Lions trade CB Darius Slay to the Eagles for 2020 3rd & 5th

[D6]

Lions trade Darius Slay to Eagles in a move that was a long time coming

…………….

This new thread is a continuation of the following thread:

Lions trade Darius Slay to Eagles in a move that was a long time coming

www.mlive.com/lions/2020/03/detroit-lions-reportedly-trade-star-corner-darius-slay-to-eagles.html


This new thread relates to the following threads:

Lions: 2 yr deal with CB Desmond Trufant ( ex Falcons )

detroit-lions-forum.proboards.com/thread/633/lions-deal-desmond-trufant-falcons


NFL Free Agency Preview: Defensive Backs ( 2020 )

detroit-lions-forum.proboards.com/thread/587/free-agency-preview-defensive-backs


As the events unfolded last night beginning with the Lions signing former Falcons CB Desmond Trufant to a 2 year contract, it became inevitable that Darius Slay would be traded soon. Today ended a long drama that began during last off-season when Slay decided not to participate in the Lions off-season program.

I'm disappointed that Darius Slay is no longer with the Lions. Yet, practically all Lions fans old enough to understand that the NFL is a business were at least somewhat prepared for Slay being traded. Darius Slay will be greatly missed on and off the field. Slay is a good natured, fun loving person. I wish Darius Slay and his family the best, except on the field when he plays against the Lions with the Eagles ( and any other team later on, if it comes to that. ).

I'm glad the Lions were able to at least get a 5th Round pick into the trade with the 3rd Round pick. Both were the Eagles own picks in the respective Rounds. Yet, I would have been a little more comfortable if the Lions were able to get one of the Eagles Compensatory Picks at the end of Round 4 instead of the pick in Round 5.

There's no question the Lions have to address the CB position in a meaningful way in the remainder of this off-season, even with the addition of Desmond Trufant.

[D6]

Darius Slay receives heaps of praise from NFL players past and present after trade to Eagles

……………….


The respect Darius Slay has received from many of his peers and great CBs of the past speaks volumes of the impact Slay had for the Lions at the CB position. Darius Slay and Dre' Bly are the most impactful CBs the Lions have had since the turn of the century, from playmaking and confidence standpoints.

[D6]

Ex-Lions star Darius Slay: I didn’t have that much respect for Matt Patricia as a person

………………

If what Darius Slay said in this article regarding Matt Patricia took place the way Slay expressed, then Matt Patricia used bad judgment even if his intention was to motivate Slay even more than Slay was already motivated. Patricia is already a lightning rod with a high percentage of the Lions fan base. That likely will continue unless he leads the Lions to a turnaround.

[D6]

Darius Slay: I don't respect Detroit Lions' Matt Patricia because of 2018 incident

………...…….

The differences between Jim Caldwell and Matt Patricia as HCs are enormous. For many, probably most of the Lions players that played all 4 seasons ( or even 3 seasons ) under Caldwell, then were being coached by Patricia, it's not surprising that they didn't like Patricia's approach. It certainly showed in the 2018 season MNF opener vs. the Jets, one of the worst performances by a Lions team ever.

As much as I would have preferred Darius Slay remaining with the Lions, once the decision was made by the Ford Family that Matt Patricia was coming back for the 2020 season, it was inevitable Slay wouldn't be back. I'm saying this in hindsight, because of the information that surfaced from Slay after he was traded to the Eagles.

[D6]

It doesn't make Detroit Lions better, but Darius Slay trade had to happen

………...……

If the Lions aren't a better team when training camp opens, that's when it would become alarming in a football context regarding the current regime.

[D6]

Darius Slay’s parting shot underscores culture clash in Detroit

…………………..

The only player on the Lions from the pre-Bob Quinn era who is on Offense or Defense is Matthew Stafford. For the most part, Bob Quinn and Matt Patricia will have a roster in the season ahead that will buy into Patricia's program. Whether that will be enough for Patricia to remain with the Lions beyond the 2020 season remains to be seen. The CB unit, post-Darius Slay, will go along way in deciding Patricia's future.

[D6]

Ex-Detroit Lions CB Darius Slay to wear No. 24 with Eagles in honor of Kobe Bryant

…………………

Darius Slay should have a level of comfort with the Eagles that he didn't have during the last two season with the Lions under Matt Patricia.

[D6]

Detroit Lions could have extended Darius Slay – if they wanted to, contract details show



...…...…......……

Whether the $ 4 million in 2022 is fully guaranteed is a key question in whether the Lions would have made a similar contract offer to the Eagles, if Matt Patricia and Darius Slay were on the same page? The $ 6.5 million salary cap hit by itself is not something I would take lightly. An added $ 4 million would have made the salary cap hit substantial.

[D6]

Darius Slay on following top WR: I want the game on me

…………………

Much like was the case with the Lions, I expect the Eagles to match up Darius Slay with the opponent top WR very often in a given game.

One huge advantage Slay will have with the Eagles is their pass rush is very likely going to be much better than what Slay experienced with the Lions in the 2019 season and too often in other recent seasons.

[D6]

DK Metcalf burns Eagles, Darius Slay after Jim Schwartz compared him to Calvin Johnson

..........


Jim Schwartz has a very high IQ. However, his comment to DK Metcalf is a reflection of why Schwartz has never received another NFL HC job offer.

There were a number of plays in the MNF game in which Darius Slay likely would have prevented most NFL WRs from a catching the ball ( without drawing a penalty ). But most NFL WRs aren't close to the level of DK Metcalf.

Watching DK Metcalf is another reminder of Bob Quinn's decision to draft Hawaii LB Jahlani Tavai with pick # 43 in Round 2 of the 2019 Draft. With pick # 64, the last pick of the round, the Seahawks selected Metcalf.