In a somewhat odd move, the Lions today signed running back Artose Pinner to a contract. Pinner played last year for the New Orleans Saints and the Atlanta Falcons. In 2006, he played for the Minnesota Vikings. He played for the Detroit Lions in the 2003 - 2005 seasons.

I find this move very strange. Pinner didn’t do anything the last two seasons (except for his career day against the Lions in 2006). For the most part, he was also ineffective as a Detroit Lion. How many chances are we going to give this guy? Five pretty average to sub-par seasons and now we want him on the roster again?

What this tells me is that the Lions are still not sold on Tatum Bell and/or Brian Calhoun. Calhoun has struggled to stay healthy and Bell disappeared off the depth charts last season. This doesn’t have anything to do with Kevin Smith. He will make the roster and will be starting by October, if not sooner.

The one advantage the Pinner might bring to the mix is that as a backup running back during his previous stint with the Lions, he was active on special teams. Bell and Calhoun have not contributed in this manner, though if he is healthy, Calhoun might be able to.

Still, a strange move and another case of the Lions giving a retread another try. If nothing else, perhaps the cries of “Toooooooossee” will ring through Ford Field once again.

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