Detroit Sports Thread

[TFM_Dale]

Only 10 players remain from Lions' 0-16 team

When Cliff Avril joined the NFL, Tuesdays were off days and most of his Lions teammates kept it that way.

"Now your day off isn't really a day off, it's an extra day to get better," Avril said. "That's how we take it."

Avril is one of 10 players left from a roster that has seen significant turnover since Martin Mayhew and Jim Schwartz took over following a winless 2008.

The 10 players remaining on the Lions roster from the team Martin Mayhew and Jim Schwartz inherited after the 2008 season are: Cliff Avril, Jeff Backus, Gosder Cherilus, Andre Fluellen, Jason Hanson, Calvin Johnson, Don Muhlbach, Stephen Peterman, Dominic Raiola and Drew Stanton.

The upheaval was necessary -- no team had ever gone 0-16 -- and part of a deliberate plan to build the Lions into playoff contenders.

Along with high first-round picks Matthew Stafford, Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley, who'll miss Sunday's opener against Tampa Bay with a foot injury, the Lions have stocked up on locker-room leaders still playing at a high level like Kyle Vanden Bosch and Stephen Tulloch.

"I really don't want to go there and talk too much about what we've built because it really doesn't matter what you build, it's how many games you win and the production of that," Schwartz said. "Are we in a better position than we were two years ago? Sure. Have we taken some big steps in personnel on this team? Yeah, we sure have. None of that means a thing if we don't do it on the field. That's my message to the team, and that'll continue to be my message."

http://www.freep.com/article/20110906/SPORTS01/109060403/Only-10-players-remain-from-Lions-0-16-team

[TFM_Dale]

Lions' Nick Fairley (foot) to miss season opener

Rookie first-round pick Nick Fairley won't be ready for the Detroit Lions' season opener Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Fairley, the 13th overall pick out of Auburn, has not practiced since having surgery on his fractured left foot early last month. He’s no longer in a walking boot, but Lions coach Jim Schwartz said today both Fairley and offensive tackle Jason Fox “are still working their way back.”

“Both guys still have a little longer way to go,” Schwartz said. “Out of the boot, but not out of the woods. They still have a lot to do, but they’re doing more and more every day.”

Fox also suffered a foot injury during training camp, and like Fairley missed all four preseason games.

Initially, Fairley was expected to miss four to six weeks following surgery, but the Lions have been cautious bringing him back with plenty of depth on the defensive line. Ndamukong Suh and Corey Williams are entrenched as the starting tackles, backup Sammie Hill had a solid 2010, and Andre Fluellen is back from the broken hand that sidelined him most of training camp.

Defensive line coach Kris Kocurek said last month that Fairley will have some catching up to do when he returns, but still should be an impact player.

“When we drafted him, we looked at a player that fit our profile and fit what we wanted as a d-line, so you’re probably going to see a lot of the same things you’re seeing out of our other d-tackles,” Kocurek said. “The way they play, you’re going to see a lot of that in Fairley. So we’re really excited to get him back.”

Cornerback Alphonso Smith practiced today for the first time since fracturing his foot in off-season workouts, but Schwartz indicated Smith likely won’t play against the Buccaneers, either.

“He’s not game-ready yet,” Schwartz said. “It’s still going to be a while for him, but it’s going to be sooner than six weeks, so we wanted to get him in the swing. Took some individual, took most of 7-on-7, took a few reps in team, but he’s still got a ways to go to get back in the swing of things.”

The Lions decided to activate Smith from the non-football injury list rather than put him on the reserve/NFI list and lose his services for at least the first six weeks of the regular season.

Schwartz also declined today to specify why offensive tackle Johnny Culbreath was placed on injured reserve, saying only, “He had a medical issue.” Culbreath left practice last Monday with medical personnel in tow and did not play in Thursday’s preseason finale against the Buffalo Bills. He was on the field for the start of today’s practice, but cannot take part in practice this year.

http://www.freep.com/article/20110905/SPORTS01/110905015/Lions-Nick-Fairley-foot-miss-season-opener

[TFM_Dale]

Breaking down the Lions offense

http://www.freep.com/article/20110908/SPORTS01/109080443/NFL-preview-Scouting-Lions-defense?odyssey=nav|head

Free Press sports writer Dave Birkett breaks down the Lions defense by position.

Defensive line

Tackle Ndamukong Suh has played one NFL season but already has established himself as one of the most disruptive players in the game. Suh plays with superhuman strength, and he's surrounded by probably the deepest defensive line in the league. Tackle Corey Williams had a Pro Bowl-caliber season last year, though few voters took notice, and rookie first-round pick Nick Fairley, also a tackle, will be a pass-rush specialist whenever he returns from a fractured foot.

At defensive end, Cliff Avril has seen his sacks steadily rise since entering the NFL three seasons ago. He's in a contract year and should hit double digits if he stays healthy. End Kyle Vanden Bosch still plays with a nonstop motor, but neck surgery ended his season last year, and he missed two exhibition games this year with a shoulder injury. Lawrence Jackson is essentially a third starter at end.

Linebackers

The Lions overhauled a linebacking corps in need of serious upgrades at the start of free agency, signing middle linebacker Stephen Tulloch and outside linebacker Justin Durant and moving DeAndre Levy to the outside. While the talent is noticeably improved, the results were inconsistent in a getting-to-know-you exhibition season.

Still, the Lions should do better than the 4.5 yards per carry they allowed last year, and all three starters can play in nickel situations (or really anywhere in the unit). Backup Bobby Carpenter will play in some short-yardage packages and could push for time on the outside after a strong exhibition season.

Defensive backs

If the Lions get above-average play from their starting secondary, they could have one of the top defenses in the NFL. A lot falls on the shoulders of cornerbacks Eric Wright and Chris Houston. Wright is trying to revive his career after a down season in Cleveland. Houston is coming off his best year, but he needs to contribute more than one interception. Brandon McDonald is the nickel corner for now, and Alphonso Smith (five INTs last year) will be back in the rotation after his foot heals.

At safety, Amari Spievey and Louis Delmas have plenty of talent, but consistency is key. Delmas, in his third season, is free of the groin troubles that bothered him last year. He's a playmaker but sometimes can be too aggressive. Dependable Erik Coleman, who came over from Atlanta, is the primary backup.

Special teams

They were staples for so long: kicker Jason Hanson, punter Nick Harris and long snapper Don Muhlbach. Now they're down to two. The Lions cut Harris last week and gave the punting job to undrafted rookie Ryan Donahue. Donahue has a big leg, but punting on NFL Sundays is a different animal.

Hanson is back to full strength and as dependable as ever after missing half of last season with a knee injury. The Lions also have a fearless return man in Stefan Logan and some of the best coverage units in the game, led by Isaiah Ekejiuba, John Wendling and Rashied Davis.

[conmee]

Assuming no major injuries, the Lions should be at least 8-8 this year. Just in the conference they should take both Chicago and Minnesota games and possibly split with Green Bay (every 8 yrs or so they play Green Bay tough). That's 4-5 just in conference. Tampa, KC, Carolina, and Oakland should also give them a chance to win... 9-7 best case scenario.

I'm always pulling for the Detroit Lions/Tigers/Pistons having used to live in Detroit during the Millen and Kilpatrick administrations.

That is all.

Icon©®™

[BITEYOASS]

Well, no loses yet for the Lions this season and the Tigers are on a nine game winning streak.

[BITEYOASS]

One more win and the Tigers get the AL Central.

[TFM_Dale]

Tigers missed the chance to clinch last night but had one hell of a run, just need to get back on track and get back on another streak heading into the playoffs. Lions have a great shot at being 2-0, KC looked like crap last week and the Lions looked pretty good, should only be better this week.

[BITEYOASS]

2011 AL Central Division Champions!!!!

[TFM_Dale]

With Verlander we have a shot at eating anybody, just need Scherzer and Fister to be solid, I'm excited to see how the Tigers can hang in the playoffs, alot of talent on this team.

[kwame k]

2011 AL Central Division Champions!!!!

Hell yes

[Mr Walker]

Please consider signing this... I did

http://www.change.org/petitions/nickelback-ban-nickelback-from-playing-at-the-thanksgiving-day-game-in-detroit

[TFM_Dale]

Please consider signing this... I did

http://www.change.org/petitions/nick...ame-in-detroit

I signed it, can't believe they got those fuck heads to play when you consider all the musical talent from the state of Michigan, hell, Kiss doing some Detroit Rock City would be better then these assholes, and they are 100 years old.

[TFM_Dale]

It sucks, and with a 7-9 season, to me, they are still in need of a complete overhaul, top to bottom.

Thanks God for the Pistons, Wings, and Tigers because without them ...

Well ... it would suck.

Wish you could see the Lions now bro, when I clicked on this thread I was happy to see this post, first time I noticed it.