Detroit Lions NFL Team Column

Detroit Lions Roster and Draft Update

Key Losses:  Offensive Co-ordinator M. Martz(49ers);  LB Boss Bailey(Broncos);  CB Fernando Bryant(Patriots);  RB T.J. Duckett(Seahawks);  RB Kevin Jones(Cut);  DT Shaun Rogers(Browns);  DE Kalimba Edwards(Raiders);  OL Damien Woody(Jets);  S Kenoy Kennedy(Cut);  LB Teddy Lehman(Cut)

Key Aquisitions:  RB Tatum Bell(re-signed);  CB Leigh Bodden;  CB Travis Fisher;  CB Brian Kelly;  LB Gilbert Gardner;  S Dwight Smith;  S Kalvin Pearson; DT Chuck Darby

One week left until draft day and it seems to have been another lack luster off- season for a mediocre Lions squad.  The worst move they've made might not have had any thing to do with player personnel at all!  Offensive Co-ordinator Mike Martz is now with the 49ers and along with him has gone Detroit's deep threat or the slot and 4th wide receiver- deep ins that seemed to be executed so easily last year against defense whom tried to take away the dangerous Roy Williams/ Calvin Johnson combination.  Johnson, the Lions much heralded first pick last year seemed to come late last season after dealing with some minor injuries.  He really seemed to thrive in Martz offense, but now will have to learn a new offense under new co-ordinator Jim Colletto whom is taking over for Martz this season.  Releasing the explosive yet oft- injured runningback Kevin Jones might've been a mistake, especially with the Lions roster kinda bare with three undersized injury prone runningbacks in Tatum Bell, Brian Calhoun, and Aveion Cason; the Lions are very fast at the runningback position, but don't seem to have a short yardage specialist which they may address in the draft now that T.J. Duckett has departed for Seattle.  The team should be able to bolster their roster with plenty of talent as they hold four picks in the top 90 in this year's draft.  Other necessary holes to fill for the Lions include;  Defensive End, Right Guard, and depth at Linebacker, Safety, and QB.

K. T. Reid

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Detroit Lions Team Needs and Mock Draft

Defense, Defense, Defense!

            It’s not a good sign when the man who runs things comes out and flat out tells the local media that that the job he has done so far is ‘awful’.  True story.  The #1 need for the Lions once again this summer is a new General Manager.  Matt Millen has yet to get things right in 7 years at the helm and yet he continues to have the complete faith of the brain dead brain trust that has owned the team for far too long.  Ok, enough ranting.

            The Lions nose-dived after a 6-2 start, finishing 7-9 and again robbing Lions fans of a winning season and a play-off date.  The defense gave up a horrendous 444 points and finished last in the league in yards allowed at 377.6/game.  Finishing 23^rd against the run was further aggravated by a 31^st ranking against the pass.  The Lions actually finished tied for ninth with 37 sacks but managed only 17 INT and allowed 32 TD, signaling a severe problem in the Lions secondary.  Fernando Bryant is the de facto number 1 corner but he is best suited for nickel duty at this point and at best would make a serviceable second banana in this defense.  After him though the cupboard is bare.  Frankly, the Lions’ secondary is in shambles, with few reasons to get excited.  Gerald Alexander was a surprise 2^nd round pick and is Detroit’s version of Tampa’s starting free safety Tanard Jackson.  He should be a big part of the plans for next season as Alexander is the only member of the secondary that looks like a long-term starter.     These massive holes leave the secondary, especially corner, as the Lions number 1 need this off-season.  The Lions need significant upgrades at both corner spots and strong safety, where Kenoy Kennedy has never matched production with potential.  Fellow safety, Daniel Bullocks missed the entire 2007 season due too injury and his future is cloudy at best.

            The Lions may pursue someone like Asante Samuel who is looking for a deal similar to the one Nate Clements received last year from San Francisco.  Brian Kelly was a big part of some great Buccaneer defenses and has is set to hit to open market.  He has been beset by injuries lately, is 32 and will be looking for one last big contract, making him a particularly volatile commodity.  Reynaldo Hill and Randall Gay are both 26 and have starting experience as well as play-off experience in New England and Tennessee.  Both may be better options to Kelly.  The market is similarly quaint when it comes to safety.  Most likely in the market for a strong safety to pair with up and comer Alexander, options include an as-yet-unsigned Gibril Wilson, Yeremiah Bell who is recovering from an ACL injury, or a promising pair of Texans.  C.C. Brown and Will Demps were two of the more consistent members in an underachieving Houston secondary and are worth a look.  Any sense of consistency right now should be worth a lot to the Lions right now.

            The draft is well stocked with zone corners every year though this draft, while deep in general, is quite deep at corner.  The deepest positions this year are RB, WR, OT, DE and CB with the Lions in need of most of those.  With corner being a strong possibility as the Lions 1^st round pick (15^th overall), Dominique Rogers-Cromartie is a strong possibility.  Hailing from D-II Tennessee State, DRC made scouts take notice at the Senior Bowl and was a 2007 D-II All-American.  He is fast and athletic enough to cover receivers in man while possessing the ball skills and instincts to play zone.  He is the perfect pick for the Lions in round 1 as he could step in and fill a huge role no matter where he is on the depth chart.  Antoine Cason and Aqib Talib are other possibilities at 15.  If either do not run well before the draft they could slip to the second round, with the secondary being such a huge need, the Lions may go heavy on the secondary on Day 1. 

            Still lacking an elite LT, impact pass rusher, run stopping middle linebacker, franchise QB or a dynamic TE, the Lions have quite a bit to do this spring. 

Mock Draft:

Round 1- Dominique Rogers-Cromartie CB TSU 6’1 175

            A cousin of San Diego Antonio Cromartie, DRC has all of tools you looks for in a corner and can add another 5 pounds without affecting his speed.  Would immediately be the Lions most talented corner.

Round 2- Curtis Lofton LB Oklahoma 6’0 238

            Is fast and athletic who crashes downhill and matches well with tight ends and backs up the middle of the field.  A great partner for Ernie Sims.

Round 3- Trae Williams CB South Florida 5-10 185

            Thick, stocky build yet stills boasts low 4.4 speed.  Attacks against the run and is battle tested after playing along side top prospect Mike Jenkins.  Gives the Lions a solid foundation with DRC.

Round 4- John Greco OT Toledo 6’5 320

            A mauler who played LT in college, he projects to the right side or guard at the next level.  Thanks to his size, natural strength and drive blocking he can anchor a run game though will need work on his pass blocking technique and his footwork.

Round 5- Joey Haynos TE Maryland 6’8 260

            Lacks top end speed but is a solid combination of pass catching ability and power.  Built like a power forward, Haynos is underrated coming from a basketball school in Maryland.

Round 6- Caleb Campbell SS Army 6’2 220

            A solid prospect, Campbell has great top end speed for his size but is lacking great change of direction.  He could really surprise, is a great value on special teams and at the least would provide solid depth.

Round 7- Sam Keller QB Nebraska 6’3 228

            With little in terms of a future, or much of a past, at this important position, why not take a flyer on a guy who has all of the athletic ability you want but has some serious character concerns.

By Daryl Breault