With a lack of depth at defensive end, the Detroit Lions made a move on Wednesday filling a need for a skilled pass rusher by trading for 2008 first-round pick Lawrence Jackson.
DE Lawrence Jackson (Nick Laham/Getty Images)
The 24-year old Seattle defensive end was traded to the Lions for a sixth-round draft pick, despite having ties to head coach Pete Carroll, who coached Jackson in college at USC. Jackson is the latest Seahawk to find himself on Detroit’s roster which includes Nate Burleson, Maurice Morris, Julian Peterson, and Rob Sims.
Last season was the better of Jackson’s short two-year career with 4.5 sacks and 27 tackles in 16 games. He has 24 starts over the past two seasons, after being selected with the 28th pick in the 2008 NFL Draft.
His role in Detroit will likely be that of a backup role to starters Kyle VandenBosch and Cliff Avril, where there is some uncertainty on the bench with Turk McBride manning one backup slot, Jared DeVries still recovering from knee surgery and seventh-round pick Willie Young being their only other options.
Is a trade for Jarrad Page in the works?
To make room for Jackson the Lions released fullback Matt Clapp and safety Marvin White.
The release of White, who started six games last season for the Lions, is especially puzzling considering the Lions have a multitude of injuries to their secondary. The safety position has been greatly undermanned since Louis Delmas has been out since the start of training camp, however both Delmas and Ko Simpson returned to the field on Wednesday.
There is speculation that the release of White could be to clear a roster spot for another player in the secondary, whether that be a minor waiver-wire type pickup or another trade.
Many continue to link the Lions to the Chiefs’ safety Jarrad Page in a potential trade that would give Detroit a formidable back secondary paired with Delmas.
Page continues to hold out by not signing his restricted free-agent tender and apparently no longer has a Kansas City residence, moving back to his home state California. However, it is not known whether the Chiefs are even willing to part with the unhappy safety and the situation has gotten quite ugly in the past couple of weeks.
In an email sent by Page’s agent to select media outlets, including the Kansas City Star, Page feels his situation has been mishandled by the Chief’s front office and coaching staff.
“There has been (trade) interest for Jarrad and the Chiefs are blocking legitimate trades. There’s been plenty of time to get a trade done and at this point, in our opinion, it’s clear that the Chiefs are being Vindictive,” the email states.
As with many holdout situations this offseason, neither side appears willing to give in. However, the Chiefs and Page may have distanced themselves so far that there may be no other choice but to eventually accept a trade.
Early Wednesday roster moves
Also, before the trade the Lions signed defensive back T.J. Rushing and claimed kicker Steven Hauschka off waivers from the Atlanta Falcons.
To make room the Lions waived recently signed cornerback Jahi Word-Daniels and rookie kicker Aaron Pettrey, who missed a 42-yard field goal in Saturday’s preseason loss to the Steelers.