Detroit Lions Weblog

Kitna Bootlegging, Jared DeVries, etc.

Tom “Killer” Kowalski is the best source available for Lions news, especially regarding the seminal stages of the ‘08 season. Interestingly, he mentions that the Lions are going to attempt to roll Jon Kitna out of the pocket more frequently in a number of designed boot plays, in order to buy him some crucial time to make more plays down field.

The Lions feel that Kitna has a knack for making plays while rolling out, in spite of his propensity towards turning the ball over. It does make some sense for the Lions to attempt to stretch the field vertically with a couple of lanky gazelles like Roy Williams and Calvin Johnson creating mismatch nightmares inside of opposing secondaries. Mike Furrey and Shaun McDonald seem likely to prove capable as safety valves for Kitna when he is unable to fire the ball deep into the opposing secondary, too.

Kowalski also mentions that Jared DeVries, a quality, versatile veteran is atop the depth chart at one of the two defensive end spots. DeVries, who had 6.5 sacks last year, has given the Lions some of the consistency and productivity that they were missing from the enigmatic Kalimba Edwards and any number of other unproductive players that they have lined up at the position during recent seasons.

Unfortunately, DeVries has a tenuous grip on a starting position because the Lions have attempted to address their unproductive pass rush with the recent selections of Ikaika Alama-Francis and Cliff Avril, who, if they can prove remotely capable, will press DeVries for playing time during the season.

The Lions signed veteran LB Leon Joe, which is likely a sign that they can ill afford to wait for Takeo Spikes to decide if he would like to join the team, given how green linebackers like Anthony Cannon, Buster Davis, and company are. The Lions have brought in Gilbert Gardner and Alfred Fincher to compete to make the roster, along with Joe, and provide experienced depth in a weak personnel group.

The Lions have a number of injured veterans who have been unable to participate in training camp drills. Ernie Sims, Edwin Mulitalo, Shaun McDonald, and Dan Campbell–all expected to make the final roster entering the season, are all nursing assorted injuries.

Easily one of the more disappointing performers for the Lions last season, Cory Redding must earn his large paycheck and recapture the performance level that made him a surprise success after shifting inside from defensive end to defensive tackle two seasons ago.

Redding is a team leader who, along with Chuck Darby and Shaun Cody, will be expected to perform more consistently than they did last season on the inside.  The Lions have a ton of questions on defense, but the successful Tampa-2 is completely predicated on the performance of the defensive line and it’s ability to generate a consistent pass rush.  Redding is a pivotal member of that group, who must perform at a higher level.