Chris Houston is still banged up

[kdp80]

From mlive.com

Chris Houston still injured as Detroit Lions kick off minicamp

By*Kyle Meinke | [email protected]*
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on April 22, 2014 at 6:20 PM, updated*April 22, 2014 at 6:25 PM

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Preparations for 2014 have begun, but Lions cornerback Chris Houston is still saddled with injury from 2013.AP File Photo*

ALLEN PARK -- Chris Houston believes he can have a bounce-back season if he's healthy, which is encouraging for a Detroit Lions team that is desperate for help in the secondary.

Only problem? He's still not healthy.

The cornerback missed the opening day of Detroit's minicamp as he continues to heal from an injured toe that prematurely ended his 2013 season.

Coach Jim Caldwell acknowledged Houston is injured, although would not confirm its nature.

"He is injured, there's no question about that," Caldwell said. "Obviously his (lack of) participation is simply because of the fact he cannot do his job at this point."

Houston still has three months to heal up before the start of training camp, though his continued absence is a concern for a secondary that ranked 23rd against the pass last year.

Houston was expected to be the team's top cornerback, after inking a $25 million deal, but struggled through various injuries and off-field distractions.

He ranked 93rd at the position, according to ProFootballFocus, and allowed the 10th-worst QB rating among 81 qualifying cornerbacks.

Houston told MLive he believes he can rediscover his old form, if he can get healthy and*shut out the distractions.

"I can get back there. I just got to be healthy," he said. "I can't be going out there knowing my hamstring is hurting, trying to soldier through it while trying to face someone like Calvin Johnson, because you're not there mentally.

"Last year was just a bunch of trying to play through injuries -- people not really knowing what's going on with me. But I'm trying to still go out there and play. I don't want to blame it on anything. Just trying to get my body right. Once you get your body right, that enables you to be there mentally and physically. You can't go out there and play physically if you're hurting, because that affects you mentally."

Detroit has to make some hard decisions this offseason about how to improve its secondary. Its top three cornerbacks -- Houston, Darius Slay and Rashean Mathis -- all return, but only Mathis played well last year.

The team is optimistic Slay will turn a corner after improving toward the end of a rocky rookie season.

The Lions also remain hopeful Chris Greenwood develops into a dependable option. Jonte Green remains on the roster as well, though he was limited during the opening day of minicamp.

Houston's uncertain status could make it more difficult for Detroit to evaluate its personnel, as the team figures out whether to draft a cornerback to offer help.

 

[grandy]

What toe is it? Can he pull a Ronnie Lott and get back to business?

 

[wheels002]

This is why I believe they will go CB at 10. I still want them to trade down but if they make a pick at 10 it will be a CB.

 

[kdp80]

Hopefully they see it how most of us saw it last year. Losing CH is not a loss. But I'm also assuming that a CB is a must early in the draft in their eyes.

 

[Mitchrapp]

Swell.

 

[sggatecl]

Dennard at #10 might be a real possibility if we can't trade down. And it really wouldn't be a knee jerk reaction to this year since it's become obvious the Lions can't count on Houston in the long term.

 

[boogerlovejoy]

Dennard at #10 might be a real possibility if we can't trade down. And it really wouldn't be a knee jerk reaction to this year since it's become obvious the Lions can't count on Houston in the long term.

I think Dennard, though not the athlete Gilbert is, will have a better NFL career. Better cover guy, MUCH better against the run/tackling. Plus, he has the instincts and awareness to play S when he doesn't have the speed to play CB anymore.

 

[mhughes0021]

Dennard at #10 might be a real possibility if we can't trade down. And it really wouldn't be a knee jerk reaction to this year since it's become obvious the Lions can't count on Houston in the long term.

im still struggling with the Dennard vs Gilbert decision. Gilbert is a freak athletically, will help in return game but isn't the best in run support. Dennard will be solid for his entire career, is great in press man and can fill vs run extremely well. Gilberts upside might be better....but dennard will be consistent. Both of them are probably not very good value to take at 10....but neither are the rest of the options.

tough call.

 

[michiganalex]

im still struggling with the Dennard vs Gilbert decision. Gilbert is a freak athletically, will help in return game but isn't the best in run support. Dennard will be solid for his entire career, is great in press man and can fill vs run extremely well. Gilberts upside might be better....but dennard will be consistent. Both of them are probably not very good value to take at 10....but neither are the rest of the options.

tough call.

i'd be happy with either one.

 

[mhughes0021]

bad luck that Houston takes longer for a toe to heal than most athletes need to heal a surgically repaired torn ACL.

 

[Mitchrapp]

I still hear "he might not have anything left" or something like that said by our head coach.

 

[LKP]

If he can't get healthy unfortunately, take the CB at 10. This is new information so changes the thinking if Houston can't be healthy. Though I think Slay/Mathis could get it done in 2014 and might still be the starters. Slay is 6'1 and ran 4.36. That's better than the top 3 CBs in 2014 for size and speed.

 

[inkfreq]

If he can't get healthy unfortunately, take the CB at 10. This is new information so changes the thinking if Houston can't be healthy. Though I think Slay/Mathis could get it done in 2014 and might still be the starters. Slay is 6'1 and ran 4.36. That's better than the top 3 CBs in 2014 for size and speed.

Chances of a rookie starting this year are almost zero anyway. If Houston can't go, you want to address the position, but it doesn't necessitate the pick at 10.

I'm still a fan of Keith McGill or Stanley Jean-Baptiste in round 3.

 

[mhughes0021]

Chances of a rookie starting this year are almost zero anyway. If Houston can't go, you want to address the position, but it doesn't necessitate the pick at 10.

I'm still a fan of Keith McGill or Stanley Jean-Baptiste in round 3.

I like both those players...which is odd cause I usualy hate any cb not projected in the first round. Pierre Desir and Phillip Gaines also looked good at the combine. Id go as far as saying Gaines looked the best out of all the cbs at the combine in drills. Pierre Desir fits the mold of cb I usually REALLY hate lol...a small school late riser.....greenwood anyone?! But...For this year and this team I would say if youre not picking a starter than pick a different position. We have enough rd 2-5 rd talent cbs that were already "developing." Unfortunately, "developing" in lions terms means you sit deep on the depth chart and never make an appearance then end up a veteran on another team that makes a bunch of plays.

 

[jdeb]

This is why I believe they will go CB at 10. I still want them to trade down but if they make a pick at 10 it will be a CB.

They may have to now. They were not deep to begin with even if he was healthy. Probably the guy out of MSU. I think I might take Dennard over Gilbert, he seems to be the safer pick. That would be a tough decision.

I still think they draft Ebron for what it's worth.

 

[thehippo73]

I still take Gilbert over Dennard at 10. Houston is done as our #1 or even quality #2 CB. I see him as a June 1st cut.

 

[Mitchrapp]

Just draft already what the fk is taking so long..

 

[jdeb]

I'm gonna miss it. 8 yr old Grandson is in a play and he has 2 solo songs to sing, one to open and one close.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

 

[tonyballs]

Dennard. I'm on board with it.

 

[sggatecl]

Dennard. I'm on board with it.

Same. Just not a fan of Gilbert and his "potential".