Grand Rapids Press columnist Brian VanOchten offers his weekly insight on the Detroit Lions and the National Football League. He'll discuss the NFL draft, the Lions' roster moves, preview the upcoming season and much, much more. http://www.mlive.com/sports/grand-rapids/ The Grand Rapids Press http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss en Thu, 2 Jul 2009 12:13:48 -0400 jslagter@grpress.com Thu, 2 Jul 2009 12:12:17 -0400 FeedForAll v2.0 (2.0.2.9) http://www.feedforall.com Grand Rapids Press columnist Brian VanOchten offers his weekly insight on the Detroit Lions and the National Football League. He'll discuss the NFL draft, the Lions' roster moves, preview the upcoming season and much, much more. Grand Rapids Press columnist Brian VanOchten offers his weekly insight on the Detroit Lions and the National Football League. He'll discuss the NFL draft, the Lions' roster moves, preview the upcoming season and much, much more. The Grand Rapids Press Josh Slagter jslagter@grpress.com detroit lions no no Contrast to the Matt Millen era, Detroit Lions president Tom Lewand went out of his way to make himself available to the fans and media during the team's minicamp last week. And, according to Brian VanOchten, it's the attitude of Lewand and new coach Jim Schwartz that could be rubbing off on the players. http://www.mlive.com/sports/grand-rapids 35FB6064-650C-4A65-8B3B-B7964BD9E243 Thu, 2 Jul 2009 12:12:17 -0400 Contrast to the Matt Millen era, Detroit Lions president Tom Lewand went out of his way to make himself available to the fans and media during the team's minicamp last week. Contrast to the Matt Millen era, Detroit Lions president Tom Lewand went out of his way to make himself available to the fans and media during the team's minicamp last week. And, according to Brian VanOchten, it's the attitude of Lewand and new coach Jim Schwartz that could be rubbing off on the players. 00:19:51 The Grand Rapids Press no no The signing of Jon Jansen gives the Detroit Lions some healthy competition along their offensive line, which appears to be a trend at all positions under the regime of coach Jim Schwartz and general manager Martin Mayhew, according to Brian VanOchten. Speaking of competition, rookie quarterback Matthew Stafford appears ready to challenge Daunte Culpepper for the starting job when training camp kicks off. http://www.mlive.com/gra 9CBC63FF-4D4B-4877-8959-592FD4539881 Fri, 19 Jun 2009 11:30:16 -0400 Healthy competition appears to be a trend in Lions camp under new coach Jim Schwartz and general manager Martin Mayhew. The signing of Jon Jansen gives the Detroit Lions some healthy competition along their offensive line, which appears to be a trend at all positions under the regime of coach Jim Schwartz and general manager Martin Mayhew, according to Brian VanOchten. Speaking of competition, rookie quarterback Matthew Stafford appears ready to challenge Daunte Culpepper for the starting job when training camp kicks off. 16:52 The Grand Rapids Press no no Former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick was released from prison Wednesday. A return to the NFL seems likely, although a suspension from commissioner Roger Goodell may loom. Brian VanOchten breaks down Vick's future and offers up some potential teams that could be interested in the former Pro Bowler. http://www.mlive.com/sports/grand-rapids B960A0A5-8E44-4B95-98E6-7E5191433B47 Fri, 22 May 2009 12:39:53 -0400 Brian VanOchten breaks down Michael Vick's NFL future and offers up some potential teams that could be interested in the former Pro Bowler. Former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick was released from prison Wednesday. A return to the NFL seems likely, although a suspension from commissioner Roger Goodell may loom. Brian VanOchten breaks down Vick's future and offers up some potential teams that could be interested in the former Pro Bowler. 21:41 The Grand Rapids Press no no Larry Foote signing with the Detroit Lions is a perfect fit for both parties. A Detroit native gets to come home and the Lions fill a major need at middle linebacker. Brian VanOchten breaks down the offseason acquisitions so far for the Lions and the other teams in the NFC North, including Brett Favre likely heading to the Minnesota Vikings. http://www.mlive.com/sports/grand-rapids 8DDF6AC6-F81C-4FFB-AA63-0C030DE2A3C2 Wed, 13 May 2009 10:49:19 -0400 Larry Foote signing with the Detroit Lions is a perfect fit for both parties. Brian VanOchten breaks down the Lions' offseason and the rest of the teams in the NFC North. Larry Foote signing with the Detroit Lions is a perfect fit for both parties. A Detroit native gets to come home and the Lions fill a major need at middle linebacker. Brian VanOchten breaks down the offseason acquisitions so far for the Lions and the other teams in the NFC North, including Brett Favre likely heading to the Minnesota Vikings. 27:58 The Grand Rapids Press no no Matthew Stafford, Brandon Pettigrew and Louis Delmas may turn into fine NFL players, but they didn't fill enough of the Detroit Lions' needs on draft day, according to Brian VanOchten. VanOchten breaks down the draft and offers up some alternatives to Detroit's selections and also predicts when Stafford may take his first snap in the regular season. http://www.mlive.com/sports/grand-rapids 87349348-8B49-4D14-B554-51A1EA539802 Fri, 1 May 2009 12:58:48 -0400 Matthew Stafford, Brandon Pettigrew and Louis Delmas may turn into fine NFL players, but they didn't fill enough of the Detroit Lions' needs on draft day, according to Brian VanOchten. Matthew Stafford, Brandon Pettigrew and Louis Delmas may turn into fine NFL players, but they didn't fill enough of the Detroit Lions' needs on draft day, according to Brian VanOchten. VanOchten breaks down the draft and offers up some alternatives to Detroit's selections and also predicts when Stafford may take his first snap in the regular season. 30:01 The Grand Rapids Press no no Reports are circulating the Detroit Lions are in contract negotiations with quarterback Matthew Stafford and linebacker Aaron Curry. While many fans would like Detroit to select Curry with the No. 1 overall pick, Brian VanOchten forecasts the Lions will end up going with Stafford. http://www.mlive.com/sports/grand-rapids DF26F464-7468-4505-80A4-A915B2B288EF Mon, 27 Apr 2009 11:05:48 -0400 While many fans would like Detroit to select Aaron Curry with the No. 1 overall pick, Brian VanOchten forecasts the Lions will end up going with Matthew Stafford. Reports are circulating the Detroit Lions are in contract negotiations with quarterback Matthew Stafford and linebacker Aaron Curry. While many fans would like Detroit to select Curry with the No. 1 overall pick, Brian VanOchten forecasts the Lions will end up going with Stafford. 24:35 The Grand Rapids Press no no Matthew Stafford? Jason Smith? Or Aaron Curry? Brian VanOchten evaluates the top three prospects the Detroit Lions are looking at with the No. 1 overall pick in next weekend's NFL draft. Stafford, a quarterback, could be the new face of the franchise. Or Curry, a linebacker, could revive one of the NFL's worst defenses. http://www.mlive.com/sports/grand-rapids/ 041709-twominute-drill-podcast Fri, 17 Apr 2009 11:14:57 -0400 Brian VanOchten evaluates the top three prospects the Detroit Lions are looking at with the No. 1 overall pick in next weekend's NFL draft. Matthew Stafford? Jason Smith? Or Aaron Curry? Brian VanOchten evaluates the top three prospects the Detroit Lions are looking at with the No. 1 overall pick in next weekend's NFL draft. Stafford, a quarterback, could be the new face of the franchise. Or Curry, a linebacker, could revive one of the NFL's worst defenses. 18:22 The Grand Rapids Press no no