Speivey or Levy

[lionsFTW]

Been thinking about these two and would like to ask you guys a couple questions.

All of these questions are based of off Detroit not using a Round 1 or 2 pick to upgrade either of their positions and that they will be our opening day starters at LB and Safety (not saying this is necessarily the case, just speculating).

A) Seeing how both have changed positions in the last year or two, they're certainly still adjusting and have room to grow. Which do you feel has a higher ceiling at their current position?

B) In your opinion are either long term solutions at their respective positions? Why or why not?

C) Which is more likely to have a breakout year in your opinion?

D) Which one having a breakout year would be bigger for our defense? Why?

Look forward to reading some or your responses!

 

[Diggler Cometh]

Levy because of the D line in front of him. You could make the same argument for Spievey based on line play but Levy should be left unblocked to flow to the ball and make more plays.

 

[Slick]

meh....Levy is average at best and Spievey is below average , both guys need to step up large in 2012.

 

[tsmith7559]

Spievey is garbage

 

[JScottWriter]

Totally agree, that guy is useless. He does show great examples of how not to tackle though, which I am sure the coaching staff shows the rest of the team.

 

[zyxt9]

I remember at the start of last year the coaches were impressed with how much Spievey improved from the year before. Levy I don't believe improved much at all. Based on that, I'd say Spievey has POTENTIAL to improve into a solid starter, but much depends on IF he improves this offseason. I remember him getting involved in plays pretty aggressively until OCs realized how they could use his overpursuing and below average tackling to their advantage. As we need the DBs to step up more than LBs, I'm hoping the game has slowed down enough for Spievey mentally to make all of us say he is legit. I don't think the problem is physicality, just the speed transition to the NFL level has been hard for him. He has the physical tools to play tough, IMO.

 

[Mitchrapp]

I would not be upset with a S in the upcoming draft. Use Spievey in the dime package or something.

 

[mhughes0021]

Dont like either player.

A) i disagree...thinking either have "room to grow" is very optimistic. Were supposed to arguably have one of the better dlines in football and Levy still looked silly. Spievey has just been garbage since day one....changing positions shouldnt mean you forget how to tackle. Some of the blown coverages are just comical.

B) none

C) Levy may soak up some tackles if hes doing his job right....he could potentially have good numbers.

D) Spievey...because itd be completely unexpected and hes SOOOOooo far from having a breakout year and Eric Coleman isnt going to come in and light it up either. Atleast in Levy situations if he goes down i have complete faith in Palmer stepping up and doing his job.

 

[detroit1811]

I think its Levy. He could be borderline Pro Bowl worthy if he just stops trying to make the big hit and just wraps up and tackles the guy. there were so many plays where Levy could've had TFL or short gains where he was just out f position to make the tackle. If the coaches sit him down and correct that he could be a very god player, but thats a big if. Right now though he is solid because at worst he is a very good nickle LB'er because he can cover and make plays on the ball.

Just wish he would learn how to tackle.

 

[LKP]

This is a make or break year for Levy with so many free agents next year for the Lions. They gave him a 2nd round tender so they value him some. But he needs to step it up if he wants a 2nd contract with Lions. Durant is a more important free agent LB next year along with Delmas, Houston and Lawrence Jackson.

Spievey is in a tough spot. He was a CB so we shouldn't be suprised he sucks at tackling as a strong safety. Suprisingly Delmas took a step back last year in run D tackling. Wouldn't mind if they drafted a safety for actual competition with Spievey but it all depends on the board obviously.

 

[motown1958]

Durants play was pretty inconsistent last year which unfortunately has been his career MO. Spievey has shown flashes of both good and bad. But still struggles when playing the run but I like his ability to play in coverage but he still makes bad plays because he lets guys get behind him and he bites on every playaction.
Levy misses to many tackles and struggles getting off of blocks. He is still young but needs to show improvement this year if he wants to back next year.

These guys may struggle to find a spot next year. We could draft a safety this year if Barron falls making spievey expendable. We could draft a LB this year making Levy or Durant expendable. Im hoping this year they play the way we need them to for some wins.

 

[LKP]

Durant did well this year. Much better than Levy. Durant was never a cover LB but he's a good run defender, can shed blocks well, and a good tackler like Tulloch. Durant and Tulloch graded out well in run defense. Durant does always miss a few games and comes off the field for lack of coverage but Durant is much better than Levy due to tackling and shedding blocks.

 

[schles192]

Durant is in the same boat as best. I expect palmer to finish the season at slb.

 

[LKP]

Durant came back and played well last year after his concussion. He is not in the same boat as Best