2014 Lions Top 10 Questions

[inkfreq]

Just the biggest question marks I have at this point, pre-draft, going into next season.

#1 How will the new coaching staff adjust Matt Stafford's game?

If Stafford becomes a little better QB, he will step into that elite category. His numbers aren't far from elite now, so it won't take much improvement to turn him into the 2011 Matt Stafford that should have clearly been a Pro Bowl QB.

#2 Will Nick Fairly step up?

Fairly is playing for a contract, either in Detroit or somewhere else. If he finally steps up and take his game seriously, he could be one of the best DTs in the league, standing next the one of the best DTs in the league. The defensive line could be flat out sick this season. Or, if he gets moody, it could be a major problem area.

#3 Will Darius Slay improve and become an acceptable starter?

It takes three years to develop a corner, but his working with Rod Woodson may jump start that learning curve. If Slay can be an "acceptable" corner this year, it would be a huge step forward for him.

#4 Is Chris Houston healthy and ready to go?

Like Slay, Houston needs a better year than last year. He's been a good starter in the past, and there is no reason to believe yet that he won't have that bounce back season.

#5 Can Ryan Broyles stay healthy?

Unless this team moves up to take Watkins, Broyles is the slot guy as of right now. And when healthy, he's a lethal receiving target. The problem is, we've seen to little of a healthy Broyles. I doubt he is a Week 1 starter by the time the draft is over, but if he can show coaches what he has, and they believe he is healthy and can stay healthy, the need for a receiver in the draft is greatly reduced.

#6 Will La"Adrian Waddle continue to develop?

At times last year Waddle looked ready to become the best RT in football. At other times he looked like an undrafted rookie. Clearly the longer the season went, the fewer rookie mistakes we saw, and he really looked the part by the end. If he can nail down those first team reps, and continue to grow, he could make the Lions O-Line among the best in football this season.

#7 Who will play Outside Linebacker opposite Levy?

Ashlee Palmer was there last year, and played at average or just below, but not bad enough to scream at. This year Caldwell has talked about bringing in that Flamethrower on that side of the ball to get after the QB. Will the Lions be able to land an impact guy early enough the draft, or do they get a 4th or 5th round LB with some speed who may not be able to beat out Palmer?

#8 Is James Ihedigbo a true liability against the pass?

He's stout in run support, among the best at his position in fact. But the rep on him is he gets abused against the vertical attack. If the CBs aren't up to the challenge, it's going to make for long days watching the safety get burned for long gains as well.

#9 Who is our kicker?

Akers is gone. Kickalicious didn't pan out. Will we draft a guy or go after a free agent like Lindell? Or an undrafted kid to compete with a veteran? Or will we bring Rugland back for another look? Is it possible they run out of time and re-sign Akers? Unlikely, but possible. Who is putting it through the uprights for the Lions... that is a HUGE question right now.

#10 Mikel LeShoure.

What isn't a question about this guy? He landed in Schwartz's dog house and spend the entire season watching games, mostly from his street clothes.

But he's a 2nd round pick that had tons of potential when he was drafted.

Can he take Joique Bell's job as the #1B? Can he work his way into being a reliable #2? Does he make the 53-man roster?

If he lives up to his billing coming into the draft, the Lions could have three lights out running backs going into this season. If he lives up to what he's done so far, it might be Lights Out for Leshoure.

 

[Mitchrapp]

Nice post but I can't get onto 1. I don't see $tafford as "not far from elite".

I'm curious what Leshoure does. He's the dark horse. I like the new safety but would like him better as depth. I hope we go draft for our LB needs rather than internally, like Palmer. I could see us taking a K early, by the fourth round.

 

[tomdalton22]

Just the biggest question marks I have at this point, pre-draft, going into next season.

#1 How will the new coaching staff adjust Matt Stafford's game?

If Stafford becomes a little better QB, he will step into that elite category. His numbers aren't far from elite now, so it won't take much improvement to turn him into the 2011 Matt Stafford that should have clearly been a Pro Bowl QB.

#2 Will Nick Fairly step up?

Fairly is playing for a contract, either in Detroit or somewhere else. If he finally steps up and take his game seriously, he could be one of the best DTs in the league, standing next the one of the best DTs in the league. The defensive line could be flat out sick this season. Or, if he gets moody, it could be a major problem area.

#3 Will Darius Slay improve and become an acceptable starter?

It takes three years to develop a corner, but his working with Rod Woodson may jump start that learning curve. If Slay can be an "acceptable" corner this year, it would be a huge step forward for him.

#4 Is Chris Houston healthy and ready to go?

Like Slay, Houston needs a better year than last year. He's been a good starter in the past, and there is no reason to believe yet that he won't have that bounce back season.

#5 Can Ryan Broyles stay healthy?

Unless this team moves up to take Watkins, Broyles is the slot guy as of right now. And when healthy, he's a lethal receiving target. The problem is, we've seen to little of a healthy Broyles. I doubt he is a Week 1 starter by the time the draft is over, but if he can show coaches what he has, and they believe he is healthy and can stay healthy, the need for a receiver in the draft is greatly reduced.

#6 Will La"Adrian Waddle continue to develop?

At times last year Waddle looked ready to become the best RT in football. At other times he looked like an undrafted rookie. Clearly the longer the season went, the fewer rookie mistakes we saw, and he really looked the part by the end. If he can nail down those first team reps, and continue to grow, he could make the Lions O-Line among the best in football this season.

#7 Who will play Outside Linebacker opposite Levy?

Ashlee Palmer was there last year, and played at average or just below, but not bad enough to scream at. This year Caldwell has talked about bringing in that Flamethrower on that side of the ball to get after the QB. Will the Lions be able to land an impact guy early enough the draft, or do they get a 4th or 5th round LB with some speed who may not be able to beat out Palmer?

#8 Is James Ihedigbo a true liability against the pass?

He's stout in run support, among the best at his position in fact. But the rep on him is he gets abused against the vertical attack. If the CBs aren't up to the challenge, it's going to make for long days watching the safety get burned for long gains as well.

#9 Who is our kicker?

Akers is gone. Kickalicious didn't pan out. Will we draft a guy or go after a free agent like Lindell? Or an undrafted kid to compete with a veteran? Or will we bring Rugland back for another look? Is it possible they run out of time and re-sign Akers? Unlikely, but possible. Who is putting it through the uprights for the Lions... that is a HUGE question right now.

#10 Mikel LeShoure.

What isn't a question about this guy? He landed in Schwartz's dog house and spend the entire season watching games, mostly from his street clothes.

But he's a 2nd round pick that had tons of potential when he was drafted.

Can he take Joique Bell's job as the #1B? Can he work his way into being a reliable #2? Does he make the 53-man roster?

If he lives up to his billing coming into the draft, the Lions could have three lights out running backs going into this season. If he lives up to what he's done so far, it might be Lights Out for Leshoure.

good list.

1) I think Stafford is a long way from elite. For me only Manning, Brees, Brady and Rodgers are elite. He needs to improve to get out of the middle of the pack into that 6-10 area.

2) Fairly. I think he will always be an inconsistant player. He will show flashes of brilliance and then take several plays off.

3) this is key....he needs to step up.

4) see above...the secondary was weak last year.

5) I don't think I would count on him. Some players just seem to always be injured.

6) I think he probabl will...he was only a rookie last year.

7) do you think they should draft one a little higher than the 4th or 5th?

8) If he is weak against the pass it could be another long season

9) anybody but Akers will be an improvement.

10) say goodbye...I think he is a bust.

 

[inkfreq]

good list.

7) do you think they should draft one a little higher than the 4th or 5th?

Nope, and I will explain why....

In the first round you have the Anthony Barr's and Khalil Mack's of the draft. The big talents.

In the second round you have the Kyle Van Noy's and the C.J. Mosley's, maybe even a Ryan Shazier. Any of these guys could go in the first, and there is a strong possiblity that Mosley will, and Shazier could. Van Noy is probably a 2nd rounder. These guys can start for any team.

In the third, you have a bunch of guys who really aren't any better than the guys who will go in the fourth, fifth and sixth. Guys like Carl Bradford or Telvin Smith.

They have no better potential than a Jordan Tripp or Christian Kirksey who will go in rounds 5 or 6. They have a higher profile, but the same bust potential.

If you aren't taking an impact guy like a Barr, or a starting calibre guy like a Van Noy, you aren't getting a guy you can absolutely depend on. You are getting a kid with potential who will come in and compete, and likely lose to Palmer.

Might as well take that guy in the 5th or sixth instead of the third where you might get a Travis Swanson or a Weston Richburg instead. A guy who might not start this season, but can be a 10 year anchor on your line.

Or, better yet, a Dion Bailey type kid who might be able to beat out Ihedigbo at Safety.

 

[mhughes0021]

when your list is this long....and can be longer....that's martin mayhew problems.

 

[LKP]

The only issue is what day should the Lions Super Bowl parade be. This team is stacked especially if they get Watkins.

 

[tomdalton22]

the only issue is what day should the lions super bowl parade be. This team is stacked especially if they get watkins.

2/6/2055

 

[inkfreq]

when your list is this long....and can be longer....that's martin mayhew problems.

Disagree completely. I could put together this same list for any team in the NFL, and it would be pretty close to the same length, depending on how wordy I like to get.

Every team in football has a minimum of 10 questions headed into next season. Some very pressing, some not so pressing.

This list for example... is it really critical that Mikel Leshoure do anything at all next season? He could be cut before the beginning of the year, and none of us would miss him. But if he steps up under the new coaches, it could be damned nice.

Or Ryan Broyles. I doubt he does anything to help. If he's healthy though, our need for a WR is greatly reduced. If not, we have a need for one. But are we really sure Jeremy Ross couldn't be that receiver? Or Kris Durham?

Just questions man, based on where we stand right now. But every team has them.

 

[tomdalton22]

Disagree completely. I could put together this same list for any team in the NFL, and it would be pretty close to the same length, depending on how wordy I like to get.

Every team in football has a minimum of 10 questions headed into next season. Some very pressing, some not so pressing.

This list for example... is it really critical that Mikel Leshoure do anything at all next season? He could be cut before the beginning of the year, and none of us would miss him. But if he steps up under the new coaches, it could be damned nice.

Or Ryan Broyles. I doubt he does anything to help. If he's healthy though, our need for a WR is greatly reduced. If not, we have a need for one. But are we really sure Jeremy Ross couldn't be that receiver? Or Kris Durham?

Just questions man, based on where we stand right now. But every team has them.

I agree with this. Every team has questions but they are relative to what their expectations are. The Jags may have 10 questions and if those are answered in a positive manner they might get to .500. A team like the 49ers may have 10 and if most go right they will find themselves in contention for a Superbowl appearance. I think the Lions are a team that if things go well for most of those questions they can make the playoffs.

 

[Mitchrapp]

The only issue is what day should the Lions Super Bowl parade be. This team is stacked especially if they get Watkins.

Oh Slick you bastard..

:cheers:

 

[Mitchrapp]

Nope, and I will explain why....

In the first round you have the Anthony Barr's and Khalil Mack's of the draft. The big talents.

In the second round you have the Kyle Van Noy's and the C.J. Mosley's, maybe even a Ryan Shazier. Any of these guys could go in the first, and there is a strong possiblity that Mosley will, and Shazier could. Van Noy is probably a 2nd rounder. These guys can start for any team.

In the third, you have a bunch of guys who really aren't any better than the guys who will go in the fourth, fifth and sixth. Guys like Carl Bradford or Telvin Smith.

They have no better potential than a Jordan Tripp or Christian Kirksey who will go in rounds 5 or 6. They have a higher profile, but the same bust potential.

If you aren't taking an impact guy like a Barr, or a starting calibre guy like a Van Noy, you aren't getting a guy you can absolutely depend on. You are getting a kid with potential who will come in and compete, and likely lose to Palmer.

Might as well take that guy in the 5th or sixth instead of the third where you might get a Travis Swanson or a Weston Richburg instead. A guy who might not start this season, but can be a 10 year anchor on your line.

Or, better yet, a Dion Bailey type kid who might be able to beat out Ihedigbo at Safety.

You made a case for taking a LB in round 1 or 2. Let's say they don't trade up and are set on not taking a CB at 10. So who could they pick at 10 and second round? The only really options at 10 are DE, LB, and outside chance at S, like Ha Ha. But LB is probably the best bet there..

 

[inkfreq]

You made a case for taking a LB in round 1 or 2. Let's say they don't trade up and are set on not taking a CB at 10. So who could they pick at 10 and second round? The only really options at 10 are DE, LB, and outside chance at S, like Ha Ha. But LB is probably the best bet there..

If it comes down to that, I would like to see a LB like Anothony Barr at #10, and a DE like Kareem Martin in the second round.

I have heard the talk that Barr is best fit for a 3-4, and that's probably true, but I see nothing to indicate he couldn't be a great LB in a 4-3 as well.

There are several guys projected to go in round 2 rated ahead of Kareem Martin, but I disagree. There's something phenomenal about that guy, and I would love to see him in Detroit.

But yes, LB and DE would be the right combo in that scenario.

 

[inkfreq]

To be clear though, I think they are already working on a trade scenario. I think Watkins is absolutely the pick.

We went into the off-season with a few needs. CB and S were immediate needs.

We had a few desires as well. LB, C, and WR. Those were not, contrary to popular belief, needs. We wanted upgrades, but we had warm bodies under contract to fill the position.

We handled a desire right off the bat with Golden Tate. We filled a need with James Ihedigbo.

We have filled the CB need with Cassius Vaughn and resigning Rasheen Mathis.

Round 1 we're not looking at C, and we don't have room for another CB on the roster. Safety could still be a position we want to upgrade, but I don't think so. Austin seems to expect Ihedigbo to be a leader, and it's hard to to that from the bench.

So the logical place to look is WR, since that's the place we really needed more than one. The infatuation with Watkins is obvious. They've done everything but get him a hummer from Glover's GF.

With few needs, and many desires, you can afford to move around a bit, especially if you leverage future picks.

I see them moving up and taking Watkins. We're going to get fleeced in the deal, and we should be for how obvious we've made the scenario, but the Lions will outbid anyone right now to get their guy.

 

[motown1958]

Mayhew really thinks the defense is serviceable and the offense is 1 piece away from being #1. I can't say I don't disagree since to me the defense had pieces but scheme was an issue. To many blown coverages because guys didn't know where to be. We had a good offense with crap next to CJ, Bush and Bell. This team will have to score to win games but it may come down like it has the past few years where a few plays here and there are the difference between playoffs and trash.

 

[michiganalex]

To be clear though, I think they are already working on a trade scenario. I think Watkins is absolutely the pick.

We went into the off-season with a few needs. CB and S were immediate needs.

We had a few desires as well. LB, C, and WR. Those were not, contrary to popular belief, needs. We wanted upgrades, but we had warm bodies under contract to fill the position.

We handled a desire right off the bat with Golden Tate. We filled a need with James Ihedigbo.

We have filled the CB need with Cassius Vaughn and resigning Rasheen Mathis.

Round 1 we're not looking at C, and we don't have room for another CB on the roster. Safety could still be a position we want to upgrade, but I don't think so. Austin seems to expect Ihedigbo to be a leader, and it's hard to to that from the bench.

So the logical place to look is WR, since that's the place we really needed more than one. The infatuation with Watkins is obvious. They've done everything but get him a hummer from Glover's GF.

With few needs, and many desires, you can afford to move around a bit, especially if you leverage future picks.

I see them moving up and taking Watkins. We're going to get fleeced in the deal, and we should be for how obvious we've made the scenario, but the Lions will outbid anyone right now to get their guy.

are Vaughn and MAthis here for only 1 yr deals? if so could the Lions be waiting for Next year to get a CB? or could they still draft Gilbert/Denarrd and solidify the CB corp?

 

[inkfreq]

are Vaughn and MAthis here for only 1 yr deals? if so could the Lions be waiting for Next year to get a CB? or could they still draft Gilbert/Denarrd and solidify the CB corp?

Houston is here, for better or worse, for a few more years. Slay was just drafted.

Why would the Lions feel they must have a corner this year or next?

 

[michiganalex]

Houston is here, for better or worse, for a few more years. Slay was just drafted.

Why would the Lions feel they must have a corner this year or next?

but if i remember Grandy said Houston is cuttable after this year. why not draft a starting successor now? Barr would help if they didn't go CB in the first. but Drafting Denarrd or Gilbert could help this CB corp. also if you had to maybe convert somebody to safety to help there?

 

[inkfreq]

but if i remember Grandy said Houston is cuttable after this year. why not draft a starting successor now? Barr would help if they didn't go CB in the first. but Drafting Denarrd or Gilbert could help this CB corp. also if you had to maybe convert somebody to safety to help there?

I'll explain it again for you...

Yes, Houston is "cuttable' .. which just means you don't kill your cap by letting him go.

Corners take an average of three years to develop. So if you draft either Gilbert or Dennard this year, and cut Houston next year, odds are you are still going backwards because even a beast of a young corner likely won't be full go in year two.

So, you are advocating drafting a kid in the first round who won't play much this season (Slay in year two, Houston and Mathis the vets), so that maybe if we want him next year we can??

Houston had a down year playing injured, but getting rid of a guy you just signed to a multi-year deal on the cheap cheap is like selling your brand new Mercedes because it got a flat tire. It makes no sense.

For better or worse, we have our corners. Houston/Slay are the starters, Bentley the nickel, Vaughn/Mathis the backups, and probably Jonte Green stays as a developmental guy and special teams contributor.

They aren't even thinking CB in the first round, and it's really obvious. And they likely won't be thinking CB early next year either.

 

[michiganalex]

I'll explain it again for you...

Yes, Houston is "cuttable' .. which just means you don't kill your cap by letting him go.

Corners take an average of three years to develop. So if you draft either Gilbert or Dennard this year, and cut Houston next year, odds are you are still going backwards because even a beast of a young corner likely won't be full go in year two.

So, you are advocating drafting a kid in the first round who won't play much this season (Slay in year two, Houston and Mathis the vets), so that maybe if we want him next year we can??

Houston had a down year playing injured, but getting rid of a guy you just signed to a multi-year deal on the cheap cheap is like selling your brand new Mercedes because it got a flat tire. It makes no sense.

For better or worse, we have our corners. Houston/Slay are the starters, Bentley the nickel, Vaughn/Mathis the backups, and probably Jonte Green stays as a developmental guy and special teams contributor.

They aren't even thinking CB in the first round, and it's really obvious. And they likely won't be thinking CB early next year either.

Grandy said his cap hit was too high to cut him this year though. i can't remember which thread it is in though

 

[michiganalex]

i just hope they don't trade up and lose picks.