Detroit Lions Weblog

Pre-Training Camp Depth Chart-Positional Battles

Scout.Com has published the Lions pre-training camp depth chart . There will be many interesting positional battles (I am not referring to a lost chapter of the Kama Sutra, either) in camp that will have major impact on the team the Lions field in the regular season.

The position which is most likely to obseved will be Quarterback. Will Joey Harrington finally emerge as a capable NFL QB? Can Jeff Garcia, who flourished under Steve Mariucci in ‘Frisco, regain his esteem as a NFL QB? The skill players have been upgraded significantly in the offseason, whichever QB assumes the role of starter will be saddled with very high expectations. If there is one position on the entire Lion’s roster which MUST perform at a higher level this upcoming season it will be starting Quarterback. As far as I can tell, it is Joey’s job to lose. Does that inspire confidence? Definitely maybe?

On defense, the Linebackers and Secondary will both feature some interesting roster battles. The Lions feature a lot of quality young linebackers with the return of Boss Bailey from injury and the valuable experience obtained by 2nd year pros Alex Smith and Teddy Lehman. Add rookie Johnathan Goddard to the mix, and the Lions have a lot of options. It would appear, that Bailey will man the Strongside LB position, Earl Holmes the Middle LB, and James “Dirty” Davis the Weakside LB. The wild card is will Teddy Lehman have gained enough upper body strength and toughness at the point of contact to move into the middle or will he and “Dirty” Davis battle for the starting weakside position? Holmes is aging and both he and Lehman are liabilities on passing downs. Ultimately, I believe that Lehman will be forced to the middle and is probably a year away from the assuming that job.

The secondary battle will be intriguing. The Lions have a lot of capable bodies with undetermined roles thus far. It appears one corner will be helmed by Dre Bly and that the starting Strong Safety will be Kenoy Kennedy. Fernando Bryant was a disappointment last season and the Lions have young veteran corners in Chris Cash and Andre Goodman who could challenge for playing time. The Free Safety position would appear to be Terrence Holt’s to lose. The Lions recently acquired R.W. McQuarters who could have a major impact upon who starts at Free Safety and the CB opposite of Bly. McQuarter’s most likely will be best utilized as a nickel back yet if Holt or Bryant should falter McQuarters is a proven commodity at either position. The job I believe is most tenuous is Bryant’s because he performed so meekly last year. With the pressure placed on NFL secondaries due to a new intrepretation of the 5 yard contact rule it is imperative that the Lions get improved play from their personnel in the secondary.

Going deeper into the roster charts, Defensive End and Tight End both could offer some surprises. Kalimba Edwards has been a disappointment as an edge rusher and Bill Swancutt could press Edwards for a roster spot. It’s Edwards’s job to lose but Swancutt will not go down easily. At Tight End, Casey FitzSimmons has inconsistently exhibited sure hands and impressive athleticism. In early mini-camps, Free Agent rookie Tight End Jason Randall from Michigan State drew a lot of praise and FitzSimmons by no means has no lock on the backup Tight End position.

One last battle to observe will be at backup running back. Kevin Jones is the undeniable starter. Shawn Bryson serves the duel role of 3rd down back and potential fill-in should Jones get injured or need a rest. The other running back will come down to Artose Pinner who the Lions had high hopes for and has done little impress in his limited opportunities. In the offseason the team acquired Jamel White. White has done well in limited opportunities with Cleveland but is a longshot to make the roster. That being said, White could be a valuable receiving back and has had some exposure to the West Coast Offense in Tampa Bay. Pinner would appear to have an edge but must prove that he can help on 3rd downs to keep a roster spot.

The least publicized and quite possibly most important roster battle will be which linemen will emerge as the starting right offensive tackle? Victor Rogers, Kelly Butler and Kyle Kosier will all have opportunities to win the position. Many feel that Kosier is best used as an utility linemen but if neither Rogers or Butler prove capable he would appear to be the right man for the job with his valuable game time experience.

I can’t believe training camp is finally on the horizon. Their is no greater thrill than the NFL season. The pre-season is viewed as an annoyance by players, coaches, and front office staff’s. Yet, hardcore fans view it is a valuable dress rehearsal and opportunity to find players to root for who will never appear on a regular season roster with any sort of regularity. It is a time when the Scott Genord’s, Jeff Sanchez’s and Blue Adams’ have their opportunity to shine. This has been one of the more positive offseasons the Lions have had in recent years. Even with all of the inherent questions, for the first time in a while, it would appear the Lions posess the roster depth and higher quality level amongst it’s skill players make it possible to contend for the playoffs. What more can we ask for?