NFL 2010 Camp Preview: Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions managed to show some signs of life last season by winning a pair of games. The team looks to hopefully build on last season under second year coach Jim Schwartz.
The team added the likes of Nate Burleson, Tony Scheffler, Kyle Vanden Bosch, Landon Johnson, Corey Williams, and Rob Sims to go along with what is increasingly becoming a core of good young talent to rebuild around.
Matthew Stafford, taken with the top pick in last year’s draft, was about as good as expected. He had some really good performances: 422 yards, 5 TDs against the Browns, and some bad performances: 5 picks against the Seahawks and 4 against the Packers. The jury is still out on Stafford as to whether he is going to be a franchise QB or not.
Kevin Smith is a workhorse at running back but is coming off an injury-riddled season while receiver Calvin Johnson is a rising star.
The defense, however, is still a mess and the team is hoping that top pick Ndamukong Suh gives them that stud defensive player to rebuild it around.
Key Veteran Additions – Nate Burleson (WR), Dre Bly (CB), Chris Houston (CB), Landon Johnson (LB), Rob Sims (G), Kyle Vanden Bosch (DE), Corey Williams (DT), Tony Scheffler (TE)
Vanden Bosch was the biggest name the Lions landed this off season. At 31 Vanden Bosch’s play has dropped off quite a bit in recent years and it seems unlikely that he will live up to the 4-year deal the Lions gave him this spring.
Nate Burleson is expected to line up opposite Calvin Johnson as the #2 wide receiver and should provide a nice compliment to Johnson in the offense.
Scheffler could challenge Brandon Pettigrew for the TE job.
Bly and Houston are expected to compete for the starting corner backs and at the very least give them some needed veteran depth in the secondary.
Landon Johnson is expected to step in for Ernie Sims, who was dealt to Philadelphia, at the weak-side linebacker spot.
Rob Sims will be plugged in at the left guard spot to boost the offensive line.
Corey Williams is expected to compete for the other defensive tackle spot alongside Ndamukong Suh.
Key Rookie Additions – Ndamukong Suh (DT), Jahvid Best (RB), Jason Fox (OT)
Many saw Suh as the best overall prospect in this year’s draft. He simply dominates at the point of attack and excels at collapsing the pocket and getting to the quarterback. The Lions expect him to anchor the defensive line for the next ten years.
The Lions traded up into the back end of the first round to grab Best. The expectation is that he will take some of the work load off of Kevin Smith. The one thing Best gives the Lions is a game breaker out of the backfield. Best has elite speed and is always a threat to score any time he touches the ball. The Lions will make it a point to get him 10 to 15 touches a game next season.
Jason Fox is a developmental pick who many see as a guy with a lot of upside. Experts think he can develop into a quality right tackle two or three years down the road.
Key Position Battles
Brandon Pettigrew struggled with consistency as a rookie before going out with an ACL injury on Thanksgiving. Pettigrew is the better all around talent of the two but Scheffler potentially brings a dynamic to the passing game that Pettigrew does not and the Lions want to surround Stafford with the most weapons they possibly can to ensure that he succeeds sooner rather than later. If Pettigrew struggles early this summer do not be surprised to see Scheffler step into the starting role for the time being.
Players to Watch
Calvin Johnson battled nagging injuries most of the season and never really found his groove with Stafford. Look for Johnson to bounce back in a big way this year.
Best has game changing ability and the Lions will look to integrate him into the offense as much as possible. Given his history of concussions at Cal it seems unlikely they will tab him as the starter just yet. As long as Smith is healthy enough to go he will be the starter and get the bulk of the carries next season.
Will Ndamukong Suh step in and play at a high level right away or will he need a year or two to adjust to the pro game?
The Lions surrounded Stafford with more weapons this off season so he should take a big step forward in terms of his development.
Safety Louis Delmas was better than advertised during his rookie season and emerged as a play maker in the Lions secondary.
