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2009 Team Report: Detroit Lions

Quarterbacks

Starter: Daunte Culpepper
Backup(s): Matthew Stafford [R], Drew Stanton

Starting QB: For the moment, Daunte Culpepper is unofficially the starting quarterback. After coming to the Lions just after midseason (Detroit was desperate due to injuries to Jon Kitna and Dan Orlovsky), Culpepper was thrust into the starting line-up. He was woefully out of shape (tipping the scales in the 290 range) and struggled with consistency. After five weeks, Culpepper suffered a shoulder sprain and missed the last three games of the season. He then took things serious over the offseason and reported to minicamp in much better condition (dropping around 30 pounds). He was expecting to be the team's unquestioned starter and some had high hopes with him being reunited with offensive coordinator Scott Linehan, with whom Culpepper experienced career seasons in Minnesota. However, the 2009 NFL Draft got in the way. While Culpepper's experience gives him an edge on Matthew Stafford, the Lions view the rookie as their future and are even more clearly not ready to win now. All they have is future, so the Stafford era could begin relatively soon.

Backup QB: While an official depth chart hasn't been released, the coaching staff seems ready to bring Matthew Stafford along slowly. They've seen the countless number of franchise rookies that have faltered after being thrust into starting roles and hope to avoid derailing Stafford's career. In minicamp, Stafford showed normal rookie jitters of being a little too hot on his throws and rushing his movements a bit. He'll settle down in subsequent camps and will soon show why he was taken first overall. He has a great arm and can be very accurate. As shown by starting in Georgia as a freshman, Stafford is also a cerebral player and should not be overwhelmed mentally. Drew Stanton was once considered to be the QB of the future, but he could soon be out of the league. The Lions are now grooming Stafford for the future and are even considering bringing in another veteran for depth. Stanton may simply be a guy that just doesn't make it.

Running Backs

Starter: Kevin Smith
Backup(s): Maurice Morris, Aveion Cason, Brian Calhoun, Aaron Brown [R]
Fullback(s): Jerome Felton, Terrelle Smith

Starting RB: In a season where little went right for the Detroit Lions, 2008 rookie Kevin Smith did display the occasional flash of brilliance to let Detroit fans know there is at least hope on the horizon. He is a big back that thrives on 20+ carries per game. In fact, he did carry the ball at least 20 times in six of the final eight games of the season and rushed for at least 86 yards six times during that stretch. He rushed for 670 yards and scored four touchdowns during the second half of the season when the Lions really began to lean on him to move the ball. With better players around him, Smith could really become a strong player for the Lions in 2009 and beyond.

Backup RBs: The Lions brought in veteran running back Maurice Morris from Seattle this season to spell starter Kevin Smith. Morris isn't flashy but he can move the chains and handle a 20 carry per game workload if called upon. He'll likely get 7-10 touches per game with Detroit, giving Smith some rest when needed. Aveion Cason is simply around for depth. Aaron Brown had a very good freshman season with TCU but never elevated his play from there. He may earn some reps down the road but is more likely to play on special teams.

Fullback: Jerome Felton should be the starting fullback this season. He started six games last season and had two carries and nine receptions. He shouldn't be on anybody's fantasy radar but should continue to improve as a blocker, helping the running game to improve. Don't be surprised if veteran Terrelle Smith emerges as the starter as he is a very capable blocker.

Wide Receivers

Starters: Calvin Johnson, Bryant Johnson
Backups: Derrick Williams [R], Dennis Northcutt, John Standeford, Will Franklin

Starting WRs: While Kevin Smith emerged as a legitimate running back during the second half last season, Calvin Johnson is the true star of this offense. Playing with mediocre quarterbacks throughout last season, Johnson still managed to catch 78 passes for 1,331 and 12 touchdowns. Lord only knows what kind of season he could have if he had a quarterback like Drew Brees throwing him the ball. Johnson is truly an elite talent. Amazing size, good body control and almost impossible to cover one-on-one, he is only a quarterback away from being the best fantasy receiver in the NFL. Bryant Johnson was a good signing by the Lions. He was miscast as a WR1 in San Francisco but should thrive as a No. 2 drawing single coverage on an ongoing basis. He won't have big numbers thanks to the presence of Calvin Johnson, but Bryant Johnson will do enough to keep defenses honest.

Backup WRs: For a 0-16 team just one season ago, the Lions skilled positions actually look strong. The other backup positions should be decided during training camp with many players having a legitimate shot. The most likely candidate to emerge as the fourth receiving option is rookie Derrick Williams from Penn State. He isn't a fantastic prospect but has enough quickness and ability to earn some playing time. Dennis Northcutt was the Browns' second round draft pick in 2000, then signed with the Jaguars before the 2007 season before arriving in Detroit this offseason via trade. He's been in the league nine years, but has never been a worthwhile fantasy starter (even in leagues that start three WRs). Northcutt has excellent speed and big-play ability, but his career with both the Browns and the Jaguars has been marred by bad drops in key situations.

Tight Ends

Starters: Brandon Pettigrew [R]
Backups: Casey Fitzsimmons

The Lions added Brandon Pettigrew, the top tight end prospect with the 20th pick in this year's draft. He is a multi-dimensional tight end that has very good receiving skills and even better blocking ability. At 6'5 and 263 pounds, he will create havoc down the field as he has the athleticism to out-run linebackers and run over defensive backs. In addition, he has the frame to add another 10+ pounds or so without missing a beat. As teams key to stop Calvin Johnson, Pettigrew may find plenty of open space down the middle of the field. Casey Fitzsimmons is a capable blocking tight end but doesn't add much excitement in the passing attack.

Place Kicker

Jason Hanson : After a dismal 2005, the Lions offense and Jason Hanson rebounded the next two years. They finished 7th in kicker scoring in 2006 and 8th in 2007, up from 32nd in 2005. But in 2008 the Lions were all the way back down to 30th, giving Hanson the fewest scoring chances in the league. He made the most of the chances he did get, going 21 of 22 (95.5 percent) on field goals. the one missed field goal and his one missed PAT were both blocked. Eight of his successful field goals were from 50+ yards, tying him for most in one season. It also brought his career total to 41 field goals of 50+ yards, vaulting him into first place. During his 17 year career, he has missed only one game (back in 2005 with a hamstring injury). It's safe to assume that Hanson will do his part in 2009, however with a new coaching staff the Lions will once again be starting over.

Kick and Punt Returners

Kick Returners: Derrick Williams, Aveion Cason, Aaron Brown, Adam Jennings, Casey Fitzsimmons, Maurice Morris

The Lions have struggled to find a return specialist since the glory years of WR Eddie Drummond. This year they'll again try a small and fast Penn State alumnus in third round draft pick WR Derrick Williams. During his senior year he averaged 25.8 yards on kickoff returns and scored twice. One of his challengers will be RB Aveion Cason took over on kickoff returns part way through the 2007 season and averaged 24.8 yards on 48 returns. Last year (32 returns, 23.3 avg.) he was the second leading KR behind WR Brandon Middleton. Sixth round draft pick RB Aaron Brown from TCU is the third competitor for the lead kickoff returner role. During his senior year he averaged 29.2 yards (5th in the NCAA) and scored once. WR Adam Jennings ranked 7th in kickoff return average (29.0 yards) as a senior at Fresno State in 2005, and then served as a backup for the Falcons in 2006 and 2007). TE/FB Casey Fitzsimmons has had three kickoff returns each of the last two years. Free agent acquisition RB Maurice Morris was relegated to backup duties in 2005, after having led the Seahawks the three prior years.

Punt Returners: Derrick Williams, Adam Jennings, Dennis Northcutt, Aveion Cason, Phillip Buchanon

Derrick Williams averaged 9.4 yards on punt returns last year, and scored three times during his college career. He has far less competition on punt returns than he does on kickoff returns this year. Adam Jennings ranked 17th in punt return average (12.4 yards) during his final year at Fresno State. During his rookie year with the Falcons, he watched Allen Rossum handle all the punt returns. In 2007 Jennings took over the lead punt returner role, but was eventually released part way through 2008 after very lackluster numbers. WR Dennis Northcutt was one of the best punt returners in the league during his seven years with the Browns, averaging 10.6 yards per return. He scored three TDs, and had quite a few others negated by penalty. Last year with the Jaguars last year he averaged only 2.8 yards on 5 returns. Aveion Cason averaged 3.0 yards on three returns last year. CB Phillip Buchanon is a serviceable backup, with experience returning punts during his years with the Oakland, Houston, and Tampa Bay. After a ninth place finish in fantasy returns in 2006, the Lions dropped to 20th in 2007, and then to 22nd last year, with punt returns being the primary reason.

Offensive Line

Projected Starters: LT Jeff Backus, LG Manuel Ramirez, C Dominic Raiola, RG Stephen Peterman, RT Jon Jansen
Key Backups: T Gosder Cherilus, T Daniel Loper, G Dylan Gandy, T Damion Cook

You have to feel for starting left tackle Jeff Backus. He hasn't missed a start in nine seasons but is always part of an offensive line that is in turmoil. He is one of the best-kept secrets in all the NFL, but he cannot do it all by himself. The good news for the Lions is the play of the offensive line improved towards the latter stages of 2008, and the club returns all five starters intact from last season. Even better - they added RT Jon Jansen, who was released by the Redskins. There is enough talent here for the Lions to do a good job if the unit can grow together and play consistently well. The run blocking has been much better than the pass protection.

Team Defense

There wasn't much to like about the Lions defense last season. Although they finished with a respectable 31 sacks, their four interceptions were a league low and only Chicago forced fewer fumbles. Detroit was also last in the league in both yardage and points allowed. Not surprisingly, the team canned Rod Marinelli and brought in former Tennessee defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz as head coach. Schwartz will move away from the Tampa-2 defense Marinelli preferred for a more traditional 4-3 scheme with big bodies at defensive tackle and a preference for size with speed in the back seven. The Lions grabbed versatile OLB Julian Peterson in a trade with Seattle and brought in Larry Foote to compete at MLB and space-eating NT Grady Jackson to play the nose. Anthony Henry and Phillip Buchanon were signed to retool the cornerback group. The makeover continued in the draft with FS Louis Delmas and LB Deandre Levy, both of whom could start as rookies. Despite the turnover and scheme change, the Lions are not yet likely to be an option in fantasy leagues.

Defensive Line

Starters: DE Jared DeVries, DE Dewayne White, DT Grady Jackson, DT Chuck Darby
Backups: DE Cliff Avril, DE Ikaika Alama-Francis, DT Andre Fluellen, DT Landon Cohen, DT Sammie Lee Hill [R]

Starting DL: Veteran DE Jared DeVries is currently penciled in as the starter at left defensive end for the Lions. DeVries has been a solid role player for the Lions during his career, but he has had problems staying healthy, having only played a full 16-game season one time in his 10-year career. DeVries had a career-high seven sacks in 2007, but only played in 10 games last year. Dewayne White will battle Cliff Avril for the other starting defensive end spot. Despite missing five games due to injury, White has averaged over 40 tackles and six sacks in his two seasons with Detroit and is probably their best all around defensive lineman. The Lions had the worst run defense in the NFL last year and in an effort to improve that, they signed 36-year old DT Grady Jackson. A 345-pound run stuffer, Jackson will add size that the Lions did not have last year. At this point in his career, Jackson is likely going to be a two-down player. Chuck Darby will occupy the other tackle spot for the Lions. Like Jackson, the 33-year old Darby will not be an every-down player.

Backup DL: Cliff Avril, a second-year man out of Purdue, will battle White for the other starting defensive end spot. Avril had a solid rookie season for the Lions and really came on towards the end of the season, racking up five sacks and four forced fumbles in his last 10 games. Avril gives the Lions a much-needed edge rushing presence on their defensive line. Ikaika Alama-Francis is looking to improve on a disappointing 2008 season. He adds depth and versatility to the line. Andre Fluellen enters his second year and will be counted on to help spell Jackson and Darby. Fluellen does not have great size, but he has the quickness that the starting DTs do not. Landon Cohen is another second-year player who will battle for playing time in the DT rotation. Rookie Sammie Lee Hill has tremendous size and athletic ability, but he is making a big jump in competition after playing college ball at Stillman College. Hill is considered a project at this point.

Linebackers

Starters: SLB Julian Peterson, MLB Larry Foote, WLB Ernie Sims
Backups: MLB DeAndre Levy, OLB Jordon Dizon, MLB Cody Spencer, OLB/MLB Zack Follett [R], OLB Curtis Gatewood, OLB Darnell Bing, OLB Chris Graham

Starting LBs: The Lions were looking to address a glaring weakness at LB and acquired five-time pro bowl LB Julian Peterson from Seattle for Cory Redding. Peterson has averaged 66 tackles and eight sacks in the last three seasons and brings a much needed pass rusher to the defense. Ernie Sims enters his fourth year with the Lions and he is looking to rebound from a disappointing 2008 campaign. After finishing with 96 solo tackles in 2007, Sims only had 72 solos last year and did not have any forced fumbles, fumble recoveries, or interceptions. The Lions made a move to address a glaring need at middle linebacker by signing veteran Larry Foote from the Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers. Foote, a native Detroiter, will bring much needed experience and a winning attitude to the defense.

Backup LBs: The backup middle linebacker is expected to be rookie DeAndre Levy, a third-round pick out of Wisconsin. Levy played outside linebacker in college, but will be tried in the middle in Detroit. Jordon Dizon, a second round pick last year, struggled last year and is hoping to find a role on passing downs. He is going to play strictly at outside linebacker this year. Cody Spencer has been a solid special teams player and will also compete for a backup linebacker spot. Rookie Zack Follett has the intensity to be a great special teams player and hopes to find a niche at linebacker as well. Darnell Bing, Curtis Gatewood, and Chris Graham will battle for a roster spot.

Defensive Backs

Starters: CB Philip Buchanon, CB Anthony Henry, SS Daniel Bullocks, FS Louis Delmas [R]
Backups: CB Keith Smith, CB Eric King, CB Ramzee Robinson, FS Kalvin Pearson, SS/FS Stuart Schweigert, SS Marquand Manuel

Starting DBs: The Lions made several moves in an effort to revamp a secondary that only had four interceptions all year. They signed free agent Philip Buchanon to a two-year deal and he will start at one of the cornerback spots. Buchanon picked off five passes in his two years in Tampa and adds much needed speed to the secondary. The Lions acquired veteran CB Anthony Henry from Dallas for Jon Kitna and he is expected to start opposite Buchanon. Henry has picked off 16 passes in his last five years. The Lions went to the draft to address a glaring need at safety by selecting hard-hitting safety Louis Delmas with the first pick in round two. Delmas is versatile enough to play in coverage or near the line of scrimmage and has been penciled in as the starting free safety. He has been compared to Bob Sanders because of his physical, intense play. He could start at either safety spot. Last year's starter at strong safety, Daniel Bullocks, will battle for the other starting safety spot. There is a possibility that Henry will move to safety in which case, Bullocks would be relegated to a backup spot.

Backup DBs: Keith Smith struggled at times in the Tampa-2 defense that was run by former coach Rod Marinelli, but seems to be a better fit in the more aggressive defense that Jim Schwartz is using. Smith has been solid in coverage, but has had problems in run defense. Eric King was signed as a free agent and figures to be a part of the nickel and dime packages. He played under Schwartz in Tennessee. Former Mr. Irrelevant Ramzee Robinson will compete for a backup CB spot. Kalvin Pearson is a great special teams player and he will backup both safety spots as well as play in some of the packages on passing downs. Stuart Schweigert has experience at both safety spots and has been a starter in his career. Marquand Manuel was signed as a free agent and will compete for a backup spot in the defensive backfield.

Last modified: 2009-07-22 14:33:31