Tag: Dean Marlowe

Falcons sign veteran safety Dean Marlowe to one-year contract

One week after re-signing Erik Harris, the Falcons have added another veteran safety to the mix.

One week after bringing back Erik Harris, the Atlanta Falcons have added another veteran safety to the mix, signing Dean Marlowe to a one-year contract on Thursday afternoon.

Marlowe, 29, has played for three different teams (Carolina, Buffalo and Detroit) since making his debut for the Panthers in 2015.

In 2021, Marlowe played in 16 games for the Lions with nine starts. He finished the season with 67 tackles (37 solo), two QB hits, two passes defended and a fumble recovery.

For his career, Marlowe has appeared in 47 games, starting in 16 total since 2015. Pro Football Focus gave the veteran safety a coverage grade of 63 last season, and a tackle grade of 81.9.

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Dean Marlowe thanks Detroit on his way to free agency

Veteran safety Dean Marlowe thanks Detroit on his way to free agency

Dean Marlowe will be a free agent when the NFL’s negotiation period begins next week. And based on a social media post from the veteran safety, it appears Marlowe understands he will not be back in Detroit in 2022.

Marlowe signed a one-year deal to join the Lions last offseason after three seasons in Buffalo. Playing in 16 games, Marlowe logged 67 total tackles, two PDs and one fumble recovery. He started nine games and played exactly 700 defensive snaps.

It’s something he had no obligation to do, but Marlowe still took the time and initiative to reach out and thank the locals for the support in his one year in Detroit.

The Lions are expected to be active players in the free agent market at safety, where the team also faces losing starter Tracy Walker in free agency as well.

Lions vs. Steelers: Best and worst PFF grades from Week 10

Here are this week’s PFF best and worst performances for the Detroit Lions week 10 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers

It wasn’t exactly the performance the Detroit Lions were hoping for coming out their bye. Still, after one of the most unappealing, uncompetitive games you will ever watch, the Lions mustered out a 16-16 tie against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

If there was ever a game where neither team deserved to claim victory, it was most certainly this one where each team was doing everything in their power to lose this week. The Lions offense became predictable real quick, and once the Steelers were able to solve that issue, it was all over for them. On the flip side of the defense, they did put in a solid effort, but when you are facing Mason Rudolph on the other side, it can be difficult to judge how well the players are performing.

The performances speak for themselves, and with the latest PFF grades from this matchup, it almost lines up with how you would anticipate from this week.

Lions inactives vs. Rams: Dean Marlowe a healthy scratch, Jason Cabinda out

Safety Dean Marlowe is a healthy scratch, fullback Jason Cabinda out with a hip injury

Three of the four Detroit Lions listed as questionable on the team’s final practice injury report this week are active for Sunday’s matchup with the Los Angeles Rams. The one who isn’t: fullback Jason Cabinda.

Cabinda is out with a hip injury. He will be replaced by tight end Brock Wright, who was called up from the practice squad for the trip to Los Angeles. OLB Trey Flowers, TE T.J. Hockenson and RB D’Andre Swift will all play despite being questionable with various maladies.

Cabinda and safety Dean Marlowe are the only notable scratches for the Lions. Marlowe is a healthy scratch at safety, being replaced by practice squad promotion Jalen Elliott. The veteran Marlowe has not played well in coverage recently, and the Rams potent passing offense made head coach Dan Campbell opt for a change on the back end.

The rest of the Lions inactives for Sunday’s 4:05 p.m. ET kickoff:

Lions Week 1 snap count notes: Detroit dominated possession

Detroit’s offense ran 92 plays while the defense was on the field for just 55

The Detroit Lions struggled early before a late surge gave the team an improbable shot at coming all the way back against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 1. Breaking down the player participation rates tells some of the story of the game for Detroit.

The sheer volume of offensive versus defensive snap counts really stands out. Detroit’s offense ran 92 plays, while San Francisco was on the field for just 55 offensive reps. Six Lions played all 92 offensive snaps: the entire offensive line and QB Jared Goff.

Tight end T.J. Hockenson was next up at 78 snaps. The wide receivers broke down interestingly, with Kalif Raymond topping the list at 69. Rookie Amon-Ra St. Brown was next at 59, followed by Trinity Benson (49), Tyrell Williams (39) and Quintez Cephus (32). Williams did leave the game after being struck in the head on an illegal hit.

D’Andre Swift was not limited in Week 1. Though Jamaal Williams grabbed the start against San Francisco, Swift nearly doubled Williams in total snaps, 63 to 32. Fullback Jason Cabinda was in for 10 reps, at least two of which featured him aligned at tight end. With Jermar Jefferson a healthy scratch, No. 3 RB Godwin Igwebuike only played on special teams.

On defense, only three players earned iron man status by playing all 55 reps: LB Alex Anzalone, S Will Harris and CB Amani Oruwariye.

Safety Tracy Walker missed just one rep, and that one Walker sat was the only time the Lions used backup C.J. Moore all game. Detroit had just one play where three safeties were on the field, which also served as the only one snap Dean Marlowe played on defense.

Cornerback Jeff Okudah was on the field for all 48 snaps before he left with a lower leg injury. Rookie Ifeatu Melifonwu had played sparingly prior to Okudah’s departure and finished with 12 snaps after taking over. Fellow rookie Derrick Barnes saw just five reps on defense, though he was sidelined with trainers for some time with an apparent minor ankle issue.

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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.

Detroit Lions top offensive and defensive PFF performers vs Bills

The Detroit Lions had strong showings from the running backs and the defensive line against the Buffalo Bills according to PFF

In a tight matchup, the Detroit Lions lost to the Buffalo Bills 16-15 in their first preseason game of the 2021 season. Even though the play calling was vanilla at best, it gave us a first look at the players and coaches in action. Most of the starters only saw a handful of snaps, where some of them got a good workload in for the coaches to get a long look at. To get a feel on how some of the players performed, PFF released the top five performers on offense and defense.

Offense:

  1. RB Craig Reynolds: 90.7
  2. WR Javon McKinley: 83.3
  3. RB Dedrick Mills: 82.0
  4. G Logan Stenberg: 80.8
  5. QB Jared Goff: 80.1

Fresh off the streets, Craig Reynolds made a strong impression in his debut in Honolulu Blue with 49 yards on six carries scoring the only touchdown for the Lions. Another player competing for the third running back spot, Dedrick Mills, made a case with five carries for 32 yards and a bull-rush of a run where he could covert the fourth down attempt. What is even more impressive is that Reynolds and Mills finished first and eighth, respectively, amongst running backs through the first preseason games.

The Lions top receivers are cemented with Tyrell Williams, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Kalif Raymond, but a couple of spots are still open, and UDFA Javon McKinley hopes to snag one. He caught both his targets for a strong 40 yards, second-best for the Lions. He still might have a long road ahead of him, and with another strong performance, he may end up in the mix for a receiver slot.

The Lions offensive line depth did not give anyone warm cuddles, but Logan Stenberg provided a performance he absolutely needed. Even though Stenberg would’ve probably made the team either way due to lack of strong depth amongst the guards, he showed he could the way and open up lanes for the running game. Now the pass protection still needs refinement, but it’s a good step in the right direction.

Everything didn’t go exactly right for the first-team offense on their only two drives, but it has to feel good seeing Jared Goff in this list. Goff did almost through an interception right off the bat, but he cleaned up and was able to sustain the drive for 18 plays, but in the end, it only resulted in a field goal. It is a good start for the new Lions play-caller, but still plenty to improve on heading into the regular season.

Defense:

  1. DL Bruce Hector: 81.6
  2. EDGE Austin Bryant: 80.5
  3. DL Kevin Strong: 78.5
  4. S Dean Marlowe: 77.8
  5. EDGE Trey Flowers: 76.1

One important note is that Derrick Barnes ended the day with a 93.1 PFF grade but did not meet the minimum 10 snap requirement to be recognized as the top contributor. However, it was easy to see why the Lions fell in love with him between his instincts to read the play and agility to make the play. It was a breath of fresh air from what we were used to in the linebacking corps.

With the number of starters missing the game (Michael Brockers, Nick Williams, Levi Onwuzurike, John Penisini, and Da’Shawn Hand), it gave a lot of opportunities to the lower-depth players, and it was Bruce Hector and Kevin Strong to grab hold and try to make an impression. Hector was able to notch a sack in his belt, and Strong generated a forced fumble. The defensive line is one of the deepest areas roster wise and with plenty of players ahead of Hector and Strong, it’ll be tough to justify a spot for them, but they are making a case.

On the other side of the interior group, Trey Flowers and Austin Bryant provided a nice showing from the edge group. With Flowers transitioning to a different position than what he played last year, it is good to see he is performing well through the change, but it shouldn’t be a shock, all things considering. Bryant, on the other hand, was a pleasant surprise. He showed up in run defense and pass-rushing, recording two tackles, one pressure, and only allowed seven yards total (two rushing, five passing). Considering where he started this season, this was a performance he needed to get him on the roster.

The safety group is arguably one of the weakest parts, the defense and overall on the Lions. We haven’t heard much from Marlowe from camp, but he only allowed one catch for two yards on 30 snaps, which by anyone standard is top-notch. Now it won’t alleviate the safety group’s worries, but hopefully, he can keep up those showings and provide an adequate secondary presence.

Resetting the Lions depth chart in the secondary

Resetting the Lions depth chart in the secondary after recent free agency additions

The Detroit Lions have been quite busy addressing the secondary in free agency. New GM Brad Holmes and the Lions have added a few new players to the defensive backfield.

The latest addition is safety Dean Marlowe, who jumps into a projected starting role…for now, anyway. With the NFL draft coming up in less than three weeks, here’s where the depth chart in the Detroit secondary stands:

Cornerback

Starters: Jeff Okudah, Quinton Dunbar

Slot: Corn Elder

Reserves: Amani Oruwariye, Mike Ford

Dunbar gets the veteran nod over Oruwariye, though that would almost certainly be a spot up for a training camp competition. Elder wins the slot role almost by default; Dunbar is the only other CB with any functional experience playing inside in the NFL.

Safety

Starters: Tracy Walker, Dean Marlowe

Reserves: Will Harris, Godwin Igwebuike, C.J. Moore, Bobby Price, Jalen Elliott

If you’re looking for clues for the lineup, the Lions own official roster tips off this one. Marlowe is listed at free safety, the only safety to receive a positional designation. Walker and Igwebuike are listed as defensive back, not just safety.

Igwebuike, Price and Elliott have never played a regular-season snap on defense.

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