2006 NFL Preview: The Detroit Lions
Quarterback- Now that the Detroit Lions have said goodbye to Joey Harrington as the quarterback of the next decade, they are left without a definitive number one quarterback for the 2006 NFL season. Jon Kitna was signed in the 2006 NFL offseason as a solid, reliable quarterback that is technically sound and a good, but not great, leader. Competing with Kitna will be former Cardinals starter Josh McCown, who signed with the Lions in order to get a more realistic chance at starting in the NFL. McCown will beat out Kitna by the end of the preseason and could be a surprising player in 2006. Second year quarterback Dan Orlovsky will continue developing and within two seasons may step up to be the team’s quarterback of the future. Hopefully, Orlovsky can live up to that promise more than Harrington did when he was quarterback the last few years.
2006 NFL Grade: B
Running Back/Full Back- At running back, Shawn Bryson remains the leader by default in the Lions’ search for a successful running back. However, rookie Brian Calhoun fell to the Lions in the second round of the 2006 NFL draft and could step past Bryson to become the Lions’ starting runner. Calhoun has the speed and the versatility to be an every down back, even though many question his durability and smaller frame. At fullback, Corey Schlesinger will provide steady blocking in the pass and running game while rookie Matt Bernstein is reunited with college teammate Calhoun in Detroit. Bernstein was a bruising fullback at Wisconsin and could step into Schlesinger’s formidable shoes sometime in the near future.
2006 NFL Grade: C+
Wide Receiver/Tight End- At tight end, the Lions have a solid pair of players in new acquisition Dan Campbell and veteran Marcus Pollard. Campbell is developing into a solid tight end in the NFL and Pollard has proven himself to be an effective receiver in his decade in the league. These two could take some pressure off of Kitna or McCown, especially with the discord among the Big Three receivers on the Lions’ roster. Mike Williams, Roy Williams, and Charlie Rogers are extremely talented but none has been on the field enough to prove themselves, nor have they all been on the field long enough to figure out how they would play off of each other. The three playing together would be a formidable trio but don’t count on it in 2006.
2006 NFL Grade: B
Offensive Line- The Detroit Lions have a solid, but not great, offensive line in 2006, but they will give a strong effort for coach Rod Marinelli. Center Dominic Raiola, guards Damien Woody and Rick DeMulling, and tackles Jeff Backus and Courtney Van Buren will give holes to whoever the Lions choose to run in 2006, while giving Kitna and McCown some protection to get the ball to their talented receivers.
2006 NFL Grade: B
Defensive Line- Shaun Rogers is a dominating defensive tackle in the NFL and in 2006 will be integral to Rod Marinelli’s defensive scheme. Look for Rogers to have a Pro Bowl/MVP type season from the middle, though he will not likely win the NFL MVP from the defensive tackle spot. At the other defensive tackle spot, look for a rotation of youngster Shaun Cody and veteran Tyoka Jackson to take pressure off of Rogers. The defensive end spot, however, is more of a jumble than Marinelli would like to have heading into his first season as an NFL head coach. More than likely the starters will be Corey Redding and Kalimba Edwards, but ends Jared DeVries and James Hall are about even in talent with Redding and Edwards. This could be a good thing for the Lions because it gives them depth and they already have a solid defensive interior, but one of these four will step up and give some support to Rogers and the linebackers.
2006 NFL Grade: A-
Linebacker- With their first pick in the 2006 NFL Draft, the Lions took Miami linebacker Ernie Sims. Sims should be a solid contributor in the 2006 NFL season, cracking the starting lineup before preseason’s end. Linebacker Boss Bailey now has a formidable running mate in Sims and the two could wreak havoc on opposing offenses in 2006. In addition, the Lions need to choose between new acquisition Paris Lenon and Donte Curry for the third linebacker position, and look for Curry to get the tiebreaker for being slightly more talented. Lenon, however, provides a solid backup in case of injury during the 2006 NFL season.
2006 NFL Grade: B+
Defensive Back- Dre Bly and Jamar Fletcher should be the opening day starters for the Detroit Lions in 2006. Bly is an experience corner who needs to become one of the team leaders this season under Coacah Rod Marinelli. Jamar Fletcher is a solid cornerback who may get challenged by rookie corner Dee McClain, but Fletcher should hold him off in 2006. At safety, Terrence Holt and Kenoy Kennedy will start at safety but rookie Daniel Bullocks will knock out Holt by the end of the 2006 NFL season. By the end of 2006, two rookie defensive backs could make the difference between a winning or a losing season for the Detroit Lions.
2006 NFL Grade: B
Kicker/Punter- Mercurial kicker Jason Hanson needs to break down sometime, right? Don’t count on it this year, though, as Hanson is ready to lead a newly rejuvenated Lions team towards the top of the NFC North division in 2006. Hanson may not be reliable from long distance anymore, but he certainly won’t miss the clutch kick in 2006 and is almost automatic from inside the forty yard line. Punter Nick Harris will continue to improve in the 2006 NFL season and should give the Lions’ defense a chance in keeping teams out of the end zone.
2006 NFL Grade: B+
2006 NFL Projection- The Lions will improve in the 2006 NFL season, jockeying with the Packers for second place in the division at 7-9 or 8-8.
