Durant started 9 games last year with 55 tackles and 1 sack
The 2011 NFL football season has not even started yet and the Detroit Lions have already struck a blow against the division rival Chicago Bears. The Lions swooped in and signed the Bears OLB target Justin Durant to a 2 year deal according to the Chicago Tribune. This was a much needed area of concern for the Lions and they wasted no time in making a move for the 4 year veteran from the Jacksonville Jaguars. With the Lions roster currently only having Deandre Levy as a true starter at linebacker, signing Durant could be a step in the right direction. The only other linebackers with starting experience on the team are 3rd year player Zack Follet and 6th year player Bobby Carpenter. Surely, this is not the last move the Lions plan to make this off season as they still have to address cornerbacks and another linebacker. However, with the addition of Nick Fairley out of Auburn on the defensive line to play next to Ndamukong Suh, a healthy Kyle Vanden Bosch and breakout player Cliff Avril, they might not need great corners.
While I do like the fact that we went out and addressed an area of concern right away, I am not 100% sold on the quality of the goods we got. I will let you all form your own opinions on the signing and I will give you what I dug up on Durant over his first 4 years in the league.
Justin Durant: 360 Player Profile Rundown
Height: 6-1 Weight: 240 Age: 25
Born: 9/20/1985 Florence , SC
College: Hampton
Experience: 5th season
High School: Wilson HS [Florence, SC]
-Durant has missed 11 games due to injury in his first 4 seasons, which included 4 last year.
-Durant has only recorded 2 sacks in the 42 games he has started
-Durant is fairly versatile and can play both inside and outside positions
Other Detroit Lions Links
- 2011 Detroit Lions Schedule (including Pre Season)
- 2011 Detroit Lions Roster w/projected starters
- 2011 Detroit Lions Draft Results
- 2011 Detroit Lions Transactions
About Dave Danese
