Tag: Darren Fells

Lions bring back Darren Fells and Dean Marlowe among roster maneuvers

The Lions used a roster manipulation to create space and quickly brought back Fells and Marlowe. Detroit also made several changes to the practice squad.

Lions fans whose blood pressure surged with the odd news of the team releasing two prominent veterans on Wednesday can relax. The Lions quickly re-signed tight end Darren Fells and safety Dean Marlowe in a series of roster maneuvers on Thursday.

Fells and Marlowe were never going anywhere. The Lions exploited the NFL’s rules that require a player to be on the active roster for a day before being placed on injured reserve. Detroit had two players destined for I.R. in Tim Boyle and Da’Shawn Hand, but they needed to wait a day. After claiming WR KhaDarel Hodge and PK Austin Seibert off waivers, GM Brad Holmes needed two quick, temporary roster spots, and waived the vested veterans Fells and Marlowe to create the space.

The Lions also made a few changes to the team’s 16-man practice squad. Holmes brought in five players who spent the preseason on other rosters:

  • OLB Jessie Lemonier
  • QB Steven Montez
  • CB Parnell Motley
  • TE Jared Pinkney
  • TE Shane Zylstra

To make room for the newcomers, the Lions released four players from the initial practice squad. All were with the Lions throughout training camp:

  • LB Rashod Berry
  • DT Miles Brown
  • TE Alize Mack
  • RB Dedrick Mills

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Roster moves: Lions release TE Darren Fells and safety Dean Marlowe

Fells was the oldest player on the roster and doesn’t appear to have a replacement on the team yet

The Detroit Lions announced two surprising roster moves on Wednesday afternoon. The team released veteran tight end Darren Fells and safety Dean Marlowe.

The moves were made in conjunction with the waiver wire claims of WR KhaDarel Hodge and PK Austin Seibert. Both Fells and Marlowe were signed as veteran presences and upgrades at their respective positions.

Neither played great in training camp or preseason, but it’s still surprising to see two respected vets waived for two younger players. Because they are vested veterans, they are not subject to waiver claims and are free to sign with any team. They could also re-sign with the Lions at any time.

Lions top performers from PFF vs Colts and preseason recap

With PFF’s grades released, here are the top performers for the Detroit Lions against the Colts as well as the preseasons top players

The Detroit Lions finished their preseason winless after dropping to the Indianapolis Colts 27-17. However, in a game where coach Dan Campbell decided to rest a fair amount of starters, it gave players fighting for a roster spot one last chance to make an impression.

Pro Football Focus has released grades for the top offensive and defensive performers for the Lions against the Colts. PFF gives you a general feel on how well some of the fringe roster players performed.

Offense:

  1. TE Darren Fells: 92.8
  2. OT Dan Skipper: 76.1
  3. WR Geronimo Allison: 74.4
  4. RB Dedrick Mills: 72.0
  5. OG Logan Stenberg: 69.2

It is nice to see a rebound from Fells after the debacle against the Steelers, considering how thin the Lions are at tight end with disappointing performances from Alize Mack and Brock Wright. It was unfortunate to see Skipper (wish him well) carted off because he had a solid game especially run blocking. It might be too late for Allison, but you can’t say he is not putting up a fight. Stenberg should slot in as a reserve guard, but his status is up in the air without knowing the severity of his injury.

Defense:

  1. CB Corn Elder: 95.3
  2. DT Bruce Hector: 90.3
  3. EDGE Austin Bryant: 90.1
  4. OLB Rashod Berry: 81.5
  5. S Dean Marlowe: 80.1

Elder saw his roster chances diminish after getting pushed down the depth chart. Still, he made the most of his last opportunity to make an impression by securing the only Lions interception this preseason. Hector was thought of as nothing more than a camp body, but he has made a chances count and put his name into considering as a depth defensive tackle. Bryant has been a force on the edge, and if he can stay healthy, he will give the Lions good depth on the outside. Berry provided good pressure against the Colts, but it is hard to see him slotting out a role as a late addition. With the safety group questionable, it is good to see Marlowe performing well in hopes of providing a solid presence down the field.

Noteworthy players:

Penei Sewell is not having a preseason as he hoped for, finishing as the lowest graded offensive player vs. the Colts and near the bottom for the entire preseason. With the transition to right tackle and not having seen a lick of football in nearly two years, he is obviously still getting his feet under him.

Thankfully the Lions got ahold of Derrick Barnes or talked about how bad the inside linebacker corps is. Once again, Jalen Reeves-Maybin and Jahlani Tavai finish as the two worst defensive players against the Colts. It’s hard to see Tavai making the team, and if it weren’t for Reeves-Maybin’s special team’s abilities, it could see that fate as well.

Also, for your viewing pleasure, here are the top performers over the entire preseason.

Offense:

  1. RB Craig Reynolds: 86.0
  2. RB Dedrick Mills: 81.7
  3. QB Jared Goff: 80.1
  4. TE Darren Fells: 79.5
  5. WR Javon McKinley: 79.2

In one of the most heated battles this preseason, Reynold and Mills finish as the top two offensive performers. They have given the coaching staff plenty to think about in the roster construction. Goff finishing this high should tell you how well the Lions backup quarterback position has gone this preseason.

Fells did have a hiccup against the Steelers, but other than that, he has been solid as the second tight end behind T.J. Hockenson. McKinley has had a rollercoaster of a preseason, and he may fall short for a roster spot, but he should be destined for the practice squad.

Defense:

  1. CB Corn Elder: 95.3
  2. S Dean Marlowe: 84.7
  3. DL Levi Onwuzurike: 84.5
  4. LB Derrick Barnes: 83.8
  5. DL Miles Brown: 82.4

Elder only played one game this preseason, but he did make it count and could provide a veteran presence behind A.J. Parker. Marlowe has been the lone bright spot in the safety group and should look on as a steady contributor meaning the deep part of the field.

Onwuzurike proved to be as advertised after returning from his injury as a powerful force on the defensive line and gave the offense a nice punch in the mouth. Barnes has been the single biggest breath of fresh air with the linebacker corps and should look to contribute immediately behind Jamie Collins and Alex Anzalone. With the hype surrounding Bruce Hector and Kevin Strong, Brown has flown under the radar providing a stable body up the middle. With the number of injuries surrounding a few players on the defensive line, he could be a sneaky addition.

Darren Fells offers to help T.J. Hockenson’s TD celebrations

Fells can help Hockenson score more TDs and upgrade the celebrations, too.

Darren Fells is easy to spot on the practice field. The veteran Lions tight end is 6-foot-7 and well-muscled, and almost always talking or smiling at someone. Back in Detroit for a second stint, Fells brings size, blocking prowess and a history of red zone productivity to the Lions.

He also brings some flair, something he hopes he can impart upon young star TE T.J. Hockenson. Fells loves what he sees in Hockenson’s receiving ability and attitude. The touchdown celebrations, however…

“I can help him with his celebrations, because those are pretty bad right now,” Fells laughed after Thursday’s practice.

Hockenson scored six touchdowns in 2020 but didn’t impress Fells, who played for Houston in 2019-2020, with his celebratory gestures.

“His whole big thing was he just catches it and falls down, pops up, and throws the arms up. So anything is better than that,” Fells said. “We talked about seeing what his dance moves are. I haven’t taken him out to a club or anything due to COVID, so we’ll see if he has those kinds of moves. Right now, we’re just trying to figure out what looks good to him.”

Fells can also help Hockenson get more chances to practice the celebrations in games. The big vet caught 11 TDs in his two years in Houston, and he has 21 career touchdown catches amongst his 123 receptions. That includes three TDs in 17 catches for Detroit in 2017.

The duo should blend together nicely. Fells can see how already after just three practice sessions in minicamp,

“He’s more of an F tight end–faster, moving around, receiving–and I’m more of a Y tight end, where I can go in there and do a little bit more of the dirty work. Had the conversation with him already, that if we’re both in there, I’ll be like an extra lineman for him to give him time to get open, so he can bump that touchdown total up to 12.”

That would mean a lot of dancing, or whatever they come up with as a celebration.

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Watch: Breakdown of Lions OTAs live from Allen Park

Our Jeff Risdon offers up his thoughts immediately after practice

In lieu of a formal podcast this week at the Detroit Lions Podcast, we decided to change things up a bit. I recorded a quick-hit notebook live from Lions headquarters immediately following Thursday’s practice session that wrapped the first week of OTAs.

These were my initial impressions of the team Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes have assembled, with a focus on the physical characteristics since the action on the field was pretty light.

We plan on doing more of this as the offseason progresses. Thanks for watching!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FX6KUrWAzjs

Lions sign TE Darren Fells after Josh Hill retires

Fells played for the Lions in 2017 and thrived with the Texans the last two seasons

The Detroit Lions have signed veteran tight end Darren Fells after holding a free agent visit with the former Lion.

Fells returns to Detroit, where he played in the 2017 season. The move took on some urgency when projected No. 2 tight end Josh Hill unexpectedly revealed he was retiring this week.

The 35-year-old Fells played well in his one season in Detroit, primarily serving as an in-line blocking tight end. A former college basketball player, Fells emerged as a great red zone threat as well in the last two seasons with the Houston Texans. He caught 11 touchdown passes in 2019-2020 for Houston.

Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press was the first to break the news of Fells’ signing with the Lions.

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Lions TE Josh Hill is expected to retire

Hill’s retirement means T.J. Hockenson is the only TE currently on the roster who has ever been active for an NFL game

Earlier in the day, news came out that the Lions were hosting free agent tight end Darren Fells on a visit. Now the reason for such a potential move makes more sense.

Per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, Lions No. 2 tight end Josh Hill is planning to retire. Hill signed with the Lions earlier this offseason as a free agent after a long career with the New Orleans Saints. He came with head coach Dan Campbell to Detroit and was expected to fill the role of blocking tight end previously held by Jesse James, who was quickly cut after the season.

The Lions have now lost the projected No. 2 and No. 3 tight ends behind starter T.J. Hockenson. With Hill’s expected retirement and the recent release of Hunter Bryant, Hockenson is the only tight end on the roster who has ever been active for an NFL game.

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Lions host free agent TE Darren Fells for possible return to Detroit

Fells played well for Detroit in 2017

Former Detroit Lions tight end Darren Fells is heading to Detroit to visit with his old team as a free agent. And per Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network, Fells is “exploring a return to Detroit”.

Fells played for the Lions in 2017, starting 13 games and hauling in 17 receptions for 177 yards and three touchdowns. He was the team’s primary blocking tight end and a solid red zone threat. The old regime in Detroit let him walk after the one season and it proved a bad decision.

Fells spent one solid season in the same role in Cleveland before heading to Houston and blossoming. In two seasons with the Texans, Fells caught 55 passes for 653 yards and 11 touchdowns while continuing to be one of the league’s better blockers at his position.

Now 35, he would fit in the role of the No. 2/No. 3 tight end behind emerging standout T.J Hockenson. The Lions recently released Hunter Bryant and have an opening on the depth chart. Detroit could sign Fells without worrying about any impact on potential compensatory draft choices.

 

Texans trade for Patriots TE Ryan Izzo, release Darren Fells

The Houston Texans have cut tight end Darren Fells and traded for New England Patriots tight end Ryan Izzo.

The Houston Texans have gotten rid of one of Deshaun Watson’s favorite targets over the past two seasons, and have brought in another one of new general manager Nick Caserio’s former players.

According to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle, the Houston Texans have cut tight end Darren Fells. The release of Fells came moments after the Texans traded for TE Ryan Izzo from the New England Patriots.

“Izzo was a seventh-round pick out of Florida State in 2018, and has been with the Patriots for the last three seasons,” Patriots Wire managing editor Henry McKenna said. “He missed all of his rookie year on injured reserve, but has amassed 19 catches for 313 yards and a touchdown over the last two years. He entered the NFL with a reputation as a blocking tight end, but didn’t live up to those expectations. Izzo was thrust into the top tight end spot last season with 62% of the offensive snaps. He had just 13 catches for 199 yards.

Fells joined the Texans during the 2019 offseason after a short stint with the Cleveland Browns. Fells became an integral part of the Texans’ 10-6 season, where he recorded 341 yards on 34 receptions. With a career-high seven touchdowns, Fells set a Texans’ record for the most red zone receptions by a tight end, and finished the year ranked third in the league at his position.

Fells’ career-season in 2019 awarded him a two-year contract extension worth $7 million. Last season, a crowded tight end group led by Jordon Akins prevented Fells from replicating his success two consecutive years. He ended the 2020 season with 312 reception yards and four touchdowns.

In addition to Akins and now Izzo, the Texans have a tight end core that also features the likes of Pharaoh Brown and Kahale Warring. Prior to his release, Fells was due to make $1.5 million this coming season.

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4 more players the Texans could be cut

The Houston Texans have made roster moves as they get under the salary cap for new league year 2021. Here are four more cut candidates.

The Houston Texans have made moves to get under the salary cap, including cutting locker room leaders such as DE J.J. Watt and C Nick Martin.

Here are four more cut candidates the Texans could release as they prepare for the new league year.