Detroit Lions Weblog

The Church Of Schwartz roundtable discussion, Supplemental Draft

The Church of Schwartz has routinely held a “coffee klatch”-style roundtable discussion among some like-minded, internet-addicted Lions bloggers who muse eloquently upon several Lions topics. I have learned a lot through this process and have had fun participating in the collaborative discussions. Unfortunately, I missed the most recent one and decided to weigh in here:

Here’s are the questions for this week’s Roster Crunch edition:

1. Which safeties will make the squad?
2. Which wide receivers will make the squad?
3. Which offensive linemen will make the squad?

The Lions safety situation is relatively healthy, despite the fact that it is loaded with question marks, like nearly every other Lions personnel group. The Lions have a lot of their stakes defensively invested in the idea that Louis Delmas will start and contribute from day one. They also made the same commitment to Josh Bullocks and Gerald Alexander during recent drafts and each suffered from both injuries and general inconsistency.

In this case, I believe that Delmas and Bullocks will be the starters, with Marquand Manuel and Kalvin Pearson providing backup. Anthony Henry will likely fill both safety and corner roles as needed, and could emerge as the starter should Bullocks falter. I actually hope that Henry becomes the “slot guy”, who plays in nickel and dime coverage packages. If Stuart Schweigert proves of use on the special teams, he could eventually sneak onto the roster.

In regards to the receivers, obviously, the conversation begins with the prodigious Calvin Johnson and then, everybody else. I am gleefully beginning to allow the shadowy, unformed edges of my imagination to picture what a Matthew Stafford to Calvin Johnson passing combo could actually produce. I will try not to get too carried away, since Johnson’s future success depends heavily upon the performance of his receiving mates.

Personally, I think that the remaining receivers will be Bryant Johnson, Ronald Curry, Dennis Northcutt and Derrick Williams. Adam Jennings may find himself on the roster as a special teams ace, especially in kick coverage, if no one else emerges to take that role from him. I believe that Williams will cover most of the return duties, guaranteeing him a roster spot, unless (when?) injuries become a factor.

In regards to the O-Line, I believe that the starters will be: LT Jeff Backus, LG? ,C Dominic Raiola, RG Stephen Peterman, and RT Gosder Cherilus. The starting left guard will cause a ripple effect in this group, since I am not sold on either Manny “Not That One” Ramirez and Damion Cook successfully holding a tenuous grip upon the position. I believe that the starter will emerge from either Daniel Loper or Ephraim Salaam, unless either Backus or Cherilus falters, which could force Salaam or Loper into a starting role.

A large part of Loper’s value to the Lions is in his versatility so he definitely will make the roster. I also believe that Jon Jansen and Salaam will weather the storm and provide ample pressure upon Backus and Cherilus to continue to fight to retain their jobs. I believe that Damion Cook can also play center, which would garner him a spot as a backup. The last player will Tonio Fonoti, given he finally achieves a measure of his once huge potential.

The fact that we can discuss each of these playing groups and there is some room for questioning whom might survive these position battles can only be regarded as positive for the Lions future outlook.

The Lions were hoping to enhance their future outlook by adding a defensive line prospect during yesterday’s supplemental draft. They were very interested in DE Jeremy Jarmon and were willing to part with a 2010 fourth rounder, widely considered to be a deep and richly talented draft pool, in order to acquire Jermon with their fourth round supplemental draft pick. I like the calculated risk the Lions were going to make in an attempt to address a personnel group that desperately needs attention. Unfortunately, Dan Snyder and the dreaded Redskins, who toss around draft picks as if they were completely value-less, beat the Lions to the punch and selected Jarmon a round earlier.