2020 Offseason News Thread (Signings, Coaching changes, etc.)

[RandyMoss84]

Pierce Replacement?


Former Lions player Damon Harrison says he was 'hell-bent' to get out of Detroit
play
Michael Rothstein looks back on Damon Harrison's time with the Lions and examines the state of the team's defensive line heading into the draft. (1:20)

Apr 14, 2020
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Former Lions defensive tackle Damon "Snacks" Harrison says he didn't want to play in Detroit and was "hell-bent on getting out" of the Motor City.

The Lions traded for Harrison on Oct. 25, 2018, sending a fifth-round pick to the New York Giants.

"I was a bit angry," Harrison said of the trade during an appearance on the Green Light podcast, hosted by former NFL player Chris Long.

That season, Harrison was graded by Pro Football Focus as the No. 3 interior defender in the NFL, with the best run-stop percentage in the league (16%).

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"To be completely honest with you, I didn't want to go to Detroit because of some things that I heard from some guys in the past and some guys who were there," Harrison said. "So when I got the call that that's where I was traded, I didn't answer the phone for a couple hours. [Lions general manager] Bob Quinn was calling me and I didn't pick up the phone because I was trying to figure out a way to get out of it."

After sitting out all of the spring workouts last year, Harrison, one of the top run-stoppers in the league, was placed on the non-football injury list before signing an extension, which converted much of his base salary into a $7.5 million signing bonus.

"I wasn't prepared for the season mentally," Harrison said.

"I came into camp in shape, but during the first three weeks of camp I think I kind of worked myself out of shape because I wasn't doing anything," Harrison said. "That was a time where, to be honest with you, we were trying to facilitate a trade. I was hell-bent on getting out of there."

By the end of the 2019 season, Harrison told reporters he was contemplating retirement after he played through a multitude of injuries and "wasn't able to ever get back to the form I'm used to."

Harrison, who turned 31 in November, finished last season with a career-low 49 tackles.

The veteran defensive lineman is a free agent after being released by the Lions in what he called "a mutual agreement" on Feb. 25. He had two years remaining on his deal after signing the $11 million extension in August.

"It's nothing against the people of Detroit, the city or anything like that," the eight-year veteran said. "I'll forever love the city of Detroit, but I just had to go try to put myself into a situation where I saw myself there for two or three years to end my career, and I just didn't see myself in Detroit for that long."

I hope not since he is not loyal

[VikingsVictorious]

MICHAEL PIERCE
DL, MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Citing respiratory issues, Vikings NT Michael Pierce has joined the growing list of players opting out of the 2020 NFL season.
Pierce, who signed a three-year, $27 million contract with Minnesota in March, has asthma and has had pneumonia in the past three years. “If I caught (the coronavirus), I probably would be in some real trouble,” Pierce told the Pioneer Press. He'll be eligible for the $350,000 stipend for players who opt out due to health reasons.

SOURCE: Pioneer Press
Jul 28, 2020, 1:12 PM ET

I believe this is a wise decision by him, but devastating to the Vikings Defense. We have nobody capable of replacing him.

That really sucks but it is a good decision since his health is more important than football

Absolutely. With his health condition being respiratory and COVID being a respiratory illness it would have been horrible him choosing to play.
My concern is that Pierce has battled weight problems and sitting out a year with not much to do but eat and drink he could come back next season 50 pounds overweight easy.

[VikingsVictorious]

Pierce Replacement?


Former Lions player Damon Harrison says he was 'hell-bent' to get out of Detroit
play
Michael Rothstein looks back on Damon Harrison's time with the Lions and examines the state of the team's defensive line heading into the draft. (1:20)

Apr 14, 2020
ESPN
Facebook
Twitter
Facebook Messenger
Pinterest
Email
print
Former Lions defensive tackle Damon "Snacks" Harrison says he didn't want to play in Detroit and was "hell-bent on getting out" of the Motor City.

The Lions traded for Harrison on Oct. 25, 2018, sending a fifth-round pick to the New York Giants.

"I was a bit angry," Harrison said of the trade during an appearance on the Green Light podcast, hosted by former NFL player Chris Long.

That season, Harrison was graded by Pro Football Focus as the No. 3 interior defender in the NFL, with the best run-stop percentage in the league (16%).

EDITOR'S PICKS

The NFL draft is going virtual: How it will work, and what you should know

NFL, union agree on offseason home workouts
"To be completely honest with you, I didn't want to go to Detroit because of some things that I heard from some guys in the past and some guys who were there," Harrison said. "So when I got the call that that's where I was traded, I didn't answer the phone for a couple hours. [Lions general manager] Bob Quinn was calling me and I didn't pick up the phone because I was trying to figure out a way to get out of it."

After sitting out all of the spring workouts last year, Harrison, one of the top run-stoppers in the league, was placed on the non-football injury list before signing an extension, which converted much of his base salary into a $7.5 million signing bonus.

"I wasn't prepared for the season mentally," Harrison said.

"I came into camp in shape, but during the first three weeks of camp I think I kind of worked myself out of shape because I wasn't doing anything," Harrison said. "That was a time where, to be honest with you, we were trying to facilitate a trade. I was hell-bent on getting out of there."

By the end of the 2019 season, Harrison told reporters he was contemplating retirement after he played through a multitude of injuries and "wasn't able to ever get back to the form I'm used to."

Harrison, who turned 31 in November, finished last season with a career-low 49 tackles.

The veteran defensive lineman is a free agent after being released by the Lions in what he called "a mutual agreement" on Feb. 25. He had two years remaining on his deal after signing the $11 million extension in August.

"It's nothing against the people of Detroit, the city or anything like that," the eight-year veteran said. "I'll forever love the city of Detroit, but I just had to go try to put myself into a situation where I saw myself there for two or three years to end my career, and I just didn't see myself in Detroit for that long."

I hope not since he is not loyal

What loyalty did he owe Detroit. He was traded there against his will. If the Vikings make him a good offer he will owe us some loyalty.

[RandyMoss84]

I hope not since he is not loyal

What loyalty did he owe Detroit. He was traded there against his will. If the Vikings make him a good offer he will owe us some loyalty.

I hope he will sign somewhere else so we do not have to talk about him anymore, let’s see what Jaleel Johnson can do

[VikingsVictorious]

What loyalty did he owe Detroit. He was traded there against his will. If the Vikings make him a good offer he will owe us some loyalty.

I hope he will sign somewhere else so we do not have to talk about him anymore, let’s see what Jaleel Johnson can do

Jaleel Johnson has proven that he has a great skill at inhaling............
Give me Snacks.

[S197]

MICHAEL PIERCE
DL, MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Citing respiratory issues, Vikings NT Michael Pierce has joined the growing list of players opting out of the 2020 NFL season.
Pierce, who signed a three-year, $27 million contract with Minnesota in March, has asthma and has had pneumonia in the past three years. “If I caught (the coronavirus), I probably would be in some real trouble,” Pierce told the Pioneer Press. He'll be eligible for the $350,000 stipend for players who opt out due to health reasons.

SOURCE: Pioneer Press
Jul 28, 2020, 1:12 PM ET

I believe this is a wise decision by him, but devastating to the Vikings Defense. We have nobody capable of replacing him.

I think this is the tip of the iceberg. The list of players opting out is growing. There's like 6 Patriots now. Guys like Russel Wilson and Wentz just had kids. Heck, even Cousins and Thielen have young kids. This could very easily snowball.

[RandyMoss84]

I hope he will sign somewhere else so we do not have to talk about him anymore, let’s see what Jaleel Johnson can do

Jaleel Johnson has proven that he has a great skill at inhaling............
Give me Snacks.

James Lynch or Armon Watts can replace him if Jaleel does not work out

[Maelstrom88]

This will be a great year for players who feel they have never had enough playing time to prove themselves. Sucks to lose him but it's his health and his choice to make.

[PacificNorseWest]

Sign Clowney

[RandyMoss84]

Sign Clowney

Clowney wants $30 million a year, Vikings can not afford him so it is not going to happen and I am glad because Clowney is overrated

[VikingsVictorious]

Jaleel Johnson has proven that he has a great skill at inhaling............
Give me Snacks.

James Lynch or Armon Watts can replace him if Jaleel does not work out

Lynch way to small to play the run stuffer inside. Watts also too small.

[VikingsVictorious]

Sign Clowney

Clowney wants $30 million a year, Vikings can not afford him so it is not going to happen and I am glad because Clowney is overrated

Clowney was never asking $30 million. He was possibly hoping for $20 Million but would have settled for $16 Million. He will probably have to settle for $12 million now poor guy.

[RandyMoss84]

Clowney wants $30 million a year, Vikings can not afford him so it is not going to happen and I am glad because Clowney is overrated

Clowney was never asking $30 million. He was possibly hoping for $20 Million but would have settled for $16 Million. He will probably have to settle for $12 million now poor guy.

I guess I got the wrong amount

[RandyMoss84]

James Lynch or Armon Watts can replace him if Jaleel does not work out

Lynch way to small to play the run stuffer inside. Watts also too small.

Jaleel it is then

[Pondering Her Percy]

Sign Clowney

Clowney wants $30 million a year, Vikings can not afford him so it is not going to happen and I am glad because Clowney is overrated

Agreed Clowney is way overrated. I'd rather sign Griffen back any day of the week