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Keep up with the Lions daily during the offseason, all the way up to training camp, with my scouting report on each player on the roster. These reports can be discussed on Mlive.com by clicking the link on each report.

Scouting Report: Jason Hanson (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/2007/05/scouting_report_jason_hanson.html)

Posted by Tom Kowalski (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/about.html) May 22, 2007 07:04AM


Kicker Jason Hanson, who will be 37 by the start of next season, is showing no signs of slowing down and has repeatedly said that he wants to quit kicking when he can no longer be effective with kickoffs. Hanson said he'll walk away from the game at that point because he doesn't want to be just a field-goal specialist.
Yeah, well, don't count on that. But it's that kind of attitude that shows you why Hanson has been at the top of his craft for so long. He's a phenomenal athlete - he always enjoyed jabbing Chris Spielman that he could hit a golf ball farther - and he takes great care of himself. He can't boom the 56 yarders like he once did, but that doesn't mean he can't be dangerous from beyond 50 yards.
He was 3-of-6 from that distance last season, including a missed 56-yarder and a 53-yarder that was blocked. Hanson did tag a couple of successful 53-yarders.
Still, his value is in the consistency of his field goals from 49 yards and in. Actually, make that 48 yards and in -- last year, Hanson nailed all 26 field goal attempts from that range.
Amazingly, Hanson's 13 touchbacks on kickoffs last year tied him for fifth place in the NFL. Don't be surprised if that number actually climbs this season. The reason is that former special teams coach Chuck Priefer liked Hanson to use more directional kicking while new special teams coach Stan Kwan is likely to allow Hanson to let it rip on a more regular basis.
One unusual part of Hanson's career - which he really has no control over - is his lack of game-winning field goals. Part of that is because the Lions simply haven't won that many games in the last six seasons but, still, in his 15-year career, he's only hit 13 true game-winning kicks.
The interesting thing about Hanson is that he's very cool under pressure, but not because he's calm and collected. He's actually a nervous wreck and he said he uses that fear of missing to concentrate on the task at hand. He doesn't fill his mind with negative thoughts, but rather puts pressure on himself with the realization of the huge responsibility he has. Yeah, it's a little quirky but considering he's hit 82 percent of his field goal attempts during his career, how can you argue with success?
Hanson, who went to the Pro Bowl in 1998 and 2000, should have a shot at breaking his single-season scoring record this year. Regardless of how many games the Lions win, they're going to roll up a lot of points offensively (if they stay relatively healthy). Hanson's best season came in Detroit's record-setting season of 1995 when he had 132 total points -- 48 of those coming on PATs.

Scouting Report: Teddy Lehman (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/2007/05/scouting_report_teddy_lehman.html)

Posted by Tom Kowalski (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/about.html) May 23, 2007 06:00AM



One of the biggest questions going into training camp will be which Teddy Lehman will show up: the player who, as a rookie, took more snaps than any other defensive player and played at a high level, or the guy who has struggled to stay healthy the last two years?
It's a question the Lions want answered, one way or the other. If healthy, Lehman will push Paris Lenon for the starting job because he's very bright, shows good instincts and has speed. For all intents and purposes, Lehman only has one year of experience so his development is still in the early stages.
All the reports now are positive about Lehman's health but until he gets in pads and goes through several days of heavy contact, no one is really sure if his foot is going to hold up. The problem started two years ago when Lehman suffered a foot injury that was later diagnosed as a Lisfranc sprain. Lehman wasn't put on the injured reserve list for several weeks because the team was still hoping he might return.
The injury continued to linger into last season where Lehman missed the entire training camp and the first seven games of the season. After appearing in four games, Lehman missed the final five games with a hamstring injury.
If Lehman truly is healthy, it's going to be interesting to see how quickly - and how well - he adapts to the one-gap system. Remember, he was never on the field last year when the scheme was being installed. Lehman isn't the type of player who excels at taking on blockers one-on-one, but his athletic ability will serve him well in filling gaps.
The Lions saw some of that ability beginningto blossom during his rookie season. The former second-round pick from Oklahoma was a workhorse, amassing 120 tackles on defense and also playing on several special teams units. Since that point, he hasn't played in more than five games in any of the last two seasons.

Scouting Report: Damien Woody (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/2007/05/scouting_report_damien_woody.html)

Posted by Tom Kowalski (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/about.html) May 24, 2007 06:00AM



Damien Woody, who still has the potential to be one of the most productive players on Detroit's offensive line, may never get a real opportunity to showcase that. Woody might've already blown his chance last year.
When head coach Rod Marinelli took over last season, he wanted to establish a different mindset in the locker room and have a team built on toughness and conditioning. Along with a few other players, Woody didn't exactly go along with the plan.
Woody didn't practice much in camp because of an injury and his weight continued to be a problem. And it wasn't just the weight, it was the attitude he had - or didn't have -- in trying to get the weight down.
When Woody sprained his foot in October and was lost for the season, he was already deep in the coaches' doghouse. The injury eliminated any chance Woody had of rehabbing his image to the coaches for the rest of the season.
In the off-season, Woody attended a fat farm and lost a lot of weight and has tried to show that he wants to be part of the Lions' program. But Marinelli has to wonder if he can really trust him.
Is Woody, who is still only 30 years old, willing to do everything possible to be a key member of the team, or is he just trying to get on the 53-man roster for that first week of the season so his $4.5 million contract becomes guaranteed?
Here's the rub: Even if Woody does convince the coaching staff that he's really on board, he's not going to make $4.5 million regardless. The Lions refuse to comment on the situation, but it appears obvious that the team will demand that Woody take a cut in pay before they consider adding him to the roster. Under those terms, Woody might not have an interest in sticking around.
The Lions' moves in the off-season seem to indicate they're ready to move on without him. They signed free agent Edwin Mulitalo to secure the left guard spot and, in addition to believing Stephen Peterman is ready to start on the right side, they drafted Manny Ramirez in the fourth round.
To see why the Lions are so high on Peterman, check out tomorrow's scouting report.

Scouting Report: Stephen Peterman (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/2007/05/scouting_report_stephen_peterm.html)

Posted by Tom Kowalski (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/about.html) May 25, 2007 06:00AM



It is my belief that, sooner rather than later, Stephen Peterman will be cemented as the starting right guard for the Lions. Yes, I know he's only started two games in his three-year career and, looking at the big picture, the former third-round pick has been more of a bust than anything else.
But take a hard look at those two games he started at the end of last year. He was basically thrown into the mix because the Lions had no other options and he stunned the coaching staff.
When you look at his tape, you see a guy who has a great deal of toughness and tenacity. He also plays smart and moves fairly well. The most impressive thing, though - and it really showed in the game against the Cowboys and their athletic defensive linemen - was his ability to recover after getting beat initially. He would be at a leverage disadvantage very quickly in the play, but use his strength and footwork to regain the advantage. Again, it was only two games and I asked one of the coaches if they could really trust that Peterman was that good. He said "We trust what we see on the tape.''
While it seems Peterman came out of nowhere, you have to remember that he was highly regarded coming out of LSU three years ago. He was the 83rd overall pick by the Cowboys, but he missed his entire rookie season with a torn ACL in his knee.
It's believed that, for whatever reason, Peterman fell out of favor with then-head coach Bill Parcells and was never really part of the plan after that. Peterman played in just three games in 2005 - all on special teams - and was then released in late August of last year.
The fact that Peterman didn't impress the coaches in practice isn't much of a surprise because he didn't exactly light the world on fire when he was signed to Detroit's practice squad. The Lions believe Peterman is one of those rare guys who can look decent in practice but then explode when the lights come on (there are a lot of guys who do just the opposite).
Peterman will have to show more on tape in the preseason games to reconfirm what the Lions coaches already believe - that he can be one of the best two guards on the team. If - when - he does that, it's going to be very difficult to keep him out of the starting lineup. He is nasty and tough and has the qualities Marinelli wants to see on Sunday afternoons.

Scouting Report: Bill Swancutt (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/2007/05/scouting_report_bill_swancutt.html)

Posted by Tom Kowalski (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/about.html) May 26, 2007 02:45AM



A sixth-round draft pick in 2005 who looked like he might have a future in the league, Swancutt has been the victim of bad timing. After he was put on injured reserve in his rookie season, after showing some flashes talent, he suffered a knee sprain last year.
The injury was serious enough to put him on injured reserve again, but not serious enough to sideline him for the entire season. The Lions, though, couldn't afford the luxury of waiting for him to return and they shelved him.
It was unfortunate for Swancutt because, after James Hall was knocked out with his shoulder injury, Swancutt would've had plenty of playing time and would've had the opportunity to prove himself.
Now, Swancutt is going into camp as an unknown quantity and it's crowded at the defensive end position. To win a backup spot, Swancutt will have the tough assignment of beating out proven veteran Jared DeVries, veteran Corey Smith (who played with head coach Rod Marinelli in Tampa) and second-round pick Ikaika Alama-Francis.
Another problem is reps. Because a young guy like Alama-Francis is going to need a ton of work, Swancutt's not going to get a lot of looks.
To win a job, Swancutt's going to have to do it with his special teams work and basically force the Lions to keep an extra defensive end. Swancutt has some quickness, but he doesn't have great pass-rush speed off the edge. He's undersized, but that won't hurt him in the eyes of Marinelli, who measures players by heart and production and not a measuring tape.
Swancutt has a very high motor and that will help but if he doesn't couple some pass-rushing skills along with his special teams prowess, he'll be a longshot to make the roster. Oh, and staying healthy will help, too.

Scouting Report: Tatum Bell (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/2007/05/scouting_report_tatum_bell.html)

Posted by Tom Kowalski (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/about.html) May 27, 2007 06:00AM


Viewed largely as insurance for the recovering Kevin Jones, Tatum Bell should actually provide the Lions a lot more this season. Coordinator Mike Martz wants to use Bell's speed on the edge in the running game and also in one-on-one matchups in the passing game. Bell can be very effective either flaring out of the backfield or dragging across the middle. The Lions never got their screen game going last year (because of offensive line and timing issues) but if they get that clicking, Bell will be a threat there, too.
There have been other former Broncos running backs who don't live up to expectations after leaving Denver, but Bell should fit in well to Detroit's running style. The Lions want to use a one-cut-and-go attack in addition to some power running stuff. Either way, Bell is very good at finding daylight and turning the play upfield without losing balance or speed. The knock on Bell has been an inability to get the most out of plays between the tackles and, if that bears out, other backs - whether it's Jones or T.J. Duckett - will get more opportunities in the power game.
Bell, who rushed for 1,025 yards last season, has a reputation of fumbling but he only dropped the ball six times during his first three years in the league. The problem is that he lost all three of his fumbles last year so the rep stuck.
If Bell limits his fumbles and mistakes in Martz's offense, it's going to be an interesting competition at the running back position. Don't be surprised if the Lions decide to play the hot hand from game to game.

Scouting Report: Eddie Drummond (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/2007/05/scouting_report_eddie_drummond.html)

Posted by Tom Kowalski (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/about.html) May 28, 2007 06:00AM


Eddie Drummond has a very difficult task ahead of him as he enters training camp this season - win back the confidence of offensive coordinator Mike Martz. It might be the only way Drummond will win a roster spot this season.
Last year, Drummond looked very good in camp and Martz applauded his efforts but Drummond didn't keep it up when the regular season started. He caught one pass in each of the first two games, but wasn't heard from in the offense after that.

Martz clearly lost confidence in him. Drummond, the former Pro Bowl return specialist, will have more difficulty keeping a job on special teams alone. The Lions believe they have other players who can handle those chores - Shaun McDonald, Aveion Cason and Devale Ellis - who can also be productive in the offensive scheme.
Drummond can still be explosive in the return game, but he doesn't do it with enough consistency. Drummond will have to turn in some eye-popping performances in preseason if he's going to change some minds on the coaching staff.
Drummond didn't get a break with the retirement of special teams coach Chuck Priefer, who was always one of Drummond's biggest supporters in the past. While new coach Stan Kwan might still lobby for the team to keep Drummond, he doesn't have the experience or pull of a legendary coach like Priefer.

Scouting Report: Keith Smith (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/2007/05/scouting_report_keith_smith.html)

Posted by Tom Kowalski (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/about.html) May 29, 2007 06:00AM


I've got to give some props to Matt Millen on this one. For the last two years, I've seen nothing from Keith Smith except some decent speed and was convinced he'd join the huge pile of washed-out cornerbacks who could run but couldn't play. I argued this point several times with Millen, who was steadfast in his belief that Smith would become a good player. Granted, Millen was hoping it'd come sooner than it did, but Smith is finally showing some real spark.
The former third-round draft pick, who is going into his fourth season, looked completely different at the three-day minicamp. Instead of stumbling around in the secondary and taking false steps and wrong angles, he was really breaking on the ball and moving with confidence.
Smith still has a long way to go because he's got to do it on a consistent basis and continue to cut down on his mistakes. Still, the raw talent is surfacing and - as is true with most young athletes - he's getting faster as he gets more comfortable in the scheme.
In his first three years, Smith was nothing more than a good special teams player, recording a career-high 19 tackles in that area last year. Smith started two games at cornerback in each of his first two seasons, but never showed any signs that he could keep the job. Last year, he was a nonfactor on defense and things got so bad the Lions resorted to using safety Jon McGraw in the nickel position.
Things are changing, though, so look for Smith to push for the dime position in camp and then really push the competition for the nickel back spot. Other players will have more experience but remember what Rod Marinelli and Joe Barry have said from the start - they want to increase the team speed on the perimeter. Smith, if he continues to his upward climb, can definitely do that.

Scouting Report: Casey FitzSimmons (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/2007/05/scouting_report_casey_fitzsimm.html)

Posted by Tom Kowalski (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/about.html) May 30, 2007 06:00AM


Offensive coordinator Mike Martz sees Casey FitzSimmons filling the role he had in mind for Marcus Pollard last season - only with a lot more production.
While Pollard struggled at times with the offense, FitzSimmons has done an excellent job of picking it up and understanding its concepts. FitzSimmons will be used in a variety of ways, mostly at halfback and tight end, but he could be lined up anywhere on the line of scrimmage.
Martz had big plans for FitzSimmons before he broke his wrist last year in the final preseason game. FitzSimmons has the combination of speed, awareness and catching ability that Martz likes in his versatile tight ends. After Dan Campbell did such a good job (after he finally got healthy from the elbow injury), FitzSimmons was never able to get fully back into the mix.
FitzSimmons is a decent blocker but his real strength is using his quickness to get open downfield and his ability to catch the ball in traffic. He's also got enough speed to get open deep downfield and the agility to be a real threat in the "tight end screen'' game.
Because FitzSimmons has been so good at absorbing the offense, don't be surprised if Martz gets a little more creative with his position as the season wears on.

Scouting Report: Nick Harris (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/2007/05/scouting_report_nick_harris.html)

Posted by Tom Kowalski (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/about.html) May 31, 2007 06:00AM


Depending on how you look at it, punter Nick Harris either improved his kicking last season or he slumped a little. Harris' numbers in average yards per punt (45.0) and net average (38.2) were the best of his seven-year career. However, his ratio in terms of punts inside-the-20 and touchbacks wasn't as good.
Harris had nine touchbacks last season - the same amount he had in the previous two seasons combined. He also had just 18 kicks downed inside the 20, when he had 32 or more in each of the two previous years.
While Harris wasn't as good with his pooch kicks last season, a lot of the problem was with coverage. Injuries and lack of production forced the Lions to keep changing that cast of characters and it'll be important for new special teams coach Stan Kwan to find two or three top-flight hawks (or gunners) this season.
Even so, Harris did a much better job later in the season after struggling early. He only had one touchback in the final nine games (after the bye week) while he buried 12 inside the 20-yard line.
Like most kickers, Harris can be streaky and much of it is tied to confidence. When a kicker is struggling, they tend to over-think their mechanics and fight themselves. Once they get their issues ironed out, the fundamentals return.
That's the one area where Harris has really improved in the last couple of years; he doesn't tie himself up in knots as much and knows how to pull himself out of slumps.
Another area where Harris doesn't get enough credit is his consistency with holding on placement kicks. Harris has excellent hands and is very quick so kicker Jason Hanson, regardless of the snap or weather conditions, is usually striking the same target with each kick.

Scouting Report: Barry Stokes (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/2007/06/scouting_report_barry_stokes.html)

Posted by Tom Kowalski (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/about.html) June 01, 2007 06:00AM


In the grand scheme of things, the Lions are hoping backup Barry Stokes never has to take a snap this season but, if he does, they'll feel very confident regardless of where he lines up.
Stokes has proven that he can play three positions - right tackle and both guard spots - at a high level and it gives the Lions some flexibility with their roster.
Stokes doesn't do anything great, but he does everything well and, just as importantly, he's a hard worker and a hard-nosed guy who hasn't lost his passion for the game. While it appears Stokes can sometimes get caught flat-footed on the outside in pass protection, he has the ability to recover. He's also strong enough to thwart any inside-counter moves and he's very difficult to bull-rush.
Stokes has played for seven different teams in his 10-year career and was a full-time starter during his two years with the Cleveland Browns (2002-03). Last year, Stokes started four games at right guard for the Lions and then moved to right tackle for the final five games of the years.
The Lions have some young guys on the roster that they want to keep and develop - like Jonathan Scott and Manny Ramirez - and it's going to tighten up the availability of those backup positions. Still, considering Stokes' strong locker room presence, experience and versatility, he should find a place on the roster.

Scouting Report: Don Muhlbach (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/2007/06/scouting_report_don_muhlbach.html)

Posted by Tom Kowalski (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/about.html) June 02, 2007 06:00AM


One of the smartest things the Lions did last season was sign longsnapper Don Muhlbach to a five-year contract. You don't realize how valuable longsnappers are until you don't have one.
Muhlbach bounced back from the nadir of his short Lions career - the poor PAT snap against the Vikings after Detroit scored an apparent game-tying touchdown late in the fourth quarter in 2004.
Since that time, Muhlbach has become almost automatic and is an important part of Detroit's kicking game. It's imperative that both Jason Hanson and Nick Harris have confidence in Muhlbach's ability so it doesn't affect their concentration. Muhlbach has earned that trust, not just with his consistency, but with the speed of his delivery in both punting and placement situations.
Muhlbach was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2004 by the Baltimore Ravens but was cut in training camp. He was out of football for a couple of months before the Lions signed him when Jody Littleton got hurt. Muhlbach improved quickly under the coaching of special teams guru Chuck Priefer.
Muhlbach has become so good at what he does that the Lions don't even bother having him practice another position, like tight end, because it's a waste of time. That's pretty impressive for a coaching staff that really stresses position flexibility.

Scouting Report: Daniel Bullocks (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/2007/06/scouting_report_daniel_bullock.html)

Posted by Tom Kowalski (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/about.html) June 03, 2007 06:00AM


The Lions can dress it up all they want, but Daniel Bullocks was a big disappointment last season. They drafted him in the second round with the expectation that he'd start ahead of the inconsistent Terrence Holt, but it never happened.
Bullocks struggled in picking up the Tampa Two scheme and it showed in his physical skills - he wasn't running with any true speed and he wasn't hitting with any explosiveness. You could see the real talent there from time to time when he would get dialed into a play but, for the most part, it was paralysis by analysis. While Bullocks had 70 total tackles, he had just one sack, zero interceptions, just five pass breakups, no fumble recoveries and one forced fumble.
Because Kenoy Kennedy missed six games and Holt was nicked up for another, Bullocks got seven starts last year and, although, he struggled, the experience is going to help him going into this season. Now Bullocks knows what to expect from the speed of the game, route combinations and, especially, how offenses will try to set up the safeties.
Now that he's doing a much better job with recognition - which has been evident at the off-season workouts - Bullocks is now showing more speed and confidence.
In this system, the safeties have to be playmakers and force the action and Bullocks is enjoying that challenge. He looks like he's taking a step forward and it'll be interesting to see this season if he continues that upward trend or hits a plateau at some point.

Scouting Report: Kevin Jones (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/2007/06/scouting_report_kevin_jones.html)

Posted by Tom Kowalski (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/about.html) June 04, 2007 06:00AM


While Kevin Jones remains ahead of schedule on his recovery from Lisfranc surgery on his left foot, the real test won't come until he puts on the pads and takes part in some 9-on-7 drills and cuts hard and unexpectedly. He'll suffer some pain and swelling initially when that happens because of the scar tissue, but if there's not a setback, he'll be the workhorse in the Lions offense.
Coordinator Mike Martz loves what Jones brings to the offense and considers him to be a major threat, both as a running back and a receiver. Look for Jones to come back about five to 10 pounds lighter this season because he wants to regain the speed he flashed at Virginia Tech.
While Jones has been an excellent combination of quickness and muscle, the big knock on him has been his lack of home-run ability. He had a couple of nice 35-yard touchdown runs last year, but he doesn't break the big one. In each of his three seasons, his longest runs have been 74, 40 and 52 yards - and none of them went for touchdowns.
There are several reasons for that but Jones has to make sure that when he has the opportunity to go 60 yards - as rare as they are - he has to take full advantage of it.
Jones also needs to limit his mistakes in the offense, whether it's as a receiver or a pass blocker, he needs to make sure he's in the right place and looking for the right things. He made a couple of big mistakes in key situations last year, but that statement covered just about everybody. The important this is, as they go into the second year of this offense, that he doesn't continue making the same errors.
Again, Martz loves the toughness Jones brings to the position and, if Jones is healthy, you can expect to see a lot of interesting two-back combinations, especially coupling Jones and Tatum Bell. Martz could have a field day in Detroit's "Trio'' formation - three receivers and two backs.
Jones might not have Bell's straight-ahead speed, but he has a great burst through the whole and can't be arm-tackled. Jones also has the quickness to elude a tackler and the strength to bowl him over. In his short career, he's already sent several defenders to the sideline with concussions. The flip side of that is Jones takes some punishment, too, and hasn't been able to stay healthy. Jones can, and will, play hurt, but he can't play injured.
Part of the injury issue is that Jones has never really shown what he is. He was horribly misused in his rookie year and, when he was finally given center stage in the second half of that season, he appeared to be on the verge of greatness.
After having three 100-yard games in the final five weeks of his rookie year, Jones never hit the century mark in 2005. His role in the offense was still puzzling - he never had 20 carries in back-to-back games all season. At the end of the season, Jones missed three games with injuries.
Going into this year, the pass-happy Martz used Jones much more in the passing game. In his first six games, Jones had 31 catches - topping his career-high of 28 for entire season.
If Jones can come back healthy - and stay that way - he's going to be a huge cog in the offensive weaponry. Lions fans might finally see the big picture of why the team traded back up into the first round in 2004 and drafted him.
But getting healthy - and staying that way - will be the biggest obstacles that Jones has faced in his young career. Whether he decides to dance around it or bowl it over, he has to find a way to get it done.

Scouting Report: Ikaika Alama-Francis (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/2007/06/scouting_report_ikaika_alamafr.html)

Posted by Tom Kowalski (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/about.html) June 05, 2007 06:00AM


Perhaps head coach Rod Marinelli shouldn't say he wants players who love football and have a passion for the game, but that he really wants players who love to compete and have a passion for winning.
In the case of rookie second-round pick Ikaika Alama-Francis, football wasn't a serious issue until his sophomore year in college. Instead, Alama-Francis enjoyed playing volleyball and basketball and actually went to Hawaii to play basketball.
No one is comparing Alama-Francis to Julius Peppers but the connections to basketball and its benefits can't be ignored. What Alama-Francis brings to his defensive end position is a great first step, excellent balance, a huge wingspan, great work ethic and, perhaps more importantly, lightning-quick hands.
Alama-Francis didn't participate in the early workouts because of a muscle tear he suffered while weight lifting in preparation for the scouting combine. Still, in the drills I saw him perform that required hand movement and placement, he reminded me of Robert Porcher, who went to several Pro Bowls because of a quick first step and excellent hands.
While Alama-Francis doesn't have the natural pass-rush moves of a guy like Gaines Adams, he does have several other strong qualities. Unlike most rookie defensive linemen, Alama-Francis should hold up very well against the run and that's going to be important because he'll be placed on the left side, backing up Dewayne White.
Although Alama-Francis played the right side in college, he was in a 3-4 scheme which means he spent a lot of time with both hands in the dirt so the switch shouldn't adversely affect him.

Great stuff Chris. Keep 'em coming.

I've been reading these on mlive every day or so for a while now. You need to be careful when reading to remember it's still the Lions. Otherwise the smell of cornbread can overwhelm you. Seriously, he's not very critical of many players outside of Eddie Drummond. Even the guys he was once critical of suddenly look amazing in minicamps this year. I believe they look better because A) they're competing again other Lions and B) I really do like and trust Marinelli, but Killer's writing suggests at least an 8-8 season which I refuse to believe at this point.

I agree, but he also ripped Bullocks, Woody and Lehman too. Tom does seem to get pretty high on new OL that never seem to pan out though.

He ripped them early, but praised them late if I remember. Bullocks was a bust but is starting to understand which is making him much fatser and gradually more aggressive, Woody is crap but he's been motivated by the pressure of playing better or losing his job so he's in better shape and could bounce back and be the guy he was supposed to be when we signed him, and Lehman has been an injured enigma but if he's healthy he could be an amazing player for us.

Yeah, cornbread.

Scouting Report: Dan Orlovsky

Posted by Tom Kowalski (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/about.html) June 06, 2007 06:00AM



The bad news for quarterback Dan Orlovsky is that the Lions spent a second-round pick on Drew Stanton but the good news is that he's now competing with a rookie. While the Lions coaching staff is going to take it slow with Stanton in the beginning, they're going to give him a ton of reps by the time camp arrives.
The key for Orlovsky is to not only maintain his advantage over Stanton now, but to increase it. Orlovsky has great size, but he doesn't have Stanton's athleticism. Also, Orlovsky has good arm strength, but it's not a cannon.
The biggest issue for Orlovsky in camp will be in directing Mike Martz's offense. Last year, in a bit of a surprise, the Lions did everything they could to shoe-horn Orlovsky into the backup job, but it didn't work out.
Orlovsky looked good in his first game, completing 6-of-8 passes for 54 yards, a touchdown and an interception. He struggled in the second game, completing just 3-of-11 passes for 44 yards and an interception. After another shaky performance in the third game, Orlovsky lost the backup job to Josh McCown. While Orlovsky was 7-of-15 for 88 yards in that game, 49 yards came on a single play to Eddie Drummond.
Orlovsky is smart and tough, but he has to show Martz that he can make the right read - and be accurate with it - when the pressure is on. Stanton is going to get his shots, there's nothing Orlovsky can do about that. What Orlovsky can do, though, is keep Stanton in that No. 3 spot longer than the team had planned on draft day.

Scouting Report: Frank Davis

Posted by Tom Kowalski (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/about.html) June 07, 2007 06:00AM


Rookie guard Frank Davis turned some heads in training camp last year when the undrafted free agent showed some real strength and athleticism.
Davis got his chance to play last year when Ross Verba left the game against the Minnesota Vikings in December. Davis then started the final three games at left guard and flashed that athleticism but he was very inconsistent.
At about 325 pounds, Davis has the size and strength to be decent in the running game, but his quickness just didn't translate well into pass protection. He was confused at times during stunts and, when he was beaten initially, he wasn't able to recover.
The Lions will still take a long look at him in camp, but the guard position - with the signing of Edwin Mulitalo, the emergence of Stephen Peterman and the position change of Rex Tucker - is suddenly very crowded.
Davis is going to have to make some huge strides in the preseason games if he's going to keep his spot on the roster.

Scouting Report: Brian Calhoun

Posted by Tom Kowalski (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/about.html) June 08, 2007 06:00AM


Brian Calhoun, a surprising third-round pick last year, really didn't have a role in the offense and then the his season ended prematurely when he suffered a knee injury during practice in early November.
Calhoun saw very limited time last year, rushing seven times for 19 yards and catching one pass for 18 yards. At 5-9, 194 pounds, Calhoun appeared too small for the role the Lions were trying to put him in. I thought he might get some time at the slot position to see what he could do there, but it never happened.
Now that the Lions have brought in Tatum Bell and T.J. Duckett, landing a spot on the roster is going to be tough - especially since the Lions are looking at Aveion Cason as an all-purpose back who can also return kickoffs.
Calhoun is still recovering from his knee surgery so he's not taking any reps in the off-season workouts. He'll have to do two things to catch the eye of the coaching staff in camp - show off his speed and prove he can be valuable on special teams, and not just as a return specialist.
Then again, don't be surprised if the Lions - based on their investment in him so far - don't rush him back and keep him on the Physically Unable to Perform list. The Lions might want to be cautious with him - and have the added benefit of having him available if they get nicked at that position in the first two months of the regular season.

Scouting Report: Edell Shepherd

Posted by Tom Kowalski (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/about.html) June 09, 2007 06:00AM


Receiver Edell Shepherd, going into his fourth year, has been a career backup but has some value because of his versatility as a kickoff returner. Shepherd has good instincts in the return game but doesn't have breakaway speed and won't be a consistent threat to go all the way.
Shepherd was an undrafted free agent with the Chicago Bears in 2002 but didn't get out of training camp. He was picked up by Tampa Bay in 2003, spent most of the time on the practice squad, and was then out of football in 2004. The Bucs brought him back in 2004 and then he joined the Houston Texans last year.
In his career, Shepherd has only caught 13 passes and, of his 37 kickoff returns, his longest is just 42 yards.
Still, having said that, Shepherd has looked sharp in Detroit's off-season workouts and it appears he'll be pushing Eddie Drummond and Devale Ellis for that final receiver position. Coordinator Mike Martz only wants to keep receivers - even those at the No. 5 and No. 6 position - who he can count on in a game. One of the knocks on Shepherd has been his inconsistent hands, but that hasn't been an issue in Detroit so far.

Scouting Report: Boss Bailey

Posted by Tom Kowalski (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/about.html) June 10, 2007 06:00AM


Strong side linebacker Boss Bailey is going to be interesting to watch this season because he'll be entering the second year of the one-gap system. After realizing the Bailey-in-the-middle experiment was a big mistake, they've returned him to the strong side where he got better as the season wore on last year.
Bailey's biggest problem has been staying healthy and not just in terms of playing in games, but being healthy enough to play at a high level. Bailey is a player who relies on speed and agility and when that's compromised, his production plummets.
Bailey, who will be in a constant battle all season with Alex Lewis for playing time, can be very good in pass coverage but his recognition must improve. The rules of the Tampa Two - and the constant drilling of techniques - should help in that regard.
In the running game, he's usually stacked behind the line so he doesn't have to take on the tight end, which he struggles with. Bailey, who must become more disciplined in the scheme, is better when he has room to move and adjust.
The biggest disappoint with Bailey so far, other than the health issues, has been his lack of playmaking. He has also the physical skills to get it done, but it just hasn't translated into big plays.
In 39 starts in his three years (he missed all of 2004 with a knee injury), he has just 3 ½ sacks, two interceptions, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. Right now, Bailey has the starting job, but he'll soon lose his grip on that if he can't improve on those numbers - and in a big way.

Scouting Report: Kalimba Edwards

Posted by Tom Kowalski (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/about.html) June 11, 2007 06:07AM


Kalimba Edwards is entering a contract year. It's not that he's heading into the final season of his deal, but the time has come for him to live up to the lucrative contract he signed last year.
Edwards reminds me of that old line by Winston Churchill - "A riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma.''
When you break down Edwards, everything points to a potential Pro Bowl pass rusher. The guy has excellent speed off the edge, great lean and balance and has added some good counter moves. He's a good kid with solid character and a strong work ethic. So what's the problem? No one has been able to figure that out, but head coach Rod Marinelli is absolutely convinced that he can turn the corner (pun intended) with Edwards.
The Lions are going to do everything they can to ensure that success, starting with putting him at right end, the favored pass-rush position. The coaching staff is determined to eliminate any obstacles (read: excuses) and give Edwards every opportunity to succeed.
It would be wise to be skeptical, though, because other coaches have tried to push the right buttons with Edwards and it hasn't worked. While I really believe Edwards "wants'' to be a great player, I'm not so sure he's got that passion deep within him.
I remember having Edwards on my radio show a couple of years ago and I was shocked at his admission that he was just fine with being a backup. I asked him a few more questions about it, sure that I hadn't heard him correctly or he didn't understand what I was asking. But, no, he said if his role on the team was to be a backup, he was fine with that. This wasn't a "I'll do anything for the team'' answer, it was more revealing than that.
I believe the current coaching staff attributes that attitude more to a lack of confidence than any shortcoming in Edwards' passion for the game. If they're right and Marinelli can "reach'' him, they'll have a helluva player coming off that right side.
If they're not, the line is weakened considerably. The Lions would be forced to move Dewayne White back to the right side and then count on somebody else - probably rookie second-round pick Ikaika Alama-Francis - to hold up on the left side. That's asking a lot for a rookie defensive lineman.
Marinelli believes - like Marty Mornhinweg and Steve Mariucci before him - that the front four will be the strength of the team. The other two guys were wrong, mostly because Edwards never stepped up and had his production match his potential.
This is the year we find out if he ever will.

Scouting Report: Mike Furrey (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/2007/06/scouting_report_mike_furrey.html)

Posted by Tom Kowalski (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/about.html) June 12, 2007 06:00AM


A lot of people believe Mike Furrey is a "Mike Martz creation'' but that doesn't do justice to the man. Furrey is a fine football player who was lucky enough to be in position to get a "Mike Martz opportunity.''
Furrey's passionate desire to play football was imbedded long before he ever knew Martz. Furrey played his collegiate ball at Northern Iowa before going to the XFL and then washing out of the Jets training camp in 2002. Undaunted, he went to the AFL where he set several receiving records and hoped for another shot at the NFL.
He got it with Martz and the Rams in 2003 but after two unimpressive years (catching 20 passes and then one, respectively), he was converted to safety in 2004. It's not that Martz didn't think Furrey could play receiver but there was no room for him there. Martz was also desperate for safeties - he thought Furrey would be a decent backup - and also didn't want to lose his character and special teams skills.
After a surprisingly strong year at safety, intercepting four passes and returning one for a touchdown, teams wanted to sign him as a free agent - at safety. An ESPN scouting report said it was Furrey's best option because, as a receiver, he'd be no better than a No. 4 in anybody's system.
When compared to the 98-catch, 1,000-yard season Furrey had last year, you'd that scout should find another line of work. But the reality is that, physically, Furrey is a No. 4. He has decent quickness, but doesn't have great speed. He's not going to outrun anybody in the NFL and he's only 6-0 and 205 pounds so he's not going to muscle anybody either.
But here's what Furreys' got: Tremendous football knowledge and understanding of the concepts that Martz uses - he has a great feel for how he wants to attack an opponent. Furrey also has tremendous concentration and his focus during games is why not only Martz, but quarterback Jon Kitna can depend on him to be where he's supposed to be. Furrey then caps it off with excellent hands and toughness. He's going to catch almost everything thrown at him and he's not afraid of going over the middle. Now, he's also going to calculate the risks and there are times when he catches the ball and realizes there's 800 pounds of anger steaming toward him and he'll start to get low and look for a soft spot to land.
There are times on the football field where discretion is the better part of valor.
Furrey signed a big off-season contract, despite the fact he was probably going to be "demoted'' to the slot position. If the Lions didn't sign Kevin Curtis as a free agent, they were going to take a hard look at Calvin Johnson, who they believed was by far the best player in the draft.
It seemed a little odd at first that Furrey would welcome the addition of Johnson but if you look a little deeper into Martz's offense, you can see why Furrey has reason to believe he'll do even better than last year.
Furrey doesn't have the speed to burn anybody deep so it limited what he could do on the outside. It also allowed the defense to cheat a little because they weren't afraid of anything snapping behind them. Now, with Furrey on the inside and all of his skills at his disposal, the defense will be even further softened by the outside presence of burners like Johnson and Roy Williams.
Furrey is going to make a killing on the inside because defenses will have the option of committing forces to stop Furrey on an eight-yarder or shoring up the outside to prevent Johnson or Williams from going 80. Not much of a choice, is it?
The other thing Furrey brings to the table is huge - he has the ability to take over at either outside position in case Johnson or Williams gets dinged up. No, he's not going to be the same long threat, but he's capable of doing some damage out there - as his 98 catches and 1,000 yards will attest.
Martz is the guy who gave Furrey the knowledge and opportunity to be a productive NFL receiver, but it was Furrey's passion for the game and his unrelenting desire to get better every day that has formed this "creation.''

Scouting Report: Jared DeVries (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/2007/06/scouting_report_jared_devries.html)

Posted by Tom Kowalski (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/about.html) June 13, 2007 06:00AM


In checking out the numbers of defensive end Jared DeVries, I was stunned that he only has eight sacks in his eight-year career. It's too bad the NFL doesn't hand out assists for sacks like they do for baskets in the NBA because then DeVries might be among the league leaders.
DeVries does not have great speed or a huge burst so he has trouble closing the deal when he zeroes in on a quarterback, but that's what he's so good at - zeroing in on the quarterback. In recent years, nobody has done a better job of forcing the quarterback to pull the ball down and escape the pocket than DeVries.
Other guys have coming steaming off the edge and force the quarterback to take a step up, but not to pull it down and run. DeVries does that because almost always takes a direct line to the quarterback, whether it's with an inside move or bullrush.
That inability, though, to get speed off the edge - and his advancing age (he'll be 31) - could work against him at training camp. The Lions have their two guys on the right side - Kalimba Edwards and Corey Smith - and they have two guys on the left side (where DeVries mainly plays): Dewayne White and rookie Ikaika Alama-Francis.
That doesn't leave a lot of room for DeVries, but that's when you're looking strictly at the numbers game. Once DeVries gets on the field and shows his versatility, not just in moving from end to tackle, but his production in special teams, the coaching staff will desperately try to find a way to keep him on the roster.
There's one more reason DeVries will come in very handy. During the season, the Lions will be playing opponents who are going to load up and bulldoze the ball. If the Lions don't have the ability to plug DeVries into that situation, it's something they might live to regret.

Scouting Report: Blaine Saipaia

Posted by Tom Kowalski (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/about.html) June 14, 2007 06:00AM


The one quality a backup offensive lineman must have, even more than size, quickness and agility, is versatility. A backup in the NFL increases his value by the more positions he can play and that's why Blaine Saipaia is going to be in the league for quite awhile. Teams will always need a guy who can play center, guard, tackle and tight end.
The question is whether the Lions are one of those teams. They certainly were last year when they signed him in mid-season because of injuries. Saipaia started four games for the Lions, but it should've been more; he left the lineup twice becaue of injuries and was ultimately put on the injured reserve list.
Saipaia has good strength and moves fairly well, but he's not real quick and doesn't always react well to blitzes or stunts. Saipaia is better when he traps and pulls on the interior but loses his effectiveness when he has to block outside the tackles, especially on screens.
The decision to keep Saipaia will largely depend on how the Lions feel about some of their younger players. Second-year players Frank Davis, Dave Pearson and rookie Manny Ramirez will have to step up during training camp if they're going to beat out Saipaia.
Here's something else to consider: the Lions really don't have a true backup center to Dominic Raiola right now. Other than Saipaia, Pearson is the only other player who has experience there so it would seem, at this point, that one of those two should make the team.

Scouting Report: Fernando Bryant (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/2007/06/scouting_report_fernando_bryan.html)

Posted by Tom Kowalski (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/about.html) June 15, 2007 06:00AM


Fernando Bryant's three years in Detroit could be described by Lions fans as bitterly disappointing while Bryant himself would probably describe it as painfully disappointing.
When Bryant arrived in 2004 from Jacksonville, he had the reputation of being a solid, but unspectacular cornerback. He wasn't going to make a lot of interceptions - he only had five in his first five seasons with the Jags - but he'd play solid defense, break up passes and do a good job supporting the run.
And, when he's been on the field, he's actually done that. But that's been the problem. After starting all 32 games in his final two years in Jacksonville, Bryant has played in just 22 games for the Lions while missing 26.
First, it was an ankle injury that knocked him out of six games during his first year in Detroit. He missed 14 the following season after hurting his shoulder on that collision with safety Kenoy Kennedy.
Last year had to be his worst season, for so many different reasons. Bryant was devastated by the death of his grandmother and was excused from the team and missed a game because of it. When he returned, a lingering ankle injury flared up and he missed another game.
Then, in December, Bryant suffered a severe concussion and it knocked him out of the final four games of the season. Because of the severity of the concussion there was some question about whether Bryant would return for a ninth season but he has told team officials that he wants to play.
If he's healthy, Bryant would likely be a starter because of his experience and his willingness to come up and play the run, despite his lack of ideal size.
There's another issue at hand, however. Bryant is expected to make $3.25 million in salary this season and the Lions might demand a pay cut for two reasons: One, the Lions don't want to dole out that kind of money for a guy with a long injury history and, two, there are some younger guys pushing for the starting position and the team doesn't want to pay a backup that kind of cash, either.
When it comes to Bryant and the cornerback position, it's going to be another interesting situation to watch at training camp.

Scouting Report: Dan Campbell (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/2007/06/scouting_report_dan_campbell.html)

Posted by Tom Kowalski (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/about.html) June 16, 2007 06:00AM


Injuries played a big role in Dan Campbell's first year with the Lions last season. Because he didn't practice much in training camp because of the off-season elbow surgery he had - prior to signing as a free agent - the Lions had penciled Casey FitzSimmons into the starting lineup because he had been so impressive.
When FitzSimmons broke his wrist in the final preseason game, the Lions thought they'd have to greatly reduce their passing options at tight end because Campbell was known for his blocking talents, not his receiving skills.
But Campbell surprised everybody on the staff. They knew he was good - that's why they signed him - but they didn't know he was so versatile. In addition to his solid blocking ability, Campbell showed that he could get downfield and make some big catches. His 21 catches was one short of his career high, but his average of 14.7 yards per catch was more than three yards better than his previous best.
Campbell is going to be effective in certain situations, but he'll never be an explosive threat like some of the other, more fleet-footed tight ends in the league.
Campbell is currently recovering from off-season triceps surgery, but is expected to be ready for the start of training camp. (Remember, FitzSimmons and Sean McHugh will be used primarily in the hybrid tight end/fullback roles.)
While Eric Beverly might take some snaps away, look for Campbell to get the bulk of playing time if he returns healthy. Off the field, Campbell doesn't look like he'd be a fluid athlete but once he gets on the turf, he has good footwork and sharp blocking techniques. Like all tight ends, he can get overpowered at times by big defensive ends but he can do more than hold his own the majority of the time.
Head coach Rod Marinelli not only likes Campbell's physical tools, but has high praise for his attitude. Marinelli has said more than once that if you're starting a football team, you want to start it with a guy like Campbell because his toughness and nastiness is infectious.

Scouting Report: Paris Lenon (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/2007/06/scouting_report_paris_lenon.html)

Posted by Tom Kowalski (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/about.html) June 17, 2007 06:00AM


When Paris Lenon came over from the Green Bay Packers last year, he arrived with the baggage of a linebacker who was smart and physical, but couldn't run. Lenon, who appears tailor-made for the Tampa Two scheme, is shedding that baggage.
Lenon is expected to be the starting middle linebacker going into the regular season because of the excellent work he did last year. Lenon doesn't have Brian Urlacher's sideline-to-sideline speed, but he is very quick and, more importantly, he shows excellent recognition within the scheme. While he still needs to come up with some big game-changing plays, his strength is in his consistency and not making mistakes - which is big in Rod Marinelli's system.
In Detroit's scheme, linebackers must not only be very disciplined in filling a single gap in the running game, but they have to identify what's going on in front of them with their pass drops. Part of the package is allowing the underneath receivers to catch the ball, but drilling them immediately for a two- or three-yard gain instead of a five- or six-yard gain. Lenon made several excellent plays in that situation last year.
Again, Lenon has to add some playmaking ability and it'll be interesting to see if he can do that as the defense gets better as a whole. Last year, in 16 starts, he had just one interception and no forced fumbles.
However, one thing to keep in mind is that, as sharp as he was last season, everybody is going to get better as they get more comfortable with the defensive philosophy. If Lenon continues to grow, he'll keep a firm grip on his starting job. If he has reached his peaked and is beginning to level off, Teddy Lehman will pressure him for some playing time.

Scouting Report: Dominic Raiola (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/2007/06/scouting_report_dominic_raiola.html)

Posted by Tom Kowalski (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/about.html) June 18, 2007 06:00AM


Center Dominic Raiola took a huge leap last year because the coaching staff took advantage of his strengths - getting him in space and getting him to the second level. Raiola played a big role in several scoring plays in the red zone because of his ability to wipe out linebackers in the open field.
Raiola doesn't have great size and he'll sometimes get overpowered when teams put a big tackle right over him. However, teams have been doing that less and less because Raiola has improved that part of his game, too.
While Raiola has a very quick mind, his role has changed drastically from the West Coast system to the offense of coordinator Mike Martz. Raiola still has to make calls but there's much less pressure on him to read defenses because that's now handled by the quarterback.
Two other positives or Raiola are his durability - he hasn't missed a start since taking the No. 1 job in his second season in 2002 - and his leadership. As Raiola improved last year, it was evident in the locker room that teammates were acknowledging his role - and that Raiola was accepting the added responsibility.
While the Lions will continue to do a lot of with pulls and traps, they'll also pay more attention to the power running game and go through periods in a game where they want to slug it out. This is where Raiola's greatest challenge will come because teams will try to load up the middle and attack him. In the past, coaching staffs would try to "help'' Raiola with guards but Martz doesn't believe in that. He thinks Raiola is strong enough to handle those one-on-one battles and is going to give him every opportunity to prove it.

Scouting Report: T.J. Duckett (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/2007/06/scouting_report_tj_duckett.html)

Posted by Tom Kowalski (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/about.html) June 19, 2007 06:00AM


When the Lions signed T.J. Duckett to a free-agent contract, shortly after trading for Tatum Bell, it was largely assumed that Duckett would be used primarily as a change-of-pace and short-yardage back. After all, Bell's strength isn't running between the tackles.
Duckett, though, has other ideas. Even if Kevin Jones returns from his Lisfranc injury, Duckett wants to be part of the rotation at running back and early indications are that he will be.
While the Lions - with Mike Martz at the offensive helm - will always be considered a passing team, head coach Rod Marinelli has made it clear that he wants the Lions to have the ability to be a power running team. They won't do it all the time, but there will be points in games - whether simply to change things up or as a strategic move - where the Lions will go "big'' and try to bulldoze the ball down the field.
That's where Duckett comes in. While he still has good speed for a big man, he's going to make his living between the tackles and off-tackle and get the punishing yards. The Lions like him in that role because he still has the wheels to turn a small gain into a huge play.
The one area where Duckett must improve is as a pass receiver. From early practices, it appears he's got pretty good hands, but he's got to get it done in the games - he's only caught 31 passes in his five-year career.
The other value that Duckett has is his ability to carry the workload if he has to. While he played in the backfield at the same time as Warrick Dunn in 2003 with the Atlanta Falcons, Duckett became the feature back for the final five games of the season when Dunn was hurt.
In the final two games that year, Duckett carried 27 and 22 times for 93 and 96 yards, respectively, and busted at least one run of 21 yards in each game. Those 27 carries remain a career high for him.

Never been a huge fan of Fernando Bryant, maybe its because our secondary has sucked all the years hes been on it.

It may have been better if he was actually IN it all those years he's been in it.

lol true, 2nd game every year is all we can count on.

Scouting Report: Shawn Bryson

Posted by Tom Kowalski (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/about.html) June 20, 2007 06:00AM


Shawn Bryson, who is still recovering from a knee injury, needs to get back on the field and show the coaching staff why they thought he was so valuable last season. If he gets all of his speed back, Bryson is a versatile player who can hit the corner, has a quick burst on open-field plays like draws, he can pick up the blitz and he's a solid receiver out of the backfield.
Bryson showed some flash last year as a receiver, catching eight passes for 98 yards and a touchdown, but he got hurt in the fifth game. Unfortunately for Bryson, his biggest play came late in the season opener against the Seattle Seahawks when he had a miscommunication with quarterback Jon Kitna and didn't turn around in time to catch a key third-down pass.
The biggest problem for Bryson this year is that he's coming back to a crowded position. The Lions expect Kevin Jones to be ready at some point in training camp and they've signed free agents Tatum Bell and T.J. Duckett. Bryson, who has played fullback in the past, could have a spot there, but it seems that coordinator Mike Martz is leaning more toward bigger guys like Casey FitzSimmons and Sean McHugh because they have more versatility in moving to tight end or H-back.

Scouting Report: A.J. Davis (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/2007/06/scouting_report_aj_davis.html) Posted by Tom Kowalski (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/about.html) June 27, 2007 06:02AM


A.J. Davis, the rookie fourth-round draft pick out of North Carolina State, is an interesting prospect because he has so much untapped potential. The flip side of that, though, is that he didn't produce on a long-term basis in college.
In 40 career games at N.C. State, Davis only started 16 games and he was limited last year because of a hamstring injury. Davis, who was once timed at 4.28 in college, still hasn't shown that kind of speed on the football field.
The Lions took a chance on Davis because he's a physical player who seems to fit the Tampa Two scheme. He can lock up a receiver with press coverage at the line and he can support the run. While he's still struggling to learn the disciplines of the Tampa Two system, he'll get a chance to separate himself from the other cornerbacks when the team gets in pads in training camp.
It's not a lock, but there's a strong possibility Davis will get a spot on the Lions' roster because of his draft status. Taken in the fourth round, the Lions used the pick on Davis that they received from the Oakland Raiders in the trade for Josh McCown and Mike Williams.
Davis might take some time to develop, especially in terms of learning how to use his speed most effectively, but the Lions are going to give him that opportunity.
Scouting Report: Aveion Cason (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/2007/06/scouting_report_aveion_cason.html)

Posted by Tom Kowalski (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/about.html) June 26, 2007 06:01AM


At first glance, it would appear that running back Aveion Cason is going to get squeezed out in the numbers game. The Lions have a lot of good, experienced running backs on the roster and they have a couple of guys - Casey FitzSimmons and Sean McHugh - who can double as fullbacks. That doesn't leave a lot of roster spots open.
However, offensive coordinator Mike Martz likes Cason, who played two years under Martz with the St. Louis Rams. Martz likes Cason's speed and ability to hit the corner and he likes his toughness.
Still, Cason is going to have to make the squad on special teams and primarily as a kickoff returner. While the Lions have some candidates to handle punts, they don't have a lot of players with top speed to return kickoffs. It could very well come down to a special teams battle between Cason and Eddie Drummond for a roster spot.


Scouting Report: Shaun McDonald (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/2007/06/scouting_report_shaun_mcdonald.html)

Posted by Tom Kowalski (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/about.html) June 25, 2007 06:00AM


The arrival of Shaun McDonald - and the drafting of Calvin Johnson - means the Lions will be using a lot more four-receiver sets than they did last year. Coordinator Mike Martz likes to spread out the offense against certain teams - and in certain situations against every team - but he pulled back a little last year because he didn't trust all the receivers to do the right thing.
That's where McDonald comes in. McDonald played for a couple of years under Martz in St. Louis and knows the offense well enough that he can play a variety of positions - just as Mike Furrey did when he joined Detroit last year.
McDonald has good speed, but he's more quick than fast and that's not a problem for the slot position in Martz's offense. With big, fast receivers like Johnson and Roy Williams on the outside, the Lions will be able to push the defense back and out, giving guys like McDonald and Furrey more room to work on the inside.
While McDonald would appear to be a candidate for a punt hawk on special teams, that really isn't his strength. However, look for him to get a lengthy look at being the team's punt returner. The Lions are trying to replace Eddie Drummond and, while McDonald can be very elusive, he hasn't been a home-run threat.
In 61 career punt returns, he's never scored a touchdown and his longest return was 39 yards.


Scouting Report: Donte Curry (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/2007/06/scouting_report_donte_curry.html)

Posted by Tom Kowalski (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/about.html) June 24, 2007 06:00AM


There are two things you can expect from Donte Curry: He's going to do everything you ask and he's going to do it with 100 percent intensity. It's one of the reasons his teammates voted him as the special teams captain last year - and why he'll likely get voted in again this season.
Curry is an average linebacker who has excellent tackling skills and can play any of the three positions, but he doesn't have great strength at the point of attack and he doesn't possess quickness inside.
Curry's value comes on special teams where his "long'' speed becomes more of a factor. Also, Curry is a great influence in the locker room and he has the kind of passion head coach Rod Marinelli is looking for in his players.
With a couple of young linebackers on the roster - second-year player Anthony Cannon and rookie Johnny Baldwin - Curry will have competition for his roster spot but he has something neither of those players has yet to establish - dependability.


Scouting Report: Ramzee Robinson (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/2007/06/scouting_report_ramzee_robinso.html)

Posted by Tom Kowalski (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/about.html) June 23, 2007 06:00AM


Ramzee Robinson, the Lions seventh-round draft choice, wants to be known for something other than the guy who was Mr. Irrelevant of 2007 (as the last pick in the draft). A cornerback from Alabama, Robinson is a good fit for the Tampa Two because he'll come up and tackle. However, the scheme also requires corners to be strong in press coverage and Robinson needs to work on his bump-and-run techiques.
Robinson doesn't have great speed, running the mid 4.5s, but he has good quickness. He's going to have a tough time making the team simply because of the numbers game, but he can greatly increase his odds with his special teams play. Not just as a potential punt and kickoff return man, but with his coverage skills as well.


Scouting Report: Joe Barry (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/2007/06/scouting_report_joe_barry.html)

Posted by Tom Kowalski (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/about.html) June 22, 2007 06:00AM


You never really know about a coach until you see him respond on game day and under fire. Joe Barry, who had been a linebackers coach for several years with the Buccaneers, is getting his first crack at being a defensive coordinator and the early impressions are positive.
Barry is reflection of head coach Rod Marinelli and not just because Marinelli is the grandfather to Barry's children. The two men act and coach pretty much in the same manner because they had some of the same influences coming up through the ranks and, most importantly, they're both rooted in the Tampa Two scheme.
Marinelli actually wanted Barry in Detroit last year but the Bucs wouldn't let him out of the final year of his contract. Instead, Marinelli hired Donnie Henderson and it was apparent early that it was a mistake. It's not that Henderson wasn't a good coach, but he had no training in the Tampa Two so Marinelli had to spent time getting him up to speed, as well as the players.
With Barry, Marinelli has pretty much turned over the defense to him just as he's turned over the offense to Mike Martz. Now Marinelli can concentrate on the little picture - helping tutor the defensive linemen - and the big picture - becoming a better overall head coach in terms of strategy and game management.
Marinelli wouldn't feel comfortable giving up that kind of authority to just anybody but it's easy to see why he's confident in his defensive coordinator. Barry is an extremely strict coach who is on his players constantly, not tearing them down, but demanding that each drill and every assignment is executed correctly.
Barry doesn't yell for the sake of it, but he'll undress a player on the field immediately if he believes there's been a lack of focus or a failure to adequately prepare.
From talking to players, it's already obvious what his arrival has meant in terms of picking up the defense and understanding the finer details of it. Again, Henderson was in a bad position because sometimes he'd get questions that he didn't have all the answers to. Barry, on the other hand, has been through this system for years and knows how to address any problems that arise.
Barry's knowledge and teaching of the defense are clearly top-notch, but what we don't know yet is how good he's going to be at motivation and game-day decisions. While Marinelli is the leader of the team, Barry must also know how to push the right buttons at a lower level.
One of the things that's distinguished guys like Jim Johnson in Philly and Monte Kiffin in Tampa is their ability to call a great game - and not just when all cylinders are clicking. That's the great unknown about Barry but Lions fans - and Lions' opponents - are going to find out soon enough.


Scouting Report: Shaun Cody (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/2007/06/scouting_report_shaun_cody.html)

Posted by Tom Kowalski (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/about.html) June 21, 2007 06:00AM


The Lions, who traded up in the second round two years ago to get Shaun Cody, expected him to take a big step forward last year, but a toe injury after five games ended that hope. He wasn't playing all that well at the time for a couple of reasons.
One, the new scheme had everybody a little confused and mistakes were made. Two, the Lions were basically playing with two "three'' technique tackles and no true "nose.'' While Cody and Shaun Rogers (who started the first five games with Cody) both have the flexibility to play both spots, only Rogers has the bulk and strength to be a true nose tackle (which is why the Lions are moving him there this season).
While Cody has virtually no shot at a starting position - he'll backup Cory Redding - the coaching staff is looking for big things from Cody. Whenever defensive coordinator Joe Barry is asked about Detroit's big tackle tandem, he always calls it a trio and adds Cody to the mix. Cody will get a lot of time in the rotation and he'll be much better if they just stick him at "three.''
The reason is because, at 293 pounds, Cody is much better suited for the "under'' tackle. He has a quick first step, uses his hands well and has a great motor. Some of that was compromised last year because of the new defense and he wasn't comfortable with it.
The toe injury and recovery lingered well into the off-season and Cody has missed a lot of work, but he should be 100 percent healthy for the start of training camp. It's going to be interesting to see how quickly he picks up the defense and whether he can turn into a disruptive force on the interior. He has the tenacity and some pretty good pass rush moves to collapse the pocket, but he's got to stay healthy long enough to show those skills.

Scouting Report: Devale Ellis (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/2007/06/scouting_report_devale_ellis.html)

Posted by Tom Kowalski (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/about.html) June 28, 2007 06:01AM


An undrafted free agent from last year, receiver Devale Ellis impressed the coaching staff with his speed, but he struggled in learning the offense and it cut into his opportunities.
During the recent off-season workouts, Ellis looks like a much more polished player with a lot more confidence. To land a spot on the roster, Ellis is going to have to prove to coordinator Mike Martz that he knows the offense and can be dependable.
Ellis has the speed to be a kickoff returner but, at 5-10 and 174 pounds, the Lions would be foolish to believe he's going to last very long in that role. He has a thin frame and, unlike guys like Aveion Cason and Eddie Drummond, he doesn't have the muscle to absorb a lot of punishment.
Ellis will have to show that he can do a lot of things on special teams, not only be a backup on both return units, but also perform at a high level at the hawk (or gunner) position on punt coverage.


Scouting Report: Johnny Baldwin (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/2007/06/scouting_report_johnny_baldwin.html)

Posted by Tom Kowalski (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/about.html) June 29, 2007 06:03AM


Johnny Baldwin, the Lions fifth-round draft pick, is one of the most raw prospects the team has taken in recent years. Out of Alabama A&M, a Division I-AA school, Baldwin has excellent speed - he's been timed at 4.59 - but he's undersized at 232 pounds. He might be able to put a few pounds on his 6-2 frame, but his game is speed and high energy.
Baldwin isn't going to add anything to the linebacking corps this year because he's just too far behind. He'll have to do his damage on special teams because the jump from that small college to the Tampa Two system is a huge leap.
Defensive coordinator Joe Barry has been happy with Baldwin's progress but admits he's got an uphill battle. Barry said that Baldwin is still "a million miles away from where he needs to be but that's OK because he started two million miles away.''
What Baldwin has to show the coaching staff in the preseason is that the game isn't too big - or too fast - for him. He has to be strong on special teams and show some rapid improvement at linebacker. The Lions aren't going to keep just special teams players, they want guys who they think can ultimately develop into position players. If Baldwin can't make significant progress during camp, his odds of getting a roster spot are greatly reduced.


Scouting Report: Edwin Mulitalo (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/2007/06/scouting_report_edwin_mulitalo.html)

Posted by Tom Kowalski (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/about.html) June 30, 2007 06:00AM


The most excited guy in the Lions training camp this season might be left tackle Jeff Backus because he's finally - finally - going to get a chance to play alongside a proven left guard with an impressive resume.
Well, maybe.
There's no arguing Mulitalo's talents - he was a battle-tested, hard-nosed seven-year starter with the Baltimore Ravens - but the question is how much Mulitalo still has left. He's coming off a triceps injury and didn't practice much at all during the team drills in the off-season workouts.
Mulitalo suffered the injury in October of last year and missed the final 12 games of the season.
If Mulitalo returns healthy, he's going to add a lot of muscle and attitude to Detroit's running game. Mulitalo can do it all in the ground game, whether it's steamrolling defenders in straight-up one-on-one battles or pulling and blocking in space.
Mulitalo is decent in pass protection, but he's not as effective as he is in run blocking. Mulitalo does a better job in handling a bull-rush type tackle than he does one who has a lot of counter moves.
The Lions have struggled for years to try to lock down that left guard position and they've gone through a turnstile there - Backus probably can't remember how many different guys he's lined up with. It started with Tony Semple and has continued from there with guys like Eric Beverly, David Loverne, Rick DeMulling, Ross Verba and Frank Davis - with many others sprinkled in for a start here and there.


Scouting Report: Corey Smith (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/2007/07/scouting_report_corey_smith.html)

Posted by Tom Kowalski (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/about.html) July 01, 2007 06:01AM


A mid-season acquisition last year after the injury to James Hall, defensive end Corey Smith showed enough to likely earn a roster spot this season.
Smith, who played under Rod Marinelli when they were with the Bucs, has a a great deal of speed off the edge and is most effective on the right side. He's undersized at 6-2, 252 pounds and will sometimes get engulfed by a big tackle, but he has an incredible motor and is very difficult to finish off.
Smith will go into camp as a backup to Kalimba Edwards on the right side and his playing time during the year will be in direct proportion to how well Edwards is playing. Smith is going to be involved in the rotation, but he could see more action if Edwards isn't playing well because Marinelli knows what to expect out of Smith and knows he's getting everything he has.
Because of his size, Smith can sometimes be exposed in the running game but he can be effective if he uses his quickness. If he gets caught in the wrong position, he's not big enough to muscle his way out of the block.


Scouting Report: Jonathan Scott (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/2007/07/scouting_report_jonathan_scott.html)

Posted by Tom Kowalski (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/about.html) July 02, 2007 06:02AM


Second-year player Jonathan Scott has made such huge strides that he's been moved from right tackle to backup left tackle. At 6-6 and 315 pounds, Scott is the rare big tackle who can bend and get into the right position quickly and correctly.
Scott appears to be fully recovered from the hip injury he suffered in the season finale against the Cowboys. Scott was playing at a very high level before getting hurt in the fourth quarter.
The Lions like Scott's toughness and his willingness and ability to improve his technique. He can still get caught out of position with a speed rusher and, like all young players, is vulnerable to counter moves to the inside. Scott has shown more tenacity in the run game and he needs to improve in that area.
There's no question Scott will nail down one of the backup positions on the roster because he can play both tackle positions.


Scouting Report: Dee McCann (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/2007/07/scouting_report_dee_mccann.html)

Posted by Tom Kowalski (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/about.html) July 03, 2007 06:00AM


A sprained right knee late in the off-season workouts might land Dee McCann on the Physically Unable to Perform list at the start of training camp. McCann vows he'll be back in time and there's a lot of competition at cornerback so he can't afford to lose much time.
Last year, McCann spent the first 15 games on the practice squad and was promoted to the 53-man roster for the season finale, but was inactive against the Cowboys.
McCann, last season's sixth-round draft pick, has decent speed and he's playing with more confidence now. However, he still has to show more consistency in handling his assignments. At 5-10 and 200 pounds, he's got the size to be a physical force on the corner and he'll have to put that on display when the team gets into pads during camp.


Scouting Report: Sean McHugh (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/2007/07/scouting_report_sean_mchugh.html)

Posted by Tom Kowalski (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/about.html) July 04, 2007 06:01AM


Sean McHugh, who is going into his fourth NFL season, has finally found his niche as a fullback/tight end with the Lions. In his first two seasons, one each with Green Bay and Detroit, he only appeared in a total of four games. Last year, though, McHugh played a bigger role in Detroit's offense, appearing in six games late in the season and starting two.
McHugh only caught three passes for 25 yards, but he was used a lot as a blocker in the running game. McHugh has good size and is effective at sustaining his blocks, but he's also showing more athleticism as a pass receiver. He doesn't have great speed or quickness, but he's smart and his routes are better and he's learning how to get open.
With Cory Schlesinger gone to the Dolphins as a free agent, there's a big void at fullback and McHugh is going to be one of the players called on to fill it from time to time. Because he's playing a multitude of positions, there's a lot of pressure on McHugh to have a full understanding of Mike Martz's offense. McHugh is often used in shifts and motions to change the "strength'' of the offense and create mismatches so he always has to be in the right place at the right time.


Scouting Report: Stan Kwan (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/2007/07/scouting_report_stan_kwan.html)

Posted by Tom Kowalski (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/about.html) July 05, 2007 06:02AM


Stan Kwan, the Lions new special teams coach, isn't nearly as vocal as many of the other guys on the staff, but he burns with the same intensity. Kwan spent seven years as an understudy to the highly respected Chuck Priefer, who retired after last season.
Kwan will benefit from that association, not only because he learned so much from Priefer, but because the players already know and have a high level of respect for what Kwan can do. Priefer, knowing that he would ultimately retire, allowed Kwan more liberty in handling the special teams the last couple of years.
While Kwan will do many of the same things that Priefer did, he does have his own personality and idea of how to run the units. Kwan has impressed head coach Rod Marinelli with his strong focus on small details and fundamentals.
The one area that people are sure to wonder about is Detroit's lack of trick plays over the years. While it seems the Lions have the athletes in kickers like Jason Hanson and Nick Harris to pull off some chicanery from time to time, they've rarely pulled the trigger.
Making that decision isn't Kwan's call - that always comes straight from the head coach. However, Marinelli will lean heavily on Kwan's advice - and confidence - that his units can pull off a trick play. It'll be interesting to see how that plays out during the season.

Scouting Report: Stanley Wilson (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/2007/07/scouting_report_stanley_wilson.html)

Posted by Tom Kowalski (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/about.html) July 06, 2007 06:03AM


Going into his third season, cornerback Stanley Wilson is going to press for a starting position, but that's not really the issue. The Lions can't look at this situation as "We're better because we've got good competition with Wilson, Fernando Bryant and Travis Fisher all fighting for the top two spots.''
The real issue is whether two - or all three - of those guys is going to step up their game and become more productive in the defense. Because of injuries, Wilson started four games last year and you could see him get better as he played. He got more comfortable with the system and you could see some of his athletic ability begin to surface.
Wilson, though, has a long way to go. Wilson has very good speed and good pass coverage skills, but he needs to get better in supporting the run. He's tough enough - always the first and biggest hurdle when it comes to corners - but he needs more work in shedding blocking receivers. He needs to work on getting himself into better tackling position - something the coaching staff should be successful with.
From this viewpoint, confidence is everything to Wilson's game. When he feels like he knows what he's doing out there, he becomes much more aggressive. When he begins to doubt himself - and his preparation isn't up to par - his play diminishes. Whether he starts or not, Wilson is going to get a lot more playing time this year and it'll be a challenge for him to keep his confidence high when things start to go bad. It's an absolute fact of life for NFL cornerbacks that things are going to bad - real bad - at some point in the game or season. The good ones bounce back immediately.


Scouting Report: Drew Stanton (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/2007/07/scouting_report_drew_stanton.html)

Posted by Tom Kowalski (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/about.html) July 07, 2007 06:04AM


Contrary to earlier reports of how good Drew Stanton has looked in the off-season workouts - and even the positive comments by coordinator Mike Martz - the reality of the situation is that Stanton has looked pretty bad. On the rare times he actually knew what he was doing in team drills, his passes came out late or wobbly or both.
This doesn't mean Stanton is a bust. Actually, it doesn't mean anything at all because Stanton's early struggles should come as no surprise to anyone who knows how Martz coaches.
First, Martz completely tore down Stanton from a physical standpoint, changing some of the most elementary things about his delivery, including how he grips the ball. That's not an easy thing to deal with. Martz said he's only "tweaked a few things'' which is something of a classic understatement.
So, while Stanton has to deal with thinking about his new footwork, setup, delivery, grip and release, he also has to have a vice-like grip on the offense, the philosophy, the concepts, the plays, the routes, the route adjustments, the protections, the motions, the shifts, the dropback and the timing. I'm sure I've forgotten a few things in there, but you get the point.
The kid is absolutely overwhelmed and here's the kicker - Martz doesn't care. It has long been a staple of Martz's coaching philosophy that he doesn't bend his expectations to a player's limits - he sets the standard very high and expects the player to get there. And the player either does or he doesn't. Martz isn't exactly patient in waiting for the players to reach that high level. Now, Stanton will get a little bit of slack because he's a rookie but that luxury will disappear by the start of training camp.
I asked a veteran offensive player if he felt a slight bit of sympathy for what Stanton is going through and he said, matter-of-factly, "No, it's his job. He'd better learn it.''
That wasn't a slap at Stanton, it was a statement of the obvious. Every player must go through the Martz grinder and nobody's interested in pulling dead weight. If you can't do your job, they don't want you around.
Martz is still very high on Stanton's future because of his intelligence, maturity, passion, toughness and leadership. It's going to take time for those qualities to emerge because Stanton will be swimming in a quagmire for awhile. Martz said he's willing to be patient and that's nice, but Stanton should know this - that patience will run out by Aug. 9 when the Lions play their first preseason game.


Scouting Report: Gerald Alexander (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/2007/07/scouting_report_gerald_alexand.html)

Posted by Tom Kowalski (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/about.html) July 08, 2007 06:06AM


The fact the Lions traded up in the second round to take a safety means they believe they had a need there. While Kenoy Kennedy and Daniel Bullocks - last year's second-round pick - at currently tabbed as the starters, the Lions need to upgrade their production because it's such a valuable position in the defensive scheme.
Alexander will have an uphill climb to win a starting job because it's a tough defensive system to master, but he's a former cornerback - he started there in 2004 and 2005 - and he's a tremendous athlete. At the scouting combine in Indianapolis, Alexander was among the top five athletes in several categories, including No. 2 in the vertical jump at 41 ½ inches.
At 6-1 and 210 pounds, Alexander doesn't have blazing speed, but he's got excellent toughness and good instincts, which is why he'll be playing safety. In Detroit's system, safeties have to be able to play both the free and strong spots and Alexander has the talent to do that.
While Alexander has the size and passion to play run support, he'll still need more work on technique on shedding blocks and breaking down for a sure tackle at the NFL level.
Alexander is coming into the league with a lot of the same traits that Bullocks did last year. Bullocks' development didn't materialize as quickly as the Lions had hoped and it'll be interesting to see how fast Alexander can make the leap. We won't have a real good indication of that, though, until the preseason games start and we see Alexander react under pressure.


Scouting Report: Marcus Robinson (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/2007/07/scouting_report_marcus_robinso.html)

Posted by Tom Kowalski (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/about.html) July 09, 2007 06:02AM


Going into his 10th NFL season, the 32-year-old Robinson still has some life left in his legs and could fill a couple of different roles in the Mike Martz offense. Robinson doesn't have his initial burst anymore, but he can still get downfield and be a deep threat while his ability to catch the ball in traffic makes him a good target in the red zone.
Because he doesn't have sharp quickness going in and coming out of breaks, a necessity in this offense, Robinson can't be used for a long period of time. Instead, looking for him to line up on the outside in certain situations, forcing the defense to respect the deep ball to that side.
Robinson would obviously have a backup role with Detroit, but he also provides some valuable veteran leadership because none of the Lions' core receivers has played in the league more than four years.


Scouting Report: Alex Lewis (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/2007/07/scouting_report_alex_lewis.html)

Posted by Tom Kowalski (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/about.html) July 10, 2007 06:03AM


Going into training camp, Alex Lewis will probably be the backup to Boss Bailey at strongside linebacker, but that's going to be a competitive situation
At 6-0 and 228 pounds, Lewis doesn't have the ideal size but he has excellent speed and his recognition skills are very sharp. Lewis has picked up the defense very well and the Lions are interested to see if he's going to continue that upward progress or whether he'll level off.
There are some linebackers who just have a knack for playing short zones in pass coverage and Lewis seems to have that. He has to do a better job of trusting his instincts and reacting to what he sees - which is exactly what this scheme is based on.
In the run game, Lewis will get overpowered from time to time so he has to do a better job of getting around blocks without running around them. Unless Bailey turns up his game to a very high level, it's likely that he and Lewis will split some playing time throughout the season.

Scouting Report: Rex Tucker (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/2007/07/scouting_report_rex_tucker.html)

Posted by Tom Kowalski (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/about.html) July 11, 2007 06:03AM


Rex Tucker's first year in Detroit can only be described as an exasperating experience for everyone involved. The coaching staff was excited when he was signed because they felt they had a powerful right tackle with a mean streak who would bring some yardage and attitude to the ground game.
Tucker, though, suffered a knee injury early in camp when someone fell on his knee and he never got completely healthy. It's something the Lions should have anticipated - in his eight years in the league, Tucker has only appeared in all 16 games once (when he was a full-time starter with the Bears in 2001).
Since that time, though, an assortment of injuries has derailed Tucker. He hasn't appeared in more than eight games in any year since and only started five games for the Lions last year.
Going into this season, Tucker has been moved to guard and that's going to make for some compelling decisions when the roster is finalized. The Lions traded for starting right tackle George Foster and it appears Jonathan Scott has solidified a backup role at tackle. Does that leave any room for Tucker?
The Lions would prefer to keep another backup who can play both guard and tackle and they have a player like that in Barry Stokes. Stokes is a better guard than he is a tackle while Tucker is better suited for the outside than the inside. It could come down to how well Tucker plays at guard in the preseason.


Scouting Report: Dewayne White (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/2007/07/scouting_report_dewayne_white.html)

Posted by Tom Kowalski (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/about.html) July 12, 2007 06:01AM


Dewayne White was one of the team's biggest priorities in free agency and he fills one of the club's biggest needs - a pass-rushing defensive end. Head coach Rod Marinelli has full belief that White is going to be a successful player in Detroit's system and that feeling is based on what he knows about White. However, it's also a little bit of a leap in faith.
White has been a backup in his four years with the Bucs and, while he was behind a couple of pretty good players, he still didn't produce on a full-time basis. The other issue is sacks: In 60 games he has 14 career sacks. In the eight games he started for the injured Simeon Rice last year (on the right side), White had just two sacks.
Marinelli, though, will tell you that the success of his scheme is predicated on more than just sacks. The system clicks when there's consistent pressure on the quarterback, who knows he must get rid of the ball as quickly as possible. That's when the rest of the defense gets to read its keys and fire on the ball.
White has exhibited some of those qualities Marinelli is looking for. White doesn't have ideal size, but he's very quick, has good speed on the outside and knows effective countermoves. He's also got a nonstop motor and pursues the play until it's over.
Despite being 6-2 and 274 pounds, White can hold his own with big offensive tackles because he's very strong and has good hands. What remains to be seen is whether he can do that on a full-time basis for a full 16 games without wearing down. Now, White will be platooned along with the rest of the defensive linemen to keep them as fresh as possible, but the reality is that he's going to participate in more plays than he's ever had before.
Finally, one of the big reasons Marinelli wanted to bring White in is because he's very passionate about football, he's hungry and he's a big believer in the Tampa Two system. Marinelli has already done a good job of selling his program to the other players but it never hurts, especially when the team hits a few bumps, to have some loyal warriors in the locker room still preaching the message.


Scouting Report: Eric Beverly (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/2007/07/scouting_report_eric_beverly.html)

Posted by Tom Kowalski (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/about.html) July 13, 2007 06:00AM


A guard when he arrived in Detroit in 2001, Beverly left for Atlanta in 2005 and was converted to a tight end. He caught one pass for zero yards in his two years there, partly because he was a blocking tight end and mostly because he was playing with Alge Crumpler.
When the Lions signed him as a free agent, they didn't have any grand plans in store for him. They figured he as a versatile guy with toughness and strong character. What they found out very quickly, though, is that Beverly is a very good athlete who can catch the ball, block with some power and also pick up the offense very quickly. That last part is essential when it comes to finding playing time with coordinator Mike Martz.
With Dan Campbell still sidelined with the triceps injury - and Casey FitzSimmons and Sean McHugh playing multiple roles - Beverly is getting a lot of snaps at tight end and he's been impressive.
He doesn't have Campbell's experience in the receiving game, but Beverly could be a threat - especially in the two-tight end formations - because nobody's going to pay a lot of attention to him. Look for Martz to put Beverly in motion to give him the best matchup possible.


Scouting Report: Kenoy Kennedy (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/2007/07/scouting_report_kenoy_kennedy_1.html)

Posted by Tom Kowalski (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/about.html) July 14, 2007 06:01AM


Safety Kenoy Kennedy will deny it and the coaching staff says it's not true, but there's no question in my mind that Kennedy does not strike fear into the hearts of receivers like he did when he played with the Broncos.
Kennedy was a very aggressive player back in those days and was a regular participant on the highlight reels because of his explosive hits. During 2002 and 2003, though, Kennedy was suspended for one game and fined three other times for helmet-to-helmet hits or overaggressive play. In fines and suspensions, it cost him nearly $75,000.
Kennedy saw the handwriting on the wall and had to know that more aggressive play would result in bigger fines - his last one was a whopping $30,000 - and more suspensions. So Kennedy has throttled it back and it's taken a big bite out of his game.
To be effective, Kennedy has to be physical because he's not real strong in one-on-one coverages and he doesn't have the great instincts to play center field in the zone. While he's vulnerable to double-moves and pump-fakes, that shouldn't be as big an issue in this scheme where you're constantly told to keep everything in front of you.
Kennedy is good in run support but he needs to do a better job of breaking down because there are times he'll miss. It's the one time his aggressiveness backfires on him.
Kennedy should earn a starting job with the other safety position contested between Daniel Bullocks and rookie Gerald Alexander. However, if Kennedy doesn't step up his production from the last couple of years, the Lions might opt to go with the young guys.


Scouting Report: Mike Martz (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/2007/07/scouting_report_mike_martz.html)

Posted by Tom Kowalski (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/about.html) July 15, 2007 06:00AM


If Lions fans are lucky, offensive coordinator Mike Martz will be leaving the team after this season. If they're really lucky, that departure will be delayed for a few years.
The reality of the situation is that Martz is going to be leaving the team, there's very little question about that. While there are certainly critics who believe it won't happen, there's a great deal of evidence to suggest the Lions' offense is going to put up a lot of points this season. If that happens, Martz is going to be a hot commodity when some head coaching jobs open up - and they always do.
And make no mistake about it - Martz wants to return to head coaching.
But there are two other dynamics at work here. One, Martz keeps saying that he has a great deal of respect and loyalty toward head coach Rod Marinelli and you can believe it. It's genuine. Martz has said he's not leaving Detroit until the Lions get it turned around and by "turned around'' he doesn't mean 7-9.
The other interesting part of this is that Martz isn't desperate to become a head coach and he's not going to lunge at the first opportunity that comes by. Martz was stung by his experience in St. Louis and he doesn't want to repeat it.
For all his quirkiness, Martz knows and understands his shortcomings - most of them, anyway. Martz knows that he's very strong-willed and stubborn and he knows that he has to find the right organization that can handle his personality. Martz has a massive ego and he knows he has to find front office personnel who aren't threatened by that.
Whenever you talk to people around the league about Martz, the first thing that gets brought up is his offensive genius. The second thing is his "mad scientist'' personality but then the conversation goes back to the football part. Martz simply has an understanding for offensive concepts and a knack for playcalling that I've never seen before in an offensive coach. I've heard plenty of guys rip on Martz's personality, but I've never heard anyone question his "genius'' status when it comes to offense.
You couple that with his teaching ability and the respect that he commands from the players and you've got a special coach.
Martz, of course, knows all of this. It's part of his charm. But he's very sensitive to his reputation of having meltdowns with front office personnel and/or fellow coaches. Martz has made an effort to be on his best behavior and, by all accounts, he's been fine to work with. (OK, he's had his share of minor tiffs here and there, but nothing out of the ordinary for a coaching staff. Those arguments can be a little more interesting, though, when Martz is involved.)
The bottom line is this: Even if it kills him, Martz is going to turn the Lions into a high-scoring offense - especially in the second half and in the red zone, areas where they weren't consistent last year. If he does that, and the Lions become a playoff contender and establish themselves as an up-and-coming team, then Martz is going to listen to the head coaching offers as they come in.
He might not accept any of them, but he's going to listen.


Scouting Report: George Foster (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/2007/07/scouting_report_george_foster.html)

Posted by Tom Kowalski (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/about.html) July 16, 2007 06:01AM


George Foster might not appreciate this, but if Lions fans went back and watched film of Foster during his days with the Denver Broncos, they'd see a lot of Stockar McDougle.
McDougle, the Lions former first-round pick, was strong, quick and extremely talented but he just never got it done on the football field. He was a great athlete but a poor football player. That same tag will dog Foster until he shakes it off.
Foster, acquired in the deal that sent Dre Bly to Denver, might have gotten his wakeup call last season when he was benched for a couple of games for ineffective play. Unlike McDougle, Foster seems to have more passion for the game, but needs to stay more consistent with his intensity.
Technically, Foster is very good is all parts of the game and, although, he looks a little top-heavy, he's strong in the running attack. He's got pretty good footwork and can handle an outside pass rush, but is vulnerable to inside counter moves. Foster can also have trouble from time to time with a good bull-rush move.

LOL@Stanton and the Lions for picking him

Scouting Report: Anthony Cannon (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/2007/07/scouting_report_anthony_cannon.html)

Posted by Tom Kowalski (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/about.html) July 17, 2007 06:02AM


Second-year linebacker Anthony Cannon is going to face a tough challenge in making the roster because the team is already solidly two-deep at the middle and strong side and then there's reliable veteran Donte Curry and incoming rookie Johnny Baldwin.
Cannon, who has good speed but is a little undersized at 225 pounds, has the benefit of going through his second camp of the Tampa Two system.While he did see some action on the field, especially in goal-line situations, he'll have to earn his way on special teams.
Cannon has to be so dominant on special teams that he'll either knock someone else out of a job, or force the coaches to think about cutting back at a different position.


Scouting Report: Calvin Johnson (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/2007/07/scouting_report_calvin_johnson.html)

Posted by Tom Kowalski (http://blog.mlive.com/lionsinsider/about.html) July 18, 2007 06:00AM


Going into the draft, the Lions were desperate for three defensive positions - end, cornerback and safety. The Lions had contingency plans to take a player at one of those positions if they traded out of the second overall pick. As the draft drew closer, president Matt Millen decided he couldn't pass up Georgia Tech receiver Calvin Johnson and basically demanded Herschel Walker-like compensation for any possible trade.
At this point, it appears to be a very wise decision.
After watching Johnson from his first press conference through the off-season workouts and OTAs, it's difficult to find any negatives. Personality-wise, he's a bright kid with high integrity and a great deal of pride. When he makes a mistake on the field, it bothers him because he let down his teammates but it bothers him even more that he let down himself. His own standards will be as high or higher than anything the coaches can set for him.
Physically, the kid is off the charts. At 6-5 and 240 pounds, he can run a 4.3 in the 40 and also muscle a cornerback in press coverage. Despite his size, Johnson is very quick going into his cuts and coming out of them, which is essential in Detroit's offense.
Johnson will be the starter at the Z position, but it doesn't really matter because it's not like the old West Coast offense where a player's position dictated where he'd line up on the field. You'll see Johnson on both the left and right side and sometimes lined up on the same side as Roy Williams. Coordinator Mike Martz is going to do everything possible to get the best mismatches available.
In addition to his speed, Johnson has excellent body balance and control and, like Williams, has no problem contorting his body in full stride to reach for a pass that's either high or behind him. Johnson also has remarkably consistent hands and makes the easy catch as routinely as he does the circus acts.