Hard to believe after how terrible he was with the Lions. Anyways good for Tavai… once away from Fatty P, he’s turned out pretty good.
The extension has a base value of $15 million that can be worth up to $21 million, per sources.
One of the worst linebackers in Lions history now set for life.
It shows how bad Patricia was at his job. Dan and AG said they immediately had Tavai drop weight. He potentially got over 270 lbs when Patricia was here. Fatty Matty liked it. He dropped below 250 but still didn’t make the team. He went to New England and has kept the weight off. Now he’s getting paid.
AJ Hawk said there is ZERO reason to ever play LB at over 250 lbs UNLESS the weight comes natural to the player. Putting on artificial weight above 250 lbs adds little to no value.
As a Lion, Tavai wasn’t any good.
As a Pat, he’s improved over time. Good for him.
That’s good for him! Amazing story for him. If only things could click for jarred davis
Looks good in that pic.
Get in shape, play at a healthy weight and get real coaching. The worst draft reach in Lions history according to some now would start on most teams in the nfl.
Kyle Van Noy 2.0
Wait until Will Harris makes the pro bowl this year… 
it’s a joke before Peabody comes in firing pretzels. Haha
That’s the the second Lber to go to the Pats from Detroit and get paid. KV something another was a second round pick I believe by Detroit and was worthless here and an a PB with Pats or dolphins.
Kyle Van Noy.
Tavai was actually a good guy. I remember MCDC talking about him and what a hard worker he was, and how much improvement he had shown. I know Dan was rooting for him, and if Dan was rooting for him, I started to as well.
He was definately mis-cast here, as was VanNoy. While I was not a fan of how Tavai played (he always pulled people down, very rarely did he pop someone), I’m happy that his hard work paid off for him.
The right system and good coaching is so important in the NFL… remember the Anzalone threads 2 years ago. Worst linebacker in the nfl was mentioned a lot. Worst linebacker since Tavai.
And yet now both are excelling.
System and coaching are still the most crucial element
People who say it is all about the Jimmies and Joes are full of crap
Big media likes to make it about the Jimmies and the Joes because it is a concept that is easy to grasp for mass audiences. Getting deep into scheme and execution discussions has a much smaller audience.
I think the explosion of fantasy sports has something to do with it, too. Lots of people fancy themselves as an expert picker, so they assign a lot of value to that aspect.
Well said fellas…
Van Noy and Tavai?
Van Noy was actually worth the 2d Rd pick. Unfortunately, Austin didn’t know what to do with him because he was a 3-4 OLB and the Lions were playing a 4/3 defense.
Tavai never should’ve been a 2d Rd pick. Quinn way over drafted him. Should’ve went 4th or 5th Rd, but because he was the only LB in the draft who fit the Patriots prototype, Wuinn drafted him way early so BB wouldn’t get him.
Tavai has never come close to the level Van Noy played at. The latter was an impact player; the former has been a Wali Rainer or Earl Holmes—just a guy.
our threads NFL
Holy crap I haven’t heard that name is a long time!
Rainer and Holmes are in the Hall of “Making the Tackle 5 Yards Past the Line of Scrimmage” Fame.
Van Noy got sacks but that’s cause he was rushing the passer a lot. Tavai is an inside off ball linebacker. Last year he put up 100 tackles and an 87 pff grade… not too shabby. Even had a couple interceptions
