bank on him but if he plays well, look out.

_________________
O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

Who is he throwing to? Old Man Jennings?

I'll let AP run wild on the league again and they can finish 8-8.

_________________

lol

_________________
The Bulls haven't done anything wrong, and they're not going to do anything wrong.

That must have been a stroke post from good dolphin. He's usually better than that. Everyone knows this division is Green Bay's to lose. It's funny to suggest otherwise.

_________________
Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

Green Bay is not good enough to be the unquestioned favorite in the division. The Patriots are the only team that deserve that level of trust and it's mostly because of how the other teams are bad. Even then, the Patriots are having a rough offseason. I'd consider the Falcons too, but I think the Saints will be strong next year.

How many games do you think the Packers win the North by? 3? 4?

_________________
You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

Probably 3.

Vegas has their odds to win the North at 2-3. Minny is 5-1, so that should be pretty good value for you dolphin.

http://linemakers.sportingnews.com/nfl/ ... ords-vegas

_________________
Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

3 games? Is that because you don't think any other team will win more than 8 or the Packers are going for 13 or 14 wins?

_________________
You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

I can easily see GB going about 12-4 and the next best team being 9-7.

That article I posted the link to said Green Bay is "the clear cut favorite" to win the North.

_________________
Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

So you think Green Bay will probably win by 3 games is more because of the division being mediocre than because Green Bay is good? I'm just trying to figure out why it is laughable. Is it laughable to think the Vikings or Bears could win 10 or 11 games?

What is your point? Are we all supposed to simply believe what an article said?

Your problem is not justifying why the Packers deserve to be considered the favorite. It's justifying why it is laughable to think any of the other 3 teams could be the team to beat.

_________________
You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

I don't even know what you're arguing. The Packers are the clear favorite to win the division this year. Better than even money. Predict whatever you want, but it will be pretty surprising if another team wins the North.

_________________
Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

I'm just trying to figure out why you think the Packers are running away with the division and it's laughable to think another team could end up being the team to beat if they get good quarterback play.
While I think the Packers deserve to be the preseason favorites, I don't think it's laughable to think that another team could end up being better with improved quarterback play.

_________________
You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!