POLL: Grading the Jordan Hicks reported signing for the Browns

Here is your chance! Grade the reported signing of Jordan Hicks.

The Cleveland Browns are reportedly adding linebacker Jordan Hicks to their roster on a two-year, $8 million deal.

After losing both Anthony Walker Jr. and Sione Takitaki in free agency, Hicks will be plugged in as the starter at either SAM or MIKE for the Browns in 2024. He will join the current linebacker room of Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Tony Fields, and Mohamoud Diabate.

Throughout his nine-year career, Hicks played his first four years in Philadelphia under Cleveland’s defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. Starting 119 total games, Hicks is a seasoned veteran who has most recently spent time with the Arizona Cardinals, and the last two seasons with the Minnesota Vikings.

A year ago, Hicks racked up 61 solo tackles, four tackles for loss, one sack, one interception, and one forced fumble under Brian Flores. Entering year 10 of his career after agreeing to a two-year with the Browns, how much does Hicks have left in the tank?

How would you grade the reported addition of Hicks in Cleveland?

Poll: Would you bring C.J. Gardner-Johnson back to the Lions on a $3.5 million deal?

Poll: Would you bring C.J. Gardner-Johnson back to the Lions on a $3.5 million deal?

C.J. Gardner-Johnson is the highest-paid member of the 2023 Detroit Lions to hit free agency with an expiring contract. The Lions paid the versatile defensive back $6.5 million for his one season in Detroit.

The Lions did not get their money’s worth with “Ceedy Duce.” He tore a pectoral muscle in Week 2 and did not play again until the regular-season finale against Minnesota. Gardner-Johnson finished the regular season with 16 tackles and one INT in three games, primarily playing at single-high safety but also with a healthy dose of box safety and slot corner mixed in.

In 2022 with the Eagles, Gardner-Johnson led the NFL in interceptions with six picks in just 12 games. The 26-year-old offers up a fiery personality and is one of the NFL’s premier trash-talkers, and he’s often backed it up nicely — just not so much in Detroit.

If Gardner-Johnson wants to return to Detroit on a one-year, $3.5 million deal, would you want him back in a Lions uniform?

 

Thanks for voting!

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Poll: Where do you rank Sheila Hamp among the 32 NFL owners after the 2023 season?

Vote in the poll on where you think Sheila Hamp ranks among NFL owners after the 2023 season

Detroit has come a long way from booing owner Sheila Hamp when she presented Calvin Johnson at his Hall of Fame ring ceremony in Ford Field. The chants of “sell the team” have given way to “Let’s go Lions” and “Jared Goff” — even away from football and at road games.

The team’s transformation would not have been possible without a dedicated, patient owner with some gumption and humility. Hamp has proven to be the right person for the task in Detroit.

But where does the Lions matriarch land in the ranking of the 32 NFL owners?

During December, The Athletic and analyst Mike Sando ranked Hamp 23rd in the annual owner ratings.

It seemed like a fair ranking for Hamp given the circumstances. As noted by analyst Mike Sando, Hamp inherited coach Matt Patricia and GM Bob Quinn from her well-meaning but hands-off mother, Martha Ford. The transformation into the franchise overhaul, as deftly executed by GM Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell, took some time before finally hitting its stride.

Now that the Lions finished off their first NFC North championship and won two playoff games in the same postseason for the first time in the Super Bowl era, 23rd seems quite low. Hamp deserves a lot of credit for sticking with a plan that would have been easy to abandon, and she’s done so by giving the team whatever resources it needs to keep building.

Where would you rank Hamp now?

Poll: What worries you most about the Lions for the rest of the season?

Vote inside for what worries you the most about the Lions for the rest of the season

The Detroit Lions will end Week 12 with an 8-3 record, good enough for a least a two-game lead in the NFC North division. But after Thursday’s uninspiring home loss to the Green Bay Packers, on the heels of an ugly win over the last-place Chicago Bears, the buzz on the Lions is fading a bit.

There are any number of factors in the recent downtick in play. From getting two sacks in the last three games to Jared Goff committing six turnovers in the last two, to the flat starts and more predictable play-calling, the Lions have lost the edge that led to them being national darlings.

What worries you most about the Lions for the rest of the season?

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If it’s something else, leave it in the comments.

POLL: How would you grade the Browns’ trade of WR Donovan Peoples-Jones?

How would you grade the trade of Donovan Peoples-Jones from the Browns to the Lions?

The Cleveland Browns are a sixth round pick richer, but a wide receiver poorer. At the trade deadline on Tuesday, the Browns shipped off wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones to the Detroit Lions in exchange for a 2025 sixth round pick.

Peoples-Jones, a fan favorite, managed just 98 yards on eight catches in all of 2023 thus far. The move has been scrutinized on social media despite the Browns getting an asset for nine games of a player who was not producing in their offense. Rookie third rounder Cedric Tillman will now get a chance to step up for the Browns in Peoples-Jones’ absence.

From the perspective of this writer, the grade gets a B as the Browns get at least something for a player who would have walked in free agency regardless. However, there is a solid chance the Browns could have gotten a fourth round pick had they traded him before the season.

How would you grade the trade?

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Poll: What is your biggest worry about the Lions in 2023?

From OL depth to kicking, an unproven DL to a daunting schedule and more, what is your biggest worry about the 2023 Detroit Lions?

In general, fans are feeling pretty bullish on the Detroit Lions in 2023. The 8-2 finish to the 2022 campaign and solid offseason additions in both the draft and free agency have positioned Dan Campbell’s Lions as the division favorite in 2023.

There are still questions about the team, of course. Many of them are legit potential downfalls for Detroit. So we’d like to hear what your biggest worry is currently about the 2023 Detroit Lions?

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Last year’s results, with over 2,400 votes:

Make your voice heard!

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Poll: What do you think of the Lions new alternate helmets?

Poll: What do you think of the Lions new alternate helmets?

The new Lions alternate helmet has been out for a few hours now. The blue shell with the matte grey facemask and the throwback logo with the vintage Lion on the sides has made quite a splash on the Detroit fanbase. National interest has been very strong too.

Now that you’ve been able to see it and let it sink in a little bit, what do you think of the alternate helmets? They’ll be worn for two games this coming season with the base grey Color Rush uniforms.

Share your thoughts and vote for the response that best suits your attitude on the new helmet:

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Which Panther drew the Panthers logo best?

Sam Darnold, Matt Corral, Bryce Young and Jonathan Mingo have each given us their artistic take on the Panthers logo over the last three years. So, who did it best?

The search for Panther Picasso rolls on.

On Wednesday, the NFL gave us an inside look at the drawing skills of the 2023 draft class. Among the aspiring artists hoping to nail their teams’ logos were Carolina Panthers first-round pick Bryce Young and second-round pick Jonathan Mingo—who had their own, um, interesting depictions.

But, were either more interesting than the last two players who tried their hand at the Carolina cat? Channel your inner art snob and help us figure out who—of Young, Mingo, Sam Darnold and Matt Corral—drew the best Panther.

Poll: Who is your top choice for the Lions to pick at No. 6?

Vote for your top choice for the Detroit Lions to draft at No. 6 overall–no trades

There is a little more than a week to go until the 2023 NFL draft. Uncertainty abounds with what will happen on the stage in Kansas City; the first overall pick is still unknown, though Alabama QB Bryce Young is the widespread presumption.

With that in mind, a simple question:

Which player do you want the Detroit Lions to select with the No. 6 overall pick? No trades up or back, just the player you want to hear Commissioner Roger Goodell read off the card with the Lions on the clock at the sixth pick.

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Here are the results of the last poll from a month ago. This includes a little under 13,500 votes:

Poll: Which player do you want the Lions to draft at No. 6

Poll: Which player do you want the Lions to select at No. 6 overall in the 2023 NFL draft?

This one is simple…

Which player do you most want the Detroit Lions to select with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft?

The top eight most likely selections, based on a quick survey of contemporary mock drafts, are up for vote. They are listed in alphabetical order.

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