Detroit, MI
Detroit Lions land CB Carlton Davis in trade with Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Detroit Lions traded for a new No. 1 cornerback Monday, but not the one you were thinking of.
The Lions sent a third-round pick to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for cornerback Carlton Davis and sixth-round choices in the next two NFL drafts.
The Lions gave up their own third-round pick in the deal, No. 92 overall. They still have the Minnesota Vikings’ third-round choice, No. 73 overall, from the 2022 T.J. Hockenson trade.
Davis had two interceptions in 12 starts for the Bucs last season and has been a full-time starter since his rookie year. He allowed four touchdowns and had a 96.1 passer rating against last year, according to Pro Football Reference, but missed five games with an assortment of injuries.
MORE BUZZ: Lions’ NFL free agency rumor tracker 2024: Latest updates and analysis
At 6 feet 1 and 206 pounds, Davis, who turns 28 in December, has the size and versatility the Lions like in their cornerbacks.
He made seven tackles in the Lions’ playoff win over the Bucs in January, and was the recipient of a bone-rattling block by Craig Reynolds on Amon-Ra St. Brown’s touchdown catch-and-run in the Lions’ October win in Tampa.
The Lions had been linked to several top cornerbacks in recent weeks, including Kansas City Chiefs franchised cornerback L’Jarius Sneed and the Cleveland Browns’ Greg Newsome, as they shopped around to bolster their secondary this offseason.
Last year, the Lions ranked 30th in yards per pass play (7.15) and 27th in passing yards allowed despite signing cornerbacks Cam Sutton and Emmanuel Moseley and safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson in free agency.
SHAWN WINDSOR: Trust us: The Lions can’t get enough big men to build around
Moseley played just two snaps last season because of a torn ACL, but re-signed with the Lions last week. Gardner-Johnson played just three regular season games because of a torn pectoral muscle. And Sutton had a disappointing first year in Detroit, allowing a 112.3 passer rating against, according to Pro Football Reference.
With Davis in the fold, the Lions should have a deeper, more dynamic secondary this fall.
Davis can play either cornerback spot and should lessen the need for Sutton to guard opposing No. 1 receivers. Moseley is an upgrade at the No. 3 cornerback spot and will compete for a starting job when healthy. Brian Branch returns at slot cornerback after a standout rookie season. And Kerby Joseph and Ifeatu Melifonwu are expected back as starters at safety.
The Lions informed Jerry Jacobs, a part-time starter at cornerback last season, they do not plan to tender him a restricted free agent offer before the start of the new league year Wednesday, and Gardner-Johnson and Kindle Vildor, who finished the year as the Lions’ No. 2 cornerback, are set to become unrestricted free agents.
Davis is entering the last year of his contract and due a $14 million base salary this fall. If the Lions do not try and extend his contract, they still will have a long-term need at the outside cornerback position.
The Lions entered Monday with more than $40 million in cap space and agreed to a new three-year contract with left guard Graham Glasgow before the start of the free agent negotiating period.
They also agreed to a one-year free agent deal with Minnesota Vikings defensive end Marcus Davenport, according to NFL Network. Davenport played his first five seasons with the New Orleans Saints, including the first three when Lions coach Dan Campbell and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn were in New Orleans.
Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.
Detroit, MI
Lions News: How Detroit became contenders in just 3 years
It hasn’t been an easy road for the Detroit Lions. At this point, everyone knows the history. For decades, the franchise felt as though they couldn’t get things right. Even when there were glimmers of hope from Hall of Famers like Barry Sanders and Calvin Johnson, they couldn’t get enough together to make things click.
Then, after an especially embarrassing performance on Thanksgiving back in 2020, Lions principal owner Sheila Hamp said enough was enough. She cleaned house before the end of that season and immediately began laying the groundwork of her plan to make this team a consistent winner—something the city and its fans can be proud of.
That plan led them to hire both coach Dan Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes in 2021, and the two got to work. Cameron Wolfe of the NFL Network joined “The Insiders” to discuss how the Lions have built a Super Bowl contender in Detroit, and how it wasn’t an immediate success by any means.
Wolfe dove into how Campbell leads the team, including some specific examples from left tackle Taylor Decker that really highlights just how good of a communicator Campbell is as a coach. You can listen to the full segment from Wolfe below.
Lions have NFC’s best record and NFL’s best point differential.
Joined @nflnetwork The Insiders to highlight some of “how” behind their 3-year journey from same ‘ol Lions to elite Super Bowl contenders: pic.twitter.com/KulnlVDWW6
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) November 23, 2024
And now, onto the rest of today’s notes:
- Lions defensive tackle DJ Reader handed out 250 Thanksgiving meals at Detroit Edison Public School Academy this Friday and ESPN’s Eric Woodyard was there to speak with Reader during the event.
#Lions’ DJ Reader handed out 250 Thanksgiving meals at Detroit Edison Public School Academy today. Detroit will face the Colts on Sunday ahead of their annual Thanksgiving showdown vs. Chicago. @Djread98 is trying to help the Lions get their 1st holiday win since 2016. pic.twitter.com/4zgSR4avxN
— Eric Woodyard (@E_Woodyard) November 22, 2024
- Greg Cosell of “NFL Matchup” on ESPN breaks down the dagger concept and how Detroit’s offense executes it so well.
How dominant have the @Lions been this season? They’ve won 8 straight..going for 9 against the @Colts on Sunday…haven’t won 9 in a row since 1934. Also..Detroit has 2 50+ point games this season. All 31 other teams have combined for….1 pic.twitter.com/Czm9q3nQ48
— trey wingo (@wingoz) November 23, 2024
- Best safety duo in the league and it’s really not much of a debate.
- I hope Indianapolis is ready for a different shade of blue to take over their town for the weekend.
Detroit, MI
Romulus residents welcome opening of Sheetz convenience store
(CBS DETROIT) — Neighbors near the only Michigan Sheetz store welcome the addition to their community and believe expansion is good for state.
“It makes my life a whole lot easier and I love it,” said Wendy Drew, who lives half a mile from the first Michigan Sheetz store. “I use a lot of gas and it’s always cheaper there than the two other gas stations we have.”
However, every community isn’t keen on the proposed expansion of up to 80 new locations of the Pennsylvania-based chain of convenience stores.
Earlier this week, the Middle East and Northern African Chamber of Commerce (MENA) held a panel for independent gas station owners who are concerned about the large chains ability to undercut their prices.
“Sometimes you need competition like that,” said Robert White, who lives near the Romulus location. “You have to play the game.”
“The other two gas stations near me are ridiculous,” said Drew. “And my truck takes a lot of gas. I like Sheetz.”
Detroit, MI
How to Watch Orlando Magic vs. Detroit Pistons on Saturday, November 23
ORLANDO, Fla. – After a three-game west coast trip, the Orlando Magic have returned home. They’re set to square off with the Detroit Pistons Saturday night for a one-off home game before again hitting the road. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. ET inside the Kia Center.
The Magic went 2-1 out west, with wins over Phoenix and the LA Lakers sandwiching a loss to the Clippers Wednesday night. Franz Wagner’s game-winner sealed a signature 119-118 win over the Lakers last time out, bringing a Hollywood ending to his 37-point, 11-assist night.
Detroit is no stranger to a thriller either. Their last time out, the Charlotte Hornets took them to overtime and, with the help of Brandon Miller’s 38 and LaMelo Ball’s 35, defeated the Pistons 123-121.
Who: Orlando Magic (10-7) vs. Detroit Pistons (7-10)
What: NBA regular season game
When: Saturday, November 23, 7 p.m. ET
Where: Kia Center, Orlando, Florida
TV: FanDuel Sports Network Florida, FanDuel Sports Network Detroit, NBA League Pass
Radio: 104.5 The Beat, Magic Audio Network, SiriusXM
Point Spread: Orlando -10.5
Last Meeting: Orlando 113, Detroit 91 on March 3, 2024
Orlando Magic
Detroit Pistons
Jamahl Mosley, Orlando Magic: Mosley tipped off his fourth NBA season as a head coach this season, all of which having come with the Magic. He’s 113-150 in the regular season all-time, and 3-4 in the playoffs. Before Mosley was named the head coach of the Magic, he was an assistant with Dallas, Cleveland, and Denver. He’s a Colorado alum, and played four years of professional basketball in Mexico, Australia, Finland and South Korea.
J.B. Bickerstaff, Detroit Pistons: Bickerstaff is in his first season as the Pistons head coach after being let go by the Cavaliers at the end of the 2023-24 season. He got four full seasons with the Cavaliers and led Cleveland to two consecutive playoff appearances in his final two. He also had part of a fifth season after taking over as interim coach during the 2019-2020 season. Throughout his coaching career, he’s been a head coach in Houston and Memphis, as well as an assistant in Cleveland, Memphis, Houston, Minnesota and Charlotte. He;s won 262 games as a head coach in the NBA.
Follow ‘Orlando Magic on SI‘ on Facebook and like our page. Follow Magic beat reporter Mason Williams on Twitter/X @mvsonwilliams. Also, bookmark our homepage so you never miss a story.
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