Detroit Lions Fan 1979 got me thinking this week about the final roster, so I present to you the Lions Congregation’s thoughts on some of the key position battles!
1. What safeties will make the squad?
Phil, MLive: Daniel Bullocks, Louis Delmas, LaMarcus Hicks, Marquand Manuel, Kalvin Pearson – could still keep Stuart Schweigert if he can improve run support.
Big Al, The Wayne Fontes Experience: Louis Delmas: The big hitting 2nd round pick out of WMU should step right into the starting lineup opening day. My fingers are crossed he becomes the next Ed Reed…or even the next Benny Blades.
Marquand Manuel: Another of the experienced veterans the Lions signed this past off season, Manuel will get plenty of PT on both defense and special teams.
Daniel Bullocks: Former 2nd round pick has one last chance to impress this season, needs to stay healthy and play well on special teams.
Stuart Schweigert: It was a toss up between Schweigert and Kalvin Pearson. So I flipped a coin. Plus Pearson still has the stench of Marinelli all over him, being one of the few remaining Tampa recruits still on the roster.
Jeff, Motown Madmen: Louis Delmas will be the main man in the middle. Daniel Bullocks will likely play opposite Delmas with Marquand Manuel and Kalvin Pearson rounding out the group. I’m expecting big things from Delmas this year. He showed he can play in mini-camps and should, hopefully, be a stud for years to come for the Lions.
Josh, Detroit Lions Fan 1979: Louis Delmas, Daniel Bullocks, Kalvin Pearson, Marquand Manuel, Anthony Henry (I’m listing him as a S here — I think he represents the 5th S/CB and that they will keep 4 of each in addition to him.) I wrote an in-depth piece you will find on my blog with more detail.
Reverend Spielman, CofS: It’s obvious that Delmas is going to be the star here. I think Marquand Manual will end up starting opposite Delmas, with Kalvin Pearson and Daniel Bullocks rounding out the squad. A sleeper here is Otis Wiley, who I can see Schwartz keeping if he’s healthy and he outperforms Bullocks in training camp.
2. What wide receivers will make the squad?
Phil, MLive: Keary Colbert, Bryant Johnson, Calvin Johnson, Dennis Northcutt, John Standeford – Standeford the only question mark.
Big Al, The Wayne Fontes Experience: Calvin Johnson: Duh. Plug Megatron in for another monster season. Say 80+ catches, 1400+ yards, 10+ TDs and All Pro status.
Bryant Johnson, Dennis Northcutt and Ronald Curry: I lumped then all together, as they are damn near the same player. Veteran 2nd or 3rd wide outs who are capable of 50+ catches and 500+ yards. The Lions are hoping one of them steps up opposite Megatron. Whomever ends up as 2nd string also have to step up on special teams if they want to stick on the roster.
Derrick Williams: Rookie 3rd round pick from Penn State, he makes the teams based on his draft status and potential as a breakout return man, something the Lions have lacked most of this decade.
Jeff, Motown Madmen: Calvin Johnson. Bryant Johnson will play opposite CJ with Dennis Northcutt and Ronald Curry sharing time in the slot. I think this could be a very good year for Curry. Adam Jennings and Derrick Williams will fill out the squad, sharing duties on the return game. Demir Boldin, Keary Colbert, Eric Fowler, Kenneth Harris and John Standeford will be the casualties.
Josh, Detroit Lions Fan 1979: Calvin Johnson, Bryant Johnson, Dennis Northcutt, Derrick Williams, TBA (Standeford 1st, then someone they pick up off waivers who also has return ability will bump them)
Reverend Spielman, CofS: CJ and BJ are locks to start. I see Northcutt spending a lot of time in the slot, and Ronald Curry being the 4th receiver. Derrick Williams will be kept for his return potential and I think Eric Fowler has the potential to stick on the practice squad.
3. Which offensive linemen will make the squad?
Phil, MLive: Jeff Backus, Gosder Cherilus, Toniu Fonoti, Jon Jansen, Daniel Loper, Stephen Peterman, Dominic Raiola, Manny Ramirez, Ephraim Salaam (Lydon Murtha to practice squad) – Fonoti or Ramirez to be the first cut if not keeping nine.
Big Al, The Wayne Fontes Experience: Jeff Backus and Gosder Cherilus: Your starting tackles, mostly due to the fact of their 1st round draft status and the fact both are taking big bites out of the salary cap. Backus is OK, at best, while there is still hope Cherilus, who showed flashes of his talent last season, can become a very good player.
Stephen Peterman and Damion Cook: The best guards on the roster, which isn’t saying much. But the Lions had much bigger roster holes to fill, deciding to ride the rapids with the incumbent starters for at least one more season.
Dominic Raiola: The smallish (6′1″, 2095) starting center who flipped off the fans last season just signed a 4 year extension, so he’s going nowhere but on the field every Sunday. The Lions could do worse than the more than adequate Raiola.
Jon Jansen: A quality player for the past decade in Washington, the Lions are hoping there is still some tread left on the tires. Jansen will likely be the 1st backup off the bench, filling in where needed on the line, no matter the position.
Ephraim Salaam: Another proven NFL veteran who can step in immediately at tackle when needed. After 12 years in the league, Salaam isn’t great by any means, but he knows how to play the game. He’s also the size of a small earth mover at 6’7”, 310.
Manny Ramirez: Sticks around so we bloggers can make “It’s just Manny being Manny” jokes. And he’s an OK backup at guard.
Jeff, Motown Madmen: Here’ll be the starting line-up:
LT: Jeff Backus, LG: Daniel Loper, C: Dominic Raiola, RG: Stephen Peterman, RT: Gosder Cherilus
Kind of scary. Only one change from last season where Loper will replace Mulitalo at LG. Ephraim Salaam, Jon Jansen, Manny Ramirez and Toniu Fonoti will be back-ups. That leaves Lydon Murtha, Dylan Gandy, Dan Gerberry, Kirk Barton and Damion Cook. I think that only 2 of these guys will make the team.
Dylan Gandy has playoff and Super Bowl experience but is not of a size to fit Schwartz’s parameters. Dan Gerberry also lacks size and strength. Same thing with Kirk Barton. All three of these guys will be let go or maybe one will end up on the practice squad. I see the last two guys being Damion Cook and Lydon Murtha. Both these guys are big, powerful players and would fit into Detroit’s new theme of getting bigger.
Josh, Detroit Lions Fan 1979: Jeff Backus, Daniel Loper, Dominic Raiola, Stephen Peterman, Gosder Cherilus, Ephraim Salaam, Jon Jansen, Dan Gerberry. First five will be your starters, with the next two as OG/OT backups. Gerberry because it is just as likely as any of the other guys left after that, and a backup OG/C is never a bad thing should Raiola go down.
Reverend Spielman, CofS: The sleeper starter for me is going to be Toniu Fonoti. He’s got the size that Schwartz craves from the guard position. I think the other 4 starters (Raiola, Backus, Peterman, Cherilus) are set in stone. As for the backups, obviously Daniel Loper and Jon Jansen will be kept. I also see Manny Ramirez and Dylan Gandy being kept. Ephraim Salaam may be the unfortunate cut here. I expect to see Damion Cook, Dan Gerberry and Lydon Murtha to be on the practice squad.
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If Otis wiley is healthy he will make the team…..He can play special teams and he also returned kicks at State…..GO GREEN!!!!….GO LIONS!!!!