Detroit Lions Off Season To Do List: On the Cusp of Great Things

Detroit Lions off Season Check List

2011 Outcome            (10-6)

The Post Season was reached by the Lions….that sentence has not been uttered since 1999.  That puts into context the remarkable job of GM Martin Mayhew, HC Jim Schwartz, and QB Matthew Stafford.  The Lions finally have one of the top management staffs in the NFL.  They have a bright young coach and skilled coordinators.  The Lions have elite young talent and should be a force in the coming years.  2011 was only the beginning for this team.

Coach Seat Temperature

Jim Schwartz is going no where and I believe the Lions will give him a large extension.  Lions have already extended his coordinators.  Linehan has done a great job transforming this offense into a top 10 offense in the NFL as well as the development of Matthew Stafford.  Cunningham is just like Schwartz and preaches aggression in the defensive unit.  The defense will need to be tweaked this offseason as top notch offenses really exposed their back 7 last season.

2011 Draft Class Rating        (B)

This group has talent and only needs to stay healthy.  Nick Fairley dealt with a foot problem all season which limited him.  When he was healthy, although only briefly, he showed he is going to be a force.  Titus Young appears to be a big time weapon at WR and was really developing his game at a rampant pace. Mikel Leshoure was lost for the season with an Achilles Tear but is on schedule to return next season.  Doug Hogue was a Special Teams standout who has potential as a future starting OLB.  Johnny Culbreath is very raw as an OT but has a ton of athletic talent.

2010 Draft Class Rating        (B+)

Not many selections but solid choices with the ones they have.  Ndumakong Suh is a force.  While his numbers were down, his presence was not.  He was the focal points of opposing protection schemes and was largely responsible for the number of sacks the Defensive Ends obtained.  Jahvid Best was a force before his concussions and now his career is in jeopardy.  Amari Spievy had a good start to the season but really struggled when he was limited by injuries.  Jason Fox has talent and could replace Backus at LT if he can stay healthy.  Willie Young emerged as a good rotational DE backup.

2009 Draft Class Rating        (A)

This class has set up the Lions success.  Matthew Stafford is on his way to being a franchise QB.  He threw for 5,000 yards and 40+ touchdown passes.  In my opinion he is the best QB under 25 years of age.  Brandon Pettigrew is on the cusp of being a Pro Bowl TE.  He needs to be more focused in bringing in every pass that touches his hands.  He seems to take his eyes of the ball far too often.  Louis Delmas is a force at FS who has really developed as an all around weapon on defense.  DeAndre Levy and Sammie Lee Hill are solid players on the defense as well.  The rest of this class is no longer with the team.

Current Needs

Offense: RB, OT, OG, C

Defense: DE, OLB, CB, S

Current FA

Shaun Hill:  Shaun Hill is one of the top backup Quarterbacks in the NFL and really understands Linehan’s system.  He is a good leader and understands his role well.  Shaun Hill is fully capable of winning games if called upon.

Kevin Smith:  Kevin Smith is an all around talent who could succeed if he could stay healthy.  It is unknown if the Lions will bring him back.

Jeff Backus:  Backus allowed only 7 sacks last season and 5 were in a 2 game span.  While he is 35 years old and is far from elite; he is consistent and dependable.  He should be retained for one more season.

Cliff Avril:  Avril is only 25 years old and has gotten better every season.  He has great speed and shows a under rated talent at stripping the ball from the quarterback.  He is in line to receive a big contract but it is unknown if the Lions have the money to bring him back.  Look for a franchise tag for him.

Stephen Tulloch:  Tulloch is a solid MLB who is an over achiever.  He is sound in all phases of the game and is a great presence in the locker room.  Lions will try to bring him back.

Eric Wright:  Wright was very inconsistent last season.  He showed he has skill but appears to lack confidence when burned.  Lions will look to upgrade him and if not will attempt to bring him back.    

Current Mock

1. Mike Adams                        OT                  OhioState

2. Vinny Curry              DE                   Marshall

3. Michael Brewster                 C                    OhioState

4. Jordan White                        WR                 Western Michigan