Tuesday 1/10/12 Morning Lions Links

Lions Articles from Local Media:

Official Lions Website:

Soon to be free agent Cliff Avril would like to be a Lion next season:  http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/Soon-to-be-free-agent-defensive-end-Cliff-Avril-would-like-to-be-a-Detroit-Lion-next-season/0f1fc129-c79b-4c9e-8a25-2e98076e8347

Backus has surgery on bicep; others on mend too:  http://blogs.detroitlions.com/2012/01/09/backus-has-surgery-on-bicep-others-on-the-mend-too/

Building depth on defense a point of emphasis for Schwartz:  http://blogs.detroitlions.com/2012/01/09/building-depth-on-defense-a-point-of-emphasis-for-schwartz/

Johnson - We don't plan on falling short - we'll be back:  http://blogs.detroitlions.com/2012/01/09/johnson-we-dont-plan-on-falling-short-well-be-back/

Detroit News:

Lions top priority should be to sign Cliff Avril:  http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120110/OPINION03/201100334/1126/SPORTS0101/Lions-top-priority-should-re-sign-Cliff-Avril

Schwartz says Lions have plenty of room to improve after successful 2011 season:  http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120110/SPORTS0101/201100335/1126/SPORTS0101/Jim-Schwartz-says-Lions-plenty-room-improve-after-successful-2011

Best optimistic about playing for the Lions in 2011:  http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120110/SPORTS0101/201100352/1126/SPORTS0101/Jahvid-Best-optimistic-about-playing-Lions-2012

Free Press:

Pressure on Lions mount as expectations rise:  http://www.freep.com/article/20120110/COL08/201100445/Drew-Sharp-Pressure-on-Lions-mounts-as-expectations-rise

Off-season brings about change, but how much for the Lions?:  http://www.freep.com/article/20120110/SPORTS01/201100433/Off-season-brings-about-change-but-how-much-for-Lions-

This season proves Lions future is bright:  http://www.freep.com/article/20120110/SPORTS18/120109080/Jamie-Samuelsen-s-blog-This-season-proves-Lions-future-is-bright

Barry Sanders pleased by Lions progress:  http://www.freep.com/article/20120110/SPORTS01/201100471/Barry-Sanders-pleased-by-Lions-progress

Schwartz says Lions will begin workouts in April:  http://www.freep.com/article/20120110/SPORTS01/201100451/Jim-Schwartz-says-Lions-will-begin-workouts-in-April

Schwartz on guard on thinking the Lions have arrived:  http://www.freep.com/article/20120110/SPORTS01/201100449/Jim-Schwartz-on-guard-against-thinking-Lions-have-arrived-

Coach speak - Schwartz:  http://www.freep.com/article/20120110/SPORTS01/201100429/Coach-speak-Jim-Schwartz

Oakland Press:

Schwartz - it was an important year, not a good year:  http://theoaklandpress.com/articles/2012/01/09/sports/doc4f0b702d54532369648095.txt

Lions have tough decisions involving Avril, Backus and others:  http://theoaklandpress.com/articles/2012/01/09/sports/doc4f0b6e0866f5c939399962.txt

Foxsports Detroit:

Schwartz - Important first step for Lions:  http://www.foxsportsdetroit.com/01/09/12/Schwartz-Important-first-step-for-Lions/landing_lions.html?blockID=642748&feedID=3867

WXYZ 7:

Lions clean out lockers, look to build on season:  http://www.wxyz.com/dpp/sports/football/lions/lions-clean-out-lockers-look-to-build-on-season

CBS Local Detroit:

Leave Cunningham alone:  http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2012/01/09/eric-thomas-leave-gunther-cunningham-alone/

Lions Articles from National Sports Websites:

Foxsports:

Lions Team Report:  http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/team/detroit-lions/teamreport/67045?q=detroit-lions

CBS:

Monday's Musings (Prisco thinks the Lions should go after a free agent CB like Carlos Rogers and draft one):  http://peteprisco.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/view/6315047

Yahoo:

A requiem for the 2011/2012 Lions:  http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/requiem-2011-2012-detroit-lions-220027941.html

PFW:

TEs are key factor in NFL success:  http://www.profootballweekly.com/2012/01/09/tight-ends-key-factor-in-nfl-success

Lions Articles from Other Websites/Newspapers:

Monday Morning 3rd String QB - Be prepared to pay more to enjoy the Lions:  http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20120109/STAFFBLOG13/120109938#

The Lions resurgence falls short:  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-florek/the-lions-resurgence-fall_b_1195334.html

NFL season wasn't skewed by lockout:  http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/jan/9/daly-NFL-season-wasnt-skewed-by-lockout/?page=1

Draft Articles:

Draft order (Lions are 23):  http://www.profootballweekly.com/2012/01/09/2012-draft-order-what-it-could-mean

Video:

Schwartz press conference:  http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Press-Conference-Video-Jim-Schwartz-1-9-12/9680e199-e0b5-4c51-b326-2eea2a7a4f7d

Best locker room video:  http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Locker-Room-Video-Jahvid-Best-1-9-12/dacd6681-bfb3-4e94-b3f6-485bf8caf1f7

Calvin Johnson locker room video:  http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Locker-Room-Video-Calvin-Johnson-1-9-12/e1419a5b-9a69-417c-82da-118c4ade7488

Justin Durant locker room video:  http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Locker-Room-Video-Justin-Durant-1-9-12/43fe5153-530d-4eaf-bc5a-3eee89158181

Hanson locker room video:  http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Locker-Room-Video-Jason-Hanson-1-9-12/88604756-11f9-48d9-92ca-9ddbbb35a3ee

Lions offseason begins:  http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/dpp/sports/main_page/lions-offseason-begins

Back in the Den:  http://www.nfl.com/videos/detroit-lions/09000d5d825db696/Back-in-the-den

Audio:

Schwartz press conference audio:  http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/audio/Press-Conference-Audio-Jim-Schwartz-1-9-12/f13185da-fc3d-4525-9dbd-d4cca2d71bd6