Church of Schwartz

Training camp is in full swing and so is The Lions Congregation. We’ve got a full deck to play with this week so let’s get right to the answers:

1. Which offseason addition will have the biggest impact on the team in 2009?

Steve, Detroit Lions Weblog: In my opinion, if the Lions are going to become even remotely credible as a team this upcoming season, they will have to make major improvements defensively. I believe that the performance of their defensive line predicates any success that their defense may actually enjoy this season.

In that case, I think that Grady Jackson, Orien Harris, and Sammie Lee Hill stand as the team’s biggest off-season additions. If they are successful at plugging the middle to prevent the run, the rest of the defense will be allowed the opportunity to perform at a much higher level than during recent seasons.

Given their difficult early season schedule, the possible four game suspension of Grady Jackson looms exceedingly large, in that regard.

Ty, The Lions in Winter: I’d love to say it’s one of the defensive veteran acquisitions like Grady Jackson or Larry Foote, but I actually think the biggest impact is going to be from TE Brandon Pettigrew. Besides being a devastating blocker, blowing open holes and protecting Stafford, I think Pettigrew’s biggest impact will be in the receiving game. Having a player who’s such a physical mismatch, with such soft hands–he’s like a walking, talking ‘broad side of a barn’. On second-and-long and third-and-short, Pettigrew will be the crutch Stafford can lean on to move the chains, make progress, keep drives alive. As Stafford himself said in his interview with Colin Cowherd, all you have to do is put it on his shoulder and it’s a completion every time. With the way Linehan has successfully used tight ends in his offense in the past (Jermaine Wiggins, Randy McMichael, etc.), I have no doubt he’ll figure prominently in the offense. As a final thought, think about some of the recent quarterbacks who found quick success in their first few years of the NFL: Eli & Peyton Manning, Mike Vick, Drew Bledsoe, Troy Aikman. What did they have in common? Jeremy Shockey, Marcus Pollard, Alge Crumper, Ben Coates, and Jay Novacek . . .

Phil, MLive: I’m going to cheat and claim two for the price of one. Larry Foote and Julian Peterson will be huge for the Lions simply because they’re such a massive upgrade over what the Lions had at linebacker last season. It’s incomparable.

Big Al, The Wayne Fontes Experience: Without a doubt, Jim Schwartz, as change has to start from the top on down. For the first time in damn near forever, I feel confident about the man running the Lions on the sidelines. He doesn’t come off as just collecting a pay check (Rogers), a buffoon (Fontes), a overly blustery tough guy (Ross), a used car salesman (Mariucci), or in over his head (Mornhinweg, Marinelli).

I also love the fact Schwartz has sabermetric view on football. When he makes a decision, you know he’ll have the facts, numbers and stats to back him up. It’ll be a far cry from the panic moves we’ve seen from Lions coaching staffs in the past.

Schwartz carries himself as an NFL head coach should, with confidence and a just a bit of swagger. Schwartz wasn’t afraid to hire a pair of former head coaches as coordinators, which tells me volumes, all good. I’m hoping…no, expecting…Schwartz’s attitude to rub off on the Lions themselves.

Josh, Detroit Lions Fan 1979: This is a very tough question for me. I felt like Martin Mayhew made a lot of great additions, from starters to depth, that will really help the Lions to improve. (Please note: I am assuming FA additions, not draft picks.) After a bit of thought, I am going to say Daniel Loper. I can easily see him winning the battle to start at LG. Other than about half a solid season from an aging Edwin Mulitalo, LG has been a gaping hole on the Lions for about a decade. Jeff Backus has seldom had even average play at the revolving door nexdt to him that was LG. Loper is young, and was good enough to step into any position on the Titans O-Line with no drop-off in play from the starters. With Peterman and Cherilus growing into their roles on the right, Loper has a chance to bring solid G play to the left. This strengthening of the OG position will also leave less unfavorable matchups to Raiola alone on nose tackles — which is by far not his strong suit. It will also leave Backus more free to concentrate on the edge rush, versus cheating inside to try to handle the OG and OT duties at once.

Sean, Pride of Detroit: I think it’s a tie between Julian Peterson and Larry Foote. We all know how much help the defense needed, and this group of linebackers really can be something special. Peterson and Foote bring talent and leadership, two things that the Lions were greatly lacking.

Deacon Blades Boyd, CofS: I think the obvious answer here is Julian Peterson. The Lions finally have a good linebacker (after watching Ernie Sims last year I refuse to call him a good linebacker) and hopefully with his rushing skills he can open things up for everyone else. But I”m going to go out on a limb and say that Bryant Johnson and Dennis Northcutt will have the biggest impact. With teams double and triple covering CJ, I think they could have monster seasons.

Reverend Spielman, CofS: I’m going to say Brandon Pettigrew. The Lions haven’t had a competent tight end in the fold since David Sloan lumbered down the field. What are the two great crutches for developing QBs? A sure handed TE and a running game. Pettigrew helps both aspects, as he’s even better in blocking than he is in receiving. I did like many of the defensive acquisitions and Stafford is growing on me, but this one takes the cake.

2. Aside from the big offseason signings (Foote, Bryant J, Grady Jackson, Buchanon, Loper) what under the radar signing will have the biggest impact?

Steve, Detroit Lions Weblog: I like the trade for Dennis Northcutt. He hasn’t been as productive during recent seasons, but he has the ability to fill a number of roles and playing opposite Calvin Johnson should provide him with ample opportunity for future success, as long as he isn’t completely “washed-up” as a player.

Coming in at a very close second are both Ephraim Salaam and Jon Jansen. With the eventual promotion of Matthew Stafford as starting QB (unless Daunte Culpepper proves improbably successful!) , the Lions are in no position to suffer from poor performance by either Jeff Backus or Gosder Cherilus. The Lions need to be absolutely ruthless and unflinching in their handling of Stafford and furthermore, whom they enlist in his protection!

Ty, The Lions in Winter: Under the radar? Everything the Lions do is under the radar! Seriously, though, I fervently hope that the signing of Eric King is going to have the biggest impact. Why? Because . .

Phil, MLive: I think Marquand Manuel can give the Lions great flexibility and depth in the secondary, and that’s an area where, for this season at least, that will really help them out, especially in terms of roster spots.

Big Al, The Wayne Fontes Experience: Maurice Morris is my pick. We all know the NFL is a copycat league. The latest trend to be copied near league-wide is having two running backs carry the load. Let alone there’s the fact the Lions haven’t been more than one deep at the running back position since…well, your guess is as good as mine. The fact the Morris signing keeps Aveion Cason out of the offense, and on special teams where he belongs, is an even bigger plus.

Morris has proven to be a quite capable backup in Seattle, averaging over 4 YPC in limited duty over his career. He still has quite a bit of tread left on the tires, and I expect the Lions won’t lose much effectiveness when Morris is giving Kevin Smith a blow.

Josh, Detroit Lions Fan 1979: Wow. That is most of the signings in that list right there, and excluding trades… Terelle Smith. As we have already seen from the camp, this coaching staff will, I think, be more creative in using the full skill set players possess, rather than pounding square pegs into round holes.. Jerome Felton was a great example of that last season. He was a beast in goal line situations in college, and has great potential as a pure power back, in addition to being a strong blocker. And he got two carries. It was revealed today that the Lions were lining up short yardage and power run packages with Terrelle Smith lead blocking for Jerome Felton in a 2 FB set. That is a load and a half for opposing defenses to take out — and something I was truly stunned not to see given the Lions’ short yardage troubles in 2008. (Only subbing Moran Norris for Terrelle Smith)

Using this type of set to pick up key first downs will be a huge contribution by T. Smith. Also, he is an excellent pure blocking back which will help in both pass protection, and to open running lanes for Kevin Smith.

Sean, Pride of Detroit: Out of all the signings, I think tight end Will Heller can really come in handy as a blocking tight end. We’ve found out this week that he can’t catch the ball all that well, but he was brought in to block. I think putting him out there in a two-TE set would really be beneficial to Kevin Smith and the running game in general.

Deacon Blades Boyd, CofS: I’d like to think Eric King simply because anyone reading this blog could suit up and probably start for the Lions this year. Buchanon is EXTREMELY OVER RATED and believe it or not, not one guy the Lions have at CB would be a top 3 corner on any other team. So here’s to hoping King has a break out season.

Reverend Spielman, CofS: I absolutely loved the signing of Marquand Manual. I know he’s a short term fix at safety but he’s always been a favorite of mine. I really believe he’s going to start and make a difference in that secondary.

3. What is the one position where we can least afford an injury?

Steve, Detroit Lions Weblog: In my opinion, running back. The running back position is the one position where you are most likely to suffer from both major and minor injury form week-to-week. In my view, Kevin Smith’s backups offer a huge performance drop-off, should he be injured.

I appreciate the versatility and experience of both Maurice Morris and the indefatigable Aveion Cason, as well as the potential of Aaron Brown and Jerome Felton, but ultimately the Lions are one serious injury away from becoming completely one-dimensional as an offense, in my eyes. The loss of Smith, as unglamorous as even he is as a performer, could prove devastating.

Ty, The Lions in Winter: The cornerback position has me absolutely petrified. Buchanon is several years removed from being one of the premier young corners in the NFL. Anthony Henry has definitely lost a step or two, and may yet switch to safety. Eric King’s seen spot duty as a nickel/dime back in Tennessee, but now he may be our #2. People insist that Keith Smith is secretly really good, but he’s certainly never shown it. He’s probably our nickel. After that you have guys like Ramzee Robinson and Chris Roberson. If Henry switches to safety, and Buchanon gets dinged, you are looking at career dime backs starting. That’s mortifying.

Phil, MLive: I don’t think there’s any question that the Lions are weakest at defensive tackle. It’ll be interesting to see how Landon Cohen comes along with his crazy strength (50 reps of 225 lbs.), but regardless, DT is certainly an area the Lions can’t afford to lose anyone.

Big Al, The Wayne Fontes Experience: The defensive line, as one, it’s really not all that good to begin with, two, there is absolutely no depth, three, the backups are, to be blunt, raw and inexperienced, and four, Schwartz’s defensive system will work only if the D-line does their job.

Add it all up, and you have a unit that can’t afford an injury or setback of any kind.

Josh, Detroit Lions Fan 1979:Lets just roll through this quick unit by unit:

* QB: Stafford or Culpepper is fine at this point, and with Stanton progressing, that wouldn’t kill.

* RB: I’d hate to lose Kevin Smith — however, Aaron Brown is showing flashes, and Maurice Morris has proven to be a solid backup over time.

* OL: The starters are still up in the air, but pretty much anyone other than Raiola goes down and with the team likely keeping Jansen at least at backup, I don’t think over the short term there would be that much drop off.

* Dline: I’m much less worried about this unit than I was. If Grady, or Darby (if they keep him) goes down, Cohen, Flu, IAF, Hill… White and Avril on one side, Devries on the other. Peterson has played DE and likely will on many third and long yardage downs. I’m hoping one or more of those guys are already starters — and if the others are on the roster there will already be decent depth there.

* Secondary: Again, while the depth isn’t fantastic, outside of Delmas it is pretty similar. No one really stands out — and no one would be really missed. Henry can play S or CB. While it wouldn’t be the best of situations, injuries are never the best.

* Linebackers: This is one unit that I will say could absorb an injury the easiest. While all 3 starters are top notch this year, the backups are also solid. Levy has been looking good, and Dizon seems intent on shedding his 2nd round bust label too quickly applied. Spencer and Follett (assuming they keep 7 LB) round it out enough that in injury wouldn’t be too bad.

* TE: Heller, Gronk and Pettigrew are likely to be your TE. An injury to one would hurt due to its’ importance in the scheme. However, Gronk is really having a good camp and Brown or Felton could line up as a TE thanks to good blocking.

* WR: Finally — a position where a key injury really buggers the team. Dennis Northcutt is a slot WR. Bryant Johnson has yet to live up to the “solid #2″ label, much less go to guy. CJ is CJ. And…umm…a few other guys who seem to be dropping a lot of passes. A key WR injury (CJ) could hamstring the offensive playbook.

Sean, Pride of Detroit: My first instinct was to say the defensive line since we are so limited depth-wise, but it’s not like there is an enormous drop off in talent if a starter were to go down. That is really the key factor, which is why I nearly went with running back. Maurice Morris isn’t awful, but it would hurt to lose Kevin Smith. In the end, I go back to the linebacker position. Losing Larry Foote would be a huge blow to the MLB position, as there isn’t much talent or experience behind him. Plus, I have a feeling the trio of Peterson, Foote, and Sims are going to play really well as a group, and losing just one of them would be a big blow to the defense.

Deacon Blades Boyd, CofS: I’d have to say, wr, dl, ol, lb, cb, rb and s. In case you can’t tell, we have no depth except at qb.

Reverend Spielman, CofS: We simply can not afford to lose a defensive end. DeVries, White and Cliff Avril are far superior to any other options and a rotation system will be key to keeping them fresh. If we lose one, then the other two are going to have to stay on the field 100% of the time, which I believe will sap their effectiveness late in games.

Related posts:

1. The Lions Congregation: Week 6 Edition
2. The Lions Congregation: Week 4
3. The Lions Congregation: Roster Crunch Edition
4. The Lions Congregation: 2009 Draft Evaluation Edition
5. The Lions Congregation: Draft Recap Edition