Lions Report: Strategy And Personnel
Collective bargaining aside, this will be the least turbulent offseason the Lions have had this century. There is a stable foundation in place now, from general manager Martin Mayhew to head coach Jim Schwartz and the coaching staff, to the offensive and defensive systems, to the majority of the players.
This will be the third year that foundation has been in place.
Still, there are serious holes in the roster, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. The Lions will focus a lot of their energy on resources on plugging holes at linebacker and cornerback.
OFFSEASON STRATEGY
Start with linebacker. MLB DeAndre Levy is the only player assured of a starting spot. There will be two new starting outside linebackers. Julian Peterson will not be brought back and Zack Follett (neck) isn't expected to play next season. Even if he can, he won't be a starter.
The Lions may also lose free agent Landon Johnson. Restricted free agents Bobby Carpenter and Ashlee Palmer will likely be back, but the Lions see them as key reserves, not starters.
The biggest free-agent worry will be re-signing CB Chris Houston. They will certainly be looking for help in the secondary and linebacker in the draft.
The Lions will not use the franchise or transition tag on any player this season. They don't feel there is any player worthy of it.
TEAM NEEDS
1. Outside linebacker: It was one of two units that was never stabilized last season. The Lions used six different starters. They also used five different starters at middle linebacker because of Levy's lingering injuries.
2. Cornerback: The Lions have put a priority on re-signing Houston. They also have a stable of corners who have, for varying reasons, never quite lived up to their potential. Alphonso Smith will be given every opportunity to win a starting spot. Others like Aaron Berry, Brandon McDonald, Tye Hill and Prince Miller are also in the mix.
3. Wide receiver: The cupboard gets bare in a hurry after Calvin Johnson and Nate Burleson. Bryant Johnson, who has one year and $3 million left on his contract, was frustratingly unproductive this season. His three receptions in the finale probably weren't enough to change the Lions' thinking on this. Former third-round pick Derrick Williams was also a bust.
4. Offensive linemen: Do not be surprised if the Lions use their 13th overall pick to take an offensive lineman. Early projections show the best available player at the spot might be an offensive lineman. And even though the Lions will return their line intact, players like LT Jeff Backus and C Dominic Raiola are approaching the end of their career.
MEDICAL WATCH
FS Louis Delmas and MLB DeAndre Levy had groin surgery in January. Both are expected to be ready whenever spring practice opens.
DE Kyle Vanden Bosch, who had neck surgery late in the season, has made a full recovery.
The biggest surprise was that quarterback Matthew Stafford wound up having surgery on his right shoulder. The surgery was performed by Dr. James Andrews on Jan. 17.
"It went very well," Andrews said in a statement. "We now have plenty of time for a full recovery in order for him to get ready for next season. The procedure is the same one that we have successfully performed on a number of NFL quarterbacks.
"Matthew has one of the strongest arms in the league and I am confident that he will be as strong as ever."
The rehabilitation process is expected to take four months, which means Stafford will be ready for training camp in August.
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