Quote Originally Posted by Fritz View Post
Lions trade a fourth and a fifth round pick for Ngata. Here's a quote from the Detroit News on the deal:

"the Lions' acquisition of the five-time Pro Bowl nose tackle from the Ravens for a pair of mid-round picks was a commendable response. GM Martin Mayhew knows how tricky free agency can be, so he made the trade moments before Baltimore reportedly was about to release Ngata for salary-cap reasons."

...And this is the difference between the Lions' franchise and the Packers'.

Had the Ravens released Ngata, apparently the Lions' GM thought he'd sign for more than 8.5 million for this year.

While I like Ngata, that seems to me unrealistic, completely. He's 31, was suspended four games last year, and has an injury history that, at his age, is unlikely to lessen.

Do any of you think he'd really have gotten the same money or more in a free agent market?
Or maybe the issue is they are losing their two DTs, needed another one, and were afraid that if Ngata hit FA he wouldn't answer the phone when they called.