Thursday, August 16, 2012

Pre-Season has begun for the Detroit Lions

Well, here we are nearly a week after the first pre-season game of 2012.  We should take a close look at how the players are doing, and how the roster may very well shape up once the season starts.  With Jahvid Best still not cleared to play, he will likely begin the season on the PUP list, thereby being inactive for the first six weeks of the season automatically.  Best will likely be joined on that list by rookie Chris Greenwood, who has struggled to come back from an early camp injury.  The Lions like his promise at the corner spot, and really like the size and physicality he could bring to that position.  With Mikel LeShoure also missing time at the beginning of the season at running back, there will be some players who will start the season with the team that will likely get waived later.  Of course, starting the season on the 53 man roster means that the players salary for the season is guaranteed.  It is unfortunate that the Lions have to face that, but it is what it is.

So, here is what I feel will be the Lions 53 man roster on the first week of the season:

QB (2)- Matt Stafford, Shaun Hill
It is unlikely the Lions carry three QBs for the season.  That can stow either Archer or Moore on the practice squad in case of injury to either Hill or Stafford.

RB (4)- Kevin Smith, Keiland Williams, Joique Bell, Stefan Logan
With LeShoure suspended and Best on the PUP, Bell and Williams will get their shots to prove their worth.  Both were impressive in their first pre-season game this year.  But they don't have enough to stay the season.  Logan gets put here for special teams play.

WR (6)- Calvin Johnson, Nate Burleson, Titus Young, Ryan Broyles, Patrick Edwards, Maurice Stovall
Edwards may be used more for the return game, and if that's the case then Logan won't be kept around.  Stovall is another big bodied receiver who can play on coverage teams.  Calvin, Nate and Titus are locks.  Broyles will be kept as he continues to come back from his college injury.

TE (3)- Brandon Pettigrew, Tony Sheffler, Will Heller
No surprises here.  One of the best TE groups in the NFL.

OT (5)- Jeff Backus, Gosder Cherilus, Jason Fox, Riley Reiff, Corey Hilliard
With Hilliard able to play either OT or OG, his versatility in valuable.  None of the other players at tackle in camp have a shot unless there is an injury.

OG (3)- Rob Sims, Stephen Peterman, Dylan Gandy
Again, no surprises here.

OC (2)- Dominic Raiola, Rodney Austin
I think the Lions may try to keep Austin on the roster.  He has been a pleasant surprise in camp and is not likely to clear waivers if they try to hide him on the practice squad.  And even if they do put him on the PS, another team can sign him off of there with no compensation due to the Lions.  He can play guard or center, so it would be smart to keep him.

DT (4)- Ndamukong Suh, Corey Williams, Sammie Hill, Nick Fairley
I don't believe the Lions would have kept Andre Fluellen around last season if Fairley had stayed healthy.  This year Nick is healthy and the team has a wealth of defensive ends. 

DE (5)-Cliff Avril, Kyle Vandenbosch, Willie Young, Lawrence Jackson, Ronnell Lewis
Everette Brown could become a victim of the numbers game.  The Lions don't dare part with their four returning DEs, and Lewis would be scooped up by another team the moment his name hit the waiver wire.  The Lions may look to trade Brown to another team if a starter is lost due to injury.  Everette looked impressive against Cleveland.  If he continues to play that way, he'll be on a roster this season someplace.

LB (7)-Stephen Tulloch, DeAndre Levy, Justin Durant, Tahir Whitehead, Travis Lewis, Doug Hogue, Ashlee Palmer
I am wondering if the Lions will keep Palmer or not, but I think they do because of his special teams play.  Travis Lewis looks to be the Mike of the future, but Palmer has his role as well.

CB (5)-Chris Houston, Bill Bentley, Jacob Lacey, Alfonso Smith, Jonte Green
Once Chris Greenwood comes off PUP, he may replace one of these names on here.  It could be due to injury or poor play.  Keep in mind that the Lions were attempting to trade Alfonso Smith before the draft.  However, Greenwood could probably clear waivers if the Lions want to store him on the practice squad once he comes off the PUP list.

S (4)-Louis Delmas, Amari Spievey, John Wendling, Erik Coleman
The Lions would probably like to keep a fifth safety, like Ricardo Silva, on their roster.  To do that, they'll have to remove a name elsewhere.  Last year the secondary got banged up in the second half of the season, and I'm sure that will weigh heavily on the decisions regarding how many safeties to carry.  Keep that in mind with both Spievey and Delmas missing time due to injury already.  But in this instance, there is just no room for a fifth safety.

ST (3)-Jason Hanson, Ben Graham, Don Muhlbach
All return from their roles last season.  Graham gets the nod over Donahue due to the better ability to pin teams deep.