Safety, Roster Dance Continues

Safety, Roster Dance Continues

August 20th, 2010 | by detfan1979 |

Martin Mayhew continues his flurries of moves, jettisoning players the coaches know won’t be making the cut and adding other players to compete while there is still time left in camp and the ifseason to evaluate them.

Safety is one area I looked at earlier, and apparently Marvin White didn’t come close to making the leap I hoped he would. He was cut, and replaced with veteran Dave Roach from St. Louis. This still leaves just 5 Safeties on the roster, and I can’t see them keeping less than 4. Talk about a position in flux!

Now we also need to include final DE’s to the list of positions the Lions coaches weren’t thrilled with. Problem solved? We’ll see — they cut Hunter after the first preseason game as a veteran courtesy since he was being surpassed by a younger guy with more upside – Willie Young. Still, with Devries nursing another lingering injury that looks like it will at this point land him on IR again, or more likely cost him a spot on the team all together. This is particularly true after they traded for Lawrence Jackson. I’ll have more thoughts on the Jackson trade tonight/early tomorrow in the Lions Congregation.

At this point, here is how I see each position breaking down:

Safety
Starter: Delmas
Backups/Rotational: Phillips, Simpson, Brown

Defensive End
Starters: Avril, KVB
Backups/Rotational: Jackson, Young, McBride

Don’t lock me in stone on this though — with Schwartz and Mayhew this could change at any moment – and then change again!

Rating: 10.0/10 (3 votes cast)

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One Response to “Safety, Roster Dance Continues”

1. By Rip on Aug 20, 2010

   The roster moves has been many this week. To bad for DeVries for he was a steady player for us when healthy. Another person who may fall into the IR waived/injured list is Ko Simpson. He has not gone thru a full training camp or off season work since being with the team.

   Rating: 0.0/5 (0 votes cast)

LB Depth, Special Teams Take Hit

LB Depth, Special Teams Take Hit

August 19th, 2010 | by detfan1979 |

Jordan Dizon doesn’t get a lot of love from most casual Lions fans. He never lived up to his second round draft status to become the “next Spielman” fans were clamoring for in the middle. Hate Millen, don’t hate Jordan. Remember, Dizon was out fishing draft day when the call came in. He expected/was projected into the 4th or 5th round. Dizon was a solid player. Never spectacular, but he did his job.

What was his job you ask? It wasn’t as a starter – but read Schwartz’s comments again, break them down and you will begin to see what kind of loss we are talking about from a team perspective.

“He was really good on special teams, he was a four-phase guy there,” said Lions coach Jim Schwartz. “He played outside linebacker, inside linebacker and he played the nickel linebacker. He did a lot of those things. He’s a guy we’ll have to work hard to replace.”

Four phase special teamer — He played kick-off returns, kick-off coverage, punt returns, and punt coverage. He had the speed to cover, the ability to block, and solid tackling paired with good vision and instinct. These type of players are essential to have on the roster, and can have a huge impact on the game. Much of Detroit’s special teams woes have been the fact that guys who would be special teamers on other franchises in the league were starting with the Lions, leaving even less talented players for special teams.

Outside Linebacker, Inside Linebacker – while he may not be a full time starter, Dizon was good enough to rotate in to all 3 linebacker positions, as well as being the primary backup middle linebacker. It’s not exactly easy to find a single player to back up all 3 spots as solidly as Dizon did — especially MLB in the 4-3 alignment. The ability to cover better than average on RB’s and TE’s, combined with sure tackling is what Dizon brought to the middle – as well as a willingness to stick it in there on running plays despite being undersized. The Schwartz/Cunningham defensive scheme also plays a lot more to his instinctual style than did Marinelli’s rigid cover-2.

Nickle Linebacker – Dizon filled a special role as the nickle linebacker — giving Follett and JP, who aren’t as good in pass pro, a break in nickle situations without losing a lot of power to stop the run. He could also rotate in for Levy, with Peterson or Follett to provide more muscle while also giving Levy a breather. In other words, he was a specialized cog in the defense to come in situationally to keep the starters freash. Considering the lack of depth, this was/is imperative to keep them healthy.

He is a guy they will have to work hard to replace. Unfortunately, it may take more than one guy to replace him. Jordan is the kind of all around player that teams need to fill the backup positions. For every Dizon they can keep a developmental Caleb Campbell or Willie Young – becuase they have one guy that can suit up on Sunday and fill multiple roles well. Pure special teamers abound. Pure backups are harder to find, but there. Guys to start at just nickle-backer – no problem. All three?

As I said to begin with, Jordan is by no means a pro-bowl starting LB. Probably never will be. But he was a heck of a backup, and versatile asset to the team. If the Lions can’t shuffle other guys around, it could mean keeping an extra body they didn’t want to, while trying to sneak someone they wanted to keep onto the practice squad — or letting them go.

The Lions finally have some strength in the starting positions — enough to comepte at an NFL level for once. But depth is the key — injuries WILL happen (unless you are Dallas last year) and it’s a long season. The Lions have starters, now Mayhew is going to start filling in behind them with capable back-ups, and player who will develop into eventual starters.

His building project has a foundation of starters — now hes starting in on the rest of the building — despite losing an important block.

Rating: 9.9/10 (8 votes cast)

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2 Responses to “LB Depth, Special Teams Take Hit”

1. By DSacks on Aug 19, 2010

   Nice analysis & explanation of how valuable a versatile back-up like Dizon can be. Hope Schwartz & company can develop someone else fast!

   Rating: 0.0/5 (0 votes cast)

2. By Lionfan73 on Aug 20, 2010

   I 100% agree on both your analysis on Dizon and the safety situation. Dizon was going to be a very valuable player (think Heath Falwell from the Vikings). The safety situation will also be dicey. Especially if Delmas struggles with that groin injury all year. D-Line will have to be very strong.

   Rating: 0.0/5 (0 votes cast)

Lions Congregation: Camp Week 2

Lions Congregation: Camp Week 2

August 15th, 2010 | by detfan1979 |

Thanks again for joining the Lions Congregation! The panel submitted their answers Friday, but I was on the road for work. Please keep in mind the first pre-season game was NOT played when the panel submitted their responses. Catch the Congregation this Friday as well for thoughts on the Steelers game, as well as continuing story lines with the Lions…

This week’s panel:

Zac of the Sidelion Report
Al of Wayne Fontes Experience
Blades Boyd formerly of Church of Schwartz
Joshua DetFan1979 of Roar of the Lions

Question: I keep reading about the big running lanes for Best. I thought the Lions O-line was pretty bad. Is it suddenly good or is the new defensive line not as good as it has been hyped up to be? I’m confused, and hopefully you guys can help! Thanks, Bill D.

Zac: The Lions certainly haven’t had one of the league’s best offensive lines the past few years but they haven’t been as bad as some might have you believe. Jeff Backus in particular was poorly suited to perform in a Mike Martz offense and has played much better since Scott Linehan took over. In fact, Backus was selected by my fellow NFC North bloggers on the fansided network as the division’s best left tackle. The return of Stephen Peterman and the addition of Rob Sims will have a tremendous impact on the performance of the line. Backus and Dominic Raiola suffered because they tried to do their own job and make up for deficiencies of the guard between them, no longer necessary with Mr. Sims at left guard. In short, the offensive line could be ok.

I’m not worried about the defensive line at all; the mix of proven veterans and promising youth should make for a dynamic unit. I can’t speak to the size of the running lanes but I think it is worth noting that what might be a big hole for Jahvid Best might be a small hole for a player without Best’s speed. His ability to hit the hole and turn it up-field with speed can might trick the eye. He should be fun to watch.

Al: I wouldn’t be worried about the defensive line. To quote Allen Iverson, “But we’re talking about practice, man. What are we talking about? Practice?”

I tend to take all news coming out of Lions’ training camp with a nice sized lump of salt. Even journeyman payers can look like they’re ready for the Hall of Fame in practice. There’s several players currently getting reps who won’t even be on the team in three weeks. Now if we’re getting the same reports about the defensive line a month from now…we’ll all be panicking. But let’s wait for some game action before we get too worried about the defensive line or anoint Jahvid Best an All-Pro to be.

The defensive line will be the last of your Lions’ worries. The offensive line, on the other hand…well…they should be respectable. Really!

I’m expecting the offensive line to be better this year, and they weren’t all God awful in 2009. Why?
The revolving door at left guard has finally closed. Guard Rob Sims is a big time addition at the position. He’s best player the much maligned Jeff Backus has had playing next to him his entire career.
As for the much maligned Backus, I’ve been as hard on him as anyone. Is he overpaid? Oh, Hell yes. Is he a Pro Bowler? Not happening. Is he capable to playing the position if in the right situation? Yes. Actually, Backus had a solid season in 2009, and could be even better with Sims next to him. (I can’t believe I just wrote that…)

The left side of the line should be solid, and it’s not at all surprising if there are holes for Best to squirt through. And with Best’s speed, it’s not like he needs Buick Roadmaster-sized holes. Give him a gap, and he should find it.

The big question on the offensive line is Gosder Cherilus, who is being pushed by the old and crafty (or ancient and washed-up) former Wolverine, Jon Jansen. If there is a spot to be truly concerned about on the line, it’s the position where one of the last of Matt Millen’s draft picks resides.

So don’t get overly worked up over any news about the offense or defense coming out of training camp…save for injuries, of course.

Blades: Interesting question. Let’s start with is the O-Line “suddenly good”. The answer is yes. If you look at the first four or five games last year, the Lions ran the ball pretty well and there were a couple times Smith had HUGE holes to run through. The problem was that he didn’t have that extra burst and the LB or DB’s would make the play. When Peterman went down, that killed the Lions but with him being healthy this year and with the addition of Sims, the Lions have the potential to run the ball really well. Going back to what I was saying before, the difference between Smith and Best is Best has that extra burst and once the hole is there, he’s so fast the LB or DB’s won’t have time to react to the play and I think that’s a huge reason why we’re hearing about these running lanes.

Now about the D-Line. I think they are going to be a real good D-line and what concerns me more then anything is the LB position when I hear this. The defensive lines job, if they can’t make the tackle, is to eat up as many blockers as possible so the LB’s should have an easy tackle. We’ve heard alot in this training camp about Gunther being very unhappy with the play of the defense and how they are making mental errors. If this is what he’s talking about, it’s going to be a MAJOR problem come the regular season.

DetFan1979: The offensive line was patchwork for…umm…a decade or so. The Lions finally have legit starters at both OG spots with a healthy Peterman and Rob Sims. Combined with Best’s superior speed/shiftiness, don’t be surprised to see a strong running game this year. Best needs smaller holes than Smith did, AND the O-line should be making bigger ones.

As for the Dline, I keep hearing how it’s bad that Suh can be eliminated with a double team. Except, that if he has to be double teamed to be kept in check, then that leaves Avril, Williams, and KVB one on one. They WILL make opposing offenses pay with pressure form just the front four. Book it.

I am looking forward to seeing how the epic battles between the Lions Dline and Oline in practice translate to gameday when they go up against other opposition. My theory is, they will each win some/lose some in practice — but that tough practice will allow them to win a lot more than they lose come game day.

What worries me most is the LB which is thin with just Dizon as a real backup to Levy at MLB. Any injuries here to the starters (such as Levy still being out) would be a big blow to this defense. [I wrote this response before knowing Dizon would be lost for the year to a knee injury ~ DF79]

Come back next week to see your questions answered! Got one? Email us at Lionscongregation@yahoo.com

Rating: 10.0/10 (4 votes cast)

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2 Responses to “Lions Congregation: Camp Week 2”

1. By Rip on Aug 16, 2010

   Two players I was hoping to make this years team is gone. Jordan Dizon due to injury and Jason Hunter for causing Dizon’s injury. Hunter’s roster cut was very understandable for he seemed out of control with his body to make a play. It did not appear that he forced into that position when he hit Dizon. Dizon’s loss will be greater than what the casual fan may think.

   Rating: 0.0/5 (0 votes cast)

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No “Safety” in the Backfield

No “Safety” in the Backfield

Thursday, August 12th, 2010

Daniel Bullocks… you couldn’t stay on the field. You had great potential, but it was negated by persistent injuries. Marquand Manuel… at least you got a $50,000 signing bonus to come back to camp for a while.

Yes, there is no safety at safety right now for the Lions. Randy Phillips was signed as an UDFA and thrown right in with the 1’s after just three days with Delmas still out. Most likely, they were looking to get some film on him so they can develop him, though some reports coming out of camp indicate he is solidly in 3rd place in the safety dance derby right now.

Of the two parts of the defensive secondary, it is Safety that worries me most right now. IF Phillips develops, then they could have the solid starter they need next to Delmas. That’s one mighty big IF even my Honolulu blue tinted glasses has trouble seeing. For now, it appears that CC Brown is the “other” safety with Simpson still on the PUP list. IF Simpson and Delmas were healthy, it would be another matter. Simpson did well at times last year, and showed some potential to be at least an average starter across from Delmas. After the injuries, though, will he go the way of Daniel Bullocks?

So who, exactly, ARE the Lions’ Safeties? Lets take a gander at the roster:

39 C.C. Brown S 6-0 208 6 Louisiana-Lafayette
26 Louis Delmas S 5-11 202 2 Western Michigan
43 Randy Phillips S 6-1 210 R Miami
30 Ko Simpson S 6-1 202 5 South Carolina
25 Marvin White S 6-1 199 4 Texas Christian

Considering they will likely keep 4 safeties, can you say “thinner than a sheet of cheap toilet paper”? Now, we must also remember that there are two other defensive backs who have been playing at safety -

33 Jonathan Hefney CB 5-9 185 1 Tennessee
41 Dante Wesley CB 6-1 215 8 Arkansas-Pine Bluff

Still, with the injuries at CB, that position is also severely limited. For the time being, I’m going to assume that the 5 guys listed as safeties will be the ones that the Lions are looking at for now for the position long term.

CC Brown — He started for four eyars for hte texans, and was signed by the Giants last year to a one year deal. He was meant to be depth, but got pushed into a starting role again after Kenny Phillips was injured. Giants fans nicknamed him “Can’t Cover” Brown, although how much of that was him, and how much was the decimated Giants Defensive Line and overall defensive struggles in general remains to be seen. His time in Houston was that of a decent but unspectacular starter — the definition of “average at best”. He’s very fast though, and has gotten quite a bit of work with the first team. Will he make strides and fill that vacant #2 safety role?

Louis Delmas — Not a lot needs to be said here about his talent level. When healthy he has all-pro talent. The key is that ever pesky “when healthy” phrase, since he hasn’t been. Currently he’s on his way to being more of the next Bob Sanders than the next Troy Polamalu. Delmas makes astounding plays when he is on the field — he just needs to get on the field, and stay there.

Randy Phillips — This guy is a mystery of sorts. Normally, he might have been a mid-late round Safety prospect; the kind of guys that work as depth for a while and work their way into larger roles, or play special teams for a few years and are out of the league — a developmental slot where a lot of solid starters at safety are chosen. However, an injury that barred him from only recently passing a physically with the Lions led him to go undrafted. The Lions coaches and scouts seem to like him and under Mayhew have already started forming a solid reputation of having the knack to find late round contributors (Zack Follett, Sammie Hill) We’ll have to see if the Lions have finally found an undrafted free agent diamond in the rough.

Ko Simpson — A late round pick brought him to Detroit last season as the weakness at safety just couldn’t be addressed any other way at that point. He played fairly well on the whole,although I still think of him as better depth than starting caliber. With the situation the Lions have at safety with talent in such short supply, if healthy I would have him pencilled in as the starter next to Delmas. He is not healthy — nor is he expected to be anytime soon. If he doesn’t start the season still on the PUP list and miss at least the first 6 games, I would be surprised. When he returns, the big keys will be if he can be better than he was before the injury and develop further, and if a player like Phillips has stepped up to the plate and cemented the second safety spot.

Marvin White — Marvin was a solid addition who had good times and bad times in the Lions secondary last season. Another post camp signing, he performed well for being tossed into the fire. I see snatches of potential here and there, but they are too infrequent for my liking. He may end up in heavy rotation — especially if Delmas stays nicked up — and I’m hoping the light turns on and he makes great strides.

Essentially the entire safety positions has questions of potential, durability, and talent. There isn’t a single player without at least one question mark (most multiple) and that is not a good thing. While much of the Lions roster has been deepened depth wise and improved, the defensive secondary — especially Safety — shows that Martin Mayhew can only do so much, so quickly. A lot of work is left to be done.

Rating: 10.0/10 (3 votes cast)

Posted in 2010 Ifseason, Analysis, Position Groups, Uncategorized | No Comments »