PrintThe good news is the Lions won a game last year. Actually, they won two and that was a two-game improvement over 2008. If they want to continue that trend and win, say, four games this season, it’s going to mainly depend on the defense.
You know, the defense that was the worst in the NFL last season?
In that respect, Detroit has to come out of camp with new defensive line lynch pins Ndamukong Suh and Kyle Vanden Bosch in a comfort zone, must have young linebackers like Zack Follett and DeAndre Levy emerge as starters, and needs to find two or three corners out of a new-look group comprised mainly of castoffs (Dre’ Bly, Dante Wesley, Chris Houston, Jonathan Wade).
Offensively, the team requires continued progress from quarterback Matthew Stafford, though more of coordinator Scott Linehan’s focus will be on hammering out some position battles. First-round rookie Jahvid Best and holdover Kevin Smith are each seeking primary running back duties, incumbent tight end Brandon Pettigrew could face a threat from newcomer Tony Scheffler, and expensive free agent receiver Nate Burleson will have to fend off holdovers Dennis Northcutt, Bryant Johnson and Derrick Williams for playing time. The biggest question mark along the o-line is at right tackle, where veteran Jon Jansen and disappointing former first-rounder Gosder Cherilus are competing.
DRAFT PICKS: DT Ndamukong Suh, RB Jahvid Best, CB Amari Spivey, OT Jason Fox, DE Willie Young, WR Timothy Toone.
REPORT DATE/PLACE: July 30, Detroit Lions Training Facility, Allen Park, MI
KEY CAMP QUESTION: Can the defense flourish around No. 1 overall pick Ndamukong Suh early?
FUTURES ODDS: 100-1 to win Super Bowl.
PRESEASON SCHEDULE:
August 14 at Pittsburgh
August 21 at Denver
August 28 Cleveland
September 2 Buffalo
Note: This is a training camp preview. Regular season previews will appear closer to the beginning of the season.
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