ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- Rod Marinelli prefers fast defensive tackles with the ability to penetrate the backfield over massive ones that clog the middle. That essentially spelled the end for Dan Wilkinson with the Detroit Lions.
The 6-4, 353-pound Wilkinson was released by the Lions on Monday after starting all 48 games for them over the last three seasons.
However, Wilkinson was not a good fit in the Cover-2 defense scheme that new coach Marinelli is installing in Detroit.
Wilkinson, 33, had not participated in any of Marinelli's offseason conditioning and minicamps sessions, and Lions officials seemed content to provide him time to decide on his future. What role his lingering indecision played in Monday's release was not immediately known.
Lions team president Matt Millen said last week that he had recently spoken to Wilkinson, but remained uncertain about the defensive tackle's plans. The departure of Wilkinson likely elevates second-year pro Shaun Cody, a second-round choice in the 2005 draft, into the starting spot next to Shaun Rogers. The No. 3 tackle in the rotation, for now, probably becomes journeyman Marcus Bell.
The No. 1 overall pick in the 1994 draft, Wilkinson played four seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals before being traded to the Washington Redskins in 1997. He spent five years with Washington before signing with the Lions in 2003.
In his 12-year career, Wilkinson compiled 455 tackles and 54 sacks.
The Lions on Monday also re-signed restricted free agent linebacker James Davis to a one-year contract.
Davis started all 16 games at weakside linebacker last season and was third on the team in tackles with 79.
This is a good player who will find a home pretty soon. I was sad to see him go when he was cut by the Skins.
Daniel Snyder has defined incompetence, failure and greed to true Washington Redskins fans for over a decade and a half. Stay away from football operations !!!
The Redskins could use him in their rotation, he is still good enough to play in this league.
Something kind of funny: Last summer I was driving down RT 28 just a few miles away from Redskins Park and I saw Big Daddy driving a Black Porsche 911, Ohio tags with Daddy on the plate. Not sure why he was here but it sure looked funny seeing a 350 lb man squeezed into such a small car. I do not know how he did it.
He would be much better as our third DT than Demetric Evans or Cedric Killings. They both strike me as alright, but still mostly useless players at DT, but Evans seems like a good DE.
He could make an impact on games when Griffin or Salave'a commit the undeniable sin of needing to rest.
We really have to have some more help at DLine.
"I said when he retired that Joe Gibbs was the best coach I'd ever faced." - Bill Parcells
I think he still has enough left at age 33 to help a team. We have very little cap room, so we couldn't pay him much. I wouldn't mind seeing him back in burgundy & gold. He could help our short yardage def.
Skins fan since '55
"The constitution is not a suicide pact"- Abraham Lincoln
