Weekend rumors and rambling

The Detroit Lions are going to retire defensive lineman Corey Smiths #93 for the 2009 season in his memory.  Smith disappeared in the gulf of Mexico after a boat he was fishing on capsized in high seas.  The decision was announced today at his memorial service by Galen Duncan, the Lions’ senior director of player development.

Detroit Lions players give Jim Schwartz and his coaching staff high marks for their progress so far with the Lions.  Several players, both old and new have made the comments, including CB Phillip Buchanon.

“It didn’t scare me off because of the talk I had with coach,” Buchanon said of Schwartz, who previously served as defensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans.

“My first cousin, Jevon Kearse, played with him, so I had a conversation with him and he said he’s a real good coach. I also talked to (former Titans cornerback) Samari Rolle, and everybody I talked to, nobody had anything bad to say about him.”

Speaking of Samari Rolle, he is still a free agent after being released this past Wednesday by the Baltimore Ravens.  Rolle used to play for Jim Schwartz.  He’s had some health problems the past couple years (missed a total of 16 games over the last two seasons, 6 in 2008 because of a shoulder injury and 10 in 2007 after being diagnosed with epilepsy) but might be a decent 1 or 2 year fix for the Lions secondary.  Just a thought.

Luke Brande from the Bleacher Report makes a good case to draft BH Raji at 1-1.  Raji would be a huge presence on the line but I think they’d need to trade down a couple (KC, maybe) to snag him.