BEN. TATE.

I.WISH

Cornerback Kevin Barnes practices for first time with Lions
By Josh Katzenstein
August 28, 2012 at 10:12 pm
The Detroit News

Allen Park — Kevin Barnes woke up with an indescribable feeling Tuesday morning.

For the first time in his football career, the cornerback knew he'd be playing for a team outside the Washington, D.C., area.

But, knowing he was wanted in Detroit put him at ease.

"I was definitely a little nervous (Monday) when I first found out the news because I've been spoiled for most of my career I've been in the Maryland, Virginia area," said the former Redskins player and Maryland standout. "It's a whole new ballpark, but I think it's the best thing for me."

The Lions will send a conditional pick to the Redskins to complete the deal made Monday. Barnes played mostly in nickel packages during his three years in Washington, but said he's more comfortable covering outside than in the slot and can play safety if need be.

And, coming to the Lions gives Barnes a chance to play a lot of snaps in practice right away with cornerbacks Bill Bentley (shoulder) and Chris Houston (ankle) suffering injuries, though neither is serious, during last week's exhibition against the Raiders.

"You can't really worry about injuries because you know these guys are going to come back," Barnes said.

Coach Jim Schwartz called the 6-foot-1 Barnes a "young veteran" and thinks his skill set can help shore up the secondary concerns.

"We value that kind of multidimensional ability," Schwartz said. "We also value his size, his speed and the fact that he does have some experience. There's a lot that intrigued us there. (We'll) see how quick we can get him up to speed."

Barnes doesn't know how much he'll play in the Lions exhibition Thursday, but he has some advantage having played the Bills with the Redskins this preseason.

"He's not going to know everything that we do when we get to Thursday night, but he's going to have enough that he can go out and he can show if he can help us," Schwartz said.

Barnes said he hadn't talked to running back Jahvid Best as of Tuesday afternoon. In college, Barnes had a hard legal hit that gave Best a concussion.

Barnes hopes history dies down because "I don't want that to be the last memory of me."

Health a factor

Safety Louis Delmas has yet to practice since undergoing knee surgery Aug. 7.

John Wendling and Erik Coleman are in position to start Week 1, but Schwartz said Delmas will start "if he's healthy."

… Schwartz wouldn't commit to how much playing time he'll give starters in Thursday's exhibition, but "if guys are healthy, they'll play."

Extra points

Return specialist Stefan Logan (ankle) hasn't fully recovered but practiced for the second consecutive day Tuesday.

"I'm feeling real good right now," Logan said.

… Bentley and Houston missed practice the second straight day. Running back Kevin Smith , (ankle) also sat out.

From The Detroit News: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/2012 ... z24x11R4ty

Nick Harris got cut by Jacksonville. If you ask me, it's time to end the Donahue experiment and bring NH back for the vet minimum.

i know us in scouting dp have been working our tails off looking at backs that could be available to us.and the boss has been burning up the phones.so were working hard to get this problem fixed.i can tell you one thing.the med staff is in the poop house with the boss right now big time.the boss was ready to grab a back in the second round until the docs assured him best would be cleared when camp started.so thats when he went with broyles.

i know us in scouting dp have been working our tails off looking at backs that could be available to us.and the boss has been burning up the phones.so were working hard to get this problem fixed.i can tell you one thing.the med staff is in the poop house with the boss right now big time.the boss was ready to grab a back in the second round until the docs assured him best would be cleared when camp started.so thats when he went with broyles.

Agreed.

nick harris was subpar the entire time we had him and was awful for jacksonville last year. id say bring in mcbriar cut by the cowboys...

I say there's nothing wrong with the punters we have. It's the coverage that is lacking.....