The Detroit Lions have formally announced their decision to part ways with defensive end Kalimba Edwards and running back Kevin Jones.

“With the off-season program beginning next week and with our draft preparation intensifying, we decided this was the right time to make these two roster moves,” coach Rod Marinelli said in a release.  “While there are always a number of factors that go into this type of decision, we do believe these moves bring clarity to our roster and also eliminate some uncertainty heading into the draft that would have otherwise existed.”

As to the release of Jones, however, the move potentially jeopardizes the team’s ability to land a running back in the draft, especially if it prompts a team picked below the Lions in round one to trade up in front of them to get a guy who might otherwise have been on the board when the Lions picked. 

Then again, maybe the Lions wants other teams to think they’re going running back in round one.  Of course, it’s hard for us to infer that the Lions are attempting to pull off a Vulcan mind trick, given that their recent history has essentially been a Klingon clusterf–k.

Edwards previously suggested that he wouldn’t be upset if he were eventually released.  “We men, man,” Edwards said on December 31, according to the Detroit Free Press.  “Ain’t no hostility.  You sign a contract.  If you produce, you keep that contract.  If you don’t, you don’t.  Me and Rod, we men.”