Detroit Lions Weblog

Re:”Sledge”

It looks as if Corey Schlesinger is going to be out for another game this week. It is beginning to appear his reign as Lion FB may be nearing it’s end as well. He still makes incredible collisions with linebackers at the point of attack as a lead blocker and still seems capable catching the ball out of the backfield. No one will ever question his intensity and toughness that has long made him a fan favorite in Detroit. One still has to wonder if Lions have been attempting to prepare for his retirement/release in the future though. Paul Smith, who is on the IR list, seemed to be a nice combo back who didn’t have the size or explosiveness of Schlesinger but is also quite useful on special teams. They also drafted Brandon Drumm a couple of years ago and he didn’t stick with the team. Stephen Trejo has been a capable special teamer who had been released during training camp and welcomed back with the Schlesinger injury troubles. I think the Lions could continue to utilize his versatility in the future. I think with Shawn Bryson’s blitz pick-up ability and his pass catching skills he could become a nice combo back with added girth. No one will ever question Sledge’s “badassitude” and ability to create mind-jarring collisions that increase his folk hero status as he busts face mask after face mask. It still might be time to plan for the future now that he has missed so many games this year.