Technically speaking Cory Redding is not getting away with it becuase the Lions are presumed to be making an informed decision. That said, I demand the Lions front office take a drug test this afternoon following the deal to make Cory Redding the highest paid defensive tackle in professional football. Take a deep breath Lions fans...let that last sentence really soak in.
If you read it again you'll note that I didn't say "Tommy Harris/Marcus Stroud/John Henderson/Casey Hampton/Kevin Williams is the highest paid defensive tackle in professional football." Nope! I said Corey Redding. He and his 8 sacks splitting time between defensive end and defensive tackle last season. All 290 lbs. of him. Christ! Luis Castillo had seven sacks in 10 games last season.
It seriously pains me to see the Lions continue to crap on themselves. I understand this isnt the NBA and the contracts are guarenteed so the mistake is slightly more bearable than paying Jerome James big money for 2 weeks worth of effort in the playoffs. But seriously...its COREY REDDING....COREY REDDING!!!!!! On the spot I could name the above five guys as better defensive tackles...this is just off the top of my head. Furthermore, Redding is franchised so there was no reason why he had to be the highest paid player at his position (just the average of the top five). The collective bargaining agreement prevents him from sitting out forever (thank you Willie Upshaw) and its not like Corey F-ing Redding is going to pass on top-five player money (despite his position during negotiations). On the open market Redding doesn't even sniff this kind of money. The Lions did nothing but bid against themselves. Additionally, they drafted Shaun Cody at the top of the first round two years ago to play DT and he's been quality (when healthy). Letting Redding sit and think about the money he was leaving on the table would not have been the worst thing in the world.
The other important issue is the fact that Redding isnt even the best defensive tackle on the Lions roster. Shaun Rogers (when he not getting suspended for popping fat pills or being lazy) is. There is no question that some poor 8 Mile stripper is going to get the bejesus fisted out of her once Big Baby catches wind of this signing. There are only so many stripper assaults one can get away with. With the fisting suspension no doubt looming, the Lions will be left with the following starting defensive line:
DE: Dewayne White. The Lions "big" free agent acquisition who was just good enough to not be a full-time starter in any of his previous seasons in professional football. Sweet.
DE: Kalimba Edwards. Give me a break. This guy actually made the comment that he was stealing money from the Lions last season. He gets credit for his honesty.
DL: Cody. See above re: Rogers stripper fisting assault
DL: Some rookie with a weird name. Why not Redding? Becuase he's a Lion. No one can expect that he'll give two shits now that he has his money (see Damien Woody, Fernando Bryant, Kenoy Kennedy, soon to be Mike Furrey). I have to predict that Redding will be downright terrible this year. If he has any modicum of success it is directly attributable to playing along side Rogers and teams caring about the games (unlike the last 5 games of last season when Redding performed). Much like Dana Stubblefield got exposed once he left San Francisco (and Bryant Young)...Redding is a bum.
Edit: "If ever a team were to show how to appreciate a player, this is the blueprint," said Redding's agent, Kennard McGuire. NFS! This was the quote in the Free Press this morning. Its not like we're dealing with David Falk or Scott Boras here. So the brillant negotiating strategist, Kennard freakin McGuire, held the Lions over the barrel for this ridiculous deal. I'm going to be sick.
