Dre Bly traded to Broncos

[racosun]

CB Dre Bly, who's always involved in a big play at some point in every game (whether he's getting burned for a TD or causing a fumble), has asked the Lions front-office to trade him, and he's been given permission to seek out a trade that works. He's due $5.4 million in his final year of a five-year deal.

Okay, sure, Bly wants out. He's sick of losing, and he sees at least one more year of losing in Motown. Now he's just being vocal about it (again). I'm pretty sure he would have been gone regardless. And honestly, I'd be surprised if we even CAN trade him. He's getting top dollar and doesn't usually produce the results players who are paid that high do. He must also sense that he's on Marinelli's list of players to move out at one point, and is simply trying to beat him to the punch.

What'll be funny to see, though, is whether a draft pick that Bly could bring in for the team would be higher than the fifth-rounder we're getting for Joey Harrington this spring. I'd have to say no. I think when push comes to shove, the Lions will end up releasing Bly. Teams knew that the Lions aren't exactly ecstatic about Bly and his contract (and his mouth), and were looking to move in a different direction. They'll wait for him to get released instead of taking on $5.4 million for a #2 cornerback.

[ATLFalcons]

I know the Packers are looking for a defensive back, but I doubt they'd make a trade to a division rival.

[racosun]

I know the Packers are looking for a defensive back, but I doubt they'd make a trade to a division rival.

If it was the right deal, I think they would. Say a third- or fourth-rounder, or one of those young but experienced O-lineman they've been stocking up on. Bly isn't a shut-down corner, and really shouldn't be a team's #1 guy. In Green Bay, he'd be helped out by former Michigan stand-out Charles Woodson, and it could be a good situation for Dre. He does get burned more often than he should, though, and I think many people overestimate him.

I'm sure the Lions would love to trade the guy, but in the end I bet he either gets released or finishes out that contract THEN leaves.

[racosun]

I guess I was wrong. I expected the market to be more stiff for the Lions when trying to deal a guy everyone knew they were going to cut anyways. While the trade can't officially take place until Friday (an hour or so from now), it seems the Lions were able to patch a hole or two, while picking up an extra draft pick and ditching a player that had no desire to be there. The Lions received RB Tatum Bell, RT George Foster, and a fifth-round pick in this year's draft. Both Bell and Foster were on-again, off-again starters for the Broncos last season, but both are experienced players who could provide help for the team. Bell will take Kevin Jones' place while he re-habs that ankle, and Foster could replace someone else that might get cut, whether it be Damien Woody or someone else.

I'm surprised they were able to move the guy, really. Good job, Millen. For maybe the first time. Now use that pick on a WR like a good boy.

[racosun]

Now that the deal is finalized, the details are more clear. Everything is the same as reported, except the Lions had to send over a sixth-round draft pick to go along with Bly. I guess that's fine, since we will have an extra fifth or sixth-rounder because of last season's Harrington trade. Which brings us to the heavy dose of possibly-hilarious irony. We trade Bly and a pick that used to be Joey to Denver. Denver trades back-up QB Jake Plummer to Tampa Bay, and needs a new back-up QB. They are heavily interested in acquiring....who else but Joey Harrington! All this moving around to get away from each other, and Bly and Joey could be teammates again! Please, football gods, let this one happen. I want it almost as much as I want Millen and the Fords fired.

[brady_branch]

Well, they managed to patch two major holes. If Bell can learn to break a tackle, then he could be great. Good deal for Detroit.