Morning Lions Links for Wednesday 5-3-16

Lions Articles:

National Media:

Versatility, focusing on lines are takeaways from Bob Quinn's first Lions draft:  http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/23472/versatility-focusing-on-lines-are-takeaways-from-bob-quinns-first-lions-draft

Sam Martin 'stoked' about Detroit Lions' 'kicker-conducive' 2016 sked:   http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/23493/sam-martin-stoked-about-detroit-lions-kicker-conducive-2016-sked

Clayton: My five favorite draft classes (5. Detroit Lions:  I liked the way the Lions attacked the offensive line in the draft. They had a strong O-line two years ago, but play fell off dramatically last season. Taking offensive tackle Taylor Decker in the first round was a no-brainer. He's a natural at left tackle. And it's not out of the question that the Lions could have hit on two interior offensive linemen in Graham Glasgow (third round) and Joe Dahl (fifth round).  What put this draft over the top for me is defensive tackle A'Shawn Robinson dropping to them in the second round. Those four big bodies make the Lions bigger and tougher along the line of scrimmage.):  http://espn.go.com/nfl/draft2016/story/_/id/15447567/nfl-draft-2016-john-clayton-five-favorite-draft-classes-jacksonville-jaguars-tampa-bay-buccaneers-top

2016 NFL Draft: Jaguars, Cowboys among most improved teams (8. Detroit Lions: The Lions appear to finally have a real football person making football decisions -- and what a difference it makes. New GM Bob Quinn had a very strong nuts-and-bolts draft that deserves to be celebrated. Tackle Taylor Decker (No. 16 overall) was a great pick in the middle of the first round to shore up the offensive line. I was floored that defensive tackle A'Shawn Robinson was still around for the Lions to pilfer in Round 2 (No. 46 overall). Quinn put an emphasis on the talent in the trenches, using five of his 10 picks on offensive and defensive linemen, for a team that ranked 32nd in rushing offense and 19th in run defense in 2015, and I loved it.):   http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000659392/article/2016-nfl-draft-jaguars-cowboys-among-most-improved-teams

Ranking every club's 2016 NFL Draft haul: Teams 5-8 (5. Detroit Lions -Draft picks: Taylor Decker (No. 16 overall), A'Shawn Robinson (No. 46 overall), Graham Glasgow (No. 95 overall), Miles Killebrew (No. 111), Joe Dahl (No. 151), Antwione Williams (No. 169), Jake Rudock (No. 191), Anthony Zettel (No. 202), Jimmy Landes (No. 210), Dwayne Washington (No. 236): What I like about the Lions' draft is that they came in wanting to get bigger and tougher, and they followed that plan with their first five picks. If A'Shawn Robinson can develop a pass rush, look out. This draft should produce several future starters for the Lions.):  http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000659570/article/ranking-every-clubs-2016-nfl-draft-haul-teams-58

Team with most-improved post-draft Super Bowl 51 odds will shock you (Lions odds before the draft were 50-to-1, after the Lions odds are 66-to-1):  http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/25575853/super-bowl-51-team-with-the-most-improved-post-draft-odds-will-shock-you

Each team's best undrafted free agent signing of 2016 (Detroit Lions: Jay Lee, WR, Baylor - For all the weapons the Lions have, they are lacking a true deep threat. They would love third-year receiver Corey Fuller to be that guy, but Lee could push him. The Baylor product is very limited as a route-runner, but he can go deep.):  http://www.si.com/nfl/2016/05/02/nfl-draft-undrafted-free-agent-signings-steals-sleepers

Ranking NFL teams' offseasons 1-32: Patriots, Broncos stumble (24. Detroit Lions: It’s hard to be optimistic when your best player retires at age 30. However the loss of WR Calvin Johnson may be a blessing in disguise for a team that became way too reliant on the passing game and really needed the infusion of cap space. New GM Bob Quinn earmarked four of his first five draft picks on linemen and could score big on T Taylor Decker and DT A’Shawn Robinson. Newly-signed WR Marvin Jones won’t replace Megatron but costs a lot less.):  http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2016/05/03/ranking-nfl-teams-offseason-grades/83833336/

After strides at Michigan, Rudock gets NFL shot with Lions:  http://sports.yahoo.com/news/strides-michigan-rudock-gets-nfl-shot-lions-222915136--nfl.html

Former EOU star Billingsley headed for Motown (Detroit is a team he and agents Adam Klimek and Dr. Lynn Lashbrook had been in contact with since the University of Nevada pro day in late March that Billingsley attended. The Lions had also put him through a separate private workout.):   http://www.lagrandeobserver.com/news/4276830-151/former-eou-star-headed-for-motown

Lowry grad Jace Billingsley signs free agent contract with Detroit Lions:  http://www.sierrasun.com/news/sports/21865197-113/lowry-grad-jace-billingsley-signs-free-agent-contract

Local Media:

White Pigeon grad Roger Stewart invited to Lions rookie camp:   http://www.sturgisjournal.com/article/20160503/SPORTS/160509695

Stebbins grad DB Ian Wells joins Lions:   http://www.mydaytondailynews.com/news/sports/stebbins-grad-wells-joins-lions/nrGmc/?icmp=daytondaily_internallink_textlink_apr2013_daytondailystubtomydaytondaily_launch

Greg Cosell analyzes Lions' draft picks:  http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/Greg-Cosell-analyzes-Lions-draft-picks/bd7e38ef-1dba-4e77-b76b-f83b72088ab5

NFC NORTH: 2016 NFL Draft breakdown:  http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/NFC-NORTH-2016-NFL-Draft-breakdown/340f8a32-dc2c-4816-a130-e4f39145521a

Lions rookies select numbers:  http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider-short/article-1/Lions-rookies-select-numbers/43b638ca-018f-4b30-9cc6-9181b4fe2749
 
'Big Daddy' Chase Farris ready to rejoin Decker:  http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2016/05/03/detroit-lions-udfas-chase-farris/83863262/

Seidel: You have to like this Detroit Lions draft:  http://www.freep.com/story/sports/columnists/jeff-seidel/2016/05/02/detroit-lions-bob-quinn-super-size/83850972/

Will Detroit Lions keep 2 or 3 QBs? 'That's a discussion' for later:  http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2016/05/03/detroit-lions-backup-qb/83867702/

Detroit Lions waive 2, clearing way for UDFA haul:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2016/05/detroit_lions_waive_2_clearing.html

Detroit Lions add former New England Patriots college scouting to staff:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2016/05/detroit_lions_add_former_new_e_1.html

Taylor Decker criticized for his pass blocking, but Lions aren't concerned:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2016/05/taylor_decker_criticized_for_h.html

Taylor Decker shares bond, name with cute leopards at Columbus zoo:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2016/05/taylor_decker_shares_bond_name.html

Antwione Williams ready to bring hard hat from Georgia Southern to Detroit Lions:  http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2016/05/detroit_lions_antwione_william.html

Don't forget about Lions fifth-round pick Joe Dahl:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2016/05/dont_forget_about_lions_fifth-.html

Notes: Lions fire two scouts after draft:  http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2016/5/3/11577214/lions-notes-detroit-fires-two-scouts-after-the-draft

Video:

Local Media:

WATCH: Jennifer Hammond Sits Down with Lions' Graham Glasgow:   http://www.fox2detroit.com/sports/136289718-story