By Ray Bennett
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Last season, after a long decade of futility, failed draft picks and a revolving door of coaches, the Detroit Lions finally proved to the NFL that they will be a viable force for the foreseeable future. Entering the month of December with a record of 2-10, the Lions won four straight games to finish the 2010 season at 6-10.
Building off a strong defense and an offense with many skill options, third year head coach Jim Schwartz looks to take the the Lions to the next level of finishing at or above .500 for the first time since 2000. However, that task will seem far from easy in the NFC North, a division that features the defending Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers, the NFC Championship runner-up Chicago Bears and a Minnesota Vikings team that added veteran Pro Bowl Quarterback Donovan McNabb to their roster.
The biggest strenght the Lions had last season was their defensive line. The front-four was anchored by 2010 Defensive Rookie-of-the-Year Ndamukong Suh, who not only led all rookies but all defensive tackles in sacks with 10 last season. He leads a defensive line that includes veterans Kyle Vanden Bosch, Lawrence Jackson and Cliff Avril. Detroit's 2011 1st-round pick, former Auburn defensive tackle Nick Fairley, will also be used on the Lions defensive line after he comes back from a foot injury suffered during training camp.
The linebacking corps is headed by third-year middle-linebacker DeAndre Levy. In 2010, Levy had 72 tackles, 34 of them which came during Detroit's four-game winning streak at the end of last season. Surrounding Levy in the back three are two key free agent signings. On Levy's left will be Stephen Tulloch, who played his first five seasons in Tennessee, three of which came when Schwartz was the Titans defensive coordinator. The other starting outside-linebacker Justin Durant comes to Detroit after four years in Jacksonville.
The biggest hole on the Lions defense entering this season is in their secondary. Detroit is still looking for a dominant cornerback. Among the CB's the Lions will use this season include veterans Chris Houston, Eric Wright, signed from Cleveland, and Alphonso Smith, who led the Lions in interceptions with five in only ten games last season. At safety, the Lions pair up third year player Louis Delmas with former Atlanta Falcon Erik Coleman.
The success of the Lions offense this season rests on the shoulders of third year quarterback Matthew Stafford. Stafford was limited to three games last season after suffering two separate injuries to his throwing shoulder. In the preseason, he's shown he's made significant progress after shoulder surgery.
In the three games he played, he threw for 6 touchdowns and only one interception. In case Stafford goes down with another injury, the Lions are loaded with depth at the quarterback position with veterans Shawn Hill and Drew Stanton. Both Hill and Stanton led the Lions to wins last season in Stafford's absence.
Second-year running back Jahvid Best returns after a rookie season that slowed his progression after suffering a turf toe injury. Starting in 15 games, Best averaged 3.2 yards per carry off 555 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns. Best also caught 58 passes for 487 yards and 2 recieving touchdowns.
After an Achilles injury in training camp to Illinois rookie Mikel Leshoure sidelined him for the season, the Lions went out and signed former Browns and Eagles RB Jerome Harrison. The Lions also picked up former Redskins power back Keiland Williams after camp. He'll be there in place of veteran Maurice Morris until he comes back from an injury sustained in camp.
Entering 2011, Detroit and Stafford will have big options at wide receiver and tight end. The receiving corps is led by fifth year wide out Calvin Johnson. Last season, Johnson led the Lions in receiving yards (1,120), receptions (77) and receiving touchdowns (12) on his way to his first career Pro Bowl selection. Next to Johnson is ninth year veteran Nate Burleson. Burleson was a huge pick up in 2010, amassing 68 receptions for 1,006 yards and 9 touchdowns as the Lions number two receiver.
Joining Johnson and Burleson at wide receiver are 2011 second-round draft pick Titus Young out of Boise State, former Bears receiver Rashied Davis, return specialist Stefan Logan and former Buccaneer Maurice Stovall.
The Lions are stacked at the tight end position with Tony Scheffler and Brandon Pettigrew. In 2010, Scheffler caught 44 passes for 378 yards and one touchdown, while Pettigrew had 77 catches for 722 yards and 4 touchdowns.
The success of Stafford will be based on how well the offensive line will protect him. The Lions offensive line will consist of veteran left tackle Jeff Backus, who has started in all of the 160 career games he's played since 2001, third year right tackle Gosder Cherilus, veteran center Dominic Raiola and guards Stephen Peterman and Rob Sims.
The Lions record this season will sorely be based on how well they play inside the NFC North against the Packers, Bears and Vikings. With Green Bay coming off a Super Bowl-winning season and the Bears making it all the way to the NFC title game to face the Packers, the Lions will have to fight with Minnesota to get near the top two in the division.
Key games in the Lions 2011 schedule include a Week Five home game against the Bears on Monday Night Football. It will be the Lions first Monday Night game in ten years. The Packers come to Detroit for the Lions annual Thanksgiving Day game in Week Twelve. Other key games in the schedule include matchups against defending AFC West champion Kansas City in the Lions home opener in Week Two, defending NFC South champion Atlanta in Week Seven, a trip to New Orleans to face the Saints in Week Thirteen, and a Christmas Eve home game against the San Diego Chargers in Week Sixteen.
Detroit opens the season in Tampa, FL to face the Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on September 11th at 1:00 PM EDT on Fox.
