Debating which Lions player faces most pressure to take a leap in 2024
“Free Press Sports with Carlos and Shawn” on May 29, 2024 debate Jameson Williams’ career arc and what Year 3 means to him and the Lions. Subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts.
The Detroit Lions are bringing in more competition at kicker, and it’s a name some fans have been pining for.
The Lions are expected to sign former Michigan Panthers kicker Jake Bates to a two-year-deal on Tuesday, the first day he’s eligible after playoffs.
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Bates made 21 of 28 field goals this season and finished second in the UFL with 51 kicking points. He visited the Lions on Thursday. And he also visited Washington and Green Bay.
Bates, who played his home games at Ford Field this spring, made a game-winning 64-yard field goal in the Panthers’ season-opening win over the St. Louis Battlehawks and had two other 60-plus-yard field goals this season.
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But as good as he was early in the season, Bates made just 6 of 11 field goals in the Panthers’ final four games and missed a would-be game-winning 53-yarder in the Panthers’ regular season-ending loss to the Birmingham Stallions.
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The Stallions beat the Panthers the following week in the UFL playoffs.
The Lions return veteran kicker Michael Badgley and signed former Michigan kicker James Turner as an undrafted free agent.
Badgley made 27 of 31 field goals in parts of the past two seasons for the Lions, but has just three makes of 50-plus yards in that span.
Turner showed massive leg strength and good accuracy in spring workouts, but is not as refined on kickoffs as Badgley.
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Bates played as a kickoff specialist in college and before the UFL season had not made a field goal in a game since high school.
Lions general manager Brad Holmes told the Free Press this spring he would consider keeping three kickers, including two on practice squad, because of the NFL’s new kickoff rules that could make kickers more involved in tackling on kickoffs.
Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on X and Instagram at @davebirkett.
The Detroit Lions are facing a significant dilemma regarding a player selected in the first-round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
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Cornerback Terrion Arnold is facing multiple felony charges stemming from an alleged robbery and kidnapping plot in Florida.
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When drafted, the former Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back signed a four-year, $14,343,710 contract. The agreement included a $7,251,788 signing bonus and an average salary of $3,585,928 annually.
So at this point, Arnold has been paid more than half of his contract.
This year, Arnold was set to earn a base salary of $1,273,974, which included a roster bonus of $825,000. His cap hit is $3,911,921 this year and has dead cap hit of $9,127,816.
If the Lions decide to cut the 23-year-old, they would be on the hook for dead cap costs, but could in the future recoup monies based on the league’s conduct policy.
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According to Spotrac, “Lions Terrion Arnold has 2-years, $4.8 M (guaranteed) remaining on his rookie contract, plus a potential 5th-year option for the 2028 season. Any suspension stemming from a violation of the league’s conduct polict would void the guarantees.”
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In the short term, cutting Arnold is not significantly beneficial. The organization could save money in the future depending on if his decisions are deemed to have breech the clauses in his first NFL contract.
Detroit has options at the cornerback position if Arnold is no longer a part of the organization. Nick Whiteside, Rock Ya-Sin, Keith Abney and Ennis Rakestraw are all in the mix to earn playing time opposite of veteran D.J. Reed.
“It’s just the depth. Like, you’ve got guys that have played in games and that’s what you want. It’s not like you’re guessing on what you’re getting. You know what you’re going to get from those guys and so another year in the system, another year competing, he’s (Whiteside) going to be better,” said defensive backs coach Deshea Townsend. “And just that’s the thing about the NFL, you got to have guys who go out there and compete and he’s another one that’s capable of playing and it’s going to push everybody else in the room.”
Currently, the team has $19,338,873 (17th) available in cap space, based on the top-51 players on the roster.
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#Lions CB Terrion Arnold has 2-years, $4.8M (guaranteed) remaining on his rookie contract, plus a potential 5th-year option for the 2028 season.
Any suspension stemming from a violation of the league’s conduct policy would void the guarantees.
— Spotrac (@spotrac) June 25, 2026
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Police had not released details about the nature of the investigation
DETROIT – A large police investigation was underway on Detroit’s west side.
Update: 7-year-old boy shot multiple times, man killed in shooting on Detroit’s west side
The scene is taking place on Wednesday (June 24) near Burgess Street, not far from Outer Drive and Fenkell Avenue.
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Police had not released details about the nature of the investigation.
Multiple requests for information from the police were pending.
Local 4 photographer Sara Schulz, who is at the scene, observed officers searching the area and appeared to be looking for evidence, including possible shell casings.
The circumstances surrounding the investigation, including whether anyone was injured or whether a shooting occurred, were not immediately confirmed.
Police are expected to provide additional information as the investigation develops.
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About the Author
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Brandon Carr
Brandon Carr is a digital content producer for ClickOnDetroit and has been with WDIV Local 4 since November 2021. Brandon is the 2015 Solomon Kinloch Humanitarian award recipient for Community Service.
Ilitch Companies recently announced the formation of a new gaming platform with plans to purchase a casino in Mississippi and expand its ownership of a casino in New Jersey.
The new venture, called Ilitch Gaming, will oversee the company’s gaming, hospitality and entertainment businesses, the company said in a release, adding that it will build on the success of MotorCity Casino Hotel. The operation of Ilitch Gaming is awaiting regulatory approval.
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Chris Ilitch, CEO of Ilitch Companies, described the move as a new chapter for the company’s gaming and hospitality business. He will also serve as chairperson of Ilitch Gaming.
“My mother Marian Ilitch’s vision for MotorCity Casino Hotel and our success in Detroit over nearly three decades is the inspiration for what comes next,” Ilitch said in a statement. “The formation of Ilitch Gaming marks a defining new chapter in the evolution of our gaming and hospitality business. We remain committed to creating memorable experiences for guests, supporting responsible gaming, and serving as a positive economic force in the communities where we operate.”
More: MotorCity Casino Hotel launches $65 million renovation
Along with the launch of Ilitch Gaming, Ilitch Companies announced plans to acquire Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort in D’Iberville, Mississippi, and purchase the remaining ownership stake in Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City, New Jersey, from Luxor Capital Group LP. Ilitch Companies has had 50% ownership interest in Ocean Casino Resort since 2021.
Both deals are subject to regulatory approval and customary closing conditions, and each casino is expected to continue operating as usual until the transactions are completed, officials said.
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“We are incredibly proud of what our team has built over the past decade and grateful for the support we have received from our guests across the Gulf Coast,” LuAnn Pappas, chief executive officer of Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort, said in a statement. “We believe Ilitch Gaming shares our commitment to hospitality, service, and community, and we are confident Scarlet Pearl is positioned for continued success.”
