Crucial Offseason For The Lions

After an obviously improved 2010 regular season for the Detroit Lions, there is no time to rest as the offseason is the time where teams can improve their rosters by adding and replacing players and coaches. This is a crucial period for the Lions as they look to make the leap from being a consistently bad team to being a team who can contend for a playoff spot year in and year out. Detroit had a better offseason last year, as opposed to previous years where it seemed neither the players drafted nor the free agents brought in ever translated into wins. Last of season the Lions were able to acquire some key pieces which made the team better last year and going into the future. With free agency and the NFL Draft looming, another successful offseason will give the Lions have a chance to build something special. Let’s take a look at what the Lions have and what they need to get better.

What they have…

It all starts up front with the D-line. There is absolutely no doubt that Ndamukong Suh is all and much more than they could of ever imagined. He was named as the NFL Defensive rookie of the year and not only did he lead the team in sacks, he lead all defensive tackles with 10. He did have plenty of help though. New additions like Kyle Vandenbosh and Cory Williams played very well along side up and coming DE Cliff Avril, who had a career high 9 sacks, to give the Lions one of the better defensive lines in the game. That’s not including Turk McBride and Lawrence Jackson who also had productive seasons. You can never have enough depth…though it could be used as a bargaining tool to upgrade in other areas. We’ll just have to wait and see.

On the offensive side of the ball, the Lions have amazingly abilities at wide receiver and tight end. Calvin Johnson is one of the best, if not, the best WR in football…hands down. He led Detroit in receptions, yards, and TD’s with 12. (minus one from the Bears game) Nate Burleson showed that he could be a playmaker if given the opportunity and TE Brandon Pettigrew had a Pro Bowl caliber season hauling in a franchise record 71 grabs.  Though Javid Best struggled with turf toe all season, we were able to see the big play ability he brings to the table. He might not be an every down back, but he will most certainly be a explosive weapon for the Detroit offense. That brings us to Matt Stafford. What can I say…I think he’s a star in the making! Now…there is no hiding my concerns about the shoulder and rightfully so, but I’d like to think that the doctors and strength/conditioning coaches will have him thoroughly healed and stronger than ever before. Yeah…I know he only played 3 games last year, but everybody seen what he can do when he’s healthy. He piled up 4 TD’s against the Redskins and 3 against the Jets who they would have beaten if he doesn’t go down. Stafford has tremendous upside and I believe that he is on his way to stardom. And don’t be fooled, Stafford is without a doubt the key to the Lion’s success. So…The Lions are good at QB, incase the unthinkable happens…again.

What they need…

Even though Detroit had a promising season, there are still many holes to fill. I’ll start with the offense. There is no question that the offensive line must be improved. There are some free agent lineman that will be available, but I think the Lions should get one through the draft so they can have that rock at left tackle for the next 10 years. I don’t know offensive lineman that well, so I can’t comment on what to do. As far as I’m concerned, there is nobody who is safe on that line (except Sims) and can only hope they put a better unit out there next season. I also think they could add in another runningback…a guy who can run hard between the tackles. It’s been proven that a two-headed running attack can work quite well. I would look to free agency or late rounds of the draft for another back.

As for the defense…where do we start? Everybody knows that Detroit’s back 7 was the weakness of the defense. Besides DeAdre Levy, I’m sure the Lions will be looking to bring in new linebackers. With high caliber players such as Chad Greenway, LaMarr Woodley, Tamba Hali, and David Harris due to be free agents, it would be a significant upgrade if the Lions could pluck one of those guys. Though it doesn’t seem likely, considering Greenway is the only one who played in a 4-3 defense last year. There is a possibility Detroit can find a diamond in the rough through free agency, bit I still expect them to draft at linebacker as well. Defensive backs have always been the weakest link to the Lions franchise as far as I can remember. For the first time in quite a while, I saw some promise. Free agent pick-up Chris Houston and in season pick-up Alphonso Smith made for a reasonable tandem at CB. Do I think they can do better? Yes!  This year’s free agent pool at CB is deeper than any other position, including players like Nnamdi Asomugha, Champ Bailey, Brent Grimes, Ike Taylor, and Antonio Cromartie. (just to name a few) This is a golden opportunity for the Lions to get the top notch corner they have always been lacking.. A player like Asomugha can damn near shut down one half of the field, making the defensive line that much more lethal. Yes…there going to have to shovel out some money, but it’ll be well worth it. Finally, we look at the safety position. After having somewhat of a disappointing year, Louis Delmas will remain one of the key players in Detroit’s defense. Rookie Amari Spievey filled in well as a run stopper, but struggled in pass coverage. I think it would be wise to bring in someone to take his spot or at least someone to compete for it.

Not only is it important to have good starters, it is just as important to have depth. The Lion’s have been one of the most injury plagued teams in the NFL and it is essential they have players who can step in when their number is called. I think Detroit’s depth is better than it has been in a while, but it needs to be strengthened in order to get where they want to be.

So the time is now! Team President Tom Lewand and GM Martin Mayhew along with Jim Schwartz and his staff have a lot of work to do and big decisions to make. It’s not going to easy, but this is what they get paid for. What happens now and until training camp, could decide the Lions fate for years and years to come. No pressure guys…lol.