Lions Will Be Releasing Kitna

[Hostile]

Source: Lions' Jon Kitna likely to be released soon

by Tom Kowalski Thursday February 19, 2009, 2:15 PM

Jon Kitna

INDIANAPOLIS -- While Detroit Lions coach Jim Schwartz said publicly today that the team would leave its options open concerning veteran quarterback Jon Kitna, a team source said Kitna likely will be released soon.

It has been confirmed that Kitna will be owed a $1 million roster bonus shortly after the opening of free agency on Feb. 27. The source said the team, barring any unforeseen circumstances, has already decided not to pay the bonus and will release Kitna.

The Lions are still in the process of trying to find a trade partner for Kitna and that's why Schwartz kept up appearances today when asked about him. Still, Schwartz indicated there could be some changes at the quarterback position.

"We have some decisions to be made there to try to maybe thin the crop a little bit,'' Schwartz said.

If -- when? -- Kitna is released, the Lions will have three quarterbacks on the roster -- Daunte Culpepper, Drew Stanton and Drew Henson. Lions president Tom Lewand said on Tuesday the Lions are still trying to work out a deal to sign Dan Orlovsky, who becomes an unrestricted free agent Feb. 27.

 

[Yeagermeister]

He might be worth a look at vet min. He wouldn't be my first choice.

 

[xWraithx]

sign him so that Bradie can level his *** in practice.

 

[AbeBeta]

I like Kitna but he's not the kind of guy you want around on a team that already has some chemistry problems.

Also, he'd totally pick apart Bradie James all day in practice.

 

[Hostile]

If I were the Lions GM I might keep him over Culpepper. But if the roster bonus is there and Culpepper is cheaper I guess it makes sense.

They are going to draft Matthew Stafford anyway, so it's a moot point.

Henson will be released again once they do. No way they keep 5 QBs.

Culpepper
Orlovsky
Stanton
Stafford
Henson

Stanton could be on thin ice too.

 

[Hoofbite]

We should sign him. After all, Roy had his best days with Kitna. Wonder how much play the "sloppy route" card got back when Roy was catching all those balls from QBs not even half as good as Tony.

Maybe thats the problem. Maybe the combination of crappy routes and crappy QB play made for a good match. Tony just doesn't suck enough to be on the same page as Roy.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

I like Kitna.

We could do far worse.

 

[Hostile]

He's 36 and will be 37 right after the season starts.

Hate the idea of him coming here. I'm sick of dinosaurs.

 

[THUMPER]

He's 36 and will be 37 right after the season starts.

Hate the idea of him coming here. I'm sick of dinosaurs.

I am with you on this Hos, no more old guys unless they're good.

 

[Hostile]

I am with you on this Hos, no more old guys unless they're good.

The only guy over 35 I would take is Favre. That's it. No one else.

 

[Woods]

Actually, I would be o.k. with Kitna, especially if we draft a young QB in April to groom for the future.

Keep Kitna for a year or maybe two, and then let the draft pick assume the 2nd QB position.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Actually, I would be o.k. with Kitna, especially if we draft a young QB in April to groom for the future.

Keep Kitna for a year or maybe two, and then let the draft pick assume the 2nd QB position.

Exactly.

 

[Future]

If I were the Lions GM I might keep him over Culpepper. But if the roster bonus is there and Culpepper is cheaper I guess it makes sense.

They are going to draft Matthew Stafford anyway, so it's a moot point.

Henson will be released again once they do. No way they keep 5 QBs.

Culpepper
Orlovsky
Stanton
Stafford
Henson

Stanton could be on thin ice too.

I really liked Stafford coming out...who knows what he can actually do since he's been in Detroit. Might like to take a look if he is the odd man out.

 

[CF74]

No more retreads, Kitna was ok 5 years ago...

 

[Hostile]

I really liked Stafford coming out...who knows what he can actually do since he's been in Detroit. Might like to take a look if he is the odd man out.

You mean Stanton. Stafford is the projected #1 this year.

 

[SLATEmosphere]

No thanks to Kitna

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

I like Kitna but he's not the kind of guy you want around on a team that already has some chemistry problems.

Also, he'd totally pick apart Bradie James all day in practice.

What you talkin' about Willis, with chemistry?

They get drug tested ever week and i know they ain't taking "juice" like A-Rod and Arthur Godfrey.

 

[Mr Cowboy]

Keep Kitna as far away from here as possible. With him running the scout team, he would abuse Bradie James on a daily basis, and would make him lose his confidence, rendering him useless.

 

[dallasfaniac]

Why would Kitna come here when he could start in Washington?

 

[TellerMorrow34]

A couple of years ago he'd have made a nice backup. At this point, after the back problems, I'd pass.